Live Issue at First-Centenary - July 6

Sunday, January 1, 1905

photo Irish country-gospel band Live Issue features Sam Armstrong (drums, vocals), Roy Dreaning (rhythm guitar, mandolin, harmonica, vocals), Carl Sands (lead guitar, harmonica, vocals), Ivan McLernon (steel guitar) and Colin Elliott (bass guitar, vocals).

IF YOU GOWhat: Live Issue in concert, with Purely AcousticWhen: 5 p.m. Saturday, July 6Where: First-Centenary United Methodist Church, 419 McCallie Ave.Admission: Free (love offering will be taken)Phone: 423-756-2021Website: www.firstcentenary.com

photo Purely Acoustic features sisters from LaGrange, Ga.

Live Issue, one of the most popular country-gospel groups in the British Isles, will present a concert Saturday, July 6, at First-Centenary United Methodist Church. Opening act will be Purely Acoustic, a group of sisters from LaGrange, Ga.

Since Live Issue re-formed in 2006, the band's music and ministry have reached a whole new generation across Ireland, the United Kingdom and America. In the past few years, the band has released a new DVD, "Life and Music," which was recorded live at Revelation TV in London, made two successful tours of the United States, including the band's debut appearance on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, and recorded with top American country and gospel artists.

Live Issue literally made history in Nashville by becoming the first group from Ireland, and only the second group from the British Isles, to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. The current tour will return them to Nashville next weekend for another invitation to sing on the storied stage. The tour also includes stops at theaters and churches in Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina and Alabama.

New Christian Music named Live Issue its Artist of the Year four consecutive years in the Country Gospel category. In 2010, band member Colin Elliott led the effort to record and produce the band's Dove-nominated duets album, "Old-Fashioned Hymns and Gospel Songs for Those Who Miss Them," with several stars from the Grand Ole Opry.