Famed artists to appear for Helping Hands Foundation

Tickets will go on sale Friday, May 15, for a concert which promises to be one of the most memorable events ever held in Rector.

The Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation will bring to the Rector stage internationally-known artists Dailey & Vincent, Guy Penrod, The Isaacs and Russ Taff, as well as Gaither artist Kevin Williams, who will serve as emcee.

The event is set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, at the new air-conditioned RHS gymnasium, which features stadium seating. Tickets are $20 each and may be purchased at Glen Sain Motors locations in Rector, Kennett and Paragould, at Liberty Bank in Rector and Paragould and at Arkansas State University ticket outlets located at Turtle Creek Mall (near the entrance to J.C. Penney) and at the Convocation Center.

Those who purchase a limited number of premium tickets at $50 each will have preferred seating on the floor and will be invited to a "meet and greet" with the artists prior to the show. Premium ticket holders also will receive a gift bag filled with CDs, DVDs and other items valued at more than $50.

All proceeds of the event go to the Helping Hands Foundation for its work in assisting disadvantaged Rector students.

Penrod, Taff and The Isaacs have been a part of the Bill Gaither Music Group, and Dailey & Vincent have performed on Gaither Homecoming videos.

The concert is the second presented by the Foundation, which last year hosted Richie McDonald, former lead singer of Lone Star; Gaither artists Gordon Mote and Reggie and Ladye Love Smith, as well as Taff and Williams.

The amazing lineup is made possible by Foundation co-founder Bill Carter of Lebanon, Tenn., a Rector native who is now a Nashville music producer. Carter has for the last several years worked as executive producer of the Gaither Homecoming projects and in the past has represented several other top Nashville artists.

Dailey & Vincent took home seven awards at the 2008 International Bluegrass Music Awards Show, including Entertainer of the Year and Album of the Year, and perform to wildly appreciative audiences.

Penrod and Taff, longtime members of the Gaither Vocal Band, are two of gospel music's greatest vocalists and have performed for audiences all over the world. Penrod's powerful voice has brought him wide acclaim. He recently embarked on a solo career.

Taff has won seven Grammy awards and 11 Gospel Music Association Dove awards and has been proclaimed by Billboard Magazine as "the single most electrifying voice in Christian music."

The music of The Isaacs fuses bluegrass, gospel and country. Their new album "Big Sky" is described as "stunning, eclectic and joyful." The group includes mother Lily, son Ben, and daughters Sonya and Becky. All have performed with Nashville's biggest stars.

More information on all of the artists will be provided in coming weeks.

With a lineup this strong, all are encouraged to buy tickets soon. "When the tickets are gone, they're gone," said Foundation board member Gregg Sain. "This is a show no one will want to miss."

In the three years since its inception, the Helping Hands Foundation has provided several college scholarships, new uniforms and instruments for the school band, athletic shoes and equipment for students who otherwise couldn't be a part of the school athletic programs, money for field trips, new eyeglasses, dental work and much more.