— Submitted

The Pfeifers to perform at Reed Conder gymnasium

Concert begins
5:30 p.m. Saturday

By Mary Garrison
Tribune-Courier Reporter
mgarrison@tribunecourier.com

DRAFFENVILLE – Marshall County is once again the stopping point for popular music. At 5:30 p.m. Saturday, Gospel music group The Pfeifers will be making an appearance at Reed Conder gymnasium.

A family-based Gospel music group from Washington Court House, Ohio, the group came from humble beginnings over 25 years ago.

“My younger sister Candy and I sang together in high school,” said John Pfeifer, singer and trumpet player for the group. “After she went to college, she organized a little group of her own. Dad gave them a listen and liked what he heard.”

John and Candy’s father began doing what he could to facilitate the little group’s growth in popularity, and it wasn’t long before Candy’s band was making a name for itself.

Enter John, who was making a fresh start of his own.

“I was 29 years old in 1980,” Pfeifer said. “I had a serious alcohol problem and had been in Alcoholics Anonymous and jail in nearly every town I lived in.

“One night I was at the bar, and it just sort of happened — like a miracle. I didn’t expect it, but out of the blue I asked Jesus to help me, and everything just fell into place.

“I had a whole lot of people praying for me, and I’m grateful.”

John joined his sister and the two, along with Mary Jane Carter and recent addition to the group, piano player Justin Hill, have been making musical history ever since.

The Pfeifers have enjoyed much success nationally and internationally in recent years with performances at such locations as Dr Jerry Falwell’s Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Va., and the Mickey Gilley Theatre in Branson, Mo.

The group has also been featured on a number of the successful Bill Gaither Homecoming Tour concert dates and award-winning Gaither Homecoming videos.

The Pfeifers have received much radio play throughout their 25-year career, as well, with several top 20 releases, including “Father’s House” and “Jumpin’ In.”

The Pfeifers have enjoyed appearances on The Nashville Network’s Primetime Country and the Trinity Broadcasting Network’s Praise The Lord program. In addition, the group’s weekly television program, The Pfeifers - Lifting Jesus, is delivered into homes across the country via 20 television stations, as well as the DISH Network, Gospel Music Television, the Angel One Channel and Sky Angel.

When The Pfeifers aren’t making television appearances, the group is featured in approximately 150 shows across the country each year, sharing the message of the Gospel with their musical ministry.

“Music has the power to give people a new perspective and perception on things that may trouble them in life,” John said. “We try to give people new hope through music that will encourage them.”

The group’s ability to combine vocal harmonies with brass instrumentation, creates musical excitement that is appealing to audiences of all ages, Pfeifer said.

It’s a unique blend that earned Pfeifer the 2006 Fan Award for Southern Gospel Music’s Favorite Instrumentalist, presented to him by The Singing News Magazine, Southern Gospel Music’s leading fan and trade publication, as well as the group’s Favorite Trio nomination in 2008 by the same publication.

Despite all the success, Pfeifer aims to continue to share his own story and bring hope to those who find themselves in equally difficult positions.

“I think everybody will enjoy the show,” Pfeifer said. “The music is fresh and different and shares a clear, Christian message without sounding too preachy. I really believe that people will leave feeling better.”

The Pfeifers are performing as part of the 34th annual watermelon bust, and the event will feature several other Gospel acts, including The Freedomaries, Smith Brothers, Eddy and Valerie Bell and Garry Jones and Friends.

For more information on events, call (270) 559-1404.