Benson State Annual Singing Convention gears up for 100th anniversary celebration

By Randy Capps

BENSON — The Grand Ole Opry sets the standard for tradition and longevity among musical shows.

Despite a wealth of history, the Opry is still four years younger than the Benson State Annual Singing Convention.

The “Benson Sing” is celebrating its 100th birthday with this year’s edition, scheduled for June 26- 28 at the Benson Singing Grove.

Usually, the convention features contests where singers compete for prizes. This year, however, will be more of a celebration.

“The Board of Directors decided to omit the singing contests this year and hold a huge weekend celebration with tremendous concerts by regional, state and national recording artists in honor our first 100 years,” Benson State Annual Singing Convention Manager Rayvon Best said.

The legacy of gospel music in the Benson area goes back even farther.

“Early newspaper articles show that prior to 1921, church choirs in Benson and several surrounding communities would gather at an appointed church or outside in a large open area for a day of gospel singing, usually on the fifth Sunday in the month,” Best said. “These early gatherings became traditional annual events. As early as 1917, it was reported that the idea of choir competition for the area was introduced by Mrs. E. M. Hall, Mrs. J. H. Rose, and other interested musicians and singers.”

The first event, held in Benson in 1921, was organized by Simon P. Honeycutt, J. B. Raynor, T. C. Miller J. V. Barefoot and J. H. Rose.

According to P. B. Wood, Jr., a past convention president, these five men “saw a need to bring the community together each year to sing praises to God and to enjoy the fellowship that goes hand in hand wherever Christian people congregate.”

According to a release, “yearly attendance in the 1930s and 1940s exceeded 20,000 people and recorded sessions of the convention were broadcast on national radio as early as 1948.”

Thousands of people attend the event each year, and admission is still free.

In keeping with the tradition of having national recording artists serve as host groups, Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, Mark Trammell and the Mark Trammell Quartet and The Hoppers will serve in that role for this year.

In addition, Joey Gore and The Wilmington Celebration Choir and Wesley Pritchard and The Fayetteville Community Church Choir will also be performing.

Johnston County Visitors Bureau photo

Those are the latest in a long line of gospel music standouts to grace the stage at the Benson Singing Grove. Past host groups include Gold City, Dove Brothers, The Florida Boys, Hovie Lister and the Palmetto State Quartet, The Perrys and many more.

Best’s association with the event dates back several decades as well.

“I have lived in Benson all my life and have been involved with the convention for over 32 years,” he said. “Along with many others, Christian music is very important to me. I am pleased to know that I live in a town and work with an organization that provides singers the opportunity to come together to sing and fellowship.

“Many singers and fans view our convention as a yearly homecoming. Our historical convention is the most unique and the oldest outdoor gospel singing convention in the world.”

At press time, the event is still on as scheduled.

For more information about the Benson Sing, visit www.gospelsingingconvention.org or call 919-894-4389.