Paul Belcher: The Encore by Christopher Wells

Paul Belcher: The Encore

By Christopher Wells

It was my privilege to spend a few minutes talking to Paul Belcher recently. My call was initially to talk about one concert he is promoting in Maryville, Tennessee soon, but it ended up being about a ministry whose sole purpose is helping other ministries tell the story of Jesus. Over the years, Mr. Belcher has promoted some of the industry’s top groups and some that made it to national and international notoriety because of his belief in their calling.

One of the questions I asked Mr. Belcher was about unknown groups or regional groups that became national artists after he booked them in his concerts. Back in the 1980s, he booked four groups in ten different cities. I’ll be straight here; I was impressed when he told me the groups. They were Gold City, The Perrys, The McKameys and The Singing Americans. Paul has an eye for talented groups, and he has had it for many years. This leads up to why I wanted to write this article. Mr. Belcher is at it again. He has picked three regional artists and they are going to be in concert in February.

Over the last few years, I have had the opportunity to hear two of these groups in person and the third, I have heard a few of their recordings and all three are phenomenally talented. The Williamsons, The Coffmans, and The Lore Family will be at Springview Baptist Church 4220 HWY 411 Maryville TN on Saturday February 19, 2022. My personal recommendation is that you go, listen to these groups, and receive a blessing.

During my conversation with Mr. Belcher, I asked him how important message and ministry is when selecting groups for his promotions. His response was expected. Musicality is important, but if they are not delivering the message of the Gospel, it is just entertainment. While he wants the groups to be solid musically, he wants them to be just as solid from a ministry standpoint. The idea behind every “Paul Belcher Presents concert” is a church service – the gospel is presented, souls are saved, lives are changed.

A few years ago, I was honored to be a part of one of these concerts at the Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga TN. Even after our part was over, I was sitting backstage just worshiping along with the other groups as they sang. It was an amazing night.