LOWGAP — The popular music genres of southern and bluegrass gospel, as well as inspirational country music, will be in the spotlight at the Lowgap Community Center on April 13, with an afternoon talent search competition and free evening concert featuring southern gospel trio Noah’s Faith and bluegrass band The Marshall Brothers.

Talent Search

Creative Visionz Recording and Music Group is hosting the talent search competition, which begins at 11 a.m. on April 13. Participants in the competition must arrive “no later than 10 a.m.,” according to the official rules.

Solo and group division competitions will take place, with one winner chosen from each division.

The winner of each division will receive a trophy, two hours of recording time with Creative Visionz Recording studio in Elkin, as well as the opportunity to perform in the main concert.

Shellem Cline, director of artist relations and promotions for Creative Visionz as well as a Noah’s Faith band member, said that the two hours of recording time will be enough for the winners of the solo and group divisions to record a two-song demo. In addition, if the winners would like to have more recording time, it will be provided at a discounted rate.

Cline added anyone who is interested in participating in the talent search is welcome, as long as they “stay within the music genres of southern gospel, bluegrass gospel, or inspirational country — no rock, rap or any other types of music outside of the specific genres.”

Talent search competitors are allowed to perform cover songs or original music.

Instruments are allowed, but the participants must designate what type of instruments they will use when filling out the registration form. All P.A. equipment will be provided.

Competitors will be judged for pitch, communication, dress, and overall performance quality.

Anyone interested in signing up for the talent show should register in advance online by visiting www.creativevisionzmusic.webs.com/talent-search or call Shellem Cline at 704-902-1638. The registration deadline is April 10 at midnight. There is a registration fee of $50 for solo artists and $75 for groups, which must be paid prior to the talent search competition.

Anniversary concert with Noah’s Faith and The Marshall Brothers

The month of April is a month of celebration for Noah’s Faith, according to group member Shellem Cline. The one-year anniversary of the band is in April, and Cline said the concert will be a free fan appreciation event.

Noah’s Faith has made a “big splash” in the southern gospel music scene, according to Cline. Band member Dustin Ball started the band in January 2012 and in less than one year they had three hit songs on national radio and have averaged 14 concert dates each month.

The three group members Dustin Ball, Shellem Cline, and Trey Bledsole have 30 years of combined experience in the gospel music industry.

The gospel trio was named as a fan favorite at the Southern Gospel Music Fan Awards last year.

Cline began singing at the age of 10 with a family music group. He is also a songwriter who had four top 100 songs on the national charts and was nominated as a top five finalist for the Lead Vocalist of the Year and Young Excelling Individual of the year in the 2011 Southern Gospel Music Fan Awards.

Ball is from Mount Airy and is a former member of New Jerusalem; he formed Noah’s Faith after the group disbanded. He is also the owner and operator of Creative Visionz. He began his music career in church as a teenager and later served as minister of music for his church.

Bledsole is from the Elon area and is relatively new to the music scene, but his father, who is a pastor, and his grandfather have been performing with a southern gospel group for more than 20 years.

Cline said they expect at least 300 people for the free concert, which is sponsored by Jim Cockerham Construction Company.

“We are really excited about the concert! It is a homecoming and a celebration of one year of success — it’s an appreciation concert for our fans.”

Reach Jessica Johnson at jessicajohnson@civitasmedia.com or 719-1933.