2017 WIDU Anniversary Announces Lineup including return of Kirk Franklin!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
2017 WIDU ANNIVERSARY ANNOUNCES LINEUP

Thu Oct 12: Carolina’s BEST – Travis Greene, JJ Hairston, w/ Judges Kelly Price & Kim Burrell
Fri Oct 13: Traditional Night – John P. Kee, Rance Allen, Lisa Knowles, Doc McKenzie
Sat Oct 14: WIDU Celebration – Kirk Franklin & Friends

2017 WIDU Anniversary event tickets go on sale Friday, June 2nd at 10 AM

Fayetteville, NC – The 2017 WIDU Anniversary is expected to be the most exciting and inspiring so far. For decades, WIDU has brought quality, faith-based, family friendly events to Cumberland County. Each year, the week-long celebration culminates with three power packed days at the Crown Complex. This year’s final event, Saturday, October 14, is headlined by multiple GRAMMY®, Dove and Stellar Award-winning recording artist Kirk Franklin & his friends, who will be announced later this week.

For the second year the WIDU Anniversary will feature three major events in the Crown Coliseum. Thursday Oct. 12th it’s Carolina’s BEST talent competition. JJ Hairston will present an opening :30 minute concert beginning at 6:30pm. Then judges Kelly Price, Kim Burrell and JJ Hairston will give feedback to each contestant. Contestants win cash & the opportunity to open the WIDU Anniversary Celebration. Travis Greene brings this year’s closing concert at Carolina’s BEST.

Friday’s Traditional Gospel Night promises to be inspiring and heart touching. Headlining this special night is Pastor John P. Kee & The New Life Community Choir. Pastor Kee is bringing his friends Rance Allen and Lisa Knowles. This event will include a musical tribute to the late Gospel Music Legend Joe Ligon of the Mighty Clouds of Joy. Other outstanding artists also include: Doc McKenzie and the Hi-Lites, Melvin Williams of the Williams Brothers, Harvey Watkins Jr of the Canton Spirituals, Paul Porter, Tim Woodson and the Heirs of Harmony, The Virginia Aires plus several more. This event starts at 5pm, Friday, Oct. 13 in the Crown Coliseum. For 2017 WIDU Anniversary details go to widuanniversary.com.

Saturday, October 14th, 4pm, Kirk Franklin returns as he produces the 2017 WIDU Anniversary Celebration: Kirk Franklin & Friends. Kirk Franklin’s friends are scheduled to be announced later this week. For details: widuanniversary.com

Ticket prices for the October 14 concert start at $20 and will go on sale this Friday, June 2 online at CapeFearTix.com and at the Crown Complex Box Office. A limited number of discounted group tickets will be available by calling 910.438.4111. A limited number of multi-event bundle packages starting at $30 will also available.

For nearly two decades now, Kirk Franklin has been a multi-platinum-selling purveyor of majestic fusions of gospel and contemporary music, and a mirror of Christian humanity boldly reflecting what one faith walking man can accomplish when he focuses on God and taps deep into the gifts He gives. Franklin is a pioneer in gap-bridging musicianship, uniting audiences across gospel, hip hop, pop and R&B. His irresistible rhythms and rhapsodies have resulted in albums that consistently top both Billboard’s Gospel and Christian charts, as well as ascend triumphantly into the Top 10 of the R&B/Hip Hop chart. His unprecedented penetration into the mainstream has fortified him to also become a New York Times bestseller author for The Blueprint: A Plan for Living Above Life’s Storms (Gotham/Penguin). Franklin is also the host and executive producer of the gospel talent show “Sunday Best,” the highest-rated gospel program in BET network history now heading into its fourth season. To date, the musical trendsetter has garnered nine GRAMMY® Awards; an American Music Award; 39 Stellar Awards (gospel); 16 Dove Awards (CCM); eight NAACP Image Awards; two BET Music Awards, a Soul Train Award and numerous others.

In addition to the 2017 WIDU Anniversary concert events in the Crown Coliseum October 12-13-14, the following events will also be hosted at the Crown Complex:

Women’s Empowerment Luncheon; message from Pastor Ruby Holland/Psalmist Kelly Price
Thursday, October 12, at 12:00 noon
Crown Expo

Prayer Breakfast; message from Bishop Rudolph McKissick, Jr./Psalmist Maranda Curtis
Friday, October 13 at 9:00 a.m.
Crown Expo

EXPO & Empowerment Conference
Thursday & Friday, Oct. 12 & 13
Crown Expo

About WIDU
WIDU 1600 AM and the WE-DO Radio Network are owned & operated by Wes and Sandy Cookman, based in Fayetteville, North Carolina. WIDU has served Fayetteville NC as a community based radio station since 1958. Today’s WIDU programming focuses on Inspirational Gospel Music, Local, State & National News, Local Talk Radio, Local Church ministry on weekends. Their company WE-DO Productions has presented and produced faith based, family friendly events for 27 years.

About Spectra:
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About Comcast Spectacor:
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