Gospel vocalist David Phelps will be bringing the Christmas spirit to Van Wert’s Niswonger Performing Arts Center Sunday.
VAN WERT — David Phelps will be back in Van Wert to bring his brand of worship music to the Niswonger Center, just in time for the holiday season.
The show, “It Must Be Christmas!,” will start at 7 p.m. Sunday, and Phelps is excited to be back in familiar territory.
“I love performing in the Niswonger,” he said via email. “It’s an amazing stage and we always get a warm welcome.”
Phelps, formerly a member of the Gaither Vocal Band, began performing as a teenager in church. Over the course of his career, Phelps has created a name for himself in the Christian and gospel music industries as a powerhouse tenor, with his vocal range spanning more than three octaves. Over the years, Phelps has won two Grammy awards and four Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. He sang with the Gaither Vocal Band for over 15 years and has grown to be a popular solo artist, as well, performing in venues all over the world, from Carnegie Hall to the White House.
For Phelps, who says he wants the audience to take “comfort and joy” away from his show, it is worth every second for him to spend the labor of performing.
“We have the extraordinary opportunity to bring joy into the lives of other humans, even if it’s just for a short while,” he said. “I take that seriously and want it to be a night people remember for years to come.”
As for what people can expect from his show, his answer was simple: “A great night celebrating the season with our favorite Christmas tunes.”
Some of those fan favorite tunes Sunday’s audience can expect include “Mary Did You Know,” written by fellow Gaither Vocal Band alumnus Mark Lowry, “Joy to the World” and his powerful rendition of “O Holy Night,” all of which will be sure to get everyone in the holiday spirit.
And if anyone wants to continue staying up to date with Phelps, they are in luck. He said a new project is currently in motion.
For anyone unfamiliar with Phelps, they can visit his website, http://davidphelps.com, and find links to all social and music outlets. He currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife Lori and their four children, Callie, Maggie Beth, Grant and Coby.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: David Phelps in Concert
WHEN: 7 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Niswonger Performing Arts Center, 10700 state Route 118, Van Wert
Tickets range from $29 to $55 and are available for purchase online at https://bit.ly/3u90CYC.
Reach Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399.
