Amazed By Grace Opens Concert and Movie Series

BRISTOL, Va. – Calm resided in Cumberland Square Park on Monday. A few folks walked quietly, while some read and others merely passed right on by.
Come each Thursday evening throughout July, Cumberland Square Park will awaken with Music and Movie in the Park.
Presented by the Bristol Virginia Parks and Recreation Department and Bristol Virginia Utilities, the weekly event begins July 2 with music by Amazed By Grace at 6:30 p.m. and continues with the film “Hotel For Dogs.”
That sounds like an event for families and for good reason, said Joyce Ratliff, recreation supervisor for Bristol Virginia Parks and Recreation. She and Danny Hill helped organize the event.
“We want to have family entertainment,” Ratliff said, “and to help bring families together.”
That’s fine by Tommy Milhorn. The Amazed By Grace singer and rhythm guitarist hopes to help spread joy with the Bristol-based praise band’s uplifting messages.
“When we see a crowd jumping up and down and smiling, that’s worth it all,” Milhorn said. “That helps to rev us up.”
Milhorn said that younger audiences embrace Amazed By Grace’s rocking gospel music, but perhaps not everyone subscribes to such sounds. No problem. There are activities for everyone at the event, Ratliff said.
“We’ve got shade trees, the war memorial where people can visit and appreciate what our military has meant to us,” she said.
Yes, but what about something for those active little rascals otherwise known as kids?
“There’s a water fountain,” Ratliff said.
Not to drink out of. Not to simply look at, throw pennies into and so on.
“It’s where kids can play in and cool off,” she said. “It’s a nice place. Plus, you have the ducks at the creek. Cumberland Park is a nice place to sit and relax, eat your dinner too if you like.”
Buy hot dogs, hamburgers and pizza too, then munch on popcorn during the movie. However, the event also serves as something of a food drive. Those who wish to help those in need are invited to bring canned food, which will in turn be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank.
“I work at a small company in Gray, Tenn., and it’s right across the street from Second Harvest,” Milhorn said. “I’ve seen how hard they work, and so I’m proud to do whatever I can do.”
So look for Milhorn in the park, guitar in one hand and canned food in the other, and you bet with a song in his heart.
Yet know this about his band’s music. Yes, they are a gospel group, but they’re rock for the ages as in a rock band.
And yet their songs like “When the Lord Comes Back” and “Your Grace Is Enough” qualifies as uplifting, heart-soaring tunes in the key of hope and salvation.
“If they don’t light your fire,” Milhorn said, “then your wood’s wet.”
So walk, bike or drive to Cumberland Park tonight and each Thursday night in July for free music and a movie among family and friends.
Community, that’s what it’s all about, Ratliff said.
“We encourage people to bring their lawn chairs and blankets,” she said. “It’s a good night out for the family.”

TOM NETHERLAND is a freelance writer. He can be reached at .

IF YOU GO
What: Music and Movie in the Park
Featuring: Gospel music by Amazed By Grace and the film “Hotels for Dogs”
When: July 2, 6:30 p.m.
Where: Cumberland Square Park, Bristol, Va.
Admission: Free
Info: (276) 645-PARK

DOWN THE ROAD…
Amazed By Grace at Bristol’s Rhythm and Roots Reunion, Sept. 20, 1:30 p.m.

AMAZED BY GRACE
Tommy Milhorn – Vocals and rhythm guitar
Cindy Milhorn – Vocals
Randy Stitt – Vocals
Tonya Stitt – Vocals
Phillip Cowan – Lead guitar
Guy Odum – Bass guitar
Wayne Morefield – Drums

MUSIC AND MOVIES IN THE PARK
July 9 – Kids Our Age
July 16 – Tennessee Green
July 23 – Bullseye
July 30 – David O’Roark & the Countrymen