The family of the late Linton Tibbetts has teamed up with Maxine, Maurine and Pansy Bodden and several churches to bring the Kingdom Heirs Quartet back to the Cayman Islands in mid-January as a tribute to Mr. Tibbetts’ love of Southern Gospel music and his religious heritage.
Last year, Mr. Tibbetts invited the Kingdom Heirs to perform in the Cayman Islands.
“The group was so well received on Grand Cayman and Cayman Brac that the family has decided to bring them back for second time and extend their stay to include more opportunities for them to share their amazing talent and love for the lord,” read a statement from the Tibbetts and Bodden families.
According to Mary Brandes, daughter of the late Mr. Tibbetts, “The Kingdom Heirs are one of the most outstanding and renowned gospel groups in America. They have been the resident quartet at the Dollywood Theme Park in Tennessee for the past 26 years and have sold thousands of recordings.”
Mrs. Brandes said she was proud to honour her father by having the group return.
It is estimated the Kingdom Heirs sing to more than two million people each year, which is more than any other Southern Gospel group.
“We are so excited about returning to the Cayman Islands,” said Steve French, the group’s baritone singer and emcee. “Singing again in the Cayman Islands will be very special to us as our way of paying tribute to our good friend, the late Mr. Linton Tibbetts.”
The Kingdom Heirs will perform in the Cayman Islands on the following dates: Cayman Brac on Sunday, 8 January at the Cotton Tree Church of God morning worship and at the Fellowship Baptist Church at 7pm on that evening; on Monday, 9 January the group will perform at the Kirkconnell Nursing Home at 10am and on Wednesday, 11 January the Kingdom Heirs will be at the Brac Reef Beach resort for an evening concert and Gospel sing beginning at 8.30pm; on Thursday, 12 January at the Aston Rutty Center for evening concert beginning at 7.30pm.
The Kingdom Heirs will be staying at the Brac Reef Beach Resort on Cayman Brac and locals are invited to vacation with them there. For reservations contact 948-1323.
Their performances in Grand Cayman include: Saturday, 14 January at the Family Life Center with an evening concert beginning at 7.30pm and Sunday, 15 January at the Cayman Islands Baptist Church morning service at 10am.
All performances are free of charge and open to the public.
The Kingdom Heirs hail from Tennessee. The group sang in local churches and concert halls in 1981 and as their music and message spread to a wider audience, so did their popularity and demand. Later in 1981, they began singing at the Silver Dollar City theme park, which is now Dollywood.
In 1986, when the theme park took on its new name, The Kingdom Heirs were asked to become the resident gospel group. This year, both The Kingdom Heirs and Dollywood are celebrating 26 years.
The group has also been nominated for many industry awards such as the SGMA Awards, Dove Awards and The Singing News Fan Awards. Winning Newcomer Group of the year in 1989, the group has been a constant favourite. Their latest award was 2006 Band of the Year, which the band also won in 2002, 2004 and 2005.
They have also had many top ten songs and currently have had 22 top 5 songs in a row. They have also have 5 number No. 1 songs including their No. 1 songs, “He Locked the Gates.”
The quartet has released 2 CDs since their last visit to the Cayman Islands – “By Request” and “We Will Stand Our Ground.” During the past year, they have had 21 songs nominated for Song of the Year. With a nine-month schedule performing to thousands of people a year at Dollywood, the group also tours for eight weeks, January through March. This year, their tour schedule includes the performances in the Cayman Islands.
“If you love Southern Gospel Music, you will love the Kingdom Heirs. Come see what God is doing through these talented performers,” read a statement from the Tibbetts and Bodden families.
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