By Colter Hettich, Features Editor
The Newsboys, an awardwinning Christian rock/pop music group, will make a stop in Abilene on their “Go Tour.”
The Newsboys, who will perform Friday in Moody Coliseum at 7 p.m., started their tour in January and will travel until at least mid-October. More than 60 performances have been scheduled so far.
The Newsboys have been internationally recognized for their musical achievement and influence.
Instrument manufacturing company Epiphone released a Newsboys Epiphone Special II electric guitar in July 2007. Members of the Newsboys designed the guitar with help from Victory Designs. On Sept. 11, 2007, the Newsboys performed in the Pentagon Auditorium during the Pentagon’s sixth annual memorial service.
The Rock Across Australia – Australia’s national Christian music charts – conducts a national awards show every year. In January, TRAA awarded the Newsboys with 2007 artist of the year and 2007 song of the year for “Something Beautiful.”
Jennifer Ellison, ACU university events manager, said the Newsboys unexpectedly contacted ACU and asked if they could add Abilene to their list of tour dates. Ellison readily said yes.
The Newsboys aren’t the first major Christian music group to come through Abilene. Caedmon’s Call played in September 2006 and Casting Crowns performed in Moody Coliseum in February 2007.
“With KGNZ Christian radio and our Christian universities in town, I hope that people see that there is a large market [in Abilene] for Christian music and Christian bands,” Ellison said.
Ellison welcomes popular Christian acts, like the Newsboys, to Abilene.
“I’m really excited about opening the door and creating opportunities for other Christian bands,” Ellison said. “What we really want is a good working relationship.”
Tickets are available at many Abilene locations: the Moody Box Office, KGNZ Radio and Lifeway Christian in Abilene. Tickets also are available at Family Christian in San Angelo and SunTrax in the Highland Shopping Center in Snyder.
All tickets are sold on a “first come, first serve” basis. With no student price, general admission is $22, and floor seats are $35.
