Gospel music fans, as well as those interested in experiencing quality musical talent while supporting a good cause, are encouraged to attend the fifth annual Gospel Jubilee, an evening of gospel music performances sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Laurinburg.

Scheduled to appear are returning performers The Oxendines, The Hometown Quartet, Joy Rankin, Spirit Borne, Betty Odom and Stuart Carmichael. Also performing will be two newcomers to the Gospel Jubilee stage, Echoes of Faith from Scotland County and 12-year old singing sensation Alyse Player. Gary Gallman of WLNC radio will be the master of ceremonies and Richard Tyson, pastor of East Laurinburg Baptist Church, will provide the sound.

The event will take place at the Scotland High School auditorium on Sept. 12 beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Event Director Cecil Daughtry said area gospel music fans are in for a real treat with this year's lineup.

"This is our fifth year for the Gospel Jubilee, and it has been a big success," he said. "We are especially happy to bring back the popular groups that have made previous Gospel Jubilees so special, and this year marks our return to the Scotland High School auditorium in Laurinburg. I'm really looking forward to a good crowd."

Daughtry is especially pleased to introduce 12-year old Alyse Player of Rockingham to the Gospel music event.

"This young lady is going places," Daughtry said. "She recently won first place at the famous 'Singing in the Foothills' talent competition in Wilkesboro by performing her signature song, 'Orphans of God', which she will perform at the Gospel Jubilee."

A smile crossed Daughtry's face as he recalled an incident involving Alyse from last year's event. "At last year's Gospel Jubilee, an 11-year old girl approached and asked if she could sing a song during intermission," Daughtry said. "I said that would be fine, as long as it was all right with her grandfather, Gene Player of the Eastern Sonrise Quartet.

"Alyse really worked the crowd, she sang beautifully, and by the time she was finished she had the audience eating out of her hand," he said. "She really nailed the performance."

Another newcomer to the Gospel Jubilee will be Echoes of Faith, an eight member group partly composed of ex-Liberty Of Faith singers who have been performing together for four months.

"We are very excited to play at this year's Gospel Jubilee," group member Teresa Harris said. "We look forward to singing and to spreading the gospel through song."

Tickets are now on sale for $6 and may be purchased from any Kiwanis member, or may be obtained by calling Daughtry at 280-9632. Children 5 and under are admitted free.

All proceeds from the Gospel Jubilee will benefit Kiwanis Club community projects including Terrific Kids, Reach Out and Read, the Scotland House for Youth, the Boys and Girls Home of North Carolina at Lake Waccamaw, scholarship and book ship awards, and sponsorship of the Scotland High School Key Club.

The service theme of Kiwanis International is "serving the children of the world".