Sonshine Quartet plans homecoming concert

Submitted Photo The Sonshine Quartet, which originated in Gravette when these men were yet in high school, is pictured more recently, in 2011.
Submitted Photo The Sonshine Quartet, which originated in Gravette when these men were yet in high school, is pictured more recently, in 2011.

GRAVETTE -- The Sonshine Quartet, originating from Gravette, recently celebrated the group's 40th anniversary together, and they would like to invite everyone to a free homecoming concert at 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 26, at the Gravette High School Performing Arts Center, in Gravette.

Their story began in 1974 when four teenage boys from Gravette High School became spiritual brothers and started a journey of singing and praising the Lord together that still continues to this day. The Donell brothers, Don (Bubba) and Lee Donell, along with Steve Tucker and Bruce Wilbanks, formed a quartet in high school choir under director Jerry Ratzliff and Sharon Norberg. They began singing in local churches, accompanied on the piano by Pat Price.

In 1976, Jon Pickup became the piano player and also a fill-in singer when needed. In 1977, the group recorded an album entitled, "To Jesus With Love," through the generous donation of Don and Eloise Donell. The quartet toured throughout Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Texas.

According to a release, this was a special time for each of them and strengthened their bond together as brothers. Over the last 40 years, these men may have been separated geographically but their spiritual bonds forged early on have never been severed. All five members have continued to sing together whenever possible.

Steve Tucker and his wife Susan established Eagle Family Ministries in June of 1996. EFM is a nonprofit organization and was established as a ministry to provide conferences and retreats for married couples and families all across America at local churches and through EFM-hosted conferences. In 2001, EFM initiated the Delta Mission Project in Wilmot, which offers hope and encouragement to the children, youth and adults of this Delta community through the support of education, food and nutrition, clothing, athletics, summer camps and construction projects.

During the concert, a love offering will be taken, with proceeds going toward the Delta Mission Project.

General News on 03/18/2015