Musical Line-Up for the 2020 Festival of Homiletics

We have invited festival favorites and some new voices to entertain you at the end of each day. Take a few minutes to reflect and relax as you listen to our musical offerings. Check out the daily schedule to see who’s on tap!

Ashley Cleveland

Grammy Award-Winning Singer and Songwriter

Nashville, Tennessee-based Ashley Cleveland is a three-time Grammy Award-winner and two-time Dove Award-winner who has released eight critically acclaimed albums.  Her album “God Don’t Never Change” features songs described as being rooted firmly in a “host of traditions—black spirituals, folk songs, 18th-century hymns, gospel blues, and jubilee”. The album was nominated for a 2010 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Gospel Album. ashleycleveland.com  

Fleshpots of Egypt

Bluegrass/Folk Band

Based out of Luther Seminary, this eclectic band of string-benders and chord-busters explores how Lutheran worship would sound if the Reformation had started in Appalachia.  Members include Jeff Engholm, Rolf Jacobson, Scott Simmons, and Steve Thompson. They are bringing a “Virtual Beer & Hymns” to the mix. facebook.com/fleshpotsofegypt

Grace Kelly

Award-Winning Saxophonist, Singer, Composer, Arranger

An unequivocal musical prodigy, singer-saxophonist-songwriter-composer and bandleader, Grace Kelly has rocked the jazz world with sold-out concerts, 13 acclaimed albums, and a resume that includes performing at the Hollywood Bowl and as part of the house band for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert”—all before reaching her mid-twenties.  She also curates an immersive user experience for fans across multiple social media platforms, which has earned millions of views online. gracekellymusic.com

The Many

Worship Band

The Many is a liturgically grounded, new kind of worship band and an intentionally diverse collective creating music for people who want to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with a God who loves the world.  With a sound that resonates with gospel, pop, and folk, The Many’s feet-on-theground, heart-in-hands, scars-revealed, wild and holy music of resistance and hope have made them an important creative voice in the movement for inclusion, anti-racism, and justice-building within the church and beyond. themanyarehere.com

Brendan Mayer and Peter Mayer

Father and Son Musicians, Singers, and Recording Artists

Peter Mayer is a guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, musician, and recording artist in Nashville, Tennessee.  His music evokes The Beatles, traditional Indian music, church hymns, and jazz standards.  Peter studied formal theory and composition and taught jazz guitar as a faculty member at Webster University.  He has toured with Jimmy Buffett’s Coral Reefer band, The Peter Mayer Group, The Peter Mayer Trio, and Peter Mayer’s Songs of Faith.  Brandon Mayer, Peter’s son, also lives in Nashville and is a singer and songwriter.  He has performed with The Turf and shared the stage with American Bang, Jeff and the Brotherhood, and was a featured artist on Jimmy Buffett’s 2014 summer tour.  Brendan released his debut EP, “The Getaway Car,” in 2014.  Brendan and Peter joined forces and recorded a debut album, “Long Story Short”. This collection of twelve songs showcases each artist’s unique musical direction and voice, but the result flows as one compelling sound. petermayer.com littleflockmusic.com/brendanmayer

Fran McKendree

Musician; Recording Artist; Founder, AwakeningSoul

Fran McKendree is a musician, worship leader, recording artist, conference founder, and producer. He formed McKendree Spring, a rock ensemble that toured North America and the United Kingdom, playing concerts with Billy Joel, Elton John, James Taylor, and Tina Turner.  The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Museum called McKendree Spring “experimental and innovative”. McKendree experienced a spiritual breakthrough in New York City and moved to Cape Cod, where he worked with youth, built houses, and made furniture until he longed to make music again. He has released six albums of his own work and has produced recordings for other artists at his studio in Hendersonville, North Carolina. In 2012, he formed AwakeningSoul, a partnership hosting an annual conference.  McKendree was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree from the Virginia Theological Seminary in 2016. franmckendree.com awakeningsoulpresents.org