The Fairmont Gospel Revue
In 1997, several Fairmont UMC musicians began to dream and scheme about putting together an ensemble to perform Christian music in a rhythm and blues-influenced style. They came from various musical backgrounds--classical, jazz, rock, folk, even marching band! The band began to assemble a collection of spirituals, hymns, rock, jazz, contemporary, and gospel music. Most of the band’s songs are familiar, while the arrangements are our very own. Song lyrics are often adapted from the original to better fit our message of an all-embracing Christian love. The result has been a unique blend of musical styles with songs from such divergent artists as Aaron Neville, Curtis Mayfield, Al Greene, Jackie Wilson, and Patti LaBelle to Alison Krause, Annie Lennox, Van Morrison, Bob Dylan, Tower of Power, Phil Driscoll, Huey Lewis with recent additions of Stevie Wonder and Martha and the Vandellas - even Beethoven. The band also plays many selections collaboratively arranged by our own Greg Bottomley and Walter Brock.
So why the name “Revue?” A “revue” is technically “a theatrical production consisting of brief often satirical sketches and songs,” which points to the wide range of music we perform, and to the upbeat nature of what we’re about.
Since 1997, the band has performed widely, including:
- Fairmont UMC Sunday Night LIVE!
- The Raleigh CROPWALK For The Hungry
- The Fairmont Bazaar
- West Raleigh Presbyterian Church
- Wilson Temple United Methodist Gospel Choir anniversary
- Martin Luther King, Jr., Birthday Celebration, Memorial Auditorium & Meymandi Concert Hall
- The North Carolina Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, Cumberland County Auditorium, Fayetteville
- The Raleigh Correctional Center for Women
- Artsplosure, Moore Square and Lincoln Theatre, Raleigh
- The Raleigh District’s Millennium Celebration, Meymandi Concert Hall
- First United Methodist Church, Garner
- The Healing Place for Men, Wake County
- Unity Church of the Triangle
- North Carolina State University Club
- Fairmont’s Neighborfest
- Mark’s United Methodist Church
- Community Thanksgiving service, hosted by Fairmont
- Mark’s Episcopal Church
- Cary First Christian Church Men’s Conference
- Fairmont Morning Worship
- Elevation United Methodist Church
We are grateful for the contributions of so many to make this band possible over the last 27 years!