Elliott Fikes & Soul Serenade close out UMC's concert series

Elliott Fikes & Soul Serenade will perform tracks from the CD There's a Train Coming this Sunday in Troup. The free concert is the last in the UMC's summer concert series.

The summer concert series at Troup's United Methodist Church will end on a dynamic note Sunday as multi-talented saxophonist Elliott Fikes and members of Soul Serenade take the stage.

The concert begins at 7 p.m. and is free and open to the public. All area churches and youth groups are invited to this multidenominational event.

Fikes plays tenor, alto and soprano saxophones. He was discovered in high school by popular recording group Sonny and the Premieres; then after graduation, was recruited by Little Anthony and the Imperials.

Fikes has performed with Joey Dee and the Starlighters, The Shirelles, The Coasters, Big Joe Turner and many others. He has also shared the stage with Janis Joplin and has preformed from coast to coast.

After moving to Austin, his wife Sherry convinced him to start singing and his soulful vocals have become as popular as his sax.

During a Purpose Driven Life Bible study in early 2004, the Lord spoke to Elliott and led him to dedicate his music and the rest of his life to God. Elliott had been performing regularly with some very accomplished musicians for the past 12 years, but he was shown that the Lord had other plans for Soul Serenade.

Becky Goldsmith, (female vocalist in Soul Serenade since 1999) shared Elliott's love for the Lord, and unknown to Elliott and his wife, Sherry, Becky had been studying the Purpose Driven Life at the same time. The three were being called in the same direction.

Fikes' love for the Lord and desire to glorify Him in all that he does is what has led to the recording of his latest CD, There's a Train Coming.

Call the church at 903-842- 3320 if you would like to attend and need a ride.