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Rock My Soul Concert on August 1 During Yankee Homecoming!

Rock My Soul will perform a Saturday afternoon gospel concert as part of this year's Yankee Homecoming celebrations in Newburyport, MA. The show starts at noon and will take place at the Belleville Congregational Church, 300 High St, Newburyport MA.

Over the past 11 years, Rock My Soul has garnered an ever-increasing following and regularly performs to packed houses throughout New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Maine. The group has received critical acclaim and has been featured on WMUR-TV's NH Chronicle, WSCH TV's 207, and MBPN.

Rock My Soul's repertoire has the immediacy and soulfulness of the old-time, "golden age" American gospel sound it seeks to revive, and includes songs ranging from the Negro spirituals of the 1700s to the contemporary rootsy gospel of Ruthie Foster and the timeless soulfulness of the Staples Singers. Along the way, listeners are also treated to Civil Rights songs, favorite hymns, and "crossover" songs such as "Oh, Happy Day," which was the first gospel song to break into the Billboard Top 40 charts.

For this special Yankee Homecoming performance, the group will be debuting several new songs, including a stirring arrangement of "What Wondrous Love Is This," rousing renditions of "Said I Wasn't Gonna Tell Nobody" and Sister Rosetta Tharpe's signature song "Up Above My Head," as well as a couple of well-known surprises.

"Whether someone goes to church or not, chances are gospel music has given them sustenance and comfort at some point in their life," says Dawn Boyer, Choir Director. "Many of us sing songs like 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot' and have no idea where they came from or why those who sang them had such an impact. For instance, Sister Rosetta Tharpe was actually the first rock 'n roll guitarist, as well as the first 'crossover' artist from gospel to the top 40 charts. Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Elvis Presley were all influenced by her. There's a lot of rich history in American music, and all rock 'n roll, blues, hip hop, jazz, and other popular music is based on gospel. We like to show that close connection."

Rock My Soul's audiences are known to jump up from their seats to dance and sing along. So come along to the Belleville Church on Saturday, August 1, at noon for a truly uplifting musical experience where anyone from age 2 to 92 enjoys a memorable and great time!