Those who missed the performance from “The Cross Connection” on Sunday in Winchester’s Goodrich Park need not worry, they will get another chance to enjoy the “Good Ol’ Gospel Music” played by the group on Sunday, July 17 at the Farmland Christian Church at 210 North Main Street in Farmland at 4:00 PM. The group will be playing their new radio release “Grace, Wonderful Grace.” Refreshments will be served following the performance.
Lead singer, Gary Taylor, has written around 350 songs. He started the group in 1977. For several years, the group traveled an 11-state area performing their music at churches. fairs and festivals. Two of their songs, “Don’t Let The Music End” from 1990 and “We’re Moving Out” from 1993 received a fair amount of airplay on the radio. The group had “Semi-Retired” for a few years, but fans and friends have convinced them to do it again. They now perform in a much smaller 5-state area.
Taylor’s musical path began when he was four years old. It really took off in the late 1960’s when he joined the military. He was serving in Germany. Taylor and a fellow soldier who was from Hawaii, performed folk music in a talent show and won. They soon found themselves as goodwill ambassadors performing for the troops in Europe. Taylor even got the opportunity to perform on a July 1968 Bob Hope Special. Over the years he has won several music awards.
Also in the band is Taylor’s wife of 47 years, Maggie. She is a talented singer that can sing almost any part. Maggie has written 70 songs along with her husband Gary. “Although she is small in stature, she makes up for it in spirit,” laughs Gary.
Maggie’s cousin Karen Favre has been with “The Cross Connection” for 17 years. “According to her mother, Karen’s been singing since the day she was born,” says Gary. “I think that is a nice way of saying that her daughter is never quiet,” he laughs. Her husband Jim also helps out a great deal with the band, setting up and operating their sound equipment, as well as driving and loading and unloading the equipment. “We couldn’t do it without him,” said Taylor
The final member of the group is tenor “Big” Dan Davis, who also helps with the driving. He joined the group in 2007 after 40 years in country music. “Dan has a great sense of humor and always keeps things lively and entertaining,” said Taylor.
Fans of Southern Gospel, Blue Grass, Country, and Folk music should be in for a treat in Farmland on Sunday. So come on out and treat your ears to the sounds of that “Good Ol’ Gospel Music” performed by “The Cross Connection.” It should be a good time for all.
