Acts promise music, energy, laughter

The Bowlus Fine Arts Center promises to be filled with music, words of praise and plenty of laughter Saturday evening with the latest Southeast Kansas Christian Artist Series performance.
Aaron Wilburn, a minister, songwriter and comedian, will share the stage with the gospel group The Ball Brothers, whose vocal talents have been shared with Iola audiences before. They appeared a few years back with the Martins, said SEKCAS organizer Dee Singer.
“It should be a fantastic show,” Singer said.
Tickets for the 7 p.m. show are available in advance by calling 365-7496. Advance tickets sell for $13 for orchestra seating and $11 for the balcony. Student tickets sell for $5.50 in the balcony. Tickets will also be sold the night of the performance for $14 orchestra seating, $12 balcony and $6.50 for student balcony seating.

WILBURN WROTE Christian music for more than 25 years before incorporating humor into his act in the late 1990s. He speaks about his Southern roots, his family, children and his faith.
Wilburn’s humor appeals to all ages, Singer said. His songwriting has garnered Grammy nominations, Dove Awards and more recently earned Wilburn an exhibit in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.
In addition to doing 150 live shows a year, he has become popular on the Internet through YouTube videos.
The youthful Ball Brothers got their start performing in churches and other venues. They joined the Ernie Haase and Signature Sound Summer Tour in 2006, where they performed numbers from their debut, self-titled CD.
Singer said the Ball Brothers — now based out of Georgia — are noted for combining harmony with youthful energy.