Camp Saturday Night Concert with the Bates Family
Saturday Night, July 21, at 7:00 pm in the Tabernacle
This award winning family have been on the road since July of 1985. Their love for God along with the fresh sounds of today’s southern gospel mixed with a little country and praise & worship, have garnered them fans of all ages up and down the eastern seaboard. They have accumulated multiple hit songs throughout their career and are a mainstay on the popular television show Great American Gospel which airs on direct TV every week into 20 million households.
Tim Bates accidentally shot himself in the chest when he was 4 years old. The bullet severed an artery in his heart in two, powder burned his lungs, and damaged his voice box. The doctors said that if he lived through it, he would never talk above a whisper. Today, Tim is regarded as having a very strong vocal presence and has also been recognized as a gifted songwriter, having the opportunity to write with some of America’s most talented writers, and having the privilege of some of today’s gospel music artists record his material. He also does BGV (back ground vocal) work at the local recording facility close to his hometown. Tim is also an evangelist, holding conferences throughout the year, along with their extensive touring schedule.
LaDonna Bates is Tim’s wife, and is a stroke survivor who also is involved in BGV work. Her infectious and bubbly personality will cause you to feel like you have known her forever. Her smooth vocals and sincere delivery is the trademark of this gospel music veteran. LaDonna’s heart is the young people of today. “I want to offer a clear and direct answer to what our young kids face in America today. We never had it as bad as they do in today’s times. They need to hear that Jesus loves them and will be there when the road gets hard.” LaDonna is a hard working mom who enjoys a great pair of sweat pants and her favorite TV shows on her days off.
Heather Meade, a native of Kentucky who now resides in Strasburg, VA, is the third vocalist for the group. She brings with her a strong country sounding influence that audiences everywhere are loving. Her fun personality and quick wit will have you smiling all the time. Heather is married and has two children. She loves to travel and see the sites of the country. But her most fun thing to do is her family reunions, most of her family is musically inclined and needless to say when they all get together they play for hours. She also played basketball for Shenandoah University in Winchester, VA, and is a huge Washington Redskins fan. She loves that she gets the opportunity to tell people about the unwavering love of God.
Laykin Bates is the daughter of Tim and LaDonna. She has a spunky attitude and loves giving hugs!! She typically sings a song or two during the night, but rest assured in no time at all she will be up there with mommy and daddy showing them a thing or two ( so she says). She has already started to follow in her father’s footsteps with writing her own little songs and learning to play on her pink acoustic guitar.
Ministry has always been the foundation of the Bates Family, and it looks like their future has never been brighter.