Opening night of worship

More than 1,000 gather at inaugural concert at River of Life Amphitheatre

By CLAIRE CAHOON
Gazette Staff Writer

Chillicothe was home to a first Friday night.

The 3,500-capacity River of Life Amphitheatre opened for its first event, "A Night of Worship." The outdoor concert, sponsored by the Chillicothe Baptist Church, sold more than 1,000 tickets before the doors even opened.

The threat of rain and a long sound check couldn't keep the crowd from rocking out when opening band Tree63 took the stage.

"This is an auspicious occasion," Tree63 front man John Ellis told a cheering crowd. "We're the first band ever to play here."

Headlining the event was Caedmon's Coll, a popular Texas-based group which has enjoyed many No. 1 songs on Christian music charts. Many concertgoers said they came specifically to see the group live.

Tony Lambert, minister of youth and children at Chillicothe Baptist Church, said the event was the end result of a great deal of hard work. He said music can be one of the best ways to reach young people with the love and message of Jesus Christ.

"Keep coming out and supporting the bands so we can spread the Gospel through music," he told the crowd.

Even with the facility in its infancy, a dirt slope with a stage and lights, the event drew people of all walks of life from all over Ohio. Everyone from small children to senior citizens camped out in folding chairs and blankets to enjoy a concert under the stars.

Rachel Gibson and Chris Hild traveled to the concert from Troy and said they heard about the event on K-LOVE, a nationwide Christian radio station.

"As an outdoor concert for $16, you can't beat that," Gibson said, as she waited for technicians to wrap up the sound check. "We're enjoying it so far and it hasn't even started!"

Mark and Amy Wiley, of Chillicothe, said they wanted to attend to support the new amphitheater. They even brought their 4-year-old son Mitchell, who is becoming a Christian music veteran.

"We wanted to check it out, and we like the bands," Mark Wiley said.

The night was especially significant for the congregation of Chillicothe Baptist, which has watched this project since its beginnings. Vanessa Ewing, 15, said it was great to see everything finally coming together.

"We prayed for it a lot," she said. "We really wanted it to happen. Rain or shine, it's concert time."

Catlin Botchie, 15, is also a member of the sponsoring church. She said she was excited about the concert and was also looking forward to future improvements.

"I'll be happy when they get the seats," she said. "It's a work in progress."

Originally published Saturday, July 17, 2004 in the Chillicothe Gazette

River of Life concert is 'a go' for tonight

GAZETTE STAFF


The first concert at the River of Life Amphitheatre will hit the stage tonight, after church officials received a temporary occupancy permit Thursday.

Caedmon's Call and Tree 63 will take the stage during the concert, which begins at 7 p.m.

"It's a go," said Tony Lambert, project manager and minister of youth and children at Chillicothe Baptist Church. "There are some last minute things to finish up here and there, but we will be ready to go."

Work stopped momentarily July 2, after city officials expressed some concerns over a canopy which was not included in the plans originally submitted

Lambert said he believes all concerns will be addressed before tonight's show.

Meanwhile, ticket sales have picked up.

"We sold 300 tickets in the last three days alone," Lambert said.

The amphitheater, which will primarily host Christian music concerts, will also host Summer Jam -- a collection of artists ranging from Rachel Lampa, Newsong and Shaun Groves -- Saturday, Aug. 14.


Originally published Friday, July 16, 2004 in the Chillicothe Gazette