Singer Carman coming to Jamestown

Singer-songwriter Carman, who performs Christian contemporary music, will perform at 6 p.m. July 21 at First Baptist Church, Jamestown.

Though Carman is classified as a Christian contemporary artist, the label doesn’t tell the whole story.

That’s what the singer does — he tells stories, in the form of songs that run the gamut from rock to comedy and country, with an evangelical Christian flavor. Many describe epic battles, metaphorical and literal, with the forces of evil.

“One peaceful afternoon I picked up from my mailbox the strangest looking letter I’d ever seen, a chilling little envelope bordered with flying bats, and serpents whose eyes were tinted green,” starts Carman’s “Witch’s Invitation.”

The song tells the tale of a man who receives an invitation from a warlock, and what happens when the Christian accepts.

“Satan Bite the Dust” casts the battle between Christians and the devil as a shoot-out in an old Wild West town. “The Courtroom” asks whether a person would face Jesus as a savior or a judge in the courtroom of the afterlife, and then describes the trial.

Storytelling songs are what Carman’s known for, and he will be performing some of those at the Jamestown concert, said Ron Blackwood, his manager.

“Carman’s music really appeals to a wide audience,” Blackwood said. “He’s a wonderful artist, a great guy and the fans will love him.”

Carman, whose real name is Carmelo Demenic Licciardello, was named Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year in 1990 and 1992 by Billboard Magazine. He’s sold more than 10 million records.

First Baptist Church in Jamestown will receive 30 percent of ticket proceeds from the event, which will go to the church’s 2013 mission trip to Bibati and Liliondo, Tanzania. There, the mission group will work on church planting, AIDS training, discipleship and community development among the Maasai people.

General admission tickets are $15. VIP tickets, which come with a CD and a meet-and-greet with Carman after the concert, are $20. Tickets can be purchased at First Baptist, located at 409 Third Ave. SE, or at Redplum Media, 116 First Ave. S.

Doors open at 5 p.m. on July 21, with the concert set to begin at 6 p.m. An offering will be taken for Carman’s ministries during the show.

“I think anybody and everybody will enjoy it,” said Wayne Bangs, pastor at First Baptist Church. “There’ll be something there for everybody.”

Sun reporter Kari Lucin can be reached at 701-952-8453

or by email at klucin@jamestownsun.com

Tags: life, religion