The Secrets — the acclaimed country trio with resounding harmonies and soulful voices — are going gospel.
For the first time since they banded together almost a decade ago, Karla Pilgrim, Terry Lynn Eddy and Renée Batten will perform a pair of shows, in which they will be singing all gospel songs.
The first show is set for Saturday, March 30, at the Anglican Parish of the Ascension in Mount Pearl and the second at the Bethel United Church in Sibley’s Cove on Thursday, April 4.
“We’re really looking forward to these shows …,” Pilgrim said. “Gospel is a special kind of music.”
It’s a natural transition for the three, who usually sing a few gospel songs during their shows. It’s something they started some years ago after performing at the Kempt Shore Music Festival in Nova Scotia, where they played a Sunday morning slot and opted to throw in a few gospel tunes.
It’s prompted fans to inquire about an entire gospel show.
“We do gospel songs in our gigs and they’re always huge hits,” said Pilgrim, who added the group even performed gospel at a few funerals.
“Something special happens when we sing gospel music. It really strikes people.”
Gospel music holds a particular special meaning for Pilgrim, who first sang publicly in church growing up in Roddickton, where she performed with her mother, a pianist.
“It’s the music that comes most natural to me and that comes through when I sing,” said Pilgrim, who sings some gospel in her solo performances. “It’s my roots …
“Gospel music has big influences in country and blues. There’s a fine line between them.”
It’s certainly the kind of music suited for the voices of the three songsters, who came together in college and has since garnered plenty of attention across North America.
The group first got noticed in 2010 when they performed their first show in St. John’s, opening for country music legend Alan Jackson’s Freight Train Tour. Around the time they released their debut album, “Break Even” — which was recorded in Nashville — the group opened in 2014 for sold-out shows for country superstar Tim McGraw at Mile One Centre. Over the years, they’ve performed in several popular music festivals and shows and have earned MusicNL awards as Country Group of the Year and East Coast Music Awards nominations.
The band took a hiatus when Pilgrim had her son last year, “but we’re back at it with a vengeance,” she said.
Pilgrim said the group hopes the initial two gospel shows will result in more in the future.
Both shows begin at 7 p.m.
Tickets for each show are $20 and will be available at the door or in advance at thesecrets.ca.
Twitter: TelyRosie
