Published: March 25, 2009 08:40 pm      

Gospel group’s early members reunite

DANVILLE — A Homeward Bound reunion concert will spark memories for longtime fans of the popular Christian group.

The concert will bring together several of the original members of the group, which was started 30 years ago. The concert will be at 6 p.m. Saturday at Danville High School, with special guest Legacy Five from Nashville, Tenn.

Present-day Homeward Bound is made up of two brothers — Darrell and Randy Paddock, both of Covington, Ind. Over the years, however, at least 25 members have come and gone, and the group has developed a strong fan base.

“People have followed our ministry for 30 years,” Darrell Paddock said.

Homeward Bound has a concert every year about this time. But to mark its 30th anniversary, the Paddocks decided to invite band members who were part of the group in the early 1980s.

Expected to perform that night are former Homeward Bound members: Alan Lynch of Covington, drummer; Doug Newnum of Tangier, Ind., keyboard and writer; Frank Allen of Kingman, Ind., bass singer; Steve Liggett of Catlin, tenor singer; Les Moore of Indianapolis, bass singer; Brice Yates of Bismarck, bass guitar player; and J.D. Miller of Kentucky, producer.

“We’ll play songs we’ve done over the last 30 years,” Paddock said.

“I think it’s going to be a lot of fun,” said Alan Lynch, who now owns MB Music and Sound in downtown Danville. “Anybody who comes will have a good time.”

Lynch also has put together a video of pictures from the past, which will be playing as people arrive.

“The group had a big following back in its day,” he said.

Homeward Bound was formed in 1979 by three Paddock brothers — Randy, Darrell, and Steve, who died a few years ago. It was just the three for a while.

Darrell described its sound as inspirational — a cross between light contemporary and country gospel.

What made the group popular, Lynch said, is that most of its songs were original — Newnum wrote 80 percent of them — and members shared the stories behind the songs with the audience.

The band was made up of local guys, who performed from the heart — and that endeared audiences, as well.

As for the three brothers, Lynch said, “You couldn’t beat them in harmony.”

The group had a good career, with television appearances and national radio play. Homeward Bound had six projects, including CDs and albums, Darrell said.

When Lynch joined the group in the early ‘80s, Homeward Bound was playing 55 shows a year. By the early ‘90s, it was playing almost 200 dates a year, he said.

The members went their separate ways, and Homeward Bound made its last appearance as a group in 1992. The Paddock brothers continued to perform and tape CDs.

They also tour with a 23-member Christian mission team, performing overseas in places such as China.

Saturday’s concert at Danville High is almost sold out. However, Paddock said they’ll find room for anyone who shows up.



COMING UP

Homeward Bound, with special guest Legacy Five, will present a gospel concert at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Danville High School auditorium.

For ticket information, call (765) 793-7456 or e-mail homewardbound1979@sbcglobal.net. Tickets, which are $15, also will be available at the door.

The group’s Web site is http://www.homewardboundministries.net