Saturday, November 29, 1997

"One of the best evenings we've ever had"

By LORETTA FULTON Senior Staff Writer

When Floyd Nickerson first heard the radio commercials for "The Young Messiah" tour, he made a mental note to listen more closely next time and find out exactly where it would be - probably somewhere in Dallas.

Much to his surprise, he learned that it will be right here in Abilene at Taylor County Coliseum on Saturday, Dec. 6.

"We were extremely surprised," Nickerson said of himself and his wife.

Nickerson, president of West Texas Utilities, and his wife saw "The Young Messiah" tour when they lived in Tulsa, Okla.

"That would have to be one of the best evenings we've ever had," Nickerson said. "I would very much recommend it."

Tickets, on sale now, are $23, $20 and $16 for reserved seats. Groups of 10 or more can purchase seating in those same areas for $21, $18 and $14.

Tickets can be purchased by calling 677-4376 or (800) 462-7979.

Abilene is one of the smallest cities nationwide and the only Texas stop on the tour, which was launched in 1990. Besides the traveling troupe, the show will include a local choir made up of a cross section of people and some members of the Abilene Philharmonic. Doug Bromley of South Side Baptist Church is directing the local choir.

Steven V. Taylor, producer, arranger, songwriter and former member of Truth, is free-lancing as choir director of both "Young Messiah" and "Emmanuel" tours, going to cities beforehand to make sure the local choirs are well-rehearsed and to iron out any rough spots

"Beyond the entertainment value, this is an incredibly well-produced show," Taylor said during a rehearsal Tuesday night. "We're doing something for the Lord and we're doing it well."

Although the show is entertaining, "spiritually it is focused entirely on Christ, on the Messiah," Taylor said. "It presents a whole range of emotions, just like the original <I>Messiah.<I> It's full of life. That's the whole purpose of it."

The first half of the show includes introductions of the various acts and songs by each. Following an intermission, four songs from Handel's <I>Messiah<I> will be presented in a "jazzed up" version. (For more information, read Greg Jaklewicz's interview in Sunday's A&E section with tour member Russ Taff.)

"The Young Messiah" tour is the brainchild of Norman Miller, a native of Scotland. Miller recalls one of his family's favorite holiday traditions was going to a local performance of the <I>Messiah<I> and then listening to recordings at home.

That boyhood memory led to Miller's assemblying some of his favorite gospel artists to record a contemporary version of the classic work.

"I know there were many people who would never go to see Handel's <I>Messiah<I> but who would appreciate the music, though at that time all they knew was the Hallelujah Chorus," Miller said.

In 1989 the first recording of "The Young Messiah" was released by Word Records, a television special was created for The Family Channel and the musical debuted in Miller's home church in Virginia Beach, Va.

The tour was launched the following year. A "farewell tour" was held in 1995, but the show is back again this year for 15 more performances.

Floyd Nickerson already has made sure he and his wife will be among the lucky ones to see the performance in Abilene.

"We already have our tickets," he said.