They’re lovin’ life right now

If attending one of Bill Gaither’s Gaither Homecoming concerts has an informal, familiar feel to it, you’re not alone in that sentiment.

“I feel like I’m still singing around the piano in my granddad’s living room,” Gaither said.

Gaither will bring his own Gaither Vocal Band and other top gospel performers to the John Paul Jones Arena for Sunday’s “Lovin’ Life” tour stop. Fans can hear Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, Gordon Mote, Janet Paschal, Lynda Randle, Kevin Williams and Mark Lowry, plus some other performers, before the busy afternoon of musical variety draws to a close.

The Gaither Homecoming concert series’ combination of down-home entertainment and high-tech distribution has stirred brisk demand for DVDs of the performances. The series has built a fan base that reaches far beyond that treasured living-room piano — Gaither marveled at an audience in Germany that started lining up at 3 p.m. for an evening show — and lured many a curious newcomer to gospel music’s close vocal harmonies.

“There are just a lot of people who can plug in on that informal, casual level, and the technology now — thank God for it,” he said.

And in an era when new technology and individualized entertainment often can isolate people, Gaither has watched the popularity of the DVDs bring families closer. Families that never gather around a piano to sing might pop in a DVD and find themselves singing together just the same. Gaither chuckled when he said many fans have mentioned that they became interested in the group because a parent or grandparent recommended it.

“In the last 10 or 15 years, we have been bringing in more middle-aged people together with their parents,” he said. “They come up to me all the time.”

Gaither said he sees multigenerational audiences at his shows. “It’s been pretty much of a family thing since the beginning,” Gaither said. “I think the message transcends age limits.”

In addition to Gaither’s many past hits, including “He Touched Me,” “Because He Lives” and “The King is Coming,” listeners will hear new material from “Lovin’ Life.” The CD picked up a Grammy Award in February for best Southern, country or bluegrass gospel album, bringing Gaither’s total to six.

Fans who’ve heard the Gaither Vocal Band in concert before may be getting their first chance to listen to its new lineup. Former lead singer Guy Penrod is launching a solo career, and baritone Marshall Hall has moved on as well.

Since January, Gaither has sung with David Phelps, Wes Hampton, Michael English and Mark Lowry.

“It’s overwhelming to sing with so many good vocalists,” Gaither said.

“The current group — you can’t get any better than that.”

It’s always a hold-your-breath moment to take the stage with a new lineup of singers, but the feedback from fans so far has been excellent, he said.

“I’m not the greatest singer in the world. I’m not the greatest keyboard player in the world. But God has gifted me with a producer’s ear,” Gaither said. That’s why he sees his role as “a cook in the kitchen,” blending voices “to put together the right chemistry.”

And what’s the former teacher’s verdict? “The current lineup and the chemistry, I would give us an A-plus,” he said with a chuckle.

Gaither said that when people ask him whether his concerts are best described as ministry or entertainment, he answers, “Yes.” He’s concentrating on presenting his best possible performance, and there’s no way he can know on a given night whether a song’s lyrics might offer some listener out there the comfort or conviction they need to make changes in their lives.

“I have to leave the ministry up to God,” he said.