By Eason Franklin
The Lowndes Signal

A local Lowndes County family gospel group will soon be celebrating 16 successful years with 20-25 other choruses and groups.

The Mighty Mountainaires and other various groups will be holding their anniversary at the Mt. Moriah #1 Missionary Baptist Church in Gordonville later this month.

Open to the public, the event will take place over two days, June 12 at 6 p.m. and again June 13 at 2 p.m.

The event is a way for people to show their appreciation for the singing group and enjoy music from other groups throughout Lowndes County.

The Mountainaires was originally formed 17 years ago at the Mt. Moriah #1 church with six members who sought to form a male chorus.

After the first year and a few members later, the group formed outside the church and took on the name The Family Gospel Singers.

Shortly after the group changed their name, they changed it back and began to perform more and more inside and outside the county and state.

“We sing because we love to sing, do benefits for families in need and to give back to our community,” said group member Katherine Fuller.

The band performed a benefit to raise money for a lady who was caught in her house during a fire and received second-degree burns.

Another benefit was played for a girl from Montgomery caught in a car accident and was said to never walk or talk again.

The girl is now able to do both after receiving help from The Maintainaires according to guitar player, singer and founding member Jerome Henson.

The group now consists of nine members, Katherine Fuller, Jerome Hardy, Jerome Henson, Joe Holcomb, Natasha Holcomb, Ella Robinson, Marvin Robinson, Mattie Robinson and Dale Wright

They perform a mix of a capella numbers and songs accompanied by keyboard, guitar and drums.