Terry Unthank spreads gospel

Fairfield-based singer gains national attention.

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How to go

What: Terry Unthank concert

Where: Edgewood Baptist, 1010 W. State St., Trenton

When: 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 4

Cost: Free

More info: www.terryunthank.com

Fairfield-based gospel singer Terry Unthank has been receiving national attention for his self-titled CD, released late this spring. He will perform his hit song “Take It to the Lord” and others at a concert in Trenton at Edgewood Baptist Church on Sunday, Sept. 4.

“The project has been released nationally, to hundreds of Southern gospel stations across America, including Radio Music AM and FM. On Radio Music AM it (“Take It to the Lord”) was No. 1 for the month of July, and on Radio Music FM it charted at No. 2,” Unthank, 37, said in recent phone interview.

Unthank, a singer/songwriter, pastor and concert/event promoter, said he has been singing since the time he could talk. He preached his first sermon under a gospel tent in Florida when he was 8 years old and recorded his first project in cassette form when he was a teenager.

Today he pastors a church, Miracle Revival Center in Hamilton’s Lindenwald neighborhood. Also, he has promoted Christian concerts since 1998 and has brought in artists including Avalon, the Crabb Family, Dottie Rambo, The Martins and many more.

“From the time I was a very small child, I knew I was called. I wasn’t called by man; I was called by God,” Unthank said. “It’s funny, but I remember as a young child, I would go into the backyard and set up my stuffed animals and my sister’s dolls and I would sing and preach to them. I guess you would call it playing church as a small child, and knowing one day I would pastor a church. My dad was a minister, so my sister and I would sing at church.”

Unthank said area radio stations including WGNZ-AM (1110) in Fairborn/Dayton have been playing “Take It to the Lord.” It was also the most requested song at SOGR in Knoxville, Tenn.

The album “Terry Unthank” was recorded at Daywind Studios in Hendersonville, Tenn. The 10-song project includes two songs that were written by Unthank. “Take It to the Lord” was penned by Sue Smith and Stephanie Boosahda, two critically acclaimed, Nashville-based songwriters.

“With all of the things going on the world right now, prayer is the one thing we can do. A lot of people feel helpless and hopeless, especially when you listen to the news, but we can always take it to the Lord in prayer,” Unthank said.

Unthank has been recognized for his achievements in ministry by being awarded a key to the city of Fairfield and having a day named in his honor by former Mayor Ronald D’Epiffanio in 2008.

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