Musicians gather religiously

LITHIA - Once a month, Mike and Denise Holmes prop open the gates to their horse farm homestead and welcome friends and strangers alike to a country gospel gathering.

The couple transformed an old barn on their property near County Road 39 and Lithia-Pinecrest Road about two years ago to set the stage for relaxed Friday night gatherings. Free and open to the public, the get-togethers center on Christian fellowship, country gospel music and a casual barbecue dinner.

The Holmeses, owners of Holmes Quarter Horse Farm and publishers of Horse 'N Tack Magazine, invite their Nashville recording artist friends to play at the party, but the gig is open to anyone who wants to bring a guitar or fiddle and have a moment in the spotlight.

"Everybody gets a turn to play and sing a song," Mike Holmes said. "It's just a good time of fellowship and good clean fun."

During the gathering in March, dozens of people congregated in the barn around a makeshift stage sectioned off with sheets of plastic and draped with strings of white lights.

Mike Holmes shared the stage with his friend Danny Ray Harris, the Christian Country Music Association's 2009 New Artist of the Year.

About 75 folks shuffled along the dirt floor and settled into plastic chairs, balancing on their laps paper plates with hot dogs and hamburgers. The crowd hushed as Harris sang about what it means to be a Christian.

The couple doesn't charge admission for the party or dinner. Most people put a dollar or two in a donation jar, but it's not required.

"If you have a few extra dollars, throw it in the jar to cover the costs," Mike Holmes said. "If you don't, go ahead and have two hamburgers anyway."

Steve Woofter of Plant City said it was a relaxing end to the workweek.

"The daily grind these days is kinda rough," Woofter said.

Cecil Carr, also from Plant City, said the gathering is like an old-fashioned country church jamboree.

"It's open, you come as you are, and everybody's country," Carr said.

Woofter agreed.

"There ain't no starch in anyone's underwear here," he said.

PUBLIC CONCERT

WHAT: Country gospel music gathering and a casual barbecue dinner

WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday

WHERE: 7818 Lithia-Pinecrest Road

INFORMATION: Call (813) 967-3046