Artists added to Teen Challenge Music Fest

The music line up continues to grow for June 14th Teen Challenge Music Festival. The new adds are Alethia & Tyler Montgomery.

Tyler Montgomery(www.tylermontgomery.com) is from Dexter, Missouri. He has been a fan of music since birth. Among his first birthday gifts were a trap set, sax and guitar. He started singing shortly after he said his first word. In elementary school he participated in several talent shows. Now, as a high school student, he plays sax in the jazz band and has won several "Outstanding Jazz Musician" awards. More importantly, he has always been a lover of Christ. He gave his life to Jesus as a child and has recently been a great asset to his church youth praise team by playing drums, guitar and singing.

Completely sold out to Jesus after having an awesome experience at Thee Camp on Father's Day weekend, Tyler realized that he knew Jesus but didn't know Him in an intimate relationship. Since then, God has continually poured out songs through him. He recently recorded and released his debut CD, "Unexpected Turn." The title reflects the turn he has taken in life. The back of the CD shows him standing over his father's grave, because he wanted to portray that you have to die to yourself in order to truly live for Christ. He has chosen to use his musical talent to bring others closer to God. His plan is to spend the summer sharing his testimony with youth groups all over. His life, as well as his concert shirt reads, "The bend in the road is not the end of the road, unless you refuse to take the turn."

Alethia, a band at Centenary Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau, is composed entirely of girls in the sixth grade who decided to form a band before learning how to play their instruments. Alethia performed at the church for first time Palm Sunday.

Several indie artists will be taking the outdoor stage in a carnival style arena. Scheduled to appear with Montgomery & Alethia:

Jeremy Verhines w/ Solomon's Porch

Erica Dean of Simi Valley, California

Three Strand Rope of Springfield, Missouri

Doug Rees, Jackson, Missouri

The Teen Challenge Choir, New Creations, will perform and give testimony between the bands.

The Summer Music Festival will begin at 2pm and should wrap up around 8pm. The church yard will take on a carnival atmosphere, complete with carnival games, a space walk for the kids, washers, food and plenty of family fun.

Tickets went on sale Sunday, April 27th and are $10 per person, $8 per person for groups of 10 or more. Children 5 and under are free. Tickets will be available through the church, Teen Challenge or by clicking on the paypal button on the church web site.

Each entry ticket will receive carnival tickets to use on the carnival games and food. Additional carnival tickets can be purchased throughout the event.

Proceeds will go to help raise funding for Mid America Teen Challenge.

Visit www.wesleyumcfruitland.com or call Kim Mitchell at 573-243-2811 for more information.