Lloyd Severance Thumb Gospel Music Convention

Lloyd Severance Thumb Gospel Music Convention 

Gospel music lovers drawn to the rich harmonies of quartet-style singing have an opportunity to get their fill this month — all in one picturesque venue — as organizers of the Lloyd Severance Thumb Gospel Music Convention gear up for their 26th annual event.

Through 25 years, 106 groups have been part of what has made the Convention what it is. Also, more than $330,000 has been raised that went towards Bay Shore Camp’s continuing ministry!

The 2024 convention is scheduled for Thursday through Sunday, Aug. 22-25, at Bay Shore Camp. Admission is free, but freewill offerings are collected to benefit the camp, located on the northeast edge of Saginaw Bay, one-half mile west of Michigan Sugar Company’s Sebewaing plant at 450 N. Miller Road.

This year, 13 groups will be performing in the old wooden tabernacle at Bay Shore Camp. Thursday’s line-up will feature The Browders and Justified Quartet, while The Craguns and Jim & Melissa Brady will take the stage Friday. Concerts on both nights are scheduled to get underway at 6:30 p.m.

Saturday’s lineup will follow our Fabulous Breakfast Buffet which begins at 7:30 am running until 9:30. The music will begin at 10:00 a.m. with Divinity Trio, Promised Land Quartet and Adams Voice with The Foresters leading into our hour and 30 minute break. They will be followed at 3:30 p.m. by Sou[s Harbor, The Thurstons and The Gospel Harmony Boys. Tribute Quartet will conclude the evening beginning at around 6:30 p.m. Rounding out the weekend on Sunday will be The Hyssongs at 10 a.m. with our Worship Service.

In addition to hours of music, the convention offers guests a variety of recreational activities and a variety of meal options on-site.

Meals will be available for purchase in Bay Shore’s Tibbits Dining Hall Friday (continental breakfast from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and lunch from 12 to 1 p.m.); Saturday (1:30 to 3 p.m.); and Sunday (continental breakfast from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. and lunch at 1 p.m.).

Food trucks will also be set up on site which will be open Thursday through Saturday. There will be donuts and coffee in the Youth Center Thursday through Sunday, from 8 to 10 a.m., and an ice cream social is planned for Thursday, Friday and Saturday after the concerts, also in the Youth Center.

Activities on tap will include a craft time Friday at 12:30 p.m. ($8 per person covers all crafts) and a movie at 1:30 p.m., both in the Youth Center. Bible studies will be offered Thursday at 2 p.m. and Friday at 10 a.m., led by Barry Maust in the Tabernacle. The prayer tent will be open Thursday and Friday after the concerts, as well as on Saturday, from 1 to 6 p.m. and after the evening concert.

The pool will be open Friday and Saturday, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. (adults only) and from 1 to 5 p.m. (all ages, but kids under 12 must be accompanied by an adult). Donations will be accepted to offset the cost of pool operations.

There will be miniature golf Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. and Saturday from noon to 2 p.m. and 3 to 5 p.m., and the camp store will be open Thursday and Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 2 to 6 p.m. More information is available online at www.thumbgospelmusic.com.

A long tradition

The convention was named after lifelong Cass City area resident Lloyd “Chic” Severance, who is credited with working to organize his vision for a large Gospel music gathering in the Thumb area – music that anyone could enjoy free of charge — more than two decades ago.

Severance and his wife, Esther, had four children, 13 grandchildren, and 24 great-grandchildren. He started singing in the 1930s and sang bass in a church quartet.

Severance was part of the original community men’s group called The Layman’s Club in Cass City, which founded the New Year’s Eve Gospel Sing in town that ended in 2015 after a 50-year run. The Calvarymen had participated in every one of those years.

The Layman’s Club also brought in groups such as The Cathedrals, Bob Wills and the Inspirations, Toney Brothers and The Talleys to the Thumb for gospel concerts.

In 1997, Severance and son Arthur, who served as Gospel committee chairman, visited with then-Bay Shore Camp Director Lew Tibbits and discussed the idea of staging a Gospel concert at Bay Shore Camp, with proceeds going to the camp.

A committee was formed, comprised of Lloyd Severance, Cliff Jacoby, Bob Bader, Arthur Severance, Leslie Severance, Donna Rhodes, Dan Grimshaw, Barbie Brooks and Lew Tibbits. The first concert was held in August 1998. Fewer than 10 RVs were on the grounds and attendance was estimated at roughly 500 people for the one-day concert.

Fifteen years later, in 2012, 17 groups performed, Volunteers parked 153 paid RV guests, camp housing was filled to capacity, and some 3,000 people enjoyed the four-day event.

After Lloyd’s passing in 2000, convention officials renamed the event in honor of his many contributions to Gospel singing in the Thumb and greater Michigan.