By BETH CHAPMAN / Community Columnist

Ron Foster with his wife, Kim, and son, Austin, own and operate DJ Promotions, which handles all aspects of the Southern Gospel concerts they work hard to promote.

From choosing which artists to invite to reserving and coordinating with the appropriate venue, they design the tickets, posters and handle all aspects of the advertising too.

“We are the first ones to arrive at the concert venue and the last ones to leave.” Kim Foster said. “Promoting Southern Gospel music is something we do as a family, and we love it!”

The company’s name comes from the occupation that Ron, a life-long Columbiana resident, has on WZZK’s Sunday morning Gospel Jubilee as a DJ. Ron and his family are all gospel music enthusiasts who have taken their passion to a higher level over the past few years. They turned their hobby into a ministry and a business.

They have promoted concerts featuring nationally known artists such as the McKameys, The Inspirations, Primitive Quartet, New Ground and Guy Penrod of the Gaither Vocal Band.

When you think of Chilton County, you automatically think of peaches. There are a million things there that incorporate the word peach into them — peach queens, peach parades, peach festivals and yes, the Chilton County Peach Sing produced by the Foster family.

This year’s event will feature the McKameys, Inspirations, Primitives and Shelby County’s Austin Foster. Ron will serve as emcee for the annual event and Kim will be continuing her hard work behind the scenes.

The annual “singing” will be held on Saturday, June 2, at Chilton County High School located at 1214 Seventh St. S. in Clanton. It will begin at 7 p.m. with doors opening at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $18 in advance and $20 at the door. Tickets can be purchased by calling 669-3403. There is a $3 service charge for all credit card orders. Children 10 and under are free.

Beth Chapman, Alabama’s secretary of state, is a Shelby County resident and writes a weekly column for the Shelby County Reporter. You can reach her at bethchapman@bellsouth.net.