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Courtesy photo The Lunsford Sisters of Highlands County are holding a benefit concert to help raise funds for a trip to Detroit. Siblings Angela, Evelyn, Gena, Gwen and Sylvia are hoping to compete in a national singing competition in September.

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published: Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Lunsford Sisters singing their way to national competition

By SAMANTHA GHOLAR

sgholar@newssun.com

AVON PARK - A local singing group is hoping to seize a national title with the help of the community and fans.

After coming home with an unexpected win from the 2012 Dr. Dorinda Clark Coles Singers and Musicians Conference in Tampa in late April, The Lunsford Sisters, a gospel and praise group, are gearing up to sing their hearts out once again.

"We didn't even know we had won. We just went there to minister and spread the word. We didn't even really go to sing in the competition. After we sang we headed back home; our musician stayed behind. He called us at like 1 in the morning and told us that we had won. We were all like 'What?!"," Angela Lunsford said.

There the sisters captivated judges and the audience with their soulful voices earning them a spot at the national conference in Detroit that will be held in September.

"We have been invited to Detroit for the national competition. We are really excited about it. It's a blessing," Lunsford said.

(The Lunsford Sisters also were recently named the 2012 Joy and Praise Christian Showcase Group of the Year by judges from the Tampa conference.)

Angela, Gena, Sylvia, Evelyn and Gwen are currently focusing on raising as much money as possible to fund their trip to Detroit.

The ladies have organized a concert that will help raise money for the group's trip to compete in the national competition.

"There will be singing and praise. We have other groups coming also. We will have the praise dancers, praise teams and some soloists. It's going to be a great time," Lunsford said.

The Lunsford Sisters have been performing together for 30 years. All the funds raised will go directly to help the group make their trip to Detroit.

"There are the five of us and then our band, so there is about 10 of us going total. We don't have a set amount we are hoping to raise; we will take whatever God blesses us with," Lunsford said.

Gena Lunsford estimates that the group will need approximately $7,000 to cover the costs of flights and lodging for the four-day conference.

"When we sing we do it for exposure and for ministering. There will be a lot of people in Detroit and we aren't really sure how the competition will be set up or anything like that just yet. We are just looking for God to bless us in any way," Lunsford said.

The Lunsford Sisters of Highlands County concert and praise event will take place at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3 at Union Congregational Church, 106 N. Butler Ave. in Avon Park. The tickets are $10 in advance, $15 at the door with children 12 and under having free admission.

Donations and sponsors are also welcomed. Donations and contributions may be sent to The Lunsford Sisters P.O. Box 6921 Avon Park, FL 33825. Ccontact the sisters at 452-6636.