Justin Passick
Contributing Writer

(Courtesy photo – A labor of love and a weekend of camping, music and community happen annually at Singin’ in the Woods, organized by founders Kent and Jackie Hamilton.)

This upcoming Sept. 4-6, the Hamilton Campground near the Mooville Creamery in Nashville, becomes the site of a gospel music showcase as Singing in the Woods returns.

A labor of love for Blended Heart Ministries, a gospel duo composed of Nashville native Kent Hamilton and his wife, Jackie, the three-day concert is free and open to the public.

The duo was inspired to start the yearly festival after witnessing a similar outdoor gospel concert, when Kent “felt that God was reaching his heart to do the same.”

As a free event, Singing in the Woods has run at a loss each year, with the last just $500 shy of breaking even. Donations are welcome, with a recommended amount of $15, but nothing is kept from those who can’t pay.

“I wanted to give back to the community with something I love,” said Kent, who ran his own Nashville business, Hamilton Blackdirt Plus, for decades before moving to Florida, where he met his wife. The pair now splits time between Michigan and Georgia.

The Hamiltons are grateful for support from the local community. Williams Farm Equipment in Charlotte lends trolleys to transport visitors around the property. Build Masters Rentals of Vermontville and Mid-Michigan Supply of Hastings each provide generators.

Mary and Larry Haigh sell maple syrup goods, giving their full weekend take to Blended Heart. Up in Smoke BBQ and Lemony Lane Lemonade will be on hand to keep people fed. Meanwhile, around 30 volunteers help the event alongside the Barry County Posse which provides security.

Attendees have a few different ways to enjoy the festivities. Simply visiting the concerts, which run from 6 to 8 p.m., is one option, but camping spaces are available for those who wish to spend the whole weekend fishing, swimming, hiking and meeting fellow gospel music lovers. These are dry camping spaces with no hookups, so portable toilets are on hand.

Each nightly concert features one regional and one national act. Adding a national act to Friday is Kent’s way to “reward people’s good faith.”

Friday’s opener features Waly Williams Jr. and The Kingsman. Saturday brings Adams Voice and the 3 Heath Brothers, and Sunday closes the weekend with Sherri LaFontaine & the Family alongside Brian Free & Assurance.

Outside of this event, Blended Heart can be found online, on tour, or through their book about their individual upbringings and eventual marriage, “Blended Heart: Two Hearts-One Calling,” which they hope will inspire others.

Kent said he’s seen attendees so touched by the concerts that they’ve had “tears in their eyes.”

That’s what keeps the couple going each year, as they note, “It’s a lot of work and money, but we never regret it.”