The Nevels Sisters bring home a long-awaited gospel concert

By Guy D’Astolfo

Saturday’s concert by the Nevels Sisters will be the first chance for Valley residents to see the Gospel stars perform since they hit the big time.

The show at Stambaugh Auditorium will also be the first time the sister act — Veniece Andrews, Debra Jordan, Gail Nevels and April Wade — has played a major venue on its own turf.

The quartet is truly excited at the prospect of playing for its hometown fans and promises a caliber of performance that might surprise even those who have seen them many times before.

“We want everyone to come out to see us,” said Wade. “It will be on a level of excellence we’ve never achieved before. God has elevated our performance level.”

Wade said the Stambaugh show will be a way to say thanks to the fans that supported the group from the start.

“We definitely want to thank Youngstown for its undying support over the years,” she said. “We’ve always wanted to give Youngstown a concert. We’ve been getting a lot of requests. We’ve never done a concert at Stambaugh, and we are looking to sell it out.”

The Nevels released their debut album in 2005 and struggled through thick and thin until late last year. That’s when “Beautiful,” their breakthrough CD, was released.

The single “Clap Your Hands” from the album is on the gospel chart. “We’re getting lots of radio love,” said Wade.

The Nevels record distribution company re-released “Beautiful” earlier this month and plans to give it a bigger promotional push than it got when it dropped in November.

“Our distribution company wanted to re-release it with more gusto — more promotion, more advertising, more marketing,” said Wade. “It will be available in stores all across the country, including Youngstown.”

Up until now, stores in the Youngstown market did not stock “Beautiful,” although the album was available on several online sites.

“Beautiful” will also be available at Saturday’s concert, which will act as a springboard for a world tour that the Nevels will begin later this year. Shows are scheduled across the United States and in Africa.

The Stambaugh concert will be “an intro to major momentum,” said Wade, explaining that the Nevels will be mounting a promotional blitz for “Beautiful.”

Saturday’s show will feature The Nevels with a live backing band and local gospel act Mark Jackson and Final Call as the opener.

People who come to the show should expect to be uplifted, said Wade; that includes hearing “I’ve Got Company,” which has become the Nevels’ anthem.

“We sing it everywhere,” said Wade. “God loves you, and no matter what you’ve been through, you have company. Through every trial and tribulation you can clap and stomp and give praise — even in a storm.”

if you go

Who: The Nevels Sisters, with Mark Jackson and Final Call

When: 7 p.m. Saturday

Where: Stambaugh Auditorium, 1000 Fifth Ave., Youngstown

Tickets: All seats are $24 (includes handling fee); call the Stambaugh box office at (330) 259-0555; or go to stambaughonline.com