Gospel music favorite Bill Gaither and his Homecoming Friends are coming to the Cumberland County Civic Center on Friday, Oct. 19 for a night of southern gospel music.

In addition to Gaither, the concert in Portland will feature gospel musicians such as Ernie Hasse and Signature Sound, Jeff and Sheri Easter, Lynda Randle, Ivan Parker, Mike Allen and Ben Speer, as well as the Gaither Vocal Band.

According to Gaither, the idea for the Homecoming concerts “started with an impromptu taping session in a Nashville studio in 1991,” he said. ” The Gaither Vocal Band was wrapping up a recording session that included several legendary southern gospel music artists. After the session ended, the artists lingered and gathered around the piano, singing and swapping stories from the old days and sharing a few laughs and tears.”

More than a decade later, Gaither said he never envisioned that 1991 recording session would turn into a touring empire. Year after year, music industry publications have consistently ranked the Gaither Homecoming Tour at the top of their lists for most concert tickets sold worldwide in any music genre.

Ticket prices for the Portland show are $26.50 and $36.50. For more information, call Ticketmaster at 775-3458 or visit www.ticketmaster.com. Group tickets for 10 or more can be reserved at 775-3481, ext. 348.