LOWESVILLE––The Cockman Family of Sherrill’s Ford will perform a free concert, Dec. 11 at 5 p.m.

And the Vineyard Church of Lowesville is the place to be, according to noted gospel singer and concert co-ordinator Carroll Cooke. And although the concert is free, Cooke recently noted that a free-will offering would be taken up.

Having released multiple records, the Cockmans are huge on the gospel bluegrass scene. According to Southern Branch Bluegrass, the members of this band of family musicians have been nominated for Bluegrass Artists of the Year, Instrumentalist of the Year and Bluegrass Band of the Year by the Country Gospel Music Association and for the Gold Cross Bluegrass Group of the Year by the International Country Gospel Music Association. The Cockmans were named one of the “Twelve Most Creative Families in America” by American Greeting Cards and USA Today Weekend.

Lead singer Caroline Cockman Fisher won the “Female Vocalist of the Year” and “Songwriter of the Year” honors from Powergrass Internet Radio, according to Bluegrass Journal. Tenor and banjoist Billy Cockman won the 2013 National Banjo Championship in Winfield, Kansas, after earning third-place honors in 2012. Baritone and mandolinist Ben Cockman won the 2014 National Guitar Championship, also in Winfield, and he also won multiple championships in 2012. And John Cockman, Jr. is a violin teacher, and dad John Cockman, Sr. plays the guitar.

Music critics note that the members of the Cockman Family have developed a distinct bluegrass gospel style that has gained audiences throughout the Southeast. Their arrangements of old gospel songs have been very popular, and their tight harmonies and original songs have been lauded for their uniqueness.

The Vineyard Church is located at 1062 NC-16 South in Lowesville, just down the road from Hill’s Chapel United Methodist Church. The church features Southern, bluegrass and/or acoustic gospel concerts every Saturday evening.