It’s time for some down-home gospel music in Palmetto

For six days every year, the eyes and ears of the gospel music world are on Palmetto.

The six days start Monday, when Bill Bailey’s Winter Gospel Music Convention returns to the Bradenton Area Convention Center. This is the 32nd annual edition of the convention.

As always, the convention features some of the biggest names in gospel music — more than 40 this year.

Probably the biggest star on this year’s lineup is Grammy Award winner David Phelps, who performs at 7 p.m. Wednesday.

Other acts scheduled to appear include convention favorites the Booth Brothers, the Collingsworth Family, the Kingsmen and Goodman Revival, The Hoppers, Greater Vision, Triumphant Quarter, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Legacy Five, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver and the Martins.

Daytime concerts (at 1:30 p.m. daily) are free. Evening concerts (7 p.m.) are ticketed.

The convention also includes free chapel services at 10 a.m. daily.

Every year, Bill Bailey’s Gospel Music Convention attracts people from around the country who stay in RVs for several days or the entire week. With Cirque Italia setting up a tent across the street from the convention center, all RV parking is now on the convention center grounds.

Details: 1:30 and 7 p.m. Feb. 5-10, Bradenton Area Convention Center, 1 Haben Blvd., Palmetto. $20 per night, $105 for a six-night pass. Six-day VIP passes $135. Children 3-11 $5 per night at the door. Afternoon concerts free. 941-756-6942, billbaileyconcerts.com.

This story was originally published January 31, 2018 at 5:26 PM with the headline "It’s time for some down-home gospel music in Palmetto."