Awe Inspiring

HARLINGEN — Praise on the Hill is one of those events you should see in order to experience what it’s about.

That’s what organizer David Gray said about this weekend’s concert being held at the Harlingen Soccer Complex.

It’s a very uplifting experience and people from all over Texas come to see it, he said.

Gray expects this year’s 10th anniversary event to attract about 7,000 people.

However, Gray said it’s difficult to know how many people actually attend because there are no tickets. The event is free and open to the public.

“We hope the event has a positive impact on the community,” Gray said.

The music begins at 5 p.m. and will include performances by Natalie Grant, Mark Schultz, Danny Gokey, Chris August and Jonny Diaz.

There will be free pony and horse rides for the kids. A zip line will also be set up.

Organizers are also collecting food and clothing to benefit Border Mission and the Benito Juarez Orphanage.

In honor of their 10th anniversary, organizers spent months in advance scheduling more artists.

This year’s line-up includes several multi-award winning artists.

Natalie Grant

Four-time Grammy nominated, Grant is known for her powerful vocals and has remained one of the top-selling Christian and Gospel artists since her 2005 breakout RIAA Gold certified album, “Awaken.”

She has since gone on to have over 3 million in career sales. The Gospel Music Association has named her Female Vocalist of the Year 5 times and she has had multiple number 1’s on the Billboard singles and albums charts, including her most recent record titled, “Be One.

Mark Schultz

Schultz is a 14-time Dove Award nominee and platinum-selling artist who sings about parents praying for a sick child (“He’s My Son”) and writes in honor of his great-grandmother’s sons who fought in World War II (“Letters From War”).

And with his latest effort, All Things Possible, Schultz continues to tackle matters of the heart and spirit with uncommon craftsmanship–though the past five years.

Danny Gokey

American Idol alum, Gokey is a singer and former church music director from Wisconsin. He was the third-place finalist on the eighth season of American Idol.

After he placed on the show, Gokey signed to 19 Recordings and RCA Nashville at the beginning of a career in country music, releasing the single “My Best Days Are Ahead of Me”.

His debut album, My Best Days, was released in March 2010. After leaving RCA Nashville in November 2011, he moved his musical direction toward adult pop/contemporary Christian music genre and made a record/publishing deal with BMG in May 2013.

His second full-length album, Hope in Front of Me, was released in June 2014.

Christopher August

August began recording as a secular musician before switching to Christian music. His song “Starry Night” reached No. 1 on the Billboard Christian Songs chart in 2010/2011.

He was nominated at the 2011 Dove Awards in five categories, including Best New Artist and Song of the Year.

Jonny Diaz

Diaz is a contemporary Christian pop artist originally from Florida.

His song “More Beautiful You” has charted on American Christian music charts.

His major record label debut album of the same name has charted on Billboard magazine’s Top Heatseekers and Top Christian Albums charts.