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Article published in the Richmond Times Dispatch, August 24, 2008 on Mary Pollard
Article Published March 4, 2008 about the GCH in the Mechanicsville Local
WCVE Public Radio Program Broadcast live from the GCH by Peter Solompn on July 23rd, 2007
Gospel Chicken House - Virginia is for Lovers
The Gospel Chickenhouse is lengendary in Southern gospel music. Each concert is a unique experience. Each Saturday night, great gospel music can be heard, and people travel from great distances to be a part of the concerts. Vicki Bruce shares the Gospel Chickenhouse story.
VB: "29 years"
CMP: What is planned to commemorate this anniversary
VB: "An outdoor Gospel Sing on June 22 with 11 groups participating."
CMP: The GCH is actually a "chicken house". How did the sings get started?
VB: "The GCH is behind the home of Ray and Mary Pollard in Montpelier, Virginia. Ray was singing with a group and they needed a place to practice. He told them he had an empty chicken house behind his home where they could practice as loud and as long as they wanted. They scheduled to meet there on a Saturday night. Some of their fans asked if they could come to hear them practice, and 35 people showed up at the practice. The GCH story had begun. The GCH is 40 feet wide by more than 100 feet long and seats 350 people. It now has its own stage, sound system, and heating and air conditioning systems."
CMP: How did you become involved with the GCH?
VB: "Twenty one years ago, I was asked to come and sing a song during the offering. I returned the following Saturday night and have been involved ever since. After the first six months, I began singing in a group with Ray Pollard. Six years later, I began doing the emcee work and started booking the groups."
CMP: One of the things the "regulars" look forward to each week is the "house band." Tell us about the band.
VB: "The GCH Band was started by two brothers, Ducky (trumpet) and Harold (trombone and fiddle) Weeks and their father, Roland Weeks who plays the tamborine. They are now joined by Mark Stuphin and Charles Smith on guitar, Aubrey Childress on bass guitar, Gene Garrison on tuba, Jeff Farrier on piano, Doug Fender on trumpet, and Fred Pate on drums."
VB: "We have had reports of people receiving physical healings. There have been testimonies of souls accepting Christ during the alter call. I have received news of a gentlemen who was an alcoholic who got saved at the GCH, never took another drink, and went on to become a pastor."
CMP: The walls are covered with pictures of now famous gospel singers who sang at the GCH "way back when". Name some.
VB: "The Dixie Melody Boys, Jerry Goff, Cathedrawls, Speer Family, Florida Boys, Freemans, Jerry and Sheri Easter, Easter Brothers, Danny Funderburk, Perfect Heat, Willis Canada, Ronnie Hinson, Gold City, and the Hoppers."
CMP: No article on the GCH would be complete without mention of Mr. and Mrs. Pollard. How are they doing, and are they still actively involved each week or has the torch been passed on?
VB: "The Pollards are the main pillars of the GCH. Mr. Pollard had a vision 29 years ago, and Mary has been the wind beneath the wings of the on going events. For 1,479 Saturday nights, these two people have welcomed thousand of cars and people to their property, their home, and constant use of their facilities. You never hear them complain. They count it all joy and service for Jesus Christ. They never take credit. They will always respond that God owns the GCH and they are only caretakers. Pass the torch? Most likely not! God lit the torch and handed it to them. When they can no longer carry it, they will place it back into the nail-scarred hands."
CMP:W here is the GCH located?
VB: "On Greenwood Church Road between Ashland and Richmond, Virginia."
CMP: Tell us about your co-host who helps emcee the concerts.
VB: "Roland Pierce has been helping with the emcee work for about seven or eight years. He sings with The Survivors, and is on the road several Saturday nights per year. On these occasions, my husband Danny Bruce fills in for him."
CMP: Aside from the special anniversary event each year, are there other special programs or sings held throughout the year?
VB: "Once in a while a benefit sing will take place or someone will ask to use the building for a sing. Just recently, Winn's Baptist Church asked to use the building on accasional Friday nights for youth concerts. At the first one, several young people accepted Christ. Once again, you'll find Mr. Pollard (almost 80 years old) in the sound room and Mrs. Pollard on the front row "rocking" with the best of the rock and roll teenagers."
CMP: You sing as well. What is your background in music?
VB: "I sang my first solo at nine years old in my little Methodist Church. I've been involved with singing ever since, whether with a group, church choir, or solo. I just let God open the doors."
CMP: How many groups would you say have sung at the GCH?
VB: "Approximately 1,000 whether groups or solo. "
CMP: The GCH is famous among Gospel singers, some even say you "have to sing there at least once." Is it a rite of passage in Southern gospel?
VB: "Many people have been on the stage of the GCH just to sing a solo and then have gone on to join a group or venture out of their solo ministry. Regardless, singing at the GCH always leads to the singer's encouragement. THe GCH audience are Heavenly Cheerleaders God has placed in the seats of this humble old building."
CMP: Should groups interested in singing at the GCH send you a demo tape?
VB: "No. If they call and I have an opening, then they are welcomed to share their music with us. I am not a "music ability" critic. I leave that up to the Lord. If you have a heart for Christ it will surely come forth in your song. I have always been amazed that God always has His plan on who is to be there on Saturday night. Some groups have top of the line talent and others do not. It is the Holy Spirit that uses the song to reach the heart."
CMP: I know you schedule far in advance. When is the time to call for when you are booking for the following year.
VB: "In September, I begin booking for the following year. Groups should call early because by the end of October, it is full."
CMP: Who are some of your favorite singers?
VB: "My favorites are the children. It reminds me of the scripture that tells us to be like those little ones. Also, one of the reasons God has blessed the GCH is because we applaude the heart of Christ, not necessarily the professionalism that is presented. The voices that draw me to the throne of Christ are my favorites."
CMP: How can you be contacted?
VB: "Vicki and Danny Bruce (804) 883-5794 or May and Ray Pollard (804) 883-6487. "
CMP: Anything else that we show know?
VB: "My family, especially my husband Danny, now helps me with the bookings and does so much behind the scenes. But even more important are all the people who do so many things and are hardly recognized. Donnie Lineberry runs the sound room every Saturday night. His twin brother, Ronnie, manages the concessions and makes sure all food is coordinated for our anniverary sings. The two of them supply all the tents for that day. Leslie, ET, Pauline, and others help runs the concession stand and help supply the baked goods every week. Bill and Carolyn put in countless hours fixing hamburgers and hot dogs. Bill arrives as early as 11 AM each Saturday to prepare the grill. We also have a great team of volunteers who keep the facilities clean and donate their time, money and materials for each remodeling project. They all make up the GCH team! - CMP"
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