Both sides of a record album cover sold about 1970 which featured a gospel music group known as THE VIGILAIRES who were from Muir, near Millersburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. The four men who were members of this group were: Harold Harper, Brad Deibler, Keith Erdman, and Dennis Witmer.
The text on the back of the album cover:
The Saturday Evening Post magazine once ran a feature article on a little, obscure town in central Pennsylvania named Millersburg. It was in the early days of Hippiedom and hippies were “taking over” towns all across the country. It so happened that the Millersburgers decided to not become a hippie haven. As the cycle-riding hippies roared up the the “Welcome to Millersburg” sign, they were met by a roadblock of law-abiding, peace-loving citizens. Millersburg stood its ground and the hippies retracted.
There’s another feature story out of that same little town, but so far it hasn’t made the Saturday Evening Post. It concerns the four artists on the album, THE VIGILAIRES.
On August 16, 1970, before a little church congregation in Muir, Pennsylvania, four young men broke forth in gospel song as THE VIGILAIRES. It wasn’t Genesis 1:1, but it was a beginning.
Since that time Harold, Brad, Keith, and Dennis have sung their gospel songs in many states and on multiplied occasions. The growing demand for their sound has brought this, their first album, into existence.
Let me speak for just a moment as more than just an acquaintance of THE VIGILAIRES, but rather a close friend. I’ve known Harold Harper, Brad Deibler, Keith Erdman and Dennis Witmer since before they were THE VIGILAIRES. I’ve known them to be outstanding young men who desire, above all, to do a work for God.
I like what I hear when someone refers to them in private conversations with me…. I like what I hear when they testify for Jesus…. I like what I hear when they sing!
It has been my privilege to sing on the same program with these four great guys and I have thoroughly enjoyed it. To know them is to appreciate them. I treasure this album and their Christian fellowship.
Neil Enloe, THE COURIERS
The address of THE VIGILAIRES, as indicated on the album, was 615 Union Street, Millersburg, Pennsylvania 17061.
The songs on each side of the record are:
Side One:
- Who Can We Turn To? – Neil Enloe
- Medley – The Cross – arranged by Jerry Nelson
- God of Miracles – Jerry Nelson
- The King is Coming – William Gaither
- It All Depends – Jerry Nelson
Side Two:
- Brother, Let Me Take Your Hand – Ralph Carmichael
- He Never Changes – Neil Enloe
- Swing Low – Swing Down, Chariot – arranged by Jerry Nelson
- Taking Chances – Jerry Nelson
- I’m Going Straight To The Bible – Jerry Nelson
Credits:
- Arrangements…….. Jerry Nelson
- Orchestrataion…….. Jerry Nelson
- Background……. London Orchestra
- Conducted by……. Jerry Nelson
- Producer and Director…….. Jerry Nelson
- Studios…… Pre-Recording, London England; Cleveland Recording Studios, Cleveland, Ohio.
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