Last June 13, gospel recording artist JP Miller packed the house for a live concert at Bridgeport’s Benedum Civic Center. At that time, he was about one year in on a live radio show project - a collaboration with Ogle Furniture Outlet, located on Dolly Parton Parkway in the Great Smoky Mountains. Miller, a Clarksburg native and Fairmont State graduate, hosted the show, which was recorded before a live audience at the furniture store and broadcast throughout eastern Tennessee over WJBZ/Praise 96.3.

 

Among those gracing the set of The Smoky Mountain Gospel Jubilee were the Triumphant Quartet, Tim Lovelace, Tony Gore, Bryan Walker, Arthur Rice and former Oak Ridge Boy, Calvin Newton. Several guest appearances were also showcased, including Grayson Russell of the hit series, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid.” The show – which aired Monday nights – also featured interviews and plenty of community news.

 

The show started on sort of a whim and wasn’t expected to be as wildly popular as it was, Miller said. In recent months, the show host – as well as furniture store owners Ron and Betty Ogle – decided to move on to other ventures.

 

The Tennessee community thought otherwise. Members of the public were adamant about a continuation of the show and made their wishes well known.

 

Miller said it was refreshing to see that despite current pop culture Internet-based trends, an old-fashioned radio show setting was in such great demand.

 

The phone at Ogle Furniture Outlet was ringing off the hook.

 

"The community was not ready to say good-bye to the show quite yet. Some folks were just plain mad and others were more gently disappointed," said Store Manager Nathan Costersian.

 

Miller said he also received phone calls and emails, as did WJBZ/Praise 96.3. Listeners shared personal stories of why the show was important to them – and how they had hoped to be in the audience one day.

 

“With heartfelt stories like that, it didn't take long for all parties involved to make the decision to bring the show back,” Miller said.

 

The show is making a comeback, its debut broadcast slated for April 7. This time, it will also be broadcast via TV.  In all respects, it will be bigger and better than ever, Miller said.

 

“We have added a live ‘house’ band to the program, a newly-constructed stage built from salvaged remains of a 200-year-old grist mill from Greenbrier, Tenn.,” he said. “We will also have special merchandise, like shirts and tote bags.”

 

Information on TV programming and further details can be found on Miller’s website, www.jpmillerministries.com.

 

Knowing many of his hometown friends vacation in the Smoky Mountains, Miller extends an invitation to his "peeps" from back home to join the live audience of his show. The Smoky Mountain Gospel Jubilee runs Mondays 6:30-7:30 p.m. at the Ogle Furniture Outlet, 1063 Dolly Parton Parkway, Sevierville, Tenn. Admission is free and open to the public. Each program ends with drawings for free prizes such as local artwork, gift certificates and even furniture.

 

See photos from JP Miller's 2013 Benedum Civic Center concert  HERE. 

 

Pictured from top:  JP Miller hosts The Smoky Mountain Gospel Jubilee (cover)

 

Miller with American Idol Finalist, Bryan Walker

 

Scotty Inman (Triumphant Quartet) with his wife Kasey join Miller on a song during the show

 

Miller's longtime friends Jerry and Crystal Russell with their son Greyson who starts as "Freggly" in "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid" movies, as well as Talladega Nights.