October 16, 2025
What started as a concert on Monday, Oct. 13th at Pearl River Community College’s Brownstone Center quickly transformed into an evening full of connection and joy. Hundreds of south Mississippi residents sang along while Mark Lowry & Friends delivered a program that blended lighthearted comedy with heartfelt songs, drawing the audience into an engaging, spirited experience that went beyond a typical performance.
Lowry opened the evening with custom lyrics to the familiar tune “What a Wonderful World,” immediately setting a warm and inviting tone for the night. With the house lights left up, Lowry was able to interact with different members of the audience, bringing a sense of community and intimacy to the performance, with some selections creating space for worship.
After having a short back-and-forth conversation with 91-year-old Howell Purvis of Purvis, Lowry talked about his mother, Beverly Lowry. He then dedicated the song she wrote, “I Thirst,” to the Purvises, which he sang with Jay Griggs and Allison Carter of Endless Highway joining him on vocals. This was followed by the upbeat “What’s Not to Love” accompanied by a previously recorded version of it played on screens.
Endless Highway, a family band consisting of parents Jason and Vanessa Griggs and their two children, Jay and Allison, brought incredible energy to the stage. They seamlessly rotated between different string instruments throughout their performances. Selections they performed included “Mansion Over the Hilltop”, “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days)”, and a song honoring military veterans titled “‘Til They Came Home.”
The Lowry Vocal Band, a quartet blending Riley Harrison Clark, Jason and Jay Griggs, and Lowry, shared selections originally sung by the Gaither Vocal Band such as “He Touched Me”, “Satisfied”, and “I Want to Go to Heaven”. Clark performed a powerful rendition of “Goodness of God” with the opportunity for attendees to join in on the familiar refrain.
Several of the pieces performed during the two-hour concert were familiar to many attendees, with everyone highly encouraged to sing along. This included “My Saviour’s Love (I Stand Amazed)”, “Go with God”, and “In Christ Alone (My Hope Is Found)”. Lowry also prompted the audience to sing the refrain of “The Solid Rock” with the artists pulling back so only the audience members were heard.
Lowry included the beloved tune “Mary, Did You Know” in the lineup. Before singing it, he shared how the song sprang from questions he contemplated while writing dialogue between carols for a living Christmas tree performance at church in 1984. He then discussed those questions with his mother before finally writing the poetic lyrics. It was a few years later before they were set to music and catapulted into its current iconic Christmas contemporary music selection.
“It was an absolute honor to host Mark Lowry, Riley Harrison Clark, and Endless Highway at the Brownstone Center,” said Dr. Trevor Hunt, Fine Arts and Communications Department Chair and Director of the Brownstone Center for the Arts. “Their incredible talent, heartfelt performances, and uplifting spirit made it an unforgettable night—one that reminded us why we do what we do. The energy, laughter, and joy they brought to our stage will be remembered for a long time.”
Josh Neese of Picayune has been a longtime follower of Mark Lowry and Endless Highway.
“I grew up being a Southern Gospel fan,” said Neese. “The concert was fabulous. I especially enjoyed the harmonies of the Lowry Vocal Band.”
About the Performers
Decades of performing around the country have allowed Lowry to hone his craft while entertaining audiences with his mixture of comedy and music. Lowry sang baritone with the GRAMMY Award-winning Gaither Vocal Band for a total of 20 years. He is known for writing the lyrics to “Mary Did You Know?”, a beloved, modern Christmas song. Lowry was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2015. He brings a charisma that is at once poignant and joy-filled, forging genuine connections at every show.
Endless Highway is a multigenerational family ensemble whose versatile artistry bridges the traditions of southern gospel, bluegrass, and acoustic music. Rooted in legacy and propelled by passion, their concerts are an invitation to celebrate shared stories and enduring values. Live instrumentation and genuine family harmony set Endless Highway apart, making each appearance memorable and meaningful.
Riley Harrison Clark is an award-winning vocalist devoted to ministry through music, blending heartfelt vocals with a passion for uplifting audiences in worship. He began his career with the acclaimed Tribute Quartet, touring internationally and collaborating with many leading artists before launching his solo journey with the Dove-nominated album “Welcome to Me”. Today, he shares the stage as a soloist and with the Mark Lowry Vocal Band, traveling widely to inspire with his message and music.
The Lowry Vocal Band is a dynamic ensemble founded by Mark Lowry to showcase the magic of gospel harmony and musical camaraderie. Steeped in tradition but always fresh in presentation, the band blends inspired vocals and vibrant arrangements, uplifting spirits wherever they perform. Members like Clark and other celebrated artists create a tapestry of sound that is as stirring as it is joyful, carrying forward Mark’s legacy of laughter, music, and meaningful connection.
Upcoming Brownstone Schedule
Three more events are scheduled for the fall semester.
ACA Fest, featuring performances by Mississippi high schools and our talented advanced vocal group, The Voices, will be on November 14th at 6 PM. Tickets are $15.
Holiday Pops, the annual Christmas-themed concert, will take place on November 20th at 7 PM. The student concert will feature The Jazz Cats, The Voices, PRCC Singers, Currents, Rapids, and The String of Pearls. Tickets are $7.
The annual performances of The Nutcracker will be on December 6 at 2 PM and 7 PM and on December 7 at 2 PM. Tickets are $25.
Tickets for each event can be purchased at prcc.edu/brownstone/upcoming-events/ or by calling 601-403-1180.
For the latest news on Pearl River Community College, visit PRCC.edu and follow us on X, formerly known as Twitter (@PRCC_Wildcats), Instagram (PRCCWILDCATS), Facebook (@PRCCMKTG),and TikTok (@prcc_wildcats).
Article by Laura O’Neill. Photography by Laura O’Neill and Patrick Peerboom.
