PAW PAW – A benefit concert featuring recording artist Jean Watson will be held Sunday, April 19, at 3 p.m. at the Paw Paw United Methodist Church. 420 W. Michigan Ave.
Watson is a singer, violinist, recording artist, author, and speaker from southwest Michigan. Since 2003, she has been inspiring audiences around the world through her words and music. She speaks and performs frequently in the United States and Ireland where she hosts a radio show on UCB Ireland. She is also a published author with Seedbed Publishers in Franklin, TN.
Watson recently returned from tours in Southern California and Ireland. She is getting ready to release her 13th full length album next month, produced by Nashville veteran, Jonathan Crone and featuring a guest performance by Russ Taff.
When she’s not recording or traveling, Watson enjoys playing violin in the Kalamazoo Symphony, spending time with her family, and riding her horse, Juniper.
The benefit concert is being held as a fundraiser for Van Buren County area food pantries. It was recently announced that the Van Buren County CROP Hunger Walk, held for more than 40 years, would not be continued this spring by the Van Buren County CROP Hunger Walk Committee.
Those attending the benefit concert are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item that will be distributed equally among six area food pantries. Financial donations will also be accepted. Checks may be made out to the Paw Paw United Methodist Church and write Jean Watson in the memo line.
Watson said 2024 promises to be an exciting year full of new adventures in her music and ministry. “It’s only March, and already the calendar has included trips to Montana, Wisconsin, and Pennsylvania. At the end of April, my daughter and I will be headed to France, and later this year, I’ll be performing in New York, Florida, and California.”
She added, “I am also headed back to Nashville to record a new album of original songs at the end of May. I am very happy to still be writing and recording.”
She continued, “There is plenty to do right here in Michigan, as well, as I perform at the “Praise on the Pier” series this summer in Grand Haven, and lead worship on Sunday mornings at New Hope Family Church in Paw Paw.”
Watson concluded, “When I am home, I still play in the Kalamazoo Symphony from time to time and enjoy spending time with my husband, Mark, my children and grandchildren, and my horse, Lacey Mae. It’s a full life, for sure. I am very honored to again be helping raise support for the Van Buren County CROP Hunger Walk
Vineyard Chicks, a three-sister musical group, will open the concert. The sisters are Kayla, Trie, and Bunkie. Kayla began her musical career on the piano at the age of two, while Trie plays the drums, and Bunkie provides rhythm and leads on guitar and melodica.
In addition to performing Christian-based songs, the trio are also well versed in other music genres. Kayla sings lead on pop and R&B songs. Trie sings lead on classic rock and alternative rock and Bunkie sings lead on country and modern diva songs.
The girls formed Vineyard Chicks three years ago (the name was developed from their Lawrence area farm which features a vineyard and chickens) and played their first official gig at the 2023 Van Buren Youth Fair. It was at that fair where the girls competed for several years in the Youth Talent Show. They will return to the 2025 fair on Monday night, July 14, following the talent show. The concert will be featured as part of the band’s Livestreddfdfdddam Music Mondays, at 9 p.m. on YouTube @vineyardchicks.
Other social media outlets for the band include TikTok: @vineyardchickssisters; and YouTube: @vineyardchicks.
The girls have already amassed more than 6,000 followers on social media.
Daily postings are featured on TikTok, and weekly studio recordings may be found on YouTube.
Vineyard Chicks is also streaming on Spotify, Apple Music and more.
The band is currently in the process of recording another EP.
