The Cockmans will close out concert series

MOORESVILLE The Mooresville Concerts series will wrap up another season next Sunday with the return of a homegrown bluegrass gospel favorite, the Cockman family of Sherrills Ford.

The Cockmans will present their classic harmonies in a 3 p.m. matinee performance at Joe V. Knox Auditorium in the Charles Mack Citizen Center, 215 N. Main St.

The Cockmans launched their performing career in 1988. They play original songs and original arrangements of old gospel tunes.

Performers are John Cockman Sr. on guitar, Caroline Cockman Fisher on lead vocals, John Cockman Jr. on fiddle and vocals, Billy Cockman on banjo, guitar and vocals, David Cockman on bass and vocals and Ben Cockman on mandolin, guitar, slide guitar (Dobro) and vocals.

UNC-TV has featured the family on seven one-hour "The Arthur Smith Show: Now & Then" public television specials, "Carolina Christmas" and "George Beverly Shea & Friends."

In 2003, the Cockmans starred in an hour-long holiday program, "A Cockman Family Christmas: Maker of the Stars." In 2004, the program was included in the national programming of American Public Television.

The family has been nominated for Bluegrass Artists of the Year, Instrumentalist of the Year and Bluegrass Band of the Year by the Country Gospel Music Association, and for Gold Cross Bluegrass Group of the Year by the International Country Gospel Music Association.

The family was selected as one of "The 12 Most Creative Families in America" by American Greeting Cards and USA Today Weekend.

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students and free for children under 10. For tickets, call 704-662-3334. Tickets also will be available at the door.