Liberty Quartet, a Meridian-based Southern Gospel group, will perform a free Stars and Stripes concert at Valley Shepherd Church of the Nazarene this Sunday.

The quartet, founded in 1995, performs roughly 170 shows each year in the United States and Canada. The original founder, Royce Mitchell, is still with the group singing bass. He started the quartet as a music minister in Boise, and Liberty eventually became so popular that Mitchell quit his job to perform full time.

Libertys baritone vocalist, Derek Simonis, said the the group is excited to come together with Valley Shepherd a pillar in the Treasure Valley that has been around for more than 100 years to celebrate the Fourth of July through music. The audience will also get to join in on some songs.

The concert will be a special time for Simonis, he said. He served in the Army for nine years including in special operations and did multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan.

It was an honor to do it, he said. We want to reflect on and appreciate and remember the price thats been paid for our freedom.

Simonis has been out of the military for a year and a half and joined Liberty Quartet six months ago.

Paul W. Ellis, who has a background in music and youth ministry, is the groups lead singer.

During Sundays concert, Liberty will announce its new, fourth member.

We have a great time traveling together, Simonis said. We all love to have a good time and joke around.

Simonis, 30, has been known to play a prank or two on his fellow singers, who are both about 20 years his senior.

Theyve warned me theres payback, he said. When you play jokes on somebody, you have to be careful because its always going to come back full circle.

Beyond the pranks and the concerts and the tours, the groups real mission is to share faith and joy with people, Simonis said.

Were just trying to be real and connect with people and help them, encourage them and be a blessing to them to where theyre at, he said.

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Liberty Quartet, Valley Shepherd to host free Stars and Stripes concert - Meridian Press