By Morgan Mizell

NATCHEZ — Natchez Church of God on McNeely Road will host a free concert of award-winning piano/keyboard player, Gordon Mote, Sunday, at 6 p.m.

The Rev. Brian Monehan said he has been trying to coordinate a date with Mote for several years, but until now, nothing has worked.

“My wife and I have seen him in concert, and he is phenomenal,” Monehan said. “If his biographical information hadn’t informed me he visually impaired, I would not know.”

A native of Attalla, Alabama, Mote was born blind. Doctors informed his parents his condition was a rare genetic occurrence, and should they have more children, they should not worry about them being affected. A few years later, his brother Michael was born. He was also blind.

Mote’s condition did not deter him from participating in normal activities. At the age of three, he sat down at a piano and picked, “Jesus Loves Me,” for his family at a Thanksgiving gathering. He participated in the school choir and later went on to study at Jacksonville State University in Jacksonville, Alabama, and Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee. Two days later, he was asked to join Country music star, Lee Greenwood’s band.

“Mote has an extensive music background,” Monehan said. “He has worked as a studio musician, and toured with music legends. I think most folks will recognize him from his time with the Gaither Vocal Band and the Gaither Homecoming Tour.”

In recent years, Mote has written and recorded several gospel albums, including his most recent, “All Things New.” Many of the tracks on the album convey a message of faith and hope. Many artists from Mote’s formative years in the music industry have joined him on this album including: Darius Rucker, Josh Turner, Sheryl Crow, Matthew West, and Scotty McCreery.

“I know he is a fantastic musician, but he also has a phenomenal testimony,” Monehan said. “He relates to people who have obstacles to overcome and he expresses that very well from the stage.”

According to Mote’s website, his latest album is one he hopes will inspire others to let God use all of their life, even the rough parts. Also, Mote hopes people will feel encouraged to face whatever challenges they may have in their life.

“I want people to leave this event inspired,” Monehan said. “I hope that by seeing a man like Mote doing what he does, and what he has overcome, will let them see that with God, anything is possible.”