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Carlisle singer to mark album release with party

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By Eric Robinette, Staff Writer Updated 9:07 AM Friday, November 27, 2009

Christian singer Rich Adkins of Carlisle is throwing a party to mark the release of his third album.

The party is 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, at the Church of God in Jesus at 5604 West Alexandria Road in Madison Twp. Adkins will present a concert and then sign copies of his CD afterward.

The CD is called “Simply Rich,” and was recorded in Nashville and released through the Morning Star Signatures Series label. While Adkins’ other CDs have been in the vein of Southern Gospel music, this new disc is more contemporary sounding, he said.

“Traveling around and singing, I found a lot of churches have been pulling for a more inspirational sound,” he said, explaining the change.

What hasn’t changed, however, is Adkins’ message of inspiration. Adkins has been through a number of health struggles, so he knows how some people need it.

Adkins has familial polyposis, a genetic disorder that attacks the digestive tract. It contributed to the death of his father, Ray, at age 32, of colon cancer. Rich Adkins had most of his digestive system removed.

“I write songs of inspiration to help others. We quickly find out we’re not alone,” he said.

Evidence of that comes from various testimonials people have sent Adkins after hearing his music. One woman from Celina, Ohio, was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, but she told him “I got up because you have inspired me to continue to move and exercise.”

Also in Celina at a recent concert, a young boy nervously came up to Adkins and asked him to autograph his favorite book.

“I asked why he was so nervous as he stood alongside his Sunday School teacher ... he said, ‘because you are the first famous person I have met!’”

Although Adkins demurred, saying he wasn’t really that famous, he’s glad to be able to help others through his music.

“Let circumstances make you stronger and make you a bolder person,” he said.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or erobinette@coxohio.com.