The Squire Parsons Trio will host a Christmas concert this Friday, Dec. 16, at Southside Baptist Church. The concert begins at 7 p.m. and is free to the public.

Squire Parsons is not only one of America’s best-loved baritone soloists, but he is also a prolific songwriter. In 1981, his song &uot;Sweet Beulah Land&uot; was voted &uot;Favorite Song of the Year&uot; by the Singing News. Some of the other gospel classics written by Parsons include &uot;Master of the Sea,&uot; &uot;Oh, What a Moment,&uot; &uot;The Broken Rose,&uot; &uot;I Sing Because,&uot; and &uot;I go to the Rock.&uot;

Parsons is a native of West Virginia who was introduced to gospel music at an early age by his parents. He attended West Virginia Institute of Technology where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in music in 1970. He has served as interim music director, church soloist, elementary school music teacher, high school band director, and in 1975, he became the baritone singer for the Kingsmen Quartet. In 1979, Parsons went into solo ministry. In 1988, he was named &uot;Favorite Southern Gospel Male Singer.&uot; He has also been a part of the very popular &uot;Gaither Homecoming&uot; video series.

Friday night’s concert will include Squire Parsons, his son, Samuel Parsons, and Mike Torrence.

The Christmas concert is being sponsored by In The Garden Ministries working in conjunction with David Kelly, who is the minister of worship at Southside Baptist Church.

Richard Saunders, spokesman for In the Garden Ministries, said that everyone is very excited to see the Squire Parsons Trio coming to Greenville.

&uot;We want everyone to come out and have a wonderful evening of Christian music and fellowship,&uot; Saunders said. &uot;The concert is free, and everyone is invited to attend.&uot;

For more information about Squire Parsons and the gospel singing group, please visit their Web site at www.squireparsons.com.