By WALLYCE TODD
Staff Writer

This week I got a phone call from The President. Yes, that’s right, my phone rang and the caller ID let me know Dubya had called. O.K., O.K., it was actually a phone call from the man who does an amazingly gifted impersonation of our Commander and Chief – but I still felt a little thrill.

The man’s name was John Morgan and I’ve interviewed him over the phone and met him in person this past weekend in Columbia, S.C. at a concert known as “WinterJam” (www.jamtour.com). Morgan was only one of an array of artists who sang, danced, performed and presented the Gospel to 14,000 people gathered in the Colonial Coliseum.

I’m not exaggerating – there were 14,000 people – nearly three times the population of Whiteville attending a Christian concert in Columbia on Feb. 23. This tour has an itinerary of more than 30 cities in 17 states. It has already been seen by more than 200,000 people – that’s four times the number of people who live in Columbus County – and there are still 10 cities to visit.

In addition to Morgan, Steven Curtis Chapman, Jeremy Camp, Sanctus Real and Hawk Nelson all had spotlighted time on stage. Newcomer Britt Nicole, Andre the Hollywood Cowboy, Tony Nolan and Nate Sallie were also featured. The concert was hosted by NewSong.

All this talent for a $10 ticket price. It was amazing.

While I’m partial to sincere performances by inspirational artists, I believe nearly anyone could have found something to sing about, dance with, laugh about or listen to at WinterJam. According to the cards that were completed by concertgoers, 1,988 people decided to make commitments to the Lord. Of that number, 1,420 people stated it was the first time they’d ever asked Christ to be their Savior.

For me, that’s an amazing thing. So, I’m calling this edition of People, Places and Things “The potato and ‘The President’” because if it wasn’t for God creating the sweet potato, I might not have ever gotten the chance to meet “The President,” interview a pop-punk singer (with a huge heart) or see someone I know recommit her life to the Lord.

It’s not every day I drive three hours to attend a concert. I’d often rather just read a book. My life is pretty hectic, so I don’t mind relaxing when I get a chance. But, I made a weekend road trip to see WinterJam because George Wooten and family - via Wayne E. Bailey Produce Co. - were one of the major sponsors of this event to help keep ticket costs affordable. So I went because I wanted to see what was happening. (Look for stories and pictures in next week’s papers.)

Having just turned 36 this month, my knees have begun to talk to me if I give them too much jarring, but that didn’t prevent me - or the thousands of people around me - from jumping up and down, holding up our open cell phones, and bobbing our heads to all kinds of music.

Steven Curtis Chapman is 44 years old. Many people older than him have listened to his music and been inspired since he hit the Christian Contemporary charts in the early 80s. He’s won five Grammy awards and more Gospel Music awards than any other artist.

Yet Chapman was so far from sounding aged or dated during the concert. In fact, I don’t know many people who could have joined their 17-year-old son on a stage riser…and then leapt off, guitar in hand and head held high, with hearts open and smiles wide.

The group Hawk Nelson is made up of 23 to 25 year-olds. They sing what’s known as pop-punk – not my normal kind of listening. Yet, as I was driving home from Columbia, my friend (still a missionary with Trans World Radio) and I found ourselves grinning and singing along with this extremely energetic, increasingly influential group.

Dan Barley, the bassist of this group said: “I think it’s important that we learn how to help people whether it’s a third-world country or right here in our back yards.” Hawk Nelson has teens all over listening to their music and being inspired away from some of their more destructive choices.

I could go on (y’all know I could). But I’ll begin to end. Wayne E. Bailey Produce is one of the major sponsors of this year’s WinterJam concert. “Spencer the Sweet Potato” posed with “The President” this past weekend (see next week’s 1-C) because of a vision Wooten has of reaching the multitudes with music.

That vision is becoming reality through performances the produce company has sponsored at the Strawberry Festival, Christmas concerts, WinterJam and more. Here we are in rural Columbus County, and one of our “native sons” is quietly going about letting God use his family’s success as a powerful tool for the kingdom.

In Columbia, John Morgan said, “What I do is…just an illusion; Jesus really is here. He’s really in us. Ephesians 5:1 says we are all to be imitators of Christ.” (See georgebushimpersonator.com)

While at the concert, I thumbed through the colorful program each person received as they walked into the coliseum. I stopped when I saw an ad for the Bailey business that calls Columbus County home. It said: “ Sweet potatoes have what everyone wants and needs for a healthy life. Jesus has what everyone wants and needs for Eternal life.”

Now that, my friends, is a truth that’s as sweet as they come.