By Wil Comstock
MCAU Contributing Writer
Thirty Tigers Presents the 14th Annual Gospel Brunch at City Winery (Sept. 19, 2026)
For the third year in a row, Kim Kelly hosted the Thirty Tiger’s Gospel Brunch at City Winery. Barry’s Home Cooking provided complimentary chicken and waffles while pre-show music was supplied by DJ Tim Hibbs. The venue was filled to capacity.
This year’s show had a super lineup kicked off by Channing Wilson. This gritty, blues-country artist grabbed my attention with “Heaven Waits for Me.” Acclaimed folk singer-songwriter Mary Gauthier, known for her literary-style lyrics and deep emotional truths performed “Mercy Now” with her musical partner Jaimee Harris. The discovery of the morning for me was Madaline Edwards. Her soulful vocals and gospel keyboards rally got a hold of me. Everyone seemed to love her song “How Strong I Am.” We were all surprised when UK singer songwriter Jake Bugg took the stage. His crowd pleaser “All I Need” delighted everyone.
My favorite time each year is listening to the genre-bridging gospel and roots act, The McCrary Sisters. They had everyone standing and clapping on their rendition of “Amazing Grace” to the tune of “House of the Rising Sun” and the rousing “Let it Go.”
Nine-time Grammy winner Sheryl Crow closed the brunch with “ Pick You Up” and “Freedom Road,” both songs from her new album “Pick You Up,” and her classic “Every Day is a Winding Road.”
All of the performers gathered on stage for the encore “Put a Little Love in Your Heart.” Chicken and waffles never tasted so good!
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