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Jack Bernhardt’s Bluegrass Gospel: The Music Ministry of Jerry and Tammy Sullivan LIVE on Saturday, August 29, 2026.

Open house from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM | The Ellis Theater, Philadelphia, MS

Join us for an open house in the Ellis Theater where Jack Bernhardt will be presenting his newly released book- Bluegrass Gospel: The Music Ministry of Jerry and Tammy Sullivan. The event will include a performance of some of Jerry and Tammy Sullivan’s songs featuring Jonathan Causey, Jon Gideon Causey, Daniel Causey, and Calep Lewis.

About Jack Bernhardt

Anthropologist and Journalist Jack Edward Bernhardt has a combined 50 years of experience in archaeology and country/folk music stories and programs. His work includes hundreds of interviews and features in magazines, newspapers, academic journals and books. Jack holds the B.A. and M.A from Kent State, both in Anthropology, and the M.Phil. in Anthropology from Columbia University. His book, Bluegrass Gospel: The Music Ministry of Jerry and Tammy Sullivan, documenting the lives, music, and influence of the acclaimed father-daughter musical team, is scheduled for publication July 15.

About Bluegrass Gospel: The Music Ministry of Jerry and Tammy Sullivan

Heavily influenced by Bill Monroe, the “Father of Bluegrass” in the 1940s and ’50s, gospel music in the South began to shift into bluegrass gospel, a style that combines both genres. In Bluegrass Gospel: The Music Ministry of Jerry and Tammy Sullivan, anthropologist and journalist Jack Edward Bernhardt explores the lives, music, and ministry of acclaimed father-daughter bluegrass gospel performers and recording artists Jerry (1933–2014) and Tammy Sullivan (1964–2017) of southwest Alabama.