Country gospel singer Susie McEntire returned for her ninth “A Country Christmas With Susie McEntire” concert on Saturday, Dec. 17, at Lakeview Middle School in Warsaw. She was joined by Linda Davis and Jenifer Wrinkle with each of the women having their husbands, Mark Eaton, Lang Scott and Scott Thompson, respectively there as well. From left: Thompson, Wrinkle, Davis, Scott, McEntire and Eaton. InkFreeNews photos by Leah Sander.

By Leah Sander
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — It was a packed house for the ninth “A Country Christmas With Susie McEntire.”

Shortly before the concert began on Saturday night, Dec. 17, at Lakeview Middle School in Warsaw, audience members were asked to check if there were extra seats around them so more people could sit down.

The concert itself was packed full of entertainment. Headliner country gospel artist McEntire along with guests Linda Davis and Jenifer Wrinkle treated attendees to Christmas classics as well as country songs.

Each was joined by their husbands, Mark Eaton, Lang Scott and Scott Thompson, respectively.

Songs include everything from “Walking in a Winter Wonderland,” “Jingle Bell Rock” and “My Grown Up Christmas List” to “My Maria” and “Amie.”

McEntire and Eaton sang “Silent Night,” with Eaton performing in German. Davis and Scott sang “I Run to You,” a song done by their daughter Hillary Scott’s group Lady A.

Wrinkle and Thompson joined Davis and Scott for “Christmas Times A Comin'” with Wrinkle playing the fiddle.

Children from Madison, Washington, Lincoln and Eisenhower elementary schools joined in several times, including in the opening number “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” in which McEntire, Davis and Wrinkle all performed.

The kids sang lined up around the edge of the auditorium, holding flameless candles. That was preceded by a clip from the TV special “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” in which Linus quotes from the Christmas story in the Bible.

The Winona Brass Quintet also performed during the concert.

Attendees were asked to bring new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots, with at least nine boxes being filled. People were also welcome to donate to the Stephen Brickel and Dawn Brickel Paris Memorial Scholarship Fund.

The fund through the Kosciusko County Community Foundation is meant for students at Lakeland Christian Academy who have lost parents.

Before the concert, sponsors took part in a meet-and-greet with the ladies.

“We want to thank the sponsors. We would not be here tonight (without them),” said McEntire then.

McEntire, left, and Eaton share a moment on stage.

Davis, left, and Scott mug for the camera.

Performing from left are Thompson, Wrinkle, Davis and Scott.

Thompson and Wrinkle invited some kids on stage for a song.

Washington, Madison, Lincoln and Eisenhower elementary students joined in the performance several times.

Warsaw Police Department Capt. Brad Kellar sings the National Anthem at the beginning of the show.

A look at the crowd before the concert started.

Sponsors enjoyed a meet-and-greet with the performers before the concert. From left: Front — McEntire, Kameron Tom and Davis; back — Kamden Tom, Angie Tom and Kyle Tom.

Concert organizer Mike Loher, center, enjoys a moment with McEntire, left, and Davis during the meet-and-greet.

Al Disbro, center, took photos of those at the meet-and-greet, and at the end, it was his turn to have a photo with (and some kisses from) McEntire, left, and Davis.