... Chonda Pierce (cont. from page 1)

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A best-selling comedienne with an audience of 1.5 million people nationwide, Chonda has worked with Billy Graham, stunned the crowds at Grand Ole Opry, made major television appearances, written eight books and produced four gold-certified comedy videos.

It has been said that laughter is a powerful way to cope with tragedy. As a teen-ager Chonda faced more tragedy than most of us do in a lifetime. Her two sisters died within months of each other and her father abandoned the family. Her older brother had already married and moved out of state, leaving Chonda and her mother to start all over again. They landed in a one bedroom apartment in Nashville, “broke, tired and beaten down,” she said.

“Let me tell you, you’ll find out if there’s a God when you have to share a bedroom with your mother!” she said in an article on her Website www.chonda.org

Over the years, she has polished her God-given gift to laugh through the hard times and help others to do the same.

“What I LOVE about comedy IS making people laugh!” she said. “I love people -- and seeing them enjoying the moment is what I love about my job. God provided laughter for a reason...Proverbs says, ‘It's medicine.’ "

When asked what God is teaching her right now, she admitted that she and God are not on the best of speaking terms, sometimes.

“He seems to be so opinionated in regards to how HE thinks things need to work out for me,” she said. “However, I am learning to relinquish my will... simply because HIS is always BEST.”

Chonda admits that this year she is taking a little time off from the rigors of her typical schedule.

“I’m writing a book and always working on something funny, “ she said, “a few songs here and there - for the most part I'm kicking back this year and taking a much NEEDED break. Of course, I'm still doing about 30 dates, writing a book, raising my husband and son, so I think the "break" is an oxymoron!”

Perhaps, Chonda needs the Girl’s Get-A-Way as much as the rest of us!

So, call your best girlfriends and get in on the fun. The Girl’s Get-A-Way Cruise is filling up fast!

Women’s groups, mothers and daughters, friends who need a breather are making plans for this long weekend bash. You will set sail on Thursday, Nov. 10 and be home by Sunday evening, Nov. 13.

Chonda will join such phenomenal artists and friends as Sandi Patty, Kim Hill, Point of Grace and Kristy Starling. You will be singing the songs in your head long after the weekend is over. Be refreshed by speaker Lisa Whelchel, starlet from TV’s “Facts of Life.” Get a new perspective on life with Susie Shellenberger, editor of the teen magazine “Brio.” Call your girlfriends and jump onboard this girl’s only get-a-way. Call 1-888-999-1099 or go online at www.premierchristiancruises.com

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...Radio Station of the Month (cont. from page 1)

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As “The Healing Rain” Tour begins its descent on Tyler, Texas in the next few weeks, the radio station and its listeners are pysched about seeing the way God will work through the powerful music of Michael W. Smith, Selah and Watermark.

“We are seeing a huge response from our listeners to The Healing Rain Tour,” Martin said. “Premier has made a major impact on East Texas and Northwest Louisiana by helping us bring the biggest names in Christian music to our home town.  Sell-out crowds are the norm!”

KVNE is also gearing up for the next Premier Christian Cruise, The Music Boat 2005, Sept. 12-16, sailing from Miami to Key West and Cozumel, Mexico.

“Everyone wins!” he said.

The passengers win because they get a luxurious cruise at a great price with nightly performances from the top names in Christian music.  The artists win because they perform several times during the cruise, and at each performance, the passengers know them better and enjoy their performances more.