Eternity announces CD release

Harmonious vocals erupt from Donna Brown's kitchen. It's time to practice something the singing group she manages has been doing quite a lot of lately, especially in the studio.
For more than 20 years, Eternity has been singing at various church gatherings, musical events and concerts where they often take requests. From Wisconsin, New York, Alabama and all over the Carolinas there was just one request they haven't been able to provide up until now — a CD. The contemporary gospel group said everyone kept asking: When are you all going to make a CD?
Within just a few short months that request will become a reality.
"We are about to finish our first CD," Connie Birth said. She, along with four other females, and four musicians make up the group Eternity.
Brown manages the group and they practice most every week at her home. She and her sister, GiGi Harris, started singing together as youngsters and through the years invited other singers to join the group.
According to Brown the group did stop singing for a while, but decided to find new members and start singing again.
"We ran into Connie at the beauty shop and talked to her about joining," she said. Eventually, Roslyn Isbell joined and most recently Jackie Howell became their newest member of the group.
"We don't look at it as just a group; we look at it as family," Brown said.
As new voices transitioned, so did their name. They originally were called Gospel Harmonette, but have been known as Eternity for more than 15 years, Harris said.
What's kept them going all these years? "Sharing God's word and getting the message out to the people to know God is the way, truth and the life," Harris said.
Brown said it's exciting to finally have their music available on compact disc. "We're looking forward to it, and this is just our first. There will be many more to come," she said.
Fans can't expect the usual music, though, because brand new songs will fill the nearly 11 tracks. "We're coming out of the box to show a different side of Eternity that people are not expecting," Harris said. It is geared toward the youth, she added.
"It really shows the versatility of the group," Birth said.
Guitarist Brandon Owens spoke highly of the group he performs with.
"I think Eternity is the hottest group in Morganton. They've been together for years and they sound good," Owens said. "I really enjoy playing for these girls," he added.
"It has required a lot of sacrifice with family. We've accomplished something we set out to do, but we should have done it a long time ago," Harris said.
Birth agreed, it has taken blood, sweat and tears to pull off the project," she said. "It is a feeling of accomplishment and the fruit of our labor," Birth said.
Brandon Carr with Carr Iz Matic Studios is the producer for Eternity. "This is a very talented group and a nice group of young ladies," he said.
"Their passion for their music is really big and working with them in the studio has been very enjoyable and they always come prepared," Carr said.
He makes it interesting for them, as well, as Eternity has often learned a new song on the spot.
"I have my own set of writers and production team and as a group they come in and learn a new song and the same night at least record the background vocals," Carr added.
"They have some really good trained ears to do that and it has been a joy to work with them," he said.
For those who are too anxious to wait on the CD release, Birth said snip-its can be heard online on the group's My Space page.
A post production fundraiser will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday at Shiloh AME on Powerhouse Road. Brown said if people want to donate, checks can be made payable to Eternity and mailed to 1645 Silver Street Morganton, NC 28655.