SCRIBA, NY – The United Baptist Church of Scriba, 5111 Route 104E, will have a coffeehouse on March 22 from 7 to 9 p.m.

Dennis Shortslef will be accompanied by band members, Jeff Sawyer, Rick Bush and Dan Batchelor for this amazing evening of country gospel music.

Free refreshments will be provided during intermission.

If possible, please bring a non-perishable food item to the event for the Scriba Food Pantry.

Christian singer/songwriter Shortslef resides in Upstate New York where he was born and raised in a musical family.

He started playing guitar at 6 years of age and by 16 was playing in a popular local Top-Forty pop band Anticipation as lead guitarist.

His love of music was equaled only by his love of sports. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and taught school for several years after graduating from college.

It was during his college years that his life changed forever.

He had grown up not attending church and not believing in God. During his sophomore year in college he came to know Jesus Christ as his Savior.

Since then, he has written and performed Christian music and has won a number of Songwriter of the Year awards from the Country Gospel Music Association.

He and his brother Don, with whom he performed for 12 years, were the CGMA Duo of the Year in the northeast four times and had a number of top 20 songs.

Dennis’ original music reflects an eclectic blend of styles.

He has been influenced by artists ranging from Buck Owens to the Beatles and Chicago, but his favorites have always been singer/songwriters such as Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Don McLean and John Prine.

Dennis has recorded five CDs, including four with his brother.

His latest project, Balancing Act, was recorded in 2008 and is his first solo CD. It was recorded in Nashville with producer Richard Kearney and offers a blend of country/folk and contemporary styles with his signature lyrics that reach into the everyday, practical life of people.