Special People in Religious Education will present Gary Froiland at its Easter service at 6:30 p.m. March 31 at Bridge Community Church, 2016 Bridge Ave, according to a press release. The public is welcome to attend.  Refreshments will be served.

Froiland has enjoyed performing music for over 30 years. He plays five-string banjo, guitar, harmonica and musical saw.

Froiland started a bluegrass band in 1980 and enjoyed doing programs with his group for many years.

After getting married and having a son and daughter, The Froiland Family Band was formed. For 15 years the Froilands entertained and ministered with their music. Froiland played the five-string banjo and his wife, Elaine, played the upright bass; son, Joshua, played the fiddle; and daughter, Jessica, played the guitar.

The band has played for the Miss Minnesota pageant, Mall of America and at Silver Dollar City in Branson, Missouri. As time went on, the children grew up and The Froiland Family band came to an end at the end of 2008. The Froilands took a 17-day tour to Japan with their music over Christmas 2008. They played seven times in churches, three times in a hotel and once in a public school.

Now as a one-man band, Froiland continues to play songs that inspire and are uplifting. To make a full-band sound, Froiland has recorded himself on other instruments as he plays along with the recordings. Some songs have been put into video, so those who attend can see the other instrumentalists in action projected on a screen for indoor programs.

There is a gospel message in each song he presents, and he hopes to be a blessing as he continues spreading the good news in this way.