Northern California Conference
Max Mace Is Still Singing
T
he Northern California Conference is home to the world-renowned Heritage Singers, an Adventist musical group based in Placerville. Founder and director Max Mace recently sat down to talk about their music and ministry.
Jeff Wood, our friend Pete McLeod, our son Greg, as well as Art and Val. We had friends helping and corporate people helping. We did not care about making money on it — as long as we didn’t go under. It turned out really well! Everyone received a blessing.
Congratulations on Heritage Singers’ 45th anniversary! What are your thoughts at this significant milestone?
How were you feeling when you were on stage?
I have a little saying, “You better love it to do it.” Because if you don’t love it, the lifestyle on the road will really wear on you. Heritage has performed in all 50 states and more than 80 countries around the world, and we’re still singing. I love it! I would do it again.
This summer you presented your 45th anniversary concert. Tell us about that.
It was fantastic! The Lord just had His hand on it. We had 140 former Heritage Singers — plus band members — come from all over, including Brazil, Chile and Argentina. Some I hadn’t seen in 40 years. We had about 5,000 people there in the audience at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif. My wife, Lucy, and I were reluctant to do another reunion concert because they are so much work, but our daughter, Valerie, and her husband, Art, came to me about a year ago and said, “A lot of people are asking. We need to do a reunion to bring everybody in for one last time.” Lucy and I said, “No way, we remember last time — we about died.” But Val said, “I’ll take the project on; you just show up.” And she did it. She asked people for help. We had a little committee including our producer
One hundred forty former Heritage Singers participated in last summer’s 45th anniversary concert.
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pacificunionrecorder.com
The concert was nearly four hours long. They just kept wanting to sing and sing and sing. Man, I was tired by the time that was over! But I was so happy.
People can purchase the recording from the concert?
It’s available on CD, DVD and Blu-ray. You can purchase them through our website, www.heritagesingers.com, or call our office at 530-6229369 and we’ll mail directly to you.
What are some of your upcoming plans?
We wanted to plan a time when we could interact with people more than just “hi” and “good bye,” so we are inviting people to spend a week with us reflecting on 45 years. This summer the Heritage Singers are going on a 45th anniversary cruise to Alaska — June 24 to July 1. We’ll give five or six concerts, Pastor Karl Haffner, from the Kettering church and Kettering Health Network, will give the devotional talks, and Pete McLeod will be our master of ceremonies. We can eat and talk together, and there will be plenty of time for people to go on shore excursions and enjoy the ship. Those interested can find out more on our website, or call Inspiration Cruises at 844-889-3313 and say they’re interested in