A “Tribute to Ned Ingle” is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11 in the Rockmart Theater on Elm Street, downtown.

Appearing in concert will be Enlisted, Victory Road, and Heirborn Quartet. Melton Moss will be the emcee for the evening.

No admission will be charged, but a love offering will be taken.

Ingle, a native of Portland Community near Aragon, is a musician and gained popularity as a DJ with Radio Station WZOT prior to his retirement on Friday, Aug. 6, 2010.

Pam Atcheson said she would always be grateful to Ned because he was the only person that would play the first CD recorded by Enlisted.

“I received my first royalty check because he played a song I wrote,” she said. “You could always depend on Ned to play local groups on the radio.”

She said she is honored to know Ned and impressed that he stayed true to his calling - playing gospel music.

Ingle was a musician before he joined the staff at WZOT in January 1980. He can remember learning to play the guitar while sitting on the knee of his father, J. J. Ingle.

“All my family could play some type of instrument,” he said. “I can remember my father attending fiddler’s conventions. He played a guitar, mandolin and fiddle.”

Ned chose a different career than that of his father and mother, Vassie Ingle. Both worked in Aragon mill.

For him, it was music. He can play several instruments but prefers a step steel guitar.

“I am not as good as my brother Billy or sing like my sister Annie Dawson,” he said.

Instead, he chose to pump floor pedals on his favorite guitar. He still believes it is one of the best instruments anyone could use.

Ned first played country music and recorded with the Mastertones and other local groups. He also worked with the Smith brothers and was a back up musician in bands that recorded during the 1950s and 1960s.

He said his country music career ended after he accepted Christ in November 1971. He is a member of Euharlee Baptist Church.

Kenny Teal, event organizer, said Ingle has been an inspiration for Rockmart and surrounding communities.

“If you have lived here for any period of time, you would have listened to WZOT 1220, and you would have heard Mr. Ingle on the radio.

“Speaking for all the local artists, Mr. Ingle really supported Southern Gospel music.

“We wanted to reach out to Ned and say ‘thank you’ for his decades of service to the community. So many people know Mr. Ned, and just want the opportunity to recognize him.”

Today, Ingle is still involved in the local community and works part time at Freeman Harris Funeral Home. He can be seen during visitation.

He and his wife Shirley also enjoy visits from their daughter Debra, her husband Mike, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

“We still reside in the home that was built after our marriage,” Ingle said. “It is near the place where I was born in Portland Community.”