Karen Peck had no idea what to expect from her first movie experience.
But her stint in “Joyful Noise,” the Queen Latifah/Dolly Parton vehicle filmed largely in Atlanta and opening Jan. 13, turned out to be such a positive adventure, Peck is eager for more celluloid opportunities.
Granted, her role as the leader of a gospel choir and host of a national choir competition didn’t require any Method acting techniques since Peck has solidified a 21-year career as a Southern gospel star.
Those skills with her group New River – sister Susan and Jeff Hawes complete the trio -- will be on display New Year’s Eve when they participate in the Gaither Family Jubilate show at Gwinnett Arena.
But, said the animated Dahlonega resident earlier this week, performing in front of 1,800 extras at the Atlanta Civic Center in March while cameras rolled was an invigorating experience from the moment she arrived on the “Joyful” set.
“I had my own trailer, this team of people waiting on me hand and foot. I didn’t know what to expect, but it was the greatest experience from the time I got the first call,” Peck said.
That call came in September 2010 from a New York casting agency, informing Peck that the film’s director, Todd Graff, had researched gospel singers and wanted to offer Peck a role.
“I thought it was a joke,” Peck said with a hearty laugh befitting a Gainesville native. “I thought, ‘How in the world did they get my cellphone number?’ But they sent me the script and I loved it.”
“Joyful Noise” focuses on Latifah and Parton’s characters, who, through differing approaches and some bickering, try to lead their small-town Georgia church choir to victory at a national competition.
The film is stocked with rousing tunes, including the Peck-fronted “Mighty High,” which she recorded in an Atlanta studio in January, and “That’s the Way God Planned It,” performed in the film by exuberant 13-year-old Atlanta singer Ivan Kelley Jr.
Both songs are included on the movie’s soundtrack, due Jan. 10.
Peck and New River are also celebrating the recent release of “Georgia Mountain Christmas,” their first Christmas offering.
“I say we’re living proof that some things don’t happen overnight! But we should have done this many years ago. I didn’t know we’d enjoy it so much. I’ve had my Christmas tree up since October 27 to help me get into the spirit more. I always say I love Christmas time because people are a little nicer,” Peck said.
She and New River will likely showcase some of their original Christmas songs at next weekend’s New Year’s Eve gig with the Gaithers – and a lengthy slate of additional gospel performers including Michael English, David Phelps and The Isaacs.
“When you go to a Gaither concert, you are going to an event. It’s so uplifting,” Peck said. “[Bill] has so many artists on the program – more than usual – and they’re really the cream of the crop. Bill has a way of creating those moments with all of us singing together. We have a lot of fun doing it since most of us grew up in the industry together. It’s like a family thing.”
The coming year will find Peck and New River steadily touring through March, which is around the time she thinks talk will turn to recording a new record to release in the fall.
And, regardless if “Joyful Noise” leads to any new opportunities, Peck is content.
“I love my job. I love what I do and I really feel God has called me to do this,” she said. “It’s a very rewarding job. If one person is touched and encouraged, then I feel like I’ve done what I’m supposed to do. As much as I love my job, I love my boss, because I can always go to the Lord and He’s there for me.”
Concert preview
Jubilate 2012
With Bill and Gloria Gaither; the Gaither Vocal Band; Michael English; Wes Hampton; Karen Peck & New River; Ernie Haase & Signature Sound; The Martins, The Isaacs, David Phelps and others. $26.50-$74.50. 7:30 p.m. Dec. 31. The Arena at Gwinnett Center, 6400 Sugarloaf Parkway, Duluth. 1-800-745-3000, www.ticketmaster.com.
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