ROYAL CITY — The United Methodist Church of Royal City will present highly-regarded Christian singer John Nilsen in concert this Saturday, July 23.

The concert, in the church’s sanctuary, will start at 3 p.m. The Methodist Church is located at 305 Royal Ave. There will be a coffee and cookies reception in fellowship hall after the concert.

Nilsen, of Portland, began studying classical piano from his mother at age six. He began playing guitar at age fourteen.

Nilsen moved to Ashland, Ore. in 1974 to attend Southern Oregon College (now Southern Oregon University). He graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts in English.

Nilsen was honored by the institution in 1995 in recognition of his achievements, efforts and leadership in the field of the performing arts with the Distinguished Alumnus Award, the most prestigious award bestowed upon Southern Oregon University graduates.

Nilsen founded the Magic Wing recording label in 1987. The label has a catalog of 19 successful titles, each with international distribution. Before founding Magic Wing, Nilsen recorded three successful solo piano records on Eagle Records (1983-1985).

Nilsen has recorded 16 on his own Magic Wing label and has had 15 other CDs licensed in other countries, including Germany, Great Britain, The Philippines, Canada, Taiwan and Singapore, bringing reported total record sales to well over one million.

Having performed in Europe, Asia and all 50 U.S. States countless times, John Nilsen has also had 250 of his compositions and musical arrangements receiving royalties world wide.

Nilsen played 250 performances in 2015 throughout the USA and Europe. His forthcoming release, Local Ocean, will be released in summer of 2016. Sessions for the 20th Nilsen recording will begin in fall, 2016.