TIFTON - Singer Betsy Haman will be the featured performer at noon Friday in this week's Concert in the Gardens series downtown at Tifton Gardens.

The free concerts are sponsored by The Tifton Gazette and Main Street Tifton. The Bluegrass Band, previously announced, will perform May 1.

Haman said she has been singing as a hobby for most of her life.

"I've been singing as long as I can remember. When I was little, I made up songs and I taught myself to play the guitar at 15." Haman said.

Haman said she enjoys singing at her church, First Baptist Church in Ty Ty, and has been asked to sing at weddings and funerals for friends.

"I just love music." Haman said. "I feel like the Lord has given me a gift and he wants me to use it."

Haman said most of her songs are contemporary Christian or Southern Gospel. She works for the University of Georgia in computer support and teaches computer classes at Moultrie Technical College's Tifton Campus.

The free Concert in the Gardens series will continue at noon each Friday with performances scheduled by the Bluegrass Band of First United Methodist Church, by Three For One, by Kirsten Underwood and by Carmen Savelli. Attendees may bring a lawn chair and lunch.

To contact reporter Chivaun Perez, call 382-4321.