Southern Gospel Concerts

I received this comment on an Inspirations post from a while back.   Since most people probably won’t be going back to read old reviews and comments, I wanted to make sure the folks near the north Georgia area of Calhoun got the word, so I’m re-posting it here!

Here’s the comment:

“Have you heard about the Gospel Singing Competition at the Harris Arts Center in Calhoun, GA? It is a Saturday April 21, 7pm singing competition and the prize money goes to the church of your choice. $1000 First Prize, $250 Second Place and $100 Third Place. You should sign up! Auditions are Feb 6, 5-8 pm and Feb 11, 3-5 pm. You have to pre-register by calling 706-629-2599 and get an application at http://www.harrisartscenter.com.”

I also saw this info that you might want to know up front.  Gospel groups consisting of no fewer than three with a maximum of ten are eligible to compete for the church of their choice.   Here’s a direct link to the information specific to this event.

Other than at NQC, it is a rare occasion for me to get to see two groups on back-to-back nights who accounted for 11 of the 2011 Singing News Fan Awards!   On Saturday, I saw The Booth Brothers in concert and on Sunday night, I saw Triumphant Quartet.   That’s a whole lot of GREAT singing packed into one weekend!

"Clayton Inman, David Sutton, Scotty Inman, Eric Bennett, and Jeff Stice"

Triumphant was hosted by Mt. Olive Ministries in Cleveland, Tennessee during their evening worship service.  I would guess that at least half of the attendees were visitors who had come especially to see Triumphant.   The program was a little different than usual with two a capella numbers and no Old White Flag!!

Here’s what they sang:

• They started off with their 10th Anniversary season video.  I imagine they’ll be playing it throughout the year wherever the venue has the capability of projecting videos onto screens.  If you haven’t seen it yet, here it is!
• Saved By Grace -  The #1 song in November last year, this is a song that sticks in your head and has you singing it to yourself for days after hearing it in concert!
• He Is – This has been a BIG favorite for a long time and it got the first standing ovation of the evening.  Here’s my favorite video of the song with the Sojourner Dance Ministry.
• He Is Here – This was a beautiful a capella rendition featuring David Sutton on the verses.  I’m really hoping that this in an indication of more a capella songs to come this year!
• Forgave Me, Saved Me, Raised Me – Another old favorite!
• Goodbye, World, Goodbye – with Jeff on the piano and David on the harmonica, this peppy song always delights the crowd.
• The first part of the program ended with Jeff playing his arrangement of Down From His Glory.  During the offering, Jeff played and invited the audience to sing Mansion Over a Hilltop.  The crowd knew the hymn and sounded pretty good singing it.
• Don’t Let the Sandals Fool Ya – This is another of their songs that has been in the top 10 for the Fan Awards favorite song of the year.
• Welcome to Heaven – You might have seen the “Smackdown” posts on Steve Eaton’s “Southern Gospel Views from the Back Row” where he compares two versions of a song and lets his readers weigh in on which one they like the best.  Last week he had a smackdown of this song between Michael English and Clayton Inman.  Of course, I preferred Clayton’s version, and if you watch this video, you’ll understand why!
• After the altar call, Eric had Scotty lead out on a very touching a capella rendering of Because He Lives.
• To close the service, they sang Almost Home!

One of the committee members that books concerts for the church announced the following concerts coming up this year.  The services start at 6:00 pm and the address is 3522 Harrison Pike, Cleveland, TN.  If you’re close enough to this area, I hope you’ll make it a point to attend and support these artists.

• April 29th – The Browns
• August 26th – Dallas Rogers and Restored Trio
• October 21st – Collingsworth Family

(This is a joint review by me – Diana -  and one of the Booth Brothers’ biggest fans, Lynn Pollard.  Lynn and her family drove from Charleston, South Carolina to be at this concert just outside the Atlanta area. )

This was a much anticipated concert for several months. The Booth Brothers followed Soul’d Out Quartet and didn’t disappoint a full house of fans – a lively bunch of approximately 400 concert attendees.  Michael Booth was his usual funny self.   He kept the crowd laughing, especially with Danny Jones, editor of Singing News Magazine, who was the emcee for this program.

Michael Howard, pianist for Soul’d Out, favored the audience with almost 30 minutes of pre-concert music.  As it probably is with the pre-service music at your own church, people were chatting and milling about.  Michael seemed unfazed by the chaos and played a nice program that included  “How Great Thou Art,” “It Is Well With My Soul/ I Want to Be Ready to Meet Him,” “What a Friend We Have In Jesus,” ” Just a Closer Walk With Thee,”  and another  medley of several hymns including  “Amazing Grace,” “In The Sweet By and By,” and others.   Michael also played his arrangement of “The Lord’s Prayer” during the Soul’d Out set.

Bryan Hutson joined Soul’d Out Quartet at the beginning of this year and this is the first time I’ve seen them in concert since then.  Bryan is a great fit with the group and they have already recorded a couple of projects with him.  The other members of the group include Dusty Barrett (tenor), Matt Rankin (lead), and Matt Fouch (bass).   For those who aren’t familiar with Soul’d Out, they were formed in 2001 as a trio and then changed to a male quartet in 2004.  They are based out of Cincinnati, Ohio and were the recipients of the Horizon Group award during the 2010 Singing News Fan Awards.

From their brand new hymns CD entitled “Soulace,” they sang Unclouded Day (featuring Bryan),  “Traveling Home,” “Kneel at the Cross,” and “Over There.”    From their older repertoire, they sang “I Want to Make a Difference,” “God’s Perfect Plan,”  “Through the Blood,” “Cool Drink of Water,” “Who Is This Man,” “When I Pray” (Diana’s personal favorite – here’s a link from a previous concert!), “I Am Blessed,” “Doing Things God’s Way,” and “See Ya Over There” – which got a standing ovation!   Bryan sang a solo of “In the Garden” and gave a very touching personal testimony between the verses.  They didn’t perform any songs from their 2nd new album, “What the World Doesn’t Know,” but they did have a pre-release version of the CD which I bought and which is wonderful!

It’s hard to remember all of the awards that Michael and Ronnie Booth and Jim Brady have won as a group and as individuals during the last several years – but it’s a whole bunch of them!!    The Booth Brothers’ set included all the fan favorites like “Feeling Fine”, “The Blind Man Saw It All”, “Welcome to the Family”, “Still Feeling Fine”, and “Don’t Fence Me In”.   They also sang “See What a Morning,” “When You Bow at Jesus’ Feet,” and “Since Jesus Came.”   The most notable, to me (Lynn) anyway, were “In Christ Alone”, “He Came to Me”, “We Believe” and the one song that has hit home with a lot of people is “She Still Remembers Jesus’ Name”.

If you have a chance to see Soul’d Out Quartet and the Booth Brothers together in concert don’t miss it.   If you do, you will miss a very special night.   We want to send a special thanks to concert promoter Robert York for bringing these two groups together for the concert.  Bobby worked really hard on this concert and he has already had ticket requests for another concert with these same two groups next year even though a date hasn’t even been set yet!

This is a long overdue review of a Gold City concert I saw last year.  It was the second time I had seen the group with new lead Jerry “Punkin” Pelfrey singing with fellow members Dan Keeton, Danny Riley, Tim Riley and pianist Bryan Elliott.  This concert was at Lakeland Baptist Church in Buford, Georgia.  The church has converted a business/warehouse type of a building into a church facility rather than the traditional stand-alone building(s) that most churches use.  I’m seeing this kind of facility more and more in my travels and I think it can be a really good alternative – especially for a new church.  There was no room for a choir so I’m guessing that the church uses contemporary/praise and worship music in their services.   Most of the crowd that gathered had not heard Gold City in concert.  They were  a friendly group of people and I was very pleased at their response to the music.

Gold City performed a pretty standard set of older and new songs, and Jerry has settled in quite well!  Here’s what they sang:

• Where Is God – I love this old classic and hadn’t heard them sing it lately so I really enjoyed it.
• By Your Grace, For Your Glory – Danny always does a wonderful job of this on.
• Bread Upon the Water – Jerry got a chance to shine on this song that has been so popular for the last few years.
• Peter, James and John   – This song that was written by Dianne Wilkinson is doing so well on the charts that it went to #1 for March.
• Shoutin’ Ground – Jerry again did a great job on this classic.
• Bryan played his lightening fast rendition of Keep on the Firing Line!
• It Won’t Be Long – or as it is also known -  the hummingbird song!  They have been singing this song for quite a while even before they released their newest album, Somebody’s Coming.  The more they sing it, the more I like it and the more they seem to feel the “soul” of the song!
• God’s Building a Church – This classic has been pulled back into their regular program since Dan Keeton joined the group last year.
• Oh, What a Savior – Dan gave a very touching testimony and told about the first time he saw Gold City.
• I’m Not Giving Up -  This is another of the classics and Jerry has it down!  See if you don’t think he sounds like Ivan Parker in a few places on the song.    Such a classic Gold City sound!
• Truth is Marching On – Truth is still truth and this song expresses it well.  Of the three groups’ versions that were done around the same time when this song was originally released, this has always been my favorite.
• Bryan played an offertory – Winging My Way Back Home
• When I Get Carried Away – Classic!
• Under Control – It just wouldn’t be a Gold City concert with Tim Riley if they didn’t sing this one.
• In My Robe of White – This is another song they seem to have brought back more since Dan joined them.   Bryan is outstanding on the keys, too!
• Midnight Cry – The “proof of the pudding” always seems to be how the new lead singer handles this signature song!  Jerry stuck to the original version and gave a strong performance.    He’s definitely a “keeper!”

After a short talk from the pastor, we were dismissed.

What a joy I had on Sunday morning to attend the morning worship service of the North Point Baptist Church in Carrollton, Georgia.  Jason Waldroup heads the music ministry team with his wife, Missy.  I was looking forward to seeing how the Waldroup’s were doing in their new church home, and I was really pleased with everything I experienced.  This was not my first visit to this church, which is also the home church of Parker Jonathan and his wife, Paula.  Their pastor, Dr. Rodney Agan, is an excellent preacher and their church has hosted a couple of southern gospel concerts that I have been able to attend.

The announcement was made last week that Stephen Ball had resigned from the group due to continuing issues with his hearing.  He is pursuing a full time ministry working with young people.  Now filling the baritone position is Andy Tharp, who has been friends with the Ball family since they were young and living in Illinois.  Daniel told me that he and Andrew had sung with Andy and one of his brothers when they were around 10 years old and have done a lot of a capella songs together. Andy has filled in with the group on a number of occasions and was, therefore, an easy choice when the need arose for a new baritone.

The service started about 10 minutes earlier than usual to give The Ball Brothers a little more time to sing.  They sang 3 songs:

• Happy Am I Medley – This song from their new “Recharged” CD sounds like a retro piece from the 60′s/70′s with its ukelele!  It includes Happy Am I and Happiness Is.
• There Is a Mountain – This was a very spirited little song that really shows off the Ball Brothers blend, which Andy fits in just perfectly on!  Unfortunately, video camera started having some focusing issues (not caused by the operator – really!) so I won’t upload this one.
• Glimpse of Your Glory – Andrew and Daniel both have features on this song.

At this point the choir came to the stage and Jason led in a congregational hymn.  Then Jason and the choir performed a song I Am with Missy directing the choir.

More singing from The Ball Brothers followed:

• I Wouldn’t Miss Heaven – This song from their “Breakthrough” CD features each singer on a small solo line.  This video has focusing issues as well, but not as bad as some of the others and I want you to be able to hear Andy!
• Every Day, Every Hour – These gentlemen are just so very smooth on this song.
• Forgiven – This song got the best response of the day from the audience – at least until the next song!!!
• It’s About the Cross – As Daniel explained, this song expresses why they sing.   They recently recorded a professional video of this song that you can see here.  It doesn’t include Andy, but is terrific!
• I’m Already Living Forever – This was a great song to end the service!

I don’t know how long it will be available, but The Ball Brothers have a free download of “I Shall Know Him” available right now from the home page of their website.  This song was recorded with Andy, so you’ll want to be sure to get it if you haven’t already!

The Diplomats always put on a concert extravaganza around New Year’s Eve and this year they held it a couple of days early – Dec. 29th.  This year’s artist line-up was terrific.  It included The Barkers, Josh & Ashley Franks, The Jonathans,  Karen Peck & New River, The Perrys, and, of course, the Dips!  The venue had to be changed (I’ll tell you more about that later) and the time adjusted, so a couple of groups that were to have been there had to be scheduled for later dates instead.

The Barkers were up first.  They are a trio from Cedartown, Georgia and they are definitely crowd favorites!    Chris and his sisters Noel Shepperd and Nikki Shaw make up the group.

• Holy Fire  -  They started out with a mid-tempo but spirited song.   This family group has such wonderful harmony and blend!
• The Tomb Is Still Empty – This song is somewhat similar in style but with a different message entirely.  Here’s a video from a previous concert.
• Not Guilty – Wow!   This message in this song is incredible!   Here’s a video from a previous concert.
• Precious to Me – Another really lovely song!
  

Josh & Ashley Franks were next.   This is only the second time I’ve been able to catch them in concert and I really do enjoy their style.  Ashley is calm and stands there and sings beautifully while her little hubby is hyper and all over the stage!!!  Actually, he’s a good singer, too, and they sound great together!  They had a good mix of styles and a very enjoyable set.

• More Than I’ll Ever Deserve – Beautifully done!
• Wake the Town – This was a nice, peppy song!!!
• Jesus Is Coming – Josh was featured  on this song, their current single.  Here is a video from a previous concert.
• We’ve Got to Tell the Truth – What a message in this one!  Wow!
• The Old Fashioned Way – This was another fast song .  The crowd loved it and gave it a standing ovation.

The Jonathans consist of Parker and Paula Jonathan, Eric Dunson, and brand-new pianist Steve Pate.  I’ve seen this group on a number of occasions and thoroughly enjoy their country-flavored style.

• Next Cloud  – This mid-tempo song was one that Parker did with the Kingsmen.  Here’s a video from a previous concert.
• God Rides on Wings of Love – Paula was featured on this one.
• It’s About the Cross – Eric was featured on this wonderful song that I’ve also heard from the Ball Brothers.
• Living in Canaan Now – This song was just plain fun!
• I Plead the Blood – This was the debut of this powerful song!  Parker was featured and did a wonderful job on it.

The Diplomats were the next to take the stage with their live band.   Their group members are Jimmy & Rita Pearson, their son Corey (singing lead and playing bass guitar), Joseph Brown (bass), Michael Lott (pianist) and Jeremy Chupp (drummer).

•  There’s a Light – This was a mid-tempo, traditional style song to start their set.
• I Must Thank Him -  Corey was featured on this nice slow song.
• Meet Me Over on the Other Side – This was a great traditional-style song that really had the band working hard!
• Soul Healing – Joe was featured on this “cajun” song that was written by Jimmy
• Old Time Religion – This featured the band and I thought I was getting a good video of their wonderful playing only to find out that the doggone camera had fooled me again and did not start recording when I pressed the button.
• Lonesome Road – It’s just not a complete Dips concert unless Joe is featured on this song.  And he milks it for all it’s worth on those super low notes!
• House of Gold – This was so much fun with the members of the band coming together to play and sing this bluegrass song.
• How Sweet It Will Be – This song featuring Rita talks about heaven.
• I Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now – What a classic and this group really does the song justice!

Karen Peck & New River was next.  Karen, her sister Susan Jackson, and Jeff Hawes could just stand there and sing their latest #1 songs  and there would be enough for a full-length concert!  Here’s what they sang:

• Ephesians Chapter 1 – Great, peppy song for their opening.
• Robe and Crown – This is still a crowd pleaser from a long, long time ago!
• I Want to Thank You – This is one of their #1 songs!
• Hold Me While I Cry – This was especially poignant with the death of Karen’s father-in-law during the week of the concert.
• I’ll Fly Away – Great classic song.
• I Can See Clearly Now – I’m kind of surprised by the popularity of this song at a gospel concert but it seems to be a real crowd favorite!  Of course, I remember the song from way back in my youth and maybe the other gray hairs do, too, and that’s what makes it a sentimental favorite.
• On the Banks of the Promised Land - This song from their latest CD zipped up to #1 within just a couple of months of its release.

The Perry’s took the stage for the final set of the evening.  I’m enjoying this line-up that includes Tracy and Libbi Perry Stuffle, Joseph Habedank, and Bryan Walker.  Their former pianist Matthew Holt was also with them for this concert.

• Blue Skies Coming  – This is the #2 song in January from their brand new album by the same title.
• His Love Lights the Way – This is a nice little song with an echo effect on the chorus.  Matt tore it up on the piano!
• He Will Hide Me – Bryan, then Joseph took the verses on this one.  Here’s a video from a previous concert.
• I Wish I Could Have Been There – I just love this energetic little song! 
• Plan of Salvation – This classic song from The Cathedrals featured Tracy.
• Celebrate Me Home – This song made it to #1 on the charts and featured Libby.  I like the video presentation with pictures of many southern gospel legends who have been promoted to heaven.
• When They Ring Those Golden Bells – Matt Holt was traveling with the Perrys this weekend so we were treated to this wonderful arrangement.
• If You Knew Him – GREAT song of testimony!  Joseph did a great job singing it!   Here’s a video from a previous concert.

I mentioned a venue change in the opening paragraph of this review.   This concert was originally slated to be the first concert in the new Mill Town Music Hall that Jimmy Pearson is opening in Bremen, Ga.  The construction was not complete, so the concert was moved to the Mount Holly Church of God, which is Corey’s church.   Now the Music Hall will see its first concerts on Feb. 2 and 3, 2012.   Here are the concerts on their schedule so far:

• Feb. 2 – Brian Free & Assurance, Kingsmen, Diplomats
• Feb. 3 – Isaacs, Dixie Echoes, Diplomats
• Feb. 9 – Daley and Vincent, Sweet AlizAbeth
• Mar. 2 – Mckameys, Accention Qt, and Diplomats
• Mar. 30 – Jeff and Sherri Easter, Blue Ridge Qt
• Apr. 6 – Inspirations, Georgia, and Diplomats
• Apr. 26 – Ricky Skaggs
• June 20 – Greater Vision and Diplomats

This venue is just a little farther from Atlanta than the church in Villa Rica that hosted so many Diplomat-sponsored concerts but it is more easily accessible for the folks from Alabama to come over on I-20.   I certainly wish Jimmy the best in this new endeavor!

Paul’s Journey doesn’t make the trip to the eastern part of the US very often.  They were in Tennessee this month for a series of Christmas concerts in Pigeon Forge.  I didn’t get to attend any of those shows, but I caught up with them at a morning worship service in Corryton,  just outside of Knoxville.  The group’s members are owner/manager Rod Treme (bass),  Chad Stephenson (baritone), Ryan Napier (lead), and Randall Garland (tenor).

Here’s what they sang:

• It’s Enough – They started with a great classic song with some pretty high notes for a morning concert!  Very well done!
• In the Name of Jesus – This was my favorite of the concert!
• Call Upon the Name  – Tenor Randall Garland wrote this one.
• Til the Storm Passes By – This comes from their new “A Tribute to the Classics” CD and featured Ryan.  Very moving.
• Just a Little Talk – This also came from the new album.  It seems like many of the groups have come out with their versions of this one recently and this one was fun when it started off slowly and then picked up speed for the finish.
• Wonderful Time Up There – Of course, this was from the Classics album, too.
• When I Wake Up – What a fun arrangement!  Chad certainly got his workout for the morning moving from one mic to another.
• He Is Here – A 16-year-old young lady named Abby sang this and really did an amazing job!!  I didn’t get her last name but I think she came from around the area and Paul’s Journey had asked her to sing that morning.
• I’ve Just Seen Jesus – Abby and Randall  sang this as a duet.  They sounded really good together.
• There’s Still a Cross – Ryan was featured on this slower, meditative song that had a very nice modulation near the end of the song.
• What Heaven Means to Me – I had seen this one performed on main stage at NQC this year and was glad they sang it at this concert as well.  Here is a video from NQC .

I only have two disappointments about this concert!

1. They were limited to the time-frame of the service.   I sure wasn’t ready for the end to come so quickly!
2. They didn’t sing any Christmas songs!   That surprised me since they had just sung at a 2 or 3 day Christmas music event in Pigeon Forge.  There are several songs from their Christmas CD I would’ve loved to have heard live.

I sure hope they come back east again in 2012 besides just at NQC.  I’ll make it a point to see them again.

This will be the first of several abbreviated reviews so that I can share the highlights of a few concerts that I attended but for which I just haven’t had the time to complete my comments.

I’ve attended 3 out of the last 4 annual Ball Brothers Christmas Tour concerts near or at their home church and they are always special!!!  (The year I missed, it was snowing and we Georgia girls seriously avoid driving in snow!!)  These men have some awesome  smooth harmonies and I always enjoy hearing them.  They also know how to have fun and they are not afraid to show it in their performances!   Joining Andrew, Daniel, Stephen, and Josh was Cody McVey on the keyboard.

This year’s celebration was held in their home church’s brand new family life center at Liberty Baptist Church.  Their father is the pastor of the church.    The brothers performed with their church’s adult choir on a couple of songs – The Spirit of Christmas, When He Comes Again (including some pretty adorable children dressed as angels who did sign language on the choruses), and Jesus, What a Wonderful Child.

• God Rest, Ye Merry Gentlemen – What a way to kick off the concert!  I got tickled at the elderly gentleman with a stick that seemed to be “conducting” the song.   I don’t know whether maybe he was a retired band or choir director.
• I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas
• Let Is Snow – Of course, they had fun with a snow machine on this one!
• Jingle Bells
• Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas – This was terrific and featured Daniel with the rest of the guys doing  “shooby do wahs” in the background!
• Little Saint Nick
• Cody played a really nice medley – Feliz Navidad / Deck the Halls/ and more.
• Oh, Come, All Ye Faithful  – This was really beautiful.   Here’s a video from one of their previous Christmas concerts.
• The Christmas Song
• Go, Tell It on the Mountain – Daniel went into the audience and let several people sing along.
• Mary Was the First One to Carry the Gospel
• Holy Is Thy Name
• It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year
• Glory to God in the Highest
• Blue Christmas!!!  This was hilarious with some friends brought on stage to sing this old Elvis favorite.
• Jingle Bell Rock – This was an animated jib jab video.
• Hallelujah Chorus – This was terrific but I couldn’t get good shot of Cody for a video, especially after everyone stood up.
• Hark the Herald Angels Sing – This is a really good example of their style.
• I’ll Be Home for Christmas – This was really poignant with a video presentation of pictures of friends serving in Iraq
• It’s About the Cross
• Glory to God reprise – with the snow machine blasting out its snow again -  wrapped up the concert for this year!

I don’t know how many of my readers subscribed to the NQC webcast, but I did!  I loved it!  I watched Monday and Tuesday from home and then was at NQC for the rest of the week.  I watched some of the footage particularly of the showcases that I missed and some of the evening performances during the archive period which ended Nov. 30.  Now that the paid webcast has expired, I thought I’d share a few of the videos I captured.  It’s difficult to video at NQC because the performers usually try to move around the stage so that none of the four sides get totally left out.  And then there are all the people walking around and even some folks that will stand right in front of you for extended periods of time trying to take pictures.   There is quite a bit of talking in the audience during the performances, too.    And I was unable to get good videos of several of my very favorites.  With all of that being said, though, here are a few videos that you can watch while you wait for NQC next year!

Wednesday night, 9-14-2011:

• Paul’s Journey  – This is Just What Heaven Means to Me  -  I saw this group last year in a featured artist showcase and was thrilled that they made it to the Main Stage this year to sing this song.   Tenor Randall Garland was featured with other members Rod Treme, Ryan Napier, and Chad Stephenson.

Thursday, 9-15-2011:

• Gaither Vocal Band Reunion – The Love of God – This had the current lineup of Bill, David Phelps, Wes Hampton, Michael English, and Mark Lowry – and Larnelle Harris and Steve Green joined at the end.      (This was taken from the balcony because I got to the showcase late!  Sorry, the more the picture is zoomed in, the more that any movement of the camera is exaggerated.)
• Kim Collingsworth - My Tribute – Kim did a fantastic job – despite the cameraman who got in the way of her monitor that night.
• Brian Alvey/Talleys – Why Me, Lord -  I am s-o-o-o-o glad that Brian is singing again!  I’ve missed him since he left Tribute to join the Talley organization and he sounded great with them!

Friday, 9-16-2011:

• Ivan Parker -    When I Get Carried Away -  I had to include this little clip just because it’s a bit rare to get to see Gordon Mote and Bill Gaither at the piano together?!?
• Gaither Vocal Band  – Where No One Stands Alone – David Phelps was fantastic on this one!
• Wes Hampton – He Is Here – I love how Wes sings this wonderful Kirk Talley song.
• Greater Vision – I Know a Man Who Can – Chris Allman shined on this!   Stan Whitmire was at the piano.
• The Hoppers – I Will Serve Thee – This was a little different from the songs I’ve seen the  Hoppers perform and Michael sang the bass part instead of Claude!  Very pretty!

9-16-2011 (2)

• Jeff Stice (Triumphant Quartet’s pianist) -  Patriotic Medley -  My very, very favorite SG pianist!  I love what he did with this medley and have now seen it performed several times at other live concerts, too.
• Collingsworth Family – That’s the Place I Am Longing to Go – This is one of the very newest songs from this hugely talented family group.

Saturday, 9/17/11:

• Kingdom Heirs – We Will Stand Our Ground  – This is another great song from Dianne Wilkinson,
• Chris Allman (Greater Vision) - Another Child Is Coming Home – Lovely song from Chris’s pen about the prodigal son.
• Sisters – Do You Love Me – I don’t think there is another group that could deliver this Phil Cross song so well!   Just beautiful!!!
• Omega -  I’m Coming Again  - This is a group from the great state of Georgia that won a spot on Main Stage from an artist showcase.   Members of the group are Doug Pittman, Dustin Simmons, and Monroe Bennett.
• Voices of Lee -  Just a Little Talk With Jesus  -   I was just a bit miffed when this group got a Main Stage slot and some of the artists that I love didn’t get on at all.  BUT these kids are fabulous and the crowd absolutely came unglued when the bass came in on the chorus!!   You may recognize some of these kids from the Sing Off television a capella competition last year when they got into the finals.
• Looking for a Tenor -  This was a little song Gerald Wolfe  put together (based on Looking for a City, of course) to “campaign” for the title of Songwriter of the Year next year!  What a hoot!  The “scrap iron” quartet consisted of Gerald, John Rulapaugh, Arthur Rice, and Mark Trammell.

You can also see other clips on NQC’s Youtube channel, NQCOnline.

 If you’d care to re-visit the videos I posted earlier from some of the artist showcases, you can see my previous post here.

Also good to note is that “NQC Live Volume 11″ is now available.  According to an e-mail from Clarke Beasley, the set includes both a DVD and CD for just $19.99.  He offered this link as a preview of one of the bonus selections.    You can order the product from http://www.natqc.com and I imagine that many artists will also be offering it from their product tables at some point as well.

I traveled over to the beautiful state of Alabama to see The Anchormen.  They were given the entire morning service at Piney Grove Missionary Baptist Church.   For those of you who are long-time Achormen fans, both Dale Forbes (lead) and Terry Carter (baritone and emcee) are back after absences of several years.  This is a strong line-up of singers that also includes tenor Carl Rice and bass Paul Harkey.

They sang several older songs from when Dale and Terry were originally with the group.  They even have a live album available from way back in the “old” days!  Here’s what they sang:

• He Touched Me – The group plunged right in with a dearly loved classic with their four microphones on their stands.   Terry gave a strong performance on the verse and the audience (especially the pastor!) was eager for more.
• Happy Rhythm – I’ve heard several groups do this old classic and the Anchormen did a great job on this peppy number.
• The Letter – The style of this is quite different from Happy Rhythm since it is much more solemn.  In fact, it’s what the songwriter depicts as a letter between a contrite heart and God.  It featured Paul and then Carl.  Here’s a video from a previous concert.
• The News Is Out – Carl’s harmonica playing adds a lot to this upbeat number!  Here’s a video from a featured artist showcase at NQC 2011.
• There Is a River -  Tenor Carl Rice was featured in this nice arrangement of an old classic.
• Everything But Time – This song also featured the bass.  I love the message in this song:  “Now is the time to make the right decision, It’s a decision only you can make” and “Don’t be the one who never made a difference.”
• I Feel Like Running  -  At this point they performed several of the songs that were extremely popular when Terry and Dale were with the group previously.   This was one of them and really picked up the pace (a little pun intended)!!  It featured Dale.
• The Giver of Life – I think they said this song went all the way to #1 on the charts when they had previously released it.  Carl was featured.
• I’ve Been Touched – This oldie was a mid-tempo number and featured Dale.
• Behold the Lamb – This is a pretty dramatic song about heaven and Dale was also featured on it.
• The invitation was I Surrender All where Paul  took the melody and  Carl played piano.

This was a wonderful worship service and I’m glad I got to make the trip.

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Update 11/29/11:    There’s a great article over at the Absolutely Gospel Music website about the current Anchormen lineup and about their newest CD, Believe.