Southern Gospel Concerts

I had the joy of attending the “Grand Piano Extravaganza” in Shipshewana, Indiana.  This is the second year the program has been performed and this year’s major performers were Jeff Stice, Kim Collingsworth, Channing Eleton, Roy Webb, and Michael Howard.  The event featured 5 beautiful Steinway grand pianos, the most prominent of them being an extraordinary 90-year old, 9 foot concert grand that had been refurbished by a piano dealer in the area.   Joining these elite pianists were David Pendleton (ventriloquist) and guest pianists Vera Nations, Timothy Nobles, and Jesse Keep.

Here’s a recap of the program.   Ensemble numbers were selections that were played together by Jeff, Kim, Channing, Roy and Michael on the five grand pianos.  I was very disappointed that videos were not allowed.

• Ensemble -   Heaven medley featuring several well-known hymns and gospel songs about heaven
• Michael Howard played his Victory In Jesus solo and then Soul’d Out Quartet sang two songs including “Ain’t Nobody” which really showcased Michael as their pianist.
• David Pendleton and his “Aunt Tilly” were absolutely wonderful with his ventriloquist act which included the song “I Love a Piano.”  And Aunt Tilly was crazy about Michael, who is the only unmarried gentleman among the featured pianists!  Too funny.
• A young man named Timothy Noble (12  years old) was presented to the group and he performed a medley of songs that he had arranged.  It was very nicely done!
• Next up was Triumphant Quartet who delighted the audience with two of their favorites followed by a solo from their pianist, Jeff Stice.  Jeff played his medley “Til the Storm Passes By.”
• Ensemble – Meeting in the Air
• Ensemble – When We All Get to Heaven
• Ensemble – Joshua Fit De Battle.  This one featured each of the pianists playing a solo using a different style and ended with Kim Collingsworth on the version she has recently recorded and then being joined by all of the other pianists.  This was one of my favorite moments in the program.
• The Collingsworth Family sang one selection and then Brooklyn and Courtenay performed on their violins accompanied by their mom, Kim.
• Channing Eleton was very well received on his solo Joy to the World.
• Many members of the audience were recognized for being church pianists.  There were several during each of the two performances that had served for 50 years or more!   And, ably representing the church pianists on stage was Vera Nations from Dalton, Georgia.  Vera has served in her church as pianist or substitute pianist for over 60 years.  She  played a solo arrangement of  When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder and the audience joined her by singing the chorus at the end of the song.
• Jeff Stice played three of the songs he frequently plays to impersonate Floyd Cramer (Last Date), Ray Charles (Georgia), and Liberace (Chopstix).  He even wore his Liberace vest for the evening!
• Roy Webb entertained with a very short comedic monologue and then an introduction to his wonderful solo of It Is Well With My Soul.
• David Pendleton came on stage for a hilarious visit with Vern – “a slightly misguided albino vulture!”
• Jesse Keep, the 11 year-old nephew of Kim Collingsworth, was presented for a piano solo.   Jesse lost his eyes at age 3 or 4 and has a wonderful testimony of keeping on after a tragedy of this type.
• Kim Collingsworth played her amazing solo of How Great Thou Art.
• The Ensemble closed the performance with a reprise of the Heaven medley opener with all of the singers joining in on this song as well.

This was a fantastic program and I would recommend it to anyone who loves great piano playing with some wonderful southern gospel singing thrown in for good measure!   I understand that several of these artists have already been booked for another extravaganza next year on October 22nd and 23rd.  For more information, contact Mel Riegsecker of the Blue Gate Theater at 888 447-4725.   The tickets for this event are expensive but are well worth the price!!