News
Tribute to Lari Goss
I am sad to hear about Lari Goss passing away. I had the opportunity to meet him a couple years ago when he asked if I could help him get to the artist circle at NQC. I’m not sure why he asked me. Maybe I looked like I worked there. When he came up to me, I didn’t know who he was. It wasn’t until we had walked a little ways that someone said his name. I waited as he stopped and talked to the person who stopped him. When he was finished, we resumed our walk and I told him it was a blessing to meet him. I was impressed with our brief encounter, as he struck me as a humble gentleman.
Lari was a great producer and arranger, bringing out the best in a number of southern gospel artists. There is no doubt that he will be missed.
Tribute to Andrae Crouch
Although not a Southern Gospel singer, I grew up listening to Andrae Crouch and still play his music quite frequently. Mr. Crouch was not perfect but I believe he had a heart for God and a desire to see others come to know the Savior. I was sad to learn of his passing but I believe that He is not sad to be gone from this world. “Count the years–count the years as months. Count the months–count the months as weeks. You may think you still have a lot of time but count the weeks–count the weeks as days. Any day now, we’ll be going Home.” Andrae Crouch is no longer counting those days.
I never had the chance to meet him to tell him what his music has meant to me but I’m grateful for all the years that he sang and gave God the glory. It was not about Andrae but about the God who saved him when he was nine years old. It really won’t be long and we will be leaving here too. Are you ready?
Tribute to Norman Wilson
Since I started this blog a number of years ago, this is the saddest tribute that I have written. Norman was one of the first people in the industry to reach out to me, and he has held a special place in my heart ever since.
I first met Norman over seven years ago at the National Quartet Convention. I was overwhelmed and had a lot on my mind at the time but I took something over to be signed, and he took my hands and talked for a while. After that, I made a habit of going back to the Primitive Quartet’s booth throughout the week. God’s presence was so evident in that corner of the convention.
Since that time, I’ve always made a point to talk with Norman whenever I saw him. He was so welcoming and never made me feel like the pest that I’m sure I was at times. One thing Norman told me that I still ponder sometimes: “If you don’t know what to do, go back to the last time you knew what you were supposed to do.” He often reminded me that we may never know the impact we have on people’s lives down here. If we did know, we would probably become proud. Norman definitely never seemed to think more of himself than he ought. He didn’t see himself as the greatest singer, but he wanted to be faithful … and he was.
I watched Norman’s funeral today and shed some tears but if I ever met someone who was ready for Heaven, it was Norman. He would not want to come back. Norman exemplified what it means to be a true Christian. He had a genuine love for people and a smile that lit up the room. He also had an obvious love for His Savior. My heart goes out to his beautiful wife Kaye and The Primitive Quartet, but I am grateful that we have a Comforter that can provide comfort when no person can. He will give guidance and wisdom and grace in spite of the heartache.
As Norman sang so many times, “So weep not, Friends, I’m going Home. Up there, we’ll die no more. No coffins will be made up there. No graves on that bright shore.” I am so looking forward to that day!
Two Gospel Singers Go to Heaven
Today, the southern gospel community has had two losses.
First of all, Roy Bray, the piano player and baritone singer for The Southmen Quartet died in a bus accident when the bus ran off the road and hit a tree. Roy was driving. Owner and tenor singer Jim Hefner has been admitted to the hospital for further evaluation. Johny Washburn and Donnie Marr are fine. Please keep The Southmen and their families in your prayers.
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Bob Johnson, who sang with his wife Jeanne, passed away early this morning after having suffered a stroke back in July. My prayers are with Jeanne and the family as well.
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No loss is easy; however, for those who know the Lord, the pain and loneliness we feel now are only temporary. We may not always understand God’s timing but we know that He knows what is best. He has promised to send the Comforter, and I trust He is doing just that for everyone who is feeling these and other losses today. He is there. Just lean on Him.
Singing News Fan Awards 2014
Most of you have probably heard who the winners were of this year’s fan awards. For those who may have missed a category, I am going to post them below, along with the names of the people who presented the awards.
Presenter: Jason Crabb
Musician: Kim Collingsworth
Young Artist: Amber Thompson (Sonya Isaacs accepted)
Presenters: Karen Peck Gooch and Susan Peck Jackson
Soloist: Ivan Parker
Song of the Year Nominee: Kingdom Heirs–“Just Beyond the Sunset”
Presenters: Austin and Ethan Whisnant
New Soloist: Joseph Habedank
New Traditional Quartet: Canton Junction
Song of the Year Nominee: Triumphant–“Because He Loved Me”
Hall of Fame Inductee: Faye Speer (Arthur Rice accepted)
Presenters: Kelly Bowling and Aaron Crabb
Male Artist: Ronnie Booth
Band: Kingdom Heirs
Presenters: Connie Fortner and Sheryl Farris
Lead Singer: Ronnie Booth
Tenor: Michael Booth
Song of the Year Nominee: Brian Free and Assurance–“Calvary’s Cry”
Presenters: Morgan and Madison Easter
Songwriter: Dianne Wilkinson
Song of the Year Nominee: The McKameys–“A Hill Worth Dying On”
Hall of Fame Inductee: Eddie Crook
Presenters: Hannah and Parker Webb
New Trio: Hyssongs
Bass Singer: Eric Bennett
Song of the Year Nominee: Legacy Five–“Living in the Palace”
Presenters: Michael and Ronnie Booth
New Mixed Group: Mylon Hayes Family
Soprano: Kim Hopper
Song of the Year Nominee: Old Paths–“Long Live the King”
Presenters: Chris Taylor and Suzanne Hise
Mixed Group: Collingsworth Family
Trio: Booth Brothers
Song of the Year Nominee: The Whisnants–“He Can Move That Stone”
Hall of Fame Inductee: Claude Hopper
Presenters: Ben Isaacs, Becky Bowman, and Sonya Yeary
Alto: Libbi Stuffle
Female Singer: Kim Hopper
Song of the Year Nominee: Greater Vision–“Preacher, Tell Me Like it Is”
Presenter: Philip Collingsworth and Brooklyn Blair
Songwriter: Rodney Griffin
Male Quartet: Triumphant
Song of the Year Nominee: Karen Peck and New River–“Revival”
Hall of Fame Inductee: Paul Heil
Presenters: Dean and Michael Hopper
Album: Greater Vision–“For All He’s Done”
Song of the Year Nominee: Booth Brothers–“I See Grace”
Song of the Year Winner: Greater Vision–“Preacher, Tell Me Like it Is”
Presenter: Squire Parsons
Artist: Booth Brothers
Thoughts of Charles Johnson
I found out today that Charles Johnson of Charles Johnson and the Revivers passed away. When I read that, my mind went back to the 1980s when I used to listen to him on WTRM out of Winchester, VA. I never got tired of hearing “I Can’t Even Walk Without You Holding My Hand,” “Until Then,” and “I’ve Been Sealed.” I never saw him in concert but I enjoyed looking through YouTube videos this evening. I am so thankful that his music lives on. Please remember his family in your prayers.
Lily Isaacs’ Mom Passes Away
Many of you may have heard or read the announcement last week that Lily Isaacs’ mom passed away last week. After reading Lily’s autobiography which talked about her parents’ miraculous survival from the holocaust and a bit about Lily’s growing up years, I feel like I have met her mom, and I know it is never easy to say goodbye to a loved one, but I know God will give Lily and the rest of the family strength to get through this time. In response to the inquiries the Isaacs have received from people who would like to honor Lily’s mom, Lily writes the following:
A Message From Lily Isaacs
Nashville, TN (September 29, 2014) To all of our dear friends,
First I’d love to thank everyone for your prayers. The passing of my mother has been very emotional and sad. I know many of you have lost loved ones……parents, spouses, children, good friends and it’s a very lonely feeling because it’s final. Although we do believe in an after life, just the fact that you will never get to hear their voice or hug your loved one ever again here on earth, leaves you with such a void in your heart. Seems like it’s hard to take a deep breath! I’m so grateful that I got to keep my sweet Yiddish Mamma till age 95 and I was with her when she took her final breath. She truly was a survivor. She was a very strong, spirited woman. My entire family is thankful for the legacy she has left behind.
So many of you have asked us about funeral arrangements. Many of you wanted to send flowers and special gifts to honor Mom. I wanted to take this time to explain a little about our beautiful Jewish traditions when we lose someone in death.
Before I get into the explanation I will tell you that we tentatively have the funeral scheduled for Wednesday morning, Oct 1st. Mom passed away on Friday, September 26, and it is currently in the middle of a very Holy holiday, Rosh Hashanah (9/24-9/26) and Yom Kippur (10 days later) so it is hard to make final arrangements with the Rabbi, especially since Friday night started the Sabbath. We will know more Monday morning.
We have chosen to give Mom a traditional Jewish funeral. Our father had the same and this is what she would want. A Jew must be buried within a day or two of death and we do not embalm the body so it must stay refrigerated until burial. Of course, with family far away, it’s acceptable to wait until all gather together. The coffin must be a plain pine box, and the deceased is clothed in a shroud…..white pure linen called a Tachrichim. The reason is because we are all equal in death and we can’t take anything with us when we leave this world. God judges our merits and deeds, not our material wealth. Once the casket is lowered into the ground, the final act we do is to shovel dirt on top of it. Basically the family will cover the casket with dirt. The reason for this is the deceased cannot do it for themselves. In a way, it also acts as a gesture of love and gives family closure. We never see flowers at a Jewish funeral. Tradition says that flowers are unnecessary and die too quickly. Instead of flowers, we place stones on the casket or grave site. There are many speculations about the reason for this custom but the one that makes most sense to me is that stones were the only way a grave was marked before headstones were made. It also leaves a sign that the person had a visitor and they’re not left without being remembered . We will then sit shiva (means 7)…..The mourning period which actually lasts 7 days. Family will rent a garment and gather in the home to receive guests.
This is the way we do it and we plan to put Mom away in this manner. She deserves this honorable, final gesture from us.
For those of you who wanted to honor our mother, I’ve thought of a beautiful way do this. This seems like a gesture of love and would carry on our Jewish tradition.
Instead of gifts and flowers we will set up a fund in my mother’s name and receive donations to help purchase her a headstone! We cannot put the headstone up for one year at which time we have an ” unveiling.” This way you can be a part of putting a stone on her grave. We can all participate in giving her a loving departure together. We have so many friends far away and we can join together in this gesture.
If you want to do this, you can just make a check out to us…. The Isaacs and put on bottom of the check, for “Faye Fishman Headstone Fund.” When the time comes for the purchase of the headstone, we will post a photo and you will all know that you were a part of our mother’s home going.
Please remember our family as everyone is trying to get our here in the next day or so.
Send any donations to:
The Isaacs
PO BOX 370
Goodlettsville, TN 37070
Blessings to you all and again thank you for your prayers and support.
With love,
Lily Isaacs
To learn more about the Isaacs, go to http://www.theisaacs.com or https://www.facebook.com/
If you are interested in booking the Isaacs go to the Harper Agency at www.harperagency.com or info@harperagency.com.
Two Groups Announce New Members
Jim Brady recently left the Booth Brothers to start a new group with his wife, Melissa, but they left people hanging as to who the third member of the Jim Brady Trio would be. Last night, they announced that the third member will be someone who is no stranger to Southern Gospel Music: Tim Parton. Tim is mostly known as a pianist but he did sing an occasional solo when he was with Legacy Five. I can see how he will blend in well with Jim and Melissa, and I look forward to hearing this great new group.
Jim Brady’s departure left a vacancy in the Booth Brothers and they just announced their new member as well: Paul Lancaster. I first heard Paul when he was with the Mullins but he has filled in with various groups through the years. Although it can take time to adjust to changes, I’ve no doubt that God is leading this group.
I wish both of these groups well and look forward to seeing them in concert somewhere in the future.
Jeff Stice Leaves Triumphant Quartet
Last week, Triumphant Quartet announced that Jeff Stice has decided to come off the road to help take care of his parents. I, for one, will miss him, as he has become one of my favorite pianists the last few years.
Although I don’t like change and did not see this change coming, I know God still has a plan for Jeff’s life, and I know that He will continue the work that He has begun both in Triumphant Quartet and in Jeff Stice. God is faithful. Please keep Jeff and the group in your prayers as they make this adjustment.
Pat Barker to Leave Mark Trammell Quartet
I am one of those who was saddened to hear about Pat Barker leaving The Mark Trammell Quartet in a few weeks but I am old enough to realize that, to everything, there is a season. Although I do not like change, I do know that change is rarely as bad as I think it will be. God has a plan. I wish Pat the best and hope to see him singing again one day. Please keep The Mark Trammell Quartet in your prayers as they try to find a replacement for Brother Pat.
