September 2013 Archives
NQC 2013 Highlights: Day 5
I’m sorry for the delay in finishing coverage of the National Quartet Convention. I realize this is old news at this point but I will go ahead and post some more highlights since each blogger typically has a different perspective. Unfortunately, I had typed a lot more and lost it so, instead of taking the time to watch all five hours again, I’ll post what I can remember from memory.
Freedom Quartet sang one song on the main stage: “Somebody Touched the Lord” sung by none other than Dale Shipley. I lost track of him after he left Perfect Heart but I’m so glad he’s still singing. Freedom now consists of John Rulapaugh, Dale Shipley, Preston Garner and Burman Porter. I look forward to hearing more of them in the future.
I was blessed by the Gaither Vocal Band’s set. They did as good as I’ve ever seen them on the NQC stage. Each group member (other than Bill) were featured on at least two songs, and they all did a stellar job.
During the Easters’ set, Wes Hampton joined them onstage to sing with Morgan on “When You’re Broken.”
Gerald Wolfe led the congregation in singing some Bill Gaither songs since Bill was in the audience.
I was happy to hear The Mark Trammell Quartet bring back the old Happy Goodman song, “Meet Me Over on the Other Side.” I also loved watching Pat Barker sing, “Wonderful Time Up There.” The group did a stellar job on “The King is Coming.” Their whole set was definitely a highlight.
Another big highlight was Jonathan Wilburn joining Gold City on stage to sing the last chorus of “Get Up Get Ready.” The last time I saw Gold City in concert, the CD that was on was their latest project.
The night ended with Karen Peck and New River singing “Four Days Late,” The Booth Brothers singing, “Still Feeling Fine,” The Mark Trammell Quartet singing, ” That’s Enough for Me to Know,” and The Gaither Vocal Band singing, “It is Finished.”
One more day to go. I’ll try to get to that next week. It takes a while to listen to 5-6 hours of music.
NQC 2013 Highlights: Day 4
In my opinion, Day 4 of the National Quartet Convention has been the best yet. It was hard to pick just a few highlights but I’ll do my best to give you an overview.
Tim Lovelace led the audience in some worship songs, including Mylon LeFevre’s song, “Without Him.”
Tribute Quartet sang their number one song, “Good News From Jerusalem” and were backed by a choir.
Jim Brady and Brooklyn Collingsworth were the emcees and led the audience in singing, “The Family of God.”
Wilburn and Wilburn were the opening act. How neat to see them on the main stage. They sang, “I’m Rich,” “Jesus Will,” and “Let’s All Go Down to the River.”
The Browns sang their new song, “A Place in the Choir.” Then Shelly sang, “It Will Be Worth It All.” They also sang, “Going Home,” “I’ll Fly Away,” “Everywhere I Go,” and an instrumental medley of “Carol of the Bells” and “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen.”
One of the winners of the artist showcase was “Back Home” which meant they got to perform one song on the main stage. They did a great job.
The Diplomats sang next. Rita wasn’t there since she is recovering from a torn hamstring but the group sang, “Joy in the Storm,” “There’s a Light,” “If Not for the Cross,” and “I’ll Soon be Gone.”
During the McKamey’s set, Eli sang, “More Like Jesus, Less Like Me.” Peg sang, “God on the Mountain.” Sheryl sang, “He Can.” Roger sang, “Unspoken Request.” They closed with, “He Can.”
The Dixie Echoes sang, “Winging My Way Back Home,” “Roll On Jordan,” “Walk With Me,” and “How Great Thou Art.”
The Perrys sang, “Blue Skies Coming” and “Praise You Through the Night.” Libbi then gave a powerful message about priorities. It brought me to tears as I knew she was talking from conviction. She understands how important it is to have our priorities in the right place. Her message was: it doesn’t matter how much money you make; what matters is your relationship with God and with your family. The more she talked, the more she hit the nail on the head. My favorite quotes were: “If you don’t put Him first, He’ll put you in a position where you will put Him first.” “We go to church and we think we’re doing God a favor instead of listening to what the preacher says.” “The last eight months, God has taught me so much. It doesn’t matter what people think any more … What matters is that there are people going to Hell while we’re playing church.” They ended their set with Tracy’s favorite song: “I rest My Case at the Cross.”
The Isaacs were next and sang, “Accentuate the Positive,” “Grandpa, Tell Me About the Good Ol’ Days,” and “He Ain’t Never Done Me Nothin’ But Good.”
Other highlights include The Talleys singing, “He’s Alive.” Mark Bishop, Gerald Crabb, and Phil Cross sang a song they wrote together, “Song of a Lifetime.” Channing Eleton played piano. Greater Vision sang “When They Ring the Bells of Heaven.” Chris Allman sang lead on “For All He’s Done.”
Triumphant Quartet sang, “The Great I Am Still Is” then went into Clayton Inman’s song, “Old White Flag.” During the song, Chris Allman went onstage and gave Jeff Stice a handkerchief. They ended their set with “Saved by Grace.” Michael Booth was jamming on the drums, and Ronnie Booth and Jim Brady joined in singing the last chorus.
The highlights for the Booth Brothers were singing, “We Believe” and “Trading This Old Cross for a Crown.”
They ended the night with a Christmas segment. Kim Collingsworth played “O Holy Night” on the piano. Greater Vision, Legacy Five, and the Booth Brothers sang, “O Come All Ye Faithful.” Kim Hopper and Reggie & Ladye Love Smith sang, “Silent Night.” Karen Peck and New River sang, “Joy Has Come to the World.” Greater Vision closed with “Hope Has Hands.”
I still plan to cover Day 5 and 6 but, unfortunately, it will have to be next week. I hope you’re enjoying reading some of the highlights from this year’s National Quartet Convention.
NQC Highlights 2013: Day 3
Last night at the National Quartet Convention was all male quartet night. As well as the standard quartets, they put together an all bass quartet consisting of Pat Barker, Eric Bennett, Jeff Chapman, and Matt Fouch. There was also a quartet comprised of Jeff Easter singing tenor, Scott Howard singing lead, Arthur Rice singing baritone, and Mark Trammell singing bass. I’m sure this will make it to YouTube. A hilarious few minutes.
I was traveling so didn’t make notes but all of the groups did well.
There was a new group to me called Keepers of the Faith. Originally from Hawaii but now based in Washington, they did a great job, especially on “Oh What a Savior.”
I should have more to report from tonight’s program. I think it’s been the best evening so far. I’ll try to find time to write it out tomorrow. Also tomorrow, the NQC is offering free video viewing to anyone who would like to tune in. I believe you will find information on their website.
NQC 2013 Highlights: Day 2
Last night’s main stage performances were emceed by Jeff & Sherri Easter who also performed at a point. Their daughter has really developed a good voice.
The McKameys sang several new songs (to me) but threw in a chorus of God on the Mountain.
The Inspirations sang a combination of old and new songs including “If You Only Knew.”
The Penny Loafers are doing the acapella fillers this year and doing a great job.
I was so glad to see Libbi Stuffle on stage last night. She’s had a rough year but is a tremendous testimony of God’s grace. Jeff Stice jumped on stage to play piano while they were singing, “This Old Sinner Testifies.” What a moment!
The Talleys sang, “Searching” and Jason Crabb came on stage to sing his verse and the rest of the song with them.
Tonight is all quartet night. I look forward to sharing those highlights with you tomorrow.
Highlights From NQC 2013: Day 1
Today began this year’s National Quartet Convention, the last year the event will be held in Louisville, KY (at least for the time being). I am not at the convention but was able to watch much of it online. Unfortunately, the reception came and went all evening but it was getting better as the evening progressed. Instead of mentioning everything that happens this year, I thought I would share what I consider some of the highlights or better sets from what I see this year.
I really enjoyed watching The Browns this evening. My favorites they sang were “Be Thou My Vision,” “He’s My Everything” (I think that’s the title), and “A Place in the Choir.” The thing I liked about this latter song was the trio of fiddles they would do in between verses.
Tonight was the first I ever heard The Sneed Family but they are worth mentioning. They sang, “I’ve Got More to Go to Heaven For,” “Hallelujah Square,” and “He’s Leading the Way.”
The Primitive Quartet didn’t do any of my favorite songs tonight but they did sing a song I’d not heard before titled “Empty Me, Lord.” One of the best songs I heard tonight. They followed that with “He Included Me” which features Randy. I never tire of watching the joy in his countenance as he sings.
Triumphant Quartet was their typical entertaining, professional selves. The highlight was Jeff Stice’s piano solo which he started the set with. They also sang, “Don’t Let the Sandals Fool Ya,” “He Is,” “When the Trumpet Sounds,” and “We’re Almost Home” (another new song for me).
I was glad to see some old videos of the Speer Family. One was with Dad and Mom, Brock and Ben Speer. Then they played a clip of Ben with Brock, Faye, Mary Tom, and Rosa Nell, as Ben explained that they were going off the road. They then played a clip of “While Ages Roll.” A very neat moment.
I always enjoy Squire Parsons. He is now singing with his son Sam, and Sam’s wife Leah. Among other songs, he sang his most popular “Beulah Land.” Sam sang the second verse.
Another highlight was Phil Collingsworth playing trumpet and his wife Kim playing piano on “O Magnify the Lord With Me.” Very powerful.
Ivan Parker sang the old Imperials’ song, “Sail On” and his former number one song, “Midnight Cry.”
Other performers included: The Providence Quartet, The Lesters, The Collingsworth Family, The Hoppers, and Greater Vision.
God at Work
It’s hard to believe our month-long trip is almost at an end. This has been a wonderful experience which I thank God for. It has been a huge blessing to see God’s hand upon us every step of the way. I believe it was author Greg Hinnant who talked about how, when we first start walking with God, we see His hand at every turn as He desires to show us His love and make us aware of His presence. There comes a time, however, when we may not always see His hand quite so clearly as He then desires us to walk with Him by faith. The last several years, I’ve felt God leading me in that faith walk but I am so grateful to have some sight again now. I know it takes both for us to grow but I’ve missed being able to see His hand at every turn.
I know there will again be times in the future where God desires me to cling to Him in faith, where His answers may not be as instant as I’d like but I pray that, at every moment, regardless of circumstances, I never let go of His hand. I know He will never let go of mine.
Thank You, Father, for Your continual love. Thank You for letting me see Your hand at work in my life once again. May I never lose sight of You or what You are doing in my life. Thank You for loving me. I love You so much!
Fulfilling God’s Purposes
The older I get, the more wonderful Heaven sounds. God has blessed me immensely and I’m so grateful but the hecticness of life can weigh on me to the point that I find myself singing, “And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight.” The fact I’m still here, however, proves that God is not finished with me here. He has a work for me to do, and I must press on to accomplish that work.
There is such a balance between longing for Home and yet being content where God has me at this moment. The fact is this world is not my Home. There’s a reason I feel out of place and discontent. At the same time, even Jesus had to walk this earth for a time. For thousands of years, God has been reaching out to people, desiring to walk with them, using those with willing hearts until they had accomplished their work at which point He took them Home. What a day, glorious day that must be.
The closer I get to God, the more I don’t mind living because I know He has a plan for my life. At the same time, when I hear that final call, I won’t shed one tear. I will be ready to finally see my Savior face to face. At that time, all the stresses of life will disappear and I will be eternally joyful.
