As happened last year, I did not have internet access at the hotel we were staying during the National Quartet Convention. However, I figure better late than never with sharing about my week. Unlike last year, I did not get many pictures so this will not be as interesting but I hope it will still give you a glimpse of what you would have experienced had you been my shadow last week.
MONDAY
On Monday, I got to see a few showcases, all of which impressed me. I was looking forward to seeing the Calvarymen since, although they’re based in my state, I don’t get to see them much. I had just sat down when my phone rang. I went out to take the call and, when I returned, Barry Maust (the lead singer of the Calvarymen) was singing by himself. For some reason, Steve Ratliff and James Bruney didn’t make it but I missed the reason. (Fortunately, they arrived later in the week.) I will say Barry did a great job singing solo to tracks on “I’m On My Way” and “Give Me Jesus.” It’s a true professional which can roll with whatever happens and not let it rattle him.
I also caught Beyond the Ashes singing “The Coming of the King” and “Miracles Happen Whenever We Pray.” I hadn’t heard them before but I hope to hear more of them.
A group that stood out to me last year was the Forgiven Trio so I wanted to be sure to catch their set this year. They sang “Only One Well” and “The Joy of Knowing Jesus.” Their slow songs have a sound reminiscent of the Weatherfords.
A bit later that day, I headed over to the other showcase room in time to hear Tribute Quartet sing “He’s Leading the Way.” I love the song anyway but Tribute kept the excitement in the song with the great reminder that, no matter what’s going on around us, Jesus is leading the way.
During the evening concerts, I caught the Hoppers, Gold City, Freedom, the Collingsworth Family, and Brian Free & Assurance. It was neat seeing Freedom whom I hadn’t seen before and I enjoyed the other groups as well but my favorite set was Brian Free & Assurance’s. Granted, they had the finale so they may have intentionally revved it up but it worked. They sang “What a Beautiful Day,” “Anything is Possible,” “I Believe,” “God Will Close the Door” and “Long as I Got King Jesus” which continues to be a favorite of mine.
TUESDAY
Tuesday was “Christmas” at NQC starting around 8:30 a.m. when various groups sang songs from their Christmas recordings. Groups I remember are The Crist Family, Greater Vision and Legacy Five. I know there were others but, unfortunately, I didn’t take notes.
The showcases I saw this day were excellent too. Highlights were CS&K singing their “Shout to the Lord Medley”; the Greenes singing “Miracle in Me” and “The Cost of the Call” (written by Joel Hemphill); Wilburn & Wilburn singing “I Ain’t Giving Up on Jesus” and “Let’s All Go Down to the River.” It is so fun watching Jonathan and Jordan sing together. They are full of life and energy, and Jonathan still has his smile. I’m so glad God’s given them this opportunity to sing together.
WEDNESDAY
On Wednesday, I only caught a few songs from the “Songs in the Key of Life” showcase but it ended with Jeff Stice playing the Hallelujah Chorus. I love Jeff’s playing but his playing that song is beyond description. I can almost picture the heavens opening and Jesus beckoning for His followers.
This was also the day of the bluegrass showcase which Les Butler hosts every year. The groups performing were the Ward Family (a group of young girls who are very good both vocally and playing instruments), Mike Scott, the Rochesters, the Isaacs, and the Primitive Quartet. I’d never heard the first two performers but Mike Scott sang a song called “Take Me, Lord, and Use Me” which has a great message. I always enjoy the Rochesters and the Primitive Quartet, and the Isaacs were top notch as always.
Bluegrass awards were given as follows:
Instrumentalist: Ben Rochester (Rochesters)
Female Vocalist: Becky Matthews (Rochesters)
Male Vocalist: Ben Rochester (Rochesters)
Group: Primitive Quartet
Song: “Dying to Live” (Canaan’s Crossing)
New Artist: Canaan’s Crossing
Thursday
On Thursday, Bill Gaither brought his current Vocal Band together with a lot of his former members. The first Gaither Vocal Band record I ever heard was “Passing the Faith Along” so I was happy they did that song along with “He Came Down to My Level,” “Amen,” “Your First Day in Heaven,” “I’ll Meet You in the Morning,” “The Love of God,” “Heartbreak Ridge and New Hope Road,” “Hold God’s Unchanging Hand,” “I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked,” “Daystar,” “I Bowed on My Knees and Cried Holy,” “That’s When the Angels Rejoice,” “Jesus on the Mainline,” “Build an Ark,” “The Rumormill,” “New Point of View,” “I’m Free,” and “Let Freedom Ring.” It’s amazing all the people who have come through the Vocal Band but they can all still sing and they seemed to have a lot of fun singing again these old songs.
Friday
On Friday, I arrived in time to attend Bill Gaither’s Sing Along. They’ve had one the last couple years but I didn’t know what it was. It’s similar to a Homecoming concert where your favorite artists sing a lot of old hymns as well as a few other songs you’d recognize from the videos. I’ve always appreciated the fact that Bill will invite the audience to sing along so this showcase is aptly named. Along with artists singing live, they also threw in a few videos featuring James Blackwood, Howard Goodman and J.D. Sumner.
Saturday
Since the Singing News Fan Awards were moved to Pigeon Forge, there was a showcase for the fan award nominees to sing their nominated songs. My prediction is that “Celebrate Me Home” by the Perrys will win. However, my vote on the best performance Saturday afternoon was Brian Free singing “Never Walk Alone.” Both of Brian’s parents went to Heaven in the last year and, as he sang that song, I thought about the inspiration and the testimony he is. Because of what Jesus did for us, no matter how many friends die or move away, we will never walk alone. Praise the Lord!
In the middle of this showcase, they featured a short tribute to the Dixie Melody Boys which included a lot of their former members. They sang “Antioch Church House Choir,” “Good Ole Boys,” “Ride That Glory Cloud,” and “The Call is Still the Same” featuring Matt Felts and Rodney Griffin.
This was also my first time to attend the “Song of a Lifetime” showcase. I was surprised but pleased when it started with Channing Eleton singing his new single, “Up On This Ridge.” If you haven’t heard it, look it up on YouTube. It’s an uptempo song which Channing wrote and which he plays accordion on.
Tribute Quartet sang “One Holy Lamb” written by Phil Cross.
Other songs included were:
The Kingsmen: “He’s Everything I Need”
Gold City: “Preach the Word”
The Talleys: “Hands of Grace”
Booth Brothers: “When You Bow at Jesus’ Feet”
Kingdom Heirs: “We Will Stand Our Ground” (written by Dianne Wilkinson)
Tim Lovelace: “Side Effects”
Mark Bishop, Lauren Talley, Bill Shivers, Mitchell Jon & Sisters: “My Name is Jesus”
And there you have my summary of this year’s convention. Other highlights which weren’t in my notes were seeing the Hinsons perform. (They were my favorite group of the 1980s and I’m thrilled that they were able to get together to do some songs.) I also enjoyed seeing the Freemans, the Kingsmen, the Whisnants and the Booth Brothers. There were a lot of groups I didn’t get to see as I wanted to spend time with people in the exhibit hall but, as always, God knew what I needed and led me in the way I needed to go.
It’s hard to know what the future holds for NQC with attendance down and the number of exhibitors declining each year but I hope they will be able to continue to have a place where people can go to be revived and encouraged.
As happened last year, I did not have internet access at the hotel we were staying during the National Quartet Convention. However, I figure better late than never with sharing about my week. Unlike last year, I did not get many pictures so this will not be as interesting but I hope it will still give you a glimpse of what you would have experienced had you been my shadow last week.
MONDAY
On Monday, I got to see a few showcases, all of which impressed me. I was looking forward to seeing the Calvarymen since, although they’re based in my state, I don’t get to see them much. I had just sat down when my phone rang. I went out to take the call and, when I returned, Barry Maust (the lead singer of the Calvarymen) was singing by himself. For some reason, Steve Ratliff and James Bruney didn’t make it but I missed the reason. (Fortunately, they arrived later in the week.) I will say Barry did a great job singing solo to tracks on “I’m On My Way” and “Give Me Jesus.” It’s a true professional which can roll with whatever happens and not let it rattle him.
I also caught Beyond the Ashes singing “The Coming of the King” and “Miracles Happen Whenever We Pray.” I hadn’t heard them before but I hope to hear more of them.
A group that stood out to me last year was the Forgiven Trio so I wanted to be sure to catch their set this year. They sang “Only One Well” and “The Joy of Knowing Jesus.” Their slow songs have a sound reminiscent of the Weatherfords.
A bit later that day, I headed over to the other showcase room in time to hear Tribute Quartet sing “He’s Leading the Way.” I love the song anyway but Tribute kept the excitement in the song with the great reminder that, no matter what’s going on around us, Jesus is leading the way.
During the evening concerts, I caught the Hoppers, Gold City, Freedom, the Collingsworth Family, and Brian Free & Assurance. It was neat seeing Freedom whom I hadn’t seen before and I enjoyed the other groups as well but my favorite set was Brian Free & Assurance’s. Granted, they had the finale so they may have intentionally revved it up but it worked. They sang “What a Beautiful Day,” “Anything is Possible,” “I Believe,” “God Will Close the Door” and “Long as I Got King Jesus” which continues to be a favorite of mine.
TUESDAY
Tuesday was “Christmas” at NQC starting around 8:30 a.m. when various groups sang songs from their Christmas recordings. Groups I remember are The Crist Family, Greater Vision and Legacy Five. I know there were others but, unfortunately, I didn’t take notes.
The showcases I saw this day were excellent too. Highlights were CS&K singing their “Shout to the Lord Medley”; the Greenes singing “Miracle in Me” and “The Cost of the Call” (written by Joel Hemphill); Wilburn & Wilburn singing “I Ain’t Giving Up on Jesus” and “Let’s All Go Down to the River.” It is so fun watching Jonathan and Jordan sing together. They are full of life and energy, and Jonathan still has his smile. I’m so glad God’s given them this opportunity to sing together.
WEDNESDAY
On Wednesday, I only caught a few songs from the “Songs in the Key of Life” showcase but it ended with Jeff Stice playing the Hallelujah Chorus. I love Jeff’s playing but his playing that song is beyond description. I can almost picture the heavens opening and Jesus beckoning for His followers.
This was also the day of the bluegrass showcase which Les Butler hosts every year. The groups performing were the Ward Family (a group of young girls who are very good both vocally and playing instruments), Mike Scott, the Rochesters, the Isaacs, and the Primitive Quartet. I’d never heard the first two performers but Mike Scott sang a song called “Take Me, Lord, and Use Me” which has a great message. I always enjoy the Rochesters and the Primitive Quartet, and the Isaacs were top notch as always.
Bluegrass awards were given as follows:
Instrumentalist: Ben Rochester (Rochesters)
Female Vocalist: Becky Matthews (Rochesters)
Male Vocalist: Ben Rochester (Rochesters)
Group: Primitive Quartet
Song: “Dying to Live” (Canaan’s Crossing)
New Artist: Canaan’s Crossing
Thursday
On Thursday, Bill Gaither brought his current Vocal Band together with a lot of his former members. The first Gaither Vocal Band record I ever heard was “Passing the Faith Along” so I was happy they did that song along with “He Came Down to My Level,” “Amen,” “Your First Day in Heaven,” “I’ll Meet You in the Morning,” “The Love of God,” “Heartbreak Ridge and New Hope Road,” “Hold God’s Unchanging Hand,” “I Walked Today Where Jesus Walked,” “Daystar,” “I Bowed on My Knees and Cried Holy,” “That’s When the Angels Rejoice,” “Jesus on the Mainline,” “Build an Ark,” “The Rumormill,” “New Point of View,” “I’m Free,” and “Let Freedom Ring.” It’s amazing all the people who have come through the Vocal Band but they can all still sing and they seemed to have a lot of fun singing again these old songs.
Friday
On Friday, I arrived in time to attend Bill Gaither’s Sing Along. They’ve had one the last couple years but I didn’t know what it was. It’s similar to a Homecoming concert where your favorite artists sing a lot of old hymns as well as a few other songs you’d recognize from the videos. I’ve always appreciated the fact that Bill will invite the audience to sing along so this showcase is aptly named. Along with artists singing live, they also threw in a few videos featuring James Blackwood, Howard Goodman and J.D. Sumner.
Saturday
Since the Singing News Fan Awards were moved to Pigeon Forge, there was a showcase for the fan award nominees to sing their nominated songs. My prediction is that “Celebrate Me Home” by the Perrys will win. However, my vote on the best performance Saturday afternoon was Brian Free singing “Never Walk Alone.” Both of Brian’s parents went to Heaven in the last year and, as he sang that song, I thought about the inspiration and the testimony he is. Because of what Jesus did for us, no matter how many friends die or move away, we will never walk alone. Praise the Lord!
In the middle of this showcase, they featured a short tribute to the Dixie Melody Boys which included a lot of their former members. They sang “Antioch Church House Choir,” “Good Ole Boys,” “Ride That Glory Cloud,” and “The Call is Still the Same” featuring Matt Felts and Rodney Griffin.
This was also my first time to attend the “Song of a Lifetime” showcase. I was surprised but pleased when it started with Channing Eleton singing his new single, “Up On This Ridge.” If you haven’t heard it, look it up on YouTube. It’s an uptempo song which Channing wrote and which he plays accordion on.
Tribute Quartet sang “One Holy Lamb” written by Phil Cross.
Other songs included were:
The Kingsmen: “He’s Everything I Need”
Gold City: “Preach the Word”
The Talleys: “Hands of Grace”
Booth Brothers: “When You Bow at Jesus’ Feet”
Kingdom Heirs: “We Will Stand Our Ground” (written by Dianne Wilkinson)
Tim Lovelace: “Side Effects”
Mark Bishop, Lauren Talley, Bill Shivers, Mitchell Jon & Sisters: “My Name is Jesus”
And there you have my summary of this year’s convention. Other highlights which weren’t in my notes were seeing the Hinsons perform. (They were my favorite group of the 1980s and I’m thrilled that they were able to get together to do some songs.) I also enjoyed seeing the Freemans, the Kingsmen, the Whisnants and the Booth Brothers. There were a lot of groups I didn’t get to see as I wanted to spend time with people in the exhibit hall but, as always, God knew what I needed and led me in the way I needed to go.
It’s hard to know what the future holds for NQC with attendance down and the number of exhibitors declining each year but I hope they will be able to continue to have a place where people can go to be revived and encouraged.
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