NQC 2015 Highlights: Day 5
What a week this has been. I have laughed and cried and praised each night. I will probably not have a chance to post tonight’s highlights until tomorrow or Monday but I want to take a moment now to thank each of you who have read what I consider to be some of the highlights of this year’s National Quartet Convention.
Yesterday, I watched Kim Collingsworth’s Majestic showcase. I confess I miss the days where there would be 6-8 piano players at a time but Kim invited Tim Parton and Stan Whitmire to play with her on some songs so that was nice. Kim mentioned that it was ten years ago that Roger Bennett first invited her to be a part of his Parade of Pianos. It’s hard to believe it’s been that long.
One of Kim’s other guests was her nephew, Jesse. Kim told the story of how, when he was 2 1/2, he was diagnosed with retinal cancer. The doctor removed one eye and, in spite of trying hard to save the other eye, they ended up removing it when he was 4. It was a hard transition for him to go from seeing to being totally blind and he had a lot of anger. One day, when his anger was really bad, his mom prayed that God would heal Jesse’s heart. The next morning, he was able to tell people, “It’s OK. I’ll see in Heaven.” He then played “Great is Thy Faithfulness” on the piano and played and sang “Great is the measure of our Father’s love.” I’m sure there was not a dry eye in the place.
After that, Kim led the congregation in singing, “Jesus, We Just Want to Thank You” and “I Love You, Lord.” She mentioned that “Even in the midst of tragedy and when things don’t go our way, it doesn’t change God’s goodness.”
In the evening concert segment, Wilburn and Wilburn sang a song that was fitting since the shooting in Oregon the other day. It said, “God Wasn’t There … You Asked Him to Leave.” Stop and think about that one.
Riley Clark of Tribute Quartet did an excellent job on “Mary, Did You Know” with just the piano accompanying him. Then Tribute and the Talleys sang “Sweeter As the Days Go By,” each group singing their rendition and then joining together to sing the last chorus. Later, during the Talley’s set, Lauren Talley and Riley Clark sang “Our Prayer.” It was excellent!
The highlight of the Inspirations’ set was “Shouting Time.” Claude and Mike Hopper (who were hosting the show) joined them in singing at the end.
The Primitive Quartet did an instrumental of “He Looked Beyond My Fault and Saw My Need.” Jeff Tolbert was featured on the violin. The presence of the Lord was definitely there through that.
I don’t remember if I’d heard The Littles before, but they were good. One song they sang said, “We’ve just a few miles left to roam. We might as well make it on home.” I listened to it closely to make sure I knew what was being said. Sometimes life is hard and we don’t know how much more we can take, but it can be helpful to remember that we may have more years behind us than we do ahead of us. This is not the time to quit but to press on like never before.
Michael Booth said that a lot of people come up to him and tell him that singings is where they get close to Jesus. I can relate to that but he reminded people that, although music is great, and God uses music, it’s more important to read His Word. He challenged everyone to get into the Word and then listen to Gospel music.
Connie Hopper sang, “I’ve Come Too Far.” I love hearing her sing that.
The Dixie Echoes announced that Junior Shelton is leaving the group to spend more time with his grandchildren. They brought their new tenor on stage to sing a couple songs with them. Unfortunately, I didn’t catch his last name but I think he will do a good job.
The Kingdom Heirs brought the house down with “He Locked the Gates.” I was at the NQC where that was their new song. I loved it then and still love it now.
They ended the night with Jubilee (The Booth Brothers, Greater Vision, and Legacy Five). My favorite song they sang was the last one: “Beautiful Home.”
Claude Hopper had a stroke last month and has a hard time getting his words out at times but it hasn’t slowed him down. He is still doing what he loves: singing and telling stories. Thank You, Lord, for leaving him with us a bit longer.
Do you remember the name of the blind church pianist that played “Just a Closer Walk” in the Majestic showcase?
I didn’t mention her because I didn’t catch the last name. It was Angela and sounded like “Alton” but I’m not sure that’s correct.