Concert Review: Gospel Singing Caravan
Last weekend, I had the blessing of attending a concert of the Gospel Singing Caravan which consists of The Blackwood Brothers, The LeFevre Quartet and the Chuck Wagon Gang. The concert was held in the beautiful Blue Gate Theater in Shipshewana, Indiana. This was my first time to attend a concert at this venue but it’s a fabulous place. Since I found out about the concert only a couple days before, I worried that I would have really bad seats. Upon arriving, I found there are no bad seats in the place. I was a few rows back, left to center of the stage and I could still see very well.
The concert started with the Blackwood Brothers singing a lot of songs the group has been known for since the 1950s and ’60s: “How About Your Heart,” “The Old Country Church,” “I’m Feeling Fine,” “Jesus is Coming Soon,” “God Made a Way” (one of my favorites),” and “The Lighthouse.”
They then brought up pianist Mike Hammontree to do a Johnny Cash impersonation. If I were blind, I would have thought it was a video of Mr. Cash. Mike sang lead on “Daddy Sang Bass” with the quartet joining in on the chorus. Jimmy then sang “His Hand in Mine” which he said was one of his favorite songs that his dad sang. They closed with “Everyday Will Be Sunday Bye and Bye.”
There was some trouble with the mics during this first set but it proved to me what professionals the Blackwood Brothers are. They just kept singing and it all worked out.
The Chuck Wagon Gang was next with “Heaven’s Jubilee,” “Church in the Wildwood,” “Heaven’s Gonna Shine,” “Bare Hands,” and “Turn Your Radio On.” Stan Hill then sang “There’s a Light at the River” with Jeremy Stephens playing banjo. Then Jeremy played a banjo solo of “In the Sweet Bye and Bye.”
My favorite song during this set was “Someone to Talk to.” If you’ve had those nights of wishing you could talk to someone but knowing it was either too late or everyone you knew was busy, it really makes you grateful that God is available EVERY time you need someone to talk to. He will never make you feel bad for contacting Him.
They also sang “When He Calls, I’ll Fly Away,” “When I Wake Up to Sleep No More,” “Gloryland,” and “Hard Trials Will Soon Be Over.”
The LeFevre Quartet opened their set with “I Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now.” Then they sang “Let Me Tell You About Jesus.” Mike Allen sang “Way Down Deep” and then the group sang “When I Get Carried Away.” Every time Mike LeFevre sings that, I want to cry. I remember the first time I heard that song in the mid-1980s and I still love to hear it. He invited people to sing along so of course I did. What a blessing!
Tenor Jeremy Easley sang “You’re Never Too Far Away,” after which they encored the chorus acapella. As Mike was introducing the old LeFevre’s song, “I Love Him So,” David Staton announced that they wanted Mike’s son, Jordan, to sing the second verse. Mike protested but that’s what they did. Jordan is a great baritone in his own right so it was wonderful seeing him sing that and the closing song, “Jesus Saves.” If you have not yet heard this song, you need to request it from your local southern gospel radio station. What a powerful song!
During intermission, the groups stood behind their product tables, talking to people. I know they had to be tired but they were pouring themselves out.
After intermission, all three groups shared the stage. As a group, the Caravan sang “This Great Caravan Keeps on Rolling Along,” “Too Near Home,” “Crown Him King,” “I Always Have a Song to Sing,” “A Sinner’s Plea,” “Daniel Prayed,” “Oh the Glory Did Roll,” “Wait Upon the Lord” and “How Great Thou Art.”
Intermittently, they played vintage videos of the Blackwood Brothers, the Chuck Wagon Gang, and the LeFevres.
The groups are only doing select dates together but watch their schedules and, if you have the opportunity to see them, make plans to do so. You will not be disappointed.
On a side note, Daywind has released a CD titled “The New Gospel Singing Caravan Keeps on Rolling Along” which features all the songs the Caravan sang at the concert. The CD is available from each of the groups. Just click on their websites above.
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