NQC 2014 Highlights: Day 3
This afternoon, Warren Lester Roberts was inducted into the Southern Gospel Hall of Fame. Warren was a radio personality who said he was most famous for introducing Wendy Bagwell and the Sunliters on their live recording of “Here Come the Rattlesnakes.” The award was accepted by L. David Young, a family friend and music producer.
Tonight’s concert series began with The Sneed Family singing the old Hinson classic, “He Will Calm the Troubled Waters.” I first heard the Sneed Family last year at the NQC. It’s been nice to see some more mixed family groups start up recently.
The Inspirations did a verse and a chorus from each of their #1 songs from 1972 to the present. They were: “Jesus is Coming Soon,” “Touring That City,” “When I Wake up to Sleep No More,” “Jesus is Mine,” “I’ll Not Turn My Back on Him Now,” and “I Have Not Forgotten.” It’s interesting to me that they still sing some of the songs they sang in the 1970s. This year marks their 50th anniversary.
Jeff Easter’s dad joined him on stage to sing a song Sheri wrote for them called, “Like Father, Like Son.” Then they sang “Thank You, Lord, For Your Blessings on Me.”
I am always so blessed when I see the Primitive Quartet. They started their set with Randy Fox singing, “He Included Me.” He is still as full of the joy of the Lord as ever. Jeff Tolbert sang a song which said, “Would You empty me of every selfish thing that hinders my sweet walk with Thee?” I am praying that tonight. Nothing is worth hindering my walk with the Lord.
Jason Crabb was a fan favorite. My favorite part of his segment was when he sang a chorus of “Through the Fire,” one of my favorite songs.
The Crist Family performed on the NQC stage for the last time tonight–at least for the foreseeable future. They sang three of their most requested songs: “Lift Up the Cross,” “My Heart Knows,” and “The Great Beyond.” (I’m guessing on the title of that last one.) They then sang a song they thought was fitting for their farewell song: “Will You Love Jesus More?” Tears were shed as they waved goodbye to their fans. They have been singing for ten years.
The biggest disappointment of the evening for me was Tim Riley’s absence. Tim had a stroke two months ago and is apparently doing very well, but he was unable to make it to the convention. Chris West is filling in for him.
When The Nelons took the stage, I thought they would have to sing their acapella version of “The Hallelujah Chorus.” They didn’t disappoint me. I was also impressed by Amber nailing “How Great Thou Art.” She has quite the range.
The Collingsworth Family closed out the evening by singing a couple songs. Then they brought two additional pianos on the stage, and Kim Collingsworth, Tim Parton, and Stan Whitmire played a medley of Gospel favorites. Another great ending to a wonderful evening.
I’ll see you tomorrow with more highlights according to Sony Elise. 🙂
Sony, I do appreciate your play by play and comments on the NQC as I am unable to attend. I do read your comments also on new CD’s. You must have an awesome collection. My wife and I started following Southern Gospel in 1997. We started a concert series in September 2000. Our main interest was building a base to someday have The Booth Brothers whom we first met in 1998. That has never happened. I will never forget Michael telling me they could come for about $800, which I could not afford. Three or four years later, he told me that they needed $7,800 a weekend to meet expenses. We have mostly local groups and we have a somewhat small, by promoter standards, fan base. Our area is not necessary a Bible Belt. We currently have 749 CD’s of various groups. God Bless you and your ministry.
Tom Drake
Hey Tom, thank you for leaving me a note and letting me know you’re reading my blog. I first heard Southern Gospel music in the mid-1980s as a teenager so I got used to not being popular early on. At that time, it seemed like few people had even heard of Southern Gospel music. I am glad that has changed. I do have a large music collection, and I am so thankful. This music lifts my spirit when nothing else can. When I am down, God almost always brings a song or a Scripture verse to mind to remind me of His love and power. My dream was to be a singer but, since that hasn’t necessarily been my calling, I find joy in promoting those who are fulfilling my dream.
Good Morning Sony, Funny that you mentione4d that you wanted to be a singer. I had dreamed of that too. I started gathering tracks when groups came to our concert with the dream of one day singing. Well, God answers prayers. We had a new preacher come into our area and through my website made a contact. Next he mentioned that he would like to start up a Christian Open Mike Night. We start our third year next month. At our second open mike night I did my first Solo. I now do two songs almost every open mike night. I probably have one hundred to 150 tracks in my position. My wife and I personally love Tracy Dartt music. I have 8 discs of Tracy’s music with about 12 songs on each disc. The people at our open mic night love “David’s Polka.” It has a Polka beat and says it all. Nice chatting with you again.
Tom Drake
http://www.lexingtonsoutherngospel.comn
That’s nice that you have opportunity to sing. I have sung some. My brother and a couple sisters play guitar so I’ve sung with them from time to time for funerals, anniversaries, etc. It’s been a while but I enjoy it when we have opportunity. They like different music than I do so it can be fun to decide which song to sing but two of the times I sang, certain hymns were requested. That makes it easier. 🙂