I’ve been able to see Jordan’s Bridge a couple of times in the last couple of months, so I’ll just combine my reviews of those two concerts.

For the past few years, Alan Kendall has been organizing and promoting an event called the North Georgia Sing at his home church – McConnell Memorial Baptist in beautiful Hiawassee, Georgia. This year, the concert featured Jordan’s Bridge, (of which Alan is a member) Dixie Echoes, New Dove Brothers, Children of the Promise, Troy Burns Family, and Open Door Trio. Special guests Linda Foster and Charlie Sexton from the Atlanta area were on hand to open the concert for us and Charlie was our emcee for the evening. All of the groups were terrific!

To open the concert, Linda Foster invited Nikki Shaw (Children of the Promise) and Alan Kendall to join her on the choruses of This Is Just What Heaven Means to Me[1], with Charlie on the piano. I love these folks!

The Troy Burns Family was the first group to take the stage, with members Troy and Tammy Burns and Ethan McNelly. The problem with having this many groups in a single concert is that the sets for each artist are shorter. The Troy Burns Family really did a good job with their set with several classics and a few of their newer songs. Here’s a video of a newer song, Chiseled In Stone[2].

The Dixie Echoes brought a great set of their own! They have so many songs that people expect to always see at a DE concert and they did not disappoint. Of course, they do not use sound tracks because of the keyboard and guitar skills of both Randy Shelnut Sr. and Jr. My featured video is of a guitar duet with the two Randys – Happy Rhythm! [3]

Muzeel Fairly attended the concert and we got to hear him sing Where Could I Go[4] with backup singers Hannah Jones and Alan Kendall and pianist Eric Tippens.

Jordan’s Bridge was next. I had seen this group as a trio but I’m so glad that they are now a quartet with the addition of Burman Porter! Their other members are Phil Barker, Alan Kendall, and Rick Sheets. They performed a great mix of classics as well as new songs. One of the best of their set was Oh, What a Savior[5], for which Mike Asbel from Sevierville, TN played the piano and Randy Shelnut, Jr. played the bass.

The Open Door Trio from Alpharetta, GA was new to me. With members Dave Eubanks, Eric Tippens, and Hannah Jones, they sang several classic songs. Here they are singing He Hideth My Soul.[6]

New Dove Bros were next. They are traveling as a trio right now with Wesley Smith, McCray Dove, and Tony Peace. They have a great traditional sound and do so many classic songs. They gave us the typical “old” Dove Brothers sound and energy on their last two songs when they brought up former member Burman Porter!

• Where No One Stands Alone[7]
• Didn’t It Rain[8]
• Get Away Jordan[9]

Children of the Promise performed last. I love hearing mom Nikki Shaw with her sons Eli and Jacob! They had a great set but since I didn’t know they had a new CD, I was surprised when Jacob was featured on You Raise Me Up[10]. They seem to have a pretty heavy schedule now so I’m glad more and more folks are getting the chance to hear them!

The second concert I’m reviewing is from East Cobb Baptist Church in Marietta, Georgia. This church, with pastor Johnny Foster, regularly features southern gospel concerts and my car can just about get there on its own by now! Jordan’s Bridge recently appeared there and I was glad to get to see them in a full concert.

They sang quite a few songs from their newest album, Redemption. Jordan’s Bridge had sung in a morning service in Dalton, Georgia, and brought a young man from that church named Andrew Sowder with them on their trip to Marietta. Andrew is the grandson of Alton “Big Al” Gentry with the Trailblazers during the 80’s and early 90’s, and he joined Jordan’s Bridge in singing a song from the Trailblazers – Ready To Go[11]. Fairly was also at this concert and he sang His Blood Covers Them All.[12]

Here are two more videos from this concert:

• Operator[13]
• He’s My Comfort[14]