I recently saw these three groups at Welcome Hill Baptist Church in Ringgold. With Poet Voices based in nearby Chattanooga, the Hullender Family from Ringgold, and Appointed from nearby Tunnel Hill, I think you could safely say that the hometown crowd showed up!
Appointed Quartet was up first and were actually the hosts for the event. Group members are Stephen Roberts, Cayden Howell, Doug Brady and Earl Roberts. For this concert, Stephen was under the weather and his wife filled in at his tenor position. Here are a couple of the songs they sang:
The Hullender Family was up next. Over the years, I’ve been able to hear this group on several occasions and have always enjoyed their beautiful sound. The members are dad Jeff and his children Justin Hullender and Emily Hullender Padgett. I also found out that Jeff Hullender is a cousin of Phil Cross, so apparently talent runs in that family! They sang more songs than Appointed and even included a song with Emily’s husband Chad. Here are three of their songs:
Poet Voices returned to touring this year with members Nic Holland (tenor), Phil Cross (lead), Donny Henderson (baritone), and Brandon Barry (bass), with pianist Rich Works at many of their concerts. After seeing them in June at the Memphis Quartet Show, I was excited to be able to see them in a longer set and I certainly wasn’t disappointed as they sang so many of Phil’s wonderful songs – Grace & Glory, Jesus Built a Bridge, Hold On, Extraordinary, Wedding Music, When I Get Carried Away, The Key, We Say Yes, Pourin’ Rain, Saved to the Uttermost, Yes I Am, I Am Redeemed and Champion of Love. I’ll just say that I’m very glad they are back and that they are back as a quartet! Jeff Hullender played bass guitar on several songs and I was reminded that he played for Gold City for a few years in the 1980’s as well. Here are three of their songs:
It was very nice to see these groups. Now I’m looking forward to another evening with the Hullender Family and several other former members of Gold City – Jonathan Wilburn, Jay Parrack & Vocal Event, and Channing Eleton. The “Friends of Gold” concert will be August 25th at 6:00 pm at Memorial Baptist Tabernacle in Rossville, GA.
I bet it is the same Jeff Hullender who played bass for Gold City on their Double Take Live project.
You are correct, Stephen!!