by David Bruce Murray | Sep 29, 2017 | News
Gospel Happenings The Singing News Fan Awards were presented on Wednesday afternoon at the National Quartet Convention. Winners include the Booth Brothers (Favorite Artist, Favorite Album), Triumphant Quartet (Favorite Traditional Quartet, Favorite Song...
by David Bruce Murray | Sep 29, 2017 | Uncategorized
To enlarge, click on an image. WEDNESDAY EVENING Booth Brothers The Chitans Michael Combs Eli Fortner Freedom Quartet Gold City Jason Crabb Jeff & Sheri Easter Karen Peck & New River Kingdom Heirs LeFevre Quartet Mark Bishop Morgan Easter & Layke Jones...
by David Bruce Murray | Sep 29, 2017 | Major Concert Events
Wake up an hour before the clock is set to go off… The van ride should take three hours, but my friend drives like this! EAT! MUSIC! EAT! MUSIC! EAT! MUSIC! EAT! MUSIC! EAT! Back...
by David Bruce Murray | Sep 29, 2017 | Concert Review, History, Major Concert Events, Reviews
HIGHLIGHT I returned home from NQC after the Thursday afternoon showcases, but I have another highlight article for you. I asked the world’s greatest Kingsmen quartet fan, David Stuart, to let me know who really stood out on Thursday evening. DS was particularly...
by David Bruce Murray | Sep 29, 2017 | Major Concert Events, Photos
To enlarge, click on an image. TUESDAY CHAPEL SERVICE Greater Vision Mark Trammell TUESDAY SGMA BENEFIT AND HALL OF FAME INDUCTION SHOWCASE Clarke Beasley Guardians Hoppers Jerry Goff Jonathan Wilburn Karen Peck & New River Kingdom Heirs LaBreeska Hemphill family...
by David Bruce Murray | Sep 28, 2017 | Concert Review, History, Major Concert Events, Reviews
HIGHLIGHT Bill Gaither led a singalong with a stage full of singers and a band supplemented by videos of singers who have already passed on. There was the usual humor with Kevin Williams and great singing both by Homecoming regulars and NQC’s top stars. For me,...
by David Bruce Murray | Sep 28, 2017 | Concert Review, History, Major Concert Events, Reviews
HIGHLIGHT Aaron Wilburn’s “Oh Blessed Tail Lights” brought down the house. There were many grandparents present who seemed to have no problem relating to the sentiments in this touching song from the same man who gave us “Four Days Late.”...
by David Bruce Murray | Sep 28, 2017 | Concert Review, Reviews
HIGHLIGHT NQC 2017 has been about youth as much as it has been about the past 60 years. The highlight of the Thursday evening concert was a group of five children & youth, ranging in age from 10 to 19. They sing at a fully professional level. Their name is The...
by David Bruce Murray | Sep 27, 2017 | Concert Review, History, Major Concert Events, Reviews
HIGHLIGHT: Best Set Jason Crabb and his band set the bar on Tuesday evening. He began much as Monday evening began with the National Anthem. His set concluded with a brand new song about unity. Joining Crabb for the final song were several of Southern Gospel’s...
by David Bruce Murray | Sep 26, 2017 | Awards Shows, History, Major Concert Events
The SGMA benefit showcase on Tuesday afternoon featured an array of performances plus four Hall Of Fame inductions. There was also a plea for more fans to join the SGMA. (The cost of membership is $20 per year.) HIGHLIGHTS Most groups avoided their showier pieces for...
by David Bruce Murray | Sep 26, 2017 | CD Reviews, Reviews
The Last Big Thing is the second CD by the Kingdom Heirs since baritone Loren Harris joined the group last year. The previous recording (Something Good) featured a collection of well-known cover songs. The Last Big Thing introduces eleven new songs written by some of...
by David Bruce Murray | Sep 26, 2017 | History, Major Concert Events
HIGHLIGHT: THE WORD It’s not difficult to choose a highlight from the Tuesday Chapel service. If Mark Trammell wasn’t a singer, he would be constantly on call as an evangelist. Mark brought a clear Word to us this morning. His scripture ranged from the...
