The Inspirations had come a long way from those early days of practicing in Martin’s basement, and they had gone on to become one of the top groups in the country! With such a tremendous momentum going, it was decided that the Inspirations needed to enhance their live performances, and in early 1976, they hired Dale Jones from the Akron, Ohio area to play steel guitar for the group. In fact, Dale had previously played with the Inspirations for a couple of summers when he was not in school, and he was a tremendous asset to the Inspirations’ sound, truly complimenting what Roger Fortner was doing on the electric guitar. Roger and Dale, along with Martin on the piano and Jack slapping the upright bass, gave the Inspirations a rich, full sound. I think both “12th Anniversary Live” and “A Night of Inspiration” are perfect examples of how well Dale and Roger complimented one another, adding depth to the Inspirations’ sound, giving multiple delectable and exciting musical moments throughout both performances!

With 1976 being the Inspirations’ 12th anniversary year, there was no better way to celebrate this milestone than with a live album…and not just one, but two live albums that were recorded over 2 nights (April 9 and 10, 1976), at the Civic Center in Warner Robins, Georgia in front of 2 sold out crowds. The first night, they recorded “A Night of Inspiration”, and on the second night, they recorded “12th Anniversary Live”. Though “12th Anniversary Live” was recorded on the second night, it was released first, in late June/early July 1976, just in time for the annual “Singing in the Smokies” which was held over the 4th of July week.

Produced by Marvin Norcross, “12th Anniversary Live” featured mostly new songs, and what you hear on the record is what was done in concert, as no overdubs were done after the fact. I always loved the action filled cover shot from this album, which was taken the night this live album was recorded. The cover shot, taken by Mike Borum, made into “L-I-V-E”, thanks to graphics by Roger Sanders, created a very cool cover. Also, the reverse shot taken from behind on the back cover was cool as well. Interesting historical fact, when the Inspirations recorded their 2003 reunion video, it was shot in the very same auditorium that this live album was recorded in.

After a brief intro by Canaan Records Executive and Producer, Marvin Norcross, the Inspirations take centerstage to an enthusiastic crowd, singing the song, “It’ll Be Alright With Me”. Written by Dennis Bradley and published by the Inspirations, the song became a popular concert favorite for the group, and eventually was recorded by the Singing Cookes and Rex Nelon Singers. Bradley was a singer/songwriter with a group called the Brotherhood Quartet out of Elizabethton, Tennessee, and the Inspirations would go on to record a few other tunes written by him in the forthcoming years.

Before the applause has a chance to die down, Martin kicks off the intro to a wonderful Cleavant Derricks penned tune titled, “You Oughta Been There” (aka-“When He Blessed My Soul”), which features some nice bass singing by Mike. This performance was my initial introduction to this classic song as a kid, and though it’s been recorded numerous times over the years by such groups as the Gaither Vocal Band, Gold City, Masters V and others, the Inspirations’ rendition still remains my favorite performance of this song. The crowd obviously enjoys what they’re hearing, as Martin decides an encore is needed, and they jump right in without missing a beat.

Next, in Martin’s unique and down to earth way of emceeing, takes a few moments to welcome everyone and offers thankfulness for the Inspirations’ 12 years on the road, before introducing each member of the Inspirations. As he does so, you notice each man has their own nickname or moniker…“Sister” Archie Watkins, “Little” Troy Burns, “Reverend” Eddie Dietz, “ol’ 6 4, 94” Mike Holcomb and “The ol’ Bear Hunter” Jack Laws. We are also introduced to Roger Fortner and Dale Jones who play electric and steel guitar, respectively. Additionally, Martin also mentions Troy’s brother, CD Burns, who is helping them out by playing rhythm guitar for the recording.

After introductions, Martin immediately kicks off the intro for another Dennis Bradley tune called, “In the Sky”. With its brisk tempo, Troy takes the lead, as he and Mike trade lead lines on the chorus, and it’s an enjoyable tune leading perfectly into another upbeat song, “Follow the Lord”, which also features some nice bass singing by Mike, as he drags the bottom in some places. The crowd approves of the song and seem to thoroughly enjoy Mike’s bass singing, as an encore quickly ensues, and the song is a delightful inclusion for this live album.

The first side concludes with the Ann Ballard penned tune, “Heaven’s New Song”, which features Archie. Ann was a wonderful writer with Canaanland Music who penned such songs as “Treasures Unseen” (Florida Boys), “It’ll Be Joy” (Speers), “Roll Away Troubled River” (Cathedrals) and “Oh, What a Sunrise” (Sego Brothers & Naomi), and would enjoy numerous other cuts during the 80’s and even into the 2000’s by such groups as the Cathedrals, Lesters, Mark Trammell Quartet, Legacy Five, and others. As a side note, Ann’s daughter, Cindi, would also grow up to be an outstanding songwriter as well, with songs recorded by Brian Free & Assurance, Nelons, Collingsworth Family, Greenes and others.

As side 2 begins, Martin takes a second to introduce the “Smoky Mountain Trio” (Archie, Troy & Eddie) as they step up to sing the sentimental tune, “Shake Hands with Mother Again”, which was written by W.A. Berry. This Stamps-Baxter tune was very popular in country and bluegrass circles, having been sung and recorded by such artists as Little Jimmy Dickens, Ferlin Husky, Doyle Lawson, Red Allen and Jimmy Martin. Given the Inspirations’ penchant for “mama songs”, the song fits in perfectly, and the trio does a great job with their version of the song, before Mike joins back up with the group as they jump into the Ila Knight penned tune, “In the Morning”. Featuring step out lines by both Archie and Mike, Ila was thrilled to be in the audience for this live recording, as she was able to see her song performed live that night, which was a memory she’ll always cherish.

Martin then takes a moment to bring Archie to the spotlight as he delivers the goods on the encouraging song, “Someday Soon”. Written by husband-and-wife team, Colbert & Joyce Croft, the song was one Archie could really sink his teeth into, and the audience thoroughly enjoys the song, along with its subsequent encore, before the guys jump into the now classic, “Shoutin’ Time in Heaven”, which was written by Luther Presley and published by Stamps-Baxter Music. Historically speaking, the song is rather unique, as the verses (at least in part) are taken from the old hymn, “I Will Arise and Go to Jesus”, which was written by Joseph Hart way back in the 1700’s. There are other variances of the same hymn (“Restoration”, “I Will Arise”, “Come Ye Sinners”) credited with other writers (Hart, Latta, Perkins, as well as some anonymous), and it appears Pressley put a chorus to those verses (along with possibly re-wording a few lines in the verses), ultimately titling the song, “Shoutin’ Time in Heaven”. I would love a chance to talk to Presley to hear his inspiration for creating the song, as I’m sure it’s likely a great story…it’s something I’ll have to ask him when I get to Heaven. Incidentally, I grew up hearing the old hymn, “I Wil Arise and Go to Jesus”, on an album by the Sego Brothers & Naomi from the early 60’s, so when I first heard “Shoutin’ Time” by the Inspirations, I already knew the verses and absolutely loved how the verses were integrated into this “new” song. Although Presley passed away on December 6, 1974, it appears the song was published by the Stamps-Baxter organization in 1975, with the Inspirations discovering the song from Leon Frazier and the Heismen, who recorded it on their album, “The Next Time You See Me”. With 2 encores, the song just exudes excitement, and it is truly a classic “live” moment caught on tape. The song enjoyed a good run in the charts, peaking at the #2 position in the Singing News chart in April 1977. It had a really hard time getting to the #1 spot because of a little song called “Learning to Lean” by the Blackwood Brothers, which held the #1 position from August 1976 -October 1977! Of course, “Shoutin’ Time” enjoyed a new life during the late 90’s and early 2000’s, as the Hoppers enjoyed tremendous success with the song, cutting it on their 1997 recording, “Forever Settled” (coincidently, the Hoppers first recorded the song on their 1977 album, “A Unique Experience”). “Shoutin’ Time” became a signature song for the Hoppers, with their live performance of the song at a Gaither Homecoming event at the Georgia Dome in June 1998 in front of approximately 40,000 people, created one of the most exciting and memorable moments in Gaither Homecoming history. But let the record show, that it was the Inspirations who initially made the song a national hit 20 years earlier in 1976/1977!

As Martin takes a moment to bring the excitement level down, he very humbly, extends his appreciation for everyone coming to celebrate the Inspirations’ 12th anniversary, before Jack Laws comes around to sing the Albert E. Brumley classic, “I Cannot Find the Way Alone”. This had become Jack’s signature song, and the guys render a very simple, yet stunning acapella arrangement of the song, closing out this upbeat and exciting live album in a unique and rather somber way.

I bought “12th Anniversary Live” via the Canaan Record and Tape Club sometime during the mid-80’s, and I remember being so excited to add this album to my collection. I had marveled at the cover in various catalogs I had seen, just simply enamored by the cool cover shot, and I was one excited teenager when it arrived in the mail. I was very pleased that the excitement that the cover seemed to convey, matched the excitement I found in the grooves of the vinyl. “12th Anniversary Live” was truly an exciting and upbeat live album, and the crowd seemed to enjoy every minute of it! Bass singing enthusiasts will find a lot to love with this live album, as Mike is featured quite a bit throughout the recording, especially on the first side.

“12th Anniversary Live” was a perfect capstone celebrating an exciting 12 years on the road for the Inspirations, proving that they weren’t done yet and had much more to accomplish. With the addition of Dale Jones, the group had expanded to 8 people, and with a full band in their arsenal, along with an exciting array of hit songs and concert favorites, the Inspirations could carry a full, musically robust program on their own merit, and sell it out every single time!

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