Fan mail

I enjoy getting all the comments I get...here or elsewhere...to what I post in this blog. It is always instructive and heartening to read what you have to say about what I have to say.

Perhaps the most unusual response came this week in my mail at work!

You saw that right...I said in my mail at work! How anyone would find my snail mail address at my job from this blog is not exactly clear(though I can imagine how), but I was delighted to get a handwritten letter in response to a recent post here!

Bill Flack of Bethalto, IL wrote me to tell me that he enjoyed reading my recollections about Roger Bennett that I posted a few weeks ago...and he went on to share his own memories of Bennett from the time the Cathedral Quartet visited him at his home.some time back. Seems that Bill was a longtime friend of both George Younce and Glen Payne, and being the kind of men Younce and Payne were, they stopped by Mr. Flack's home on one of their journeys across our land...when they arrived, they brought Bennett inside with them to visit Mr. Flack.

Mr. Flack has lots of gospel records...it was only natural(and I can testify to the veracity of this)that Bennett would pay particular attention to them...as well as the various pianos Mr. Flack owned.

Mr. Flack's memories of Roger were much like mine...of a warm, friendly, engaging young man who loved meeting people and learning about them. You don't really forget people like that that you chance to meet, and Mr. Flack remembers Bennett fondly as well.

I'm not sure how much of the specifics I can reveal of Mr. Flack's letter, so I'll stop there...only to say that it was very heartening to discover another person whose experiences with Bennett so closely mirrored mine, and how touched I was(and am)that Mr. Flack would take the time to write a letter by HAND to me that he enjoyed something I typed here in this corner of the internet.

Needless to say, the rest of you can send me handwritten letters too, if you'd like...though I still enjoy recieving responses right here on this blog!

I am touched that a man halfway across the country from me would take the time to express his thoughts to me...and as well by his offer to make a video copy of an old Don Smith TV appearance back in 1990 that he also owns(I might have him make one for Earline Starnes, though!).

Mr. Flack, thank you for helping to make my week that much more pleasant...write me(or post a comment)anytime you'd like! I'm glad my humble recollections of my meager memories moved you to respond with such a charming letter.

Isn't that the way our favorite gospel music personalities are? When they take the time to reach out to us fans, if only for a few moments...it makes our days...and it makes our lives!

Memories of a wonderful weekend

Well, it's over for another year! But the memories of this year's recently concluded Great Western Southern Gospel Fan Festival are precious, and they'll remain with me for some time to come.

First, foremost, and finally...the music is the best kind to be found anywhere! There is no greater purpose music can serve on this earth than singing the praises of the Creator of all things(including the music!). And it is a blessing and privilege to spend three days and nights with people who have the gifts to make that kind of music particularly meaningful and compelling.

Along with that for me, though, is the opportunity to see dear longtime friends and to meet and make new ones. I was privileged to do a lot of that this year. It was a joy to see Herb Henry and his fine family, and I feel almost a parental sort of joy every time I hear them sing!

You see, we played Herb's family group on our radio program when they were just starting out in the early 1990s. At that time, the kids were young...and nothing near the kind of singers they would eventually grow into being. But they evermore are there now...and almost every time I hear them sing now, my eyes well up with tears of pride and joy. My pride in Herb and his family can't be put into words(an incredible phenomenon for me, huh?)...they are dear, special people to me. And Herb dedicating "I Know He Cares" to me from stage Thursday night will remain in my memory bank for the rest of my life.

Along with Herb, I renewed acquaintances with one of my newer good friends, Jim Weatherford of the Orange County group "Evidence"...Jim is a delighful, God loving man who loves to sing for people...and he is one of the frienfliest, most caring people I know...and it was a delight to spend quality time with Jim once again this year.

And one good friend I hadn't talked to in a while was there on Saturday night as well. Kat McVay, who I've known from the message boards for several years, was there as well...and I love to see and spend time with Kat! She is a tall(6'1"), talented young lady from Salinas who would love to start a gospel group of her own and maybe sing on the Save Mart Center stage someday! I always try to encourage Kat to never give up on her dreams...she has the ability and love of God to make her dreams come true...so Kat, it was great to see you...don't EVER give up! Your dreams CAN come true...just keep doing what you're doing...and being the way you are!

And I renewed old friendships with some of the singers as well...I was shocked that Josh Garner(Florida Boys' lead singer)remembered my name as he greeted me...Josh is a talented singer and a great person. It was also nice to talk to Derrell Stewart and Les Beasley again...they are men of skill and class...and they will forever be credits to the gospel music business.

As are Claude and Connie Hopper and that whole family...I always enjoy visiting with them. I had the privilege of doing an interview with Dean for our show the week before they arrived....a nicer, more friendly young man doesn't exist!

And the Isaacs are wonderful people, too...I had the pleasure of helping out at their booth(along with Kat)when they were here with the Gaither troupe last fall...what they bring to gospel music with their personalities and excellent musicianship cannot be beat!

Finally, it was a pleasure to have the booth next door to Shannon Young and her sister Kristin...Shannon is a sweet young lady from up Sacramento way that I also met on the message boards....and she now does articles on gospel music out West for John Lanier's new magazine "The Christian Voice"...needless to say, I'm always proud of any of my friends making an impact out in "the world"...keep up the good work, Shannon!

I also made some good new friends this year as well.

One is a regular reader of this blog...he sings with a group that I have said many times here is as good a quartet as there is in gospel music today...and since they're from out his way, I'm really proud of them, too! Keith Waggoner is the tenor for the Liberty Quartet from Boise, ID...and he is a personable, friendly fellow that I had the pleasure to meet and get to know better! I also spent a lot of quality time this year with their bass singer, Royce Mitchell...who is one of the finest bass singers going today. He is also a fine gentleman who loves the Lord and the fans of gospel music, and his leadership is one reason why the Liberty Quartet has come as far as it has so fast, not just musically, but in every other way that matters as well. Royce is a worthy successor to the likes of Neil Enloe, Duane Nicholson, and Dave Kyllonen as far as exemplifying in talent and personal integrity what a gospel singer should be...and I am proud to now call Royce and Keith "friend" as well.

I also met a man who I first saw when I finally met the original Couriers face to face.. his mixed trio, Chosen Vision, opened for Dave, Duane, and Neil when I saw them in Santa Cruz in February 2005. Hugo Shirley is a kind man, a good singer, and a joy-filled Christian who happens to have a very good group...consisting of himself and two ladies, one of whom is his lovely wife. It was a true pleasure to meet a fellow Courier lover and a fine man of God. I am likewise proud now to call Hugo Shirley "friend".

And as if that weren't enough, I had the honor of getting to know a talented family from Bonsall, CA(just north of San Diego)who were not on the program this year, but they've formed a family singing group comprised of the parents and their three boys, the youngest of which can't be older than 8 or 9...and one of the other sons is quite a gospel music history buff despite being only 18 years of age(he reminds me of myself at that age, and of Daniel Mount as well!). We had several spirited discussions about gospel music when we got together this weekend.

Anyway, this family gave me a private concert after everything had ended, serenading me with an a cappella version of "When I Survey The Wondrous Cross"...so if you ever hear of the Grier family from Southern California in the next few years, you'll know where you read about them first!:-) In addition, the aforementioned young history buff let me listen to an ipod of a barbershop quartet doing a VERY slick arrangement of "Mary Did You Know"...boy, was I blessed!

I was absolutely amazed at how many people recognized me and seemed to know my name...after all, I'm on the radio...and I'm not normally seen! Evidently a lot of people there notice my articles for Southern Gospel News, as well as visit this blog. So, Art Brumley, if you're reading this, howdy! Nice to have met you!:-)

See, Susan...Deon....people far and wide read SGN...I know this!:-)

I'll leave you with what I said to Royce Mitchell when all was said and done last night. There are a lot of people like me that attend these kinds of events, people who love this music for the inspiration and comfort(not to mention the entertainment!)it brings them. Like me, many of them have burdens or challenges in their daily lives. But at least for me(and probably for them, too)just being at an event like the GWSGFF for two to five hours in an evening is truly therapeutic. When I'm at a gospel concert, I have no problems...everything in my life is fine. And even now, 24 hours after it all ended, I'm still on that high from, as my good friend Neil Enloe put it 40 years ago, the "joy of knowing Jesus"...and even though I'm living the same life I was before it all, I don't look at things as I did then. I am renewed...and energized! My hunch is that most of the rest of those who attended feel much the same way!

NOW do you see why I love gospel music so much....and the people who make it?

The Great Western Southern Gospel Fan Festival, Saturday

Well, this is it...three days of the best in today's gospel music with a Far Western flavor...as well as quality fellowship that can't be beat. Here's how the third and final day of the GWSGFF went.

To start with, I was late(that pesky day job again!)...as a result, I missed some fun activities that the organizers had planned.

But appropriately enough, when I finally arrived, the group I knew best...and one of those I liked most...the Herb Henry Family...was in the midst of their scheduled set, singing their wonderful a cappella version of "Take My Hand, Precious Lord"...and then, I felt immediately at home. As much at home, mind you, as it's possible to feel in an arena with a capacity of 18,500 that was perhaps half full.

I will continue to maintain that the Henry family is as good a group as ANY other group on the full-time gospel circuit...without exception! Herb has evolved into a smooth MC, and his kids have grown into three of the best young singers traveling today. And once again, they showed not only their many fans in California, but the other artists on the program from far and wide just how good a family gospel singing group can be.

A couple of other CA groups followed...the Watchmen from Chino, a hardworking group of veteran singers, and the California Melody Boys from nearby Tulare, who WERE a fine quartet at one time...but since they lost their bass singer a few years back, now have to settle for being merely a good trio(for me, that's a comedown...as many of you who know me know well).

Then the Greenes returned to the stage, and as they did last night, did a fine job of singing. But somehow, they lost track of the allowed time limit...and ran over by approximately 30 seconds. Oddly enough, the Booth Brothers did the very same thing last night. Why that sticks with me is because both tonight and last night, the Florida Boys were scheduled to sing next. Now it may not be that big a deal as far as the audience(including the Main Fan)is concerned, but if I were a group hoping to be invited back in the future, the last thing I'd likely do if I were a group is to make a group run by the event's co-owner wait to come on.

The Florida Boys came on and did another fine set of old and new songs...new bass singer Butch Owens seemed to have gone over well with the crowd...and as usual, Derrell Stewart's turn vocally on "This Heart Of Mine" gladded not only my heart, but heartened the longtime fans as well...and it was a most entertaining way to end the set(along for me with Les Beasley's jab at some groups that didn't seem to care about the time limits placed upon them).

The first half closed with Greater Vision...it was a competent, workmanlike set with no major highlights, but the fun events scheduled just before intermission had to be scrapped in order to keep the program running on time.

Things picked back up with the Beene Family opening the second half...they, too, make Western gospel fans proud with what they've become musically as well...no doubt many who grew up with the Beenes were beaming with pride as they sang through their set. I was as well, although I never knew the Beenes until they went "national"...it's just nice to know that good things DO come out of Fresno!

The Evergreen State Quartet came out and performed a fine set once again, as they did the night before...but it would have been hard to remember them after what followed....once again, the Booth Brothers had the crowd rocking and clapping their hands in almost no time! They are as dynamic a group as I can ever recall...it is a blessing indeed to have them singing gospel music!

Then the Hoppers returned and charmed the crowd once more...even though they do long songs, they somehow manage to fit them all within their 20-minute time limit...ending this particular set exactly as their time expired! That, my friends, is professionalism!

And I'm glad that they are...because next was the Liberty Quartet...and from the reception they got, it would appear that more and more gospel music fans are in agreement with me that the Liberty Quartet is one of the country's finest quartets...and once again, if there was any doubt, there couldn't have been much remaining after their set. Once again, a variety of styles coupled with strong songs caused the crowd to want more and more from this outstanding quartet...it's too bad this was not an actual Liberty Quartet concert! Oh well, there will be more of those here, that's for sure!

Tony Greene returned to give more laughs to the audience, then came the highlight of the night for many(including me)...the Isaacs would wrap it all up! A better group could not have been picked for that honor. Yet, although their set was outstanding, and the crowd LOVED it(when the Isaacs were done, people were standing throughout the Save Mart Center), I was slightly disappointed in what I saw.

Yes, the Isaacs performed great...of that, there was NO doubt. But again, there was that time thing...as I watched the clock tick toward 0, I was wondering if they could finish their closing song on time. Alas, they did not. There was a slight pause(more due to the song than the clock), and then they just simply resumed jamming!

And they kept playing exciting fiddle and banjo solos...and playing them...and playing them! Singers were assembling at the sides of the stage, but did the Isaacs take that cue? No. They just kept on going, no doubt fueled by the energy and reaction of the audience. Finally, they wrapped it up. Then a hasty ending with the Booths, Greater Vision, the Hoppers, and the Isaacs singing their recent #1 songs closed the proceedings. All in all, people were pleased...and many appeared blessed(I know I was!). The music and the fellowship I enjoyed with artists and fans alike will fill me with pleasant, precious memories for some time to come.

But to close, some concluding observations on this time issue.

I know it's most likely my radio training, which has taught me that when given time parameters that I must keep, I have to keep them...no matter what. I am simply not allowed to exceed my time limits...if I had the temerity to even try, I'd be fired!

Time limits are set for a reason. And especially in this day and age, when people can't seem to be busy enough, to ensure that we all can do what we commit ourselves to do, we simply have to organize our time accordingly...hence, time limits and schedules!

Now I know there are many(some among my dearest friends)who will remind me that I have no right to try to put time limits on the Holy Spirit...and with that, I heartily agree! The penalty I'd face for trying to keep the Holy Spirit on a schedule would be far worse than the one I'd face if I violated time limits in my job...and being aware of that, I would NEVER try to stop the Holy Spirit if I knew He was present!

But let's get real...the GWSGFF is not a church service...and the Greenes, Booths, and Isaacs did not run over because they were worshipping...or because the Holy Spirit had taken over the event. I was there, and though He may have been working in the hearts of many in the audience, He was NOT taking over!

No, these groups just didn't manage their time well...and they were more caught up in their performing than in anything else they might have been doing at the times they ran over. Heck, the Isaacs were just jamming on their instruments!

And since they all were sharing the stage with other groups that people ALSO paid money to see...it just seems to me that these artists could have been a little more considerate of the people they were working with, and singing for(and working for!).

OK, that's my little GWSGFF sermon for this year. I know some of you may disagree, and you might be right. Maybe I'm just being unnecessarily picky(if so, it would NOT be the first time...nor will it be the last!), but I couldn't help feeling that way. If I'm wrong, pray for me that I may be more understanding(as Derrell Stewart put it years sgo, "I need the prayers, and y'all SHO need the practice!")

All things considered, this was probably as much fun for me as any convention I've ever been to, and for a LOT of reasons, I had a great time. So on a success scale from 1 to 10, for me, this year's GWSGFF was a 9! I was pleased...and blessed!

Gospel music is in good shape on the West Coast, if this year's GWSGFF is any indication!

Next entry, I'll share some of my most treasured memories offstage of the event!

The Great Western Southern Gospel Fan Festival, Friday

Well, day two was even more fun than day one...which seems to be the rule in most multi-day events!

I know you all will be happy to know that I worked out the parking and scheduling kinks I encountered last night..I got to see much more of the music than I did last night...and I didn't have to walk so far to get there to do it!:-)

So here's what happened...

The evening began with a short set from a California mixed group, Eternal Praise. The singing was OK, but what was really outstanding about them was their radiant smiles...I could tell that they were having the times of their lives doing just what the name implies...praising relentlessly in song!

After a brief comedy interlude from the Booth Brothers and the Greenes(comedy is a big part of these events, particularly in the daytime presentations, which I unfortunately cannot attend[gotta work my day job, y'know?]), Legacy Five opened things up with "Somebody Sing", which if I didn't know better could well have been a challenge to all the groups on the program tonight.

If it was, the next group more than met that challenge! The Liberty Quartet from Boise, ID followed...and those who read this blog on a semi-regular basis know that I regard them as one of the finest quartets in the nation today, period!

They sing a most eclectic repertoire, from a touch of contemporary to your basic old-time gospel quartet sound...and they do it ALL well. Musically, they are as top-notch as any quartet I have heard in the last 40 years or so. In addition, they are reminiscent of the old Couriers in their dedication to ministry through their music, and the way they interact with the fans...they are fine Christian gentlemen who love their fans, and judging from the response they got from their set, that feeling is definitely mutual!

I am proud to know them as people, and proud that such a talented group is based out in the Western United States(see, you don't HAVE to be from North Carolina or Texas to sing gospel quartet music well!)! Proof of their quartet expertise is the fact that Carl Ramsey plays their music often on his All-Quartets Radio!

And then, for the first time in five years, the Greenes came out to sing in Fresno! And judging from the quality of their set, it's like they were never gone! They(particularly Taranda)connect with audiences so well...it was a joy to see the Greenes back out this way....even if it took the "excuse" of a convention to get them back out there(having certain in-laws who own the event doesn't hurt either!).

Speaking of certain in-laws, Dean Hopper came out to clown with Tony Greene for a bit, then one of America's outstanding musical groups(notice I didn't qualify myself by saying just "gospel")came out...the Isaacs. Their bluegrass-tinged music got a lot of the slightly-larger-than-last-night crowd to react with delight to their offerings. But it's not all about style with the Isaacs. They were unflinching when it came to stating ehere they "came from", so to speak. Let's just say that there can be no doubt whatsoever that the Isaacs are about Christ...and even those who might notice them due to their authentic bluegrass sound would know that there is much more to them than that. And the outstanding example of that was their stunningly beautiful a cappella rendition of "It Is Well With My Soul". People were literally stopping whatever else they were doing when they sang it. It was as close to "having church" as anything I've ever seen at that event.

Almost no one could have followed that set without appearing rude and/or impertient. ALMOST, that is. But the Booth Brothers are not just anyone...they are one of gospel music's top groups of the day...and they made the transition as smooth as one could imagine. With their unique blend of harmony, humor, and humility, the Booths had the crowd eating out of their hands(just as last night). A particular treat was a version of "Don't Fence Me In"(complete with ill-fitting cowboy hats)that, in the words of Ron Booth, "...wasn't very spiritual, but it sure was fun!" The crowd agreed...and I marvel when watching and hearing the Booth Brothers knowing that if they wanted to, they could easily have a successful career in secular music. But, thankfully, they'r not "built" that way!(Not that there's anything wrong with secular, per se!)They choose to use their considerable talents to further the gospel music heritage, as Ron Booth, Sr. did before them.

From there, the Florida Boys wrapped up the first half with a very entetaining set, featuring Glen Allred(who missed last night's set, but thankfully made tonight's), singing "More About Jesus", Josh Garner's wonderful rendition of "For God So Loved" and concluding with "Declaration of Dependence"(with Les Beasley even joining in on vocals...more on that later!). The Florida Boys showed once again why they are living gospel music legends...it is always a privilege to hear them.

Again, I had a wonderful night of fellowship with the artists, and fans of our show, and other people I just struck up conversations with during the evening. Clearly, there was no more fun place to be in Fresno on this Friday night than the Save Mart Center.

Kim Hopper opened the second half, then after a bit, the Beene Family(Fresno natives!)came out to charm the audience with their now-polished pop gospel stylings, followed by Greater Vision. Now, I confess I have never been a big fan of Greater Vision...yes, they sing good songs...yes, they sing them well...but their standard trio arrangements usually bore this quartet partisan to no end(they are GREAT guys, though). But tonight, for whatever reason, they seemed to kick things up a notch, and they presented an energetic, fast-moving set of fine songs, sung with power!

Next was the Evergreen State Quartet out of Washington State, and they are a fine quartet! You know, I read some observations from some other writers that the talent pool in gospel music these days is not that deep...and while I can't speak for the rest of the country, I would venture to say that out West, there is a much deeper pool of talent than one would imagine or expect.

And no group demonstrated that more vividly tonight than a female group from Grass Valley called the Johnson Family Singers. Although their stage presence is not particularly polished, their singing is quite listenable, and quite enthusiastic...and I had to break up my conversation with Hugo Shirley when they came out, because he wanted to listen to their set. So I did, too..and like Hugo, I was quite impressed. Gospel music is in good shape out here because of artists like the Johnsons, the Evergreens, Chosen Vision, the Beenes, the Liberty Quartet, and of course, the Herb Henry Family!

Wrapping up the night were the Hoppers, who showed they're not all about tracks and such these days. Their track for "Jerusalem" completely malfunctioned, so with the help of Stan Whitmire(who was on hand to back up a lot of the groups tonight)and Mike Hopper taking the drums, they sang the song anyway...and it did not suffer in the least from the lack of orchestrattion. It is a testament to the professionalism and musicianship of the Hoppers(and Whitmire)that they could pull that off...and the evening ended on a most happy note.

Two more things to add here...

I apologize for completely omitting Jessy Dixon's fine set from Thursday....he closed the first half Thursday night, and had I not been walking arounf the building socializing, I would have caught his exciting program complete with backing choir...Jessy's career has new life thanks to Bill Gaither, and people here loved him Thursday night. I apologize again for my oversight there.

And my night ended on a humorous note when I came up to Les Beasley as we were all leaving for the night. You'll recall above that I mentioned that Les had sung with the Florida Boys on "Declaration of Dependence". I was glad to see Les join in on the vocals, and I wanted to tell him so. Now Les likes to make self-deprecating statements onstage about his singing, and he stepped down from his lead singer spot in 1994 to help propel his quartet into its' modern era...so keeping all that in mind as I spoke, I told Les, "Les, I enjoy it when you sing, believe it or not!" Well, you should have seen the laughter that just erupted for Les as I said that. Immediately, he reached over and told Gerald Wolfe and Rodney Griffin(standing right next to us)what I'd just said....he was laughing incessantly!

I was embarrassed but glad...I enjoy more than anything making people smile and laugh...and I'm glad Les understood what I said, and appreciated my intentions. More than that, I just enjoyed making him happy...Les Beasley is one fine gentleman and representative of gospel music. (See, SGMRadio, if you listen in context, you realize that I mean no harm to anyone...try it sometime!)

One more night to go...and you'll read about it right here, 24 hours from now! See ya then!

The Great Western Southern Gospel Fan Festival, Thursday

Well, the latest annual installment of the Great Western Southern Gospel Fan Festival(known originally as the Great Western Quartet Convention)is off and running in my hometown of Fresno, CA....and as usual, I'm here to report on what happened on each evening of it.

Although this year, the feeling is a bit different than it has been in previous years for me, because in the past, the radio station I work for provided me and my fellow Don Smith gospel music show host Earline Starnes complimentary tickets to the box seats the station owns at the Save Mart Center, as well as parking passes for the event.

Not this year, though, which means we are just there as fellow exhibitors, and unless we are prepared to pay the parking fees at the SMC, we have to find other ways to park our cars or the event.

In my case, it meant parking about a mile from the arena, and taking a nice, healthy walk to the facility....which I don't mind at all!

But for the singing, I didn't get to see as much of it as I would have liked to, because I had to spend significant time at our booth and meet and greet the people coming by to say "hi" and check ouit what we had to show them.

I think I'll have my schedule more organized for the last two nights so far as seeing the singing is concerned....last night, I managed to catch the main artists featured...the Hoppers and Legacy Five in the first half, and the Florida Boys and the Booth Brothers in the second.

In fact, the Booth Brothers may STILL be singing "Still Feelin' Fine" for all I know...their energetic rendition of that number closed the night's singing, and had the arena rocking as people were slowly filing out to leave for the evening.
They are one of gospel music's most dynamic and talented groups, and they WERE a highlight of opening night.

As were Legacy Five...they've always gone over well in Fresno, and while the absence of Roger Bennett is DEFINITELY noticed, Tim Parton did a splendid job on piano for the group(especially during a "vintage" quartet segment of their set), and they sang well as always. NOTE: To Daniel Mount(and others wondering if Parton can fill Bennett's shoes at the keyboard)...Tim did quite well, thank you...and I think he will continue to do so with the group.

The Florida Boys again showed that they've not lost much over the years...despite baritone Glen Allred falling ill and not singing last night. Despite longtime crowd favorite Gene McDonald no longer being there(he left the group a few months ago), they showed that they still have what it takes to bless audiences with solid singing and good family Chrisitan entertainment. Derrell Stewart(as always)was a delight, as was longtime manager Les Beasley(who filled in admirably for Allred at baritone)and new bass Butch Owens, who delighted the audience for the most part singing McDonald's old bass lines. The Florida Boys have endured for 60 years now, and based on last night, they showed no signs that they will not continue to do so for several more years.

Of the western groups I happened to catch, the outstanding ones were the Herb Henry Family(as good as ANY group in the country...bar none!)and Hugo Shirley's Chosen Vision, a mixed trio that I have seen in the past opening for Dave, Duane, and Neil...among others. Hugo's group has a very warm stage personality, and Mary and Esther are quite capable singers.

The musical highlight for me was hearing Herb's group dedicate ME a song from the stage! Yes, li'l ol' me!

On one of their recent albums, they sang an old Couriers Quartet song, "I Know He Cares". Last year Herb pointed out to me that they recorded that song with me in mind. I then asked Herb to perform it...but he begged off, saying that they were not ready then to do the song from the stage. I made Herb promise to sing it this year, and he promised he would. And Herb, being a man of his word, told me when his group would do the song...and sure enough, they did it! And of course, as I knew ahead of time, the audience loved it!

Thank you, Herb, for the swell memory. I owe you one!:-)

What was even more gratifying to me than the singing was the fellowship I was able to enjoy with a number of the people I saw anew there. But since you don't care as much about that as you do about what happened musically, and also since I've got to stop typing this and get off to work, I'll share that later!

The crowd was a bit light for the first night...but I expect more people...and much more joy...in the remaining two nights. In the meantime, I can't think of a better place to be in the Fresno area last night than the Save Mart Center, where the name of the Lord was lifted up in song and deed.

More to come...

The Sound of Music

I guess I just love music...period!

As the Great Western Southern Gospel Fan Festival draws near(starting Thursday in Fresno and going through Saturday), things have been rather hectic in my little corner of the world.

I have a colleague at work who knows my tastes in music(being ex-DJs, we both like to discuss music at work), and lately, he has taken to downloading random collections of songs from the internet for me to listen to(recreationally, of course!)...I'm not sure about all the legalities of it, but since I have no intention of selling the CDs he makes for me, I can't imagine there is much of a problem in letting him do that for me.

Ho it usually happens is that he'll ask me what songs I would like to have on CD(most of my music collection is STILL on vinyl), and I submit a "request list" to him, and he takes it from there!

Today he outdid himself...he found 26 songs that I'd been longing to hear again for some time...and he gave me the CD he made me after I recorded our gospel music show for this Sunday.

I don't often hear a lot of my favorite songs on the radio...most stations that play music resort to the research findings of the industry's leading consuiltants...which is one reason why so many music radio stations play the very same songs...over...and over...and over again.

Now I do the very same things with my own recordings...one important difference is, I'm not programming for a target demographic made up of many different people...I'm playing it for me, and me alone! So I can play what I want...so there!:-)

And because I like what I play for myself, I'm not concerned whatsoever with tuneout...that never happens on my record or CD player!

Now, I'll bet some of you are asking, "John, you mean YOU...an unabashed gospel quartet addict, enjoy SECULAR music?"

I confess...yes, I do...some of it, anyway. Granted, mostly I listen to the gospel music I like most, because it speaks the loudest to my heart and soul, but just as no one can eat the same meal every single time they eat, I HAVE to listen to something else...sometime!:-)

So, what kind of secular music do I like, you'll logically ask?

Well, those who know me reasonably well know that a HUGE portion of my childhood was spent listening to the radio. That's what fueled my desire to be on the radio...which I am today, after nearly 23 years.

That being the case, in so doing, I got a major appetite of the popular music of my childhood years listening to the radio. And since I grew up in the birthplace of the famous Boss Radio Top 40 format of the radio consultant Bill Drake, Boss Radio was as much a part of my growing up as the cottonfields and vineyards of our family farm outside Fresno.

It was the enthusiasm and joy of the Boss jocks that got me started in wanting to be on the radio...what a fun, important job...playing the top records of the day as well as bringing people the news and weather and other things that helped them live their lives better! When I was 6 or 7 years of age, I knew that was the life for me!

And the music on the radio back then helped me enjoy my childhood...from kicking back after school and just having fun listening to fun songs to even accompanying me when I did chores around the house...the radio, and the ballgames it carried, and that music, was the soundtrack of my growing up!

Gospel music came along when I was around 9 or so, when my tastes began to broaden and I learned how to appreciate different kinds of music for what they were. (THERE's something that needs to be a bigger part of our school curricula...but that's another blog entry for another day!)

Thus, everything I heard on the radio in those days became stamped into my consciouness for life! And like many of you now...while sometimes I can't remember what I'm supposed to do that afternoon at 3:30...I can automatically remember the lyrics of the most offbeat songs I heard long ago!

And I remember the songs not just because I liked them...since the radio was almost always on when I did anythign at all back then, I tend to associate certain songs with certain highlights of my life...I have various sub-genres of songs that I organize by experience, e.g., "school" songs, "radio" songs, "work" songs, and even "dating" songs(yes, I've dated...not a lot, but I did! lol)!

And the CDs my colleague makes for me are organized roughly along those lines. They would make fascinating compilations for those interested in categorizing everything musically.

Most of you who read this or know me fairly well know my tastes in gospel music. The entries in my blog reflect those tastes faithfully.

A caveat...I freely admit that my tastes in music are not "mainstream" in the least! While varied in terms of style(I like all styles from classical to early country music, and most everything in between!), I tend to like songs for my own reasons, and NOT because lots of other people like them! In this sense, my secular tastes are not unlike my gospel tastes.

What makes me like a song or a recording? Usually, it's the music...a melody, a hook, or a strong lyric...sometimes it's because of the creative impression it leaves on me! With a gospel song or group, it's my impression of the quality of the material, and the purpose of the artist! And with secular music, it's much the same...although with my relatively idiosyncratic tastes, that can lead to a bewildering variety of the material.

If anyone were to listen to the CD I got today, they would probably scratch their heads in wonderment about how all those songs tied in together...but then, since it's just for me, no one has to know but me!:-)

Needless to say, not all the songs are big hits! Some are...but others are just songs you know and would remember if you heard them anew, and some are delightfully(and yes, deservedly)obscure! But the bottom line is, it brings me joy to listen to them!

And honestly, isn't that what music is supposed to be all about? Not endlessly analyzing or dissecting, but just enjoying...because it brings sunshine and smiles into one's life?:-)

I'll spare you the titles....some of you might not believe I'd like that stuff anyway, and if you'd really like to know, you can guess...or just ask me!

But I got a big smile today from getting that CD!

And no doubt I'll get even more when I'm at the GWSGFF this weekend...I'll tell you all about that in the coming days!

Hear ye, hear ye…

Well, I'm back! Actually, I hadn't planned to post something anew quite so soon....I've been busy with life, and I've scarcely had any moments to just stop and think about something to say.

But Daniel Mount(who's got that knack)coerced me into posting here, and I can't blame him. After all, I don't know that I'd enjoy coming back here to browse if I saw nothing newer here than a post taking me to task about some hasty observation I'd made.

Come to think of it, that never stopped me from lurking around at certain other corners of the web, but I can see why Daniel would want me to post something...ANYTHING new...so as not to look at the very same treatise that stared at him the last time he visited.

One more thought concerning Daniel, and I'll move to my topic tonight! Apparently Daniel feels a bit sheepish about his initial reaction to the news that Tim Parton was joining Legacy Five as the group's new pianist. It's nice to know that he's finally gotten that perspective on the hire, which as I stated in my last post is a good move for L5, IMHO.

And that thought is...Daniel, you needn't apologize or feel you must explain anything to me, at least. I know all about quick, reactive postings to things I've heard and seen here...I've been there and done that! To read someone's immediate reaction to news that they've heard which affects them personally is instructive, and I don't mind reading such things at all! Daniel, if we get a chance to know you better as a result, that's a good thing...at least to me!

OK...enough about Daniel...here's what I wanted to post about.

This weekend, the Great Western Southern Gospel Fan Festival will take place once again in the Fresno, CA area...and as is my custom(since I live here and work for the radio station that carries the leading gospel music program in this part of the country), I'll be involved once again. Our show will have a booth as always, and I'll get the chance to see some of the country's top gospel artists, as well as catch some of the top talent from around here as well. And it will be nice to renew acquaintances with some old friends...as well as some of the top name artists that will appear here.

Does it sound like I'm looking forward to it? I hope so...because I am!

I admit I wish that more attention were being paid to this event nationally than what is being paid it now, but I understand why there's not. We're a long way from a lot of the recognized centers of gospel music, and even though this area has historic significance for gospel music on the West Coast, it's understandable that our event is "under the radar" for most of the gospel music world.

I'm going to try to change that a little this year.

Once again, I'll put nightly reviews of the event here on this blog...and try to communicate as best I can the feeling of "being there" at the event. If nothing else, I hope I can at least make you wish you were there!

I had a nice time interviewing Dean Hopper for our station in preparation for this event, and I know that he, his family, and Les Beasley will do their best to put together a good three days of gospel music for fans of it here on the West Coast.

It all starts Thursday, the 19th...and runs through Saturday the 21st. If you're nearby, and have no other plans, why don't you stop by Fresno's Save Mart Center this coming weekend, and check out one of gospel music's best annual events? I'd love to see you all, and meet you, too!

Life(and L5)goes on

I must take issue with my good friend Daniel Mount on this one.

In his latest blog posting, Daniel laments(to a degree, anyway)the hiring to Tim Parton as the new pianist for Legacy Five, replacing Roger Bennett, who recently passed away after a prolonged battle with health issues.

Daniel concedes that such a hiring was inevitable, yet seems to question whether Parton is an adequate replacement for Bennett at this time....he also appears to be pining at the term "permanent replacement", as if this were somehow an inappropriate use of the term.

Well, I'll tell you where I disagree with Daniel.

First and foremost, I don't think the members of Legacy Five for a moment are even pretending that Parton will fully take Bennett's place in the group. He is not being hired to manage the group, or be its' master of ceremonies on stage, or its' representative in the world of gospel music. He is simply being hired to play piano for them on stage....that's all.

And at that, Parton is a most qualified person to assume that capacity. His previous experience in gospel music with groups like the Speer Family and as a renowned session musician demonstrate beyond a shadow of any reasonable doubt that he is more than competent to handle the pianist duties for a top tier gospel quartet such as Legacy Five.

He also has top-notch composing and arranging skills as well, which will come in handy as far as keeping the readily identifiable sound of Legacy Five at its' customary high level.

As far as "replacing" Bennett entirely, no one will be able to do that with Legacy Five, and Parton surely is not even pretending he will...nor are the members of Legacy Five doing so.

Bennett was the heart and soul of Legacy Five...he was the group's driving force, and its' major onstage personality.
What he gave to Legacy Five in that respect can't and won't be "replaced" by anyone. Clearly, a chapter in the history of Legacy Five has ended here, and a new one is beginning.

And that, perhaps, is the "legacy" Bennett would like to leave with his group.

Legacy Five is a fine quartet...among the best in gospel music today. They SHOULD go on, and they should continue to make good gospel quartet music. I'm sure Bennett would want nothing less from heaven from his former comrades in song.

And I'm also sure(though I never got the chance to ask him myself)that Bennett would want someone with Parton's demonstrated ability to take his place on stage with his group.

Changes happen with gospel groups. People depart and join them all the time. The Blackwood Brothers lost two of their key members in a tragic plane crash in 1954, and the shock from that event almost made group leader James Blackwood fold the quartet, since the losses of RW Blackwood and Bill Lyles were crucial to the quartet's image and personality, not to mention their sound.

But Blackwood, encouraged by his friends and colleagues, persevered...and hired his nephew Cecil to sing RW's part, and JD Sumner to sing Lyles', and the quartet not only continued on, but became even more popular than it ever was!

And speaking of Sumner, who almost singlehandedly made the Stamps Quartet a major force in gospel music again after 20 years on the gospel circuit's back burner, when the venerable bass singer passed away in 1998, it was said that that was the end of the Stamps Quartet...that no one could replace him.

But today, the Stamps are back, thanks in part to the leadership of Sumner's son-in-law, Ed Enoch...and that time honored gospel music name is alive and well on the gospel trail.

For they were able to get someone else to sing the bass part, and create a new identity for themselves...just as the Blackwoods were able to create a new identity in the late 1950s with new singers on the baritone and bass parts(and a new, improved stage presence), and their "legacy" continued.

IMO, Parton will help Legacy Five maintain their high standards....and we'll see if the other members of the group will be able to create a new identity for themselves. I think Bennett would want it that way.

And, who knows what the future might hold for Legacy Five? One Person does, and since He ain't tellin' yet, I'm prepared to look forward to the future to find out. Daniel, I hope you are, too.

Tim Parton will do a fine job for Legacy Five....don't worry about that! As for the rest, stay tuned...

Why I write

I am a very blessed, privileged individual.

And not just for the obvious reasons...of course, being among the saved and forgiven is the best thing of ALL about my life, and for that alone, I wouldn't trade who I am with anyone I know on this earth!

But I am fortunate to have been given the privilege of doing two things in my life that I am thankful for each and every day I rise anew(and I'm thankful I can do THAT every day now, too!:-))

First of all, I'm proud to say that I have been in the radio industry for over 20 years now...ever since I was old enough to talk, it was my dream to be on the radio someday...and I am glad that God has given me the blessing of being not only being on the radio, but doing it on one of the nation's most venerable and honored stations! And I've gotten to do the kinds of shows that give me a lot of personal fulfillment as well...in fact, that's been the case for nearly my entire radio career! I am so glad I've been able to make that my primary job for most of my life!

Second, in the last two or three years, I have been given the opportunity of writing the monthly gospel music history articles for Southern Gospel News. I never sought that opportunity, but I'm thankful that circumstances came together for me to have that privilege! I have been a gospel quartet music addict since I was a small boy out on a farm in Kerman, California...and I had no idea I'd be chosen to write someday about the greatest artists in the history of that great genre of music. But I am glad that I've been allowed and chosen to write about these people! Why?

Gospel music touches people who love it in ways that no other music in any other genre can. It is music that celebrates the most profound message there is. And for those who are heartened by that message, that music can reach past just the mind and reach right into the heart. And the melodies and harmonies don't hurt any, either!

Maybe I can use a food analogy to illustrate what I mean. Lots of food tastes good...a nice cake or pie sounds good when you're hungry...but when a well-prepared course of steamed salmon is served to you, how much better it is for our bodies to have a meal that not only tastes good, but is good for you as well! Not that cakes and pies are bad for you necessarily, but when the relative nutritional value of both is considered...well, I'll gladly take the salmon! And when the nutritional value of music is evaluated, to me, good gospel music that reaches both the ears and the heart is tough to beat!

But you know what the most personally gratifying aspect of writing the history articles is for me?

I write these articles to celebrate the legacies of these talented people who made that nutritious music that blessed hundreds of thousands(if not millions)of people for many years. And I want to do justice to not just their work, but to the artists themselves...especially if the artists I'm writing about are still alive to read my words. These artists were all dedicated to their visions and their craft for many years, and as a result of their work, they helped to advance the kingdom of God on earth...I truly believe that!

Some of these artists are not as celebrated for their accomplishments as they might be, Whether that is because they chose a lower profile, or that others just got more worldly recognition than they did, it is my desire to make sure that those artists get their due for what THEY contributed to making the world of gospel music a richer place. I confess to having a soft spot in my heart for the relatively "unsung" heroes of gospel music.

And so I write about ALL the heroes of gospel music...the celebrated, and the not-so-celebrated! And I try to be a true witness to what they all did to make gospel music great. But what makes me the happiest personally is when one of those artists reads what I ahve written about him, her, or the groups they were associated with, and posts a comment expressing their thanks and pleasure about what I may have written.

I am humbled and honored when people like the original Couriers, Ann Downing, L. David Young, Earline Starnes(daughter of the late Don Smith) and Cheri Baldwin(on behalf of her late husband, Don)personally thank me for honoring their work...and the purpose each of them had in making gospel music. I was never prouder than when Young posted his thanks for my article on him, and told me how much it meant to him and his family to have it there to read. Cheri Baldwin has even linked my article on Don to her memorial tribute website for Don, and I couldn't be prouder, or more touched. Even the great Lily Fern Weatherford was pleased with my article on her famous quartet, and when I learned that, I beamed with pride.

This month, I chose to write about the Gospel Harmony Boys, and am likewise proud to have Harold Patrick's daughter, Homer Fry's niece, and Clacy Williams all post their gratitude for my having written about the contributions of those men to one of the finer quartets in gospel music history. Thanks to all of you for making my effort worth it.

I am proud to have made friends with some of those people...they brought joy to my life when they sang, and they bring me even more joy today.

No, I don't live in the past. But the past has a great deal to do with what I am today, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

That's why I am blessed to write these history articles...and why they're a labor of love for me.

THAT'S why I write.

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