The 2008 NQC
Well, the preliminary lineups are set for the National Quartet Convention for the coming year.
No, this will not be an exhaustive analysis of who's there, who's not there, or who should or shouldn't be there.. Far more capable analysts are better able than I to discuss those things at this time. Further, I need more time to study the actiual lineups to make such determinations. Besides, even if I did, why should anyone care what I think?
There is one thing, though, I'd like to bring up in this post.
For the first time in a while, the Bill Gaither troupe will have a significant presence on at least one night. I understand that the Gaither Vocal Band and Ernie Haase and Signature Sound will appear on Friday night there. This is a good thing....for the NQC was initially envisioned by its' main founder, the late JD Sumner, as a place where all the leading gospel music talent can assemble, for the benefit of gospel fans as well as the gospel music industry. And certainly it cannot be denied that the GVB and EHSSQ are among the leading gospel groups going, and have been for some time.
There is a lot of speculation as to why there was no Gaither presence in a perfoming way in recent years. Some of it may be true, and some of it just lots of noise from people who feel led to analyze such phenomena, for whatever reason. I don't know how much is true or not, but I am certain that it was not good for either the Gaither organization nor the NQC that the Gaither folk weren't there. It looked as though the NQC's credibility as THE gospel music event was tarnished by the Gaither absence, and to some, it may have even appeared as though the Gaither people were at odds with the NQC. That was not good for either party to deal with.
Recent quotes from Gaither himself suggest that he is happy to be back, and most certainly the general gospel music world, largely oblivious to most of the online speculation and scrutiny, would welcome the Gaither troupe at what is still gospel music's premier annual event. I know there are those that are critical of some NQC policies and decisions, and even those who suggest that greed is the primary motivator for the NQC's directors(and some have accused Gaither of "power play" tactics in the past with the NQC)...but isn't an event like this a place for all gospel music people to come together, and think first of the betterment of the fans and the industry?
If so, let's put aside all our cynicism...and welcome the GVB and EHSSQ back to the NQC...where they belong!
Posted on Dec 19, 2007 - 09:08 PM | [0]
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