Great Western Southern Gospel Fan Festival, Day 3

"To thine own self be true."

If the theme of Thursday's opening night at this year's GWSGFF was West Coast Night, and last night's was the Battle of Songs revisited, tonight's grand finale at the West's largest gospel music event would have to be summarized in the above old quote.

Of course, I'll explain what I mean when I go into my detailed report of the evening. But first, just a couple of housekeeping items.

First, my apologies to Bob Hughes, who posted a comment on my report last night. He stated that he'd wished he were there, and I agreed that I wished he were as well....even though he's not the person I was thinking of when I responded to him.

I'm familiar with Bob Hughes, and he is a very perceptive and passionate man who truly appreciates good gospel music, and I would have loved to have him here tonight. But when I was responding to him, I was thinking of another Bob who I saw in past FFs...and even sang at them.

I was thinking of Bob Oliver(original tenor for Gold City)who lives in California these days, and I miss seeing him sing and chatting with him. So Bob Hughes, I apologize for the confusion...but do know that I appreciate you, too.

Second, I might as well mention the miscellaneous asides on tonight's program that I noticed, but don't really fit being mentioned anywhere else. Roy Webb again accompanied the Hoppers, the Pfeifers, and any other artist not having a regular pianist. I hope he was able to move his product this weekend...he did a good job.

And tonight's Gaither classic video clips consisted of the Statesmen of Crumpler/Hess/Ott/Wetherington/Lister doing "Get Away Jordan"(mid 1950s), the Florida Boys of Tommy Atwood, Les Beasley, Glen Allred, Billy Todd, and a toupee-clad Derrell Stewart doing "I Feel Like Traveling On"(I'm guessing 1967), and an old Gospel Singing Jubilee clip of Vestal Goodman with the Jubilee Choir doing "Down By The Riverside"...good classic stuff.

And no Cliff, I never got to see Les Beasley personally tonight, so I couldn't ask him yet about those tapes.

OK...now for openers, I came a few minutes late...I had to go directly from work, so there must have been 20 minutes of singing before I settled in...when I did, the California Melody Boys were just finishing their set. They got a nice reaction from the 3/4 full arena.

The first group I saw was the Revised Standard Version quartet(aka RSV)from Bakersfield, and since they have a good following in Fresno, they got a nice hand for their set. They are not a noteworthy recording group, but they do have a good live performing style.

Next came Poet Voices, who(like everybody during the evening)didn't do anything out of the ordinary musically or stage wise, but they kept pretty much to their normal routine, and sang some very good songs(but of course). They too were well received...Phil Cross comes out here often, so they've developed a San Joaquin Valley following. They were responsible for the best line of the night(IMHO)...when Cross happened to call attention to the other singers' black suits, he remarked that they looked like "hit men"...to which one replied, "We are. We're here to help get you more hits.":-)

So far, so good. Things were going at a pleasant, but not too startling pace. Then came the Liberty Quartet.

I know I have gone on and on about how good the Liberty Quartet is, but tonight they even outdid my expectations. When it comes to a gospel quartet, they have everything you could want...good material(some of it original), a great blend, good arrangements(another of Royce Mitchell's supreme talents), and good individual voices. Lead singer Dan Gilbert has a strong voice and a winning stage manner, as does baritone/pianist Doran Ritchey. Although Keith Waggoner has been battling illness of late, this Phil Cross lookalike sings a good quartet tenor and writes good songs for the group.

Then there's Mitchell. For a while now, I've contended that he is as good a bass singer as you'll find...capable of both George Younce type bass leads as well as hitting those trademark low notes when needed. But Royce is not a gratuitous bass singer, always singing lower than necessary to "prove" himself. He sings the right notes, in the right way. I have said in the past that he resembles a younger Gerald Williams vocally, and he is a tremendous soloist when called upon to be featured. I mentioned his arranging skills...did I add that he is a personable MC as well? Well, now I did!:-)Royce is the lone original member of the quartet still there, and his vocals virtually define the Liberty Quartet's sound.

And the quartet's material ranges from high-church hymns to toe tapping gospel quartet standards, to songs with a bit of a contemporary feel as well. You name it, they can do it all. The rest of the country NEEDS to be exposed to the Liberty Quartet...if you're a gospel fan, you're almost sure to love this group.

But the thing I like about them the most is their commitment to ministry in song. That aspect as well as their ability to be very entertaining on stage remins me of the old Couriers Quartet during the time that "Little" David Young was with them. They will give you plenty of what you want, and on top of that, they will bless you as well.

Tonight they had the crowd eating out of their hands by their third song. After a rousing patriotic medley, they got the crowd off their seats with a lively original song penned by Waggoner("There's Gonna Be A Great Day"). They finished with a great cover of the old Speers hit, "City Coming Down", where they were joined on stage by the members of Greater Vision. When Royce hit those bottom notes, the look on Gerald Wolfe's face almost said, "Next time we do another "Quartets" project, you're going to be one of my basses!" Liberty's set thrilled me and pumped me up...and rocked the house!

Yet there really was nothing unusual about what they did...again, they just did what they do best, and it worked!

I had barely returned to earth when once again, the King's Heralds did an a cappella number from the audience. Their kind of quartet singing is my very favorite...I take to it like some people take to ice cream!

After their song, Les Beasley came down and asked them why they weren't doing a set from the main stage...he then proceeded to almost drag the quartet onstage! Finally, the King's Heralds would do their own set!

Well, not exactly...they sang two songs a cappella...the last one, an old hymn, in a EXTREMELY sophisticated barbershop style arrangement. It was so enthralling, I needed a napkin to catch my drool!:-)

When they were done, the crowd was almost silent with awe...I meanwhile was giving them a standing ovation from my suite!

The King's Heralds are REAL progressive gospel music. No one in any other genre sings that way anymore. They have taken an extremely difficult and complicated musical style, and are furthering it in their application to gospel quartet singing. They are in a class by themselves....and the gospel world is blessed to have musicians like this in it.

I commented aloud to my co-host in our suite, "I feel sorry for anyone coming after them!" I was about to be re-taught a lesson I have given to many others.

The Dixie Melody Boys were next...how would they top all of that? They started by singing one of their biggest hits, "The Antioch Church Choir", which most of the audience knew and liked. That was a good start. But Ed O'Neal hasn't lasted 50 years in gospel music because he didn't know what he was doing. He simply followed that with more typical Dixie Melody Boys music, well-sung and introduced flawlessly.

The Dixie Melody Boys didn't do anything special to counteract what had been done earlier. They just did what they do best very well...and their set was quite enjoyable. Afterward, I sought out Ed to confess that he had proved me wrong, and that his group did a great job. When in doubt(or when not), stick to what you know how to do, and do it to the best of your ability, and it will pay off...I should have known that before they started singing. Ed, thanks for the lesson...will I get credit from Ed O'Neal University?:-)

Then came a group that I cannot be impartial about...I've known them since they began, and their leader is one of my best friends. The Herb Henry Family did another great set of almost any type of song you can think of. Not many can go from contemporary to Stamps-Baxter in a 15-minute set, and pull it all off so well. They really have matured tremendously as entertainers and as people...and I couldn't be prouder of them if they were blood relatives! They are good enough to go national, and be successful. And they ended their set with the same version of "His Hand In Mine" that they did Thursday, with Herb Henry's piano solo getting another round of applause. For those familiar with what I mean, Herb's solo was reminiscent of the recently departed Danny Koker...a thing of beauty.

The Hoppers closed the first half doing what they've been doing well of late, scoring with video effects and grandiose, big arrangements. If you're a Hoppers' fan, it was exactly what you've come to expect...and it was good.

Again, my small complaint(and only mine AND small)is showing location videos of them performing their big hits while they're singing the very same songs on stage. Exactly how does this add to the song they're singing, to watch them singing it while they're on stage doing it already for me!? I know there are those who like it, but evidently I'm missing the connection.

Intermission came, and I got to socialize with Jeff Pearles(a fine man), and get my picture taken with Royce and Keith from the Liberty Quartet...from of all people, a fan of this blog! Can you believe this blog has fans?? I was very touched by what Ellen Gerig told me...and I'm glad she's out there reading what I have to say. Ellen, meeting you was definitely a highlight of this year's event fo me. Thank you so much.

The Beene Family opened the second half...and again did what they do well VERY well...they'll always be Fresno people, no matter if they HAVE moved to Nashville...and we'll always love to see them.

The Pfiefers have always gone over super well in Fresno, and I'm glad they came back this year. They opened the next set with their instrumental version of "How Great Thou Art", featuring Mary Jane and Candy on saxophones, and John Pfeifer on trumpet. The first time I heard them do this three years ago, I teared up...and I did it again this year! John's trumpet is very powerful and moving.

The Watchmen came out for a "farewell" set...this longtime California quartet is finally coming off the road at the end of this year. They have been true West Coast troupers for gospel music...and they mean to Southern California gospel fans what Don Smith's Gospelaires did to fans in this area.

I also will confess to being wrong about another group. I know that Greater Vision has been a popular gospel attraction for many years...due in no small part to their song quality, and Gerald Wolfe's tremendous MC ability and lead singing. But I could never get into them, because straightforward trio arrangements never did much for this quartet guy.

But this year, they finally won me over...Wolfe ran a great set, and it was touching to see him announce Jason Waldroup's imminent departure from the group and have him featured on an a cappella version of "Victory In Jesus". And their rendition of "A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" was extremely moving as well. Then they brought the house down with "My Name Is Lazarus".

The night ended with the Hoppers and Greater Vision joining forces on "Shoutin' Time".

Highlights of the night? Well, obviously the Liberty Quartet's set...plus the King's Heralds a cappella prowess. I might throw in Jeff Pearles' joining Poet Voices on their final song. And of course the Dixie Melody Boys for their lesson on just doing what you do best and how it pays off. It was so refreshing just to see all the artists tonight just sticking to what comes naturally, and doing it so well.

My thanks go out to Keith Waggoner, Royce Mitchell, Hugo Shirley, Herb Heny, and Ellen Gerig for not only being great people, but being my friends as well. I could not have enjoyed this event as much as I did(and I enjoyed it immensely)without any of you. Also thanks to Earline Starnes, for making it possible to be there as I was...she is a great friend, too. And of course, all the artists, what could the GWSGFF be without all of you?

And thanks galore to Daniel Mount, for pointing the way to this series of posts. Daniel, I hope you enjoyed my version of the event.

And that goes triple for all the rest of you...thank you all for stopping by...hope you enjoyed this look at this year's GWSGFF through my multiple sets of eyes and ears.

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