Sunday, September 1, 2013

Holy Night in the Hollow - Day 10 of Silver Dollar City's Southern Gospel Picnic

Well, it wouldn't be Southern Gospel Picnic without a little rain. And day 10 made sure that we fulfilled our rain quota for the year. However the rain didn't slow the festival any, and didn't deter the night from being one of the most worshipful nights we've had!!

The day started with worship with Dennis Swanberg preaching. From there I caught part of a show by the Beelers. The group consists of two sisters and a brother. I had never hear them before. A song that really stood out to me was called "Because of You," and was written by the brother.

Then, I caught the Whisnants a couple of times this afternoon. It's always good seeing them at the City since it's really the only time I get to see them!

Susan sang a couple of my favorites, including "All Is Well" and "I'll Trust the Potter's Hand!" It was also good to hear a couple from their hymns project!

Austin and Ethan both seemed to have a bigger part than what I had seen before. I love the song "Sheltered" on their project. During the last show, they sang "Road to Emmaus" with Jeff, and it was definitely a highlight! 

They sang several other favorites including "King Jesus Is Coming," "He's Living Today" and "New Day Dawning" which closed the show! However another highlight was "I'm Trusting the Blood" with an a cappella repeat of the chorus that was absolutely amazing!!!

Tonight was the only with two headliners. Dennis Swanberg did 30 minutes of comedy before Greater Vision took the stage. It was good to see Greater Vision back down in Echo Hollow! It was good to  hear several from their latest project like "Come Unto Me," "Preacher Tell Me Like It Is" and "I'm Looking for the Grace," a personal favorite! 

They also sang plenty of Greater Vision standards like "He'd Still Been God," "My Name is Lazarus" and "He's Still Waiting by the Well." Chris was also featured on "I Know a Man Who Can." I love hearing him this song, and it was definitely a highlight of the night! 

Gerald said that the entire second half would be requests. He even sang "Oh Holy Night," at a lady's request! 

Apparently a lot of people wanted to hear hymns and Gerald play the piano, so he combined the two at Rodney's suggestion! :) Gerald asked for different sections of the amphitheater to call out hymns and he would combine them together and play them. In one section, a girl called out "He Touched Me," and Gerald without missing a beat said, "Well, get up and move then!" Haha!

He ended up played that song along with "Amazing Grace," "The Old Rugged Cross," "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" and "How Great Thou Art." As he started, people started singing along, and while he played through the medley, we sat there and worshipped! It was such an incredible moment, one I won't soon forget! A choir of well over 3,000 people singing hymns down in the amphitheater with just a piano. 

Gerald talked about what a great night it had been, but what they would be talking about when they got back on the bus was hearing the audience sing. They closed the concert with "God Wants to Hear You Sing!" Perfect way to end a holy night in the hollow!!!


2 comments:

  1. I would have LOVED to stay for the second half of GV's concert in Echo to hear Gerald play! (We had to leave at intermission...) Gerald is my favorite pianist on the road in SGM today - I could only imagine what that would have sounded like! Can't wait to hear this new hymns project he's releasing too!
    It was great meeting you at the park! Great job on all your recaps!
    Lynn

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    1. Great meeting you as well! I've enjoyed reading your posts on the festival too! Hope you have a great time at convention next week!

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