Lily Weatherford to Retire

Lily Fern Weatherford issued this statement on the Singing News website on Saturday. She will retire May 2013 after 65 years.

January 12, 2013- After much prayer and thought, my years of traveling with the Weatherfords will be coming to a close at the end of May, 2013. I turned 84 this past November, and have just celebrated my 70th year in full time ministry. I will be making our annual Florida tour that will last through February as well as one more tour to California and once that is completed at the end of May, I will be retiring. I have sold my home in Paoli, OK and will be moving to Broken Arrow, OK, where my daughter, Susan, and her husband Tim are living.

I feel that this is what the Lord wants for my life at this time. Over the past several years, there have been so many changes in the economy and and state of the country that it has become financially unfeasible for me to continue on in the same manner of ministry. Churches and pastors have changed their way of ministry and are not supporting the Southern Gospel groups as they have in the past. The Weatherfords have always depended on the church and free will love offerings to keep us going. Fuel prices are outrageous as well as other costs of keeping on the road. All these things have caused me to come to this decision.

Steve is planning to continue in some form. He will be making announcements as to the future of the Weatherfords. Steve has been faithful to the Weatherfords for 37 years and he wishes to carry on. I would appreciate it if you would support him as you have supported us with your love and prayers. You can contact him through his website at www.theweatherfords.com.

Please come out to these final dates and see us if you possible can. Our schedule is at www.lilyweatherford.com. I will be putting updates on my website, as well as on my Facebook page.

Sincerely,
Lily Fern Weatherford

Fun Clip Friday - Melody Boys Quartet

I had the privilege of going to the Melody Boys Quartet's final concert on Dec. 31. You can read the full recap here. So for today's Fun Clip Friday post, here's the final song of that concert. Excuse the shakiness of the camera, the entire audience was on its feet at the end for the Melody Boys Quartet. Standing up while holding a camera still is not a skill I have learned yet! :)

One Year Blog Anniversary

Today marks one year since my first post on the blog. Thank you all for bearing with me during this first year. I've learned a lot and still have a lot to learn about the music and about blogging.

Thanks to all of my readers. The fact that you read what I write means so much. Thanks to all who have encouraged me in blogging. You'll never know how much I appreciate it.

I've really enjoyed this first year. I've gotten the chance to meet a lot of great people through the blog. Thanks to the artists who have given me a CD to review, promoted the blog on social media or simply taken the time to say a few kind words at the product table. I'm so glad that I've had the opportunity to meet you all.

Thanks to other bloggers for your encouragement and comments this first year. I feel blessed to be a part of this online community!

Thanks again for reading, and I'm looking forward to what the second year of blogging brings!

I Played in a Band - When Lyrics Speak

On their album A Tribute to the Songs of Bill and Gloria Gaither, the Booth Brothers had a couple of new Gaither tunes. One of those was "I Played in a Band." The song is a fun uptempo song that normally includes a few encores live. Sometimes I overlook the message of the faster songs, but I love the reminder that this song brings. You can listen to the full song in the clip below.

Bill Gaither and Larry Gatlin wrote this tune together after Bill got the hook from a letter he received. The letter writer felt that all he did was play in a band, write a few songs and in a choir, nothing spectacular. But that's not what Bill thought.

So many times we focus on being known and wanting to make our mark by being a leader or stepping out in the spotlight. However, sometimes we make the greatest impact just simply by serving God in whatever position we are called to. It takes a great deal more followers than leaders to make the world. 

"For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot says, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. And if the ear says, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired." - 1 Corinthians 12:14-18

We're all called to different roles. God has equipped each of us with different strengths to be able to serve Him in different areas. Just because God's not calling you to step out in front and minister to a crowd of thousands, doesn't mean He will use you any less. Sometimes it's just us going through the "simple" things, playing in a band, writing a couple of songs or singing in the church choir, that God will use the most.

What can we do where God has us to serve Him to the best of our ability? What's God calling you to do for Him? You don't have to be the "big dog" to show Christ to others or to make a difference for His kingdom. Whether you preach to 100s of people, sing a solo to an auditorium full or play in the band, it all matters to Him.

"...Whatever you do, do all to the glory of God." - 1 Corinthians 10:31

Melody Boys Quartet Final Concert

The Melody Boys Quartet said goodbye after 63 years on Monday, Dec. 31. It was a night full of great quartet singing with more than 15 Melody Boys Quartet members and former members there. Throughout the night they showed pictures of all members who had sung with the quartet. They also included pictures of several people who had worked in different capacities with their ministry.

They also played special video messages from individuals who wanted to pay tribute to Gerald Williams and the Melody Boys. Some of these included messages from Ryan Seaton, Bob Brumley and Bill Gaither.

I really hope I'm not leaving anyone out, but here is a list of all the members/ former members who were there:

Gerald Williams sings as Mike Franklin, Jonathan Sawrie
and Jeremy Raines look on. 

• Gerald Williams
• Scott Baker
• Doug Boydston
• Gary Bullock
• Mike Franklin
• Alan Kendall
• Doug Kramer
• Caleb Matheny
• Dean Porter
• Jeremy Raines
• Terry Robertson
• Jonathan Sawrie
• Jason Tapley
• Chris Walton
• Steve Williams
• Tim Williams

The guys sang for more than 4 hours right up until midnight, so I'm just going to hit the highlights:

The concert started with the arrangement of the Melody Boys Quartet who were together the longest, Mike Franklin, Doug Kramer, Jonathan Sawrie and Gerald Williams. They sang "God Is Great, Good and Merciful" and "Happy Rhythm." They knew how to get the concert started off on the right foot. They also sang "Sing Me a Song About Jesus" after the first intermission that was another favorite song during the night.

Jeremy Raines was featured on "The Lighthouse," and it was definitely a highlight of the concert. He is one of my favorite people to hear sing this song.  He sang along with Mike, Jonathan and Gerald "Check It Out." I still say this is my favorite lineup of the Melody Boys Quartet. Jonathan was featured "The Robe of Calvary" which was amazing and another highlight!! They also sang "It Is No Secret" together and halfway through Gerald's son, Steve Williams, joined them. He took over for a little bit to give Gerald a break. The other positions had plenty of people to rotate in and out, but since Gerald was the bass singer for 63 years, he didn't have that option!

Caleb Matheny sings with Tim Williams, Chris Walton
and Gerald Williams

Alan Kendall sang with Steve, Tim Williams and Caleb Matheny and was featured on "Then I Met the Master." This lineup with Gerald also sang "Hide Thou Me" that featured Tim.

Mike, Chris and Dean Porter sang an uptempo arrangement of "Are You Washed in the Blood?" that was another highlight.

They sang several patriotic songs in the middle of the concert including "One Nation Under God," "Welcome Home" and "American Christian." Chris Walton sang the last one and had the audience on its feet clapping along. He announced during the concert that he would be joining the group Restore. In fact, throughout the concert, several of the guys mentioned what they are doing now. Most of them are still in music ministry whether they are singing with a group or serving at a church.

Gerald got to sing with all three of his children during the concert which was a really sweet moment and a great tribute to the legacy he has made.

The last portion of the concert had all members of the Melody Boys coming to the stage for an all-sing. It was by far the best part of the concert, seeing and hearing all of them together. Here's what they sang:

• "Antioch Church Choir" - featured Jason Tapley
• "Jesus Is With Me"
• "Pray"
• "I've Got That Feeling"
• "Sinner's Plea"
• "On the Jericho Road" - Gerald Williams was amazing on this one, rattling the pews he went so low. His voice has not diminished at all.
• "Somewhere, Someday"
• "Give the World a Smile" - Classic Melody Boys song and a great way to end. And the audience was on its feet through most of it to show their appreciation for a great group and a great night!

I've got a couple of videos from the night on YouTube and have a couple more that I will get uploaded soon!

With more than 15 singers there, I was really impressed by how well the transitions of different group arrangements went. It was organized very well, and the entire concert went very smoothly.

It was a great tribute to the Melody Boys Quartet and to Gerald Williams who have exited after 63 years of singing gospel music.