Silver Dollar City's Southern Gospel Picnic - Sept. 6

Sunday was a day I had been looking forward to on the schedule. I grew up seeing Chosen Few at Silver Dollar City, so whenever they get back together for a reunion event, it's going to be good! In fact, it made the #1 Moment of the Year for me in 2014. Of course when you have Jeff and Sheri Easter in Echo Hollow, you know it's going to be good! And then beginning the day hearing Dennis Swanberg speak, you really couldn't have a bad Sunday at Silver Dollar City.

Here are a few of the highlights -

The Williamsons

• "It Was the Word"
• "Way Down Deep in my Soul" - They showed off their bass singer with this song. I have to say he's probably one of the lowest I heard during the festival.
• "How Great Thou Art" - They sang this again with the trumpet part and including the audience singing. Great moment!
• "Shout" - Can't get enough of this song!
• "He Lived to Tell It"
• "Tell Somebody" - This is a great song, and Karl shows off his harmonica skills during this song!

Chosen Few

• It really felt like old times at Silver Dollar City. The camaraderie between the guys is still there and the same as it has been. It was like coming back home for them because that's where they performed for 10 years.  
• It was great hearing so many classic Chosen Few songs again like "The Little Things," "I Will Carry on This Way," "Let Go and Let God" and "Deliverance Has Come." Brian Arnold is an incredible songwriter and is now singing with Chosen Few.
• Brain Arnold on piano - I really forgot how good he is! I'm not sure what else to say here, but wow! He plays the piano with one hand, but you could never tell it by listening. 
• "How Great Thou Art" - There are so many versions of this song, but Scott Fraker and Chosen Few singing this song is my absolute favorite. Scott shows off his 4 1/2 octave vocal range on this song.
• "I Bowed on my Knees" - There's Michael English on this song, Tim Rackley's version, but I would put Casey's right at the top with them. 
• "I Am the Man"
• "Long Black Train" - This was a new song for Chosen Few that they recorded for "best of" project with this being one of two new tracks for the CD. Loved hearing Scott sing this song.
• "Wonderful Love" - Ashley got his chance to show off his tenor skills on this song.

Mountain Faith

• This was not on the schedule for them to be down in Echo Hollow. Duane Garren announced that afternoon that there would be a special surprise starting at 6 p.m. in Echo Hollow and Mountain Faith was it!
• Jeff Easter joined them on the harmonica for "No Condemnation."
• "Love That Never Ends" - Really not sure if this is the correct title, but great song they sang at the end of their set.

Jeff and Sheri Easter

• I loved hearing so many of their new songs live! Their project Small Town has really been one of my favorite releases of the year!
• "Small Town Someone (Lunch)" - Such a great song that they opened the night with!
• "Someone's Listening" - Morgan did an incredible job on this song live!
• "Jesus Loves You" - Loved hearing Sheri sing this one. Incredible message that Sheri delivers so well!
• "I Love You" - Sweet love song!
• I hadn't seen them since Madison came off the road. Jared Easter is now playing guitar, mandolin, steel guitar and banjo for them. He even sang a little bit! They also have a new drummer since Landan Smith came off the road.
• Jeff had a sweet tribute to his dad and sang "Like Father, Like Son" with the recording of his dad singing with him.
• "Praise His Name" - Anytime I hear Sheri Easter sing this song, it's going to be a highlight. One of my favorite gospel songs!
• "Roses Will Bloom Again"
• "Sitting on Top of the World" - Love this song!
• "Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me" - They had the audience join in with them on the last chorus. Great moment to hear the 4,000+ voices all singing this together!

Silver Dollar City Southern Gospel Picnic - Sept. 5, 2015

A soloist, little bluegrass and some great quartet singing is what yesterday held at Silver Dollar City's Southern Gospel Picnic. I had the chance to see several groups for the first time, the Williamsons, Mountain Faith and Ernie Haase and Signature Sound. I had seen several of the members of EHSS before when they were with other groups but had never seen the group itself.

Here are highlights from the day - 

Mountain Faith

• This group has been on America's Got Talent this season and has developed quite the following from that! They made it pretty far in the competition and I can see why! They not only have a strong vocal talent but great musicians!
• "Emily, It's Love" - This song was made popular by Francesca Battestelli. The group definitely made the song its own.
• "There Is a God" - Beautiful song that Summer, the female vocalist, really shined on!
• "No Condemnation"
• "Absent From the Body"

Joseph Habedank 

• It was good seeing Joseph in a solo setting again. I hadn't seen him in person since last January when he first started as a soloist. He did a great mix of the hymns, new songs and favorites from his days with the Perrys.
• It was good hearing a lot of the new songs live for the first time like "Never No Never," "Welcome Home" and "Begging for Change."
• "Beauty of the Blood" - Before he sang this song, he had the audience sing with him on "Nothing But the Blood," great moment!
• "What a Day That Will Be" - He stated that this was the song he sang when he tried out for the Perrys.
• He ended a set with "Wish I Could Have Been There," which has always been a personal favorite!

Dixie Echoes

• Junior Shelton was still with the group at Silver Dollar City, so it's the same lineup I saw at Memphis Quartet Show a few months ago.
• The bass singer, Chandler Johnson, still really amazes me! Incredible talent for such a young guy!!
• "If You Know the Lord" - They sang the true four-part harmony on this song.
• "Roll on Jordan"
• Randy pulled out his guitar and played "Happy Rhythm." Not only is he pulling vocal duty now and playing the keys, but then he also showed off his guitar skills!
• "How Great Thou Art" 

Williamsons

• This was my first time seeing the group live, but I'm hoping to catch them again today. I was familiar with some of their music. 
• "Shout" was of course the song most people knew right away. I seriously hear this song on Southern Gospel radio daily. Great song and the audience was on its feet at the end!
• "Tell Somebody"
• "Monday" - Great song about how it's more important on how we live out the Christian life during the week, not just on Sundays.
• "It Was the Word"
• "How Great Thou Art" - This started with a trumpet solo, then the group joined in and invited the choir of 4,000+ people there to join with them. Incredible moment!

Ernie Haase and Signature Sound

• This was one of the moments I was anticipating most of the festival since I had never seen the group live before. I thought I knew what I was in for and I almost did, but their live concert experience is not something soon to be forgotten.
• The energy level of the night was just incredible. These guys don't stop. I never saw them tire out or slow down, they gave it their all every second they were on the stage.
• "Noah Found Grace in the Eyes of the Lord" - Such a fun song live!
• "Get Away Jordan" 
• "Ol Man River" and "Never Walk Alone" - Two songs from their new Broadway release. It was fun to hear these two songs for a little variety to the festival.
• "Jesus Changed Everything" - Love this song!!
• "Happy People" - Of course the audience was on its feet for this one, and they had to be when members started throwing frisbees in the air to try to catch!
• "Oh What a Savior" - I definitely expected to hear Ernie sing this one live during the night.
• "Step Into the Water" - Nice tribute to the Cathedrals with this song
• "Boundless Love" - They came back after the audience remained on its feet clapping with this one as an encore! Definitely glad they chose this song!

All About Family - Southern Gospel Picnic Silver Dollar City - Sept. 4

It's that part of the festival where things are winding down. There are only three more days left. And yes, I'm starting to get a little tired, but still sad to see it all come to an end for another year.

We started out the morning at the park, took a short break in the early afternoon and then came back. But in all, we managed to see five different groups again today. It was all about family groups today. There's truly nothing like family harmonies and seeing families sing and worship together.

Here are the highlights -


The Lesters

• It was a nice surprise to see Ginger singing with them this weekend. Matt Felts has been sick with strep throat, so she was filling in. 
• "Blessed Beyond Measure"
• "He Is" - This group was the first one I ever heard sing this song. Always a powerful moment of a concert.
• Southern Gospel Picnic is normally the first time I hear a Christmas song. This year it was the Lesters who first brought Christmas cheer with "Angels We Have Heard on High" a cappella. 
• "Favorite Song of All"

The Goulds

• I'm glad I got to see this group again. The Goulds consist of father Tim Gould and his two daughters, Kelsey and Christa. 
• "No Place to Hide"
• "He's Alive" - Great song!
• "He Promised Me" - Fun, uptempo song that reminds us that God won't leave us.

The Dunaways

• If I could have picked out songs of a Dunaway set that the songs I know best from them, this would have been it! Great song selection!
• "Church in the Kitchen" - This is one of those songs you can't help but like. 
• "Didn't I Walk on the Water" - Love this song!
• "Don't Start Doubting Now" - My absolute favorite!!
• "I Wanna Feel It Again"

Aaron and Amanda Crabb

• This couple knows how to worship at a theme park. They really set the tone for the night where we could just have church.
• "If I'm Guilty" - Love this song!
• "Hold to God's Unchanging Hand" 
• "He Looked Beyond My Fault" - Aaron sang this on by himself. Great version of the Dottie Rambo classic.
• "Please Come Down to Me"

The Bowling Family

• It was good to hear so many of their new songs on their upcoming release! I cannot wait to hear the full album!! I'm not sure on these titles, but here are my best guesses -
• "I Was There" - Kelly said this will probably become one of Mike's signature songs, and after hearing it I have to agree! Incredible song!!
• "One Glorious Moment of Faith" - Hope does such an incredible job on this song. She just owns it. 
• "Praise God He's Alive"
• "Don't You Wanna Go" - They pulled Aaron up to join them on this song! It really got the crowd going!
• "Your Cries Have Awoken the Master" - Always a highlight to hear this song live!!
• "I've Got My Mind Made Up" - This is an older song, so I'm not sure if it's included on the new project or not. They ended the night on this song with the audience on its feet clapping along. 

Silver Dollar City's Southern Gospel Picnic - Sept. 3

Thursday was a full day at Silver Dollar City. We saw five different groups today, starting and ending with some great quartet music. I also got the chance to see a couple of groups I had never seen before! Here are the day's highlights -

Gold City

• "Redeemed" - I love this arrangement of the song. 
• "That Little Baby" - I've always loved this song! It was a fun song that really got the audience clapping along.
• "Just a Closer Walk With Thee" - Bryan did a fantastic job on his piano solo.
• "When I Get Carried Away" - Love this classic Gold City song. 
• "Power of the Cross" - Such a powerful song! I'm sure this is becoming one of the group's most requested songs. They knock it out of the park each time.

Master's Voice

• This was my first time hearing this group live. They have a really good sound together and sang a lot of the older songs that the audience really loved.
• "This Same Jesus" - This was my first time hearing this song, but it was definitely one I looked up when I got back.
• "At Calvary" - Loved the group's jazzed up version of this song.
• The group asked for requests and got several of the older hymns that they sang, including "It Is Well" and "He Touched Me."

The Whisnants

• They sang a short a cappella clip of their latest song, "Worry Ends Where Faith Begins." Loved it! They sounded awesome!
• Ethan and Austin have always been great on stage, but they really impressed me yesterday. These guys are great vocalists. They sang a couple from their latest project "1+2+3" and "I Lean on You Lord." Austin also sang a song that normally Susan sings, "I'm Not Afraid to Trust Him."
• "All Is Well" - Anything Susan sings this song, it's always a highlight to me!
• "I'm Trusting the Blood" - They sang this song and then restarted it a cappella. Absolutely beautiful!
• "I'll Trust the Potter's Hand"

The Goulds

• This was my first time hearing this group as well. Was really impressed by the young talent in the group!
• "Love Never Ends" - This was a sweet father/ daughter song that really fit the group well.
• "There Is a Fountain" - Beautiful song written by Jim Brady.
• "Jesus Speaking Peace"

Legacy Five

• "Great Medley" - Love this fantastic medley and arrangement.
• "Who Is This Man" - Scott set this song by talking about the trip to Israel they are taking later this year. Powerful moment toward the end of the first half.
• Trey Ivey needs his own bullet point. He played two piano solos and we even got to hear him sing last night. He's incredibly musically talented with the piano, vocally and as an arranger. We really got to hear what all he could do last night.
• "That's a Hallelujah"
• "Life Will Be Sweeter Someday" - They sang this just the four guys around the piano. 
• "Champion of Love"
• "What a Happy Day (medley)" - Great way to end the concert! Audience was on its feet clapping along!
  

Reunion Day at Silver Dollar City - Southern Gospel Picnic - Sept. 2

I got up early yesterday morning to make my way back from Central Arkansas to Branson, Missouri. I was hoping to be there in time for Mark Trammell Quartet's first show at 10:30 a.m., and I was successful.

I had been looking forward to today for a while with the Gold City Reunion tonight in Echo Hollow. From videos and music, I would say the Jay, Jonathan, Mark and Tim lineup of Gold City, but I never had the chance to see them live together until last night.

Here are highlights from the day -

Mark Trammell Quartet

• "The King Is Coming" - I love hearing this group sing this song. It's always a powerful moment!!
• "Your Walk Talks" - The audience eats this song up, every time.
• "It's Almost Over"
• "Wonderful Time Up There" - This is always a fun song live!
• This was my first chance to see Blake Buffin with the group, and I'll just say I'm impressed. He's blending well with the group already. He was featured on "Tis So Sweet to Trust In Jesus." He did a great job! Enjoyed hearing both him and Randy stepping out on "Echoes From the Burning Bush" as well.

Jay Parrack and Vocal Event

• "Rock of Ages" - This was a cappella and amazing!
• "Love Lifted Me" - Loved this song from their latest project!
• "Glory Road" - Jay's high tenor just amazes me.
• "Where Eternity Begins" - Beautiful song that was written by two of the group members!

Kingsmen

• "Everything I Need" - This is probably my favorite Kingsmen song, so it's always a highlight in my book.
• "Cross of Grace"
• "Oh Yes I Am" - They encored this song several times and the audience was on its feet by the end!
• "Oh What a Savior" - Chris Jenkins slays this song every time.

Gold City

• "Farther Along" - This is a fun song to see the guys sing long with the black gospel version of the sing.
• "Power of the Cross" - Such a powerful song, and a great way to end the first half!
• "I'm Rich"
• "Turn Your Back" - Chris West is a great bass voice and really sounds a lot like Tim. Great to hear him featured on this song!

Gold City Reunion

• I'm trying to keep it at highlights, but I think I'll probably mention most of what they sang. I'm a fan of these four guys individually, but there is really something special that happens when the four of them take the stage together. Jonathan commented that they all still live close in the same area and apparently keep in touch pretty well. It seemed that they had never missed a beat tonight!
• "I Can Tell You the Time" - They opened the reunion part of the night with this song. 
• "Born to Praise the Lord" - Mark did an incredible job on this song! Great to actually hear it live!
• "Then I Met the Master" - Jay was featured on this song.
• "Show Me the Cross" - Apparently I'm a bad Southern Gospel/ Gold City fan. I was not familiar with this song, but I'm definitely glad I am now!
• "Midnight Cry"
• "I'm Not Giving Up"
• "When He Calls Me I'll Fly Away" - They ended the night with this song, and I don't think anyone in the audience really wanted it to be over.