Tracy Stuffle Passes Away

This morning Tracy Stuffle was promoted to Heaven. On Monday, he had a grand mal seizure that left him unresponsive for several days. They removed the ventilator on Saturday around 1 p.m. CST. Please keep Libbi, Jared, Lindsey, Troy, Andrew and all the family in your prayers during this time.

Arrangements have not been announced at this time.

Here is Libbi's post on Facebook on Sunday morning -

Heaven gained a hero and a saint of God at 2:54am!! As family gathered to sing Tracy home, he passed while I held him in my arms. It didn't take long until shouting and rejoicing started in the ICU room because we know Tracy has gained his glorified body. Arrangements will be announced soon, but a service will be held in Hendersonville, TN. All glory be to God, we've come too far to turn back now. Lib & Jared Stuffle

Here's Libbi's post on Facebook on Saturday morning -

Where do I even begin with this update?!?!? My heart is soooo torn into pieces right now. On Monday evening Tracy had a massive grand mal seizure. He was taken to a near by hospital where he seized for over an hour. A 10 or 12 team of drs and nurses worked on him for 2 hours to get him stable before transporting him to Centennial Hospital in Nashville. All beds were full at St Thomas Midtown where he normally goes. When transported to Centennial another set of drs and nurses worked on him and ran numerous tests on him. He was immediately put in ICU on a ventilator, Tracy was at that time was unresponsive. Drs have worked with him for the past 5 days doing everything they can to get him to respond in some way. But, nothing has worked. We (me, Jared and Tracy’s dad George) have made the decision to take Tracy off the ventilator today around 1PM cst. Drs feel that Tracy’s life would be as it is now if left on the vent. Y’all know me, I have fought tooth and toenail for my man over the past 5 years!! I made him a promise 5 years ago when he came home from having the stroke that I would carry him on my back if that’s what it took to give him a life he deserved. I have tried with every fiber within me to do just that!!! I can’t even start to imagine my life, our lives without him!!!! We have fought soooo many storms of life together. For 25 years it was just me and him, living life and Lovin it. Then God blessed us with the most incredible son, then we became the three stooges in life!!!! Always living life to its fullest! Tracy always wanted to have a little girl, so God sent Lindsey to our family as Jared’s wife. Tracy was beyond thrilled!! He finally got his little girl!! He loved and adored her sooooo much and told her so!! We became the fabulous 4 ( well 7 counting the fur babies)! We have leaned on each other in the good times and bad! Now.............our lives are fixing to change again................but, without our main man, my husband, JK and Lindsey’s dad. Y’all our extended family have been soooo incredible to hold us up before God, can I ask you again to please, please, please hold us up in these next few days and in the days ahead of us?!?!? My faith and trust in Jesus is still as strong as ever!!! We pray His will and not ours!!! God has been incredible to us in the past 5 years, and I know He will give us grace, comfort and mercy through this season in our lives!!

In Case You Missed It - News and Tidbits - February 3

Here are some news from this week in Southern Gospel music -

• Please pray for Tracy Stuffle and the family. He was hospitalized on Monday after having a grand mal seizure. He's been unresponsive since then. Please remember Libbi, Jared, Lindsey and all the Perrys and family in the days ahead.
• Myron Cook, former upright bass guitarist for the Inspirations, was hospitalized on Thursday, February 1, in Knoxville, Tennessee where he is being treated for an acute attack of kidney stones and dehydration. Keep him in your prayers.
• Tom Rainer, who sang lead for several quartets, including the Homeland Harmony Quartet, passed away on Jan. 15, 2018 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Keep his family in your prayers.
• Effective with the March 2018 issue, Danny Jones has been promoted to publisher of Singing News. This announcement was made by Kevin Anderson, the General Manager of Salem Media Group’s Nashville Operations.
• Mike Watson, one of the founding members of the Southern Gospel group Exodus passed away on Jan. 27, 2018 after battling cancer. His memorial service was held this past week in Gadsden, Alabama.

Anything I've missed?

Fun Clip Friday - Bass vs. Tenor Challenge

Here's another installment in the Bass vs. Tenor Challenge where Matt Fouch competes with Chris Allman on different things. Check out this video for today's Fun Clip Friday!

Singing and Surprises with Jeff and Sheri Easter - Concert Recap

The last concert I got to see in 2017 was Jeff and Sheri Easter. They made a stop in Arkansas around Thanksgiving, so I'm playing a bit of catch up today finally blogging about it.

I always love seeing this sweet family live in concert. You just never know what might happen with Jeff Easter or who might get called on stage to come join them. It was good to hear several new songs from Sing It Again along with a few surprises throughout the night. Here are a few highlights -

• I love that they are staging "Like My Mother Does" from Morgan's solo project. I think this song suits her so well and is such a sweet picture of mother and daughter.
• "Jesus Loves You" - I don't care how many times I hear this song, it never fails to speak to me.
• "The Seeker" - It doesn't get much better than Sheri Easter singing a Dolly Parton song!
• "On the Sea of Life" - This is a fun one to see and hear live that features Jeff. 
• "Thread of Hope" - I'm so glad someone requested this song. This is probably my favorite Jeff and Sheri song. Always love getting to hear it live!
• "Tis So Sweet" - Love this hymn that features Morgan.
• Two of the audience members that night happened to be the Martin parents. They called Momma Martin up to sing one with them. She sang "Amazing Grace" with Jeff and Sheri. They called a few more from the church up to sing with them as well including the pastor and Nancy Norris, the daughter of a local promoter who passed away a couple of years ago.

They ended the night with "Precious Memories" and "Keep on the Sunny Side." It was such a sweet night with great singing, fun surprise guests and a time of worship and encouragement.

Fun Clip Friday - National Quartet Convention - Jim Brady Trio

On the National Quartet Convention Facebook page, they have shared several videos and clips from the most recent NQC in Pigeon Forge. Here's a video of the Jim Brady Trio singing "Homesick for Heaven" for today's clip. Enjoy! And don't forget to watch their Facebook page for more videos.