It's the last day of the year, and it's time to crown the top moment of 2013. On March 19, many of the artists and fans gathered together in Nashville in honor of Tracy Stuffle and the Perrys. After Tracy's stroke and medical issues early in the year, a benefit concert was held at Christ Church in Nashville to help their family not only financially but also through encouragement.
The entire night was available to watch via webcast, and the entire night was amazing, but one moment stood out above the rest. During the concert, Pastor Phil Hoskins asked the artists to gather around all the artists gathered around Libbi praying with their hands outstretched and the entire audience from their seats prayed with arms out as well. And as they finished, you could hear a voice from in the midst start singing. The voice was singing "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus," and then I realized it was Libbi. I have no idea if it was planned or not, regardless it doesn't take away from what an incredible moment it was.
In one of her and her family's darkest hours as believers gathered around her, Libbi poured her heart out in song with the words "Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus, Just to take Him at His word, Just to rest upon His promise, Just to know 'Thus saith the Lord." The words were heartfelt and filled with raw emotion. It was a moment that will always stand out in my mind. It's a great picture of faith and how in the midst of uncertainty the greatest praise can be offered but saying how sweet it is to trust in Jesus.
It was by far the top moment of 2013, and one that I will forever remember.
Tuesday, December 31, 2013
Monday, December 30, 2013
Top Albums of 2013
I'm taking a short break from the top moments of the year countdown for a look at the top albums of the year. The #1 Top Moment will be crowned tomorrow!
Before I look at the top overall albums, let's look at what I consider to be the top albums from different categories. For this countdown, I'm only looking at albums I've reviewed this year that are mainstream releases from artists not specialty projects.
Top Soloist Albums -
1. Jason Crabb - Love Is Stronger
2. Devin McGlamery - Love is a Verb
Top Mixed Group Albums -
1. Bowling Family - Safe After the Storm
2. Karen Peck & New River - Revival
Top Trio Albums -
1. Beyond the Ashes - Living in the Moment
2. Greater Vision - For All He's Done
Top Quartet Albums -
1. Triumphant Quartet - The Greatest Story
2. Ernie Haase & Signature Sound - Glorious Day
When I review projects, I listen to it over and over and over. One of the defining aspects of a really great album is when I still want to keep listening to it. So here's what I consider to be the top 5 overall -
5. Revival by Karen Peck & New River - This album is full of great songs, several of them written by Karen Peck Gooch. The title song is one of my favorites that was released this year. Highlights include "Revival," "Everybody's Going Through Something," "You Did It Anyway," "Dancing Like Lazarus" and "I've Been Broken."
4. For All He's Done by Greater Vision - Only one song on this project was not written by a member of Greater Vision. There's not a weak song of the 10 songs on the project. It's solid and strong, exactly what fans have come to expect from this beloved trio. Highlights include "Looking for the Grace," "This Is Mercy," "I Can Trust You," "Seeking for Me" and "For All He's Done."
3. Safe After the Storm by The Bowling Family - This is the group's first project with Hope Bowling and Troy Peach as vocalists. The project speaks to the core of where this group is and how they have made it through the storm. Highlights include "Somebody's Believing," "I Know Enough," "I'm Glad I'm Saved," "That's What I Miss the Most" and "Just What I Need."
2. Living in the Moment by Beyond the Ashes - This is the first album review I did for this year, and this is one project I kept coming back to. It set the bar high with great ballads and uptempo numbers and even taking a nonsecular song and putting a Southern Gospel spin on it. Highlights include "Living in the Moment," "Over for Good," "When Love Whispers Your Name," "Peace in the Midst of the Storm" and "Oh the Thought that Jesus Loves Me."
1. Love Is Stronger by Jason Crabb - This project truly has something for everyone with many different genres being represented with the song selection. It shows the versatility of Jason as an artist and how he can widen the appeal of Southern Gospel with his reach. "That's What the Blood Is For" is one of the strongest songs released this year and is one of the more Southern Gospel songs on the project. While stylistically it might be different from strictly Southern Gospel, the messages of the songs are all gospel and all come together to show that "love is stronger." Highlights include "That's What the Blood Is For,""Love Is Stronger," "Let Mercy Hold You,""Satisfied" and "God's Up to Something."
Before I look at the top overall albums, let's look at what I consider to be the top albums from different categories. For this countdown, I'm only looking at albums I've reviewed this year that are mainstream releases from artists not specialty projects.
Top Soloist Albums -
1. Jason Crabb - Love Is Stronger
2. Devin McGlamery - Love is a Verb
Top Mixed Group Albums -
1. Bowling Family - Safe After the Storm
2. Karen Peck & New River - Revival
Top Trio Albums -
1. Beyond the Ashes - Living in the Moment
2. Greater Vision - For All He's Done
Top Quartet Albums -
1. Triumphant Quartet - The Greatest Story
2. Ernie Haase & Signature Sound - Glorious Day
When I review projects, I listen to it over and over and over. One of the defining aspects of a really great album is when I still want to keep listening to it. So here's what I consider to be the top 5 overall -
5. Revival by Karen Peck & New River - This album is full of great songs, several of them written by Karen Peck Gooch. The title song is one of my favorites that was released this year. Highlights include "Revival," "Everybody's Going Through Something," "You Did It Anyway," "Dancing Like Lazarus" and "I've Been Broken."
4. For All He's Done by Greater Vision - Only one song on this project was not written by a member of Greater Vision. There's not a weak song of the 10 songs on the project. It's solid and strong, exactly what fans have come to expect from this beloved trio. Highlights include "Looking for the Grace," "This Is Mercy," "I Can Trust You," "Seeking for Me" and "For All He's Done."
3. Safe After the Storm by The Bowling Family - This is the group's first project with Hope Bowling and Troy Peach as vocalists. The project speaks to the core of where this group is and how they have made it through the storm. Highlights include "Somebody's Believing," "I Know Enough," "I'm Glad I'm Saved," "That's What I Miss the Most" and "Just What I Need."
2. Living in the Moment by Beyond the Ashes - This is the first album review I did for this year, and this is one project I kept coming back to. It set the bar high with great ballads and uptempo numbers and even taking a nonsecular song and putting a Southern Gospel spin on it. Highlights include "Living in the Moment," "Over for Good," "When Love Whispers Your Name," "Peace in the Midst of the Storm" and "Oh the Thought that Jesus Loves Me."
1. Love Is Stronger by Jason Crabb - This project truly has something for everyone with many different genres being represented with the song selection. It shows the versatility of Jason as an artist and how he can widen the appeal of Southern Gospel with his reach. "That's What the Blood Is For" is one of the strongest songs released this year and is one of the more Southern Gospel songs on the project. While stylistically it might be different from strictly Southern Gospel, the messages of the songs are all gospel and all come together to show that "love is stronger." Highlights include "That's What the Blood Is For,""Love Is Stronger," "Let Mercy Hold You,""Satisfied" and "God's Up to Something."
Friday, December 27, 2013
#2 Top Moment of 2013 - Gaither Homecoming Concert
So this one might be a little bit more of a personal meaning to me as well. This year for the first time I got to go to a Gaither Homecoming concert. Yep, it was one of the highlights of the year for me.
The artists who were there that night were Gene McDonald, Charlotte Ritchie, the Nelons, the Isaacs and the Vocal Band. It was an incredible night of music!! It was great to see this lineup of the Vocal Band in person especially now with recent changes. The entire Vocal Band set was so amazing seeing that level of talent live.
The second half was a lot of fun and more all-sing style. I loved every minute of it. You can read more about the night here.
So I'm combining today's Fun Clip Friday with the top moment post to give you a glimpse into my favorite moment from the concert. Enjoy!!
The artists who were there that night were Gene McDonald, Charlotte Ritchie, the Nelons, the Isaacs and the Vocal Band. It was an incredible night of music!! It was great to see this lineup of the Vocal Band in person especially now with recent changes. The entire Vocal Band set was so amazing seeing that level of talent live.
The second half was a lot of fun and more all-sing style. I loved every minute of it. You can read more about the night here.
So I'm combining today's Fun Clip Friday with the top moment post to give you a glimpse into my favorite moment from the concert. Enjoy!!
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Top Moment #3 of 2013 - Libbi Perry Stuffle Standing Ovation
This is the last moment of the year from National Quartet Convention, and it's one that I'm sure not many people will forget. On the final night of NQC after the Perrys set, one of the longest standing ovations I've ever seen occurred in honor of Tracy and Libbi Stuffle.
Dean Hopper came up to the stage after the Perrys' set on Saturday night to say how much he appreciated Libbi's efforts to be there that week. The audience started clapping as Dean started talking, and before he could get out more than a few sentences, the applause took over. As evidenced from the webcast, it was several minutes of a standing ovation for the Stuffle family. At one point, Dean asked, "Are you through?" and more clapping started. She was able to FaceTime with Tracy and show him how much love the people were showing them. When the audience saw that Tracy was being FaceTimed it just kept going. The love, prayers and support for the Stuffle family evidenced in that moment definitely makes it a top moment of the year!!
Dean Hopper came up to the stage after the Perrys' set on Saturday night to say how much he appreciated Libbi's efforts to be there that week. The audience started clapping as Dean started talking, and before he could get out more than a few sentences, the applause took over. As evidenced from the webcast, it was several minutes of a standing ovation for the Stuffle family. At one point, Dean asked, "Are you through?" and more clapping started. She was able to FaceTime with Tracy and show him how much love the people were showing them. When the audience saw that Tracy was being FaceTimed it just kept going. The love, prayers and support for the Stuffle family evidenced in that moment definitely makes it a top moment of the year!!
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Merry Christmas!!
Merry Christmas! I pray that everyone is having a great day with family and friends celebrating the birth of our Savior.
I'll leave you with just a simple clip today of a medley of beloved Christmas carols from Karen Peck and New River.
I'll leave you with just a simple clip today of a medley of beloved Christmas carols from Karen Peck and New River.
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