Top #1 Moment of 2014 - Chosen Few Reunion

On the last day of the year, it's time to crown the top moment of 2014. This moment was almost 10 years in the making for me. Chosen Few was the house gospel group at Silver Dollar City when I was growing up. They were probably the first exposure I had ever had to Southern Gospel music. It had been almost a decade since I had seen the original quartet back together. This year at Silver Dollar City, they had a reunion during Southern Gospel Picnic. And that reunion is what I'm crowning the top moment of the year!

Even those the four guys - Brian Arnold, Casey Ellison, Ashley Ellison and Scott Fraker - don't sing together anymore, it was just like old times when they took the stage. They sang plenty of familiar favorites that the crowd loved. The response from the audience when they first took the stage was incredible!

Here are a few clips from the afternoon and my favorite moment of the year!

Top Albums of 2014

Today we break from the top moments of the year to crown what I consider to be the top albums of the year.

It was a strong year for quartet albums with five of the top 10 being quartet projects. It was also an incredible year for soloists with two of those in the top three. My list is just according to the albums I reviewed, there were some great releases I didn't get to this year.

10. Measure of Grace - Taylors

9. Awesome God - Triumphant Quartet 

8. A Cappella - The Martins 

7. Great Day - Legacy Five

6. Unashamed - Brian Free and Assurance

5. Picture This - 11th Hour

4. Battle Cry - Kingsmen

3. Stronger - TaRanda Greene

2. Welcome Home - Joseph Habedank

1. Your Walk Talks - Mark Trammell Quartet

I went back and forth on #1 and #2 for a while, switching them and even thought about calling it a tie. Because, honestly, they are a little bit like comparing apples to oranges. However, in the end, I had to go with Mark Trammell Quartet's Your Walk Talks. It's definitely the best release of the group to date. You've got incredible songs like "Your Walk Talks," "God's Been Faithful" and "When the King Comes to Claim His Throne."

This is what I said when I reviewed the project back in February, and it definitely holds true -
"After listening to Mark Trammell Quartet's latest release, there's only one word that comes to mind - Wow! The Mark Trammell Quartet has not only set the bar high for other releases this year, but they could not have started their new label with a stronger project."

What do you think? What makes your top 10 list?

Top Moment #2 of 2014 - The Perrys at NQC

Only one moment left after today. Several memorable moments came from NQC, but perhaps none as touching as Tracy Stuffle's return to the main stage. The moment was so special and the song spoke to their journey of the last year and a half. I'm sure there was not a dry eye in the building as Libbi started singing "I Can Trust Him." They all sing through the tears overwhelmed with emotions and support from the people there, fans and fellow singers alike.

Here's the clip below -

Top Moment #3 - Joseph Habedank Wins Favorite New Soloist

The countdown continues today with the #3 moment of the year. This one also occurred at NQC, but during the fan awards.

When Joseph Habedank launched his career as a soloist this year, he also came forward with a powerful testimony of God's grace and redemption. After struggling with addiction to prescription drugs, he returned to gospel music releasing a solo album with Daywind Records this summer. At the Singing News Fan Awards he was named Favorite New Soloist. His acceptance speech showed his appreciation to the industry for welcoming him back, the Perrys who he got his start with and his wife and family who stuck by his side. It was such a touching moment that it definitely made this year's list!

Here's the clip below from this year's fan awards!

In Case You Missed It - News and Tidbits - December 27

Here are some news and tidbits from this week in gospel music -

• Prayers requested for Tracy Stuffle who is back in the hospital. He had a small seizure and has a UTI. Please pray for him and the family.
• Congratulations to Kasey Kemp of Allegiance Trio who got engaged over the holidays!

Any other news items that I've missed?