Hearing the Good News From Tribute Quartet - Concert Recap

Tribute Quartet is a group I don't get to see that often. They were in El Dorado, Arkansas last weekend, so I made the trek south to see them. There are times when I go to a concert just because I haven't seen the group in a while or because I like their music or just because I need blog material (just being honest). And then there are times when I need it. I need the music, the encouragement, the reminders of God's love and faithfulness and that's just what I found last weekend.

Tribute Quartet - Riley Harrison Clark, Gary Casto,
Josh Singletary and Anthony Davis

Tribute started the night with "Stepping on the Clouds." It was a great one to get the audience clapping along. They sang "I Could Sing About Heaven" next featuring Anthony and then went into "Everybody Needs Jesus" with Josh getting the solo on this one. It was great to hear so many from their Journey of Hope CD! 

They sang one more "I Want to Thank the Lord" before Gary made the group introductions. During the group introductions, Gary mentioned that each of them was nominated in the top 10 for the Singing News fan awards for their respective parts. That was one thing that really struck me while listening to them. They are all strong as individual singers and then also collectively. They have had several years together now without changes to really gel, and they proved that they really are one of the top quartets in the industry.

Gary talked about how he could already feel the presence of the Lord in the church. He knew we were all in for a good night of worship. They cranked the music back up with "I Remember the Day." They turned it around a couple of times because the audience was really into it! Then Josh was featured on the piano on "I'll Fly Away." He is such a great piano player which I think is overlooked. Then Riley was featured on "There's a City."

The next stretch was probably my favorite part of the concert. They sang "In the Valley He Can Hear My Voice." I love hearing Anthony on this song, incredible job. Then, Riley sang "I Will Rise." This is becoming one of my favorite songs! Riley does an outstanding job with this song! Then they sang probably what has become the group's most well-known song, "Good News From Jerusalem." Josh really makes this song come to life. You can tell that this is a fan favorite. They ended the first half with "Outside the Gate." Gary definitely knocks this one out of the park. The way they stage this song is really incredible. They end by going into the audience and singing a cappella without microphones. It will leave you with chills!

They started the second half with "Everything I Need" and then "Through Me the Cross Lives On." I was not familiar with the second one, but definitely found myself looking it up after hearing it live! Great song!! Then they picked up the tempo with "Homesick Angel" which always gets the crowd clapping along. Anthony was then featured on "Leavin' on my Mind." This really showed off his bass voice.

Riley then spoke on the consistency of God that no matter where we are and no matter what we are facing, God is the same. He reminded us that God is bigger than anything we face in this life. We can claim victory no matter what trial we face. Then Gary sang "God of All My Days." What an incredible song! Loved hearing Gary sing it!

Gary talked about how encouraging the song was. No matter what valley we go through, God is there. "When we feel like there's no hope, God's Word tells us that He is hope," he said. "Whether we are standing on the mountain or walking through the valley He is still God." This set up perfectly Riley singing "God on the Mountain." And wow! He did such an amazing job on this song!

After a time of invitation, they sang a chorus of "Good News From Jerusalem" to end the night.

It was an incredible night of worship and just served as a reminder of how faithful God is in our lives. Sometimes we just need those reminders. We know the truth and have been told it 100 times before, but the music can breathe new life into those truths. The music can share that good news with us and speak to us just when we need it, and that's just what happened for me!

In Case You Missed It - News and Tidbits - March 28

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

• The Browders have the #1 song for the second consecutive month in the Singing News chart with "He Took the Nails." Matthew Browder and Mike Upright wrote the song. It's been eight years since a song held the #1 spot for two months in a row.
• The Dixie Echoes announced on Facebook that Alex Utech is leaving to pursue other opportunities. For those interested in auditioning, you can send a demo to scoot@dixieechoes.com. 
• The National Quartet Convention has announced a number of enhancements for this year. They include staggered rows, elevated risers and increasing the number of video screens. Read more about the improvements.
• Jeremy Peace of The Old Paths lost his mother on Friday morning. Please be in prayer for him, his siblings and the entire family. She was only 51 years old. You can read a sweet tribute from Jeremy about his mom on SingingNews.com. 
• The Music City Show  and Tim Lovelace have reached a long-term agreement with him as the host of the show. The show is currently taping for season 4.
• Ben Speer has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Keep him, his wife and their family in your prayers. 
• The Hoppers shared this week that Connie Hopper has finished her chemo for breast cancer. She is back on the road touring with the group.
• Karen Peck and New River video are looking for help with the group's new concept video. Film a video of someone praying. It can be yourself, a family member, friend, co-worker, fellow church member. Make this video no more than 15 seconds long and film it holding your camera or phone horizontally. Email entires to praynow@daywind.com by April 8.
• The Dominion Agency has added the Hoppers to its roster for booking.

Anything I've missed?

Fun Clip Friday - Hinsons

Last night I had the chance to see the Freemans in concert in Ward, Ark. I hadn't had the chance to see them before in a full concert setting, so it was good to experience a full concert with them. That inspired today's Fun Clip Friday post.

I'm going back several years for this clip. Chris Freeman started out with the Hinsons. Here's a clip of her singing "Sea Walker" with them. Enjoy for today's Fun Clip Friday!

Ben Speer Diagnosed With Alzheimer's Disease

Ben Speer recently disclosed that he has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. Ben sang with the Speer Family and the Homeland Quartet. He also owns Ben Speer Music and the Stamps Baxter School Of Music. In 1995, he was inducted into the GMA Hall of Fame, and in 1998, he was inducted into the SGMA Hall of Fame.

Here's a letter from him -

Recently, I have been told that I am one of the millions who is being afflicted with Alzheimer’s Disease. Upon learning this news, Rebekah and I had to decide whether we would keep this a private matter or whether we would make this news known in a public way.

After some consideration we have decided to share this with you. I intend to live the remainder of the years God gives me on this earth doing the things I have always done. I will continue to share life’s journey with my beloved Rebekah and family. I plan to enjoy many more singing schools and singings and stay in touch with my friends and supporters.

Unfortunately, as Alzheimer’s Disease progresses, the family often bears a heavy burden. One my family is all too familiar with. I only wish there was some way I could spare Rebekah and the rest from this painful experience. During this time and those to come, I am confident that with your help they will face it with faith and courage.

Sincerely,
Ben Speer

Please keep Ben, Rebekah and the Speer family in your prayers.

Mark Trammell Quartet - Concert Recap

If you follow me on Twitter, you know that this weekend was full of concerts for me. It all started on Thursday night with the Mark Trammell Quartet.

I love how you know exactly what to expect a Mark Trammell Quartet concert. It's going to be a night full of incredible quartet music and a respectful service that will glorify God above all else. This lineup of the quartet (Dustin Black, Nick Trammell, Mark Trammell and Randy Byrd) has been together now almost a year. They are sounding better and better together!

Here's a line up of what they sang -

• "Leave Your Sorrows"
• "To Know He Loves Me" - This is a great song from their Your Walk Talks project. Nick has become one of the outstanding lead singers in the industry, and it's a song that he wrote with Rodney Griffin.
• "Ransomed and Redeemed"
• "I Thirst" - Randy was featured on this song. Great hearing him on this classic!
• "Echoes From the Burning Bush" - Always a favorite to hear them sing live.
• "Wedding Music"
• "Don't Stop Running" - Another great one from Your Walks Talks!
• "Too Much to Gain to Lose" - No one can sing this song like Mark Trammell! Love hearing him on this one. He said that he was privileged to grow up and be what he dreamed of being as a child. He talked about how God blessed him and found favor with him. He said that God will provide if you do what He's called you to do.
• "Meet Me Over on the Other Side"
• "Your Walk Talks" - Always a crowd pleaser! I love this song. It's one that you can't help but get stuck in your head 
• "When the King Comes to Claim His Throne" - So good to hear them sing this one live! It's one of my favorites! It's quartet music at its finest.
• "Wonderful Time Up There"
• "The King Is Coming" - This always leaves me with chills. I can't imagine a better way for them to end than with this song. I've yet to see them sing this and not have the crowd on its feet. Absolutely incredible!

It's always great to see and hear this group whenever they are close!