#1 Top Moment of 2015 - Crabb Family Reunion Concert

Some concerts will be forever ingrained in your memory. Some you just walk away knowing that it was one of the most uplifting nights of worship you've ever experienced. Sometimes they might be at just the right time in your life. Sometimes it might have had more to do with the music and what was said from stage. Or it could be a perfect storm of everything.

Early on this year, I knew other concerts had a lot to live up to to top this one. I have to say of all concerts I've been to this one is easily in my top five favorites ever - the Crabb Family Reunion Concert.

Since I never got to see the family when they were all touring together, I had been looking forward to this opportunity for a while! And it did not disappoint!!! It was full of Crabb Family hits, some new songs and an amazing tribute to Andrae Crouch. You can read the full recap here. It was one of those nights where you just didn't want it to end.

I loved the spirit of worship that was in the church that night. If you get the chance to attend one of their reunion concerts in 2016, I strongly recommend it!

Here's a clip from one of the concerts last year for you to enjoy -

Top 12 CDs of 2015

I have struggled with this post. It's been really hard for me to pick out the top CDs of the year. I've gone back and forth and reordered several times. I've ended up with a top 12, because I've been so indecisive.

And a small disclaimer - this list is only from projects I have reviewed this year. Unfortunately, there are a few releases that I won't have reviews on until next month.

So with all that being said, it was the year for great mixed group releases. They dominate this list, taking the top several spots.


12 - Walk of Faith - The Whisnants
Favorite songs - "Worry Ends Where Faith Begins" and "Go Out Singing"

11 - Happy People - Ernie Haase and Signature Sound
Favorite songs - "Happy People" and "Jesus Changes Everything"

10 - Ready to Sail - The Erwins
Favorite songs - "Greater" and "I Choose to Be a Christian"

9 - A New Chapter - Jim Brady Trio
Favorite songs - "Steppin' Out in Faith" and "Greatest of All Miracles"

8 - Stay - The Old Paths
Favorite songs - "How Great the Debt" and "Ordinary People"

7 - As We Speak - Greater Vision
Favorite songs - "As We Speak" and "Put Out the Fire"

6 - Just Sing - Amber Nelon Thompson
Favorite songs - "God Is Always Good" and "Another Time, Another Place"

5 - Living in Harmony - Triumphant Quartet
Favorite songs - "Living in Harmony," "Amazing God" and "Jesus Must Have Been Here"

4 - After All This Time - The Talleys
Favorite songs - "People in the Line," "Jesus' Blood Is Enough" and "After All This Time"

3 - Small Town - Jeff and Sheri Easter
Favorite songs - "Jesus Loves You," "Small Town Someone" and "Someone's Listening"

2 - Moments Like These - Bowling Family
Favorite songs - "I Was There," "Even When You're Asking Why" and "One Glorious Moment of Faith"

1 - Pray Now - Karen Peck and New River
Favorite songs - "Pray Now," "Hallelujah for the Cross" and "I Choose Christ"

So what do you think? What are your top albums for 2015?

#2 Top Moment of 2015 - Cathedral Family Reunion

I'm winding down the countdown with #2 today. This list would not be complete without the Cathedrals Family Reunion event I got to attend in October.

It's hard to pinpoint a "moment" from the weekend.  You can read the full recap here. My favorite session was definitely Saturday morning. The five guys - Gerald Wolfe, Mark Trammell, Ernie Haase, Danny Funderburk and Scott Fowler - told stories from their days with the Cathedrals. They gathered around the piano with Pat Barker on bass and sang many favorites and even a few requests, including "The Laughing Song," which was definitely a moment! :) I'm sure every Saturday morning session is different!

However, the moment of the weekend had to be the guys from all the groups there singing "We Shall See Jesus." Absolutely incredible!

If you get a chance to attend one of these Cathedral Family Reunion events, don't miss it!

Here's a clip from the weekend -

Here's one clip from Cathedrals Family Reunion! Enjoy!Greater Vision The Mark Trammell Quartet Legacy Five Ernie Haase and Signature Sound Danny Funderburk Ministries
Posted by Lauren's Southern Gospel Blog on Saturday, October 10, 2015

Top Moment #3 of 2015 - The Old Paths Final Concert

In May, the Old Paths announced that the group would be coming off the road at the end of the year. Their last concert was December 6 in Ramer, Tennessee. And I'm glad to say I got to be there for the last one. I hate to say it was a "top moment" since they are leaving the road, but it was one of the most memorable concerts of the year and one of the most significant since it was their last one.

It was great to see these guys go out while they were still at the top of their game. They decided that their ministry needed to focus to their families which is completely understandable. The guys gave it all they had. Seriously, I've never heard them sound better.

The crowd in Ramer had friends from many different states who traveled to see the quartet for the last time. They all wanted to come honor the guys for their last night singing together.

The concert was full of your favorite Old Paths songs from their very first song they recorded to their latest single and everything in between. The night paid tribute to the group's career and the mark they have made on gospel music. It was a great concert and one that reminded you of why this quartet is so great! Definitely hoping that they make a few appearances every now and then!

Here are several videos of the last concert on the group's Facebook page -

Here's a video of the last song last night, "Long Live the King!"
Posted by The Old Paths on Monday, December 7, 2015

Here's another video from Sunday night of our first #1 song - "Battlestand."
Posted by The Old Paths on Thursday, December 10, 2015

Here's another video of our last concert featuring Daniel Ashmore and Chuck Pettyjohn on "If That Isn't Love."
Posted by The Old Paths on Monday, December 14, 2015

Top Moment #4 of 2015 - Sonya Isaacs Yeary's testimony

In February I attended an Isaacs concert at the University of Central Arkansas. While I love their music, this concert made this list not because of what was sung, but what was said.

The concert came just a few months after Sonya and Jimmy Yeary lost their baby. Sonya gave a powerful testimony that night about the loss they experienced and how God gave them strength through it.

Sonya was 5 1/2 months pregnant. Their little girl already had a name, but she began having some issues. When she went to the doctor, there was no heartbeat. Sonya had to deliver the baby because of danger to her health but instead of having a new baby full of life to take home, her baby had already gone home to Heaven.

Thankfully, Sonya and Jimmy delivered a healthy baby boy just a few weeks ago, but here are a few nuggets of what she shared that night -

"It was one of those moments where I understood finally the peace that passes all understanding. That's what we had. And we knew that peace because we trust God and because we don't have any question about how He loves us....

"I can't help but think about how much I love the Lord tonight. And the reason why tonight I love Him more now than I did a year ago is that He's brought me through more. He was faithful to me when I needed Him the most.

"When tragedy comes and trials of life come as they will, we have two choices. We can run to God and say, 'Hold me Father.' Or the other choice is to run away from God, be angry at Him, and somehow act like it was His fault. If you want the peace that will get you through the trials of life, run to God."

It was such a powerful testimony of honesty and vulnerability. It was a reminder of how the trials of life can bring you closer to God and that should be their purpose. If you'll let Him, God will use those times in your life to make your walk with Him closer than it's ever been before.