Celebrating God's Goodness with the Perrys - Concert Recap

Friday night I got the chance to go to Oak Bowery Baptist Church to see the Perrys. I love going to this church for concerts. It's always such a sweet spirit. I hadn't seen the Perrys in more than a year, so I had been looking forward to this concert for a while. It was my first time to see Andrew Goldman and Jared Stuffle sing with them and Troy Peach back with the group. Also I hadn't seen Tracy Stuffle back on stage, so needless to say, this was a concert I was really excited about.

One of the reasons I love going to this church is the pre-concert congregational hymn sing. Before the service, church members of all ages fill the choir loft and the music director calls page numbers as we sing the classic hymns of the church. I love it!

The Perrys took the stage and started the night with "Gentle Shepherd." It was good to hear them stage this one again. Then, they sang "I Got a Hold of God This Morning" featuring Andrew. This was my first time hearing Andrew sing live, and I was really impressed! Then Troy was featured on "How Long." He did a great job on this song! It was interesting hearing so many of the newer songs that the guys hadn't originally cut. The guys did a great job, and I really love the sound of this lineup!

The Perrys - Andrew Goldman, Troy Peach, Libbi Stuffle, Tracy Stuffle
and Jared Stuffle

Troy handled the majority of the emcee work on stage, but definitely got help from Tracy. Troy talked about how this had been one of the churches he had missed coming to during the four years he wasn't with the Perrys. He and Tracy talked about how many good cooks there were in the church and how well the church treated them. Troy talked about what a privilege it was just to have one more chance to stand up and sing and brag on the Lord.

They then sang probably my favorite Perrys' song, "He Will Hide Me." I love this song!! Andrew and Troy really sound good together. It was definitely a highlight of the night for me, and got the first standing ovation of the night. Then Libbi was featured on "Did I Mention." She always does such an incredible job on this song. The group restarted the chorus of the song a cappella. Such a great moment and another highlight of the evening!

Tracy then started singing "God Is So Good." It was just amazing. They told a little bit more of Tracy's story, the stroke two and a half years ago plus more than 150 days in the hospital. He spent six weeks in a non-responsive coma. God wasn't through with Tracy, and He is still working in his life. Troy thanked all the people who prayed for Tracy during that time.

Tracy actually introduced the group. I loved the combo emcee work of Troy and Tracy. Sometimes it was like a comedy routine with Tracy interjecting funny remarks. They are great together!! It's also so inspiring to see Tracy's drive and "want to." Troy said that he goes through so much to be on stage night after night, but it's because he is dedicated to the call and wants to serve the Lord and sing.

The Perrys sang "I Know It Was the Blood" next. Libbi talked about what an honor and a privilege it was to be there. She shared more of the journey they had been on the past two years. She talked about how much Proverbs 3:5,6 had come to mean to her, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not on your own understanding." She knew that God didn't want us to understand everything, but to trust Him. She talked about while he was in the coma, she just fervently prayed that God would allow Tracy to open his eyes. Tracy beside her bugged his eyes out really big and the audience started laughing. She just said that some things never change. Haha!

For seven months, Tracy wasn't able to speak because of the trach. She talked about how many things we take for granted. When they left the hospital, doctors told her that he might never speak again or if he did that it would only be mumbling. They told her that because of brain damage, they weren't sure that he would be able to think clearly. Tracy chimed in, "That's baloney!" She quoted Eph. 3:20 that says God can do exceedingly beyond all we can think or imagine. And He did! She said that the song that could best sum up the past two years was the next one. Andrew started singing "Lord, I'm Thankful." Great song and a really beautiful moment! I loved hearing more of their story and journey. They ended the first half with "I Rest My Case at the Cross."

During the break, a trio from the church sang a couple of songs. They were great! Then, one of the girls from the trio, a teenager named Allie, sang a solo. I think the Perrys ask that she sing each year, she's got a great talent, so I can see why!

After the intermission, Libbi kicked off the second half with "Still Blessed." Loved hearing her sing this song! They then did the Goodman song "Living in Canaan Now."

Troy made the statement that they hadn't really featured Tracy or Jared yet that night, so they sang "Three Men on the Mountain" from their newest project Into His Presence. You can tell Jared is getting more comfortable in his role on stage. It's great seeing him stand next to his parents singing.

They sang a few more favorites "This Old Sinner Testifies," "Celebrate Me Home" and ended with "If You Knew Him." They closed the service with an invitation.

This is definitely one of my favorite concerts I've been to this year. It was great seeing the Perrys again especially with Tracy back on stage. It was truly a testament to answered prayers and God's goodness and faithfulness. Thankfully, it won't be another year before I get to see this group again!