Fun Clip Friday - Bass vs. Tenor Challenge

Here's another installment in the Bass vs. Tenor Challenge where Matt Fouch competes with Chris Allman on different things. Check out this video for today's Fun Clip Friday!

Singing and Surprises with Jeff and Sheri Easter - Concert Recap

The last concert I got to see in 2017 was Jeff and Sheri Easter. They made a stop in Arkansas around Thanksgiving, so I'm playing a bit of catch up today finally blogging about it.

I always love seeing this sweet family live in concert. You just never know what might happen with Jeff Easter or who might get called on stage to come join them. It was good to hear several new songs from Sing It Again along with a few surprises throughout the night. Here are a few highlights -

• I love that they are staging "Like My Mother Does" from Morgan's solo project. I think this song suits her so well and is such a sweet picture of mother and daughter.
• "Jesus Loves You" - I don't care how many times I hear this song, it never fails to speak to me.
• "The Seeker" - It doesn't get much better than Sheri Easter singing a Dolly Parton song!
• "On the Sea of Life" - This is a fun one to see and hear live that features Jeff. 
• "Thread of Hope" - I'm so glad someone requested this song. This is probably my favorite Jeff and Sheri song. Always love getting to hear it live!
• "Tis So Sweet" - Love this hymn that features Morgan.
• Two of the audience members that night happened to be the Martin parents. They called Momma Martin up to sing one with them. She sang "Amazing Grace" with Jeff and Sheri. They called a few more from the church up to sing with them as well including the pastor and Nancy Norris, the daughter of a local promoter who passed away a couple of years ago.

They ended the night with "Precious Memories" and "Keep on the Sunny Side." It was such a sweet night with great singing, fun surprise guests and a time of worship and encouragement.

Fun Clip Friday - National Quartet Convention - Jim Brady Trio

On the National Quartet Convention Facebook page, they have shared several videos and clips from the most recent NQC in Pigeon Forge. Here's a video of the Jim Brady Trio singing "Homesick for Heaven" for today's clip. Enjoy! And don't forget to watch their Facebook page for more videos.

In Case You Missed It - January 13

Here are some news items from last week in Southern Gospel music -

• Jim Hill, age 87, passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2018. Hill was the writer of “What A Day That Will Be.” He also sang with The Golden Keys Quartet, The Stamps Quartet and The Statesmen Quartet. Please remember his family in prayer.
• The New Speer Family group was announced this week. Brock & Faye’s son, Brian, and his wife Allison, will team up with Mike Allen and Ben Waites to form the New Speer Family.
• The Dixie Gospel Caravan Radio program is celebrating 50 years this year. It will have a year-long emphasis celebrating memories of the past.

Anything I've missed?

In Case You Missed It - News and Tidbits - January 6

Here are some news items from this week in Southern Gospel Music -

• Chris Jenkins has rejoined the Kingsmen Quartet at tenor.
• Prayers go out to the Younce family as Tara passed away this week.
• Prayers also go out to Gerald Wolfe's family. His father passed away Saturday.
• Kim Hopper is recovering from foot surgery. Please remember her as she recovers.

Anything I've missed?

Fun Clip Friday - On the Couch With Fouch with Riley Harrison Clark

It's a new year, so hopefully I'm getting back to my normal blog features, which includes Fun Clip Friday. The latest installment of the On the Couch With Fouch series has an interview with Riley Harrison Clark of Tribute Quartet. Enjoy watching Matt Fouch's interview with Riley where he shares his testimony and much more!

Chris Jenkins Rejoins the Kingsmen

Chris Jenkins is once again a member of the Kingsmen Quartet. Chris left the group in 2015 after being with the group since 2012. He was with the Anchormen most recently. Chris is back with the group as of December 31. 2017.

Chris stated, “Being a “quartet” man at heart, it’s hard to imagine myself as anything else. I am beyond honored to have the opportunity to climb back on The Kingsmen bus and reunite with this strong 61-year legacy. I want to thank Ray Dean and Brandon Reese and the rest of The Kingsmen for their friendship and welcoming me back to The Kingsmen family. What a joy it will be to see old friends I haven’t seen in two years and most importantly sharing with people the message of the gospel thru song! I am looking forward to great things from the Lord and the opportunity to make more life-changing music with this wonderful ministry.”

It's good to see Chris back with this group. The Kingsmen had one of their strongest releases in recent history with Battle Cry during Chris's tenure. Excited to see what is to come!

New Year Reflections

It's day 1 of 2018, which is still weird to see. And let's be honest, I'll probably write 2017 on things until at least March. This will be my seventh year of blogging, which is a little surreal to think about. There were definitely times this year when life got busy and I wasn't sure I could keep up. Thanks for sticking with me.

2017 held some great memories. I got to attend National Quartet Convention for the first time. I also attended PraiseFest Branson for the first time this year. There were a few groups I got to see live finally like the Kingdom Heirs, the Erwins and Cana's Voice.

I can't wait for more events and memories for 2018. I'll be going on my first gospel music cruise later this month. I plan to attend the Memphis Quartet Show and Silver Dollar City's Southern Gospel Picnic as I usually do. I'm sure I'll have many more concert recaps, CD reviews and more to share. Can't wait to find out what else the year will hold! Thank you all for reading.