In Case You Missed It - News and Tidbits - February 24

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

• The Guardians announced this week that they are becoming a quartet permanently with Pat Barker on bass.
• The first round of nominations for the 2018 Singing News Fan Awards are now open. Singing News subscribers can now vote here.
• Ernie Haase & Signature Sound will perform the national anthem ahead of the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway on Sunday.
• Prayers for the family of Billy Graham who passed away on the morning of Feb. 21. He preached the gospel to around 215 million people who attended one of his more than 400 Crusades, simulcasts and evangelistic rallies in more than 185 countries and territories.

Anything I've missed?

Fun Clip Friday - Kari Gooch and Wesley Pritchard

When I had the opportunity to go on the Abraham Productions cruise a few weeks ago, I continued to be impressed by the next generation of talent in Southern Gospel. One of those talents was Kari Gooch. She recorded this duet on Karen Peck and New River's last album and sang it live with Wesley Pritchard who is currently filling in with the group. This video was taken from a recent concert.

Enjoy this for today's Fun Clip Friday!

Pat Barker Permanently Joins the Guardians

StowTown Records recording artists, The Guardians, have announced a transition from a trio to a quartet as occasional guest bass vocalist Pat Barker has joined the group on a permanent basis.

“Pat’s bass voice is unsurpassed in this industry,” states The Guardians’ Dean Hickman. “When he’s made guest appearances with this group in recent years, he always brought such excitement, energy, and true professionalism to the stage. Not only is he a remarkable bass singer, Pat also has a sincere heart for ministry and proclaiming the Gospel. Pat represents the quality and goodness the future of Gospel music holds.

“I am so honored to be an ‘official’ member of The Guardians,” says Pat Barker. “I have known and loved these guys for many years, and, likewise, I’ve followed their musical career during that time. I’ve been blessed to have the occasional opportunity to sing with them in many concerts and church services, so I’ve learned first-hand that the fellows in this group are truly remarkable men who love God. I’m very thankful to be joining their ministry on a full-time basis.”

The Guardians’ transition from trio to quartet is effective immediately. To learn more about The Guardians, including the group’s tour schedule, visit www.theguardiansmusic.com.

In Case You Missed It - News and Tidbits - February 17

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

• Congratulations to Karen Peck Gooch who has been named as a 2018 Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee. The induction ceremony will be held on Tuesday, May 8 in Nashville at Lipscomb University. 
• The National Quartet Convention Live Volume 17 DVD is now available for pre-order and will be released on Feb. 23. You can purchase it online here.
• The Griffith Family has an opening for a singer/keyboardist after the exit of group member Bryce Lee. Bryce has been in school pursuing a career in real estate. The group is looking for a soprano/tenor who can also play the piano.

Anything I've missed?

In Case You Missed It - News and Tidbits - February 10

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

• The homegoing for Tracy Stuffle was held in Nashville on Tuesday. The homegoing service is available to watch online via First Baptist Hendersonville. The Perrys are honoring all dates this weekend. They sang at Bill Bailey's Winter Convention last night. You can see their set here.
• Abraham Productions, Inc. (API) announced it will be giving away a new Ford Focus SE on Saturday night, April 21, 2018 at Singing in the Sun at Myrtle Beach to someone in attendance. The vehicle, valued at $20,145.00, is fully loaded. You must be present to win and eligible according to the car giveaway guidelines listed on the API website. In addition, if the winner of the Ford Focus SE has been in attendance 5 of the 6 days at Singing in the Sun, not only will they win the brand new car, but they will also win tickets to every Abraham Productions Concert in 2018, tickets to Singing in the Sun next year, and $1,000 cash.
• Absolutely Gospel announced that Amber Nelon Thompson and Joseph Habedank will once again host their awards show this year. The awards will be held on Tuesday, April 10. Performers for the ceremony will be Michael English, Karen Peck & New River, Tribute Quartet, 11th Hour, Joseph Habedank, the Freemans, the Nelons, Michael Combs, New Legacy Project, Griffith Family and the New Speer Family.
• The National Quartet Convention announced three hosts for the evening concerts - Josh Franks, Duane Garren, and Bill Bailey. 

Anything I've missed?

Going Cruising - Abraham Productions Crystal Caribbean Cruise

Last week I had the opportunity to go on the Abraham Productions' Crystal Caribbean Cruise. It was an incredible week and experience. This was my first cruise and my first Abraham Productions event, but it won't be my last of either.

The groups who were on the ship were - The Talleys, Jeff and Sheri Easter, the Whisnants, Karen Peck & New River (who arrived a little late because of being at the Grammys), the Hoppers, Brian Free & Assurance and Ivan Parker. This was one of the best lineups I could have asked for!

Dr. Herb Reavis was the speaker for the event and spoke on Sunday morning, Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. He is the pastor of North Jacksonville Baptist. This was my first time to hear him speak, and I was definitely blessed and challenged by his speaking. The best news of the week was that 11 people were saved during the cruise! I love how Abraham Productions made sure that the gospel was presented not only through songs but also through preaching.

We had concerts each day where each artist sang around 20 minutes each. When we had the chapel services in the morning a few of the artists got up early and would sing twice on those days. We took over one of the lounge areas on the cruise ship. It was a more intimate setting that was packed full of gospel music fans. One of the things I noticed and loved to watch was how the artists supported each other. They all sat over to the side of the lounge and watched and encouraged each other. It was neat to see them singing along to other groups' songs or making special requests of their favorite songs or even joining other groups on stage.

I didn't take notes to recap everything, because I just wanted to enjoy the music. There was one night that stood out that was full of reminders of God's incredible love for us with songs like -

• "Jesus Loves You" - Jeff & Sheri Easter
• "I Love You This Much" - The Whisnants
• "For God So Loved" - Brian Free & Assurance
• "His Life For Mine" - The Talleys

I don't know if the artists planned how the night went or not, but it was amazing to see how God brought a clear theme to the night. 

A few other memorable performances were - 

• "Something's Happening" (The Hoppers) - Kim is still recovering from foot surgery so she was on crutches and sat to sing most of the week. Kim still nailed the end of the song sitting down early in the morning!
• "Goin' Away Party" - Jeff Easter pulled Lauren Talley on stage to sing the second verse with them.
• "Midnight Cry" - Ivan Parker got Brian Free & Assurance to join him for this one
• "All Is Well" - The Whisnants
• "My God Will Always Be Enough" - Karen Peck & New River

If you ever get the chance to go cruising, I highly recommend this one! It was a week full of great preaching and singing and one I won't soon forget. 

Tracy Stuffle Passes Away

This morning Tracy Stuffle was promoted to Heaven. On Monday, he had a grand mal seizure that left him unresponsive for several days. They removed the ventilator on Saturday around 1 p.m. CST. Please keep Libbi, Jared, Lindsey, Troy, Andrew and all the family in your prayers during this time.

Arrangements have not been announced at this time.

Here is Libbi's post on Facebook on Sunday morning -

Heaven gained a hero and a saint of God at 2:54am!! As family gathered to sing Tracy home, he passed while I held him in my arms. It didn't take long until shouting and rejoicing started in the ICU room because we know Tracy has gained his glorified body. Arrangements will be announced soon, but a service will be held in Hendersonville, TN. All glory be to God, we've come too far to turn back now. Lib & Jared Stuffle

Here's Libbi's post on Facebook on Saturday morning -

Where do I even begin with this update?!?!? My heart is soooo torn into pieces right now. On Monday evening Tracy had a massive grand mal seizure. He was taken to a near by hospital where he seized for over an hour. A 10 or 12 team of drs and nurses worked on him for 2 hours to get him stable before transporting him to Centennial Hospital in Nashville. All beds were full at St Thomas Midtown where he normally goes. When transported to Centennial another set of drs and nurses worked on him and ran numerous tests on him. He was immediately put in ICU on a ventilator, Tracy was at that time was unresponsive. Drs have worked with him for the past 5 days doing everything they can to get him to respond in some way. But, nothing has worked. We (me, Jared and Tracy’s dad George) have made the decision to take Tracy off the ventilator today around 1PM cst. Drs feel that Tracy’s life would be as it is now if left on the vent. Y’all know me, I have fought tooth and toenail for my man over the past 5 years!! I made him a promise 5 years ago when he came home from having the stroke that I would carry him on my back if that’s what it took to give him a life he deserved. I have tried with every fiber within me to do just that!!! I can’t even start to imagine my life, our lives without him!!!! We have fought soooo many storms of life together. For 25 years it was just me and him, living life and Lovin it. Then God blessed us with the most incredible son, then we became the three stooges in life!!!! Always living life to its fullest! Tracy always wanted to have a little girl, so God sent Lindsey to our family as Jared’s wife. Tracy was beyond thrilled!! He finally got his little girl!! He loved and adored her sooooo much and told her so!! We became the fabulous 4 ( well 7 counting the fur babies)! We have leaned on each other in the good times and bad! Now.............our lives are fixing to change again................but, without our main man, my husband, JK and Lindsey’s dad. Y’all our extended family have been soooo incredible to hold us up before God, can I ask you again to please, please, please hold us up in these next few days and in the days ahead of us?!?!? My faith and trust in Jesus is still as strong as ever!!! We pray His will and not ours!!! God has been incredible to us in the past 5 years, and I know He will give us grace, comfort and mercy through this season in our lives!!

In Case You Missed It - News and Tidbits - February 3

Here are some news from this week in Southern Gospel music -

• Please pray for Tracy Stuffle and the family. He was hospitalized on Monday after having a grand mal seizure. He's been unresponsive since then. Please remember Libbi, Jared, Lindsey and all the Perrys and family in the days ahead.
• Myron Cook, former upright bass guitarist for the Inspirations, was hospitalized on Thursday, February 1, in Knoxville, Tennessee where he is being treated for an acute attack of kidney stones and dehydration. Keep him in your prayers.
• Tom Rainer, who sang lead for several quartets, including the Homeland Harmony Quartet, passed away on Jan. 15, 2018 in Shreveport, Louisiana. Keep his family in your prayers.
• Effective with the March 2018 issue, Danny Jones has been promoted to publisher of Singing News. This announcement was made by Kevin Anderson, the General Manager of Salem Media Group’s Nashville Operations.
• Mike Watson, one of the founding members of the Southern Gospel group Exodus passed away on Jan. 27, 2018 after battling cancer. His memorial service was held this past week in Gadsden, Alabama.

Anything I've missed?