Playing Catch Up

I'm doing a little bit of catch up today after a blog hiatus. I'm hoping in 2019 I can get back to blogging more regularly. I've got a stack of CDs to review and several concert events coming up in early 2019.

But for today, there are several big news items I've missed over the past couple of months -

• Gospel music lost two legends in Les Beasley and Ernie Phillips. Les passed away on Saturday, Nov. 17 at age 90. He was the president of the National Quartet Convention and the longtime owner/manager/singer of The Florida Boys and a producer of "The Gospel Singing Jubilee." Ernie passed away on Nov. 29 at age 68. He was a legendary tenor and former Kingsmen Quartet member.
• Gary Casto of Tribute Quartet announced that Riley Harrison Clark is stepping down as the group's tenor to pursue a solo career. Riley has been with the group for nine years. He will be replaced by Gus Gaches, formerly of Legacy Five. 
• Squire Parsons had heart bypass surgery to repair blockages in his heart. He is now at home recovering well.
• The 2019 Grammy nominations were announced. For the first time in a while, the nominations for the Roots Gospel category were all Southern Gopsel artists: Unexpected by Jason Crabb, Clear Skies by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Favorites:Revisited by Request by the Isaacs, Still Standing by the Martins and Love Love Love by Gordon Mote. 
• 2nd Generation based in Oak Grove, Arkansas announced the group's retirement. They will do two final concerts in Arkansas in January. The group consists of Brenda Denney, Elaine Robinson and Randy Barnes. 
• A new group has been formed, Redemption’s Promise. The group consists of Chuck Pettyjohn on tenor, Shannon Yates on lead, David Emery on baritone, and Paul Hyde on bass. They are based on Morristown, Tennessee.

2018 Southern Gospel Picnic at Silver Dollar City - Day 5

Today was a day I've been looking forward to for a while. With the promise of America's largest hymn sing, it was an event not to be missed! But before the evening's service, I got the chance to see three other groups on park - the Whisnants, 2nd Generation and the New Speer Family. Here are highlights from the day and night.


The Whisnants

• "He's Never Moved"
• "Should Have Been Three" - I don't think I'd ever heard them sing this one live. This featured Austin, Ethan and Jeff. Great song!
• "Faithful" - This was another one I hadn't really heard live. Aaron does a great job on this song. 
• "All Is Well" - One of my all-time favorite Whisnant songs! So glad I got to hear Susan sing it this morning. 
• "I'll Pray for You"
• "I'm Trusting the Blood" - I'm glad they sang this one. Such a powerful song!
• "New Day Dawning"

2nd Generation

• "One More River" 
• "He Will Come Through" - I don't remember hearing Brenda sing this one live before. Such an incredibly powerful song, loved hearing her on this one!
• "Waving on the Other Side" - Always a treat to hear Randy featured on this song! 
• "Faithful As You" - Elaine was featured on this one. I had been a while since I had heard this one live. What a great message!

New Speer Family

This was my first time hearing this group in person, and understandably so considering they have really only been touring a month. This group sounds amazing together! It is pure Southern Gospel. 

• "Heaven's Jubilee"
• "I Feel It in My Soul"
• "I'm Building a Bridge" - Ben Waites was featured on this song and what a voice!!
• "He Is Mine and I Am His" - Loved hearing Allison sing this one! One of the highlights of the day!
• "I Never Shall Forget the Day"

Hymn Sing

This was the event we had all been looking forward to! And what a night it was - one I will not soon forget. We had more than 4,000 voices singing outside hymns for about 1.5 hours. The groups participating were Greater Vision, Mark Trammell Quartet, the Whisnants and the Mylon Hayes Family.

It was such a sweet, sweet time of worship. It's hard not to list every song as a highlight, because every song we sang was a great one - "Victory in Jesus," "Blessed Assurance," "Heaven Came Down and Glory Filled My Soul, "Wonderful Grace of Jesus, "Rock of Ages," and on and on. It was hard not to stop singing and listen throughout the night.

Chris Allman and Mark Trammell backed up Sandi Payton as she played and sang "I Must Tell Jesus." We sang "Jesus Paid It All" and Gerald had the balcony level sing for the main level and then the main level sing for the balcony. It was so sweet to hear all those voices just a cappella.

Here's a clip of the night of "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" and "It Is Well," my favorite hymn of the night -

Reasons to Shout - Saturday recap of Silver Dollar City's Southern Gospel Picnic

Today was the first day I was able to be at Silver Dollar City for the Southern Gospel Picnic. My morning started at Red Gold Hall and ended at Echo Hollow with one of gospel music's most beloved family groups. Here's a look at who I saw and some highlights!

The Ball Brothers

• "It's About the Cross" - Forever a favorite song they sing! Always such a powerful response!
• "Forgiven"
• "Gentle Shepherd"
• "Count Your Blessings" - Love hearing them on the big band style songs!
• "Mercy Tree"

2nd Generation 

• "Blessed Assurance" - They started their set with this one a cappella.
• "On Business for the King"
• "Waving on the Other Side" - They set this one up by singing "How Beautiful Heaven Must Be" with the audience.
• "All Our Hope"

The Whisnants

• "I've Prayed Through It" - This is a brand new song from Susan's solo CD. She shared a little bit of testimony and how the song was written for her. What a moment this was!
• "Be Not Afraid"
• "Grave Mistake"
• "1+2+3" - I was glad to get to hear this song from Austin and Ethan's CD live.
• "New Day Dawning" - The audience was on its feet clapping only a few measures into the song!

The Hoppers

Given all this family has been through in the last few weeks, it was so good to see them. Dean, of course, is still recovering but the rest of the family was there. Shane McConnell, previously with Canton Junction, filled in for Dean.

• "Life Is Good"
• "Grace Will Always Be Greater Than Sin"
• "Grace Will Get You Through" - It was good to hear Connie on this song.
• "Jerusalem" 
• "I've Come Too Far" - Before this song is when they shared their testimony about the last few weeks and all they had been through. Dean had a successful surgery with the stent but Kim shared if they hadn't been able to do the surgery when they did, things could have been much different. They had so much to be thankful for. Also, where Dean had the stroke has caused no permanent damage. He's still walking, talking and will be able to sing again when the doctors release him.  
• "Something's Happening" - I love hearing this song live! So powerful! 
• "If I Could Help Somebody" - Claude dedicated this song to Silver Dollar City General Manager Brad Thomas. Such a sweet moment!
• "Shoutin' Time" - As soon as Claude announced it was shoutin' time, the audience was on its feet clapping along! 

Ministry of 2nd Generation - Concert Recap

It's amazing what can happen when a group allows the Holy Spirit to take over and lead the service. That's exactly what happened when I saw 2nd Generation a few weeks ago.

If you're not familiar with 2nd Generation, they are based in Arkansas and consist of sisters Brenda Denney and Elaine Robinson and Randy Barnes. They were actually at Randy Barnes' home church. It was a special night not only because of the worship, but it was a night for the church to pray over Randy before he left for a two-week mission trip in Mongolia.

Randy not only stepped out to follow God's leading by going on this mission trip, but when God led them to stop the service to pray over a friend who received troubling news right before the concert started that's exactly what they did. I love seeing groups when they live out exactly what they sing.

It was a great night of incredible songs and worship, and I'm thankful of how this group ministered that night.

Here are a few highlights from the night -

• "It's a Good Life Living for the Lord" - Wonderful song to kick off the night featuring Brenda.
• "One More River" - This is one of my favorite songs to hear them sing live.
• "What a Day That Will Be" - Love hearing Brenda and Randy featured on this classic hymn!
• "Sheltered in the Arms of God" - Elaine talked about not fully understanding this song when she started singing it as a teenager. Sometimes in this life we still don't understand the path we are one and what God is doing, but we can rest assured that God is right there with us. No matter what is going on, we are sheltered in His arms and He is in control. Elaine does a beautiful job on this song. 
• My God Can Do Anything" 
• "Somebody Go Get God" 
• "Faces" - Since this was Randy's home church, they asked for requests and this was one of them. Love hearing Randy sing this song!
• "Redemption Draweth Nigh" - Such a powerful, incredible song. The moment of the night for me!
• "Feel the Joy" - This is always a fun one that gets a little audience participation!
• "Rock of Ages" - This is not the hymn you might be used to, but a fun uptempo song from their most recent project The Church.

If you get a chance to see 2nd Generation in your area, don't miss them!

The Church - 2nd Generation - CD Review

2nd Generation is a trio based in Arkansas. The group consists of sisters Brenda Denney and Elaine Robinson and Randy Barnes. This is a group that I have had the pleasure of getting to know since starting the blog. I have enjoyed getting to see their hearts for ministry. Their latest album was released this summer entitled The Church.

The project starts with "Rock of Ages," which is not the hymn but contains part of the hymn. This is a great uptempo song that sounds like an old convention song.

Randy Barnes is featured on "Mama's Rocking Chair," which is the group's current single. It's such a great song about being raised by a sweet Godly mother who told stories of the Bible as her children grew up. This is one of two Aaron Wilburn cuts on the project. Randy does a great job on this song. He's also featured on "Faces," which is probably my favorite song that Rodney Griffin has ever written.

"All Our Hope" is one of my favorites on this project. Elaine sings this song. I remember hearing it live in concert a few months ago and was blown away. The message is so encouraging, and Elaine does an incredible job in her delivery.

Brenda is featured on the Hemphill song "I Came on Business for the King." I love this song. I know they use this song a lot as a motto for their ministry. I think it sums them up perfectly. Brenda sounds great on this song. It's a great reminder that no matter what we do in life that as Christians we are representatives of Him always.

"I've Got This" is stylistically a different from anything else on the project. I love the tenderness of the song. Brenda sings the message of how no matter what we face God's got this. We all need this reminder from time to time or really every day if you're like me.

"It's a Good Life Living for the Lord" and "We'll Go Down Standing Up" are two great uptempo songs on the project. Both will have you clapping and toe-tapping along.

If you've never heard 2nd Generation, pick up this album today. This is their best album yet! Make sure you check out this trio. I predict only great things ahead for them!

Song List -
1. "Rock of Ages"
2. "The Church"
3. "Mama's Rocking Chair"
4. "I Came on Business for the King"
5. "All Our Hope"
6. "It's a Good Life Living for the Lord"
7. "That Sounds Like Home to Me"
8. "I've Got This"
9. "Faces"
10. "We'll Go Down Standing Up"
11. "It Was a Gospel Song"

Rainy Days and Mondays - Silver Dollar City - Southern Gospel Picnic

Every year during the Southern Gospel Picnic, it's going to rain. I feel like that's as sure as the sun rising and setting. It's going to happen. Of course, this year it happens the day that I failed to bring an umbrella or rain jacket. In case you were wondering, you can fit four people under one poncho.

But before the rain started, I got the chance to see two groups on park today. Here's how my day went -

Mark Trammell Quartet

I spent most of my morning at Red Gold Hall watching the Mark Trammell Quartet. During the first show, they sang a good mix of newer songs and classics. They started with "Leave Your Sorrows." I love hearing all the different parts working together on this song.

Next they sang two new songs. One featuring Nick, "To Know He Knows Me" and then the other was "I'll Take It to the Grave." The audience was loving this one so they repeated the chorus with the audience standing and clapping along!

Of course, they had a request for "Wedding Music," a Cathedral classic, so Mark obliged.

They ended the first set with "Statue of Liberty," which I hadn't heard them sing live in a while! Glad they included that one!

2nd Generation


In the afternoon, I made my way over the Opera House my fellow Arkansans and friends 2nd Generation.

I'm glad I got to hear several songs from their newly released project The Church! To me it always shows the strength of a project when the artists stage many of the songs so soon after a release. A lot of times it will just be the single or a few as a teaser.

They did sing their latest single featuring Randy Barnes, "Mama's Rocking Chair," glad I finally got to hear this one live.

Elaine was featured on the title track, "The Church," great song!

Brenda said that "I Came on Business for the King" is the group's testimony song. She sang this one written by Joel Hemphill. We had a great time of worship with this group.

Liberty Quartet and Karen Peck & New River

As I made my way from the Opera House to Echo Hollow for the night show, I started feeling drop of water coming from the sky and hearing thunder. I quickly ducked under the porch of a building to wait it out. Rain quickly came and went and I thought it was all clear. Within a few minutes of finding my seat in Echo Hollow, the rain hit. And of course, it was the day I left my rain jacket and umbrella. How many people can you fit under one poncho you ask? Four, the answer is four. It's not successful, but you can fit four.

We listened to the Liberty Quartet under a poncho in the rain. I'll confess, I wasn't able to take photos or notes on my phone with the rain. However, I think the whole crowd of us drowned rats laughed at the first line of the first song - Walking down a dry and dusty road... LOL, we wish!

They sounded great! This was my first time hearing them, so I was sad I didn't get to hear and pay attention more with all the rain. They ended with "Cornerstone" mixed with a little "Rock of Ages," great arrangement!

Then, Karen Peck and New River took the stage and it began to lighten, well at least for a bit. They started with "I Stand Amazed." Karen took the first verse, Susan and Kari the second and then Ricky the last one. It was good to hear more from Kari!

They sang "Calling" next, and the group quickly realized they couldn't get the crowd to clap along not because we weren't into the song, but because we were holding umbrellas or ponchos trying to stay dry.

Karen then said Danny Jones (editor of Singing News) might kill her for this, but she started the congregation in "Showers of Blessing." We, of course, sang along.

Karen shared a bit of her husband Rickey's battle with cancer and how "Pray Now" had become their testimony song. She sang that one before ending the first half with "Four Days Late." This might be my favorite Southern Gospel song, but I'm going to share this - I've never heard it better live than last night. NEVER. The Spirit was moving, and there was just something about it. Karen even said that she didn't know what to do after that. They talked about the incredible worship of the moment and repeated the chorus.

They took a break for intermission and we looked at the radar and saw that more rain was coming, so we had to leave out early. I hate we only heard the first half, but it was an incredible first half!

Praying for no more rain for the rest of the time!

2nd Generation - Concert Recap

You know how some days just don't go as planned? I knew when I walked into the church's fellowship hall, this had been one of those times. When you walk in a concert as the group is going through introductions, you know you have must have missed part of it. And unfortunately that's what happened to me a few weeks ago when I went to see 2nd Generation. The time got moved up unexpectedly, so I was a little late to join them. However, it was good to see how the group made the best of the situation and still had a great afternoon of worship!

2nd Generation - Elaine Robinson, Brenda Denney
and Randy Barnes

The first song I got to hear was "Faces." The song, made popular by Greater Vision, is such a powerful song. When we were making the list of songs to include in my grandfather's visitation to honor him, this was one I wanted in the playlist! Randy Barnes does an incredible job of taking this song and making it his own. I was excited to find out later that this will be included on the group's upcoming project.

The next song was "Hanging on a Nail," which was one of the first hits for the group. The song features Brenda Denney. Always love getting to hear her sing this song! Next they picked up the tempo a bit with "Daddy Was an Old Time Preacher Man," paying tribute to Brenda and Elaine's dad.

Randy then was featured on "Waving on the Other Side," which is a great song about those who have passed on encouraging us here on earth.

Before the next song, Elaine talked about the hope we have in Christ. The problems we face in this life is nothing for our God. We have a promise that He is our Light in this dark world. He's our hope and He is all we need. Then, Elaine sang one that will be from the group's upcoming project The Church called "All Our Hope." This song was the highlight of the afternoon, incredible song with an incredible message!

They ended the afternoon with the uptempo songs "Singing and Rejoicing" and "We'll Go Down Standing Up."

I always love hearing this group sing, but I love seeing their hearts after and seeing them minister after the concert is over. This is a group that really knows their mission is not just to sing but to minister and encourage believers. If they are in your area, don't miss 2nd Generation! Learn more about them and check out their schedule here.

In Case You Missed It - News and Tidbits - January 23

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

• Prayers requested for the Steele family. Both Jeff and Sherry Steele have lost their mothers recently.
• Cana's Voice made it official this week. The trio of Doug Anderson, TaRanda Greene and Jody McBrayer that has been singing together announced its name of Cana's Voice. The group will start touring select dates and has been in the studio this week working on an upcoming album.
• 2nd Generation announced a change this week. Brenda Denney, a founding member, was recently engaged and will be leaving the group to pursue ministry with her soon-to-be husband Jonathan Bond. The two will be married in June 2016. Elaine Robinson and Randy Barnes will be continuing as 2nd Generation. 
• The Bledsoes also announced this week that soprano Melissa Cates will be leaving. She has been with the trio for nearly three years. She and her husband Sam will be moving to Tennessee to further Sam's business opportunities.
• Josh Singletary and Gordon Mote were announced as the hosts for this year's Absolutely Gospel Music Awards. Read more here and find out who will be performing this year.  
• A rebirth of the Statesmen Quartet was announced this week. Three of the men will be Hovie Walker, Deon Unthank (of AbsolutelyGospel.com) and Wallace Nelms doing select dates throughout 2016. Find out more on this rebirth and information on their search for a lead singer.

Anything I've missed?

Silver Dollar City Southern Gospel Picnic - Aug. 28, 2015

Yesterday morning I headed north to Branson, Missouri for Silver Dollar City's Southern Gospel Picnic. It was the second day of the festival, but my first day to attend. 

The lineup for the day included 2nd Generation, the Ball Brothers, the Perrys, Mark Bishop and The Old Paths. It's really almost impossible to see everyone while you're here. And there are some groups you want to see more than once. The park does a great job of scheduling so many different shows each day.

I'm just going to hit the highlights from each group I got to see today -

2nd Generation

• "What a Day That Will Be"  - Loved hearing Brenda sing this song! Such a sweet moment where they had the audience join in too!
• "Sheltered in the Arms of God" - Elaine sang this one. Beautiful song!!
• "Soul Searching" - Good hearing this one from their newest project!!

Ball Brothers

• "I Shall Know Him" - They started the set with this one a cappella. Amazing!!
• "Wedding Music" - Jon Epley went to the keyboard for this one. Good hearing them sing this Cathedral classic.
• "Just As I Am" - Probably my favorite Ball Brothers song!!

The Perrys

• "I Can Trust Him" - Great getting to see Libbi sing this song live! 
• "He Will Hide Me" - Always a favorite!
• "If You Knew Him" 
• "Damascus Road" 
• They sang a couple of the older Happy Goodman songs. I like hearing them do some of these older songs.
• Troy talked about all they had been through in the past couple of years. He also gave part of his testimony and set up "Calvary Conquers It All." Great hearing them stage this one again!!

Mark Bishop

• "Pray on the Little Days" - Love the message of this song!!
• "My Name Is Jesus" - I'm used to the version where he has guest singers but it's fun hearing him sing all the different roles.

The Old Paths

• "I Bowed on my Knees" - I know Michael English is known for this song but Tim's version is right there with his! Amazing!!
• Daniel Ashmore, bass singer, was featured a lot tonight! It's hard to pick one highlight from what he sang. And as impressive as his bass singing is, his saxophone playing is equally as impressive!!
• "Until Then" - Doug sang this and then had the audience join in on the chorus. Such a sweet worshipful moment.
• "If That Isn't Love" - It was good to hear them sing this featuring both Daniel and Chuck Pettyjohn.
• "Love Them to Jesus" 
• Doug gave his testimony to set up "Ordinary People." Love hearing him tell his story of how God moved. He also talked about how they are coming off the road and this being their farewell tour. 

2nd Generation - Concert Recap

Even though 2nd Generation is based in Arkansas, it's not a group I get to see that often. So Sunday night was a real treat! 2nd Generation is made up of sisters Brenda Denney and Elaine Robinson and Randy Barnes.

2nd Generation - Brenda Denney, Elaine Robinson
and Randy Barnes

Brenda and Elaine grew up singing with their family, hence the name 2nd Generation. They talked about growing up in a singing family with their parents and six children in all. Brenda said that as soon as they were old enough to stand, their mother started teaching them the different parts to sing. They grew up on Southern Gospel with it running deep in their roots. You can tell this group loves what they do and loves this music. It doesn't take you long to see the heart that all three of them have and the passion for ministry.

It was great seeing the group again in a church setting. They have a new project that will come out in August. They sang several songs from that, and I can't wait to hear the full album!

Here's a list of what they sang - 

• "Trouble Me No More" - Fun uptempo song to get the service started! Elaine was featured on this one. 
• "Let's All Get Together"
• "One More River" - I really love this song!
• "What a Day That Will Be" - They sang a few great classics, and this was the first one of the night. They are including some of these old standards on their upcoming release.
• "Sheltered in the Arms of God" - Brenda said that this was the first song she remembers Elaine singing with her parents. Elaine did such an incredible job on this song! They restarted the song a cappella, and it was definitely a highlight of the night!!
  
• "Fight Worth Fighting" - This group loves audience participation on songs. This song and the next song the group had the audience do some motions with the song. It was a lot of fun to see the audience get so involved!
• "Feel the Joy" - Another fun one to see and hear live that requires some audience participation!
• "Waving on the Other Side" - Loved hearing Randy sing this one! He told the story of his dad and how he was always his biggest cheerleader. He talked about how felt like his dad was still cheering him on.
• "He Saved Me" - Brenda was featured on this one, definitely a highlight of the concert!! I loved this song!!
• "Redemption Draweth Nigh" - Incredible song to end the night on! 

I really hope to see this group more often in the future. If 2nd Generation is in your area, don't miss your chance to go see them!

It's a Great Day - Silver Dollar City Southern Gospel Picnic Day 7

We have reached the point in the week where there is more of the festival behind us than ahead. It’s always a little sad to me when we get to this point. If you are within a few hours of the Ozarks and love gospel music, this is an event you don’t want to miss next year.

The Whisnants were first on my agenda yesterday morning. I caught two of their shows. They sang several standards like “King Jesus Is Coming,” “Be Not Afraid,” “I’ll Pray for You” and their “Ready Medley.” Austin and Ethan sang with Jeff on “Road to Emmaus.” I love hearing them do this one! Austin also sang “I’ll Make Heaven Home.” Their sons are really going to be ones to watch as they mature and have a bigger role in their ministry! I also got to hear Susan sing “Is Anything Too Hard for God?” which I had never heard her sing live.

The Whisnants

One of the highlights was hearing Aaron on “I’m Trusting the Blood.” This is becoming one of my favorite Whisnant songs! However, the definite highlight came at the end of their last show. Susan told about her mom’s cancer scare. She said her mom was really the one reassuring her, because Susan had admitted that her faith had been weak. At the doctor’s appointment, the doctor couldn’t explain what they had seen weeks before but it wasn’t there any more. Susan said her mom knew that God had done a work in her life, but she had the faith that “all was well” no matter what the outcome had been that day. She then sang “All Is Well.” Incredibly powerful moment!!!!

2nd Generation

 I also got to see 2^nd Generation at the Riverfront Playhouse yesterday. I saw them in Arkansas at the end of last year when Randy Barnes had not been with them long, and he wasn’t feeling well that night. It was great hearing them yesterday with Randy in full force. This trio is sounding great together!! They started with “One More River to Cross,” and then went into the classic hymn “What a Day That Will Be.” Brenda was featured on the first verse, and Randy on the second. It was good to hear “Hanging on a Nail” again live! This is one of my favorites that they sing. They got the audience involved on “Feel the Joy.” It was great to see the audience all standing doing the motions with the group! One of the highlights was Elaine singing “Sheltered in the Arms of God.” They ended the set with “Redemption Draweth Nigh,” also featuring Elaine.

In Red Gold Hall, Soul’d Out Quartet had three show yesterday afternoon. I was able to catch two of them. I am more impressed with this quartet each time I see them. They sang a lot of familiar songs like “I’ve Never Been This Homesick Before,” “Singing and Rejoicing on my Way,” “Jesus Is Coming Soon” and “I Believe,” which featured Ian, love hearing him sing this song! They also got the audience really clapping along with “Fare Thee Well!”

Soul'd Out Quartet

It was great hearing Bryan sing “I Want to Thank You.” Love the message of this sing, and it was great to hear it live. Dusty was featured on “You Were There,” which was a highlight of their final show of the afternoon! Incredible job! They ended each set with “Arise My Love,” which is such a powerful song for them!! I was glad I got to hear it twice!!

Legacy Five was the final show of the night. This was probably one of the biggest crowds they have had in Echo Hollow so far in the festival. They started the night with “Great Day” and then sang “Bloodwashed Band.”

They sang several more from their latest project including “That’s a Hallelujah,” “Great Medley,” “Who Is This Man,” “He Is To Me” and “Christ Is Still the King.” I loved the “Great Medley” that includes “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” “How Big Is God” and “How Great Thou Art.”

Legacy Five

Scott Fowler talked about loving the old hymns of the church. Before the concerts at night, we have been having a hymn sing, so the guys got to hear the audience sing some tonight. There were several hymnals on top of the piano. Scott picked up the redback hymnal. He talked about the taping they had done at TBN and found “Grand and Glorious Feeling” that they had sung that night and they sang it.

Scott talked about how Trey had been trained in classical piano at a conservatory. He asked Trey to play a piece that weaves classical with a hymn, so Trey played classical with “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms.” Scott Howard asked what that was at the beginning when he finished and Trey said that it was a sonata. Scott said that made sense to him since “it’sonata hymn.”

Before the end of the first half, Scott Fowler read the resurrection story from Luke, and then they sang “Christ Is Still the King.” It was a great moment! Probably the highlight of the night for me!!

In the second half, they sang a few requests like “Strike Up the Band” and “Ask Me Why.” They were going to end on “Champion of Love,” which would have been great, but the audience wanted one more. So they closed the night with “What a Happy Day” with audience standing and clapping along!

It was another great day, now on to Day 8!

A 2nd Look at 2nd Generation - Concert Recap

In Branson in August, I had the chance to see 2nd Generation as a duet. Sisters Brenda Denney and
Elaine Robinson from Oak Grove, Ark. made up the group. Sunday night I got the opportunity to see 2nd Generation again, but this time as a trio. The sisters have added fellow Arkansan Randy Barnes to the group since August.

Sunday night, the trio was in Cabot, Ark. and Randy's home church. It was the first time they had been to the church since he joined the group, which made it a special night for them.

Randy was experiencing some issues with his voice on Sunday night that they addressed from the platform. Despite that, the three of them are already sounding great together, and also seem to meshing well on stage together. They joked several times about having a Baptist guy traveling with two Pentecostal sisters.

Here's a list of what they sang -

• "One More River"
• "Trouble Me No More"
• "Feel the Joy" - This is such a fun song that they get the audience involved in! They had everyone on their feet doing motions during the chorus of the song. They told the pastor not to watch, because people were about to move in church as they never had before. The pastor was on the front row, so they told him to just keep looking forward, Well, when it got to that part of the song, he turned around and stood on the front pew to watch! LOL
• "One Day Closer" - This song has a great classic country sound that suits Elaine's voice so well!
• "Hanging on a Nail" - I love hearing this song. It was my favorite when I heard them in Branson. Brenda absolutely shines on this song.
• "Singing and Rejoicing"
• "Come Too Far to Look Back" - Elaine sings this well-known Connie Hopper song, and does an incredible version herself!
• "Waving on the Other Side" - This song featured Randy, and I'm sure the title is not correct. It was a great song, and I'm hopeful it's going to be a signature song for Randy with this group.
• "Victory Is in Sight"
• "Look Up for Your Redemption Draweth Nigh"

Brenda also took some time to tell about her Price Is Right experience. It really is an incredible story about how God blessed her!!

Brenda and Elaine both told about Randy and his heart for ministry. They really had not pursued finding a third singer for the group, but tried Randy out. I'm sure for Randy and the members of the church it was truly special to have him home. Even as an outsider, it was a memorable night of great music!

Kicking Off Our Shoes on Day 2 - Silver Dollar City

Ok, so first off my phone hates me, and somehow my notes from all concerts today are gone! Yep, gone, so I'm going by memory which is not good, but bear with me.

We saw 2nd Generation first this morning. I saw them once several years ago as a trio. And I forgot they were from Arkansas! I wasn't familiar with a lot of their songs, but loved the song "Hanging on a Nail!" They also got the crowd going with "Feel the Joy". Definitely a fun song! 

In an industry where duos aren't that popular, these sisters definitely make it work! And since they are from Arkansas, I need to see when they will be in my area! 

We caught the last show of the Freemans today. They sang some familiar favorites like "He'd Still Been God." Chris can tear it up! Misty and Caylon sang a duet called "Water Grave" that was another highlight for me! Toward the end of the program, they sang "John the Revelator" and brought up Misty's daughter Addie to help them!

We went to see Reggie Saddler again. He did more guitar tricks in this show today. But I loved the song "Blessed Quietness" that they sang.

The Inspirations were next. They are a quartet I'm not as familiar with because I don't see them very much. It was great hearing a couple of new songs, but the definite highlights were the classic songs they did. Loved hearing them sing "Have a Little Talk With Jesus." Then Jon Epley sang "Beulah Land" a cappella, and it was amazing!!! 

The McKameys packed the people in Echo Hollow tonight. It was again good to hear some of their newer songs. I really have been enjoying hearing their latest single on the radio a lot, "When He Speaks," and loved hearing it live!

I love hearing Roger sing "Unspoken Request," but I couldn't help but chuckle a little but when Peg mentioned it had been one they had several requests for, not so unspoken, huh? :)

They seemed to feature the foursome of Sheryl, Connie, Roger and Eli more than I've seen in the past. They sound good together! 

One thing that Duane Garren, emcee, said that really impressed me is that they have a commitment to their local church and are there every Sunday. 

The two highlight moments though had to be "God on the Mountain" and "Do You Know How It Feels," which they closed the show with! When she started setting up "God on the Mountain," the audience had an immediate reaction before the first note was sung! Everyone loves it. And if you were counting how many times Peg kicked off her shoes, it was three! I love how people expect it now, but people still love it!!

Sorry for a not so detailed account, and I'm sure I've left out something important! Hopefully my phone won't lose my notes for day 3!