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Dinana -> My Southern Gospel Concert blog (3/17/2007 7:34:52 AM)
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I was blessed with 3 - count 'em 3 - southern gospel concerts this week. First up was the Gaither Homecoming concert in Fairfax, Virginia, on Saturday night. During a visit to my younger daughter, we took in the concert at the Patriot Center. I was surprised that the concert wasn't a sell-out or even close to it. I'm used to seeing full arenas when the Gaithers are in town! This was the newer format of the show with fewer artists so that may have been a factor. The artists included Gaither Vocal Band, Jeff and Sheri Easter, Joy Gardner, Lynda Randle, Ben Speer, Kevin Williams, and Signature Sound. Yes, I included Kevin separately, because I'm thrilled that he's back with the tour!!! Kevin entertained us before the start of the concert and was also featured during the concert - both with his humor and his guitar! I got a good picture of him during the performance and his autograph afterwards. What a nice guy!!! I also got Wes Hampton's and Marsh Hall's autographs on a photo I had taken with them several months ago. They were both fun to talk to as well. The show met my expectations. Because there were fewer artists, we got to hear more of the Vocal Band, and as my daughter said, they can sing to me as long as they want to!!! This is my favorite configuration of the Vocal Band yet! All of the other performers were very good and the show wasn't so long that we were totally worn out like we used to be with the larger groups. On Tuesday, we attended the season opening of Triumphant Quartet at the Miracle Theatre in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. This was an earlier than usual opening and we really enjoyed having less traffic in Pigeon Forge!!! The new show is great. They performed several of the songs that are on their new CD "You've Gotta Love It" that isn't released yet! I'm guessing at these names but I loved the songs --- "Herod Couldn't Kill Him", "He Heard My Cry", "My God Will Deliver", "Hey, Sinner", "The Great I Am Still Is", and "I Know I'm Going Home". David Sutton played "The Star Spangled Banner" on the harmonica but David and Jeff didn't do any of their wonderful harmonica/piano duets this time. (guess I'll just have to listen to my CD!) Jeff was featured on the Hallelujah Chorus" arrangement that is his trademark song, and he also did his Floyd Cramer and Ray Charles songs. There was a funny costume change that I won't go into detail about so that you can enjoy the surprise if you get to hear/see them at the theatre. And then on Thursday night, I got to hear my favorite group - Mercy's Mark!!! I think these guys are always fabulous! It was a yukky, rainy evening, but the crowd inside really enjoyed the songs and the message. I made a list of the songs they sang, and I was just about to list my favorites --- then I realized they were ALL my favorites!!! In the first part of the program, I particularly enjoyed "Where Is God?", "When It All Starts Happening I Want to Be There", "Somebody Touched Me", Garry's keyboard solo "An Unclouded Day" (he's just incredible!), "All I Need to Know", and "Something's Happening." Then in the second part, the guys were just having too much fun (is that possible???) with "Whosoever Will" and "This Jordan". I love to see them having a good time together! Then the moment turned meditative and worshipful with "I'm Amazed" (first time I've heard it live -- great job, Brent!), "No One Ever Cared for Me Like Jesus" (wow, what a beautiful blend on a beautiful song!), "He Loves Me" (one of my all-time favorite songs), and ending with "Midnight Cry." It was such a wonderful concert!!!
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