On Saturday April 21, I had the privilege of attending a concert at Mohawk College in Hamilton, Ontario. These concerts are hosted by Hamilton Gospel SingsHamilton Gospel Sings and occur twice a year. We enjoy them because there are always quality artists and they are close to where we live.

Saturday's concert began with the Torchmen who are the driving force behind Hamilton Gospel Sings. They started with the National Anthem and then went on to do just a few of their most requested songs. What I really enjoy about Mike Moran and his guys is that they know what their crowd enjoys, and they know how to do just enough to leave you wanting more, not wishing their set was finished. The Torchmen are a class act and I'm so proud that they are Canadian.

Tribute Quartet came on next and I have to admit that facing a Can audience for the first time can be daunting for a new group. But for a new group, these guys didn't sound or act like a new group, if you know what I mean. They have tight, polished harmonies, good stage presence, and an air of togetherness some seasoned quartets only wish they could achieve. Gary Casto is a terrific MC, and had the crowd on his side from the start....but even more so when they put all the mics down, turned the track off and just sang from the stage. And of course....one mention of Tim Hortons and Canadians are your friends for life, lol...
If these guys are in your area, you have to go hear them. I did an article on Tribute a couple of months ago on the main page, you can read it here. SGM Radio
Their tenor is terrific, I have to say...no screeching here, this guy has the full voice and lovely blend that is hard to come by these days. Baritone Josh Singletary, besides his phenomenal keyboard talents, has a voice reminiscent of Michael Buble or even Frank Sinatra. I'm not kidding, it doesn't look like it should come from a redhead, but it does, lol....
The bass singer has a terrific range and a "pretty" bass voice...you know how some bass singers just hit the notes, and some make it pretty....well, he makes it pretty.

There were some sound problems during the program that caused a bit of this pretty bass voice to be lost, but that was fixed eventually.

The Pfeifers came on and did a program like no one else. I hadn't heard a full program of theirs for a couple of years and I remembered again why I enjoy them so much. Maybe it's because I'm Pentecostal, but I so enjoy the incredible annointing, the way the whole program is surrounded, filled, and bathed in the Word, and the dedication of the singers to making sure you get the point. I like that they are so professional, so good at what they do, but they don't look so slick that it comes across as just a performance.
They have added a video presentation that plays behind the group, and it totally enhances the program rather than distracts from it as I'm sure we've all experienced. The addition of the Scripture verses during songs and instrumentals, the video shots of Jesus at the crucifixion, even the pictures of their parents made the whole program more memorable and heart-touching. I wasn't the only one wiping tears, I know that...

The whole program was diverse and professional, all three groups were solid in their delivery and there was no missing the fact that the presence of the Lord was in that auditorium. It was a terrific evening!