I had a really good time at NQC this past week, and the more I look over the snapshots in my mind of events and happenings, the more I am grateful that I went.
What was really cool for me was getting to talk to so many people who are so real. And I don't mean just artists, but fans too, normal average people like you and I... It's funny how NQC usually brings out the wierdness in people but I didn't see as much of that this year. Maybe I wasn't looking hard enough.
In upcoming months I'll be able to share with you some of the stories I've heard from some wonderful people, artist interviews that helped me see that there really are still people in SGM that are committed to their faith and their God.
I guess that's always been the negative side of NQC to me...I'd see a lot of things that disappointed me, a lot of the industry side that seems so grasping and vulgar, not to mention actions of people that were immoral.
But this year...the Lord allowed me to focus on the positive and for that I'm grateful.
I only made the trek to the Great Big Hall one time, lol (if you went and experienced the Deep Dark Dank Drippy Tunnel they called the walkway to Freedom Hall, you'd understand why I stayed away from it). I was privileged to catch a performance of the Booth Brothers. And I experienced again the excitement that used to be part of SGM and NQC for me, not the jaded, hyped up, lets-whip-them-into-a-frenzy type of performance...but an honest, 'lets do what we do to the best of our ability, cuz we know it's not of us' type of presentation. More substance, more lasting value. That was cool.
I visited a couple of showcases which give you a much more intimate setting to hear your favourite artists...Earl Galloway hosts a terrific showcase, and the calibre of artists just keeps getting better. My buddy Gary Casto and the Monument Qt were awesome (nominated for Horizon Group, but didn't win). Karen Peck and New River of course made me cry ("Would You Hold Me While I Cry"), First Love did their new single about the ultimate healing, which touched a personal situation with me, a song you have to hear ("Across the River"). My good friends the Torchmen from here in Canada ripped it up with their "Here, There, Or in the Air". So many more...but those were my favs.
Went to the Diamond Awards...well, actually, went to that venue twice. Jenna of 'message board fame' and her group Higher Hope were singing at the Diamond Award PreShow. My goal was to hear them between 11 and 11:45, then go to the South Wing to catch the beginning of the Artist Showcase at 12 and the Torchmen, and then back to the Executive West for the Diamond Awards at 1pm. Ummmm...didn't quite work that way. Jenna hadn't sung yet by the time I had to skedaddle, I caught the Tmen and heard their very cool set, then raced back to the Diamond event only to get there as Jenna's group exited the stage. Yeesh.
By the way, if you get a chance to hear them, please do, they have a good new release, and you need to hear Jenna sing, her voice will move you.
The Diamond Awards were interesting, with Mark Bishop and Kyla Rowland as hosts...I love it when they have genuinely funny people. Neither of them have to work at their humour, it's just there. They are awesome.
I enjoyed the mix of artists they had there too...starting off with the Alabama Spirituals, who will make you want to jump up and start dancing with them. And wow, can those musicians jam....
KPand NR were there as well so I had another opportunity to use all the tissues I had in my purse. Shadrix Trio performed, and did an absolutely amazing job. John Lanier, Big Mo, and Kirk Talley all did their thing too. And you know what...think what you will, but to me, the Kirk I saw on stage that afternoon was a different person. Granted, he made a comment or two upon winning his award that perhaps were not in the best of taste. But he is definitely a man who has faced some pretty low valleys. Maybe it takes one to know one, I don't know. But that's what I saw.
The Browns were there...wow. OK, I have to admit, I hadn't heard of this group before last week. They were nominated for Horizon group, and one daughter was nominated for Horizon individual (both in the Singing News Fan Awards). Then I ran into a friend of mine one night from here in Canada, who was on her way to the Brown's table. She was so excited, and told me all about this amazing family with four kids who all play the violin and sing and bring the house down. And when I heard them on Friday afternoon, I realized that she was right. :) Thanks Pat for that head's up...
It was really cool to see and hear Eva May LeFevre that afternoon as well. What a gracious lady. I love to hear her laugh...she just opens up and lets it go, lol...and what a hilarious sense of humour. I think she's earned the right to say just whatever she wants to!
There was a tribute to Anthony Burger, followed by his daughter Lori who sang a solo (more of a P&W/pop style), which was strange as his parents were sitting right in front of me. It was also wierd because his booth was right down from sgmradio.com and well...I was half expecting him to show up at any time, lol...
Pardon me for my irreverance...
It was fun to talk to some of the artists I've interviewed over the past year, some of whom I've known a while, like Tim Surrett and Gary Casto, and some I've known who they were but never really chatted with, like Kenny Bishop (who, by the way, was really cool and generous with his comments about the article! Thanks Kenny!).
Thanks to our host here at sgmradio, I was privileged to meet some people in the industry whose names have been around a long time, and who turned out to be some of the most sweetest people I've met. I made a comment on another board that it amazes me how some of the new up-and-comers think they can get away with arrogance and pride and boorish behaviour...when there are people so much more accomplished than they are who exhibit the best traits of humility and genuine interest in others. I'll just leave that right where it is, lol...
Hanging out at the sgmradio booth was fun as well, I talked to a lot of people, and some Canadians who I only see at NQC, lol!!! Met up with some of the message board people too...Sheri, Denise, LJ, Prof Dean, Precious, Jenna, Sally, Lissa, Bethany, Gary...I'm sure there are more that I am forgetting. Missed seeing Embrace, Bekah (wah!!), JW, Lisa, and all those I've hung out with at nqc before.
Met up with a couple of guys that I hadn't seen in a long while, and that was very cool. Both of them are married now, one has a handful of kids and a thriving solo ministry. It's interesting how every one has a story...
Got to spend some time with Southern Psalm, who are friends of JW...Jason Walley and his wife Wendy and his dad Rev. Jimmy Walley make up a trio who were there performing for the first time. Lovely people, and Wendy is just a sweetheart!
This post is far too long, but I wanted to give a bit of a synopsis on my version of NQC'06 for those who couldn't go.
Now all of you have to go next year so we can all hang out together!!!

By the way, I need to give a huge thanks to Admin and his family...for those of you who've never met them, you need to. They are some of the sweetest people I've met. I did want to take 7-week-old Chase home with me, but I think Mom Steph might have had a problem with that, lol. They were all delightful hosts.

I love your report! And it was good to see you again.

Dean

:flowerskiss: :hug: :smiley wave: :good job:

Lorraine, I just want to say thank you for that wonderful, heartfelt post. That was awesome and I am very proud of you and all you do. I am so proud to call you my friend. That was a honest, moving summation. Thank you for sharing your heart with us. And, I sure missed you too. Hope to see you again one day soon.

WOW! Great review of some of your week, Lorraine. Makes me wish I had been there, too.

It's nice to see some of the lesser known performers get some recognition, and you did a great job of letting us know who some of them are.

Thanks! I look forward to reading more.....

Great report, Lorraine! It was great to see you again. If you only made one trip to the Great Big Hall, you made it at the right time. I don't know which night you saw the Booth Brothers, but they were the highlight of the week for me. Especially on Tuesday night..... hearing Michael Booth sing "The Night Before Easter"...... oh, that was awesome.

My favorite quartet of the week was Brian Free & Assurance. They made great choices singing "For God So Loved" and "Long As I Got King Jesus". Some of my favorite groups made not so good song choices, IMO. I know that the groups want to get their new songs out there, but crowd pleasers are songs that we all know and love. If you are on three nights a week, sing some songs that we know! The Dove Brothers rocked with "Get Away Jordan" and "Didn't It Rain"...... they sing those songs every year, and the crowd loves them every year. They didn't make such a hot choice with "Stand By Me"....... but that's another story. :blink:

I enjoyed your report almost as much as I enjoyed meeting you. It was a great time... I agree the Booth Brothers were great!....They were probably the highlight of my week musically....And Shari....I have to beg to differ with you...I didn't enjoy any part of the Dove Brothers on Saturday....(but you already know that). I hope I don't offend anyone with that statement but...just a personal preference. I have enjoyed their new cd tho....

Thanks for your wonderful summation of your visit to NQC...Two things you said really caught my eye ( and ears)...1: Regarding the Booth Brothers time on stage.."not the jaded, hyped up, lets whip them into a frenzy type of performance"..thank you, thank you, thank you...if more groups did that type of performance I certainly would enjoy SGM better...and 2: your meeting some of the established names in SGM who have been around a long time...who were some of the sweetest people you had met... and then the comment "it amazes me how some of the "new up and comers" thinK they can get away with arrogance and pride and boorish behavior"...thank you again, thank you again, thank you again...I WAS BEGINNING TO THINK I WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO SEES IT THAT WAY....Everyone who feels the way you do should let these "new up and comers" know exactly how we feel about their "attitude"...GOD CANNOT BE PLEASED WITH THEIR ATTITUDE AND IN TURN THEIR TIME IN THE SPOT LITE WILL BE SHORT LIVED...IMO...

I know. I'm so sorry. :cry: I know that the only thing that would have made it even better for you, would have been if they sang "Lonesome Road". :D

I missed you, too LowRain (wah!!).....but just wait til next year......we are gonna have a blast!!

The Dove Brothers set on Saturday was incredible. I think they do "Stand By Me" even better than that South Africa group. ;) (and not that they don't do it well themselves)

As far as the friendly competition of "Get Away Jordan" vs. "Stand By Me" is concerned....what was good for the goose was good for the gander. :D

My wife and I attended the National Quartet Convention for the first time. We had a great time. One of the highlights for us was when we heard Southern Heritage sing their new song "Angels Are Waiting". They did a great job! We stopped by their exhibit booth with Song Garden Music and greatly appreciated their friendliness. We were amazed at the outstanding talent we heard during the showcase performances. Southern gospel music has a lot of outstanding singers and musicians. I hope we get to go next year.

I only wished I could have joined you guys at the NQC. maybe some day that will be possible until then I enjoy hearing how others had an enjoyable and most precious time there

I haven't seen SSQ do "Get Away Jordan"....... but if it is the "three stooges" type of humor that I saw Saturday night by the Dove Brothers, I won't enjoy it either. The Doves do their song just fine, and SSQ does theirs just fine. I like humor, I love to laugh.... but physical comedy is not my cup of tea.

I think you know what I would have done if they would have sang that song..lol.. Anyway...

I also agree with you...I don't really care for physical comedy and would probably enjoy the Dove Brothers more without it....They are great singers...they don't need all the comedy.

Great reporting as usual, Lowrain!!!..

It was wonderful to see you again.. a shame NQC is the only time friends are outside of my monitor.. lol It was good to see Rob, too.. although he was on the phone 95% of the time.. LOL.. Busy!.. I really enjoyed talking to Steph.. in all our encounters at different booths.. lol (BTW.. the SGMRadio booth looked great.. classy and hip!.. lol.. Great job!) It was great seeing Shari.. and all the other peeps on here.. I got to meet Denise.. (I hope this is the Denise on this board.. LOL).. Great seeing everyone as usual!!

I have heard from a few ppl that they thought the Booth Brothers were top game for the whole NQC! I am so happy for them! They do rock!.. lol KPNR was a blessing as usual.. I think we both had tears flowing at the same time, Lowrain.. lol I was so happy for Hope's Call.. They got full standing ovationss!!

I was wore out by Saturday.. totally exhausted.. by the time I got home on Sunday at noon.. I was SICK.. I've been out of it since then.. oh well.. lol.. I'm still tryin' to get over the flu/whatever else.. but I'm surviving.. (I think).. lol

It was a wonderful NQC for me.. and it sounds like it was for you, too!

Be blessed...

BTW.. I was lookin' at the smilies.. lol.. Does :guy glasses: look like Dennis Swanberg to anyone else or am I still under the weather?.. lol

:rollinglaughing:

....Momma's saving her money.....I'm going next year.....The Stanleys just better make room on the van.....I've been patient, but it's my turn..... :giggle:

Good for you, Patti.......you taking Arnold with you?

Louisville had better get ready. :Bobo: :arnold:

Hmmmm....Arnold and LPC will probably be pretty busy taking care of all those little piggies..... :kekeke:

:arnold: :arnold: :arnold: :arnold: :arnold: :arnold: :arnold: