NQC 2008: An “old friends” Reunion
Earlier this month, I made the trip to Louisville, KY for the annual National Quartet Convention. I had a very good time, seeing old friends…making some new ones, hearing some fantastic music…and fortunately, enjoying a few special moments (even one very weird experience).
I am not going to attempt to give a full report of NQC ‘08 in this rather limited space. Some other “Bloggers” have written quite comprehensive reviews of the songs, singers and their performances. Good job, blogger dudes! What I will do in this post is share an overview of a little bit of my Four days at Freedom Hall. Gonna do it in the order I mentioned in my first paragraph.
OLD FRIENDS I got to see…let me just mention a few.
Lari Goss: I’m sure that Lari has attended many NQC’s, but I have never seen him there, and I have attended pretty regularly since the late 80’s, including several years when NQC was still convening in Nashville. Considering LG’s recent battle with throat cancer, I was somewhat surprised to come upon him at GREATER VISION’s Booth. We had a wonderful visit. He shared some details of his improved state of health (his Dr found no signs of the cancer in his most recent tests - Amen!) We rejoiced together as he gave all the glory (and credit) to almighty God. We reminisced about some of the ministry gigs we did together in the ’70’s, including a couple of Crusades and Concerts at Rehoboth Baptist Church in Atlanta and a unique FCA sponsored Campus Crusade at the University of Georgia…we also continued our talk about doing a recording together this winter. FYI: Lari is, IMO, the greatest southern gospel music arranger/orchestrator of his generation. I consider it a huge blessing to have had him arrange and orchestrate several of my compositions over the years…including MERCY, on The Prophets’ new Cd, I’ll Follow.
Gerald Wolfe: It’s always a blessing to visit with Gerald. He is a very gracious man. We met during his brief tenure with The Cathedrals. I was in full-time Crusade Evangelism at that time. The Cats appeared at several of my events during those years. Gerald NEVER see’s me without saying, “Paul, when are you going to send me a song?”, to which I usually reply, “Yeh, I know you are desperate for a good one” (prolific and Award-winning songwriter Rodney Griffin is a member of his group, GREATER VISION) Gerald also always asks about my family members, by name. Like I said, he is a very gracious man.
Fred Privot: The long-time bus driver for The Cathedrals is just a great person. A really special guy! I was shocked to bump into him near the GV booth late Saturday night. Most of the vendors were already gone or leaving the exhibition hall. Wow…it was awesome to see him and his grand-daughter (she took our picture with my camera…even got GW in the pic…the only pic taken with my camera all week). What memories were stirred by this all too brief reunion.
McCray Dove: Shortly before the Dove Brothers took the stage on Thursday night, I was walking out the tunnel that the artist use to enter/exit Freedom Hall. Was pretty dark in there. Suddenly, from the shadows behind me someone called my name. I recognized that unmistakable voice. McCray, lead singer for the DB’s, wanted to chat about our recent gig together at the GRAND OLE GOSPEL REUNION. We stood in that tunnel and visited for more than 20 minutes. My favorite part of the conversation was his detailed counsel about the finer points of quartets performing with only 2 Microphones (like all of the groups had to do on Saturday night at GOGR). He shared several things he had learned from such SG lead singing Legends as Jake Hess and Ed Enoch. McRay has always been very nice to me, and very complimentary of my singing and The Prophets in general. Don’t tell anybody, but the Doves have been my personal favorite ever since they released I CAN PRAY, and that whole awesome Cd, NEVER THE SAME.
Other old friends I got to see and hug included, Janice & Eddie Crook, Mark Trammell, Jerry Kelso, Diane Wilkinson, Brian and Allison Speer, Johnny and Aaron Minick, Mike Allen, Daryl Williams, Marshall, Matt & all the guys of MONUMENT Qt…and many of my friends from the SN Forums (love all you guys)…Bill & Debbie, G.I.Mom, do deserve props for their wonderful hospitality and their amazing “goodies boxes!”
Will post later about my take on the most outstanding performances and songs I heard at NQC ‘08.
Come on…come blog with me!
Paul Jackson / The Prophets
September 26th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Sounds like you had a wonderful time. Being with old friends and remembering ole new friends. And getting to hear all the great songs sung that have made it to the TV and radio. And hearing songs that are on the way to radio and TV. Keep the blessings going.jp
September 27th, 2008 at 6:54 am
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September 30th, 2008 at 9:17 pm
Sounds like a great time Paul, maybe one of these years Christy and I will make it to NQC.
October 1st, 2008 at 11:56 am
Thanks Jimmy, DM and Wes…my trip was a blessing.
Sorry I have been too busy to post much recently.
Between Family, The Highlands, ARC and The Prophets, I am staying pretty booked up…but, it’s a good problem. I have also been on a
songwrighting kick since returning from NQC.
PJ