As I’m sure most of you know, the wife of Rev. Billy Graham passed away today after slipping into a coma… please be in prayer for the Graham family at this time.

… so the old saying goes, and it’s true in this instance as it seems that the Jody Brown Indian Family is coming off the road. If you go to their site, and look at the schedule, they’ve erased all the dates. Hmm..

Man, here’s another group that had great promise and is killing it… Guess they can join Three Bridges in “Slain Talent Heaven” now….

More bad tidings from averyfineline.com (no offense) say that Three Bridges has also decided to call it quits today, what with two of its members leaving.
Such promise.. ah, what could have been…

Well, looks like another legendary, old group is going off the road.

According to averyfineline, and later confirmed by group owner Les Beasley, the Florida Boys are retiring in July.

What a shame… I guess the writing was on the wall when bass Gene McDonald and tenor Harold Reed left the group. Reed is singing with the Kingsmen and McDonald is working for a bus company. In the final days, the Boys bumped lead Josh Garner up to tenor with Beasley singing lead, and quite honestly, it didn’t work. Hopefully at least Garner can find another big-time group to sing with, because he’s a great lead…

Adios, Florida Boys. God bless…

EDIT: A guy on averyfineline pointed out that I had both Garner and Beasley singing tenor. Thanks Thom!

According to the guy at averyfineline, Ernie Haase has announced that he has opted not to seek a permanent replacement pianist for the group, instead choosing to “build my future on the four faces of the singers like the Oak Ridge Boys and the GVB.”

I actually think he has made a good decision, for the summer at least, to hire Gordon Mote as pianist. Notice, not as a permanent pianist, but just pianist. He claims his decision has nothing to do with Roy Webb coming back, but I still think he has, in a roundabout way, kept his foot in the door in that area. I can see “The Return” sometime after the Summer Tour, if not sooner. It’s quite possible, actually…

Now, as for the Oaks and GVB comparison; huh? I can maybe understand the Oaks thing, since their lineup has been very consistent for a good number of years. But the GVB? That group’s more focused on the faces of Bill Gaither and Guy Penrod, with the other two positions getting changed every 2-3 years.

Ah well, now we can all just sit and watch to see how it all plays out….

Old news but, here from sogospelnews.com:

Positive Alternative Radio (PAR), the parent company of Joy FM radio in North Carolina and Virginia, announced today that JOY FM (WXRI/WTJY/WPIR/WTTX) General Manager, morning show host, and four time Singing News DJ of the Year Award winner Rodney Baucom has announced his resignation. His departure date is set for June 30, 2007.Rodney states, “My time with Joy FM has been wonderful. My family and I sense a fresh calling from God and we must follow that leading. I’m leaving Joy FM with deep emotion and wonderful memories. I thank the leadership for their trust in me over these years. I’ll miss the staff, the listeners and all those who made this ministry possible.”PAR Executive Vice President Barry Armstrong commented, “Rodney will be greatly missed by all of us at Positive Alternative Radio. He nurtured JOY FM from its first baby steps 10 years ago, to the gospel music giant it is today. His staff has been universal in their expression of love for Rodney, and appreciation for his friendship and leadership. We know the listeners will miss Rodney’s friendly, smiling voice in the morning. We will pray for Rodney, expect continued friendship and wish him and his family the favor of God as they pursue new ventures.”Baucom will continue to host the morning show on Joy FM through June 29th.

Well, these past days, I’ve been in places where there was NO internet whatsoever, so I just stopped by to say I’m sorry for the silence and hope to be bringing more to you soon…

.. the revolving door opens up.

It was announced that baritone Andrew King has left the Dixie Melody Boys. Never had the pleasure of hearin’ him live either…

All I gotta say is what is up with the revolving door? Man, just when we thought it had shut…

Must be a trend that starts up every few months or so.. I mean, Roy Webb, Andrew.. who next?

We’re having a right good discussion about it here…

Speaking of leaving, I’m also saddened to hear that Rodney Baucom is leaving JOY FM. Will give details as I get them…

Hallelujah, they finally did it!

Legacy Five finally sent the song from their Live In Music City project, I Have Been Changed, to radio as a single.

This baby is gonna shoot up the charts, guaranteed. This is probably one of the best songs Legacy Five has ever done, better than I Stand Redeemed or I Found Grace. Like Daniel Mount says, it’s a smart move on L5′s part as a group, what with the death of Roger Bennett, and people are wondering how good they’re gonna do. Despite the fact that it was recorded while Bennett was still living and he introduces it, this will most definitely reaffirm L5′s status.

Good call, boys, good call…