I taped the show last night and watched it this morning. The lineup was Gold City, Mike & Kelly Bowling, Three Bridges, Palmetto State Quartet, and The Crabb Family. The event was hosted by Jason Crabb.

1. Jason Crabb

1. Can’t Nobody Do Me Like Jesus

2. Gold City

1. God’s Been Good
2. Mercy Came Running
3. That’s What I’m Talking About
4. Preach The Word

Only one song featured their new lead singer Bruce Taliaferro, but that was all I needed to hear to tell you that Gold City is as good as ever! Bruce has just the right voice to do Jonathan Wilburn’s songs justice, while still making a name for himself. Danny Riley mentioned that they are working on a new project, and I can’t wait to hear it.

3. Mike & Kelly Bowling

1. ??? (song I didn’t get the name of)
2. There Is Power In The Name Of Jesus
3. There’s Just Something About That Name (with Jason Crabb)

Good to see the former baritone for Crystal River, Jeff Snyder, with this group. I don’t care much for the group, but it is nice to see that guy with someone.

4. Three Bridges

1. Step Back On The Rock
2. Medley (Somebody Bigger Than You And I, You’ll Never Walk Alone, The Impossible Dream)
3. I Feel A Little Song Coming On

I wasn’t very familiar with this group, and I wasn’t too impressed with what I heard. Just not my cup of tea.

5. Palmetto State Quartet

1. On Time God
2. Resting Place
3. Open The Eyes Of My Heart

This was my first opportunity to hear the almost-totally new lineup of PSQ, and I liked it. There were some pitch issues from the baritone, Brian Beatty, near the end of the first song, but he caught himself (you could see him shake his head as if to say “Not right!”) and finished strong.
The group’s new keyboardist, Casey Martin, is a very talented guy, which was evident throughout their set. They’ve also added a percussionist, which adds alot to their onstage sound and presence (the guy really gets into it!).
They’re obviously still trying to mesh and find their sound as a group, but nevertheless, they sound pretty good at this point. It’s pretty clear that they are bringing a fresh, new sound that PSQ has not had before. I expect great things from this new incarnation of the Palmetto State Quartet!

6. Mike & Kelly Bowling, Part II

1. Your Cries Have Awoken The Master

This is quite possibly the only song I really like from this group. Very powerful song.

7. Jason Crabb

1. You’re All I Need
2. I’d Rather Have Jesus (joined by The Crabb Family)

8. The Crabb Family

1. Please Come Down To Me
2. He Thought Of Me

Now, what doesn’t make sense to me is that the Crabb Family broke up not too long ago and have seperate ministries all over the place, and yet they have “reunions” all the time. On this show, at this coming NQC, and I saw across the bottom of the screen where they’ll be on another show in a couple of weeks. I wonder when they will truly disband (the brand name, not the family itself)…

It will be a good night to catch some good Southern Gospel groups tonight on Praise The Lord at 10 PM Eastern and 9 PM Central time on the TBN channel.

The lineup will include Gold City, Three Bridges, Mike & Kelly Bowling, and Palmetto State Quartet. I’m excited about the two quartets; Gold City’s performance will be new lead singer Bruce Taliaferro’s first TV appearance with the group, and it will be my first opportunity to hear how the group sounds since Jonathan Wilburn’s recent departure. It will also be interesting to hear how the new Palmetto State Quartet lineup sounds.

I’ll try to tape the show tonight and post my thoughts tomorrow.

Read this article on southerngospelreporter.com and found it very interesting. A couple of things stood out to me:

1. This one’s a good thing:

“The PR indicates that Strickland has a wealth of knowledge and experience from the many years in the music industry working with The Judds and other popular artists,.. and will provide oversight and vision through his management responsibilities for PSQ. He hopes to use his experience and relationships to introduce some exciting new marketing and promotion strategies to, not only PSQ, but to southern gospel music in general. Larry adds: “It’s some of the best music in the world and it deserves to be exposed to a much broader audience.”"

Man, if only every quartet manager had these connections. With those kind of doors open for them, this new incarnation of PSQ will be going places, count on it.

And now, a bad thing:

“….Palmetto State members Rick Fair, Burman Porter, Wesley Smith and Bryan Elliott will not be involved with the merged quartet. Beatty says those members had apparently decided to start their own group.. but had failed to notify PSQ owner Kerry Beatty. Brian adds that Kerry confronted the members.. about the rumors he had heard. Although they said it was true.. they were not quite ready to begin thew new venture. Brian says: “Kerry tried to keep going, as though nothing had happened, but found that in gospel music.. unity is so important,.. and their unity was not what it should be to represent the Lord in song.. on a daily basis.” Brian Beatty also says that all members do care greatly for one another.. but Kerry was ready for a new start. Brian continues: “Both myself and Larry Strickland felt this to be a God ordained move and we are thrilled to be the new Palmetto State Quartet.”

Ouch. It’s bad enough that they tried to hide it from Beatty in the first place, but then they got confronted. Talk about your awkward moments…

I’m sure this new quartet of ex-PSQ members will be a winner, but I’m not sure if I will be a fan in light of these circumstances… We shall see…

Well, with school starting back up, me becoming a freshman, orientation, shopping and the like have kept me from blogging these past few days, so let me get a rundown of these news items I’ve missed.

1. Burman Porter is leaving Palmetto State? Here’s hoping the rumour is untrue, but back problems can have a hand in taking talent off the road (Gene McDonald, anyone?)

2. Roy Webb’s father passed away a couple of days ago. I actually knew this but didn’t blog it. Nice to see that EHSSQ sent out a newsletter about it. Hmm… maybe this will stop the rumour mill about Webb’s departure… Please keep him and the family in your prayers.

3. The Dixie Echoes’ bus fire. Man, what a shock. Thankfully, the only thing lost was some merchandise…

And of course, we can’t forget to count down to NQC. By my watch, (or, rather, by Chuck Peters’ “Days till NQC” clock), it is 16 days.