I attended a concert last Thursday night in Vinton, VA featuring the Dixie Melody Boys. I had never seen the group outside of NQC, and I had heard enough from the reunion last year and the 50th Anniversary project to know that I would likely enjoy their sound with the new lineup, and I was not disappointed. Due to the number of videos that I got, I’ll just link to the playlist. A large number of the songs done at this concert came from their latest CD, including their new radio single, “Jesus In My Boat.”

It’s about that time of year again: the time when there’s a new development in the upcoming National Quartet Convention’s schedule on a pretty much regular basis. Two news items have come down the pipe today:

1. The NQC has added the NQC Music Awards, taking the place of the Singing News Fan Awards. This will take place at a Friday afternoon showcase.

The Fan Awards have been at Dollywood the past couple of years and will continue to be held there this year. The absence of the awards show has arguably taken away much of the buzz that used to come with NQC, especially near the end of the week. The wrinkle that separates these new accolades from the old is that there are two divisions to the awards; one is voted upon by fans, and the other is voted upon by “music professionals,” which is defined as those who are exhibitors during the National Quartet Convention. Color me intrigued; perhaps this will help to fill in the “empty” feeling that has hung around NQC these past couple of years.

2. The initial draft of the Showcase Schedule has been posted. Notable additions include:

• The Gaither Vocal Band Reunion Encore. This is intriguing. I’m hoping that there will be songs picked for this time that weren’t featured on the videos or in the showcase last year. The GVB catalog is broad enough that they can bring out the stuff that hasn’t been revived to death. I’m hoping this will also bring back some of the alumni who haven’t been present at any of the reunion events (Terry Franklin, Jonathan Pierce… heck, how about Lemuel Miller?) I noticed that Guy Penrod gets his own dedicated showcase the same afternoon as this one, but that is done in plenty of time for him to be able to attend the Reunion this year.
• There’s another Crabb Family reunion showcase. I remember the last one being at NQC 2008, and I enjoyed it for the most part. I also remember it featuring most of their latter, more progressive material, and witnessed a large number of folks walking out on the showcase. Perhaps the Crabbs will play it safer this time around?
• Tim Parton is reviving the Parade of Pianos. This showcase, originally done by Anthony Burger, then done by Roger Bennett, hasn’t been around in any capacity since Gerald Wolfe hosting it in 2008. The NQC Board wisely gave Dino his own showcase that year, saving the Parade of Pianos from becoming the Dino Show as it had in years past. I’m looking forward to seeing the collection of pianists that Parton puts together.
• Lari Goss is getting a tribute showcase this year. Well-deserved, and it’s about time! The Hoppers, Greater Vision, Legacy Five, The Booth Brothers, and others will be a part.

Last night, I attended a Gold City concert about 45 minutes away from me, and took plenty of video of the event. Rather than write a review, I’ll let the videos speak for me.

This was my first time seeing them outside of NQC since Brent Mitchell and Craig West were still with the group. I was looking forward to hearing Dan Keeton with them, as well as hearing new lead singer Jerry Pelfrey. He has only been with them for a couple of weeks. Take a look at how the sound has come together:
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Another National Quartet Convention has come and gone. I got in at about 6:30 Friday evening, and in between getting settled, catching up with people in the exhibit hall, and listening to music, I had no time to blog! I encourage you to check out some of the other blogs for their take on Friday night’s music. However, I have some thoughts on things throughout Saturday, and some final thoughts about NQC 2011 as a whole:

1. The Dixie Melody Boys reunion was this year’s “moment.” Every year at NQC, there is a musical moment, be it in a showcase or evening performance, one song or an entire set, that stands out from everything else during the week as a meeting of both spirit and musical greatness. The twenty or so minutes of the Singing News Fan Awards Straw Poll showcase that were set aside to honor Ed O’Neal’s 50 years in Southern Gospel music were those that made up this year’s moment. Three songs, a presentation, a heartfelt testimony, and a powerful closing number; these ingredients made up the magic this time. I counted at least three standing ovations, though it may have been four; either way, I can’t recall the last time I’ve seen an audience respond so well at NQC.

“Antioch Church Choir” and “Good Old Boys” opened it up, and the former got the first ovation. “Ride That Glory Cloud” was absolutely electric, complete with a live band consisting of Eric Ollis on piano, Rodney Griffin on bass guitar, and a drummer whose name escapes me, and it was encored several times. I am usually not an emotional person, but I will admit that I teared up twice this week. Ed O’Neal’s comments that led into “The Call Is Still The Same” caused that second time. What a broken, heartfelt testimony. All that aside, the current lineup of the Dixie Melody Boys is the best they have had in years, hands down. They have a very powerful sound now.

2. The live band and Burman Porter’s rehire are the two best things to happen to the Dove Brothers. Seriously. Their set tonight flat-out rocked. When you can keep doing encores (venturing into four times) and it doesn’t get old, you’re doing it right. Porter’s delivery of “King Jesus” was, at the risk of wearing this adjective out, electric. The energy is back for the Dove Brothers, for sure.

3. Something felt different about NQC this year. Let me preface this by saying that I am very much a fan and supporter of Southern Gospel music. As a matter of fact, I’d love to be able to sing it full-time one day. That does not change the fact that overall, my impression of this year was kind of disconcerting. I don’t know if it was the fact that by the time I got there everyone was tired or what, but it just felt… empty this year. Like the buzz that usually accompanies this event was turned off this time around. I don’t believe I’m the only one who felt this way; comments I’ve seen and heard around our corners of the web and in person lead me to believe that everyone else felt this weird, void-like sensation as well. Will it be fixed for next year? We’ll see. Until then, we have another year of Southern Gospel to enjoy, so let’s get to it!

Some thoughts on the day’s events:

1. I caught the Gaither Vocal Band reunion on the webcast this afternoon. I largely enjoyed it, Penrod’s absolutely unmentioned/unacknowledged absence aside. Buddy Mullins and Marshall Hall split most of the duties for his parts; I’d forgotten how darn talented Mullins is as a singer. Larnelle Harris has got to be nearing or past 60 years old, and the dude can still bring it! Unfortunately, sound issues plagued the set. It took at least four songs for Lee Young’s mic to be properly turned up. Head over to Southern Gospel Back Row for a song list.

2. Set of the night, from a musical standpoint, probably could go to the Dixie Echoes. The newly revamped lineup with new tenor Michael Helwig and new bass Mike Jennings brought their A-game tonight, along with an expanded band with guitars, drums, and a harmonica in addition to the usual piano and bass guitar. Best song of the set came in the form of “Walk With Me,” highlighting a tenor sound that is fuller and more robust than previous tenors for the group have been. Truly a powerhouse sound. Though the baritone/bass mic seemed to not be mixed in correctly for the ensemble singing, the group still showed that they have come through these changes with a fine sound.

3. From an emotional standpoint, the award has to go to The Isaacs. They sang a new song, “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” which the kids wrote in honor of their mother’s fight with breast cancer (which she has survived for a number of years.) Halfway through, different artists came on stage with large signs: Dean Hopper held one up with the number of years Connie Hopper has been cancer-free, and others held signs of their own to signify their cancer struggles: Scoot Shelnut, Jeff & Sheri Easter, etc. The one that got me? Ray Dean Reese’s sign: “Diagnosed in 2011. Would appreciate your prayers,” or something to that effect. He was, understandably, looking very emotional, and I had to wipe away a few tears myself. What a moment…

Heading out tomorrow to see the NQC for myself tomorrow and Saturday. Looking forward to a great weekend!

Jerry Pelfrey. He’s apparently sung in some regional groups, and he’s from Chattanooga, TN. He just put on his Facebook that he is the new lead. A press release should be forthcoming soon.

He should be appearing at NQC on Thursday (h/t, Brandon.) Brandon has some clips of Jerry’s singing, and he sounds like a young Ivan Parker. It appears Gold City will not be losing a thing in the lead department.

6:04 PM: Just got in. The Freemans are singing. Good sound. Not that familiar with their stuff.

6:08 PM: Not perfect, but goodness, can you tell they believe in what they’re singing. I’d rather hear a sincere man or woman get up there and bend a few pitches here and there than hear a 100% spotless performance with no heart in it.

6:12 PM: The son is singing now. This is apparently the first time singing with them; he usually plays drums. His voice would have fit right in with that Hinsons reunion last night. Very country sounding.

6:22 PM: The Browns are playing a violin trio that went from “I Sing The Mighty Power Of God” to Pachelbel’s Canon in D. Interesting!

6:25 PM: Tribute Quartet is opening with a song from their new project, “He Is Leading The Way.” Good choice.

6:28 PM: Now another new one, “It Makes Me Want To Go.” They’re really working Riley Clark on the tenor part tonight, and he’s rising to the occasion.

6:32 PM: Poet Voices’ arrangement of “Sweeter As The Days Go By” is up next.

6:34 PM: The group’s current single “Bring On The Joy” is up now. This should go over well with the NQC crowd.

6:38 PM: Great choice to feature Clark on “Homecoming Day.” It seems the group is pulling out all the stops for their only chance on mainstage this year.

6:42 PM: The encore has started and Melissa Brady (wrote the song) has joined them. A 20-year old tenor just got a standing ovation from the majority of the hall. Think about that. Wow.

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For a little while tonight, before other commitments take me away, I’ll be watching the live feed and giving my thoughts as the night goes on right here in this post. I’ll do this for other nights as well, but I’ll just do “highlight posts” Friday and Saturday when I’m actually at the convention.

I have a feeling that one of the biggest sets I will be covering tonight is that of the Dove Brothers. Burman Porter is making his return tonight (though I believe he’s been back on the road for a couple of weeks, NQC may as well be his “re-debut!”), and I’m very excited about hearing him again.

5:31 PM: There’s a musical group that was apparently singing and playing in the convention hall before the feed went up that looked like they stepped out of a Charles Dickens book. Now Tim Lovelace is talking to people in the audience. Settle back for about 15 minutes for this.

5:40 PM: The Harpers are singing a bluegrass song (I believe by The Isaacs.) The strumming on that one instrument is doing all kinds of fun things with the sound. They just fixed it, though.

5:49 PM: The Booth Brothers are singing a song. At least they had all the mics on when they started!

5:52 PM: Dean and Kim Hopper are leading the crowd in some singing with a band made of Gerald Wolfe on piano, Mike Hopper on drums, and Scoot Shelnut on bass guitar.

5:56 PM: And here come the Dove Brothers! Mic problems right off the bat… Looks like Les Butler and his son are helping the Dove Bros Band out tonight.

6:02 PM: Here’s “I Recall.” Burman Porter’s solo lines are solid. Good song for this group.

6:06 PM: I just noticed Joe Lane (formerly of The Dixie Melody Boys and several other groups) is playing piano for The Doves.

6:08 PM: Burman is singing “Operator.” There you go! He’s still got it! It’s in a lower key this time. The band works well for this one.

6:11 PM: They encored “Operator.” I hope Joe Lane is a permanent hire; he’s playing the heck out of that piano.

6:13 PM: “Get Away Jordan” sounds just like old times.

6:16 PM: Jonathan Price soared on the end of the encore just like Jerry Martin used to. With that, the set is over. I really like The Dove Brothers’s sound now, both vocally and the band!

And I have to step out a while.

…… I think I’ll just do the whole thing tomorrow! No leaving this time!

From a press release from David Staton, VP of Song Garden Music Group:

Nashville, TN: Song Garden Music Group recording artist, The Cavaliers Quartet will release their brand new cd, “Living in Grace” at NQC 2011.  Many groups release new projects at NQC, but this one is monumental to the Cavaliers Qt., Song Garden Music Group and the group’s ever increasing fan base.  According to Song Garden VP, David Staton, “The Cavaliers Qt. partnered with us 4 years ago on our Grapevine Records division, which is our developmental label.  When they started with us, our goal was to find great songs, do great recordings and help them build a powerful presentation of the Gospel with their music.  They have worked hard and it is paying off.  They sound better than ever, their datebook is busier than it’s ever been and their sales have multiplied ten times in less than four years.  They have come up through the ranks and this will be their first project released on our premier label, Song Garden Music Group.”  Be sure to meet The Cavaliers Quartet in the Song Garden exhibit (booths 103 – 216) during NQC and see and hear what they are doing.

Song Garden has taken great strides in the past few years to sign and promote up-and-coming talent (see The Ball Brothers, The Rick Webb Family, etc.), and the Cavaliers Quartet is no exception. From what little I’ve heard of the group, it has piqued my interest enough that I am interested to see what David Staton and team has done with this release. I will be sure to check them out at the convention this year.

1. The Dixie Melody Boys have had quite a few things come down the pipe this past week. First, owner and bass singer Ed O’Neal fell six feet before a recent concert appearance, coming away with a broken leg and having to get eight stitches in his hand. It would certainly have been understandable if the group had just done the concert as a trio, but O’Neal insisted on doing the entire concert sitting on a stool. He will not be missing any dates. Talk about dedication!

2. The second Dixie Melody Boys happening is in preparation for their 50th Anniversary Celebration at this year’s NQC. There will be two events for this, and apparently will feature all former members that can attend, as well as the current group. From a press release sent today:

CALLING ALL FORMER DIXIE MELODY BOYS

The Dixie Melody Boys will be celebrating their 50th Anniversary with two very special events at this years National Quartet Convention. These events will include all former and current members who can attend. Over the years, the group has lost contact with some of the former members. If you are a DMB Alumni or have contact with one, please email Matt Felts through the Dixie Melody Boys website or call 615-335-0743. We don’t want anyone to be left out of this once in a lifetime event. More information will be announced soon for the fans who will want to be a part of this historic celebration.

3. The Kingsmen’s owner and bass singer, Ray Dean Reese, has announced his diagnosis of prostate cancer. He is optimistic about his future treatment, and plans to be on the road with The Kingsmen through it all.

4. Song Garden Music Group has announced their signing of The Diplomats. The popular family group will release their debut project with the label this fall.