Great night of Southern Gospel with 3 4 THEE

It was the first time I had been in Graveston Baptist church since they built the new church. I had visited there a few times in the old building several years ago. I brought my wife and son along with me to spend an evening of Southern Gospel music at 3 4THEE's 3rd annual Fall Gathering.

We arrived 30 minutes early to insure that I would get a good seat close to the stage so I could take photos. The sanctuary was very nice and the individual seats were very comfortable. The host group, 3 4THEE, started things off at 6:30 with a lively rendition of Cast Your Bread Upon the Water, which I really enjoyed. Then they asked soloist, Kelly Henderson, to come out and sing. She sang a 6-song set with my very favorite being Through the Fire, which she said was her testimony song.

After Kelly sang, 3 4THEE came back out and sang 5-songs and said they were trying to get out of the way to allow the other groups to sing. It was the first time I had ever heard this trio sing. I had made acquaintance with the group's baritone, Greg Davis, through email correspondence a couple of years ago. I've been keeping up with the group over the Internet but had never had the chance to hear them sing in person. They did a great job and harmonized well. Lead singer, Jackie Painter, has a very strong and outstanding voice which gives the group sort of a country sounding edge. Tenor, Warren Beeler, and baritone, Greg Davis, also have nice vocals and complimented the sound very well. I didn't ask, but I believe Warren and I may have went to elementary school together at Gibbs way back in the day. My favorite song that they sang was one called, Let's Have Revival. It was very uptempo and the words reminded me of my own experiences growing up in many old-time church revival services.

After 3 4THEE exited the stage, Mike Southerland, stepped up to the mic. He did a good job. His sound is reminiscent of Michael Combs. In fact, he mentioned Combs during his set and sang one of his songs. He sang 6 songs all together with my favorite being the Crabb Family hit, The Lamb, the Lion, and the King. Mike also proudly introduced his toddler grandaughter, who later took to the stage with Michael & Delilah Kitts (see slideshow at end of this post).

Next up, Michael & Delilah Kitts, came out and sang a 7-song set. They were clearly a big crowd favorite. I have always enjoyed hearing them myself and they did an outstanding job as usual. They even invited their daughter, Lauren, to the stage and she did a wonderful job singing lead on, Oh Happy Day. My favorite song of theirs was without a doubt, God Sent His Best.

Up next was one of my all-time favorite groups, the Berry Family. I've been a fan of theirs for many, many years. Ever since I heard them sing at House Mountain Baptist way back when I was just a young boy. I heard them sing, My House Is Full, with a little girl singing lead. I immediately bought their cassette tape and wore that thing completely out listening to that song over and over. I was amazed to see that the same little girl was still singing but was now a grown woman with a family. She still has a very beautiful voice. The whole family is very talented and there is nothing better than that rich family sound. They sang 6-songs with my very favorite being one which I believe is titled, Somebody Prayed. I guess what I liked the most about them was their very obvious sincerity and heart-felt testimonies from the stage. I was happy to also briefly meet and speak with the Berry Family at their product table as I was heading out the door. We swapped business cards and I hope to have them come out to Highland to sing for us next year.

Last on the schedule was a group called, Still Waters. They had a very good sound and sang several songs that were widely known to everyone. I enjoyed singing along with them on nearly every song. This group also had some good testimonies and did a great job. My favorite song of theirs was probably, My Home. I also enjoyed the last song that lead singer, Jason Allen, sang by himself called, Your Cries Have Awakened the Master. It was mentioned by his father that Jason is pursuing a solo career and asked for prayers for him.

The night ended with 3 4THEE coming back to the stage to sing an invitation song. During the invitation a young lady came to the altar for prayer and then a man came up to share his testimony of how God had healed him from a brain stroke. We then ended with everyone singing together on, Lord Prepare Me to Be a Sanctuary. It was a long but great night of Southern Gospel music. I appreciate 3 4THEE inviting me to come. I wish I could have hung around longer afterwards but we had to get home and relieve the babysitter. I wish the group great future success.

Enjoy all of the pictures from tonight's event:

Read more...

18th Annual Fallen Water Farm Festival - Luttrell, TN

Make plans to attend the 18th Annual Fallen Water Farm Festival in Luttrell, TN. This year's proceeds will go to help Teddy Fletcher, a cancer victim from Luttrell.

When: Friday, September 19 @6:00pm
Saturday, September 20 @11:00am

Where: Fallen Water Farm - 706 Archer Rd., Luttrell, TN. Driving Directions Here.

How Much: No Admission charge - Lots of Gospel, Bluegrass, and Country music in store. There will be plenty of homemade food items available to purchase including; Chicken-n-Dumplings, BBQ, Pinto Beans & Cornbread, Hamburgers, Hotdogs, Cakes, Cookies, Cotton Candy and more.

Scheduled to perform:

FRIDAY NIGHT September 19, 2008

Bluegrass, Country, Gospel

6:00 pm - Sheila & the Misfits

7:00 pm - Master Peace

8:00 pm - Greyland James Egan (Age 12)

9:00 pm - Dark Hollow Band

10:00 pm - New Union Grass

SATURDAY September 20, 2008

Opening Ceremonies - 11:00 am

**Wings of Eternity**

White Dove Release by Arthur Baham

Gospel music performed all day by:

Pamela Helton of Luttrell, TN * Michael & Delilah Kitts of Knoxville, TN * Sherritze Family * Joyful Sounds of Knoxville, TN * Marsha (Beeler) Hughes of Ringold, GA * Berry Family of Maynardville, TN * The Valley Boys of Maynardville, TN * Steps of Faith of Corryton, TN * The Merritt Family of Luttrell, TN * Thunder Road of Union County, TN * The McClure Family of Maynardville, TN * Ladeana & Ashlee Savage of Luttrell, TN * Doffsie Williams Family of Luttrell, TN * Faith Way Trio of Knoxville, TN * Natasha Muncey of Luttrell, TN * John & Randall of Knoxville, TN * Amanda Loope of Luttrell, TN * and others

For more information visit the Fallen Water Farm Festival website.

Read more...

The Berry Family in concert October 20th, 2007

The Berry Family will be in concert at Ridgeview Heights Baptist church in Knoxville (Corryton) on October 20th, 2007, at 7:30 pm.

Please visit the Berry's website for additional information.

Clicke here for driving directions to Ridgeview Heights Baptist Church.

Read more...

Clear Spring Baptist Old Time Gospel Singing

What: Clear Springs Baptist Church Choir's Annual Old Time Gospel Singing.

When: Saturday, April 14, 2007 - Monday, April 16, 2007 at 7:00 pm.

Where: Clear Springs Baptist Church 8518 Thompson School Road, Corryton, TN 37721. Directions can be found here.

Special guest: The Berry Family

If you have never heard the Clear Springs Baptist Church Choir, then brother you don't know what you are missing! Directed by Gibbs guy, Mike Tipton, this choir is one of the very best Church choirs in the entire South East. Their annual old time gospel singing always has a huge turnout. Come early and stay late, you won't even want to go home because you just can't get enough of the great singing and spirit that fills the air during this event.

If you have ever wondered what Heaven is going to sound like, just drop by the Annual Old Time Gospel Singing and find out!

btw...I met the woman of my dreams at Clear Springs Baptist Church back in 1982, you can read about it here.

Read more...