Grand Ole Gospel Reunion Says Goodbye to K-town

Bad news for Knoxville Southern Gospel fans. It was announced this week that the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion is packing up it's bags and heading back to Greenville, SC.

According to Charlie Waller: "By popular demand, the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion 2009 will be August 13 - 15, at the newly renovated Greenville Hyatt Regency. All events will be held in the Grand Ballroom. Higher staging so everyone can see and new wider comfortable seats. Everything under one roof - no shuttle, no driving - it's going to be GREAT!"

I began to wonder last year when I attended, if the GOGR would be able to sustain, as attendance was suffering. I honestly believe it was due to poor advertising for the event. I know that it was announced on Praise 96.3 a few times but there wasn't much fanfair in the months leading up to the event. Honestly, except for my close band of family and friends, I never heard any mention of it. We thoroughly enjoyed each night that we attended last year and the year before. We noticed a pretty significant drop in attendance though.

In all fairness, the economic conditions were really bad last year. Gasoline was right around 5 bucks a gallon, making it difficult for folks living outside of Knoxville to attend. Waller also had just reinvented the Florida Boys and was trying to work up some excitement there, but it just didn't happen. Add the fact that the theatre that the new Florida Boys had rented out to perform in, suddenly shut it's doors and locked the group out. All of that had to leave a bitter taste in Waller's mouth. I don't blame him for heading back to friendly grounds.

While my family will miss being able to attend the GOGR, we are excited about the SGM FanFair that has moved to Pigeon Forge. We have decided that we will attend there instead.

So long GOGR, it was fun while it lasted.

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Grand Ole Gospel Reunion Says Goodbye to K-town

Bad news for Knoxville Southern Gospel fans. It was announced this week that the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion is packing up it's bags and heading back to Greenville, SC.

According to Charlie Waller: "By popular demand, the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion 2009 will be August 13 - 15, at the newly renovated Greenville Hyatt Regency. All events will be held in the Grand Ballroom. Higher staging so everyone can see and new wider comfortable seats. Everything under one roof - no shuttle, no driving - it's going to be GREAT!"

I began to wonder last year when I attended, if the GOGR would be able to sustain, as attendance was suffering. I honestly believe it was due to poor advertising for the event. I know that it was announced on Praise 96.3 a few times but there wasn't much fanfair in the months leading up to the event. Honestly, except for my close band of family and friends, I never heard any mention of it. We thoroughly enjoyed each night that we attended last year and the year before. We noticed a pretty significant drop in attendance though.

In all fairness, the economic conditions were really bad last year. Gasoline was right around 5 bucks a gallon, making it difficult for folks living outside of Knoxville to attend. Waller also had just reinvented the Florida Boys and was trying to work up some excitement there, but it just didn't happen. Add the fact that the theatre that the new Florida Boys had rented out to perform in, suddenly shut it's doors and locked the group out. All of that had to leave a bitter taste in Waller's mouth. I don't blame him for heading back to friendly grounds.

While my family will miss being able to attend the GOGR, we are excited about the SGM FanFair that has moved to Pigeon Forge. We have decided that we will attend there instead.

So long GOGR, it was fun while it lasted.

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Florida Boys - You keep a knocking but you can't come in!

I guess my aunt and uncle were lucky to see the Florida Boys when they did. Looks like they've been locked out of their theatre.

Theater mysteriously closes
By ELLEN BROWN - October 3, 2008

"Mystery surrounds the closing of the Smoky Mountain Showplace Theatre in Pigeon Forge, which most recently featured gospel act The Florida Boys."

The theater was closed on Sept. 15 at the instruction of renters Sherry Bowman and Bob Deason, former general manager Lesley Duran said."We went into work Monday morning and the phones were already cut off -- none of us had any warning," Duran said. "Sherry and Bob came in and told everyone to go home because they were locking the doors. They said they weren't putting anymore money into the theatre. They didn't even have the decency to tell us beforehand." Read the rest of this article at the Mountain Press. (registration required)

According to the article, a large picture of the Florida Boys is still standing outside the theatre but hasn't been removed despite pleas from group owner, Charlie Waller.

I called the Smokey Mountain Showplace Theatre to see if I could speak to someone concerning this, but, just like the article stated, their telephone has already been disconnected. Their website is still up and running as of this writing.

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Florida Boys Deliver In Pigeon Forge

My aunt, uncle, and another couple from church, attended the Florida Boys show in Pigeon Forge last weekend. I did not attend but my aunt was kind enough to supply me with the pictures that she took while there. I also asked her about the show and she gave me a short run down on the evening.

The Florida Boys started out in their traditional Southern Gospel quartet mode, singing all of the beloved songs that F.B. fans have come to expect. Dressed in their finest matching suits, they performed hit after hit to the delight of those in attendance. Then it was backstage to change into more casual attire and reappearing to belt out a string of classic 60's pop hits. My aunt said that their young tenor singer, Dustin Bearden, really stood out on these numbers and his musical talents were very evident. A short film of some classic gospel quartets was also shown during the night, much like the ones that Waller shows at the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion. Wrapping up the night, the Florida Boys reappeared in white suits and paid tribute to our soldiers and country with some patriotic numbers.



From my aunt's account, it was an excellent show and the Florida Boys gave 100% despite the fact that there was only around 12-people in attendance. With the shape of the economy, gas prices, and the $22.00 admission charge, I suspect that it is difficult to fill up the Smoky Mtn Showplace Theatre. If you love Southern Gospel music and want to support it, why not save up your money and attend a Florida Boys show? For tickets and info click HERE.

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New Florida Boys Debut in Pigeon Forge

You just thought that the Florida Boys had retired. Nope, they are now under the ownership of legendary Southern Gospel music promoter, Charlie Waller. They aren't in Florida anymore either. They are now based in Pigeon Forge, TN and will be singing 6-nights a week. Press release here.

Their debut performance is tomorrow, Aug. 20 at 7:30 p.m at the Showplace Dinner Theater in Pigeon Forge, TN. Shows at the theater are Monday-Saturday at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $22 for adults and $11 for children 12 and under. Discounts are available for groups and tour buses. For more information, call (877) 333-9330. Or visit the Florida Boy's website.

“We are so excited to be able to bring our show to Pigeon Forge on a regular basis,” Waller said. “This is a tremendous opportunity for a quartet to get a chance to entertain for the receptive audiences that visit the Smokies. We are going to bring folks a little bit of everything, hand clappers, tear jerkers, and songs that will leave a smile on their faces and joy in their hearts. How else can you leave them when you are singing about Jesus?”

I'd like to wish Charlie Waller and all of the Florida Boys much success in this new endeavour. I hope they sell a million tickets and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to millions!

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Waller's Last Stand?

If you attended this years Grand Ole Gospel Reunion, then you know that the last words that came out of Charlie Waller's mouth concerning the continuation of the GOGR was, "I just don't know...maybe by January I'll know something, but right now...I just don't know." A quick follow up to that statement, Buddy Burton, asked how many people would commit to coming back next year and selling one package to someone. A few folks clapped in agreement, at which Waller jokingly said, "seven...seven people would be willing to do that."

I've only been to the last two GOGR's, last year as a birthday present from my mother, and this year as a birthday present from my mother and my aunt. I can honestly say that it was worth every penny that they spent! ;) Seriously, for less than $20.00 a night, to see some of the best Southern Gospel groups in the world, it is a basement bargain. Which leads me to wonder how Charlie is able to put on such a show? I don't know what rent costs at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium, I imagine it's not cheap. I also don't know how much he pays the singing groups probably not outlandish because of the number of folks that grace the stage, but still has to be a lot of money going out. The city of Knoxville states that the GOGR draws around 700 people. I know some of those folks purchase the VIP package, which is $595.00 per person, which includes 3 nights stay at the Marriott ($130.00 per night) and tickets to the concerts and events (which adds up to about $100 bucks total) so I'm not sure how much money Charlie actually clears from all of this. With everything else in the world going up, I have to wonder if he is breaking even? But, what do I know? I'm certainly not a big time promoter.

So the question still remains, will the GOGR continue on? Waller hinted around at possibly ending on the 25th anniversary, but who knows? He said that he should know something in January. Is he biding his time to see if the new Florida Boys will catch on at the Smoky Mtn Showplace Theatre in Pigeon Forge? Sorta weighing out his options? I guess only time will tell. One thing is for sure, in order to put on a show like the GOGR, you have to fill the seats. That's where we come in as fans of Southern Gospel music. We have to be willing to attend events like this and spend our money. I'd sure hate to see the GOGR end.

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Grand Ole Gospel Reunion 2008 - Review

The 21st Annual, Grand Ole Gospel Reunion, kicked off this past Thursday, at the downtown Marriott in Knoxville. It continued with concerts, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 15-16, at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium. Just like last year, I attended the GOGR and had a great time. Of course any time I am around Southern Gospel music, I have a great time. Groups such as the Dove Brothers, Inspirations, Southern Sound, Blackwoods, Melody Boys Qt., Dixie Echoes, and of course the most excellent, Chuck Wagon Gang, were all present! If you are a Southern Gospel music lover, you should've been there!

We arrived at the Civic Auditorium about 30 minutes before show time so we could browse the product tables. The first thing we noticed was that the attendance seemed lower than the same time last year. I guesstimate there was between 600-700 people there on the first night and probably closer to 800 on the second night. Of course it's a little hard to tell in such a big place. I don't know how to get information on actual ticket sales or attendance, so I might be off some on my count. Regardless, we didn't have any trouble getting around the product tables on the first night.

The music started off kind of slow on the first night, with less popular folks, and some instrumentalists kicking things off. As the night went on, the groups got better. It was a complete opposite on the second night, because the Chuck Wagon Gang started things off on Saturday night and were followed up by the Melody Boys and the Dove Brothers, three of the biggest acts of the entire night within the first 30 minutes!

Charlie Waller was a little tamer this year than he was last year. He only said a few off-color jokes, including a tasteless Brokeback Mountain crack on baritone, Buddy Burton. But, there were no cell phone tirades or anything of the such this year. Don't get me wrong, he still let everyone know that he was large and in charge of the show... as well as the new Florida Boys quartet that he recently acquired, which, by the way, you can go and see 6-nights a week in Pigeon Forge, TN.

One of the groups that I.M.H.O. doesn't get enough recognition is the Southern Sound Quartet. These guys rock! They have a very tight sound. In fact, while I am typing this post, I am listening to their latest project, 'Reflections...A Tribute,' which I bought tonight. The CD is a tribute to Hovie Lister and the Statesmen. It is jam packed with 16 songs. As their baritone singer, Trevor Haley, said, "at just 15 bucks, that's less than a dollar a song!" Great group and great sound.

The Melody Boys were spectacular of course. Gerald Williams couldn't sing a bad note if he tried. I was happy that long time Melody Boy, Jonathan Sawrie, was present to sing with them on Saturday night. TMB always have that great quartet sound that I love.

I didn't have my picture made with anyone this year. I just feel so awkward asking. So I turn into a sneaky paparazzi...just ask Penny Greene of the Chuck Wagon Gang! So I'm slinking around trying to snap some candid shots of various singers. I'm really zooming in on Penny. She catches me out of the corner of her eye and calls me out! Ever her graceful self, she kindly poses with a big smile and then threatens to get me if I don't delete the bad pictures. Dave Emery warns me that she is serious! I had the best time just hanging around the Chuck's product table. Of course I had to buy their latest project, 'Reminiscing,' which is excellent by the way. Honestly, I could have came out, listened to the CWG, went home and been totally satisfied. Where a lot of groups like to stand on stage and blabber and tell a bunch of jokes, the Chuck Wagon Gang take to the stage and pour their heart and soul into their music, with very little interruption. They are indeed a class act.

A lot of folks come out just to see/hear the Dove Brothers. In their short 10-years of existence they have captured a large audience and loyal fan base. I really enjoy hearing them myself, especially bass singer, David Hester. He has one of the best bass voices in all of Southern Gospel. Tenor, Jerry Martin, is a great one too. I'm a big fan of his from back when he was with the Kingsmen. Of course, McCray Dove makes up the Dove Brother's signature sound.

The Dixie Echoes were excellent as always. The Shelnuts have a long tradition of great Southern Gospel music. They always surround themselves with some of the most talented folks in the industry. I was really impressed that they had such a polished sound considering that at this same time last year, they had a different bass singer and tenor. Never fear, talent is always near, and their new bass singer, Pat Barker, was superb. He even looks a lot like their previous bass, Tracy Couch. Newly acquired tenor, Wesley Smith, was also top notch. I'm sure after a few more months he will be as polished as former tenor, Dallas Rogers.

There is much more to blog about, but it is now 2:30 AM and I've got to get some sleep so I will be able to lead the choir tomorrow at church. I'll be uploading a ton of pictures that I took over the past 2 days and discussing it in more detal. More info on the all new 'Prophet's Quartet,' and about the possible end of the GOGR. So stay tuned!

UPDATE: Photos have been uploaded, see them HERE.

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