Great Evening With the Chuck Wagon Gang Despite Odds
When I first booked the singing date with Penny Greene of the CWG, neither of us realized the odds that were stacked against us. At that time we didn't know that tonight was going to be Archie Watkins last night with the Inspirations and one of Carol Woodards last nights with the McKameys. For the past couple of months, Praise 96.3 has bombarded the Knoxville airwaves with advertising of their Mull's Singing Convention - Inspirations/McKamey's Friends and Family tour being held on the exact same night as our CWG concert. Many of the same folks that would come out to hear the Gang, are the same folks that enjoy the Inspirations and McKameys. So to say we were at great odds is an understatement! Add that to the tough economic conditions, Flu season, rainy weather and a forecast predicting 3-inches of snow for Knoxville tonight. So, I was really nervous when around 5:00, only one person had arrived at the church!
My mind was quickly relieved when around 6:00, folks started trickling in. By the time the 7:00 starting hour rolled around, we had a full house despite several of our regular members not showing up. I saw many of the same folks that came out for last year's concert including a long-distance winner from Clinton, S.C. I got to meet the CWG's former pianist and current marketing director, Harold Timmons.
Things were kicked off behind the scenes as the Pastor and I slipped into the choir room and got on our knees in prayer. I opened up the service with 3-verses of Power In the Blood and then handed it over to the Pastor. He read a few passages of Scripture, prayed, and then welcomed the Chuck Wagon Gang to the stage.
Of course the Chuck Wagon Gang were their usual outstanding selves. Perfect harmonies along with perfect songs made for a perfect night! They sang all of the old-time favorites that we all love and count on; Echoes from the Burning Bush, Looking For A City, Jericho Road, Suppertime, 
Little Brown Church in the Vale, and many, many others. A few of my very favorites tonight were, He Wrote My Name, and I'm Gonna See Heaven. I was hoping that they would sing my favorite from last year, He Said It All For Me, but I couldn't think of the name of it during the concert so I didn't request it. I did mention it to Penny after the concert and she said that it was one of her very favorites as well.
One of the things that I really enjoy about the CWG or any group, is how they share their testimony. Without the testimony the songs are just hollow and meaningless. It was wonderful to hear Penny and Julie both give their personal testimonies and praise the Lord Jesus Christ for allowing them to do what they do. I love to hear the wonderful singing but honestly, I would rather hear folks talk about their Salvation story than anything in the world. It's uplifting and inspiring.
The night ended way too soon but it was nice to feel the cool night air when we stepped out on the front porch of the church. My wife, son, and I, went to Burger King after the concert and while we were in the parking lot we saw the Chuck Wagon Gang's bus roll by on the road heading for the interstate. No doubt they were on their way to share the Gospel message with some other folks just like me.
Enjoy all of the pictures that I took of tonight's concert below:
