Like father like son

For weeks I have been so excited about going to the 5th annual SGM FanFair in Pigeon Forge. I bought 5-tickets in advanced so I could take my entire family. Like I mentioned in an earlier post, my wife and I were celebrating our 24th wedding anniversary this weekend. We spent the night in a hotel in Pigeon Forge and we were going to go to the SGM FanFair. Our plans changed when a church member passed away unexpectedly on Saturday. Her funeral was held at the same time the SGM concerts were being held tonight. So, my wife and I went to the funeral and I gave my parents our tickets and they took the kids to the singing instead.

Before the kids left, I told them to make sure they get plenty of pictures and to make certain they get one of Ray Reese. I jokingly told them to ask Ray if he remembered having his picture made with me at the Tennessee Theatre in 1998. Of course I was joking around, But, leave it to my son to track ol' Ray down at the singing and asked him if he knew me! Much to his (and my) surprise, Ray told him, yes, he knew me and then offered to pose alongside him for a picture! My son came through the door tonight just beaming and bragging about getting that picture. I would be bragging too because it is as nice of a picture as I have ever seen. The two pictures at the top of this post are side-by-side comparison of mine and my son's pictures with Ray Reese. They are 11-years apart.

There were several more pictures taken tonight but they were so far away that they all turned out very grainy and they aren't good enough to post. I sure would have liked to been there with my Canon. Oh well, maybe next time.

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An anniversary fit for a Triumphant Kingsmen!

My wife and I are celebrating our 24th wedding anniversary next Sunday, March 15th. Some folks dream of going to far away exotic places and eating at fancy restaurants. Well, whatever floats your boat I reckon. I could care less about that sort of thing. I can't think of a better place to spend our anniversary than at the 5th annual SGM FanFair in Pigeon Forge!

Yes Southern Gospel music lovers, the 2-finest quartets in all of SGM are coming to Pigeon Forge, TN on Monday, March 16th, to participate in the 5th annual SGM FanFair; The Kingsmen, and Triumphant Quartet!!! It's no secret that the Mighty Kingsmen Quartet is my favorite quartet of all time. And, of course, my second favorite quartet of all time is Triumphant Quartet. Wow, Ray Dean Reese, Eric Bennett, and myself, all in one place on the same night! I'm excited just thinking about it! I'm hoping to be able to take a vacation day off from work on that Monday and spend all day long at the FanFair.

Not only are the Kingsmen and Triumphant going to be there but so are Gold City, and Michael & Delilah Kitts! Here is the entire scheduled lineup for Monday: Darlene Chapman, Gold City, Goodwins, Jeff Treece Band, Kingsmen, Lauren King, Mattingly Family, Melody Trio, Michael & Delilah, Mike Southerland, Rod Burton, Samaritans, Susan Ketron, Tim Parton, Triumphant Quartet, Yielded Ministries. See the entire week's schedule HERE.

I'd sure like to be able to attend on Friday as well because more of my favorites will be there; the Dixie Echoes, Dixie Melody Boys, Jeff & Sheri Easter, and the awesome Tony Gore & Majesty!!! I seriously doubt I'll be able to take off 2-days from work that week though so I won't be able to be there. Hmmm, maybe I can leave a little early and make it to Pigeon Forge in time for the concerts though! I'll have to see...

Southern Gospel Music FanFair is March 16 - March 21, 2009 at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center in Pigeon Forge, TN. Directions HERE.

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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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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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SGM FanFair Moving to Pigeon Forge!

Good news Southern Gospel fans!

Pigeon Forge Welcomes SGM FanFair
SGM FanFair Heads To The Great Smoky Mountains

The SGM FanFair Board of Directors is pleased to announce the new location for SGM FanFair - Pigeon Forge, TN.

"The first four years in Chattanooga were great, but we felt it was time for a change," comments board member Dale Burress. "The vote for Pigeon Forge was unanimous among the board of directors, and city officials have welcomed the event with great enthusiasm."

Executive Director Randall Wilds states, "Offering a huge variety of shops, restaurants, museums, amusement parks, entertainment and the beauty of the smoky mountains, Pigeon Forge has long been a family favorite vacation hot spot. With SGM FanFair added to the city's spring events, folks have one more reason to visit and enjoy Pigeon Forge."

One of the largest of it's kind, this annual concert event features performances by a huge roster of artists - from quartets to soloists. Thousands of southern gospel music fans and enthusiasts will gather for six days of the finest in southern gospel music, fellowship and family fun!

The 5th annual SGM FanFair will be held March 16 - 21, 2009, at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center which includes on-site parking - another added improvement for the 2009 event.

Make plans now to attend the 5th annual SGM FanFair!

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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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Cross 4 Crowns, New Calvary Echoes, Kirk Talley to be at GMT World Premier

Knoxville based Southern Gospel performers, Cross 4 Crowns, New Calvary Echoes, and Kirk Talley, are among those performing at Gospel Music Television's World Premier Gospel Concert 2008, which will be held August 25-27 from 1pm - 5pm and again from 7pm - 11pm. The concert will take place at the Grand Resort Convention Center in Pigeon Forge, TN. For reservations and information call: 1.800.251.4444

~World Premier 2008 schedule~
Monday Afternoon 1pm-5pm
HisSong
Tim Lovelace
Fourfold
Providence Quartet
Hemphills
Tribute Quartet
Kevin Spencer & Friends (Tribute)

Monday Evening 7pm-11pm
Providence Quartet
Roarks
LaVerne Tripp
HisSong
Old Paths
Ricky Atkinson & Compassion
Kevin Spencer & Friends

Tuesday Afternoon 1pm-5pm
Browns
ShadrixTrio
Jerry & Jan Goff
Heirline
Blaine Bowman
Dixie Melody Boys
Young Harmony

Tuesday Evening 7pm-11pm
Heirline
Three Bridges
New Calvary Echoes
Dixie Melody Boys
Blaine Bowman
Kirk Talley
Browns

Wednesday Afternoon 1pm-5pm
Chuck Wagon Gang
Dave McVay
Dalton Gang
Palmetto State Quartet
Driven
Lesters
Kirklands

Wednesday Evening 7pm-11pm
Palmetto State Quartet
Mitchell Jon
New Jerusalem Quartet
Chuck Wagon Gang
Big Mo
Cross 4 Crowns
Lesters

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McKameys & Inspirations Friends and Family Tour, Feb 23

Mull's Singing Convention will be featuring the McKameys and Inspirations Friends and Family Tour on February 23, in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee at 7 PM. The concert will be held at the New Hope Church (Formerly Lee Greenwood Theater). Visit Mull's Concerts for more information.

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