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:
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