The Talley Trio Concert Review - Corryton, TN

This is the 2nd part of a concert review from an event that my family and I attended tonight at Corryton Church. The first part featured Cross 4 Crowns and this one will focus on The Talley Trio.

I have been fortunate enough to see the Talley Trio perform in concert several times in my life. I have always enjoyed hearing them. They are really unique in the Southern Gospel music world because they really don't do a whole lot of what most people consider "Southern Gospel." Yet, they are loved and adored by hard core S.G. fans. The Talley family has more talent than you can shake a stick at. Roger Talley composes, arranges, plays the music, and sings, you name it, he does it. Deborah and Lauren have 2 of the most beautiful voices that you will ever hear.

One thing that I love about the Talley's is that they not only sing, they minister. I have never been to one of their concerts that they didn't pray, testify, and give an invitation. Their concerts are like one big fantastic church service all rolled up into a beautiful package. I will freely admit that I spend most of my time crying when they are on stage. The songs that they sing always touch me and make me feel closer to my Lord. I saw several folks wiping tears tonight, including my 15-year old daughter.

They started out the set with Roger playing a touching piano solo and then they burst into song. Have you ever heard someone sing and it run chills down your spine? The Talley's cause those chills on EVERY song that they sing. I found myself in almost a trance like state as I listened to the Heavenly sounds coming from the Talley Trio. Some of my favorite songs that they sang tonight were, "The Healer," "His Life For Mine," and "That's Enough." But probably the one that touched me the most was, "The Broken Ones." Gosh, I can't even think about it right now without crying. My kids were crazy about that one too and they talked me into buying the CD before we left.

While we were at the product table, my two youngest kids were bugging me to death wanting to meet Lauren Talley. My little Elizabeth asked me if I thought Lauren would give her an autograph. I replied, "well, I don't know honey, all we can do is ask." So, that's what we did. Not only did Lauren sign 2 photographs, she took the time to have her picture made with my 3 kids. She asked each of them their names and how old they were and talked to them for a while. She was very personable. We thanked her for the picture and made our way out the door. Wow, what a fantastic night for the entire family!

Find out more about the Talley Trio at their website.

Read the first part of this concert review HERE.

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Cross 4 Crowns Concert Review - Corryton, TN

Tonight my family and I went to see Cross 4 Crowns and the Talley Trio at Corryton Church. I am going to write a separate review for each group.

I have been enjoying Cross 4 Crowns for the past year or so, just from visiting their website. Some days I just sit and listen to whichever song they are featuring on their homepage, over and over. I'm proud to say that after tonight, I have my own CD collection of Cross 4 Crowns and can listen to them whenever I want!

Even though I have lived in Corryton my entire life, and Rev. Rocky Ramsey is my mother's first cousin, I had never been inside of Corryton Church. It is a HUGE place, not one that I would normally attend for worship services. I am more of a small church kind of guy. Sorry to get off subject...Anyways, this was the first visit to Corryton Church for me and my family. We arrived about 6:35 pm for the 7:00 concert. There was plenty of seating available in the huge auditorium. We chose some seats just 3 rows back from the front stage. I had a perfect view. I wish that I had a good camera instead of our little cheapo Kodak Easyshare, but, I have what I have and I can't do anything about it. Therefore, the pictures that I took are not very good.

The concert opened up with a word and a prayer from Corryton's Worship Pastor. Then David Hoskins came to the stage and introduced Cross 4 Crowns. The quartet took the stage and ripped into an opening number. I knew from the first verse that I had came to the right place. C4C has a great sound with lots of big voices. Each singer could be a soloist in his own right. They have the kind of sound that I like from a quartet. All of the parts are discernible and pleasant to listen to.

Of course 24-year old bass singer, Justin Terry, was a crowd favorite. You could see people's mouths drop open as this skinny young man rattled the subwoofers into submission. I thought he did an outstanding job and according to a conversation that I had with the group's manager, David Hoskins, Terry is as fine of a young man as you would ever meet. In his words, "Terry is an outstanding bass singer, but he is even a better person than he is a bass singer." Now that my friend, speaks volumes, because this kid was awesome!

One familiar face in the quartet was their newly acquired Tenor singer, Dallas Rogers. Tonight was his debut with Cross 4 Crowns. He recently departed from the Dixie Echoes. I saw him last summer at the Grand Old Gospel Reunion when he was with the D.E. Dallas is a fantastic Tenor singer and what I like most about him is, he is always smiling. He appears to be having the time of his life while he is on stage, and puts his whole heart and soul into it.

Allen Leath is the groups founder and Baritone singer. I had heard him from songs on their website and on the radio but never in person. Wow, this guy can sing. He has one of those large Baritone voices reminiscent of Squire Parsons with a touch of the late Jim Hammill. You know, one of those voices that defines a Southern Gospel Quartet. I really enjoyed hearing him sing tonight.

Last but certainly not least, Davis McCammon, Jr, belts out the lead part. Davey has a very pleasant voice and could easily pass for a Tenor singer. He soared effortlessly on every song that was sang tonight. He has been coming up through the Southern Gospel ranks over the past few years, singing with groups here in the East, TN area.

You put all of these guys together and you get one of the finest quartets in the business. There wasn't a bunch of silly stuff from the stage, just a solid set of songs covering a wide range of gospel arrangements. One of my very favorites was "Good News From the Graveyard," a song that has been covered by the Anchormen and the Kingdom Heirs in the past. Justin did the song proud. Of course their popular, "Now I'm On My Way to Heaven," had the crowd clapping and tapping their feet. They did a nice job of featuring each part on the various songs that were sung.
I had a little bit of money saved up so I picked up couple of their CD's. One was a pre-release special edition of their brand new project titled, "Turning Point," and the other was their, "Our Favorites," project. I can't wait to tear into them!

If you ever have the chance to see Cross 4 Crowns in concert, you best get out to see them. You won't be disappointed.

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Cross 4 Crowns and Talley Trio in concert Corryton Church

Attention Southern Gospel music lovers! Cross 4 Crowns and the Talley Trio will be in concert at Corryton Church on Thursday, March 13, 2008, at 7:00pm. Wow, two great groups in one location!

Cross 4 Crowns has quickly became one of my favorite groups in the business. I'm an admitted quartet guy and these guys have some of the most finely blended sounds that you will ever hear. Just click over to their website to experience their sweet harmonies for yourself.

The Talley Trio is also a favorite of mine. This family group based in Morristown, TN, has been on the national stage for many years. Lauren Talley, in my opinion, has the best alto voice in all of gospel music.

So make plans to attend this spectacular event.

Who: Cross 4 Crowns & The Talley Trio

What: Concert

When: Thursday, March 13, 2008, at 7:00 pm

Where: Corryton Church, in Corryton, TN Directions HERE.

How Much: No admission charge, a love offering will be taken.

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