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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