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:

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McKameys in concert November 29th, 2008

The popular Southern Gospel group, the McKamey's, will once again be at Rutledge Pike Baptist Church in Corryton, TN. The concert starts at 7:00 PM. You might want to arrive early if you want an up front seat. It will be a packed house!

My family and I had an excellent time last year when we attended the McKamey's concert at Rutledge Pike Baptist. You can read about it here.

Visit the Church website for directions and more information.

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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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The McKameys Concert Review - Corryton, TN

I had been looking forward to this night for quite some time. The night when the McKameys would be singing at Rutledge Pike Missionary Baptist Church in Corryton, TN.

The concert started at 7:00 pm, but to make sure we got seats up close, we got there at 6:00. There were already several folks there when we arrived but plenty of good seats were available. We settled in 5 pews from the front. Rutledge Pike Church is a great big beautiful church with a large open arched ceiling. It's a comfortable atmosphere there too. You won't find any high falutin snooty folks there, no, these folks are humble, friendly, and Spiritual. Just the kind of people I like!

My new buddy, Mark Summers, (the choir director) kicked things off by leading the congregation in all 3 verses of one of my very favorite Hymns, pg. 120 in the red back church hymnal. (That's 'Victory in Jesus' just in case you are Hymnally challenged.) Then the Church pastor, Rev. Gary Smith, led us in a prayer and introduced his life-long friends from Clinton, TN...The McKameys!

The McKameys sang some of their new songs, and plenty of their older ones. My favorite one tonight was without a doubt, 'Your Still God.' I could have left after just hearing that one song and I would've been happy. I love to hear all of the McKameys sing, but, Carol Woodard, in my book, is the best female singer in Southern Gospel music. I could listen to her sing the phone book. And, to watch her on stage, always with a huge smile on her face, you can't help but feel blessed. They also sang another one of my favorites, 'God on the Mountain,' as well as numerous other McKamey staples. I was a little sad that they didn't get around to doing, 'Wall of Prayer,' but, like my wife said...I should have requested it.

For those of you wondering how Eli and Roger are doing since going through the kidney transplant...they are doing fantastic! Roger was there playing the guitar and Eli was there playing and singing as well. In fact, Eli was featured on 2 different songs tonight, 'It Takes Time,' and 'Go Tell It On the Mountain.' He did a wonderful job on both and my 7-year old daughter totally fell in love with him.

I don't know how many songs they sang but it had to be 20 or more. The concert lasted 2 hours but it ended way too soon for me. I could have stayed all night long listening to them sing. I've seen the McKameys in concert many, many times in my life. I can tell you right now that I have never been disappointed one single time. They don't come to put on a show, they come to minister and worship. Oh sure, Peg, will go through numerous kicks, stomps, jumps, shouts, and hanky waves, but it's not to put on a show, that's just her way of praising the Lord. I found myself having to wipe tears several times tonight as the Spirit moved through the congregation. I not only cried, I laughed, sang, and raised my hands toward Heaven. There were many shouts and Amens throughout the evening.

I had a few extra dollars tonight so I bought their new Christmas CD...yep, I've already listened to it, and it is great. There are 13 tracks on the CD and my favorite one is track 12, 'Is He At Home in Your Heart.' If you love Christmas music and you love the McKameys, then you will love this CD.

The 2 pictures that I took with my rinky dink camera, didn't come out very good, but I posted them anyway. Maybe one of these days I'll be able to buy that Canon Rebel XTI that I've been dreaming about....ahem, Christmas is coming, hint, hint.

If you would like to see the McKameys in concert, click over to their Singing Schedule and pick out a date. You'll be sure and want to make plans now to attend their 25th annual Hometown Sing in Clinton, TN, on June 6-7, 2008. You can guarantee it'll be a good un!

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The McKameys in concert November 30th, 2007

The McKameys will be in concert at Rutledge Pike Baptist Church in Corryton, TN, on November 30, 2007, at 7:00 pm.

Visit the Church website for directions and more information.

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McKamey's Eli Fortner undergoes kidney transplant

UPDATE 5: 10.16.07: From the McKamey's website: "Let us say "Praise The Lord for what HE has done!" Hitherto the Lord has helped us! The transplant surgery for Eli and Roger went great! Eli was in the hospital in intensive care for 6 days, Roger for about 10 days. Roger had some complications from the surgery and had to stay a little longer. However, they both are home and doing great! God has given us a miracle with the transplant, and to HIM we are grateful! Both guys went back for their first check-up with the surgeon today and they both got great reports. They still have a few limitations, but they are doing really good."...Read more at the McKamey's Website.

UPDATE 4: 10.11.2007: From the McKamey's website: "Just to let everyone know Roger got to come home Wednesday from the hospital. He is doing fine. Stay tuned!"

UPDATE 3: 10.7.2007: From the McKamey's website: "Just to update you on the progress of Eli and Roger. Eli came home from the hospital on Saturday, October 6th. He is doing wonderful! We praise God for what HE has allowed with this miracle! Eli's first night at home was wonderful. He had a very good night of rest (you know how hospital stays can rest you), and he is doing remarkably well! Roger, on the other hand, is still in the hospital with some minor complications that are taking a few extra days to get through! He is doing great, however, and making progress with each day! They told us he would not bounce back as quick as Eli would! Please continue to pray for Roger and Eli as they now continue their recovery! We'll keep you posted as we know any new developments!"

UPDATE 2: 10.4.07: According to WVLT-News 8 in Knoxville, "We spoke with Fornter's mother, Connie, today. She tells us Eli has exceeded doctor's expectations following his kidney transplant yesterday. Eli is sitting up in bed as he continues to recover. Eli's father Roger, who gave him a kidney, is up and walking around."

UPDATE: 10.3.07: According to WVLT-News 8 in Knoxville, UT Medical center reports Eli is in serious condition, while his father is in stable condition.

You can post a comment to Eli at his Blog, just click HERE.
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Eli Fortner, of the McKamey's, underwent a kidney transplant today (10.2.2007). The 13 year old son of Roger and Connie Fortner has suffered with kidney problems since he was five months old. His father, Roger Fortner, was a perfect match to be the donor for his new kidney. Both Roger and Eli are in stable condition and are in the intensive care unit at a hospital here in Knoxville.

Much of his recent ordeal has been chronicled over on the McKamey's website. You can read past news entries concerning Eli at THIS LINK.

I will update this post when more information becomes available.

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