Concert Review – Jeff & Sheri Easter

I had the opportunity to get out to another concert on Friday (07/29/11).  Hickory NC was the location; Jeff & Sheri Easter the artist.  The Easters have made it to this area of the country plenty in the last two years.  I believe this was the 7th time in the last two years I have seen the group live.

It was the first time, though, that only Jeff & Sheri were on the program.  They performed for over two hours to a packed house of about 450.  They rolled out all their recent hit songs; “Born To Climb”, “I Need You More Today”, “Hear My Heart”, “Praise His Name” and older hits “Roses Will Bloom Again” and “Thread Of Hope”.

The biggest highlight for me was the spontaneity of the group during the second half of the program.  I have rarely seen that at a Jeff & Sheri concert.  Charles Burke (former owner of Singing Americans) was in attendance and Jeff told the story of how Charles gave him his first job with the Singing Americans back in 1984.  Jeff then called Charles to the stage.  Jeff made a comment to Charlie about how he always told everyone else how to sing and Jeff had never heard Charlie sing before.  Charles Burke along with Jeff & Sheri ended up singing Beulah Land.  It brought the house down.

The entire second half reminded me of an ‘unplugged’ performance where the group shared stories and intertwined songs;  at times off the cuff.  This may have well been my favorite live concert performance of Jeff & Sheri Easter.

Classic Videos – Kingsmen Connection

Today I have two classic video clips to offer.  The first comes from a television performance by the Kingsmen at the old Heritage USA in Fort Mill SC in 1987.  This particular program featured music from the group’s Stand Up At Opryland USA album.  The particular clip featured is “Nobody Saved But Me”.

“Nobody Saved But Me” – Kingsmen (1987)

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The Kingsmen connection is a video clip from 1983 featuring a young Tim Surrett, who would later become a member of the Kingsmen, singing with a group by the name of the Carolinians.  Enjoy!!

“Promised Land” – Carolinians (1983)

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Classic Videos – “Come To The Water”

I don’t believe I have received more response for anything in the year since I started blogging than for classic video requests.  I have a full list of requests.  I will try to post one classic video clip a day.  So don’t fret, I will get around to all the groups and songs being asked for at some point.  This may turn into solely a video blog if the requests keep coming.  Next up today is a quartet that had minimal success in the late ’80s; the Trailblazers.  From the same 1989 television program is the song “Come To The Water”.  Enjoy!!

“Come To The Water” – Trailblazers (1989)

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One Year Anniversary Contest – Round 5

Down to the final two rounds.  Deadline for answers are Wednesday (08/03/11).  Here are round 5 categories.  Have fun!!

Category:  2011 Trio of the Year

1. Booth Brothers
2. Bowling Family
3. Greater Vision
4. Nelons
5. Karen Peck & New River

Category:  2011 Mixed Group of the Year (at least 4 vocalists)

1. Collingsworth Family
2. Freemans
3. Hoppers
4. Perrys
5. Taylors

Category:  2011 Quartet of the Year (at least 4 vocalists)

1. Brian Free & Assurance
2. Dove Brothers
3. Gaither Vocal Band
4. Soul’d Out Quartet
5. Triumphant Quartet

Bonus Question:  The Singing News fan awards broke out the group categories in the late ’90s to quartet, mixed group and trio.  Who won the first trio award given?

Classic Videos – “Farther Along”

It looks as though with all of the requests I am getting for classic videos; in the short-term I will try to post at least one a day.  So keep them coming.  Today we have another clip from the same 1989 television program featured in the previous two clips.  Someone asked to see something from the Kingsboys.  Here ya go.  Enjoy!

“Farther Along” – Kingsboys (1989)

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Anniversary Give Away – Round 4 Answers

Well folks, the contest is winding down.  Here are answers to the round 4 categories posted last week.  Round 5 categories will be posted tomorrow (07/28/11) and the final round 6 categories will come next Thursday (08/04/11).  Things are heating up.  We now have a tie for the first time in the contest.  The maximum number of points garnered after 4 rounds is 16 out of a possible 32.  I believe this may come down to the wire.

1. New Artist of 2011 – Akins
2. Comeback Artist of 2011 – Nelons
3. Solo Artist of 2011 – Jason Crabb
4. Bonus Question:  Carolina Boys (Kingsmen)

Classic Videos – “We Shall Stand”

It seems as though the response I have already received regarding posting of classic videos will keep me busy for a while.  I have had a couple of people ask if I have a YouTube channel.  The answer is no.  As of now this will be the only place you will be able to view these videos.

I had someone ask yesterday for the Perry Sisters, “We Shall Stand”.  This comes from the same 1989 television program of the Hoppers clip yesterday.  Enjoy!  More videos to come.

“We Shall Stand” – Perry Sisters (1989)

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Classic Videos – “You’ll Be There”

I briefly mentioned, prior to my illness, that I was working on getting some of my classic video collection saved to my computer.  I want to share some memories of my favorite time period for live Southern Gospel music (late 1980′s/early 1990′s) and more.  I will start presenting one classic video a week.  To start the series is a television program that was broadcast in 1989 from the former Heritage USA in Fort Mill SC.

For several February’s in a row, an event known as appreciation week was presented.  This specific year hosted Mid South Boys, Perkins Family, Jeff & Sheri Easter, Hoppers, Dixie Melody Boys, Palmetto State Quartet, Perrys, Kingsboys, Perry Sisters and others.  The next several weeks I will feature some concert footage of that event.  This first video is of the Hoppers and a song titled “You’ll Be There”.  You get to hear the late Shannon Childress do some bass singing on this particular song.  Enjoy!!  If there is any artist from this specific time period you would like to see, drop me a line and I will try to feature your request.

***PLEASE BE AWARE THESE PROGRAMS WERE TRANSFERRED FROM OLD VHS TAPES AND MAY NOT BE THE HIGH QUALITY VIDEOS YOU ARE USED TO***

“You’ll Be There” – Hoppers (1989)

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