Archive for September 17, 2011

2011 NQC – Final Thoughts

Posted: September 17, 2011 by Steve Eaton in Commentary
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Folks, it has been a joy bringing highlights of the 2011 National Quartet Convention.  I want to provide some final thoughts as I will be skipping out on tonight’s broadcast and therefore will not have a highlight reel of tonight’s performances.  I’m glad everyone stopped by this week.  I will be back to regularly scheduled programming next week.

  1. I turned on the showcases today and was a bit thrown back that the Dixie Melody Boys would get a 30 minute segment to honor 50 years of one of Southern Gospel’s living legends for a pointless straw poll program for awards that will be handed out in two weeks.  Couldn’t the entire showcase time be devoted to honoring Ed O’Neal for his 50 years of service?
  2. I don’t want to sound like I’m angry with Singing News because I am not.  I am happy that they at least called Ed and asked if he would be there and that they decided to share their program with him.
  3. I always enjoy the songwriter’s showcase.  I enjoy hearing the stories behind the songs recorded in Southern Gospel music.  The stand out performance of the program was Sisters singing Phil Cross’ “Do You Love Me”.  It was also nice they honored Gordon Jensen and sang his classic “Redemption Draweth Nigh”.
  4. While there were stand out performances this week by several artists (see my nightly recaps), there was also a lot of mediocrity from artist performances.  When performing on probably the biggest concert stage of a group’s entire year you would think they would bring their ‘A’ game every single performance.  When you only have 4 songs to highlight your performance pick the 4 biggest songs in your arsenal.
  5. I want to close by saying Southern Gospel music still has some great things going for it and I am not going anywhere as a listener.  At the same time, my dream of seeing live music return to a Southern Gospel concert stage is simply that; a dream.  If live music doesn’t make a comeback can artists at least begin providing a more scaled back approach to the tracks they sing to.  I don’t need to hear big orchestras and choirs on a track when seeing an artist live.  I want to be drawn in by the power in the vocals.