Concert Review: The Mylon Hayes Family

I had the pleasure of seeing and hearing one of the nicest families in the southern gospel industry – the Mylon Hayes Family.  Mylon, of course, is a member of the Hayes Family, which has been touring less in the last year or so since Howard’s death.  That has allowed for some opportunities for Mylon and his wife and children to be able to do some singing of their own.   The children in the family are twins Conner and Bailey who are 14 years old and Kennedy who is 10.  The kids have been singing a song or two as a part of the older Hayes Family’s concerts for the last several years, so they are no strangers to the stage.   Clarkdale First Baptist Church in Austell, Georgia, has hosted concerts for the original Hayes Family for a number of years and now they have hosted this group as well.

I think I heard three part harmony on most of the songs – with Wendy and Kennedy on the same part, Conner and Bailey on their part, and Mylon who sings whatever other part is needed.  I think I even heard Mylon singing some bass notes on one or two songs!   It was harder than usual to just pick a few videos from this concert and had to stop myself at five!  Here’s what they sang:

• I’m Happy in the Lord Anyway — Kennedy had the most features during this concert.  It’s a good thing she’s not shy!
• The Gloryland Way – They even had the congregation singing along on this one.
• How Great It Is – Conner and then Bailey were featured on this song.   They did a great job on it.  What a strong family resemblance these boys have to their dad and grandfather!  And it looks like they’re going to be pretty tall, too.
• He Is God – Kennedy was featured on this song.
• The children have been home schooled and they are learning a lot of scripture.  At the previous two concerts I’ve seen them, they quoted some pretty long scripture passages for us and they did again during this concert.  All of them spoke clearly and with understanding of what they were saying.    The children have also been taking piano lessons and we were treated to Kennedy’s rendition of Amazing Grace.  I would’ve loved to have gotten a good video, but from where the piano was placed, I couldn’t even see the top of her little head!
• I Love to Sing – This was sung from the hymnal with just a piano track and they sang the shape note syllables on the second verse!  I think the kids did better than the adults!
• The Finished Tapestry – This Rebecca Peck song had such a beautiful message and Wendy did a great job on it.
• Bigger Than Any Mountain – I just fell in love with this song when I heard it on the radio last summer and so I was delighted to see the family perform it in a showcase at NQC.  Unlike at NQC, this time I caught the whole song on video!  I loved watching them so obviously enjoying singing this song together!
• The Voice of Truth – I understand that this song is from the movie, Facing the Giants.   Conner started the song off and was joined first by Bailey and then Mylon.  The ladies joined in on the choruses.
• Little Is Much – Kennedy was featured on the first verse  and Mylon and Wendy sang a duet on the 2nd.
• God Makes No Mistakes – Yes, this is the song that was released in the last year (or has it been two?) by the Inspirations.  Kennedy was featured on it.
• He Loves Me – Mylon started this a capella song and then the family joined on the chorus.  Sweet, sweet song!
• Bless the Lord, Oh My Soul  – I’m guessing the title of this song, but it was also performed a capella and this time Kennedy started it.   Very well done!

Also in attendance were legends Lamar Newton and Sandy Payton and Minister of Music Charlie Sexton convinced them to play a piano/organ duet for us during the love offering at the end of the service, with Mylon joining them on the bass guitar.  But then since the offering didn’t actually get taken up, they played another one!  I’m not too sure that Charlie didn’t let that happen on purpose!

Concert Review: Paid In Full

Every now and then I attend a concert that is truly exceptional.  All of the elements come together – from the song selection and  vocal performances to the operation of the sound system  and  the audience response.   The Sunday night worship service at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Clarkesville, Georgia featuring Paid In Full was just such a concert.

Paid In Full (website, facebook page) includes two founding members lead Lance Moore and baritone Bradley Littlejohn and tenor Brock White who joined them almost six years ago.  The group will celebrate their 22nd anniversary this summer and during this time, they have mastered a variety of styles from pure southern gospel, a little bit of country, a tad of bluegrass, and even what I would call mildly contemporary gospel with several of the songs on their latest CD.  They have been on the charts with quite a number of songs throughout the years, have appeared on Gaither videos, and have been honored as the Horizon Group at the Singing News Fan Awards.    Although they haven’t had quite as active a tour schedule in the last year, from what I hear they have been busy with some songwriting.  They produced several original songs on their No Trace of Rain CD and I understand there will be a few more on the project they are currently working on.

Here’s what they sang:

• Truth Be Told – This is such a strong song to start with because it lays out the purpose of their singing – the presentation of the gospel message.
• My Soul Is Firmly Anchored – This bouncy song was written by their friend and producer Woody Wright.  Bradley was featured on the verses.  On the recorded version, Gene McDonald is a featured guest, but there was no bass singer during this performance!
• What the Storm Does Not Know – I would call this their signature song.  What a song of encouragement!  Here’s a video from  the first PIF concert I attended almost five years ago.
• Praise Makes the Walls Come Down - I think that this song from Kenna West really demonstrates the joy of praise.  Brock was featured on it.
• Heavenly Parade – This a capella rendition is always a hoot when they perform it since they really pick up the tempo the further along they go in the song!
• It Was Love – This is a beautiful song from one of their older albums and I’m so glad that they’re singing it again.
• Lead On – Bradley wrote the words to this song and sent them to Dianne Wilkinson for the music.  She sent back a bluegrass styled demo and the rest, as they say,  is history!  Here’s a video from a previous concert.
• Waiting For the Morning – This is one of two songs that Lance wrote for the No Trace of Rain project and the title of the project came from the words of the chorus.
• Redeemed  – This hymn came from the Sounds of Faith project and is one of my favorites.  It was a beautiful arrangement with country instrumentation.
• I Go to Jesus – This is the second song written by Lance.  It was a beautiful, slower song  that talks about various situations where we can depend on Jesus to be there for us.   Here’s a video from a previous concert.
• The King of Who I Am – They performed this song at their 20th anniversary and will be including it on their upcoming CD.  Brock’s voice has matured since he has joined the group and he really took command of the song.
• Light Doesn’t Make a Sound -  This song by Woody Wright presents such a simple message that to be a light to others in this world, we don’t have to be great speakers or singers.  We just need to live a life that reflects the Light of the World.  This is such a good style for Bradley.
• The Other Side – This was written by the late Stephen Hill and Lance is featured on it.    Here’s a video from a previous concert.
• Great Day in the Morning – After a short break, they ended the concert with this peppy song.

I’ll leave you with this video that is so appropriate for this Easter season, The King of Who I Am:

Concert Review: The Perrys, The Carl Partain Family

Cedartown, Georgia is a small town in west Georgia and their city auditorium was the venue for a Perrys concert recently.  Since Tracy Stuffle is still in the hospital following his stroke with Libbi by his side, the group is fulfilling their dates with lead Joseph Habedank, baritone Bryan Walker, and fill-in alto Leah Page.   I was excited to be able to hear Leah after so many nice things have been said about her!

Opening the concert was Carl Partain and his family.  They have been singing together in the area but I had never heard them before.  Carl is the pastor at Pine Ridge Baptist Church in Fort Payne, Alabama.  He and his wife have eight children and  seven of them sang with their dad at different points during the concert.  Their names are  Drew, Iveigh, Bekkah, Waverley, Bellah, Joeze, and Jude.  Carl is a strong singer and the group has a country style.

• I’m Not Going to Hell – I was a little startled by the lyrics and title of this song.  I don’t think I’ve ever heard it put quite this way.  The oldest daughter , Iveigh, and the oldest son, Drew, joined their dad on the song.
• This Blessed Old Book – Several times during the night, the two oldest girls changed places within the trio,  Bekkah sang on this song.
• He Changed My Tears  – Becca was featured on this one.
• Don’t Give Up – Drew sang first couple of verses of this song about the prodigal son.  Then Carl came in on the father’s verses.  Iveigh and Bekka joined in on the choruses.
• Thank You Lord (For What You’ve Done) - Joeze and little sister Waverley were featured on this song that   Drew wrote.
• My Song of Praise and Love – Joeze was featured on this one.
• Give Them All – Jade , who is 5,  gets the cuteness award for this song!  He sang on the choruses and was not bashful with the microphone!
• God’s Been Good  – I first heard this song when Tim Parton sang it while he was with Legacy Five.   This is the first ensemble I’ve seen.  This family seems to prefer singing three parts even if there are four or more singers on stage.  Rather than doubling a part, the additional singers will just drop out.  On this song, Carl sang the verses and Drew, Iveigh, and Bekka sang the choruses.

The Perry’s then took the stage.  I’ve always enjoyed the way Joseph and Bryan interact together, and I’m sure that has helped them keep the group going with the absence of Libbi and Tracy.  Joseph makes a great emcee.   The trio appeared to be very relaxed together and did a great job with all of the songs they sang.

• Blue Skies Coming – I will admit that I didn’t particularly like this song when it first came out, but it has really grown on me, especially the chorus.
• I Got Hold of God This Morning – This song from their newest album has gone to #1 on the charts.  Leah’s sound and style is a little different from Libbi’s and it was interesting to see the variations between their performances.
• This Old Sinner Testifies – This is a nice foot stomping song and I enjoyed Bryan’s feature on the second verse and Leah’s lead on the melody on the last choruses and reprise.
• Libbi joined us by cell phone and gave a report on Tracy’s condition.
• Through the Night – This title song from their newest CD seems especially appropriate for the group and for Tracy and Libbi right now. Leah was featured.
• Great Is Thy Faithfulness – I’ve heard Bryan sing this song several times and it always gets a wonderful reaction from the audience because of its message.  Bryan has quite a vocal range and, since the song was a capella, he was free  to express himself and repeat phrases for emphasis.
• Royal Descendant – Joseph was featured on this wonderful song of testimony.
• One of These Mornings – This peppy song is also from new album and featured Bryan.   You could tell this was a crowd favorite!
• Living In Canaan Now and  I Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now  – These two old songs were just plain fun!!
• Calvary Answers for Me  – The pace slowed down for this marvelous song that went all the way to #2 on the Singing News chart in March of 2004.
• Damascus Road -  This was another fun classic.
• If You Knew Him – Of course, Joseph gave a great introduction to this song he wrote with Rodney Griffin that went all the way to #1 at the end of 2009 and was Song of the Year in 2010.
• I Wish I Could’ve Been There – I’m not sure the crowd would’ve let them leave without singing this one!  Of course, the crowd was on their feet and singing along by the end.

If you’d like to keep up with Tracy’s progress in the hospital, Libbi is posting updates daily on the Caring Bridge site.

Concert Preview: Gospel Music Celebration (Sat 23rd March 2013 – Armagh City Hotel)

7th Annual Spring Gospel Music Celebration in the Armagh City Hotel.

Come along and experience Northern Ireland’s premier Southern Gospel Music event with the finest artists from the UK and USA.

Groups confirmed for this year are REVELATION, JUSTIFIED, PATHWAY and the outstanding award-winning group from the USA, THE TAYLORS.

The Taylors were in the province last year and were lauded as being one of the finest U.S. groups ever to perform in N.I. I have always said that I prefer my southern gospel in the trio or quartet format, but the mixed harmony format of the Taylors blew me away. They started with a ridiculously good acappella song that just made the crowd melt. Looking forward to what they come up with this time.

The Northern Irish groups continue to improve and gel as time goes on. Pathway are arguably the best quartet on the road in Northern Ireland and have recently added a new tenor. I’ve heard that the new tenor has added a great sound to the group, so I’m looking forward to hearing it all live.

Tickets are available fromwww.harmonyrecords.co.uk, Portadown, Lurgan and Armagh FM bookshops or call 07967276448.

Hoppers Concert Review And Free Music Give Away

For all those that know me, know I am a sucker for a good Southern Gospel concert.  When a group rolls through your hometown it is even better.  Last night (09/07/12), I had the opportunity to go to Trinity Baptist Church here in Mooresville NC to see the Hoppers.

There is not another group in this industry that I have seen more in concert, over the course of my lifetime, than the Hoppers.  And what makes it even more impressive is that in that 30 years of seeing them live, I have never walked out of one of their concerts disappointed by their performance.

The concert gave the group the chance to highlight their new recording Count Me In.  Stand out performances from the new album included “I’ll Take You Home” (a classic Hoppers sounding tune penned by Jean Canter in the mid ’80′s), “He Didn’t Just Carry The Cross” (a familiar Hoppers style ballad that features Kim), “Count Me In” (a great up tempo number penned by Ronny Hinson, also the first single) and “Mighty Is The Word” (a great up tempo number penned by the late Shannon Childress).  Be looking for a full album review of the Hoppers new album Count Me In on Tuesday amongst all the NQC coverage.

The Hoppers also had the crowd on their feet after their performances of “Something’s Happening”, “Jerusalem”, “Yes I Am” and “I’ve Come Too Far”.  After two hours of giving it their all, the Hoppers closed with a chorus of their classic song “Mention My Name”.  It was also interesting that the group did not sing “Shouting Time” (not even a chorus).  I doubt the group is retiring the song, but this may have been the first time in 15 years (since the group started staging the song again) that I have not heard “Shouting Time” in a Hoppers concert.

So, because I am feeling good today and the new album is great, I thought I would give one of my readers a chance to win a brand new, unopened copy of the Hoppers new album Count Me In.  I wanted to make this give-away a little different from just a trivia question.

***To win, email me (swea215@yahoo.com) a couple of sentences of your greatest Hoppers concert memory.  From those responses I will choose a winner of the new CD.***

Concert Review And Free Music Give Away

I had the opportunity to go to the Liberty Baptist Church here in Mooresville NC on Sunday evening (09/02/12) to see the Greenes.  This was the first time to see the group with newest members Keith Skiles and Jason Gordon.  It just so happened this was group member Jason Gordon’s home church.

The group was sounding great and I was more than happy to hear some Greene classics.  The crowd seemed to enjoy the Greene classics the most.  ”More Precious Than Gold”, “Miracle In Me” and “When I Knelt, The Blood Fell” all brought the house down.

I mentioned last week when reviewing the Greenes new album that tenor Keith Skiles is  a quartet style tenor.  He really adds that extra vocal punch to the group’s overall sound.  Tim Greene was also sounding great.  Words can’t express how happy I am seeing Tim being able to travel and sing once again.  God is good!

The most memorable moment of the evening was Tim’s touching story of Tony’s last moments.  There wasn’t a dry eye in the sanctuary.  It is hard to believe it has been nearly two years already.

I wanted to offer my readers a chance to win the Greenes new album We Need America Again.  The first person to email me (swea215@yahoo.com) the answer to the following trivia question will win.

**QUESTION:  The Greenes were known for the high soprano vocal focal point.  There were four women who filled that spot over the years.  Everyone is familiar with Kim, Amy and Taranda.  Who was the fourth women to fill the soprano vocal during the mid ’90′s?

UPDATE:  This contest is considered closed.  We have a winner, who guessed Milena Parks as the fourth soprano vocalist who spent time with the Greenes in the mid ’90′s.  Thanks for your continued readership and look for more free music giveaways in the coming weeks.

 

More Singing In The Foothills And Free Music Give-Away

I decided to attend the last night of the 2012 Singing In The Foothills in Wilkesboro NC on Saturday (06/23/12).  Six artists capped off this event to a large crowd of Southern Gospel enthusiasts.  On this particular night Jonathan Martin was recording some social cam videos.  I will also be providing some audio sound bytes of each set to give my readers a small taste of the event.  Here are highlights in order of appearance.

Kingsmen – The Kingsmen kicked off the event to a crowd ready to hear some great music.  This was my first opportunity to see the group with Chris Jenkins (tenor) and Bob Sellers (lead).  They sounded great.  Chris was a great addition to the group.  He is reminiscent of the classic high tenors the Kingsmen were known for in the past.  Here is a social cam clip from Jonathan Martin and some sound bytes for you to enjoy.

Nelons – This was the third time in a two month time span that I’ve seen the Nelons.  Similar set, but I am still in awe at the vocal talent that Amber possesses.  Enjoy these audio sound bytes of their set.

Talleys – It was great seeing the Talleys in a four-part harmony mixed group.  They did quite a bit of material from the new album (Love Won), most notably “Make Way For The Master” and “Broken World”.  But the song that caused that crowd to come unglued was their closing number, “He’s Alive”.  Wow!  Here are some sound bytes of their set.

Karen Peck & New River – New River is a favorite among the Singing In The Foothills crowd.  It was evident from the first song.  It was great hearing “On The Banks Of The Promised Land”, but the crowd would not let them leaven the stage after performing “Four Days Late”.  Jonathan Martin picked up a social cam video here.  Enjoy sound bytes from New River’s set.

Primitives – Bluegrass Southern Gospel artist the Primitives delighted the crowd with their brand of mountain flavored music.  A favorite of folks in North Carolina, the Primitives highlights included “I Don’t Have To See The Tomb” and “Walking In The Highway”.  Another social cam video of the Primitives picking here.  Also, sound audio sound bytes of their set.

Martins – I can’t tell you how great it was to see the Martins again.  It has been several years since I had the chance to catch up with these folks.  They have never sounded better.  ”The Promise” and “Unredeemed” knocked my socks off.  Jonathan even got a social cam video of the group on stage, here.  Enjoy sound bytes from the Martins set.

As a result of the great time I had at Singing In The Foothills, there is some free music to give away.  I have two brand new, unopened copies of the Talleys newest album Love Won.  Easily one of the best Southern Gospel albums released so far in 2012.  The first two individuals to email me (swea215@yahoo.com) the answer to the following trivia question will win.

***Question:  Name the group Debra Talley was a member before marrying Roger and joining the Hoppers.***

UPDATE:  Congratulations to Charles and Justin for being the first two to answer the Songmasters correctly.  They won a copy of the Talleys new recording Love Won.  Thanks for the continued readership and more free music to continue through the summer.

2012 Singing In The Foothills

On Thursday night (06/21/22), I had the chance to attend night one of the 2012 Singing In The Foothills.  This annual outdoor event in Wilkesboro NC is a benefit for the Ebeneezer Christian Children’s Home.  A couple thousand folks were on hand Thursday night to enjoy some great Southern Gospel music.  Here are highlights in order of appearance.  I missed the first artist on the program, the Pfeifers.  I have also provided some audio sound bytes of each set, considering I was sitting too far back to get any good video.  The audio is not the greatest but should give you an idea of how the evening went.

Singing Cookes – This had to be the first time in twenty years that I have seen the Singing Cookes in concert.  Their set consisted of mainly slower songs until they closed with “Ain’t No Grave”.  Jason Crabb was running his social cam most of the evening and caught a clip of the Cookes here.  Enjoy that along with some audio sound bytes of their set.

Sisters – The Ruppe sisters (Heather, Kim, Valerie) were great as usual.  One would be hard pressed to find a better vocal group traveling the Southern Gospel circuit.  These ladies can sing!  Their a cappella number “Thou Oh Lord” was about the best vocal performance heard the entire night.  Jason got another social cam clip here.  Enjoy that along with some audio sound bytes of their set.

Triumphant Quartet – The group’s popularity continues to be on the rise as they thrilled another couple thousand folks at the event.  Their set was standard fare, filled with many of their hits including “Saved By Grace” and “Love Came Calling”.  Crabb was having a good time also as he got another social cam clip of Triumphant Quartet performing here.  Enjoy that along with some sound bytes of their set.

Jason Crabb – The evening closed with Jason Crabb and his band.  My readers already know how I feel about live music.  This set was phenomenal.  The musical interlude in the middle of “Still Holdin’ On” is the reason you can’t beat live music in a concert setting.  Enjoy audio sound bytes of Crabb’s set.