NQC 2008 Summary

So much for the nightly updates. Since I was working during the day each day and attending the convention at night I just didn't get the time fit in to post each night.

My wife and I had been discussing the past several years that we were concerned that NQC was going down hill. We just didn't seem to enjoy it as much each year. This year brought some of the enjoyment back and that was exciting.

I believe NQC 2008 was the best NQC in the last 7 or 8 years. I much liked the variety that was placed throughout each evening with instrumentals, speakers, comedians and groups working together on songs. The sound in Freedom Hall wasn't the best in could be but it was much, much better than in past years.

If I had to pick a group that stood out this year it would have to be the Booth Brothers. Those guys are definitely riding a wave right now. Great sound, great stage presence and great song selection. My wife mentioned that Michael seem to have a heavy heart this week. He was his usually witty self but just seemd to be carrying an extra burden. We have no idea what it might be or if that is even the case. It's just an observation.

As for quartets, Triumphant seems to still be the top of the list. They are not necessarily my personal favorite but if you look at it from a technical point of view they are about as close to perfect as I've ever seen and heard.

It was a thrill to see Mark Bishop back on the main stage. One song he did was the story song I Got Here as Fast as I Could. It's a great story and delivers a great message. I thought how fitting it was because Mark did get back to the main stage just as fast as he could!

I enjoyed seeing the Lesters on stage with a complete family group. What a great tradition is being carried on by that family.

The Gaither Vocal Band being back on the stage for the the first time in several years stirred some excitement. I believe the crowd on Friday night was the biggest it's been in years and that GVB was why.

Charley Humbard, president of the Gospel Music Channel, was on stage for a few minutes on Friday night talking about the new partnership between them and the NQC. If anyone knows of specific dates and times when any of NQC will be televised on the Gospel Music Channel please post a comment here and let me know.

We traveled home on Saturday so I can't comment first hand on the awards night.

Great year and I hope I'm blessed to attend many, many more.

NQC 2008 Tuesday Night

There was a bunch of good music Tuesday night although there weren't as many moments that stood out to me as on Monday night.

We arrived early and walked around the exhibit hall before going into the concert. It's good to have the exhibit area back near the main hall.

As for moments from the exhibit hall the only one that stood out amoung the rest for me was when Jacob Kitson, the newest member of Greater Vision, sang "Little Is Much When God Is In It". Power, power, power. That's the best three words I can think of to describe it.

One other time that comes to mind as I type was the Lesters set. They brought out 4 year old Emma Grace Revelle, a 5th generation Lester, to sing with them and it was really good. She stepped right in as if she had been doing it for years and years.

NQC 2008 Monday Night

Loretta and I are excited to be back at NQC this year. This is our 21st straight convention. We have been blessed to be able to attend the convention every year since we were married (including the end of our honeymoon being at NQC 1988).

Monday night has traditionally been quartet night. This year there were a few trios spread in the mix but it was good night over all.

The night began with a couple of instrumentals by what was billed as the "Best Band in the Land". It consisted of Tim Lovelace on piano, Scoot Shelnut on bass guitar, Randy Shelnut on lead guitar, Michael Hopper on drums and a fantastic steel guitar player that I'm sorry to say I didn't recognize). They played a couple of toe tappers and then Gerald Wolfe came on stage and lead the crowd in a couple of class songs. The evening was actually hosted by Brian Lester and Aaron Wilburn. Aaron's comedy was enjoyed throughout the night.

I mention a few of my personal high points for the night:

1. The Mark Trammel Trio brought the people to their feet with their singing of " If Only Just A Few". What a powerful message to any believer but especially to those in ministry.
2. The Booth Brothers singing "This Love Is Mine".
3. The Dixie Echoes entire set was outstanding. "Little Is Much When God Is In It" was delivered with as much power as I've ever heard it sung before.
4. Inspirations opened up with 'Amazing Grace' accapella. Archie's voice was not at it's best but the people didn't care. They were shouting and clapping before the first verse was done.
5. Reggie Sadler came on stage for about 10 minutes with his guitar and took the crowd back to the 50's and 60's with music that he shares as part of his personal testimony.
   
6. Gold City delivered a very good message in "What Children Believe".
7. The ended with Triumphant on stage singing "I Remember The Day". They were joined on stage for the last chorus and a couple of encores by the Perrys.