Here in Boone, we welcomed the first day of spring by watching three inches of snow fall on the ground. The snow was topped off by several hours of sleet and freezing rain.

Can't hardly wait to see what the first day of summer has in store!

Anyway, during the past few weeks, I've been at concerts that have featured many of today's quartets. There's quite an impressive batch of them on the road and I've found myself thinking, on more than occasion, "these guys are the best."

Look at this list (these are some of the quartets I've seen in the last few weeks) and just think about the potential that is represented: Brian Free & Assurance (one of the hottest groups on the road), Kingdom Heirs (solid as granite), Florida Boys (who are doing some of their best singing ever), Dixie Melody Boys (Ed's always had a good-sounding group despite rebuilding every few years), Kingsmen (Ray Dean's edging closer and closer to kicking the excitement level to it's previous heights), the Triumphant Quartet (strong as garlic), the Down East Boys (the most underated quartet on the road today), the Inspirations (still filling the house night after night after night after night after...), the Dixie Echoes (their simple approach-two mikes and a piano-is catching on like wildfire with their audiences), Gold City (I've seen them absolutely destroy a couple of places recently with undeniable great concerts), the Primitive Quartet (masters of the acoustic style of Southern Gospel), the Dove Brothers, the Palmetto State Quartet, the LeFevre Quartet, Crystal River, Signature Sound and so on.

All of these groups are doing a great job. Now, I wasn't around during the heyday of the Statesmen/Blackwood team, so I can't compare apples to apples and say that quartets are better than before or not. But I have to wonder what would happen if we could throw ourselves into some sort of time machine and have combinations like Statesmen/Kingdom Heirs or Blackwood Brothers/Gold City. Based on what I've heard that happened with such legendary groups as the Statesmen - and knowing what can happen with, say, the Triumphant Quartet - I'm sure such a concert would be a thriller.

What do you think? Do you think we'll be talking about the Kingsmen in 50 years like we recall the Statesmen? Will we consider Brian Free & Assurance as one of the all-time best when we're sitting in our rocking chairs in 2045? I'd like to hear your thoughts on who'll be added to the list of all-time greats. Send me an e-mail!