One week ago this moment, the second night of the NQC was just getting underway. Even though I had a great time in Louisville, I am happy to be home in Georgia. And to be honest, the quiet sounds of home are just down-right enjoyable after a hectic week.

Before we let NQC 2008 settle in our memories, I must take a few moments to say thanks to some very important people who provided not only the readers of Danny's Diary with photos and information, but also populated the Singing News web site with other photos. Between all the locations found on Singing News, over 300 photos were posted throughout the week. My in-box has been flooded with thanks for providing those NQC glimpses for those who were not able to attend. In turn, I thank all of them for visiting singingnews.com.

But I can take very, very little credit for what you saw. The kudos must go to a couple of photographers, Kenneth Kirksey and Brian Franklin. Both Kenneth and Brian are vital parts of our IT program and even though they are not photographers by trade, they do know how to use a camera and use it well.

However, when Kenneth volunteered to take the primary photos for the week, he didn't quite count on how hectic things could get. He's still in traction.

Brian is the one who actually posted every photo that you saw on singingnews.com, staying up well into the early hours of the morning after putting in 12-14 hours involved in other NQC activities.

I'd also like to say thanks to Keith McChrystal and Bev Rouse, who contributed a few photos to our collection.

We had several Singing News staffers at our NQC booth this year. Normally, they are the part of the team that actually pulls together each issue of the magazine. If you subscribed or renewed your subscription at the booth, there is a 3 out of 4 chance that you dealt with someone from the Boone office. Allison Lyons, Dawne Shew and Pam Slaney did a great job the entire week. Allyson and Dawne are two of our graphic designers while Pam handles industry advertising. The other lady working the booth was Amy Wolfgang, our Nashville accounting guru who counts the beans and makes sure we all get paychecks!

You may have also seen or talked with my wife, Christina, or my son, Gregory, who was a vital part of keeping things rolling (photography-wise) during the fan awards. And, if you happened to wander by our booth on Saturday night during tear down, you may have seen none other than Emily Cumbee (Jim's wife) pitching in so we could get home sooner.

Holding down the fort in Boone during the NQC were some other people who, even though they were not there, contributed greatly to the Louisville effort. Debbie Armstrong, Sharon Kinsey, Scott Clontz, Brett Kirksey and Trevor Lee all helped to put the NQC plan in motion and kept the magazine up and running - and prepping for the November issue.

Jim Cumbee, Jerry Kirksey, Les Butler and, of course, me, could not do any of the things we do without everyone I just named. And that includes our presence at the NQC. Many of you came up to me and said how much you liked the magazine and while I appreciate your kindness, the credit really needs to go to those listed above.

Meanwhile, plans are in the works for NQC '09. It'll be here before we realize it.

By the way, you may be wondering why I opened this entry with a comment about being home in Georgia. Though we've not tried to keep it a secret (and in reality it's no big deal at all), you won't find me at the Boone, N.C., Singing News office. In June 2006 - after 11 years in Boone - my family and I moved back home to Georgia to help take care of family - and to keep me from going crazy from being cold all the time! (Please, no comments from the peanut gallery). Salem Publishing was gracious enough to allow me the opportunity to do that and even though we've had to re-invent the wheel a couple of times to get everything just right, the arrangement has been a huge blessing to me.

I want to close with a special NQC moment that I think bears witness to the spiritual well-being of one of Southern Gospel's most beloved artists, Michael Booth.

As you know, the Booth Brothers did very well in this year's Fan Awards, winning in six categories. After all the excitement had died down, the buses were loaded and the final song's notes had faded into the rafters, Michael asked just one request:

"Please pray that success never poisons me or this group."

With that kind of mentality, I think Michael's going to be just fine.