This past weekend I attended several concerts scattered throughout Missouri, Louisiana and Texas. First up was the annual Albert E. Brumley Gospel Singing in Lebanon, Mo., and if you ever thought that people don't come out for gospel concerts any longer, then will you explain why about 4,600 people showed up at the Civic Center on a Wednesday night? (You might want to be on the lookout for fellow Singing News blogger Jerry Kirksey to feature more about this event in
Jerry's Journal.)
After two other fine concerts in Harrisonburg, La., and Trinidad, Tex., I attended an event hosted by a group that I've heard favorable comments about from many artists. Out in Silsbee, Tex. (north of Beaumont), you'll find a unique group of singers called the Master's Men. Nine vocalists on stage at one time - that's right, nine.
The singing's good, but what I want to write about now is the quality of the concerts these guys host twice a year (in January and August). The auditorium, the 1,400 seat venue of the Silsbee High School, is certainly one of the finest I've ever walked into and whoever designed had to be a sound engineer at heart. Great seating, great lighting, and an air conditioning system that can withstand the Texas summer heat - we're talking a superb venue here! If every Southern Gospel concert could be held in a place like this, we'd be spoiled rotten.
But even better was the spirit and the attitude that radiates from the place. And all of that I will place squarely on the shoulders of the Master's Men. These guys love to sing and they love to host good - no, scratch that - great concerts. These guys go way, way beyond reasonable expectations to make sure the artists they are hosting have everything they need and more importantly, they make sure each and every member of the audience is treated like royalty. Have you ever stood at an auditorium's door and shake everyone's hand as they came in? Not an easy task when the audience numbers 200 - try doing that with over 1,100 people. I'm sure they missed some hands, but it wasn't for lack of trying.
Each audience is treated to a concert where every artist is given ample opportunity to "do their thing." Then there's a sufficient intermission time to make sure the artists have sufficient time to sell their product. And then the audience gets a little more singing before heading home. And because they've been treated so well, the artists want to make sure they're bringing their "A" game to the stage. And we all know who the big winner is then.
Let me say that I know there are many promoters who do their best to make sure their event is a pleasant experience for everyone. And many of them succeed. But I've written all of this to get to this one point: Budding promoters, you would do well to follow the example of the Master's Men in their concert efforts.
So, Southern Gospel concert lovers, if you ever find yourself near Silsbee, Tex., make sure you check the concert schedules to see if the Master's Men will be hosting an event. Don't worry about who's performing - just go. You'll love every minute of it.
(To learn more about the Master's Men and their concerts, visit mastersmensilsbee.org.)---------------------------------
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