As I write this, I'm sitting in the Memorial Auditorium in Chattanooga, Tennessee. About 150 feet in front me is a massive stage that is being prepped for another concert - but this is not just your typical concert. Tonight, the Kingsmen celebrate 50 years and from my vantage point, I see Mark Trammell, Tim Surrett, Tim Lovelace, Jerry Martin, Greg Fox, Squire Parsons, Bryan Hutson, Wayne Maynard, Johnny Parrack, Ray Reese, Tony Peace, Chris Collins, Andrew Ishee, Garry Sheppard and many others. They're running over a few songs, and in the words of Squire, "man, we sang those songs high back then, didn't we?" (For you musicians out there, you humorously realize that song keys are being dropped like bombs right now!)

Most of the former Kingsmen members will be here tonight, although there are some who were unable to make the journey to Chattanooga. But despite a few absences, this is the place to be if you've ever been a fan of the Kingsmen. Thus far today, I've heard many of the classic Kingsmen songs I listened to as I grew up. Even though I'm here to represent Singing News, I'm here as a fan, too, and I plan on enjoying every minute of it.

Even though it's only a rehearsal right now, there's still some of that old Kingsmen magic in the air. This is the same auditorium where the Kingsmen's "Chattanooga Live" album was recorded in the mid-1970s (either '77 or '78). "The Old Ship of Zion" and "We Do Not Die" were recorded here. Some of the guys (Nick, Squire, Ernie, Greg) who were on that album have stood on the stage, soaking in the memories as Brandon Reese went over the "plan" for tonight. There's not much written down - he's counting on a lot of "off-the-cuff" things to happen, which is only fitting as the Kingsmen have always hit the stage with the "hang on and ride" approach.

Very few groups ever make it to 50 years. As I look back up at the stage, there is so much history (in terms of the men who have been a part of the quartet) standing there that any serious Southern Gospel fan can feel nothing other than genunie respect for this group that literally has carved out a significant portion of the Southern Gospel world. For example, you can't look at Johnny Parrack without thinking of his "Big & Live" performance of "The Glory Road" - the song's introduction to Southern Gospel. At this very moment, Squire Parsons is leading a run through of "It Made News In Heaven."

Naturally, most every comment I've heard today is followed with something along the lines of "I wish Foxy was here to see this" or "I sure wish Eldridge was here." With that thought in mind, you can sense everyone standing on stage is determined to make Foxy proud tonight.

From his vantage point in Heaven, he won't miss a single note.