Let me end the year by sending thanks to some business associates who have been gracious in making 2007 a success. This may read like an acceptance speech at an awards show, but, hey, it's my blog...
First, there are many promoters who have invited me to their events (these are listed in no certain order): Bill Bailey, Hayne Tatum, Frank Arnold, Tony Greene, Gil Conley (and the Monroe Men's Club), Jerry Foster, Harold & Betty Russell, Duane Garren, the Inspirations, Denny Sutton, the Down East Boys, the Hoppers, the folks at the Weill Center in Sheboygan, WI - yes, it was cold there that day - the Carolina Crossmen, Bill Stacey, Leslie Chastain, the Diplomats, the Dixie Echoes, John Wishon, Rick Kelly (he's in Maine - and you know it's a long way from home when reaching New York City puts you halfway there), Blue Ridge, the Primitive Quartet, Karen Peck & New River, the Mark Trammell Trio, the folks at the Renfro Valley Entertainment Center complex, Garden Spot Promotions, Billy Hudson, Ray Flynn, the Rodeheaver's Boys Ranch, Fred Hansel, everyone with First Day Promotions, and everyone else that I have accidentally overlooked. I thank all of you for your dedication to Southern Gospel music and I hope 2008 will be your best year ever.
To all the advertisers in Singing News and on singingnews.com, thank you for support, too. I'm sure the subscribers appreciate your efforts as your ad dollars keep us from having an astronomical subscription rate. In turn, I'm sure the advertisers appreciate you as subscribers since your dollars keep them from having higher ad rates.
Then there are the writers who are found in Singing News: Mark Bishop, Tim Lovelace (Lord, grant me just a bit of sanity when dealing with him - Tim's like a golf ball, hit full-swing in a tile bathroom and keeping up with him in a conversation requires not only a schedule of events, but also an interpreter), Connie Hopper, Stewart Varnado, Roy Pauley, Dean Muz, Dennis "Anybody seen his article yet?" Zimmerman, David Bruce Murray, Carolyn Kirksey (She's going to have so many stars in her crown that she'll never be able to hold her head up. The reason for the stars should be obvious.) Brian Franklin, Les Butler, Michael Duduit, Ed O'Neal, Tim Gardner, Christyn Gay, Barbara Huffman, Pat Howard, Burt Perrault, and a host of others who make occasional appearances. (By the way, you'll be meeting some new additions to the editorial department soon.)
To Allyson Lyons, Dawne Shew and Scott Clontz (the people who actually design the magazine): Thanks for making us look good. Jerry Kirksey and I greatly appreciate the fact that you've never actually fired the weapons when you could have.
To the IT guys in Boone - Brett, Kenneth and Brian: OK, so I don't have a clue as to what you're talking about half of the time, and I really appreciate y'all at least waiting until I turn away before you start shaking your head about my lack of computer skills. The plans you have for singingnews.com are great and I can't wait to see them up and running.
To Pam Slaney: We can't think of anyone who could or would do your job better. With that said, you will never be allowed to quit or retire - and I don't care if we'll be the only magazine with a 187-year old woman in charge of advertising.
To Debbie Armstrong: When we hired you, you didn't know we were hiring you to be in a position to help with a woman who will be 187 years old and still in the same job, did you?
To Sharon Kinsey: It just wouldn't be right if someone called the Singing News office and didn't hear your voice on the other end of the line.
To Brenda Horton: You're doing great - and thanks for coming up with solutions for problems when solutions didn't seem possible. And by the way, for someone who's originally from Charleston, SC, you've adjusted fairly well to Boone temperatures. But don't you think three jet heater blowers in your office is enough? Jerry keeps getting dizzy watching that power meter spinning like a top.
To Jim Cumbee: Your skills as a leader and a motivator pale only to your skills as an encourager. Thanks for everything.
And finally, to Jerry Kirksey: It's hard to believe that it's been almost 40 years since the first issue of Singing News rolled out the door. Even though that happened in May of 1969, work actually began in 1968. Through all the ups and downs, you've stayed faithful to what you thought was best. I know those fishing rods are starting to look awfully tempting, but they can wait just a little while longer. Thanks for that call in 1995.
I'm sure I've left someone out and to those people, I sincerely apologize. Just know you are greatly appreciated.
So, with that said, let me wish all of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
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And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2: 9-14, KJV
