Before I begin, let me make one quick comment about the last entry - you know, the one about my vacation that resembled a Chevy Chase movie. Apparently many of you have had your share of vacations like that, too. I've gotten some entertaining e-mails this week. I think we've all come to the same conclusion: There's a lot to be said for packing your own lunch!
After a few days of playing catch up as we're putting together the next issue of Singing News, I headed to Villa Rica, Ga., for three days at the homecoming event of the Diplomats.
First let me offer kudos to Jimmy Pearson and the rest of the Diplomats gang. This group is firmly committed to hosting quality Southern Gospel concerts for West Georgia and East Alabama residents. With each event they put together, they're building a solid base of supporters who will help re-grow what used to be one of Southern Gospel music's concert hotbeds. Already the results are encouraging as a variety of Southern Gospel's best artists are showcased to more and more people each time.
As a side note, let me make mention that license plates of the vehicles found in the parking lots revealed more than Georgia and Alabama. At the most recent event, at least six other states were represented - and that doesn't include the folks who flew in from Canada.
One other note: The state of Georgia is blessed to have many good concert promoters: Hayne Tatum, Parnick Jennings, Norman Bonds are just the first three that come to mind. Throw Jimmy Pearson in that mix, too. I know there are plenty others, but as I said, those are just the first ones that I thought of.
Throughout the weekend, audiences were treated to performances by the Inspirations, Ricky Atkinson & Compassion, the Kingsmen, Karen Peck & New River, the Mark Trammell Trio, Jerry & Jan Goff, Les Beasley, the Carolina Crossmen, Randy Miller, the Heirborn Quartet, the Servants, and of course, the Diplomats. Let me offer a few thoughts about three of the artists who were there.
The Diplomats. I've written about them before, so I'll be brief. As you may or may not know, this group made it to the Top 10 nominees list of the Singing News Fan Awards' Favorite Mixed Quartet Award. And, whenever a group makes it to such an achievement for the first time, there are those who question a group's staying power or whether or not such a thing was a fluke. In all fairness, I've done that myself. However, it is my opinion (there I go again, sounding like Roy Pauley!) the Diplomats have "something" that is setting them up for a healthy career in Southern Gospel - chiefly, the ability to communicate effectively with their audience. It's going to be interesting to watch where they go from here.
The Inspirations. This group is Southern Gospel music's poster child for "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." Since 1964, they've been doing things one way. It worked then. It works now. They work all the dates they want to...and could work more if they chose to. 'Nuff said.
Actually, one more comment: One of the best quartet albums I've heard lately is the Inspirations' new one, "How Great It Is." There are some fine songs on here ... and (drum roll, please) ... some musical twists that will stand out to long-time Inspirations fans. No, there are no drums on the CD and trust me, Archie Watkins is not singing "Jesus Take The Wheel." Just get a copy of the CD and give it a good listen.
The Kingsmen. Speaking of good CDs, the Kingsmen have brought a strong one to the game, too. "When God Ran" is their latest and the Villa Rica audience "took a fancy" to some the new songs the Kingsmen presented. Of particular note was the title cut and "Gospel Road." Taking things one step further, this line-up of Kingsmen (Harold Reed, Philip Hughes, Bryan Hutson and Ray Reese) has worked hard on their blend and their efforts are paying off - more than once this weekend I heard (and saw) flashes of the "magic" that made the Kingsmen name a legend in Southern Gospel.
Southern Gospel music has many fine young groups like the Diplomats that are coming along and there is good reason to be excited about this industry's future. But there is great comfort in knowing that long-established groups like the Inspirations and the Kingsmen are not riding on their laurels and they're continuing to work hard to give their audiences something enjoyable.
'Course, the common thing about the three groups I've just mentioned is that each of them is following Success 101:
Give the audience what the audience wants.
