Hello! The 2005 edition of the National Quartet Convention is underway in Louisville, KY, and while I don't have any official attendence numbers to pass along to you, many artists who performed on the stage this evening are saying the audience may be larger than the audience of last year's opening night. If that's the case - may the trend continue.

In the meanwhile, here's a sampling of some of the sights of the 2005 NQC. Over at Jerry's Journal, Jerry is posting some additional pictures taken from this evening. He spent some time roaming the exhibit hall at the Kentucy Fair & Exposition Center and I'll have to admit, not once did any of the Singing News staff find him in the Food Court.

Tonight, I had the opportunity to do something I don't get to do much while at NQC - actually stay at the Singing News Booth area. I got to spend quite a bit of time talking with readers of this diary and I appreciate your kind words.

Dennis Zimmerman, who writes Pacifically Speaking in each month's issue, acted as my roving reporter this evening. He took many of the photos you're about to view and for a man who's photography-challenged, he didn't do too bad.

Anyway, here's a look at opening night. There will many more photos coming this week (hopefully) and we'll try to give you quite a bit of variety along the way. Naturally, no one in can be in all places at all times, but perhaps you'll be able to experience just a little of what many Southern Gospel Music fans are enjoying this week.

Here we go...

Tim Lovelace (the uglier half of Tim & Mary Alice Lovelace) spent most of the evening trying to convince booth visitors that he was a normal person. He'll try again tomorrow.

The booth of the Mark Trammell Trio was interesting, to say the least. The furniture kept arriving ... and arriving ... and arriving ... and arriving ... It's amazing what one extra number on an order form can do.

Jonathan Wilburn of Gold City - just being Jonathan. Meanwhile, one has to wonder if Danny Riley really knew what he'd be dealing with when he agreed to take over the reins from his father. He's been meaning to talk to his dad about a raise.....for hazardous duty.

The opening of tonight's concert featured a performance by the combination of Gene McDonal (Florida Boys) Kim and Dean Hopper and Gerald Wolfe (Greater Vision).

Eric Ollis of the Whisnants chats with visitors to the booth of the Morganton, NC, trio.

The Food Court area provides convention-goers an opportunity to dine without having to leave the exhibit hall. (We've already checked this photo carefully - Jerry is nowhere to be found.)

Tracy Stuffle of the Perrys answers the question that I suspect has been asked a zillion times this evening: When will the Goodmans Tribute Album be available? For the record, it goes on sale at the NQC for the first time immediately after the Perrys perform on Tuesday night. If the early buzz is any indication, the group is going to be very busy Tuesday night. This is the most anticipated Southern Gospel release of 2005.

Legacy Five sang this evening and even though Scott Fowler never could quite get his ear monitor to cooperate, he kept things rolling right along. (And, yes Roger Bennett performed with the group. I'd show you a photo of Roger, but I think Dennis must have sneezed. There's a couple of blurry photos on the camera right after this photo. They might be photos of Roger, or they be satellite maps of China. I'm still working on it.)