OK, that's probably over the top. But next week (September 8-13), the big show is in town. In other words, it's time for the 2008 edition of the National Quartet Convention.

Each day of next week, I hope to post a few comments about the activities that take place - or better still, thoughts about those little obscure things that most people never notice. I have every intention of doing this on a regular daily basis, but if I were you, I would not bet the farm just yet. Good intentions have a way of staying just that - good intentions. Still, there are things called miracles.

In any case, be on the lookout for notes from Louisville. With the return of Bill Gaither and company, the move of the Fan Awards to Saturday night, and a host of feet-tiring events, there's sure to be plenty to talk about.

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Every so often, we receive interesting tidbits that we really can't classify as regular Singing News material - but it's interesting enough or has enough reader interest potential that we just can't set aside.

For example, have you ever wondered how your family might fit into the history of gospel music? One young reader did more than wonder.

Jessica Greatorex, with the encouragement of Rosie Powell Speer and Steve Weatherford, traced down her ancestors and discovered that her family has long been involved in music. In fact, you may have heard a Greatorex song in your church service.

The love of music is a gift, as well as a wonderful heritage that is passed down through many generations and spans over centuries of time.

Such is the case with our family, the Greatorexes. Please let me introduce a few of our ancestors, dating back to the late 1700's and early1800's, that played a role in influencing and nurturing our love and appreciation for music, along with increasing our desire to constantly develop our talent.

We'll begin with Anthony Greatorex (July 1730 - November 1814) who was a friend to the famous composer, Handel. Anthony was a renowned organist, court musician and composer. He also studied voice and music while in Italy, but was well known for his violin performances. Anthony became the conductor of the "Ancient Concert" in London and did a Grand Tour in Rome.

Then, there was Thomas Greatorex (1758-1831), the son of Anthony Greatorex. For 40 years he was the conductor for the King's Concerts in England. Thomas' son, Henry Wellington Greatorex (1813-1858), was not only an organist in Connecticut, but was a composer of hymns that are published in our hymnbooks that we use today (one in particular, "Gloria Patri"). (As an aside, in 1860, Henry directed Jenny Linde, a singer known in New York as the "Swedish Nightingale.") A second hymn composer - another Greatorex family member - was Walter Greatorex (1877-1950), also a chorister during his college days at Kings College in Cambridge. Walter was an assistant music-master, where after graduation, he became a Music Director at the same school where he composed his music entitled "Woodlands" put to the script of "Tell Out My Soul," which is used in Catholic churches and used in the Anglican hymn, "Lift Up Your Heads."

Though he was not in the world of gospel or church much, one final ancestor to mention is Tony Greatorex. Tony had great success in both the world of opera, and the art of dance. He had a part in the Olympics of Los Angeles, the Netherlands, and also in Japan by appearing with the Royal Opera.

Much is to be said about these accomplishments by all of these men, even though it was long ago. Their work lives on today and encourages and inspires those around the world. I consider it a privilege to have been given this opportunity to enlighten readers and hopefully cause a deeper sense of appreciation for the importance of the history of music. - Jessica Greatorex

(L-R) Julie Greatorex, Joe Greatorex (driver for many miles traveled by Squire Parsons) and writer Jessica Greatorex

After reading this, I couldn't help but recall that music has long been a part of my family. Most of you know that both of my grandfathers taught in the old singing schools in the mountains of North Georgia, and I've got a truckload of music directors hanging off the branches of my family tree. There's even a notable songwriter with genetic connections: Hurdist Milsap. You'll find his "I've Got That Old Time Religion in My Heart" in the ol' red church hymnal (Page 112, to be exact). Now, please don't ask me to explain how we're related - we're cousins on my mother's side, but you'll have to go back a few generations to see the connection.

Do you have any "famous" musicians, singers or writers in your family tree? We'd love to hear about them, so send me an e-mail.

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I spent several days last week in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. The Blue Mountain Gospel Music Festival has been going on for over three decades and 2008 brought another super event. If you've never been to this event, mark your calendar now for Sept. 2-6, 2009, and head to the Northeast. Make sure you ask Michael Booth and Tim Lovelace about the hard boiled egg when you see either of them.

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Speaking of Tim, I need to answer a piece of reader e-mail: Yes, Tim does still send in his Singing News articles written in crayon.

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Actually, Tim has graduated to the world of computers and is actually fairly punctual in getting his articles in on time - rather, he used to be punctual. You see, Tim was geared to the world of PC, not MAC. Ever since his wife Mary Alice convinced Tim that he need to ditch his long-outdated PC and get a "real" computer in a MAC, Tim's been behind the 8-ball. Mary Alice and Gabrielle (Tim and Mary Alice's highly intelligent daughter) caught on to MAC within the first 15 minutes of powering the unit on. Tim, on the other hand, well...

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Back to the NQC: If you're planning on being in Louisville next week, make sure you drop by the Singing News booth. I'd love to meet as many Danny's Diary readers as possible. The best time to catch me there is (usually) between the hours of 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. If you don't find me there, just flag me down in the hallway!