Greetings from Cleveland, TN. On Wednesday (July 13), the Singing Echoes kicked off their annual Blue Springs Valley Gospel Sing under mostly sunny skies and summer temperatures. The year 2005 marks the 35th year of singing for the family group and they show no signs of slowing down any time soon. Their guests were the Freemans, the Seekers, the Ingrams and Barry McDonald. I didn't hear an attendance figure, but for a Wednesday night event, it was a very respectable turnout.
I took several photos to post here on the diary, but me being the technological dummy that I am, encountered some problems getting them transferred to the diary and as a result, I'll have to post them later.
The Singing Echoes have gradually turned the singing grounds into a first class facility. There's more than ample parking and the parking area is just a few steps from the event area. There's a good concession stand (that's for Jerry), new modern restroom facilities and camping for about 100 units - and there were RV's all over the place Wednesday. Much like the Primitive Quartet's Hominy Valley Singing Grounds, Blue Springs Valley can easily serve as a fine model for anyone who promotes outdoor events.
One of the great things about this event - as well as many other concerts - is the number of opportunities to get to spend time with the fans who I say "are on the circuit." These are those loyal Southern Gospel fans who spend much of their time attending different concerts all over the country, but especially in the Southeast. It's a big family reunion - and the stories that are shared rival fishing tales.
When we (me and my son Gregory) arrived at the singing grounds, many of those fans were sitting under their awnings of their RVs. To the left was a group of six or seven. To the right was another group of four of five. One row over, there were 10 gathered around a picnic table. And instantly, the clocked started ticking backwards.
For a while, bills didn't matter. Deadlines caused no stress. World problems faded into the background. And for a brief few minutes, it was just like the "good ole days" of dinner on the ground, families being families on a Sunday afternoon after church. It was just like an old snapshot that's been put in the family photo album - you know, the black and white shot held down on each corner by the little black tabs.
Maybe it's just a thing of me getting older. Even though I'm only 39, I've spent most of my life on the road. What time I've not hung my suits in a bus closet, I've lived out of a suitcase. Time moves along at a frightening pace and it's too slippery to grasp and savor.
But every now and then, God sends along a moment just like the one I've described. It's His way of charging the batteries and sending a quick blast of clearing for the mind, the heart and the soul. Like the break of sunshine after a rain shower, there's a fresh start.
Lord, turn the page in the photo album again tomorrow.
