NQC 09 Night One (#456)

Well. Well. Well.

After two weeks, I'm finally posting an entry into Danny's Diary as the 2009 edition of the National Quartet Convention kicks into gear.

Considering the number of e-mails that I've received regarding my absence from the electronic media world, let me offer a brief explanation why it's been a while since you've heard from me: You can blame it on a tree. A 12,000-pound tree, to be exact.

Just about a week ago a sudden storm wrecked havoc on an 85-ft. tall tree in my back yard. In turn, that tree wrecked havoc on my home, demolishing about 1/3 or so of the house. One 30-ton and one 60-ton crane later, the tree was removed from the house and sent to wherever bad trees are sent when their days are over.

Enter the insurance company and contractors, relocation specialists, inspectors, etc.

Getting the picture?

To be brief, everyone is fine, work is beginning to start up on reconstruction and hopefully, by Thanksgiving this entire thing will be nothing but a set of out-of-focus photos.

I do appreciate all the calls, e-mails, texts, etc., that have come my way. God created a great thing when He created friends.

This week, however, I'm camping out in Louisville, KY, at the NQC. Last night (Monday) was "Quartet Night" and from the buzz from the floor, Tim Riley's appearance with Gold City was the talk of the night.

And no wonder - the man still has "it" and if you think Southern Gospel fans had forgotten Tim since going into retirement, let me tell you they haven't.  The ovation his entrance received was easily one of the biggest of the evening. I happened to be sitting in the auditorium when Gold City came on, and I can tell that a song or two into the program, nearly everyone was sitting on the edge of his or her seat, just waiting on Tim to drop the notes to the basement like he used to.

And he teased us all.

He put a few downstairs, but I got the feeling that he may be saving his best for a little later this week.

But even if he doesn't, it was great to see this legend back on the main stage.

That's about it for now, but I'll have more throughout the week. In the meantime, check out the video clips that will be appearing on singingnews.com. Look on the home page and click through.