This past weekend Lawrenceburg, Tenn., hosted the
James D. Vaughn Quartet Festival. It was my pleasure to work this weekend once again for
Singing News Magazine. It certainly was a weekend filled with great quartet singing.
Friday evening featured the
Kellys (host group),
Dixie Echoes,
Inspirations and
Perrys.
Saturday evening's line-up included the
Kellys,
Blackwood Brothers,
Dove Brothers and
Gold City.
The
Vaughn Festival, as well as the
Grand Ole Gospel Reunion, brings out the core quartet fan. These are folks who really appreciate the classic quartet songs and hymns presented in four part harmony with lots of low bass singing, rafter ringing tenor singing and little else! All of the groups delivered all of the above with excellence. There were two groups who really set this traditional quartet fan base on its ear.
The
Dixie Echoes and
Blackwood Brothers presented their programs the old fashioned way; 4 singers, 2 mics and 1 piano player.
Randy "Scoot" Shelnut added bass guitar accompaniment on some songs. The fans had a special appreciation for these two fine groups.
Randy Shelnut has been singing with the
Dixie Echoes for 39 years. In my opinion, he's one of the best quartet lead singers of all-time. The groups sound is as solid as you'll find anywhere.
Stewart Varnado was born to play piano for a traditional male quartet. If you don't believe me, just ask him!
Saturday evening's performance by the
Blackwood Brothers took me back to the 70s when I would travel to
Morris Civic Auditorium in South Bend, Ind., to hear
James,
Jimmy and
Cecil Blackwood, along with
Ken Turner,
Pat Hoffmaster and
Tommy Fairchild.
(L-R) Randy Bryd (bass), Wayne Little (tenor) and Jimmy Blackwood (lead).
Jimmy Blackwood is, of course, the son of
James Blackwood; founding member of the
Blackwood Brothers. Jimmy called a program that included
Blackwood Brother hits of the 40s, 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. The fans sang and clapped along on every song. Jimmy was having the time of his life. I've often heard folks say that someone had a glow about them. I've never understood that, until now.
Jimmy Blackwood had a glow about him. His smile and energy was infectious.
This weekend belonged to the
Dixie Echoes and
Blackwood Brothers; 4 Singers, 2 Mics and 1 Piano Player.