2003

Master’s Voice - Jan 2004

We certainly hope everyone had a great holiday season. We ate and ate and ate, and laughed a lot, got to see all our families, ate with them, laughed at them...it was a great month. Our schedule slowed down quite a bit, so we are excited about getting back in the swing of things.

Well, something very important happened this month. You remember last month, Master's Voice added someone when Mike and Lori had their second child, Avynleigh? We keep getting bigger and better. This month, the unthinkable has happened. Some girl with discernment problems was persuaded into marrying John Tidwell. That's right! Jessica Bonar was asked by John on December 17th, and she said, "yes." I hear he even got down on a knee and everything. Jessica has already proved to be an asset to John and all his ministerial endeavors. There is no doubt that she will enhance every facet of his life, and we couldn't be happier for him. They will be married in June.

I encourage everyone to take all the warm fuzzies that causes us to reflect on what God did for us in sending down his only son, what causes us to tell our loved ones just what they mean to us, and what causes us to be aware of how precious life is, to continue through the year. Christmas is a time (much like Easter) when people tend to "tip their hat" towards God and give them their very best because that is the time do it, right? Well, imagine how our spiritual life would grow if we would remember what God did for us day by day, moment by moment...if we got in the Word and stayed there. **Not a New Year's Resolution** Those fizzle out and never really make an impact. I hope this Christmas season has really changed you. His resolutions stick.

We hope to see you soon. God Bless!

Master's Voice
[url=http://www.mastersvoice.com]http://www.mastersvoice.com[/url]

New Ground - Jan 2004 - We Survived The Holidays

We Survived The Holidays

Hi Everyone,

We survived the Holidays and are looking forward to getting back to singing His praises, but not without a few scares along the way. In case you haven't heard, we were on our way to Gainesville, Georgia to sing at a Homecoming and Dale began to experience severe chest pains. We had not picked up David yet - so needless to say - it really scared me - because I've never driven a motor home and I sure didn't want to learn how on the spur of the moment. We began to pray and he began to feel better. In about five minutes - they started again - I tried to get him to pull over so I could call 911 - but you know how men are - LOL - so we began to pray again - well the pains eased again. When the third time they hit we were very near a hospital and I got him to pull over and go into the Emergency Room. Before we knew what was happening - he was on a gurney, they were running EKG's, getting blood, and a Doctor was over him in just a matter of minutes. First indication was a Heart Attack. His EKG was showing spikes, and his blood pressure was 148/103 and his heart rate wasn't really good either. After they got him settled they put us in an ambulance and rushed us to the Cardiac Care Unit of Huntsville Hospital in Huntsville, Alabama. They started all over again with the tests, then added stress tests, more blood work and he had to spend the night for observation. They found that it was not an actual heart attack by a stress heart attack (???) and that he had all the symptoms of a heart attack but not the damage. So we were blessed to get the good news - but so many of you were praying and we feel sure that the prayers were what brought him through. Now get this, we were on our way to a singing in Georgia on that Friday night - well, of course we had to call and say we couldn't make it - but we were scheduled to sing on that Saturday night in Hanceville, Alabama at 6:00pm. We check out of the hospital at 3:15pm - drive straight to the singing and he is on stage at 6:00pm - go figure!! But he is doing great! We are blessed.

The month of December also found us in Gatlinburg, Tennessee with the Sonshine Group having an awesome time with about 500 Southern Gospel music fans. We absolutely love doing this yearly retreat - and I have said many times before - the Lord needs someone to carry His Word in song to Gatlinburg and I'm sure glad that He chose us. If you would like information about this yearly event - call me at (256)574-0138 and I will get you a brochure in the mail. From Gatlinburg we headed to Pell City, Alabama to be at the Arbor Baptist Church. Whitt Hibbs and his congregation were so great to sing to and it was good to see the Hawkins, Dot Thompson, the Hefners, Kay Meacham and some of the bestest fans in the world - Bobby & Dorothy Byrd. I wish every group had friends like the Byrd's!!!

Our final weekend of the month we were able to stay close to home. We sang at the Cave Springs Baptist Church in Owens Cross Roads, Alabama. Patrick Johnson, that sang with New Ground for about two years, is the Music Minister at this church and it was so good to see him, his wife and Mom & Dad. Also, there were 17 members of my family that came for the morning service - it just made my day!! Our final singing night for the 2003 season was at the Macedonia #2 Baptist Church in Geraldine, Alabama. The Williams, the Bailey's and Dale's family joined us as we closed out our final singing before the holidays.

We have enjoyed being home for a few weeks and being able to attend our home church on a Sunday morning is quite a treat. We are already looking forward to New Years Eve night in Jasper, Alabama with Gold City, the Landmarks and the Music City Boys. I know we will have a great time.

Hope all your holidays were as special as ours and we hope to see ya'll at a singing in the coming year. Please check out our schedule at [url=http://www.newgroundministries.com]http://www.newgroundministries.com[/url]

Until He Comes,

Robbie Maxwell
New Ground
[url=http://www.newgroundministries.com]http://www.newgroundministries.com[/url]

Southern Harmony - Dec 2003

Greetings!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. As usual we probably all ate too much but thank God for good cooks. November was a good month for Southern Harmony. Three Hills Music Group and Mike Bailey with BCS came down and recorded our live 20th Anniversary video at our home church. We had a big crowd and best of all the Holy Spirit showed up in a tremendous way moving across the audience blessing many people. We hope to have it ready to be shipped out for sale by the second week in January.

The month of Decemnber is usually a slow month for Southern Harmony, this year being no exception. We have taken off until New Year's.

We are looking forward to 2004. We hope to do a lot more traveling and dates this coming year. Southern Harmony in the past two years has done more recording than traveling. January 1, 2004 we hope to travel more. I feel that God is going to continue to bless us. Terri Garrett has decided to pursue other interests, so we have a position open for a young lady. Contact Don Garrett at (205) 814-9192 or email . Please send demo to Southern Harmony, 46100 Hwy 25, Vincent, AL 35178

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Thank you for your continued support
Don Garrett
Southern Harmony
[url=http://www.southernharmonyonline.net]http://www.southernharmonyonline.net[/url]

The Dunaways - When It Hits Home - Dec 2003

As our country is at war during this Christmas season, let us remember to pray for our troops and their safe return home. We need to pray for the families that are waiting in constant concern for their loved ones.

Tonight our Jr. Sunday School class along with Randall and myself stood close by their teacher Christine as her husband Bobby was deployed to Iraq. The townspeople came out to the local National Guard Armory to say their goodbyes, listen to speeches from local and state officials and wave their flags as God Bless America was sung.

I could not hold back the tears as I hugged Christine and Bobby in their time of pain and trial.This is a couple in our church that we pastor. I thought about all the moms and dads who have had to say goodbye to their children and how hard that would be. Then the kids that are saying goodbye to their parents. So many are making the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

After the ceremony, the troops loaded up on buses and made the block around our town square as people stood and waved goodbye on the street. The lights were on inside the buses so that you could see the faces of the troops waving goodbye. I looked for Brother Bobby but I never saw him... I did however see one face that will forever be etched in my mind. It was a soldier who was overcome with emotion as he left Philadelphia and the comfort of home and family knowing that his life will never be the same again.

Randall and I returned home to our warm house with our Christmas tree and life that we so often take for granted. But after the experience that we had tonight and the close encounter with the real fear and pain of these families it has made us appreciate them so much the more.

The Dunaways are gearing up for whatever God gives us this year. We are increasing our tour schedule a little more. Some of the bigger venues in 2004 will include the 49th Annual Farmers Day in Robbins NC with Legacy Five, and Crabbfest in Owensboro, KY. We are excited to be a part of the SoGospelNews.com 5th Annual Convention this coming year and appreciate the invitation.

We have gotten a little bit of chart action lately and we appreciate radio for supporting our ministry, it is greatly appreciated. We are into our second year with Les Butler and FMG. It has been a wonderful experience and we want him to know how much we appreciate all he has done to help us.

The Dunaways would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Tammy Dunaway
The Dunaways
[url=http://www.dunawaymusic.com]http://www.dunawaymusic.com[/url]

Southern Sound - Dec 2003

Like the old song goes "Christmas time's a coming, Christmas time's a coming." Now if I can figure out what my wife wants for Christmas I will be set! Southern Sound is settling down for the Holiday season, and our travel becomes far less intense during this time. I suppose it's a good thing too, for our bus is in Tuscaloosa, AL being repaired. Of course for all of us Baptist its Lottie Moon time too and I know some folks wonder if that lady will ever be paid off. We had a wonderful time singing in the Alabama area, but that rented U-Haul truck coming home was tight with four guys in the cab. I do hate busses, but sure seem to be a necessary evil.

I've just got to tell you folks about my Thanksgiving time with my daughter, son-n-law, and granddaughter, Cora who is a tad over three years old. We decided Friday morning to go out for breakfast at a nearby Cracker Barrel. I am driving, my son-n-law Brad is in the passenger seat in front, and my wife Delita, daughter Sheila, and little Cora are in the backseat. Not 2 minutes into our drive a man pulled out in front of me and I had to lock it up to keep from hitting him. I yelled as if he could hear me, "You idiot". (Which was wrong of me.)

Cora said, "Mom, is that the same idiot that was at the church?" Sheila asked her, "What are you talking about?" Cora said again, "That idiot at the church, Mom. The man who passed out the little Bibles." Sheila had a puzzled look on her face, and when the light came on she yelled, "Gideon Sweetie! Gideon!" Aren't kids a hoot?

We wish to say thank you to folks at US Gospel News for doing an article on us this month. They got our location wrong, but that's ok. When they talked with our bass singer Charles he gave them his home address rather than the quartet's address. But all the same, we are thankful for the kind words.

Stay tuned early in 2004 for we have some major announcements to send your way. I would like to tell you now, but I am not supposed to. So for now, I will say I am excited about the doors God is opening for us and the people he send our way.

Please everyone, have a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year! Stay safe and remember the reason.

Be sure and check out these web sites:

[url=http://www.southernsoundquartet.com]http://www.southernsoundquartet.com[/url]
[url=http://www.zionmusic.com]http://www.zionmusic.com[/url]

Yours in Christ,

Ben Harris