2004

The Imperials Go To Hawaii

We just got back from Hawaii a couple of months ago and I have to say it was an amazing trip. We were there for almost two weeks and sang ten times, not to mention having a little time to play… I mean come on, its HAWAII!!!! Boy did we play. I will just fill you in on some of the highlights of our trip. When we arrived we were pretty wiped out from the flight (8 hours on one flight) so we just crashed that night. The next day we started our tour of the island. The guys and I had five concerts in two days at one of the biggest churches in Honolulu. The audience was very generous in welcoming us. Because of that our excitement level went through the roof. We had more fun those two days and met some incredible people and cannot wait to get back there. Then we got to play around the island for a couple of days and had so much fun swimming and snorkeling and just generally being tourists.

Then we got to do something we as the Imperials have been looking forward to for a long time. We got to sing with and listen to the Classic Imperials. If any of you heard them at NQC I'm pretty sure you were blown away. These four men are the standard by which all quartets should be measured (in my opinion). They sang right before we did and we just sat there in awe of their talent and more so, their spirit. These godly men sang from their heart and you can tell they love singing together again after all those years of being apart. It honestly sounded like they had never stopped singing together. If you don't know whom I am talking about then you have been under a rock for the last 30 years - Armond Morales (Bass), Jim Murray (Tenor), Sherman Andrus (Baritone) and Terry Blackwood (Lead). These four men are our inspiration in that they are what we want more than anything to sound like. When we are in the studio and working on a new song we say to ourselves how would these four legends sing it? To tell you the truth we just wanted to sit there and listen to them the rest of the time…but duty called and we got up there. To be quite honest it was quite intimidating standing next to these legends. But we had more fun and you will not meet more genuine families anywhere. Throughout our trip we sang several times with them and are hoping to do more in the future. (Let us know what you think of that idea).

The rest of the trip went off without a hitch and we had more fun together as a group than ever before. On one of the last nights in Hawaii we got the opportunity to go to a Luau. It was one of the greatest things we have ever done. We laughed more that night than I can remember ever laughing. To start out we were on the bus headed to the Luau, and Jeremie and I started talking to the guide. I mentioned that we should have Ian get up and do the Hula for everyone at the Luau. We all started laughing at the thought when the guide said he would see what he could do… That statement put us guys into overdrive and we had him write down Ian's name and promise he would try to get Ian on stage. So we get to the Luau and come to find our there are 650 people at this place all for the same reason, which makes us laugh even more at the thought of Ian up there dancing for all of them. (Ian, by the way, was not looking forward to this.) We are sitting down ready for the show and having fun when the host of the show comes out to greet everyone and says, "To start off our show right we want to have some volunteers come and dance with us." We started shouting and whooping and hollering to get her attention and the first thing she did was ask if there was an Ian Owens in the audience. We all started pointing and pushing him on (which again, he was not terribly pleased with). We wait for a few more minutes as the show is starting and out comes Ian with two other men from the audience. Now you have to picture this if you can. Ian is in a PINK Hula skirt, no shirt, a coconut bra and a flower headband. If you saw what we saw you would have done what we did, which was hit the floor with laughter. The hostess then announced that it would be a contest to be decided by the audience. So the music starts and the three men on stage start dancing (which by the way I didn't see to well because I was laughing so hard I was crying). They all dance admirably but I have to say as an impartial observer Ian won it hands down. The audience then had a chance to clap for their favorite dancer. The first man didn't get that much applause, the second man got a pretty big ovation. We were sitting there thinking we can't let Ian lose, so when his name was announced we jumped up on the table and started shouting as loud as we could, getting everyone around us clapping as loud as they could. It was pretty close but Ian won!!!! The rest of the night we sat back and enjoyed the show and each other's company. What a great ending to an amazing trip. We cannot wait to go back.

I would be remiss if I didn't mention our wives. They are such a huge part of this group and we couldn't do a thing without them. We were so blessed to have them in Hawaii. They truly made the trip the best it could be, not to mention we saw God move over there. After every concert people would come up and say, "The songs you sang changed my life and I will never be the same!" God is so good. He not only let us minister in one of the most beautiful places in the world, but he also let us have an incredible time doing it. Thank you, God!

God Bless,

Jason Morales
The Imperials
http://www.theimperials.com

Crabb Family - Dec 04

I have taken it upon myself to write the article this month for the Crabb Family. I did not ask permission, nor run my opinion by them, so I may be risking it, but I just feel the need to share my heart. Seven years ago, I was asked to write an article for Singing News Magazine, my second ever, on a new group known as the Crabb Family. I was very unfamiliar with this family, but felt an instant connection with them the first time we talked. I had been to concert after concert and was a Southern Gospel fan. Some of my favorite singers in this world were, and still are, in this industry. I think Southern Gospel is made up of some of the greatest people that have ever walked the face of the earth. In August of 1998, I heard the Crabb Family live for the first time! Wow!!! I had never had such an experience. It was nothing that they did or said, it was the Spirit of God that was there. It was evident when they walked on stage that they were there for one purpose- to lift up the name of Jesus!

Little did I know that in 2005 I would be going on my fifth year of working full-time with them. What a blessing! God has used them to minister to me more than they will ever know. Every time I hear a testimony of how God has used their music, I am uplifted and encouraged. Other than where to buy product or tickets for a concert, the most frequent questions that come into our office deal with getting started and maintaining such a ministry. I have watched the Crabb Family grow over the years….I don’t mean grow financially, or grow in number, I mean grow in harvest and in ministry. I have watched God work in their lives and in their ministry. I have often evaluated and wondered how to answer this question.

Of course, without a doubt, the main reason the Crabb Family enjoys such a successful ministry is the touch of God on their lives. Each Crabb Family member does what he or she does for no other reason than a divine calling from God. I have heard them all say many times that if they ever feel like they are not called to sing, they will go home. They love to sing, but more than that- they love God! They love the God who has saved them and they want others to experience His grace as well. The sincerity they portray on stage is genuine. I have seen them on stage, at the product table, at home, getting on the bus at midnight to leave for two weeks, getting off the bus at 4 am after two weeks on the road… I have seen them when they are sick, tired and weary. They are the same always! I realize they are not perfect and do not want to sound as though I have them on a pedestal, but they are real! In the most stressful situations, God shines through in their lives. They each have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ that has helped them endure the attacks of the enemy more times than I can count!

Second of all, and a trait that is hard to find, they are not critical of other artists. They have shared the stage with nearly everyone who has sung a Southern Gospel note- in the last ten years at least, and they are always supportive. One thing I noticed when I first began attending Crabb Family concerts was their support of other artists. While someone else was on stage, several members of the Crabb Family could be found in the audience cheering them on. They recognize that everyone is on the same team and they are team players! If there is one area that I feel Kathy Crabb is called into (there are many, but if I had to choose), it is helping new artists develop their ministries. I know she recognizes this calling, as well, and have heard her talk as such many times. I have heard several artists such as the Hoskins Family and the McRaes, who both now have very successful ministries, give much of the credit to Kathy Crabb. Her knowledge and intellect are worth more than any amount of money. She can hear from God and advise in any situation. She is behind the scenes and often not given the credit she deserves. The beauty that I have noticed is that any artists who credit Kathy Crabb with any amount of their success, first give credit to God. That is the example she sets!

Just as the Crabb kids and their parents are not critical of other artists, they are not influenced by criticism. Artists such as the Gaithers, the Martins, and the Cathedrals have succeeded by not listening to criticism and the Crabb Family have followed in their footsteps. I have seen them criticized for everything you can imagine, but they have kept pressing on. Recently there has been quite a buzz about their clothing and hairstyles and such….I have never quite understood. They may not fit into the traditional Southern Gospel mode, but they are bringing new faces everyday into this music. Part of my job is to advance each of their dates and monitor the ticket sales. The Crabb Family is one of the few (if not the only) artists to have a full-time person on staff whose primary responsibility is working hand in hand with promoters. If I had a job description statement, at the very top would be calling promoters beginning six weeks out and following each date. I pitch in extra publicity whenever and wherever needed. If I ever let a date slack in which a promoter needed extra help, I would know that it had better be due to illness or serious injury if I wanted to keep my job. The Crabb Family is much more concerned with making sure the buildings are full and that people take their music home than with popularity and politics. I commend them for that! Several promoters have told me in the last year that their Crabb Family concerts have kept them alive. Obviously they are doing something right! Many of the new faces they are bringing in are young faces- some who have never experienced the old-fashioned conviction that will lead them to an old-fashioned altar. Their clothing and their hair might not look like it has in the past, but their message has not changed. They sing about the cross, the blood, the resurrection and salvation. If it seems they do so to the beat of a different drum, they do! Is there not room for everyone? Is our mission to all be alike, or to all point souls to the same Savior? Their message is a message of the gospel- the pure gospel! They are not satisfied with the status quo- they have purposed in their hearts and set their goals for the future to carry this gospel into places that it has never been carried.

Many times when critical emails come in or when criticism is publicly posted concerning the Crabb Family, I shudder to think at how it might hurt them. I fear that one day it will discourage them to the point of giving up. However, it never ceases to amaze me that quite the contrary is the case. They do not even read the criticism! They are so busy doing what God has called them to do that they do not have time, first of all, to get caught up in all the chatter, and second of all, to worry and fret. When criticism comes into the office, we have made it a priority to keep them protected and shielded. Satan would love nothing more than to tear this ministry down, and I refuse to have a part in his evil schemes. I am going to do everything I can to encourage the Crabb kids, Gerald and Kathy Crabb, Mike Bowling, and anyone else who is singing the gospel because they are called to do so- and there are many!

One of the greatest life lessons that I have learned from the Crabb Family is hard work! I have often heard it said that Gerald and Kathy Crabb let no grass grow under their feet. This is true, but what an ability they both have to get things done! Talk about mountain-moving faith! They always believe that things can be done better and that they can work harder. I have never heard hard work listed as the cause of death for anyone, but it can mean a difference in someone else’s life. Hard work cannot replace talent and I certainly do not want to take away from pure God-given talent, but the two go hand in hand. I have never heard anyone put lyrics together with an anointing such as Gerald Crabb. His kids are some of the most talented singers and musicians to ever open their mouths or pick up instruments. However, these talents would lie dormant if not cultivated. I have seen them constantly work toward improvement. Just when I think it couldn’t possibly get any better- it does! I have seen them go when they were too tired to go! I have seen them walk the extra mile when they did not have the strength! God honors hard work! Look at statistics such as Soundscan and Pollstar if you’d like proof. These are the facts and facts are accurate! The Crabb Family is not moved by awards or honors, but God has exalted them far above and beyond.

I was very proud of them at the first annual Harmony Honors Awards. They walked away with some of the most deserving awards of all times. They are very deserving of Artist of the Year. Their ministry has exceeded all boundaries. They have blazed many new trails for their predecessors to follow. Gerald Crabb, with 20 plus number one songs to his credit and several honors for radio airplay, based on the facts, is very deserving of the Songwriter of the Year award. Jason Crabb as Male Vocalist of the Year goes without saying. Please don’t get me wrong, I am not for a moment insinuating that any of their peers are less talented, less anointed, less sincere, less hard-working, or less deserving of anything. That is not the case. Southern Gospel is made up of the best of the best. I just wanted to share my heart and pay tribute to some very special people whom the Lord has used to impact my life tremendously! Thank you Crabb Family for your obedience to the call of God and for not backing down when the going gets tough!


Allison Stinson

The Quicks - Dec 04

“I’ll Be Home for Christmas”

Red ribbons around white columns in front of the red brick house look like peppermint candy canes. Four paper bells are unfolded and hung over the doorway into the living room just as they have been for over 40 years. Christmas cards from all over the world are taped onto the wall behind the couch, completely covering it like wallpaper. These are familiar things every Christmas at the home of Paul and Mary Quick, Tim’s Dad and Mom. Being in the military, Tim and I would always have a long drive to get home for Christmas and we spent those many hours singing. As we would get near the Tennessee state line, the atmosphere in the van always became charged with excitement at the thought of being home for Christmas!

I know another person who was excited about going home! For the past few months, Tim’s Dad spoke of going home, but he wasn’t always referring to their house with the white columns out front. Many times he pointed to the sky, as he would say, “I want to go home – pray that I can go home.” Papa got his wish the day after Thanksgiving. After recovering from many serious health problems through the years – including a heart attack and three types of cancer – Paul Quick was promoted to heaven. He is now home... really Home... for Christmas!

Jesus said, “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” Just like a good military husband, Papa has gone on ahead to find that home and get things ready for the family. Typically a very quiet man, he was in rare form those last weeks and took every opportunity to confront family, friends, and even complete strangers, to tell them about the Lord. He wanted to make sure everyone he knew would follow him Home.
I am thankful for a special day I got to spend with him, just the two of us and a family friend that lingered just outside the hospital door. Pap was very open about how he felt about Tim, the girls, and me. “Sally, I just want you to know I love you, girl!” He threw open his arms to give me a hug – not just one of those little pats or one arm hugs that was typical of him, but one that would last. We may spend this Christmas at home without him, but it won’t be long until the rest of us will be “Home for Christmas!”

With the same determination, I want to tell others about Jesus – to make sure they will make it home, too! After all, isn’t that what Christmas is really about?!

Be listening for our family’s first single, “He Can Move the Water” on Rick Hendrix Radio Comp Disc #31!

To order our new project, “What Are You Waiting For” which includes the song, “He Can Move the Water,” simply call 615-459-5119 or email us at for more information.

To find out more about The Quicks, visit us on the web at http://www.thequicksonline.com

To contact The Quicks, Phone: 615-459-5119
Write: The Quicks / P.O. Box 581 / Smyrna, TN 37167
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