We have a promoter who has discovered a brilliancy. He has gone into the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee area and booked a genre barrier-breaking concert. He has booked the Crabb Family and Avalon together for a special Valentine’s weekend concert on February 12, at 7 pm at Governor’s Palace in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
What better way to celebrate “love” and “togetherness” than bringing together two very different genres of music to break down barriers. I can tell by some of the recent threads posted on this site that there are some people out there who “get it.” Often we allow ourselves to remain traditionally closed-minded to growth. We build walls of “our” world and “your” world; and what “we” do and what “you” do. We don’t want others in our world and we’re afraid to allow ourselves to expand into new territory.
In August, the Crabb Family was booked on an appearance at the Kentucky State Fair in Louisville, Kentucky. Also scheduled to appear on the program were Avalon and Rebecca St. James. Promoter Mark Toney traveled from North Carolina to see just what the outcome was. Wheels were turning in his brain. While there, Toney witnessed the chemistry between all of the artists involved. He saw newcomers to the Crabb Family’s music turn into fans before the evening was over and vice versa. Toney realized this as an avenue for growth.
In researching with the promoter of the Crabb Family/Avalon concert, it appears the event will be a sell-out. If I am not mistaken, it has been awhile since a concert in that area has sold out! Great idea!
You see, in crossing genres, there is not compromise nor sliding backwards, but there is growth. For example, if 1,000 of the Crabb Family’s crowd buys tickets and 1,000 of Avalon’s crowds buys tickets: 1,000 plus 1,000 equals 2,000. Half of this crowd may have never experienced the Southern Gospel world and 1,000 may have never experienced the Contemporary Christian world, so there is room for growth in both. Ticket sales increase, product sales increase, radio airplay increases, ministry opportunities increase, souls increase, and in the end, everyone goes home happy! There is growth for the entire industry. The next time there is a Southern Gospel concert in the area on which the Crabb Family may or may not be featured, several of these 1,000 people may remember a positive experience with Southern Gospel, purchase tickets and enjoy what they hear from other artists on the program. Once again, there is growth for everyone.
There are some key points to remember in making a concert such as this one a success. One of those is to make sure you choose artists that can work well together. The Crabb Family and Avalon, although total opposite genres, have musical styles that work well together. They also have the same ministry goals and motivation as well as the same type of live energy generate in a concert setting.
As usual, the Crabb Family and those involved in their ministry refuse to be kept in a box and the result is growth…growth….and more growth. Let’s all choose to be team players!
Author: SGN
| Author's Website: http://sogospelnews.com/
Written: 02/01/2005
| 
Category: ArtistsCrabb Family
Comments: 13
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I am very concerned about the prices of concert and just plain "singing" tickets to see our friends in gospel music. I have paid alot of money to continue to see the Crabb Family, but I have recently felt like I was paying too much for the blessings I usually felt when I listened to them sing. I know everyone out there traveling still has to pay for their expenses, but doesn't GOD provide? I don't mind up to $10.00, but some of the prices I have seen on some of gospel's tickets are $25.00 and up. I never paid that much for country or rock when I used to go to them. I will still listen to the Crabb Family as long as they don't go too contemporary. I feel like I can't turn to any station anymore when it's not contemporary. Everyone out there needs to realize where gospel began, and who has supported it for so long. NOT THE YOUNG AND WILD! I do feel like there should be southern gospel stations, and contemporary stations. I shouldn't have to stay up late, or get up very early to listen to good ole' southern gospel.
As always the Crabb Family has my full support and I am super excited about what's in store for the Crabb Family's future. I am sure that God is going to continue to richly bless all that they do!
Hey there,
I went to the Crabb/Avalon Concert. it was the best. I love both groups. I am good friends with the Crabb Family. My mom passed away on January 19, 2005. & Last year at the SGMG Harmony Awards at TBN The Crabb Family and Myself along with some other friends in southern gospel music had a prayer Circle backstage at TBN I will forever remember that night. My mom loved the Crabb Family My dad used to hold revivels with Gerald so I have been a fan of the Crabb Family since I was little.Anyways did you all know that Avalon will be at CrabbFest this year (2005) it is going to be great. Can't wait.
I would have LOVED to have heard the Crabbs and Avalon together! CrabbFest will be awesome this year (for those who are able to go lol). I love to see different genres get together. I just told my sister the other day that I wish I knew how to put a concert together. I would bring the Crabbs, Avalon, and Russ Lee waaaaaay up to North Dakota for one incredible concert! 
Matt, I'm sorry to hear about your Mom. I know how hard it is to go through that (I lost my Mom in '96).
As long as GOD is in it....I'm for it!!!
IF GOD BE FOR US WHO CAN BE AGAINST US!
My husband and I hope we can go to the 6th Annual Music Fan Festival, in Smyrna,Tn.;July 27th-30th.We've had a tough time starting out 2005.We haven't got to see the Crabb Family in a while.And, by the way,how are you Beckie Simmons?Southern Gospel is the best.And the Crabb Family are the best.I have never been to a Crabb Family concert,that when it was over,I felt like God had used them and their music and singing talents,to reach so many souls.God Bless all the Crabb Family.
My husband and I love the Crabb Family and we go to as many of their Concerts as we can. WE were blessed to go to Crabb Fest last year and already have tickets for this year. We love to hear Bro Gerald preach. He held us,(Faith Tabernacle Church)a 2 night revival and it was awesome.
As I read your comments I am somewhat disturbed. I live in an area where we have no Southern Gospel radio station, but I have found a great station to listen to on-line, which is what I do as often as I can. I do listen to a CCM station, and although it's not my favorite, the point to both styles of music is sharing the gospel through music. I have been to many concerts over the years, both SG & CCM, and I can't say I've ever left disappointed, as long as God's word was spoken through song. Not everyone can be reached by SG, just as not everyone can be reached by CCM. I'm not a big fan of Ska, but I've known people who have given their lives over to God and still live a life worthy to be called a Christian after attending a Ska concert. Don't judge the style of music, just be thankful that there are lots of different styles that God can use to reach "the multitudes." BTW, I would love to see an Avalon/Crabb Family concert. If they're even in St. Louis, I'll be there!
Thank God for the Crabb Family.
They do not live in the past, they live for the future. I believe they are a family wanting to spread the gospel to as many as possible. We should never be so narrow minded to think that just because we like southern gospel the best (which i do) that everyone thinks the way we do.
Finally with help of people like the Crabbs southern gospel can be taken to higher levels.
At one time when i listened to a Southern Gospel music station on the radio, the quality was terrible.... Southern Gospel Music must keep up with quality. As far as concert prices outside of Southern Gospel...if you have checked on prices as I have (for my children) ...i would be excited to see $25.00 for a quality seat.
If you like quality music, it must be paid for. We can not have the attitude of the person who has always dropped the dollar bill in the offering plate each Sunday for the last 40 years and expect to grow spiritually or financially. God does provide, but mosty throught other Christian people.
Just if gods in it and they are doing it for the right reson then what can we say. But if there doing it for the fame and mony then okay.But the bible says "let every thin that has breath ye the lord" he did not say just with southern gospel
music dont get me wrong i love sgm but lets be open minded
your bro. in christ cj
I have never heard Avalon in concert but that doesn't mean that I would not go to hear them if given that opertunity. I prefer good old Southern gospel music but when It comes to spreading the gospel to others you go where the lord is calling you to go Jesus commands us to go into all the world with the gospel we're not to be so bias as to not enjoy other avenues of music even if we prefer one type of mucic over the other. The Crabb Family is doing what the lord is asking of them that is why they are so successful in what they are doing. I'm sure Avalon is doing the same.
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