Clear For All To See

You could feel it when you got there, the excitement was in the air. Everyone was looking forward to hearing some tremendous music and there was curiosity there too. Kirk Talley would be there, how was he? What would he say? What would he sing? Some even wondered how would this crowd react?

The concert started a few minutes early because Joy Promotions had a surprise for us. Cystal River would open up the concert. What harmony those guys had! This is an up and coming group you want to watch for. They sang the old songs and the new songs and the crowd loved them all.

Then Hope's Call took the stage. The family harmony that is so much a part of SGM found an audience that truly appreciated their talent. What wonderful talent and their smiling faces made you believe they truly knew what they were singing about.

Next was Anthony Burger, what is there to say that hasn't already been said? From the soul stirring 'Great is Thy Faithfulness' to the fun 'Swingin my way back home' Anthony was in his element. "Hallelujah Chorus" always gives me chill bumps. Anthony doing what he does best, making a piano 'speak' hope, encouragement and joy ! Lori joined Anthony for “No More Night”, her talent is truly breathtaking.

For a moment I thought we had a sound problem because we began to hear what sounded like a radio station or CB cutting in and coming in over the speaker. Then I realized it was a message that someone had left on Anthony's answering machine being played.

As the message thanking his buddy for being there ended, Anthony began to sing and play "Whatever it Takes" -"There's a voice calling me, from an old rugged tree and it whispers, draw closer to Me. Leave this world far behind, there are new heights to climb and a new place in Me you will find."

Then the voice from back stage "Take the dearest things to me, if that's how it must be, to draw me closer to Thee. Let the disappointments come, the lonely days without the sun if through sorrow more like you I become". As Kirk and Anthony proceeded to sing the chorus together, the crowd was on their feet, clapping, yelling, crying, it was an emotional time. As he walked out on stage to the applause and cheers of a full house, you could see the joy yet apprehension on his face. And you could see the love on the faces of those in the crowd as they sought to encourage one who had been through the fire.

Anthony stayed on the stage and played for Kirk as he went back and picked up some older songs and hymns. "Sheltered In the Arms of God", "Til the Storm Passes By", "Tis so Sweet", "Every Hour I need Thee", the songs kept coming and we continued to enjoy the voice we had missed. But more than missing the voice, we had missed the person whose enthusiasm could take a crowd that was a ‘quartet only' group and have them cheering for a soloist.

"Thorough It All" and then the trademark whistling on "Just a Closer Walk with Thee" reminded us of how much we had enjoyed his music through the years. "Always Enough" and Kirk began to share how this song was written. Debra had asked him to write a song for those who were in positions of leadership or had ministries where others looked up to them yet they had problems or situations in their own lives that they need help, understanding and/or counseling with, yet they felt they could not talk with anyone. No one but Kirk knew that was exactly where he was living at the time.

"Serenaded by Angels" is a must at any Kirk concert and he didn't disappoint us. "I'd Rather be Saved than Anything I know" was sung with such feeling and power. Followed by a Phil Cross song "When God Says No"....He says yes to so much more, really seemed to sum up the night.

Between songs Kirk shared his battle, the terrors and heartaches of the last 8-9 months, how many things were misrepresented by the secular media, his openness was touching and the pain you could feel as he spoke was heart-rending. He acknowledged his battle and then he shared with us the counseling session where he ‘saw' Jesus drop-kick the chains that had bound him for so long.

Kirk's pastor Tommy Patterson was scheduled to speak just before the break. He came to the stage and before preaching led everyone in “When God Dips His Love In My Heart” singing the verses and having Kirk, Anthony and the audience join him on the chorus. After telling us we needed a ‘little more soul' in our singing we did the second verse. This song led perfectly into the message of love and forgiveness, Pastor Patterson brought.

I've known Kirk for a lot of years. We have talked and joked and had some heated disagreements. But Saturday night I saw something I don't remember ever
seeing before when looking at Kirk, I saw a peace that wasn't there in the past. He is continuing with counseling and being discipled by his pastor. As they broke for intermission, Kirk was never able to leave the stage area as fans, friends and well-wishers surrounded him.

The second half began with Crystal River again for one song, or at least that's what the promoter thought but the crowd loved them and refused to allow them to leave with just one song. Hope's Call did a terrific job and then Anthony was back on the stage for more of his classic piano music. Everyone was on the stage as Kirk came back out. He looked at the lead and bass singer with Crystal River and asked if they knew in old SGM songs, while they looked a bit doubtful, they nodded yes.

Now Kirk's sense of humor was showing through as he got the bass singer and looked at his head from all angles before commenting, “I've got a comb on the van I can go get it for you.” I have to admit this mom had that thought the moment she saw him. Now he is a fantastic bass singer but that hair needed work! For those who have never seen Crystal River let me explain, imagine you have gotten out of bed with your hair all askew, then you stand on your head shaking it vigorously, you go to the upright position and you may have achieved his look.

Despite the hair, Kirk and Anthony had the boys join them for 'The Quartet' on "Glory Road" and brought the house down! The spontaneity that is the trademark of The Trio, was alive and well as The Quartet was formed and they sang and had fun on stage. An encore was necessary before the crowd was ready to allow that to end. Someone at the back requested "Beulah Land" and Kirk sang it after acknowledging it wasn't a song he knew real well. The program ended with Kirk singing "I Know Him" and being joined on the chorus by all the groups. "I know Him but best of all He knows me " certainly was the right song to end the concert on!

We had intended to head for home the next morning but before the night was over, Kirk had several of us changing our plans, including Anthony and family. When Kirk asked how many would be at his church the next day to hear him , a lot of folks raised their hands. Kirk looked at Anthony and said "Where are you tomorrow?". Anthony told him 'Chattanooga'. Kirk said 'In the morning?' and Anthony said 'no'. So again Kirk asked him 'Where are you going to be tomorrow? Want to come to my church?' Anthony agreed (after quickly checking with LuAnn! )

So Sunday morning found us at Marantha Church of the Harvest in Lenior City, TN. We arrived a few minutes after the service began. Kirk was at the keyboard and with the praise team was leading the church in worship.

After a few more songs, they took up the offering. Anthony was going to play for that. He got up and went to the keyboard. To say this was a far cry than what Anthony is used to playing is the understatement of the year. A tiny little keyboard on somewhat shaky legs, I wondered if it would still be standing when he finished.

For a second after he began, I really wondered what was going on, the look on Anthony's face and the first few notes just 'weren't right'. Then as he always does, he played the "Great is Thy Faithfulness"/"How Big is God"/"How Great Thou Art" medley with power and finesse.

After he sat down, Kirk explained that moment of surprise on Anthony's face. I'll try to quote him on this but I was laughing so hard, I may not have the quote down exactly, "Anthony has perfect pitch so when he got up here and played the first notes he knew I had left the transpose button on. He had to play the entire thing in a different key than he was used to playing for it to come out in the key he needed it in." Now Kirk is rolling laughing by this time. This was just another tribute to Anthony's talent.

Kirk shared some of the new songs he has written in the last month or so. "I'm Living A Life Of Love" has a powerful and heartfelt message. He and Rodney Griffen have written a catchy tune "Keep Puttin' One Foot In Front of the Other". And he and Phil Cross have teamed up for "I Still Remember" and "Love is Alive Forever".

He then did a 'mother song' the title came from a poem written by a lady who had just lost her child "I wish you a roomful of Angels" and it touched this mother's heart. Each of us who has known and loved a child , or any person for that matter, can relate to this message.

A few weeks previously a message had been preached at his church on Paul and Silas giving birth to "I Will Sing a Song of Praise to God" which has a wonderful message and would be a great addition to any P&W service.

An old favorite "No Other Word for Grace but Amazing" is as true today as the day it was written. "Lord, I Worship You" is another new one. For his pastor he had written "I'm Shoutin' The Victory" as that is his pastor's favorite phrase and Kirk has put it to a beautiful song.

Anthony slips to the keyboard as Kirk leaves it and Kirk sings "The Love of God". Kirk talks about his priorities changing and how he is open to whatever God has in store for him. He asks a friend, Connie Bolling from Atlanta to join him as he sings "Field of Grace". She does a tremendous job on Janet's part. He talks of this church being his 'field of grace'.

Finishing up the music portion of the service with "Where Sin Abounds, Grace Abounds Greater" Kirk turned it over to Pastor Patterson. His message on Restoration is something that everyone needs to hear.

This weekend was a treat for me and many others; there were people there from NY, TX, CA, GA, SC and many other states for both Saturday night and Sunday. Kirk made one statement that especially stuck with me. He said, "Several people over the last few days have welcomed me back. I'm not sure I'm back or that I even want to be 'back'. I'm open and I'm available wherever God opens a door but back on the circuit, I'm not sure that will happen. My priorities have changed. I know I have enjoyed working here at this church and I've needed this. I don't want to get away from that."

I talked with Kirk about that after the service. He talked about his need to be there at the church for the discipleship and fellowship it provides. So he knows even if the 'circuit' welcomes him back, he must have the Wednesday nights there and he needs to limit the time away or set aside some weeks that he doesn't do Sunday dates so that he can be in his church.

I recalled a statement I had made to someone last year looking at Kirk's schedule. I had been attempting to help Faye find a church for a booking. His schedule was so packed and he took so little time off. I said, "He doesn't even have time to think". In recent months I've thought of that statement and realize his frantic push for dates was possibly his attempt to run from himself.

I have someone tell me a few weeks ago, 'it doesn't matter what he does or says I won't ever listen to him again'. All I can say to that is Gal.1:10 - "Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted". Kirk is not denying or trying to explain away any wrong he has done. He is attempting to allow God to use him in whatever way God chooses.

We saw many things this weekend, but one thing that truly stood out to me, the value of true friendship. Many friends came to support Kirk along with many fans. One friend stood by his side and accompanied his singing. But the value of those friendships based on Christian love was clear for all to see.

Written by DeeAnn Bailey

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