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It was a rowdy night in Winston Salem, North Carolina on October 29 as Ray Flynn Promotions brought another highly successful concert to the area at the Lawrence Joel Veterans Memorial Coliseum.  Ray Flynn’s concerts are more than just another concert, they are major events filled with dramas, extravagant sound and lights and nothing but the best in Southern Gospel Music.  These events pack the house every time and this night was no exception, as it looked like a near sell out with over 10,000 people in attendance.  I never did get a final headcount, but it was packed all the way up to the top of the nose-bleed section.

The concert started off without a hitch.  Former Florida Boy’s and Tony Gore & Majesty tenor turned Music Minister, Greg Cook was the emcee for the evening and as usual, he kept the crowd on a high all night.  Before the concert officially started, Ray Flynn himself came out and opened with a word of prayer and we were off and running.

After the solo and group talent search winners sang their winning tunes, the Primitive Quartet took to the stage and sang a few crowd favorites such as “Gloryland”, “No Longer an Orphan” and “Walking on the Highway”.  Every time and every year without fail, the Primitives continue to be a huge crowd favorite in Winston Salem.  With their simple mountain style and humble demeanor, the crowd soaks in every note.

Always a hometown favorite, Victoria Huggins literally bounded onto the stage, singing, “I’ve Got a Song”.  Her final tune, “Jesus is in the House” included a white robed choir coming out to join her; as she sang, they mimed the song.  After Victoria was finished, the first drama of the evening transpired, utilizing the aforementioned choir as they mimed the song “The Cross” by the Crabb Family.  The crowd came to their feet as the song ended.

Starting off quietly, the Talley Trio came on with “Shout to the Lord” and immediately went into the blended worship of “High and Lifted Up/Hallelujah Chorus”, which the crowd seemed to really enjoy, myself included.  On this night, the group debuted their newest single “The Debt” which led perfectly into their final song, “His Life for Mine.”

Without any formal intro and a darkened hall, the drumbeat starts and the Hoppers come on stage singing “Jerusalem”.  Utilizing the media screens, there were various video clips of the Hoppers singing the song all across the world.  Before closing their set, they sing (and encore several times much to the delight of the crowd) “Shoutin’ Time”.  The Hoppers never cease to be a crowd favorite in Winston Salem and neither does the song.  Even the front row was doing “the walk” with the rest of the Hoppers ‘on the King’s highway’ and Dean even jumps off the platform and joins in.  It was one of the highlights of the evening.

After this high-energy performance, the second drama of the evening unfolds to the song “Bring Lazarus Back” by Mark Bishop.  These dramas are literally life changing for many people, myself included.  Some people say get rid of the drama’s…I say keep them.  They make these events so unique and inspiring.  After this drama, Ray Flynn comes out and delivers a wonderful salvation message.  Nothing is more beautiful than seeing people come to know Christ as their Savior.  A couple hundred decisions were made this night and it just seemed to make the evening complete.

The local favorite radio station, Joy FM was covering the event, and after some intros of the staff members at the station, the Crabb Family comes out with “Greater is He” and “Sacrifice of Praise”.  After a few moments of dialogue, Jason sings the verses and leads the audience into a few choruses of “I’d Rather Have Jesus” before singing the classic, “Through the Fire”.  When the Crabbs were done with their stand, Greg Cook brings them back out to sing “Redeemer” and while the altar call was long done, during the song people came to altar.  It was a precious sight.

The Perrys were next and they come on with an unusual opener with “I Rest my Case at the Cross” and then went into “His Name was John”.   The group also does “Calvary Answers for Me” as Loren literally commands the platform.  After singing, “Who Am I”, with just piano and Loren on bass guitar, the group closes their stand with, “I Wish I Could Have Been There.”  Always a perennial favorite in the area, the Perrys brought the house down.

After the Perrys, the third and final drama of the evening is to the song “He’s in the House” by Michael Combs, after which Michael Combs himself steps forth to sing his part of the concert.  With his charismatic and animated performances, he’s been a Winston Salem favorite for years and before he was done, he lit into a couple of favorites, “Not for Sale” and “Drinking from my Saucer” before closing out with “He’s in the House”.

After a long evening of music and high emotions, one would think the crowd would be tired at this point, but not so.  As soon as Ernie Haase & Signature Sound hit the stage, the excitement just went up to a whole new level.  After coming on with “Shout Brother, Shout”, “Plan of Salvation” and “This Could Be the Dawning of that Day”, the group hit their stride with “Glory to God in the Highest”.  This was when the fun really began.  Of course, they did “Stand By Me”, and while dancing on the stage, Ernie danced a bit too far and just about slips off the platform.  Planned or not, it was a hilarious moment, as was the comical banter between Ernie and Roy.  As Ernie shares his memories of George Younce and the Cathedrals and shares how Winston Salem holds a special place in his heart (the Cathedrals all but owned Winston Salem), Ernie sings a reflective tune entitled, “This Old Place”.  Closing out this action packed evening was Ernie singing “Oh What a Savior” as a grand finale with all the artists on stage for the final chorus.

It truly was a rowdy evening of Southern Gospel Music in Winston Salem, North Carolina.  This is one of the most anticipated events in Southern Gospel Music.  I have found that in most concerts in this area, the crowds are lively and noisy and they love their Southern Gospel Music and are extremely loyal to their favorite groups, which is why you don’t see too many variances in the line up for this event from year to year.  From where I sat, the sound was pretty decent for the most part, but the performances were truly electrifying.  The crowd was into it from beginning to end and everyone went home excited and wound up and glad that they were part of yet another rowdy night in Winston Salem!

*Special thanks to Mary Hamilton for the great pictures!

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