Saturday, May 31 was the Spring Western States Gospel Music Association concert in Ontario, California. Last year the concert was in the sanctuary at the First Church of the Nazarene, and was packed at 350 - 400. The concert was moved to the fellowship hall this year for a bit more room, and I helped the organizers scramble to add additional chairs as people just kept coming. My rough estimate is there were easily 600 in attendance and it would be tough to accomodate any more. The acoustics weren’t as good (we were singing in essentially a carpeted gym), so hopefully it will move to a larger venue next year. A good problem to have.
Saturday, May 31, at Hardin County High School, Savannah, TN...Gerald Crabb, Josh and Ashley Franks, Crabb Revival. There were approximately 300 -500 in attendance. Tickets were $10 each. Gerald Crabb did a combination of old Crabb Family songs and new songs from his latest CD. He sounded and looked great. I had never heard Josh or Ashley. They blend very well together. The highlight of their set was when Ashley shared a testimony about a disabled child in Virginia and sang a solo song she wrote about him with Josh playing piano. Ashley has an awesome voice and sings with great passion. You could feel the excitement when Crabb Revival took the stage. With both Gerald and the Franks using tracks, there was such a huge difference with the live band! They kicked everything up several notches. The crowd was on their feet from the beginning to the end. They came out with 3 brand new songs, “Runaway Train”, “Both Sides of the River” and “You Amaze Me”, giving their dad credit for writing the last two. Their sound is only comparible to maybe the modern country sound of Little Big Town on the song “Boonedocks”, with great harmonies and great music. Then, they slowed it down with an older Crabb Family song on which Adam sings the lead “Soldier on His Knees.” They did another combination medley of old Crabb Family songs their dad had written, ending with “Somethin’s Goin’ On in the Graveyard,” with a musical interlude that had the crowd on their feet and shouting. Adam wowed the crowd with his harmonica playing, as usual, giving them almost a Blues Travelers sound. The rest of their set combined old with the new, but even the older songs they did were done in a new way, to give them their own touch and feel. They are as great as the Crabb Family, but have their own distinctive sound, songs, and presentation. They still have the awesome ministry of the Crabb Family. There was a short intermission with each artist coming back for a couple songs. Gerald was joined by his kids and the band and they had great fun! I would highly recommend seeing these artists, if you get the chance. I predict bigger and bigger crowds for Crabb Revival as they continue to come into their own with the release of their new project “Runaway Train” by Daywind. Adam and Terah’s voices are phenomenal. It was definitely worth the $10 ticket!
Attended a concert in Nixa MO last night. It was to benefit The Least Of These which is a local pantry. The concert featured The Ascension and Second Generation. They both did a great job, but being a quartet fan I much prefered The Ascension. If you have a chance to book them, do it. You can check them out at http://www.theascensionqt.com/index.php
Went to a Booth Brothers concert in Shipshewana, IN last night. It was their 3 night in Shipshewana, but it was just about a full house. 350++. The first 2 nights were sell-outs. The tickets were NOT $10!! about triple, but worth every penny
Went to a Nelons concert in Hammond La June 6 and it was awesome. The attendance was down for what we were used to here but Kelly, Amber, and Jason sang as if they were singing to thousands. Those in attendance said words like awesome, spectacular, one 80 year old said boy they ‘surly’ can sing, I spelled it like he said the word ‘surly’ and the pastor said Amber sure has a voice.....seems like he was as much impressed as anyone else was. WOW was another word that was mentioned and of course they were just as humble as you would expect them to be........what else can I say that hasn’t already been said. I’m hoping that gas prices was the reason the attendance was down.
We went to the Clarke County Fair in Berryville, Virginia, last night and were privileged to hear Jeff and Sheri Easter as well as The Lewis Family in concert! There was quite a large attendance. All the track seats as well as the grandstand was pretty full! The concert started at 8:00 pm and I would venture to say ended somewhere between 10:00 and 10:30. Jeff and Sheri were in great form and gave such a grand performance as always! Their daughter, Morgan, also sang an absolutely beautiful song! The God-given talent certainly flows through this precious family! We thoroughly enjoyed hearing The Lewis Family as well! They put on such a fine performance and, of course, Little Roy is quite the comedian as always! The weather was terrific, the food was good and the singing was fabulous! We were so blessed again and again throughout the entire evening!
We went to see the Crabb Family reunited at at Christ Chapel in Florence on Saturday, August 16, 2008. The auditorium was full downstairs and about 1/4 full in the balcony. I estimate between 600 and 800. Tickets were $15 in advance with platinum seating for $30. Aaron and Amanda, Crabb Revival, and Jason Crabb performed. They did a set with the entire Crabb Family at the end. During course of the night, they received dozens of standing ovations.
The only other southern gospel singer I have ever seen get the response Jason gets is Michael English. I have never seen so many cameras come of of purses and pockets as I did when Jason took the stage. My personal favorite was Crabb Revival. Their sound is as fresh now as the Crabb Families was when they first hit the scene.
In our area, we usually have trouble getting that kind of crowd with several pro groups on one venue for a love offering.
Praise The Lord and pass the chicken wings more sweet tea and saving room for banana pudding
we had Homecoming @ Fellowship Baptist ,Byhalia,Ms., this past Sunday with The Joylanders from Trenton,Tn ,Heaven’s Highway from Tupelo,Ms and Barbara Overby
Not only were we fed physically but most importantly our spirits were fed and refreshed
We are a small country church that normally with pews alone can seat 125 or so.
We had all of our folding chairs plus there were happy faces standing all around
Somewhere between 200 -225 in attendance for the afternoon services
If you ever get a chance to hear any of these GO you will be Blessed!!!!
bubba
I promoted the Collingsworth Family at First Church of the Nazarene on September 5, along with Hoosier Harmony and the 3rd Row Boys. Tickets were $13 in advance and $15 at the door, we had about 650 in attendance.
I know that concert attendance around my area is down, but I have been to Dollywood to several of the concerts at the Southern Gospel Festival and they were packed. I guess that’s because they were free (with admission to the park)
Hubs and I attended the McCunes Homecoming at Mtn. Grove High School last Saturday night. They had the Perrys in to sing. I’m not good with numbers, but I would guess there were about 300 people there. The Perrys were the Perrys, they are always outstanding, excellent, good sound, it was just goooood.
We missed the McCunes singing, I could’ve sworn the radio said it started at 7, and we got there about 7:05, but the tickets said 6:00. I hated that we missed the McCunes, they are 3 sisters that have been singing together, (and playing instruments) for years. We’ve seen them a couple of times and they are really good too.
That’s just me, though, I can hear something and forget what I’ve heard 5 minutes later.
