GWSGFF, Day 1 4/29/10, Visalia Convention Center

Well, a (mostly)packed house enjoyed a fine night of southern-style gospel music on the opening night of the annual Great Western Southern Gospel Fan Festival.

In the recent past, the event was held at Fresno's rather large(18,500 capacity)Save Mart Center. But due to the inherent difficulties in putting on this kind of program in such a large facility, to say nothing of the rising costs involved in doing so, the event's board voted to move it from the SMC down about 45 miles southeast. Although as someone who lives in Fresno(and has an increasingly fragile automobile), the response of the fans and the artists alike(especially co-owners Les Beasley and Claude Hopper, who shared their thoughts with me on the subject)would indicate that the decision to move to the smaller, cozier venue was a good one.

Besides, who can beat free parking?:-)

The stage there is reminiscent of the main stage at Louisville's NQC(the BIG one)in that it's in the round, which artists and fans alike seem to prefer. And there was floor seating as well as conventional arena seats...a very attractive setup for this kind of event.

For me, though, one of the main joys of going to the event is seeing so many friends(fans AND artists alike there). I got a very warm greeting as I arrived from Royce Mitchell, Dan Gilbert, and Keith Waggoner of the Liberty Quartet. It is no accident that their popularity in the gospel music world is skyrocketing, for they're all tremendous Christian gentlemen as well as excellent gospel singers.

I was blessed to see(among others)Central California gospel radio host Ike Eichelberger, photographer, videographer, and gospel music fan extraordinaire(maybe the most dedicated one on the entire West Coast)Ellen Gerig(the pride of Oregon and cousin to Mitchell)and her regular traveling companion Cathie Bourne(thanks Ellen, BTW, for helping me buy that precious LP I bought from Herb Henry!), as well as regular poster Bsnnermkr and her new husband...AND former KMJ GM Al Smith(!)who was in the choir that opened both halves of the program(I didn't even know Al could sing!).

And there were the many artists whom I've been privileged to meet over the years as well.

Unlike in past years, I'll only review the event's first two nights...I can't attend Saturday's finale due to work. But I hope you'll be able to get a picture of the atmosphere of the event based on what you'll read here.

As I said, the event opened with a choir singing an anthem. They were fine, and were well received.

The Liberty Quartet began the evening, and had the crowd eating out of their hands within mnutes. Lead Dan Gilbert was particularly energetic(vocally and physically), and the group continues to improve prodigously and in terms of stage presence every time I see them. It's no longer sufficient to say that they're the West's finest quartet(which they have been for many years now)...they are among the top quartets in the business at present. The U.S. is slowly realizing this as the group continues to travel farther and farther from their Boise home base. And I'm proud to say that you read about them here first!:-)

The California Melody Boys were next(not to be confused with Arkansas' Melody Boys Quartet), and they too continue to improve, primarily sparked by pianist Ken Hurley, who has been a stellar pianist out West for many years. Ken is also a gifted singer and songwriter, and the CMB has two good songwriters in Hurley and John Harness. Their set was strong and accomplished.

Speaking of stellar pianists, Jeff Stice dazzled the audience in the following set. Then came Stice's current group, the Triumphant Quartet(the hit of last year's GWSGFF)...and they picked up this year where they left off last year, with a strong set concluding with a powerful version of their excellent hit, "He Is", the first of the handful of curtain-raisers on opening night.

The crowd cooled off a bit during the set of comedian Dennis Swanberg, then were thrilled again when the Booth Brothers and Greater Vision teamed up on one song before GV had the stage to themselves. The crowd knew all of GV's songs and was singing along, and they seemed to recognize returning tenor Chris Allman, who is back with the group after an absence of several years. Allman was the star of GV's set...he was in fine voice and hadn't seemed to miss a beat during all his time away.

By this time it was apparent that older songs and past hits were a theme of the night...a situation that seems to permeate the genre these days. It's not all bad(especially when the older songs are good), but it does speak to a challenge the genre faces at present.

The Booths came back,and they were their usual smooth, confident, professional selves. And they brought the house down with a great new version of the Mosie Lister standard, "Then I Met The Master" Why so many so-called "entetainment" reporters fail to report on and notice this kind of talent when it appears in the area has been beyond me for a LONG time!

As is their tradition, the Hoppers came out to wrap up the first half. If you've seen the Hoppers once, you've seen them...there was nothing new from this incredibly popular group, just a typical Hoppers set that the Vislaia crowd enjoyed.

After the choir's obligatory song, the Herb Henry Family opened the second half. They are probably one of gospel music's best kept secrets...they are as good as ANY mixed group in the business(yes, I include the Perrys in that). Their repertoire ranges from convention standards to more contemporary sounding material(with some original songs thrown in), and they are reminiscent of the Speer Family musically as well as symbolically(for the West Coast).

And much to my delight, they were followed by the King's Heralds, probably the best quartet SINGERS going. This year they have a regular set, and are no longer standing in the wings of the audience doing a token song. Their stage presence is good, and their harmony is unmatched in the genre. If you're not turned by image or reputation or appearance, and just like singing, the King's Heralds just might be your group.

Gerald Wolfe also came out to do a piano duet with Jeff Stice. Both men have long been celebrated for their piano prowess, and they didn't disapponit this time either.

Then there was a sort of musical "tag team" event...all the artists previously on the program came out to do one song apiece...the biggest hits during the unusual "medley" were the King's Heralds and the Liberty Quartet, whose version of "Glory To God In The Highest" had the ENTIRE CROWD standing and clapping...much as was the case when they did it in Fresno a few months ago. I haven't seen an audience reaction like that in a LONG tim at the GWSGFF...Liberty rocks!:-)

The Hoppers closed the evening(foes snyone besides me get the impression that the Hoppers set up the GWSGFF as though it's a Hoppers' concert with them being the closing act?)...and the audience no doubt went home happy from a great night of fellowship and gospel singing.

And isn't that what ANY gospel music convention ought to be about?

See you again tomorrow night.

It’s that time again!

Yes...once again, the Great Western Southern Gospel Fan Festival will commence in California's San Joaquin Valley...continuing a tradition that began back in 1997.

There are a few differences between previous GWSGFFs and this one, though, as you might expect.

For one, this year's event is the maiden one for Visalia, a bustling city just 45 minutes south of Fresno, the event's original home.

For another(at least in the last four years of the event), I have provided fairly comprehensive reviews of each night of the three-day event.

I probably will not be so comprehensive this year, though.

Why is that, John(you may ask)?

Well, for openers, I may not be able to attend all three nights this year...sometimes real life DOES get in the way of one's pleasures, after all.

For another, my life is in the process of major change, and there are some things I MUST tend to at present...most of them labors of love(true love, in fact)....and I've still not mastered the art of doing more than two things at once.

And there are other factors involved as well...some of which I may share in future installments of this blog.

But you WILL read about the GWSGFF here...that will not change.

Talk to you later tonight.

An interactive exercise(feel free to participate)

Yes, I'm still alive!:-)

If you'll recall, I stated here on this little corner of the web long ago that I hoped this blog could be a truly interactive one.

At the rate I've posted of late, though, some of you may have cause to wonder, "Interact with WHAT?"

Fortunately for me(and this blog), a topic has come down that will allow me to allow you to do just that, if you so choose.

Other SG blogs are burning up over the announcement that former Alaska governor Sarah Palin will be a "keynote" speaker at this year's National Quartet Convention.

Never mind that historically, the NQC has existed to showcase the top talent in the industry...the top singers, not necessarily the top preachers or celebrities.

Apparently, Governor Palin's Christian credentials are sufficient to have caused the NQC board to schedule her for a speaking engagement during the usual showcase times. As I understand it, she will deliver a speech, then hold a half-hour Q&A session with anyone wishing to ask her questions.

Just like a campaign stop or a press conference.

I'm not saying Palin's appearance will be a political one...she could well be giving a Christian testimony, or for all I know, tell people of her great love for gospel music and why...none of us know until she actually says something.

But the question keeps asking itself...is this an appropriate sort of thing for the NQC?

Now for something a little closer to home...and I hope you'll see where I'm going with this, and why this bit of news has finally prompted me to post here today.

A couple of weeks ago, the gospel music radio program that I've produced and co-hosted for the past several years accepted a commercial buy from a well-known local political candidate for Congress. He is a two-time mayor of Fresno, and an owner of a handful of Christian radio stations in California's San Joaquin Valley, and a big fan and good friend of the program.

It is no secret that our program is in need of more advertising...yet, are partisan political ads appropriate for a gospel music radio show?

I have my own feelings and opinions on this, but will withhold them for now on purpose. The reason for that is because I'm still learning things in life, and I certainly don't pretend to know all the answers. I would like one(or several)of my loyal readers here to weigh in on this question(and the Palin one as well if you'd like)and share your thoughts on the subject with me and the rest of our readers.

Maybe I'll learn something...after all, I DO believe in miracles!:-)

So if you would, talk back to me on this. Are political advertisements or engagements appropriate for gospel music shows or events?

My ears...and eyes...are open. Talk to me.

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