Hmm...

I don't know what's going on with this site but I see that while I just posted my lastest post, apparently it sent out the unrevised version earlier this afternoon!  So, you'll be getting two.

Secondly, if the post looks like a regular e-mail and not an actual blog site, just click on the 'Hear, hear' title towards the upper left and it should take you right to the official site.

My apologies for these mix-ups. :/

Heidi

Hear, hear!

I've caught wind that a brand new set of Gaither DVDs will hit the stores come March 17, 2015!  In addition to there being songs featured from the Gaither Vocal Band's newest CD, there will be other Homecoming artists performing as well.  Here is a sample of what is to come. (Once you click on the link, scroll down and click the 'play' button.)
http://gaither.com/news/2-new-gaither-vocal-band-releases

I'd recently seen somewhere that the GVB and the Homecoming crew would be appearing in CA in October, but I see now that it's been removed. (Nooo!!) Hopefully they'll fit us into their schedule sometime this year...

Speaking of the GVB, David Phelps will be releasing another solo album, Freedom.  He's written several of the songs himself.  I must say, I am looking forward to getting my hands on that CD!

For those of us who are Nelon fans, here are some concert dates!

• Fresno, CA: March 7th and 8th
• Modesto, CA: March 9th
• Antioch, CA: March 16th
• And some info for my mother-in-law, Joyce: They're coming to Tucson on March 5th. I think you'd enjoy them. :)

Here are a couple of clips of the Nelon family singing. (I hope these work because I was having some trouble earlier!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7pOQVqHb6o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFQeWqfAh7s

There's been a new addition to the Collingsworth Family!  Emma Olivia was born in November to Phil and Kim Collingsworth's daughter, Brooklyn.  I'm quite sure she hasn't been put down since! :)  (Perhaps this picture is foretelling of things to come??)



In other news, Kayla and her good friend Julia have come up to visit a couple of times in the past few months. We certainly enjoy having them!  We went to the beautiful Yosemite National Park during one of the trips and snapped a few shots.

 

 

Speaking of beautiful places, Jonathan and I went to Oregon for our 5th anniversary.  It was a first for me, and a boat ride that we took while there was a first for both of us.  It's a jet boat trip up the Rouge River, to be exact, and WOW.  As you'll see in the following pictures, it's amazingly pretty!  If you ever get a hankering to take this little water trip, I recommend the morning session.  The lighting, the crisp air, and being on that river when dawn is breaking is an experience in and of itself.  But before I post pictures from the river trip, here are a few photos taken while driving up Highway 1 and beyond...

 

  

 

These guys were quite the group!  This was taken close to the Oregon border.

 

And this is Big Daddy O!  Look at the size of his handsome self!  It was amazing to see him just... right there!

  

 

 

  Now the boat ride! As you'll see, there was a lot of fantastic wild life. :)

(Remember, you can click on any of these pictures to enlarge them!)

 

 

 

 

                         

                                  

 

 Breakfast, anyone??

 

 

 

This little fellow was very busy minding his own business when our boat happened along. 

I don't think he was overly happy with the interruption...

 

 

 

 

 

There is a lot of history up and down the Rouge River.

I love this teepee. It seems to have a story to tell. 

 

Beautiful! I so enjoyed seeing these guys here and there during our trip.

 

One more thing and then I'll let you go. :)  While in Oregon, we went to the Wildlife Safari Petting Zoo.  We loved it!  We got to pet a tiger and bear cub, as well as many other animals that were roaming around! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now, this guy had some major attitude.  Every time Jonathan or I tried to get close to pet him, he'd bare his teeth and do this low growling noise. Touché! 

 

 



 

 

 

Annnnd, there you have it! I think that about sums up this post! :)  In closing, here is a quote that I ran across this morning.  

Good music doesn't have an expiration date.

 

Until next time,

Mizz Babs

 

It won't be long...

I have been in the process of gathering information for an upcoming post, but when I read of the passing of the legendary Andrae Crouch, it seemed only right to dedicate a full post to someone who was so greatly used in the field of Christian music.  Our world has not been the same since his phenomenal gift hit the scene... For those who have not heard, he was admitted to the hospital a few days ago due to a heart attack, then passed away today at the age of 72. 

How grateful I am that the inspired songs he wrote hold just as much power and life now as they did when written, to keep assuring us that His Blood really won't ever lose It's power...  And that soon and very soon, we are going to see The King.

                                                 

For all you Collingsworth fans...

There will be another Collingsworth *wonder* added come the end of November!  William and Brooklyn announced their news today... Just in time for Mother's Day! :)

Notice...

I'm not sure how the blog is appearing for you, but if it looks like a regular e-mail, you need to do the following in order to view it on the actual blog site:
~Click on the title that's towards the upper left (it says ~*~Concert~*~).  That should take you to the blog site itself and there you'll be able to see it in it's original form and be able to click through the pictures...
:)

~*~Concert~*~

Where to begin?? Perhaps I can start by saying that I really hope it will not be another four years before the Homecoming crew rolls through town! There was a rather good turn out at the venue where the concert was held, so I am hoping they took good notice of the loyal fans they have in California! 

The concert was held at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, CA, with the doors opening at 5 and the concert beginning at 6.  As can be expected, Kevin Williams got the crowd warmed up before the start of the show by playing the guitar and doing his usual light banter.  After a few minutes, Bill Gaither came on stage, said a few welcoming words, then started bringing the artists up one at a time: Charlotte Ritchie, The Martins, Angie Primm, Gene McDonald, and The Isaacs. Here are some shots of them performing.  (The photos with a grainy texture are 'screen shots'.) Remember, if you click on the first photo, it will enlarge and you will be able to click through and view the other photos, as well!

Charlotte Ritchie

The Martins

The Martins backing Angie Primm

Gene McDonald

The Isaacs with Bill Gaither

Now, I love The Isaacs~ they are hands down at the very top of my list.  However, I have to say that in my personal opinion, I didn't feel they sang some of their better songs that night... But, they are phenomenal and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing them again. 

After the artists performed a few songs each, the stage cleared, the lights dimmed, and the introduction to Alpha and Omega filled the venue.  Gaither Vocal Band time!  

Will it ever get old seeing these people perform live?!  I think not.  It's so incredible to see the artists actually standing directly in front of you... As in, right there.  It's really something. 

They sang a series of songs, some of which were older and some new.  There were also old classics with a new twist, including The Old Rugged Cross, which they recorded on the newest GVB CD, Hymns.  Beautifully done!

                 Left to right: David Phelps, Wes Hampton, 

                    Adam Crabb, Todd Suttles, Bill Gaither

This was the first time I've heard Adam and Todd live with the GVB.  I have several of the Crabb albums and am familiar with Adam's singing, but I must say that I was quite surprised at how much Adam's vocals and delivery reminded me of Jason's (his brother)!  Perhaps it is because Adam is no longer in his brother's 'shadow' that he is therefore able to really come into his own.  

I am also impressed with how well he fits in with the rest of the group.  When I first heard of him joining the GVB, I was a bit surprised.  But being able to actually hear and see him perform with them in person, I can see his potential in possibly becoming one of the 'seasoned' members. 

Todd seems like a very friendly guy who is certainly 'game'.  He had a couple of humorous moments, so it'll be interesting to watch and see how (if?) that side unfolds.  He has a nice voice and, boy, can he go low!  He never really had any 'soaring' moments while singing, but perhaps that was for a variety of reasons.  At any rate, both he and Adam seem like troupers and I really hope that they have been warmly welcomed by audiences everywhere!

~*~ Intermission~*~

After intermission, all of the artists came onto the stage and sat around in chairs.  Bill brought Gene McDonald up to help him do Heaven's Joy Awaits, and then gradually added the different parts by calling up various singers.  

Yes, that is a white cord tangled up around Bill's ear. Don't ask. :)  If I remember correctly, he started talking about technology and how everybody has things connected to them in one way or another, then proceeded to pull out this cord and put it on.  I don't know why, but that whole scene made me giddy.  I think part of it was that he was going about business as usual with this 'thing' hanging from his ear!  It was well done and lots of fun. :)

As the evening wore on, Bill would motion for different artists to take the stage. 

For me, one of the highlights of the second half was when the GVB sang That Sounds Like Home To Me.  There's just something about that song...  They did a nice job, and David certainly did the last chorus a considerable amount of justice. Wowzer!

As I mentioned before, the artists all took turns performing during the second half.  It was neat because while the first half was a little more structured, the second half was a touch more impromptu and, well, it just worked.  

At the end of the concert, all of the artists lined up and sang together, with a few solos thrown in here and there.

A beautiful ending to an incredible night!  

By the way, if any of the others who attended this concert have anything else they'd like to add, please send an e-mail and I'll gladly post it!! :)

Until next time...

Mizz Babs

For those who didn't catch the latest GVB news...

A little over two weeks ago, Gaither.com announced that a fifth member has been added to the Gaither Vocal Band: Todd Suttles! He sure seems like an interesting and fun fit. :) That is all I'm going to say because I came across this video that just may be of interest to you...

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=JwzDRAFnQUU

I have been searching on Youtube for a clip of Mr. Suttles performing with the GVB.  While I've found a few, none seem to really showcase his voice... I'll keep an eye out, however, and will do some serious posting when I happen across just the right material! (Or if any of you have found some adequate samples, send 'em my way!) 

While this blog is rather short, you must stay tuned because the next blog or two will involve pictures... and more. :)

Until next time...
Mizz Babs