Greg & Heather's Southern Gospel Concert Blog, Comments from the Back Row

As mentioned before, this small church is aptly named. Over half the people came up to us after the concert and introduced themselves and shook our hand. I emphasize after, because I always try to get to venues 30 minutes early to get a aisle back seat. When we drove in the parking lot and saw it almost full, I knew we were late. The time on their website had 7pm, and it had started at 6pm. So, we coming in 30 minutes after it started, had to go up front to the 2nd pew.

We had seen Freedom Hill several times before and always enjoy hearing them.

This was our 1st time seeing them. There are 4 of them, but they definitely don’t sing traditional Southern Gospel Quartet style or even 4 part harmony. I don’t know how to describe their style. I guess they’re trying to ‘jazz up’ traditional songs. I certainly did NOT enjoy their ;jazzed up’ versions of hymns. We won’t go see them again.

The Perrys have struggled so much since Tracy’s massive stroke in 2013, but have managed to keep the group going.

We saw Tribute 2 years ago and pleased to see them back in Tallahassee. They sounded great and are incorporating their bass singer into more songs.

• The Lighthouse Girls led off as usual. They are always inspirational. There are a lot of new girls that are still learning the songs. This group is going to have several outstanding soloists.

• The Booth Brothers usually have the most polished, professional sound of any Southern Gospel group. Ronnie was home sick, so Michael’s oldest son was with them. Although they tried, the sound just wasn’t the same.

Personal Note: I don’t know if anyone reads this, but just in case:

1. People seem to be losing their politeness! Maybe I expect more from a predominantly Christian  group of people, but there is no excuse for cell phones ringing during the concert. THEN, particular, the older people, instead of hitting the ‘ignore’ button answer them out loud!
2. Old women with big purses hanging off their shoulder on their side kept bumping in the back of Heather’s head. Not just 1 or 2, but several! Heather was already a little panicky because it was so crowded, but the women just kept congregating behind us to talk with each other. I know they felt themselves hitting her. We had heard 2 songs and I had to take her outside.

Rude people! I just don’t know what happening to us as a society.

This is the latest iteration of a McCray Dove group after several previous unsuccessful attempts. This ‘new’ group is a trio instead of a quartet. Tony Peace, the baritone, hits a few low notes, but the consistence of a low voice is obviously missing on all the songs. Once you’re used to Burman Porter and David Hester as members, it’s just not the same.

They have gone back to traditional Southern Gospel, thank goodness. They used to be the in best in Southern Gospel before the drums, steel guitar, twang, and inappropriate on-stage antics.

We enjoyed them and look forward to seeing them again.

• The Lighthouse Girls led off as usual. There are a lot of new girls, so they’re still learning the songs, but they were inspirational as always!
• The McKameys were powerful as usual. Peg always remembers Heather with a hug, that means so much to her.  PS: They announced back in August 2015 the Roger Fortner was coming the road, but we were very pleased to see him with them.

• The Lighthouse Girls led off as usual. They were, as always, inspiring.

• The Chuck Wagon Gang is always good, with a consistent sound, for 77 years now, and tonight was no exception.