Southern Gospel Concerts

The 2008 installment of the NQC Parade of Pianos was ably hosted by Gerald Wolfe.  There was no Dino at the Parade this year — he had his own separate showcase.  The overall tone of the showcase felt a bit different to me.  The players didn’t sit on stage after they played.  There were only two pianos on stage instead of 3 or 4 and no big finish with all of the artists participating.  A couple of last year’s artists were missing.  Kim Collingsworth had a Gaither Homecoming date on Saturday evening.  And Channing Eleton didn’t play this year. 

But here’s my take on the pianists that performed:

• Andy Stringfield of the Kingdom Heirs led off the program.  He brought along his buddies from the KH band who played with him on Over in Gloryland and What a Friend We Have in Jesus.  Andy played very well but did admit to Gerald that he was a bit nervous.  He sure didn’t look it to me.   
• Josh Singletary from Tribute Quartet was up next and brought his own unique style with him to perform a jazzy and sometimes discordent version of Mansion Over the Hilltop.  Josh is always fun to watch!  
• After some amusing chit-chat with Gerald, Darrell Stewart played The Old Rugged Cross.  At the end, he directed the audience to sing the familiar hymn. 
• Josh Simpson from Gold City was next.  He played a traditional How Majestic Is Your Name and a jazzy Good Ole Gospel Ship.  I always enjoy hearing Josh play.
• Jeff Stice (Triumphant Quartet) played his medley of When We All Get to Heaven that is coupled with a few variations of the Do-Re-Mi song from the Sound of Music - a great, light-hearted selection from his repertoire.
• Stewart Varnedo (Dixie Echoes) played his jazzed-up version of Just a Little While to Stay Here.  You can tell that Stewart has a lot of fun playing that song.  Then he invited Jeff Stice back to the stage and they played a very spirited duet of Sing Your Blues Away that they had come up with after the sound check that morning. 
• Roy Webb played Just a Little Talk with Jesus and You Raise Me Up.   Of course, he also managed to talk with Gerald and get in a couple of jokes.   He probably connects with the audience more effectively than some of the other pianists.   You Raise Me Up was such a change of pace that I’m posting this video of it.
• Stan Whitmire just always makes it look like his performances are easy, which they aren’t!  Stan played a fast, jazzy version of Goodbye, World, Goodbye and then shifted gears and played Blessed Assurance in a very traditional style.  It was just beautiful.  Stan and Gerald then shared the bench for a fun duet of Just Over in Glory Land.
• Janet and Sharon from the Hayes Family performed two lovely songs for us from two pianos.  They played Old Time Religion and He’s My King.  What gracious ladies they are - the roses among the thorns!
• Tim Partin (Legacy Five) played Wonderful Grace of Jesus and I’m Bound for the Promised Land.   Tim always makes it look easy, too!
• Lari Goss was the very special, final artist.  He played a dramatic version of When i Survey the Wondrous Cross.  At the end of the song, Greater Vision came out and sang the last verse and chorus and the audience was on its feet.

I heard several people comparing previous showcases.  Some liked this version (like me!) and others preferred prior years.  I’m content to let each of them stand on their own merit.   And I enjoyed this one very much!