There is nothing quite like hearing Gloria talk about something she believes in. This week, we had a conversation with her about one of her favorite hometown events of the year, Fall Festival. Gloria dreamed up Fall Festival several years ago and it just gets better each year! Listen as Gloria talks about a few of the highlights she has up her sleeve for this year’s Fall Festival at Gaither Family Resources, happening September 30 and October 1.
Also watch the Fall Festival promotional video below for more details on this year’s event! It’s a great way to meet other travelers, enjoy Indiana at our very best time of year, and savor a weekend of great food, wonderful music, fun activities and attractions for everyone in the family, along with some amazing local artists and venders who will demonstrate their incredible creations for you throughout the weekend! For tickets or answers to your questions, click here or call 1-800-713-3773.
The October 2011 issue of Singing News Magazine features the Gaither Vocal Band’s “Greatly Blessed, Highly Favored” at #1 on the Southern Gospel Top 80 chart! We are blessed to see that this uplifting song (written by Larry Gatlin and Bill Gaither) is still a favorite more than a year after the release of the Vocal Band’s Greatly Blessed cd!
We really do feel ‘greatly blessed’ that this song has found a special place in the hearts of listeners. No matter what the economy is doing, or what is going on in Washington, or how much turbulence is going on around us, somehow it helps to remember that God’s love for His children never wavers. We’re imperfect… but forgiven. That alone is reason to celebrate. – Bill Gaither
Hosted by Bill Gaither, the DVD offers decades of footage featuring Sandi’s best-loved performances on the Gaither stage. Also enjoy warm interviews with Sandi and her parents that give listeners a glimpse into the heart of this international superstar, whose music has touched countless millions. The Best of Sandi Patty CD features live performances from the DVD so listeners can take the music anywhere!
Gaither.com members can now begin purchasing tickets to the Gaither Fest event in Lakeland, Florida, happening January 27-28, 2012!
We have been working hard to improve the process and get you the best possible chance to get the seats you want, plus Gaither.com membership is now more affordable than ever at $34.95 per year! If two incredible days of music in Florida this January sound like fun, be sure to get your tickets early so your spot is secure!
Hosted by Mark Lowry, this DVD takes viewers back in time to the beginnings of the Gaither music legacy. Featuring vintage footage from the early Bill Gaither Trio era — as well as clips from more recent performances — this DVD relives days that will trigger the memories of many. This DVD is sold with Homecoming Hymns CD
Jason Crabb’s first-ever LIVE DVD, The Song Lives On, is now available for pre-order! Pre-order the power-packed DVD and CD now and you will immediately receive an exclusive free wallpaper download with a photo of Bill and Jason from the set (available only here at Gaither.com and only to those who pre-order). ALSO… the first 300 CDs pre-ordered will be autographed by Jason!
Here is a little more about this October 18 release!
NEWLY ADDED: Exclusive footage with Jason Crabb and Bill Gaither
For GRAMMY® Award winner and Christian music mainstay Jason Crabb, there is nothing like performing LIVE in front of an audience. On April 19th, 2011, his adrenaline was running high as he stepped onto the stage, following an introduction by friend, mentor and legend Bill Gaither, to record his first LIVE recording, The Song Lives On (Gaither Music Group), which is set to release on DVD and CD on October 18th.
Filmed at Nashville’s historic Loveless Café Barn, this all-new collection finds Jason, along with his stage band, putting his own twist to some of the most popular Gospel classics and church favorites of the past few decades. The rustic venue at the Loveless accentuated the rich emotion and soul of Crabb’s vocal talents as well as the intimate, down-home charm that has made this “boy next door” a 14-time GMA DOVE Award-winning, nationally acclaimed communicator.
Known for a uniquely commercial vocal style that blurs the lines between musical genres, Crabb, along with Gaither, collaborated to select songs for this recording that have now become classics—songs that Crabb grew up singing in his hometown church, tunes that remain fan favorites today and messages that Jason could bring to life with his unique flair that ranges from sheer, powerhouse force to “raw,” vulnerable interpretations.
“I wanted to record songs that have stood the test of time,” Crabb describes, “and as Bill Gaither suggested, ‘songs that have sound theology.’ Many of these songs I first heard in church while growing up in Kentucky. Some of them were sung as a congregation, and some were performed as what we called ‘specials’ at our country church.
“ Some of those “specials” include hits such as “Who Am I,” “Beulah Land,” “God on the Mountain,” “Midnight Cry,” “I Saw the Light,” “Until Then” and “Why Me” among others (complete song listing below). The evening featured special performances by The Gaither Vocal Band, including a new rendition of “Please Forgive Me,” a Crabb Family hit penned by Crabb’s father, songwriter of the year Gerald Crabb. The song, which was recently re-recorded by Crabb’s longtime friend and inspiration Michael English with the Gaither Vocal Band, included a special reprise that brought Crabb and English together on stage.
Another highlight of the evening occurred when Gaither and Oak Ridge Boy William Lee Golden stepped onto the stage spontaneously to join Crabb singing his version of the Kris Kristofferson hit “Why Me.” Other standout moments included a cameo appearance by Sonya Isaacs Yeary and Becky Isaacs Bowman, who joined Jason for the classic “Who Am I” as well as a guest appearance by The Crabb Family, who joined their brother for the family tradition “Through the Fire.” Performers and studio vocalists Reggie and Ladye Love Smith and Angela Primm sang background vocals that evening. Jason’s band includes Lorie Sikes, Blaine Johnson and Michael Rowsey.
“This was a night I had looked forward to for so long,” Crabb describes with his usual “aww, shucks” grin. “To get to sing these classic songs and have my band do what we do live is something I’ve wanted to do for a while now. To look into the front row and see the faces of people I’ve looked up to for years was intimidating…what an honor! For several of them to join me on stage, well, that’s just beyond belief for this small-town boy…what a night! I’ll treasure it forever.”
The Song Lives On will also include a new version of Crabb’s GMA DOVE Award-winning Song of the Year for 2011 “Sometimes I Cry,” which Crabb recently re-recorded at the Billy Graham Library in NC, as part of the filming for the fall releases of the two new Gaither Homecoming videos—Tent Revival Homecoming and The Old Rugged Cross.
The Song Lives On DVD and CD, produced by Gaither, will be available in stores and online on October 18th. The projects will be featured on multiple tv networks as part of a direct campaign this fall and will be strategically positioned across retail and online accounts. Both releases are distributed exclusively by EMI CMG Distribution. For a SNEAK PREVIEW of the DVD, please visit here.
In addition to his heavy touring schedule, Jason can be seen at various HOMECOMING concerts and video recordings. For further information, contact Celeste Winstead at CWinstead@springhillmusic.com or visit www.gaither.com or www.jasoncrabb.com.
Jason Crabb is known as one of the most respected and diverse vocalists in Christian music. His soulful, heartfelt vocals have made him a critics’ pick and a fan favorite on stages ranging from “The Grand Ole Opry” and the Brooklyn Tabernacle to the Gaither Homecoming arena platforms. With a string of number one hits and chart-topping singles, a tour schedule of over 200 dates annually, ongoing tv appearances, a book on the shelves and a new recording hitting this fall, this vocal powerhouse’s talent is topped only by his genuine personality and concern for others.
——————————————–
The Song Lives On, CD song listing:
1. On the Battlefield
2. Hymns Medley
3. I’d Rather Have Jesus
4. I’ll Take Jesus
5. Unclouded Day
6. Until Then
7. Jesus on the Mainline
8. Sweet Beulah Land
9. God on the Mountain
10. Through the Fire (featuring The Crabb Family)
11. Sometimes I Cry
12. When He Was on the Cross (I Was on His Mind)
13. Who Am I (featuring Jason Crabb, Sonya Isaacs Yeary and Becky Isaacs Bowman)
14. I Saw the Light
15. Why Me (featuring Jason Crabb, Bill Gaither and William Lee Golden)
16. Midnight Cry
17. Take My Hand, Precious Lord
18. I’ve Never Been This Homesick Before
The Song Lives On…Live!, DVD song listing:
1. On the Battlefield
2. Hymns Medley
3. I’d Rather Have Jesus
4. I’ll Take Jesus
5. Unclouded Day
6. Until Then
7. Jesus on the Mainline
8. Sweet Beulah Land
9. God on the Mountain
10. Through the Fire (featuring The Crabb Family)
11. Satisfied (featuring The Gaither Vocal Band)
12. Satisfied (Hallelujah I Have Found Him) (featuring The Gaither Vocal Band)
13. Please Forgive Me (featuring The Gaither Vocal Band, Jason Crabb)
14. Sometimes I Cry
15. When He Was on the Cross (I Was on His Mind)
16. Who Am I (featuring Jason Crabb, Sonya Isaacs Yeary and Becky Isaacs Bowman)
17. I Saw the Light
18. Why Me (featuring Jason Crabb, Bill Gaither and William Lee Golden)
19. Midnight Cry
20. Take My Hand, Precious Lord
21. I’ve Never Been This Homesick Before
Before the start of the Homecoming Tent Revival taping, as artists began to show up in hair and make-up, George Beverly Shea and his wife arrived and you would’ve thought Elvis had come! Artists swarmed around the legendary performer to get photos taken and to express their gratitude for his influence in their lives. At 102 years old, this sharp-thinking, quick-witted gentleman is as gracious and delightful as ever. What a treasure he is to the world, to the gospel music community, and to the tent revival legacy we had gathered to celebrate.
When Mr. Shea arrived in hair and make-up, Sonya Isaacs-Yeary had curlers in her hair and no make-up on, but that didn’t stop her from getting this photo (below) taken with him. Then she recorded a video (below) of Gene MacDonald meeting his life-long hero!
Video taken by Sonya…
When time for the taping neared and artists were assembling on-stage at the Big Tent, George Beverly Shea and Cliff Barrows arrived right on time. The audience and choir of artists spontaneously burst into applause, many standing to their feet, to greet these two incredible individuals with respect and warm affection.
Cliff and Bev have performed live to literally millions of individuals all over the world and through televised crusades throughout their long history with the Billy Graham Evangelical Association. They are loved dearly and they showed us during this taping that they’ve still got that something-special audiences have loved for generations.
After the taping, we heard from Russ Taff, another George Beverly Shea fan, who said:
During the taping, just as the stage was being set up for Dailey and Vincent, I glanced across from me and there sat George Beverly Shea in his wheelchair. He had his cell phone out and I couldn’t see what he was doing, but his thumbs were sure working that keyboard! After that glorious night was over, I went back to my hotel room and decided to check my email one last time before going to bed. To my great surprise and delight, there was a notification that said, “George Beverly Shea is now following you on Twitter!” Of course I immediately clicked on my Twitter account, and sure enough, there it was:
It totally made my night– little did I know as we were all sitting there under that big tent during that looooong video shoot, a 102 yr-old man was not only keeping up with the best of us, he was actually live-tweeting the whole event! Unbelievable.
Wes Hampton’s debut solo recording, A Man Like Me, is now available in stores, online here at Gaither.com and on iTunes! In celebration of his first Gaither Music label release, we invited you send in interview questions for Wes to answer on video. See Wes answering your questions below!
Produced by Hampton along with producer/vocalist Michael English and producer/musician/vocalist Gordon Mote, A Man Like Me showcases the depth of Hampton, who has been a member of the The Gaither Vocal Band for six years now.
A resident of Birmingham, Alabama, Hampton came to Music City to create the new recording which he describes stylistically as “songs that he enjoys listening to.”
“Bill and the GVB [Gaither Vocal Band] have always been great at mixing sounds,” Hampton describes. “And I feel like this release is somewhat along those lines–reflective of a variety of styles and of the influence the group has had on me when it comes to combining a variety of sounds.”
Those sounds include background vocals from soloist and former Gaither Vocal Band teammate Marshall Hall, as well as a duet with lauded Christian contemporary music pioneer Steve Green. When Green toured through Birmingham, he invited Hampton to sing “It Is Well” on stage with him that evening, and the duet is now re-captured on this new release.
A Man Like Me features songs from heralded writers such as Travis Cottrell, Cindy Morgan, Becky Isaacs Bowman, Sonya Isaacs Yeary and Sam Mizell, among others. Hampton covered the Cottrell hit “Jesus Saves”; and the title cut, penned by Jeff Pardo and Stephen Gause, is a special tune for him.
“I loved this song immediately,” Hampton recalls. “It kind of encapsulated what I wanted to say as a whole, which is why I made it the title of the project. It says, ‘I believe there’s hope for everyone, and Your arms still reach even for a man like me.’
IMPORTANT UPDATE…IMPORTANT UPDATE…IMPORTANT UPDATE….IMPORTANT
New Date Set For Sunday, December 4
Due to the severe flooding and power outages in Binghamton, NY, the Gaither Homecoming concert, originally scheduled for Saturday, September 10 at the Broome County Arena in Binghamton, has been postponed. The new date is set for Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 2:30 p.m. The rescheduled date will be a special Gaither Christmas Homecoming, featuring the artists originally scheduled for September 10, as well as additional performers, who will delight fans with traditional Gospel favorites, as well as Christmas classics. “Our hearts and prayers go out to every family impacted by the flooding,” said Bill Gaither. “We look forward to returning to Binghamton on December 4.”
Fans who have already purchased tickets for the September 10 date can keep those tickets, and they will be honored on the December 4 date. There is no need to exchange tickets for the new date. For those who are unable to attend the concert on the new date, refunds will be available at the point of purchase of the original ticket. For those fans who have not yet purchased tickets, tickets for the new date of December 4 will go on-sale to the public on Friday, September 16.
Additional information regarding the new Gaither Homecoming Christmas Tour stop on Sunday, December 4, at Broome County Arena in Binghamton is available online at www.premierproductions.com or www.gaither.com . Tickets may be purchased by calling 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the Broome County Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations.
Happy tweets from all of the artists at the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, KY flooded the internet this week! Here are just a few of them:
