Mark Bishop
Singing News Article
September 2007
The Southern Gospel Music family will
be having a very big reunion later on this month in Louisville,
KY. Many people know it by another name, but for the many people
who work in this field, who love this music and who live this
music, it is a family reunion.
The National Quartet Convention takes place in the middle of
September this year. Friends and neighbors will gather from far
and wide. Artists who perform their songs hundreds of times a year
will bring their best performances to Louisville to share with the
many, many fans who have had their tickets reserved since last
year. There will be beautiful harmony and snappy new clothes. If
you come, you'll hear more great music than you'll be able to
remember later on. There are Gospel Music legends there. There is
a killer lemonade.
But here is the best part. Somewhere there, at any given time,
it's going to happen. It could be up on the big stage each night
but it could also be on a smaller stage somewhere. It might happen
with someone you never heard of before, in a little hotel banquet
room. There may only be a handful of people there to witness it.
To enjoy it. But it's going to happen.
Somewhere in all the noise and hullabaloo of this large event,
that sweet, sweet Spirit is going to visit someone, and they are
going to receive a blessing that will reach to their very core. It
happens every year. It happens to so many. It happens to me.
That's the wonderful thing about this music and this big "family
reunion". The NQC board members can't advertise that the Holy
Spirit will be there at 7:00 on any given night. There is no
talent agency to call to arrange for an appearance. But what they
can do is this. They can mix all the ingredients and let them
cook. With that many people who love the Lord and who seek his
presence through the wonderful music and preaching, it is only a
matter of where and when.
I have to give a big pat on the back to my friend Phil Cross for
creating a beautiful atmosphere for the Holy Spirit to visit.
Perhaps my favorite event at the whole convention is the
Songwriters Showcase that takes place on Saturday afternoon. Year
after year, I have left that place feeling that I have just
glimpsed heaven's joys. It is truly a wonderful experience and if
you have the ability to attend, you will not be unaffected.
I love to hear how the Lord blesses these writers with such
inspiration. Then to hear the songs performed by, sometimes a
popular artist, sometimes the writer themselves. If you've
attended in the past, you know the exhilaration I'm trying to
describe. It's one of those places where you are nearly guaranteed
to receive a blessing.
I hope that many of you can make it this year. The NQC is a big
event with a lot of great people, some of whom just like the music
and the clothes and the spectacle of it all. But there are many
opportunities to receive something very special for your heart and
soul at the National Quartet Convention. Or as I like to think of
it, the big 'ol Southern Gospel Music Family Reunion. Bring on
that lemonade!
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