February 8, 2004

Tribute to Tommy Ellison

It is often said that a man is without honor among his own people.  Last evening Tommy Ellison received the honor he deserves from his home state.  A tribute concert to Tommy and the Singing Stars was held at Lower Richland High School, Hopkins, South Carolina.

The Tribute Concert was sponsored by L. C. Ministries.  The program began with a heartfelt prayer by Evangelist Maggie Hoefer.  Evangelist Hoefer really set the stage for what was to be a great evening.

The first group to perform was Deacon Joe Davis and The Choice Gospel Singers.  T. D. Brown and The Mighty Glory-Aires took the stage after The Choice Gospel Singers.  Next to perform was Revelation.  This was the first performance by Revelation since their lead singer, Roy Ladson, became ill at the Highway QC's concert on January 11, 2004. Roy certainly made it clear that he was back and doing well.  His voice was strong and his singing was superb.

The Singing Angels of Sumter was the only female group on the program. Along with a very good opening song, they sang their signature song, I NEED THE LORD. This group is on the Pinkney Records label. The label is owned by the only remaining living member of The Drifters, Mr. Bill Pinkney. Under the tutelage of Mr. Pinkney, this group has taken their ministry to another level. All promoters owe it to their supporters to bring this group to your city.

Norris Brown and Holy Vision was the next group to perform.  They did not disappoint the crowd.  It was obvious that the group had been together for quite sometime.  They smoothly moved from song to song. We really enjoyed them. 

At this point in the program, L. C. Ministries made a presentation to the Honoree, Tommy Ellison.  In addition to Tommy, presentations were made to T. D. Brown, Deacon Joe Davis, Johnnie Mae Rich, and Big Mack of Big Mack and the Harmonettes.  Tommy was also presented with a souvenir booklet that included congratulations from his fans across South Carolina, Louisiana, Georgia, and Maryland.

After the presentations, Brian Mayes and Heaven Bound brought the crowd to their feet.  Brian really allowed the Holy Spirit to use him for the twenty minutes he was on stage.  Brain has a new CD that is doing very well.  He sang, from the new CD, I FEEL LIKE GOING ON.  If you have not heard Brian's rendition of this song, you are truly missing a great song of praise to our Lord and Savior.  The CD will be available for purchase from www.soteriadistribution.com after June 1, 2004.

After Heaven Bound, Damon Little and Nu Beginning performed.  Yes, even with the passing of his mother on Friday, February 6, 2004, Damon came to Columbia and really blessed the crowd.  He sang many of his songs, including YOU CAN'T STRADDLE THE FENCE. He paid homage to his mother and gave a very soul inspiring testimony about her.  He told the crowd that he knows that "to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord."  So, he was at peace with his mother's death. We do encourage you to pray for Damon and his family as they go through this time of bereavement.

After Nu Beginning, The Gospel Redeemers performed two songs including their signature song, WILL YOU BE READY. The Redeemers were scheduled to perform earlier in the program, but were delayed due to having taken part in an earlier program in Leesville, South Carolina.

And then it was time for The Superstar.  Tommy and the guys, in their signature burgundy suits, really took you on a trip down memory lane. They started their performance with SHINING STAR. They went back to 25 years ago and did I'M NOT THE SAME PERSON I USE TO BE. They also did GRANDMA'S HOUSE, STANDING AT THE CROSSROAD, A LESSON TO YOU, ANYHOW, LET THE HOLY GHOST COME ON DOWN, CALL ON JESUS, and of course SAILING.

The emcee for the evening was Ms. Loretta Coleman.  However, Ms. Blanche V. S. Goodson brought The Redeemers and Tommy Ellison and The Singing Stars to the stage.

This was a good program.  The crowd included persons from Florida, Maryland, North Carolina, Georgia, and of course South Carolina.  We congratulate L. C. Ministries on another successful concert and for honoring The Superstar in his home state.

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February 16, 2004

Bennettsville, South Carolina

On Friday, February 13, 2004, The Canton Spirituals and Slim & The Supreme Angels were in Bennettsville.  According to Mr. Desmond Garner, the program was very good.  He reports that Harvey Watkins & The Canton Spirituals were not only especially good, but performed with two guests (Paul Porter and Bobby Wilson).

Paul needs no introduction.  As lead singer for The Christianaires, Paul has really made a name for himself in the gospel music industry.  He is a great songwriter, producer and singer.  Bobby Wilson is one of the lead singers with Holy Vision of Florence, South Carolina.  We understand that when Paul and Bobby joined The Canton Spirituals on stage, they took the program to another level.

Other groups on the program were Bobby Clark & the Knights of Harmony, Totally Committed, and Anointed Voices of Dillon, South Carolina.

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Orangeburg, South Carolina

Also on Friday, February 13, 2004, Doc McKenzie and The Hi-Lites, Lee Williams and The Spiritual QC's and The Williams Brothers were in Orangeburg, South Carolina.  We understand that Claflin University's gymnasium was full.  All of the groups had plenty of time to sing.  In fact, we were informed that Doc sang no less than eight (8) songs. 

The anointing was certainly in the house. The spirit was so high, that after the Brothers left the stage the praises and worship continued for so long, that the Brothers came back to the stage and ministered even more.  The night truly belonged to Doc McKenzie and the Hi-Lites and The Williams Brothers.  Also on program were The Jackson Southernaires, The Gospel Allstars, Rock Hill A.M.E. Church I. Pringle Choir of Vance, South Carolina and God's Favor.

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Columbia, South Carolina

The God is Love Tour was scheduled to stop in Columbia on Sunday, February 15, 2004.  Yolanda Adams, Fred Hammonds and The Canton Spirituals were scheduled to perform.  The program was postponed.  At this time, no date has been set for the rescheduling of the Tour.

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Johnston, South Carolina

On Sunday, February 15, 2004, Lee Williams and The Spiritual QC's and The William Brothers were in Johnston, South Carolina.  We understand that the venue was too small for the crowd.  Although Johnston is only about 75 miles from Orangeburg, the Friday night program did not deter the people in and around Johnston from attending the Sunday program.

We understand that persons were in the audience from Aiken, Columbia, and Augusta, Georgia.  The promoters definitely chose a venue that was not large enough for a concert that featured The Spiritual QC's and The Williams Brothers.  There were as many persons turned away as there were in the building.  As a result of the unfortunate size of the venue, there was standing room only.

In spite of it all, the anointing was definitely present.  Lee and the Brothers did not short change the crowd.  In addition to the headliners there were also several local groups on the program.  The program started almost on time, and it did not last long.  It was a good program.

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February 27, 2004

South Carolina has been hit with numerous winter storms this year.  As a result of the storms, several gospel quartet programs have been canceled or postponed.  However, although it snowed and rained (and was very cold) in South Carolina on Friday, February 27, 2004, it did not stop the Anniversary Celebration of Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson and The Spiritual Voices.

The anniversary program was held at Voorhees College, Denmark, South Carolina.  On program, besides Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson and The Spiritual Voices, were The Pilgrim Jubilees, Darrell McFadden & The Fantastic Disciples, The Gospel Four, Evelyn Turrentine-Agee and the Warriors, The Gospel Legends of Columbia, and Vernon Johnson and The New Gospel Wonders of Smoaks, South Carolina.

Primarily because of the weather, the crowd was small.  However, the size of the crowd did not put a damper on the celebration.  Afterall, Matthew 18:20 tells us that “For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them."  There was no doubt that the Lord was in the midst.

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February 28, 2004

Hopkins, South Carolina

Doc McKenzie and The Hi-Lites appeared at Ladson's Chapel Baptist Church Life Center in Hopkins, South Carolina.  Doc and The Hi-Lites really ministered to the crowd.  Hopkins and the surrounding area always are supportive of Doc and his ministry.  Friday night was no different.  They had church.

Along with Doc, Revelation, and Rev. Mathew Mickens and The New Highway Travelers were also on the program. 

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Winnsboro, South Carolina

Marlese Hendrix brought two world renowned gospel quartet groups to Winnsboro, The Soul Stirrers and The Swanee Quintet.  It was a great program.  Although Willie Rogers was not with the Soul Stirrers, he was replaced by one of the greatest voices today in gospel music, Reggie Funderburk of The Gospel Drifters.  No, Willie Rogers has not left the Soul Stirrers, he was apparently absent due to the weather. 

Reggie is an awesome singer.  As such, the Soul Stirrers sounded just like you would expect.  They were great.  If you do not have The Gospel Drifters latest recording which features Reggie, you are really missing a great project.

The Swanees were in rare form.  Big Red seemed, almost, like the Big Red of days gone by.  He was able to take the stage without a wheelchair or walking cane.  Percy and Big Red showed a glimmer of The Swanee Quintet that once mesmerized crowds all over this country.

There were also several local groups on the program.  The program was the anniversary celebration of Marlese Hendrix & The Gospel Singers.  We congratulate Ms. Hendrix on another great anniversary program.