February 7, 2005

L. C. Ministries’ Black History Celebration

Each year L. C. Ministries sponsors a Black History Program.  Last year the honoree was Tommy Ellison of Tommy Ellison and the Five Singing Stars.  This year the honorees were two gospel quartet groups that have been ministering in song collectively for over ninety-four (94) years.  The honorees were The National Juniors of Columbia and The Gospel All-Stars of Orangeburg.

The program was held on Sunday, February 6, 2005, at Jehovah Baptist Church Family Life Center, 1540 Frye Road, Columbia.  The program began on time (6:00 PM) with devotion.  Thereafter, Big Mack and the Harmonettes ministered in song.  They were at their best on this night.

After the Harmonettes, Loretta Coleman, CEO and founder of L. C. Ministries, presented Nathaniel Spells of Construction Dynamics, Inc. a plaque recognizing his support of gospel quartet music.  Ms. Colman indicated that Construction Dynamics often is a sponsor of gospel quartet concerts presented by L. C. Ministries.

Next, Nate and The Chosen Ones ministered to the 200+ persons in attendance.  After which, Ms. Coleman presented Attorney Joseph L. Smalls, Jr. a plaque recognizing his support of gospel quartet music and in appreciation for the informative gospel quartet websites www.glorylandgospel.com and www.scgospelquartet.com. 

 The Gospel Pearls of Hemingway, South Carolina then ministered.  This group has performed with some of gospel quartet leading artists.  Their performance reflected years of perfecting their talents.

Next the Rising Stars of Eastover ministered.  They only sang three songs.  However, each had a strong message of waiting on the Lord.  They were at their best on this night.

Ms. Coleman then presented L. C. Ministries’ Humanitarian of the Year award Blanche V. S. Goodson.  Ms. Goodson is well deserving of this recognition.  She is the general manager of WLGO, 1170, radio station in Lexington, South Carolina.  Her station plays more gospel quartet music than any station in the Columbia area.  Ms. Goodson is also the founder and CEO of the South Carolina Gospel Quartet Awards Banquet.  She is very active in her church, the community and in the education system in Lower Richland.  She is probably one of the busiest radio angels on the east coast.  Each year she is called upon to emcee over 200 programs.  In addition, she serves as the Chairperson of the Announcers Division of The American Gospel Quartet Convention.

The National Juniors, who have been singing for over 57 years, were the first group being honored to minister.  Before they took the stage, they were presented with resolutions from the South Carolina House of Representative recognizing their contribution to gospel music.  They sang their usual set of songs. 

The next group being honored, The Gospel All-Stars, who have been singing for over 37 years, then ministered.  Like The National Juniors they were presented with resolutions from the South Carolina House of Representative recognizing their contribution to gospel music.  They sang songs from their prior CD’s and from their upcoming project.  They left the crowd wanting more.

The Lighthouse Singers of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was one of the guest groups to minister.  These guys are good.  They sang and sang and sang.  With their youthful energy, they left no doubt that they know how to worship our Lord and Savior. 

The Swanee Quintet closed the program.  It is no secret that Big Red of the Swanees is very ill.  Percy therefore had to carry the mantle.  The Swanees’ band step up and really provided excellent background singing.  The Swanees may be a little thin when it comes to singers that are out-front during their performance.  However, don’t take them lightly.  Percy is determined to keep the Swanees’ sound alive.  If Sunday is indication of what the future holds, the Swanees will be back in a big way.  We suspect that Percy will be looking diligently for new personnel.  He will not be able to replace Little Johnny, Big Red and all of the other former members of the group.  However, he can, and assuredly will, keep the Swanees during what they have done for over 60 years, just with new personnel.

This was an excellent Black History celebration.  Honoring groups that have been singing for so many years was appreciated by all in attendance.  In addition, it was great to have a relatively new group (The Lighthouse Singers) and a legendary group (The Swanee Quintet) in the house at the same time.  That is history making.  Others attending this celebration included Evangelist Maggie Hoefer, Mr. James Gamble, Pastor Curtis Young, and Ms. Marlease Hendrix.  Antioch of Monroe, North Carolina, was scheduled to perform.  However, they were not available during the concert. 

This great Black History program ended with the benediction.