September 2, 2004

Terry Tufft, Drummer and Assistant Manager of The Spiritual Wonders of Summerville, has provided the name of many of the groups from the low country.  Those names have been added to the History page.  We welcome The Spiritual Wonders to SC Gospel Quartets.

*******

September 20, 2004

600 POUNDS OF FOOD

You may be wondering what the title to this article has to do with gospel quartet news.  Well just keep reading.

Brian Mayes (of Brian Mayes and Heavenbound) is truly a servant of God and of the people.  He puts into action what is expected of us as Christians – feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick, and love our fellowman. 

During the 2003 Christmas holiday season, Brain sponsored a free concert to help those less fortunate in and around Camden, South Carolina.  Although the concert was free, there was a cost of admission – a toy.  Because of this concert, many were featured to the best in Gospel Quartet music, and they were able to help approximately a thousand children have a joyous Christmas. 

Well, this time Brian decided to feed the hungry.  So, on Sunday, September 20, 2004, at the Phelps Auditorium in Camden, he, along with his production company - M & L Promotions, held a concert to benefit the Harvest Food Bank.  The cost of admission was only eight ($8.00) dollars and as many can goods or other non-perishable food items that you desired to donate.  Even if you want to just pay the eight ($8.00) you could not get into the concert.  You must have brought along can goods or other non-perishable food.   And, yes, over 600 pounds of food was donated to the Harvest Food Bank.       

Along with the opportunity to help others, the audience was treated to a gospel quartet concert.  And what a concert it was.

After a spirited devotion, the first group to perform was The Ballard Sisters.  They got the program off to a great start.  This group’s keyboard player is Eddie Cabbagestalk, Jr.  We have, on numerous occasions, trumpeted the talents of this nine years old young man.  Just take a lot at pervious news articles.

The National Juniors was next.  They displayed a lot of excitement.  They sang their signature three songs.  They were followed by Rev. Matthew Mickens and The New Highway Travelers.  This group has got to be one of the best-kept secrets in gospel quartet music.  They were great.  This group deserves to be on a major label.  The musicians for The New Highway Travelers are often called upon to assist other groups.  They possess remarkable musical talents.  If the concert had ended after The New Highway Travelers, we do not think the crowd would have been disappointed.

Next were the Singing Angels of Charlotte, North Carolina.  The Angels sang with much passion.  They have the voices to do whatever they want to do with a song.  This is a very impressive group.

Women of Strength was next to minister.  You may recall our previous articles on this group.  Well, this night they were at their best.  They sang many of the songs from their debut CD.  The CD has been featured on the South Carolina Gospel Quartets’ web site.  By visiting the Music page you can hear one of the songs from their CD.

The host group, Brain Mayes and Heavenbound, then went through the Phelps Auditorium like a whirlwind.  Brain and the guys actually minister.  Yes, they sing, but their singing often turns into sermonettes or very charged-up testimonies that really blesses those in attendance.  Brain often will do an alter call.  When he does the alter call, it is not just another alter call.  It is the type of alter call you would expect on Sunday morning.  This group is on fire.  If you are looking for a great national group to close your program, this is the group.  However, on this night, they did not close the program.  So after the alter call, The New Gospel Keynotes rocked the house. 

In fact, the Keynotes just continued what Brian and the guys started.  Teddy Cross is an awesome singer.  He and the Tally brothers are truly keeping the legend’s (Willie Neal Johnson) dream alive.  They only did three songs, but what a three-song serve.  They left the audience wanting more, and more, and more.  However, the program must go on, and it did.

The world famous Pilgrim Jubilee closed the program.  Having seen the Jubes many times, we thought we knew what to expect.  We were pleasantly surprise.  The Jubes sang, and sang, and sang, and sang.  Clay, Cleve, Major, and Fred did not want to leave the stage.  They were the Jubes of old.  Having participated in concerts two consecutive nights before this program, the Jubes indicated, before taking the stage, that they were tired.  Well, if they were tired, they should be tired at each of their performances.  Because they definitely did not show any signs of being tired once they were on stage.  In fact, it seemed that they received a burst of energy and was charged to the maximum as they sang.  Thank you Jubes for doing what you do best – sing!

The emcees for the program were Blanche Goodson and Virginia Harris.  They started the program on time and kept it flowing.  There was no lengthy downtime.  The groups, at least those in South Carolina, are finally learning how to not waste time setting up their instrument.

Congratulation to Brain Mayes, Heavenbound and M & L Productions for a great concert and for supporting a worthy cause – The Harvest Food Bank.

*******

September 27, 2004

GOSPEL REDEEMERS’ 10^th ANNIVERSARY

Ten years ago Rufus Wilkerson Welch, Jr., who was known as Bumpsie, started a gospel quartet group that would take quartet music in South Carolina to another level.  Bumpsie died on Friday, May 9, 2003.  However, the group he started continues to minister in song.

The group was initially known as Bumpsie and The Gospel Redeemers.  The group is now known simply as The Gospel Redeemers.  On Sunday, September 26, 2004, The Gospel Redeemers celebrated their 10^th anniversary.  The program was held at Jehovah Baptist Church, Columbia.  What a wonderful program it was and what a way to celebrate what Bumpsie started. 

The Mistress of Ceremonies was Loretta Coleman of L. C. Ministries.  Ms. Coleman made sure that the groups had time to minister, and yet stay within the allotted time.  The program began with a brief devotional service. 

Thereafter the first group, The Masonic Travelers, took the stage.  Listening to this group, you would have thought Slim & The Supreme Angels and The Canton Spirituals were on the stage.  This group has great vocalists.  They have a very good band.  The only ingredient missing is original material.  This group is definitely one to keep your eyes on.

The Rising Stars of Eastover next showed why they are also a group to watch.  They only sang three (3) songs, but what vocals and energy they brought to each song.  And, these brothers can dress. 

Next, the Harmonettes (Big Mack and the Harmonettes) sang their signature songs.  This group gets better with each performance. 

Pelham Myers and The Five Singing Stars was the next group to perform.  Without a doubt, it is easy to see from their performance, that they have been together for a long time.  They really are professional in every aspect of their music ministry.  Even when the microphones were not working, the group did not skip a beat.  Their songs carry a real message for the saints. 

The anniversary group was next.  The Gospel Redeemers is one of the few groups in the country that have recorded a song that describes the group.  The Dixie Hummingbirds have “Who Are We?”  The Gospel Drifters sings of “Drifting Along.”  The Gospel Redeemers tells the story of “We The Redeemers.”  The current members of the group are Bryant Sumter, Christopher Shiver, Lewis Lowman, and Sam Green. 

The Gospel Redeemers really ministered.  They sang verses from at least eleven (11) songs.  Their performance was unique and yet very appropriate.  One of the songs they did was their rendition of Slim & The Supreme Angels’ “Tribute.”  In their rendition, they asked the question “has anybody here seen my old friend Bumpsie?”  What a powerful tribute it was to Bumpsie.  And of course, they closed with their signature song that asks the question “Will You Be Ready?”

Brain Mayes and Heavenbound, then opened their ministering with “I Feel Like Going On.”  On this night Brian also had a sermonette for the audience.  The energy they brought to the stage had everyone in the place standing.  If you attended the concert in Camden on September 19, 2004, you actually felt, on this night, that Brian and the guys must have been on a spiritual high all week, and just continued what they began in Camden.  Brain and the guys ministered like only they can.     

Lil Willie and The Gospel Keynotes closed the program.  In order to appreciate the ministry of this group, you have to consider its origin.  Larry McGowain, one of the longest living members of The Gospel Keynotes is at the helm of this group.  Larry, as many of you know, played bass for the original Gospel Keynotes.  Once the late Willie Neal Johnson decided to form The New Gospel Keynotes, the Gospel Keynotes continued to minister with a new lead singer.  The new lead singer is called Lil (Little) Willie.  Larry remained with the Gospel Keynotes, although he would perform form time to time with The New Gospel Keynotes. 

 Lil Willie not only looks like the late Willie Neal Johnson, but he acts and sounds like him.  He has all of the late Willie Neal Johnson’s characteristics, demeanor and distinctiveness.  If you closed your eyes while he is singing, you would believe that the late Willie Neal Johnson has been reincarnated.  Words do not do justice in trying to describe just how much Lil Willie, who is from South Carolina, is the embodiment of the late Willie Neal Johnson.    

Not only does Lil Willie embody the late Willie Neal Johnson, but Larry has canvassed the United States and found guys to replace all of the voices and musicians of the original Gospel Keynotes.  This group is so good until you really believe that you are listening to the Gospel Keynotes of old. 

On this night, they sang for over an hour.  They sang many of the old songs of the original Gospel Keynotes and songs from their debut CD.  Several members of the audience were noticed whipping tears from their eyes on many of the songs.  You will undoubtedly hear a great deal about this group.

Several hundred persons attended the concert and witnessed the unbelievable ministry of Lil Willie and The Gospel Keynotes.  Those attending the concert included Frank Minister Thompson, formerly of the Violinaires, Minister Curtis Young, formerly of The Five Singing Sons of North, members of Rev. Matthew Mickens and The New Highway Travelers, Rev. Jessie Gilmore, Ronald Goodson of The National Juniors, and Ms. Marlese Hendrix.

The program closed with prayer.  The Mistress of Ceremonies is to be commended for keeping the program on track.  This program had all of the positive characteristics of an L. C. Ministries’ concert.  Congratulation to all that made this 10^th anniversary celebration of the Gospel Redeemers a success.