The 2005 Banquet was held on Saturday, May 7, 2005 at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Family
Life Center, 1443 Poplar Street, Caycee, SC. The Keynote Speaker was District Elder Barry S. Mitchell[1], of Northeast
Bibleway Temple. Elder Mitchell had a powerful and challenging Word for the attendees. His message will be posted to www.blanchegoodson.com and this website very soon.
Before detailing the Banquet, it is necessary to visit the concert that was held on Friday, May 6, 2005, which was also held at Mt. Zion Missionary Baptist Church Family Life Center. Although all of the groups scheduled to perform did not make an
appearance, the concert was outstanding.
Blanche Goodson called the chorale of 5 ladies including Ms. Carolyn Roberts to lead the devotion. It was a spirited devotion filled with old hymns and much prayer. The Master of Ceremony for the evening was Minister Wayne Dandridge of Cleveland,
Ohio. The first group to minister was The Ballard Sisters. They were awesome. With Junior on keyboard they really set the pace for what was to be a great night of singing of praise and worship.
Next the group that was sent to the American Gospel Quartet Convention in January 2005 performed. The group, Women of Strength showed why they
have become a favorite in such a short period of time. They sang songs from their new project as well as songs from their first release.
Big Mack and The Harmonettes were next to minister. This group continues to hone their style and skills. On this night, they were at their best.
The special guest of the night, Bill Pinkney and the Gospel Drifters then “brought down the house.” They were on stage for about 30 minutes, and it seemed very brief. For they really, really sang and
ministered to the crowd. If you have their last project – What A Wonderful Change, then you have heard many of the songs that they sang at the concert. In addition, Minister Perry Taft (formerly of The Gospel Keynotes) who has been with The Gospel Drifters for the past three (3) years led several new songs, including “Babylon” and “Born Again.”
The Jones Brothers of Lancaster was the next group to minister. This was the first time that this group performed at this annual event. And they let it be known that they desire to be a permanent part of the event. They were just superb. If you
have never seen these brothers sing, you owe it to yourself to find your way to their next concert. You will not be disappointed.
Henry Hardy and The Chosen Singers closed the program. Mr. Hardy was once a member of the group The True Tones of Baltimore, Maryland. His current is just as good as The True Tones were.
One of the reasons for the Friday Night concert was to allow the attendees to vote on their favorite group and gospel personalities in various categories. The winners were announced at the Banquet on Saturday.
Now to the Banquet. It was definitely a good banquet. Minister Wayne Dandridge was the Master of Ceremony. After a very inspiring prayer and blessing of the food,
The Gospel Incredibles ministered in song. This group, which is located in Atlanta,
has many South Carolinians among its members. They did many of the crowd favorites and really ministered to the crowd.
Thereafter, several of the awards were presented, including presentation of the O. E. Martin Award. This year the award was presented to Mr. Eugene Daughty. Mr. Daughty has a long history of being involved in gospel music. He certainly was well
deserving of the award. Also, this year, a new award, The Toby Driver Award was presented to Jacobe Gunter. This award, named in honor of the
Late Toby Driver, is intend to recognize someone who has overcome medical adversity and is well rooted in serving the Lord. The first recipient has overcome premature birth, sickness during his early
years and now he plays drum for the group The Silver Trumpet. He has met every health challenge that has been thrust upon him with a determination of let God handle it and to be all that he can be. He is truly an inspiration to young and old that knows him. He is the son of Loris Gunter.
While feasting on delicious food, the attendees were entertained the Christian Comedian – The Lady In Red. She keep the attendees laughing with good nature humor. Thereafter, Deacon Billy Pharr introduced the Keynote Speaker. As stated above Elder
Mitchell was the Keynote Speaker. He has been the keynote speaker for the past three (3) years. And like last year, his message was timely, needed, and spirited. What a Word he delivered to the crowd. Each group and gospel personality present now knows, if they did not before, that it is not about their talent, not about their personality, and
certainly not about them. It is in fact ALL ABOUT THE PRAISE. Elder Mitchell, using Psalms 150 and 34, reminded all in attendance that whatever their mission or ministry is, and no matter how well they think they can sing, never forget that IT IS ALL ABOUT THE PRAISE.
After the Keynote message, the remaining awards were presented. Special recognition was made to the WLGO's Mother Of The Year, Mrs. Carolyn Roberts, and the runner up, Mrs. Sally B. Johnson. Special recognition was also given to Women of Strength for
participating in the 2005 American Gospel Quartet Convention. Also, copies of the live recording that was done almost two (2) years ago were presented to the eight (8) groups that participated in the live recording - Antioch, The Brewsteraires, The Six Voices of Zion, The National Juniors, Reverend Matthew Mickens & The New Highway Travelers,
The Gospel All-Stars, The Singing Angels of Sumter, and The Zionaires.
The Lighthouse Singers of Huntsville, Alabama closed the Banquet. Thereafter, Minister Wayne Dandridge delivered the benediction.
Many of the local groups were absent from this years activities. Even some that agreed to be on program did not appear. Representative from The Six Voices of Zion were present for the Banquet. They did not perform because there bass player was
recuperating from a recent hospitalization.
However, there were many supporting the weekend’s events. Those supporting this weekend’s events came from around the country, such as Ann Jackson of Brunswick, Georgia, Clarence Conner of The Gospel Incredibles of Atlanta, Georgia, Carolyn Roberts
from New York, and Minister and Mrs. Wayne Dandridge from Ohio. Alecia Garrick, Minister Teddy Cross and his wife, Terry Tufft and his wife, and his brother Sam Tufft with his wife were also present. The Tufft brothers were members of the group The Spiritual Wonders from Summerville were also present. The group Spiritual Wonders was to perform at the Friday Night concert. Unfortunately, the
group suffered a breakup two (2) weeks before the concert. Plans are being made, however, to have their new group, The New Soul Revivers of North Charleston on next year’s concert.
Before getting to the awards it should be noted that this was WLGO’s last year sponsoring the weekend’s event. Unfortunately, the station has been sold and has a new staff. It is no longer a gospel station focusing on quartet gospel music. In fact
it is now a Hispanic oriented station. The lost of WLGO is certain to be felt by the gospel quartet community in South Carolina. It was one of the very few, if not the only gospel station in South Carolina, that regularly played gospel quartet music, and more particularly music by the local gospel quartet groups.
In spite of the lost of WLGO, the Annual South Carolina Gospel Quartets Award Banquet shall continue. In fact Ms. Goodson has set up an office in Columbia, South Carolina that will continue to advance gospel quartet music in South Carolina.
And now the winners in the various categories –
Male Group Of The Year – Rev. Matthew Mickens and The New Highway Travelers.
Female Group Of The Year – Women of Strength.
Song Of The Year – “Give It Up” by Women of Strength
Female Song Writer/Arranger Of The Year – Women of Strength for the song “Give It Up.”
Male Song Writer/Arranger Of The Year – Ronald Goodson for the song “You Ought Not Mind.”
CD Of The Year – “Ministry” by Women of Strength.
Best Dress Male Group Of The Year - Rev. Matthew Mickens and The New Highway Travelers.
Best Dress Female Group Of The Year – Women of Strength.
Most Diligent Group Of The Year – (TIE) The Anointed Angels and The Singing Cavaliers of Eastover.
Male Promoter of the Year – Nathaniel Fulton.
Female Promoter of the Year – Loretta Coleman.
National Recording Artist of the Year – (TIE) Doc McKenzie and The Hi-Lites AND Bill Pinkney and The Gospel Drifters.
Radio Angel Of The Year – Toby Goodson of WLGO.
People Helping People – The National Juniors.
Best Performing Male Quartet - (TIE) The Gospel Legends AND Rev. Matthew Mickens and The New Highway Travelers.
Best Performing Female Quartet – The Anointed Angels.
New CD Of The Year – Rev. Matthew Mickens and The New Highway Travelers - “Shake The Devil Off.”
Most Likely To Become A National Group – The Gospel Legends
Best Production Organization – L. C. Ministries.
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