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  Retailer, radio announcer and artist manager are only some of what she does. Quartet enthusiast Ms. Wilie McClendon writes this regularly-appearing quartet column for Gospelflava.com. December 19, 2003 WOW!!! 2003, what a year for quartets! As we fast approach the end of 2003, I must reflect on some major occurrences during the year. Quartets have produced some major projects and some of them have been tapped for major awards. I'm sure when Luther Barnes penned the songs on It's Your Time, he never thought that the project would garner him a Grammy nomination. What an albu, what a song —this just confirms that if you are faithful and do what you do well, God will honor your work. Not only did Barnes produce a major project, so did The Sensational Nightingales. And of course, The Blind Boys of Alabama continue to rack in the nominations. Lee Williams is still taking the quartet industry by storm and he continues to garner all kinds of nominations. Congratulations to all of the nominees for both Stellar and Grammy nominations. Truly, 2003 will go down in the record books as a year that quartets were recognized and honored for their contribution to the Gospel music industry. On December 4, 2003 in Atlanta, GA many gathered at the Earthlink "Live" Theatre for the filming of what is destined to be the greatest documentary ever produced for television and motion picture honoring some of the nation’s leading quartets. This was a spectacular event, and was by invitation only. Yes, you had to R.S.V.P for this event. Featured were Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC's, Harvey Watkins, Jr., The Canton Spirituals, Slim and The Supreme Angels, The Williams Brothers with special guest appearances by The Christianaires and Hipboot Joe. When this is ready for viewing you will certainly want to be in the house, as Earthlink did rock. I spoke with Doc McKenzie who is gearing up for a promotional tour to promote his new release with the Hi-Lites, Stand On The Rock, Live. Doc is very excited about his new CD and he has every right to be, because the CD is smokin'. Look out for him, he could be headed your way sometime in February. I also talked with Dr. George Stewart who is making plans for the 12th Annual American Gospel Quartet Convention, to be held in Birmingham, Alabama from January 20-24 2004 at East Birmingham Church of God In Christ. Gospel quartet supporters from throughout the country and the world will share in five exciting days of seminars, networking, showcases, concerts, luncheons, and powerful ministering. Over 200 international, national, regional and local groups are expected to share the stage. The next year, 2004, will bring us lots of new releases, include Blackberry's True Believers, Texas Boyz and Melvin Williams, Churchhowse Music’s Gospel Wonders, World Wide Gospel’s Bo Beep, Damon Little and Nu Beginning and Darrell McFadden, Savoy Record’s The Redeemers and Keith "Wonderboy" Johnson on his new label home with Verity Records. Also, look for a new release from The Christiannaires and Rev. Roger Bryant of The Jackson Southernaires. Don't forget to give the gift of music this holiday season. Please buy it, don't burn it! Happy Holidays and remember that 'Jesus Is The Reason For The Season'. Gospelflava.com recognizes the importance and impact that this genre of music is making in our lives and are happy to announce the launching of this column dedicated to quartets. It's Shouts and Drives. If you wish to contact us about a new quartet project, email us here. Previous Shouts and Drives Columns: June 2003, August 2003, September 2003, October 2003
December 19, 2003 |
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