Treating all the special guest to the best Mexican food Texas has to offer at Little "Mexico".
My family takes this place serious...
Always looking for the chance to go and get blessed.
Good morning, Guys!
Ben is bright eyed and bushy tailed...
So is Nick and Grace...
Jordan, not so much.
Regina talking him into being chipper...
Good job, Regina!
Ben's grandfather, Jim Waites, surveys the chaos of all the preparation.
Two very distinguished guests and dear friends, David Barnard and Mary Evelyn Dirks
My friend, Peppe Huss won the prize for the one who traveled farthest to get there. He's is from SWEDEN.
What a pleasure to see Allison Durham Speer again and have her with us.
Her hubby, Brian is Brock Speer's son and an incredible soundman, producer, mixer, and much more.
Hey, Brian! Make me sound tall and thin!
Last minute plans...
Rearranging a few of those last minute plans...
Remember this face when you ever think about having a homecoming concert. It's more than worth it though.
Ben's grandparents, Jim & Leona Waites. Jim was an original founder and member of The Gospel Tones Quartet back in the 70's.
It was great to have radio personality and friend of mine, Eddie Baiseri as the emcee that night.
Highly acclaimed author and speaker, Debra White Smith was my English teacher back in junior high and she was so kind to say a few words.
Time to get started!
Kicking it off with "The Old Account Was Settled Long Ago"
What an honor to present my first #1 song, "Jesus Savior, Pilot Me".
Doing a "one-man quartet" number on "Heavenly Parade".
Singing a little bass...
Then sings my soul "How Great Thou Art"!
One of my favorites.
Let's bring up The Gospel Tones!
"I'm Living In Canaan Now"
Getting after it!
Sing it softly now, boys.
Ben, do you have the starting note for this a cappella piece?
Guess we're fixin' to find out.
Ben singing his solo...
And us backing him up on "When He Talked About His Home".
It's great to be able to move the parts around. Ben's on tenor, Jordan lead, Nick baritone, and I'm bass on this one.
One of my friends and mentors, Allison Durham Speer.
Posing for Peppe's camera.
A happy, wonderful lady of God.
It was such an honor to have her there to communicate The Gospel as only she can.
Allison had just got back from doing a tour in Scotland, so she showed off her new skill at playing the penny whistle.
Brand new arrangement of "The Holy Hills"
Couldn't help but have Peppe come up and sing a song in Swedish. He did the first verse of "Because He Lives".
There are two Southern Gospel quartets in Sweden and he's in both of them!
I took the second verse...
Allison takes the last verse while we see how it's to be done.
Big note coming!
Ben and J.J. singing their hearts out.
All together now...
Big finish!
Time for intermission and give-aways. Cousin Morgan gives a hand with the drawings.
My Dad wrote a beautiful poem and wood burned it onto this cross and had it for silent auction at the concert.
It's nice to be able to visit with God's people at halftime.
The family does a fine job running the table...
Now Brian is another story.
Back for Round Two...
Nick handles the baritone like it's easy.
Nobody can sing the low part like Jordan James.
Hit that note, Miles.
Ok, I'll try.
Is there such a thing as having too much fun?
"Trade The Old Cross For A Crown" has become a GTQ standard.
Boys, try and make it look easy.
Getting ready for a big song!
Ben's geared up...
I love singing with some of my best friends.
Milk it, Ben!
Can't help but get Mom up to sing with us...
She doesn't really need us, but we back her up anyway.
"Lord, feed your children as we stand here willing..."
"to eat from the table of life..."
Nick's taking his solo seriously.
What a thrill to have a dear friend of our's, Mary Evelyn Dirks, come and share her talents!
She backed Ben up on "Make It Real"
She's a tremendous worship leader...
and employee at Louisiana College in Student Administrations.
Jordan was her makeshift micstand.
Right into "I Believe In A Hill Called Mount Calvary"...
Let's tear the roof off boys!
What a verse!
I included this picture just in case you ever thought that singing was easy.
However, this gal makes it look like child's play.
David Barnard is an awesome friend and singer. He wanted to come to the concert and I put him to work when he got there.
We formed a six-part ensemble...
and sang "I Call You Faithful".
David was one of the original members of "Common Good" and member of Louisiana College Chorale.
"I call You holy..."
"I call You awesome..."
"I call You healer..."
"I call You Jireh..."
"Savior!"
My goodness, what a time of worship!
Allison called us back up during her second part for some impromptu worship.
Mary Evelyn led us in "It Is Well With My Soul" with her at the piano.
Allison took a chance at us knowing this song...
"Jesus Saves"
"He still does. He will make of you, someone new, cleanse the sin that was..."
"The Holy Spirit whispers, no more must you be enslaved! Just believe it, Jesus saves!"
Getting ready to close out the evening...
"I'm Going Through, Jesus" is the theme of my latest project...
It is the cry of my heart.
Singing my newest radio release, "I'll See You In The Rapture"
The crowd was incredible that night!
Allison was kind enough to let us join her on one of the songs she'd recorded...
"You Better Hurry Up" was written by my Uncle Alton's uncle, J.B. Paris.
What a special way to honor his memory by singing this well known lyric.
Visit Allison's website to find out more about her at www.AllisonDurhamSpeer.com
Find out the history of GTQ at www.GospelTonesQuartet.com
Suzanne Montgomery and her Dad was kind enough to drive all the way from the Dallas area to come be with us.
Thanks to The Montgomery's for sending me these photos to include in the gallery.
Meet Debra Smith at www.DebraWhiteSmith.com and check out Peppe's quartet in Sweden at www.OneWayBrothers.se
I first met Eddie during the time I was a DJ on KBJS 90.3FM in Jacksonville, Texas for seven years. Check it out at www.KBJS.org
Some of my favorite folks...
Time for everyone to get some nourishment.
Of course there's some talking going on too...
Ok, so it's a LOT of talking...
Everyone say, "Cheese"!
