Bill Gaither is a fan of the spontaneous. That’s what spawned dozens of Homecoming videos and a highly successful tour of gospel musicians.
It is exemplified nearly every time they step on stage. The Alexandria native doesn’t hesitate to change carefully-rehearsed routines midstream if he feels the spirit leading. Sometimes it backfires, though.
At GaitherFest Oct. 2-3 in Myrtle Beach, S.C., an event that marks one of the annual highlights of the Homecoming tour, the musicians presented their numbers in the usual fashion. Crowd reaction, though, was more than business as usual. Standing ovations prevailed as the Carolina crowd — half of which was from outside the Carolinas —– understood what was happening and reacted accordingly.
Starting with Kim Collingsworth’s piano rendition of “How Great Thou Art.” Kim, who pours her being into her piano presentations, was greeted with a standing O.
Then came 12-year-old Logan Smith, who has mastered every note and inflection of the late Vestal Goodman. Smith appeared in Anderson a week earlier along with Jeff and Sheri Easter and ventriloquist David Pendleton. After Logan brought down the house, Gaither effectively threw him a curve by steering him onto another Goodman song. This one Logan had not mastered the ending, and he had to work his way out of it a bit awkwardly. The next night Logan captured another standing ovation with Vestal’s version of “What a Lovely Name.”
Pendleton also fell victim to the spontaneity, but only briefly. He has a routine in which he uses live “dummies,” in this case Gaither, guitarist-humorist Kevin Williams and the Gaither Vocal Band’s irrepressible Mark Lowry. Everything was going fine until Lowry furtively switched places with Gaither, momentarily bringing things to a hilarious halt.
Most of the artists’ signature numbers resonated with the crowd: Ernie Haase and Signature Sound with “Then Came the Morning” and “Get Away Jordan.” The Vocal Band showcasing its three tenors in “It Is Finished” and adding “Let Freedom Ring.” Ivan Parker with “Thank You.” Lynda Randle with “God On the Mountain.” The Collingsworth Family with “The Blood of Jesus.” The Isaacs with “It Is Well With My Soul” and a revival of “The Three Bells.” Michael English with “Daystar” and “I Bowed On My Knees.” Lowry with his latter-day Christmas classic, “Mary Did You Know,” co-written by Buddy Greene who brought the crowd to its feet with his harmonica version of “William Tell Overture.” And the Vocal Band combining with Signature Sound on Gloria Gaither’s “I Then Shall Live.”
Gloria keynoted the Saturday morning session with a presentation on the significance of a name. Her name (Gloria), she explained, refers to honoring God. She had fully expected to become a missionary but instead “settled” for becoming a songwriter, notwithstanding the fact her songs have been sung around the world. That was forcefully pointed out to her during a trip to South Africa, she explained.
Spontaneity? The Gaither organization has it.
Jim Bailey’s column appears on Wednesday. He can be reached by e-mail at jameshenrybailey@earth link.net.
Columns
Related Photos
Discussion
Jim Bailey: Spontaneity reigns at Myrtle Beach's GaitherFest
Gaither doesn't hesitate to change carefully rehearsed routines in midstream
- Columns
-
-
Verna Davis: Jesus' love deserving, and it's not too late to send a Valentine
This year I wish I had sent God a Valentine. I wish I had told that I love him more now than ever. I wish I had remembered to thank him for first loving me.
-
Amish Cook: Trip to replace broken stove allows for family visit
We were glad for the warmer weather last week. Our house didn’t have heat from Wednesday until Saturday morning because the glass on our Hitzer coal stove broke.
-
Susan Miller: Minds made better thanks to lists
Not all lists are created equal. Indeed, there is an art and a science to list crafting.
-
Primus Mootry: Challenge for black leaders in 21st century? Lessons of past
The black experience in America can roughly be divided into five main periods including the slave trade and slavery itself; emancipation (or the end of slavery) and Reconstruction; the Jim Crow era; the Great Migration; and the civil rights era.
-
Jim Bailey: Kids play basketball, but some adults prefer basketbrawl
We’ve heard all too much about the failings of today’s youth. Methinks the blame in most cases is misplaced. Like father like son? Perhaps, which reinforces my point.
-
Jesse Wilkerson: What example should we follow?
In our lifetime we have witnessed real life success stories. We have also seen real life failures. We have witnessed men and women who have achieved success in one area, but failed miserably in others.
-
Emmett Dulaney: The tragedy of the insurance commons
In basic economics, students often hear of the concept of “the tragedy of the commons.” In overly simplistic terms, this is a situation in which many individuals share a limited resource.
-
John Rosemond: Taxpayers are catching on to education fads
The media recently reported “new” research findings to the effect that rewards often backfire and self-esteem is not the wonderful, uplifting personal attribute once thought.
-
Scott Underwood: Introducing THB reporters
We at The Herald Bulletin last week were pleased to add a veteran reporter to our newsroom staff. Stu Hirsch, formerly of The Indianapolis Star, joined our team midweek and his byline was already appearing by Friday.
-
Maleah Stringer: Lyla and Cuddles find happy homes
Every animal who comes to the Animal Protection League matters and deserves compassionate and humane treatment. They deserve our effort.
- More Columns Headlines
-
Obama Scraps Birth Control Mandate
US Airmen's Killer Sentenced to Life in Germany
Navy Names Ship for Gabrielle Giffords
Raw Video: Deadly Blasts in Syria
Romney Slams President Obama at CPAC
Gingrich: Pres. Obama 'waging War on Religion'
5 Killed in Wrong-way Crash on I-10 in La.
Uzbek Man Pleads Guilty in Plot to Kill Obama
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
