Legacy Five, Sweet Presence fill MGMA’s lineup of 2012 concerts — one each month through October

          Legacy Five, one of America’s top-tier Southern Gospel quartets, and Sweet Presence, a well-known Canadian family trio, are rounding out the schedule of concerts this year for the Montana Gospel Music Association.

           The addition of the two groups — very familiar to Flathead Valley gospel music lovers — means there will be a professional concert every month for six months to conclude the 2012 season.

           “It also means that we will balance the appearance of three ‘new’ groups that our audiences have never heard — starting with FourGiven May 19 — with three familiar groups that our fans know and love,” said Dean Conklin, president of MGMA.

           The third group of the “familiars” is Liberty Quartet of Boise, Idaho, due in Kalispell on

Friday, Aug. 10.

           Other first-time groups, in addition to the Spokane-based Four-Given, are the Keffler Family of  Georgia, a mixed quartet, and Second Generation, a mixed trio from Arkansas.

           The “legacy” of Legacy Five is that of the beloved Cathedrals Quartet, which retired at the end of 1999, after the death of the legendary Glenn Payne and the eventually fatal illness of the bass-singing/emcee giant George Younce. Scott Fowler (Cathedral baritone)and the late Roger Bennett (Cathedral pianist) formed the new group debuted in January 2000. 

           Two other members of the original Legacy Five, baritone Scott Howard and bass Glenn Dustin, are still singing with Fowler. The two newer members, who both spent considerable time with the Mike LeFevre Quartet, are high tenor Gus Gaches and pianist Trey Ivey.      

           Sweet Presence, based in Abbottsford, B.C., is best remembered as the group that had started the introduction to its last song of the night in July 2007, when a ferocious storm knocked out electricity for hours. It would be more than two years before the trio could “finish” the concert.

           Ernie Schaber and his wife, Dolly, are now in their 38th year as Sweet Presence. Their younger son Corey rounds out the group.

           With the addition of the two familiar groups the monthly lineup looks like this:

           Saturday, May 19 — FourGiven (Nazarene Church, 1295 Whitefish Stage Rd. (The group also sings in the 10:45 a.m. Sunday service).

           Sunday, June 17 — Keffler Family (Christian Center)

           Sunday, July 15 — Legacy Five (Christian Center)

           Friday, August 8 — Liberty Quartet (Christian Center)

           Sunday, September 9 — Sweet Presence (Christian Center)

           Sunday, October 7 — Second Generation (Christian Center)   

Spokane’s Four-Given Quartet making Flathead Debut May 19

Four-Given Quartet, based in Spokane, Washington, will make its Flathead Valley debut at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at the Kalispell Church of the Nazarene at 1295 Whitefish Stage Road.

Two members of the group, lead singer Scott Fuller and baritone Kevin Hyatt, are co-founders of the quartet who have been together for 22 years. Other singers are tenor Gregg Powell, whose family is from Missoula, and bass Barry Roth. Jan Hoogstad handles sound.

Four-Given is in the process of completing a CD.

In addition to its Saturday night MGMA concert, FourGiven will also be singing in the Sunday morning worship service at the Nazarene church.

Was the 13th annual Dutter fundraiser the biggest ever, best ever for MGMA?

From the comments of many Southern Gospel music lovers it’s clear the 13th annual Ken Dutter/Flathead Gospel Music Festival was a huge hit with the Christian Center audience of 550 or more.
 
But was the March 11 fund-raiser for the Montana Gospel Music Association (MGMA) the biggest ever? The best ever?
 
This year’s program had 13 different presenters of music, ranging from the Stillwater Christian High School’s Concert Choir to six soloists — a total of more than 95 musicians. But it wasn’t quite the biggest — a few years ago the program had 14 presenters!
 
Whether the program was the best ever probably gets a big “yes.”
 
 ”Over all, many people observed the talent level was the best they’ve ever heard at the Ken Dutter event, and they also commented on the wide variety of music as well as the large number of presenters,” said Dean Conklin, MGMA’s president who has produced the last nine programs, going back to 2004.
 
That combination of talent, variety and numbers provides strong support for “best ever” designation.
 
Stillwater’s choir, directed again by Micah Hunter, is a huge favorite of the MGMA audience.
 
Songwriter-singer-pianist Danae Carlson Ekegren again had the audience on its feet expressing appreciation for her lyrics as well as her presentation. The Columbia Falls High School vocal music director is moving to California at the end of the school year, but she’s been invited to return again in 2013 — and she’s interested!
 
The search for new, first-time singers brought two pastors to the stage.
 
Mel Haug, new pastor of Bigfork’s Crossroads Christian Fellowship, earned a standing ovation. He has some history here: He was a member of Father’s Five of the Tri-Cities in Washington, which sang at Ken Dutter’s memorial service in February 2005. That group has morphed into JC Vocal Band, and Haug still sings with the group, which is expected to be traveling to Montana within the next year.
 
Ken Adkins pastors Coram Community Church, plays a guitar, and has his wife’s accompaniment at the piano. His own song about Badrock Canyon had the audience in laughter.
 
Also “first timing” was a band of mostly young musicians headed by Ken Dutter’s grandson, Andy Morton, a guitar player. Andy chose his grandpa’s favorite song, “You Can Have My TV,” which he used to sing with Dutter, and asked Blest tenor Dave Wirkus to front the band. With each of the band’s members taking a solo turn, the result was a Standing O presentation. 
 
Spare Parts, a family trio (Joy and Dale Gregory and Joy’s sister Martha Oursland) that has been a big hit when opening for professional groups, again connected with the MGMA audience, as did Heaven’s Peek male quartet, consisting of Ron Youde (also a pastor), Tim Stutzman, Scott Bailey and Conrad Adam.
 
Accounted For of Trout Creek, Glenda, Pete and Petey Milne, had a new sound as a trio that was well received, and there was appreciation for Glenda, who has been successfully battling cancer.
 
In a twist because of personnel limitations, Sound Foundation’s Becky Bennett and Shelby Dutter became “and Friends,” by combining with Wirkus and Dean Conklin of Blest to sing as a quartet. Then, with the surprise return of baritone Kent McLellan from the North Dakota’s oil fields, Blest sang two songs as a trio. (Kent’s son Marine Corporal Evan McLellan, who carried the colors at MGMA’s “Remembering 9/11″ returned to the U.S. from duty in Afghanistan on April 24).

Darrell Newby (yet another pastor) and Tom Miller, the Hand to Heart duo who made their MGMA debut last year, again rallied the audience.

Rounding out the lineup were soloists Carlene Prince, a songwriter who accompanies herself, and Ryan Coverdell, who has sung in 12 of the 13 Dutter events.

Review by Dean Conklin

13th Annual Ken Dutter/Flathead Gospel Music Festival Fundraiser on Sunday, March 11

The 13^th annual Ken Dutter/Flathead Festival of Gospel Music has been scheduled for 7 p.m. Sunday, March 11, at Christian Center, 255 Summit Ridge Drive.

“We are delighted to announced that the Stillwater Christian High School Choir under the direction of Micah Hunter will be a prominent part of this event,” said Dean Conklin, president of the sponsoring Montana Gospel Music Association. “They were extremely well-received in 2010 but were unable to participate last year. This year, they’re coming!”

This event helps provide funds necessary for MGMA to host professional southern gospel groups and stage those events.

Singers for this event range from quartets and trios to soloists.

Persons interested in participating should contact Conklin at 844-2085 or board members Conrad Adam, Fred Albert, Kayleen Kohler, Bill McGuffie or Mel Voos.

Spokane’s Four-Given Quartet making Flathead Debut May 19

Four-Given Quartet, based in Spokane, Washington, will make its Flathead Valley debut at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 19, at the Kalispell Church of the Nazarene at 1295 Whitefish Stage Road.

Two members of the group, lead singer Scott Fuller and baritone Kevin Hyatt, are co-founders of the quartet who have been together for 22 years. Other singers are tenor Gregg Powell, whose family is from Missoula, and bass Barry Roth. Jan Hoogstad handles sound.

Four-Given is in the process of completing a CD.

In addition to its Saturday night MGMA concert, FourGiven will also be singing in the Sunday morning worship service at the Nazarene church.

CRIST FAMILY REWARDS HARDY FANS WHO IGNORE WEATHER

Hardy Montana fans of Southern gospel music that ignored a late-afternoon winter storm as well as roads and streets glazed with freezing rain and ice were roundly rewarded Tuesday night at Christian Center in Kalispell.

The six-member Crist family sang with energy and intensity for about 250 fans who braved the elements –as well as reports that the highway south from Kalispell had been closed due to accidents.

“The Crists provided an incredible evening of music for an incredible audience whose warm, enthusiastic response brought out the best of the Crists,” said Dean Conklin, president of the sponsoring Montana Gospel Music Association. “The only way it could have been any better is if we’d had more people in the seats – but 45 minutes before the concert we were wondering if we’d even have 20 people!”

The core of the family is the brother-sister duo of Rich Crist and Tami Crist Starkel. Along with spouses Lisa Crist and John Starkel and the Crist daughters Breana and Jackie, they filled the room with great harmonies and a variety of ensembles.

After opening with a southern classic, “When I Get Carried Away,” Tami took center stage with” I Believe He’s Coming Back” and Breana (recently engaged) followed with “You Are God Almighty.” Tami came back with “Joy’s Going to Come in the Morning.”

What came next is what we’re coming to understand as Classic Crist: Beautiful, tight harmony as the group provided an a cappella opening to “Yes, He Is Amazing.“

Jackie (followed by Breana) did a great job on “I Love Loving Jesus.”

Then it was time for another Crist moment on the hugely well received “Jesus, There Is No Other Name.” In fact, it seems that the Crist Family search for songs that honor Jesus, and His name, and that makes it easy for audiences to get into the music – with the family.

Next came John Starkel with “I Sing a New Song,” and Tami’s emotional “His Strength is Perfect,” after explaining why the song meant so much. Jackie followed with “My Heart Knows.” Rich, then Tami, took the leads on a rousing “Hallelujah, He Is Risen, which had the audience on its feet to close the first half.

Tami’s enthusiastic “Oh, Happy Day,” a requested song, opened the second half and Rich gave some family insight that provided additional meaning for “I Love You, Son.”

Then the four women sang a tight opening to “Lift Up the Cross, followed by Tami on “I Wanna Be Up in the Great Beyond,” another rouser.

After Lisa’s “May He Find Me Faithful,” Rich led the way into a closing song that had the crowd on its feet again, capping a great evening.

Earlier, when Rich complemented the crowd on its responsiveness and asked if the Flathead Valley fans would like to have the group return, there was no need to translate into words what he heard: An emphatic affirmative.

The Crists made their first visit to Montana in July 2010 and for first-timers in the Flathead, they score Big Time. It was more of the same this time. Yes, we want the Crist Family to return, next year. Their distinctive music honors the Lord, and we enjoy the sweet sounds delivered in a variety of packages.

Before that happens, though, the Crists will be making a trip to Norway – in February.

Crist Family returning January 10, 2012

Crist Family

          The Crist Family of Maynardville,TN, which made its Flathead Valley debut in July 2010, is returning to Kalispell for a 7 p.m.concert on Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2012, at Christian Center, 255 Summit Ridge Drive.

           The six-member family group includes a brother and sister, Rich Crist and Tami Crist Starkel, their spouses Lisa Crist and John Starkel, and the Crists’ daughters Breana, 23, and Jackie, 21

           “We’re very pleased that we’ve been able to reach a contract that brings back this talented and enthusiastic family, which scored big-time last July with southern-gospel music fans in the Flathead,” said Dean Conklin, president of the sponsoring Montana Gospel Music Association. “It will be a great way to begin our 2012 concert season.”

Kalispell crowd enjoys Liberty Quartet’s music, light-heartedness and ministry

Sometimes people who enjoy Southern Gospel music find themselves in discussions polarized to whether the singers are supposed to be entertaining OR ministering.

Some of us believe it’s possible for both outcomes to take place in the same concert.

That was the case at Christian Center, where about 300 music lovers welcomed Liberty Quartet back to Kalispell on Thursday, Aug. 4, for the first time in too long. It was a milestone event, in one way, with a new tenor making his first official start with the Boise-based group. That, of course, provided baritone singer Jordan Cragun the opportunity to shed “the new guy” label he’d carried for a couple of years, something he relished.

Liberty is smooth and solid, the only full-time western-based professional quartet traveling America’s highways, and catching notice in the southeast and east.

They comfortably made themselves at home in Kalispell, with a receptive audience that recalled good concerts from earlier days. Bass singer Royce Mitchell, who owns the group, was featured on the opening song, Wedding Music, followed by new tenor Phillip Batton on Living in Grace. Batton succeeded Keith Waggoner, who left the group to become senior pastor of a church in the Boise area after five years on the road.

After Dan Gilbert took the lead on Climbing for Higher Ground, Batton came back on Glory to God in the Highest, which showed off his higher-pitched pipes, and Cragun took over a reprise of the song.

Then came Say It Again, Grandpa Was a Preacher Man, and Long Black Train.

A slow and simple a capella Going Home drew a standing ovation, followed by local pianist Helen Jones taking the keyboard for the classic test for tenor singers, Oh What a Savior; Batton passed the test.

The Gospel Plow – the blue-grass version complete with hill-billy apparel – drew its usual laughter, to conclude the first half.

Ride that Glory Train opened the second half, followed by How Great Thou Art and Cragun’s lead on He’s Been There, Too. Gilbert took the lead on Call It Amazing, which was followed by Amazing Grace and Glory to God in the Highest. Good Time in the Lord concluded the concert.

After the close, a young woman came forward, concerned whether the Lord would welcome her back after some life choices that had taken her far afield.

I reminded her of the parable of the prodigal son, who was slopping  pigs –something that was about as low as a Jewish boy could do — when he came to his senses and headed home, willing to work as a hired man for his father. As he headed home, his father saw him “when he was a far off,” and went to greet him. That, I told her, was evidence that God was looking for her, too, to welcome her back.

At that point, Kayleen Kohler, one of our board members, stepped in to talk and pray with the young lady, who left the building knowing she was restored.

In microcosm, it was a moment that demonstrated why the Montana Gospel Music Association does what we do – sponsor concerts for edification and entertainment, as well as reaching out to those in spiritual need. And every person who helps us sponsor these events shares in these rewards.

Review by Dean Conklin.

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Palmetto State Quartet returns to Kalispell for concert on Thursday, Oct. 13

KALISPELL – A revamped Palmetto State Quartet, absent from theMontanascene for several years, returns to Kalispell for a7 p.m.gospel music concert on Thursday, Oct. 13, atChristianCenter,255 Summit Ridge Dr.

“With nearly a complete change of singers, reflecting a change in ownership, we’re going to see and hear a Palmetto group that’s almost completely new to us,” said Dean Conklin, president of the sponsoring Montana Gospel Music Association. “Tenor Wesley Smith will be the only familiar face – he was singing with Palmetto the last time they visited theFlatheadValley.”

On Palmetto’s many earlier visits to Kalispell, Kerry Beatty was the lead singer and owner of the quartet. He retired in 2009 and sold the group to Larry Strickland, a bass singer who had been part of J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet before leaving the group to manage the business affairs of his wife, singer Naomi Judd.

Palmetto’s roots go back to the days of 1946. The group has a long history of excellent musicians – pianists like Jamie Dill who was a co-founder of the group as well as former Statesman Hovie Lister, Andrew Ishee and Brian Elliott.

Smith’s  predecessors in the high tenor position include Brion Carter and John Rulapaugh. Palmetto’s better-known baritone singers include Tony Peace, while Strickland’s predecessors at bass include Jeff Pearles, Aaron McCune and Burman Porter.

Along with Smith and Strickland, the current group includes lead singer Paul Lancaster and baritone David Darst, both of whom have several years’ experience in gospel music.

The local group opening the concert is Spare Parts, a trio including Dale and Joy Gregory, and Joy’s sister Martha Oursland.

As is the usual practice for Montana Gospel Music Association-sponsored concerts, no tickets are required for admission to the concert. However, an offering will be received in place of tickets.

This event is the final concert of MGMA’s 2011 season.

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