“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.

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.

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

          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.”

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.

“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.

www.psqworld.com

Remembering 9/11

          “We’ve reached out to these key people and others in a pointed effort to make sure that Americans – particularly those living in the Flathead Valley – do not forget the losses our nation suffered that day, as well as the heroic efforts of firemen, police and other first responders,” said Dean Conklin, producer of the event.

           “Remembering 9/11” commemorates the 10^th anniversary of the terrorist attack on New York City, Washington, D.C., and an unsuccessful effort by hijackers of  Flight 93 that ended in a Pennsylvania farm field when passengers thwarted an effort to return to the east, presumably aimed at Washington, D.C.

           The event begins at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, at Christian Center, 255 Summit Ridge Dr., and is sponsored by Christian Center, the Montana Gospel Music Association, and The Daily InterLake.

          Admission is free.

           Speakers include Randy Brodehl, fire chief at that time; Frank Garner, then chief of police, and Monte Eliason, director of the Glacier Park International Airport.

           Brodehl would go back to Ground Zero in New York City to participate in efforts following the collapse of the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center.

           Garner, after his retirement, went to Afghanistan to participate in the training of Afghan policemen.

           Other speakers include Calvin Beringer, patrol commander of the Flathead County Sheriff’s Department; Janette Reynolds of Kalispell, author of “Where Were You on 9/11?” as well as a 10^th anniversary updated edition; and Dave Wirkus, tenor singer for Blest Quartet whose life was changed by the events of 9/11.

           A color guard is scheduled to open the program, which includes music by Blest, pianist Helen Jones, and soloists Ron Catlett and Russ Gerard.

           Sean Morgan, director of the traditional annual Christmas plays at Christian Center, is the host for the evening.

Liberty Quartet