September 11th has always been connected to the NQC in a special way. Probably because, if you’ve ever heard Gerald reminisce about it, the National Quartet Convention was going on the Tuesday morning the towers fell. It was quite different to look down at my program booklet and see 9/11 faded on the background where “Tuesday” was printed along with the list of artists that would be singing that night on main stage. In the program, after every other artist was a time slot titled “We Remember.” Many things were remembered that night, but with every song, the most important thing shone through – the Gospel.
The Mark Trammell Quartet
The Mark Trammell Quartet chose a striking ballad to begin with their set with – I Sing The Mighty Power. Tis So Sweet followed, and with that, the teasing that comes along when Pat (their bass singer) shouldn’t speak! The jesting continued until the quartet sang Wonderful Time Up There – an old classic brought back from the records of the past. Mark introduced the guys, and then, his sweet baby granddaughter, Tessa. The camera man made sure he had a good shot of her sleeping form before Mark brought her up on stage. After some heartwarming words, he requested the veterans to stand. MTQ’s tribute to 9/11, Statue of Liberty, closed their set. Every person in Freedom Hall was on their feet by the second verse. What a powerful, soul-stirring song!
Greater Vision and The Sisters singing together!
Further into the night, Greater Vision and Sisters performed a duet of hymns. This medley honored the hymns of the church and received a popcorn standing ovation. Subsequently, our attention was drawn to the big screens where a short video played, sketching the life of William Cooper – author of There Is A Fountain. When the video concluded, Kim Hopper and TaRanda Greene stepped on stage and sang that hymn, while Kim Collingsworth accompanied on the piano. Kim sang the first verse and TaRanda the second. This simple, yet powerful lyric received a standing ovation. As the evening host, Brian Lester, exclaimed, “How bout’ that?” Kim and TaRanda hugged each other with tears in their eyes.
Brian Free and Assurance
At 9:10 Brian introduced the group I skipped into Freedom Hall to see, Brian Free and Assurance. “This next group I just love from the bottom of my heart,” said Brian Lester, “ladies and gentlemen…how about it for Brian Free and Assurance?!” Go Tell The World kicked off their set. The live band really added a buzz to the performance. With Ricky Free leading on drums and Trey Ivey on the piano, you couldn’t get better musicians to play for ‘em! Half way through the song Bill exclaimed, “Are you ready tonight? He’s coming!” When it was time for their second song to begin, Ricky counted off with his drum sticks and Bill asked,” How many know that there is nothing impossible with God?” Anything Is Possible followed and in between verses, he commented on the message with, “That’s right!” Then, he sang The Part Where You Came In. “Amen,” Brian Free interjected, getting the crowd’s attention after the number penned by his son, “it’s great to be back at NQC.” He marveled that it was his 31st year there and introduced the group. Musicians included! (It was fun watching him introduce Legacy Five’s pianist!) LOL Brian told about their new songs, why they sing them, and then took the time to explain how they pick songs. He introduced one of those new songs by telling us that it reminded him of his Dad. “He lived the life in front of us.” Brian said, “When I listened to this song, I had to pull over.” He asked if anyone had ever heard a song that touched them so much, they had to pull off the side of the road because they were crying. “This is my testimony,” Brian declared, “I want to be that man.” That song, I Want To Be That Man, was next. “Praise God,” Brian whispered afterwards, then introduced Long As I Got King Jesus. “Let’s make some noise!” People stood from the beginning of the tune and you could even hear the cheers from the balcony!!!
Triumphant opening with a hymn...
After BFA, Triumphant Quartet was scheduled to sing at 9:32. Gathered around one single microphone, they opened their concert with Sweet, Sweet Spirit acapella. Without further comment, Saved By Grace was sung back to back. “Anybody in the house tonight been saved by grace?” asked Scotty. A good amount of fans began standing in the middle of the song. This tune went right into David and Jeff’s harmonica/piano duet of Goodbye, World, Goodbye. Next, Eric introduced the guys quickly. “We love this week,” Eric said, “we love it because we get to see so many people we don’t normally get to see.” He referred back to what Brian Free said about songs coming in and touching your lives. (i.e. the ones that make you cry!) The next song had that effect on him. It was, Somebody Died For Me. Scotty sang this one with only Jeff playing. Let’s All Stand For America closed their time on stage with everyone standing….just like the chorus asked! Another powerful moment that touched our hearts …
As the guys walked off stage, Clayton stayed and asked us to bow our heads as he prayed. “Father,” he said, “we want to forever follow You…and we thank You for not only a wonderful place to live, but for a place where we can serve You.”
Conclusion: First of all, MTQ – no other group on main stage received a response like these guys did. To come out on stage on a night like that, when everyone was remembering 9/11 and sing songs about the power of God, trust, and remind us of the wonderful time everyone in heaven is having…well, let’s just say it obviously blessed the crowd! BFA – LOVE this group, but if it’s possible, can I say…the live band really added energy to their set! It is special to see Ricky play with his Dad on these rare occasions, and with Trey on the piano, it was very memorable! Triumphant – they sang from their hearts as they always do! It was very cool to see them sing an acapella song for the first time (for me, anyway!) Somebody Died For Me had special emphasis that night and Scotty’s lead vocals took the lyrics straight to the heart. How great our salvation!
Grandpa Mark and Baby Tessa
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