“There’s nothing like Eastern Tennessee hospitality,” said Gerald Wolfe at last night’s bonus concert. And it’s true, from the moment you drive into Pigeon Forge and see the Great Smoky Mountains towering above the town, you feel like you’ve come home. For fans of Southern Gospel Music, it is home. Home to the industry’s largest…
NQC 2018 | Tuesday
From the first time I saw his name appear on the NQC schedule, I couldn’t wait until the Tuesday morning Chapel Service. So, when my alarm went off that morning, I didn’t hesitate to get up, enjoy a cup of tea on the cabin’s back porch and get ready for the day. A few hours…
NQC 2018 | Monday
Going to Pigeon Forge for the National Quartet Convention (NQC) is like going home for me. After ten years of attending, it’s still one of my favorite times of the year and I always look forward to seeing what special showcases and programs the NQC will come up with for the week. This year, Monday…
NQC, LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge Announce Five-Year Contract Extension
PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (September 26, 2016) – During a press conference today, the board of directors of NQC (National Quartet Convention) and the LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge announced a five-year contract extension that keeps gospel music’s largest annual event in Pigeon Forge through 2021. “Four years ago, the NQC and the city of Pigeon…
Ed Harper to Receive SGMG Lifetime Achievement Honor
September 14, 2016 (Nashville, TN) – Ed Harper, iconic Gospel music industry veteran, will receive the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Honor from the SGMG (Southern Gospel Music Guild) during the 2016 National Quartet Convention In Pigeon Forge, TN. The presentation of the honor will take place during an invitation-only reception on Tuesday, September 27, 2016, at the LeConte Center. The announcement was made…
NQC – 2014 Red Back Hymnal Sing
On Friday afternoon I found myself back at the LeConte Center in the main hall waiting for another showcase to begin. On stage, chairs were set up to accommodate what would be a choir of Southern Gospel singers. Silently, I rebuked myself for forgetting my red back hymnal…again! When will I ever remember to pack…
NQC – 2014 Singing News Fan Awards
In 2010, The Singing News announced that their celebrated SN Fan Awards Show would move to Dollywood that year and be incorporated with the SGMA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which also made its home at the theme park. The Fan Awards had been hosted at NQC since the 70’s and remained there until 2009. …
NQC – Tuesday
I pulled onto the parkway and joined the line of cars; it looked like we were all headed in the same direction – The LeConte Center. Fortunately, Pigeon Forge is built for tourism and we didn’t sit very long at the light. As I sat and observed my surroundings I couldn’t help but think that…
NQC – Monday
Black folding chairs sat in a half circle facing the entrance of the LeConte Center where a yellow ribbon stretched from one stone column to the next and a wooden podium stood as the main focus in the center of it all. To the left of the ribbon, a row of chairs displayed the NQC’s…
NQC’s Eighth Day
Who said NQC wasn’t an eight day sing? Not the one who packed up on Saturday morning to be in Murfreesboro, TN that evening for a Mark Trammell Quartet concert! Those of you who live far enough away from NQC that driving in requires more than one day, you know what I’m talking about! First…