Mamaw Goes to a Concert!

Wednesday – November 12, 2008

This posting is being written later than I intended due to a little excitement we had on Monday! Whew – that was some day! Just so thankful no one was hurt, and the only thing burnt was the mower!

As some of the earlier postings have indicated, Bill and I have attended a number of concerts. These included the concerts of Bob Dylan and James Taylor to Celtic Woman and Celtic Thunder. We have not limited our concert going to one genre only! We have seen some of the “old” rock stars; country classics; then on to what is called “world music,” and we have included some gospel music in our repertoire. We have been to see some musicals (Romeo and Juliet) which have been part of the Marshall Artist Series. As an early Christmas present from David and Jeni, we will be going to Lexington to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra perform in December. We are excited about this and have purchased a couple of CD’s. They sound wonderful.

Mom has usually scowled when I tell her we are going to a concert. This could be for several reasons. One, she wants me to stay with her so we can run around. Two, I’d be spending money foolishly. And three, she has no real comprehension as to what a “concert” really is. I’m sure had I used the terminology of “song fest” or “singing” she would have grasped the meaning of what a concert is all about! She has been to several concerts over the years, but just referred to them as going to see The Gaithers, The Journeymen, Loretta Lynn, and Conway Twitty. She attended those latter two many years ago when I was still at home!

She loves listening to gospel music and watching The Gaithers every weekend. Back in 1952, a cousin of Dad’s, Harold Lane – son of Curtis and Cassie Lane – started a group called the Gospel Harmony Boys. They actually could be seen on WSAZ TV Channel 3 weekly. Harold was raised in Wayne; had been in the service; gone to school and became a music/band teacher at Wayne High School. He and three of his “singing” friends formed a group they were going to call the “Shepherd Four.” However, there was another group that had already been using that name. So, on their way to the studio for their first show, they had to change their name. Thus, they became known as The Gospel Harmony Boys. This little bit of trivia came from listening to Homer Frye, a former member of the GHB, at Saturday’s concert. You can read more history about the GHB on their web site. The link will be posted below!

We grew up listening to the GHB and knowing that we had a cousin who sang with the group and later went on to Nashville and joined The Speer Family. He also wrote many songs which became hits for other gospel groups such as The Inspirations. The one song that comes to mind is “Touring That City” which was a big hit for the Inspirations and sung by many other gospel singers.

Last year, Bill and I were in Hillsdale visiting David and Jeni at the same time the GHB were to be at The Gospel Barn. We all decided to go! Not only did we want to go listen to the singing, but I was going to get to visit with a cousin of mine whom I hadn’t seen in a very long time, Donna Gail. Donna is the youngest child of Dad’s sister, Oma Blevins and her husband Alfred. Donna is married to the bass singer of the GHB, Calvin Thompson. We had a great visit and were able to listen to some great singing. The GHB were to perform at the Huntington City Auditorium the next month. Donna wanted me to bring Mom.

So, the next month, Mom, Mike, Debbie, Bill, and I went to the “concert.” Mom enjoyed it tremendously, especially when her “nephew” made a special point to make her feel like a queen. We took Mom back again this year to their 56th Anniversary Concert. Again, Mom was treated special – she even had her picture taken with Calvin by their photographer! Oh my, she was grinning from ear to ear. Thank you Calvin! We were able to find seats up front so she could see the singers a little better. She is losing her eyesight, and we wanted her to be able to get as close as she could so she could see the singers. She had a wonderful time. She was able to not only see The Gospel Harmony, but the groups Sincere, Bloodline, The Guardians Quartet, and the Adkins Brothers. It was a great evening!

We are going to list a few links for you to click on that will take you to the Gospel Harmony Boys main web site and YouTube where you can see and hear them perform. Also, we are posting pictures from last year’s concert as well as the picture of Mom and Calvin from this year’s performance.

Mom and Donna - 2007 concert


Mom with her two nieces - Pat and Donna - and me - concert 2007

Donna Gail, Mom, and Debbie


Former and Present members of the Gospel Harmony Boys - concert 2007


Mom with Donna and Calvin - concert 2007


Mom and Calvin - concert 2008


Through the years many of my cousins and me had been told we could have passed for sisters! Donna this is for you - look what I found I had scanned - let's let the readers decide if there is a family resemblance!

Donna Gail


Me



Link for The Gospel Harmony Boys:
This is their official web site. You may have to copy and paste the url in your browser to get to the site. Appears the blogger system is not going to work properly.
http://www.gospelharmonyboys.org/index.html

You can also go to YouTube and type in The Gospel Harmony Boys and find several songs which have been placed there and you can see and hear them sing.