2008
October
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I am so excited about the new colors coming our way this month. It is such a breath of fresh air to see the beauty of the fall colors that cover our beautiful state of Tennessee. I wish everyone that reads this could have a chance to enjoy it as well. I hope you all take a minute this month to appreciate the beauty that God has given us to enjoy.
The month of September came and went on by without stopping to say hello. I was so busy as well as many of you were with NQC and the rest of life. It is so hard to believe that October is here and old man winter is around the corner. I love this time of year, not just for the new colors but the air is crisp and we are closer to Christmas which is my favorite time of year. We are entering the time of Harvest; and the farmers are harvesting their crops, or getting reading too, the fields are changing from the lushes green to the yellow and the cotton is just puffs of white as far as you can see. Soon the fields will be bare for the harvest will be complete. God is getting ready to clear the fields as well, and we have to go out and harvest the fields before time has run out for us to gather in the Harvest. People are so hungry for answers to their life’s problems and or their empty hearts that cry out for a drink of rain that only comes from Jesus our Lord. God is so very good to us all and we have so much to be thankful for. God is ever so near to his people so many times we get so busy with life that if we’re not careful we’ll end up running around in one big circle and missing God’s voice, or missing His blessings in our lives when all He wants to do is speaks to us in a quiet moment. He also wants us to share the joy of the Lord with those in the world and be ready to harvest the souls that are crying out for the Salvation of God. God is not short on miracles today no more than He was back in the days of Elijah and Elisha. So I thought I would give you all something to think about. Now some may know the answer right off the cuff, but some may have to look it up and take a minute to find the answer.
Trivia question: Elijah told Elisha that if he saw him when he was taken from him that he would receive a double portion: II Kings 2:9-10
A. how many miracles did Elijah perform in his ministry? ___________
B: How many miracles did Elisha perform in his ministry and what was the last one? ________________________________________ ?
Now the first one that responds with the answer I will send you a gift certificate……….
This will be fun. To be honest I had to look up the answer too. I missed one at first… so be careful and have fun. Let’s get ready to do and be ALL that God has us to be and do.
I’ll be looking for your answers………………………..
Love ya all,
Bev McCann
http://www.bevmccann.com
It’s A Mystery
I reorganized The Singing Americans in 1978, joined the Kingsmen in 1979 and in 2002 established The Mystery Men Quartet. After 30+ years of dedicating my life to gospel music, it is an honor to write this article for SGN and to be able to voice an opinion from the artist’s perspective.
Many topics come to mind that affect our industry. Probably one of the most sensitive topics is that of egos. In my ten years with The Kingsmen, God allowed me to fulfill a life-long dream, to sing for the Lord in a major gospel quartet. I vowed then and still maintain that if I could help someone else along the way then I would do so.
The Kingsmen sang with many up and coming groups, some of which are forerunners in our business today. I find it amazing, however; that many have become so inaccessible to the fans. Some of the groups that once sang locally are now in the limelight and can’t see past the first row of seats, much less remember those who first listened to them. We all enjoy the accolades, but when are we going to stop thinking we are the stars and remember there is but one real star.
I just recently read a book entitled, “It’s Not About Me”. What a thought. It is all about Him, the author and finisher of our faith. May we not forget from whence we came, and to where we are going. There will only be one star there. Will our earthly stardom really matter then? Have we become so self-absorbed that we overlook those who may have the same dreams that we once did? Let us extend our hearts, hands, and maybe even our experience to those who are struggling. Someone can always use a word of encouragement to help them get through the day. Be it another singer, songwriter, or fan, let’s just help and not hinder.
Before I end, I would like to take this opportunity to speak briefly about The Mystery Men Quartet. The group is as strong as ever with the acquisition of some new members and the return of a former. These guys have vocal abilities that are second to none and they truly live the life they sing about. It is an honor for me to stand beside men who are dedicated and willing to be about the Father’s business. We are pleased to see our music going everywhere and the phenomenal response. But most importantly, people are coming forward for salvation, rededication, and just to lighten their load and give it to the Lord. Families are being reunited and we are seeing a mighty move of the Spirit.
We are currently planning a Florida tour and a Texas tour, so if you would like to see The Mystery Men at your church or event, contact our office. Be watching for our new single to be released to the radio stations soon. If you have not heard us lately, come visit us on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/themysterymenquartet and add us to your friends list. And be certain and see us when we are in your area and experience the Mystery.
I will leave you with a saying a coach of mine said to me. “Be nice to those you meet on the way up, for they will be the first ones you meet on the way back down.” I welcome your comments, since this is truly just one man’s opinion.
Until we meet again on the journey, let’s continue to boldly proclaim the mystery of the gospel together. Eph. 6:19
The Mystery Men Quartet
P.O. Box 292603
Nashville, TN 37229
Office: 615-758-9003
http://www.myspace.com/themysterymenquartet
King’s Heralds - Oct 08
Speaking of planning ahead, we told you a couple of months ago that we were going on a cruise to Caribbean in March of next year. This is a once in a lifetime event and here's why. If you know anything about the schedules of the other artists participating, you know that just coordinating the schedules alone is a feat in and of itself. Several folks throughout the years have been asking if The King's Heralds and the Herritage Singers are ever going to do anything together. Well, if you have been one of those who inquired, now is your chance to spend several days with both of these fine groups together one ship for a week of singing, sailing and eating!! As a bonus, we will also be singing with our good friends Ponder, Harp and Jennings as well as a couple of christian comedians and devotional speakers. We are looking for 50 couples to come and enjoy this once in a lifetiome experience with The King's Heralds. If you feel that this is something that you are interested in you can obtain more information from our website. Just log onto http://www.theheralds.org You will be able to get complete details.
By the way, it so good to see many of you at NQC. We had such a great time not only seeing our friends but singing most every night in the main auditorium. We also got to enjoy this event with our families the latter part of the week. Also just a reminder, we are getting ready to some touring in Texas in October .If you have never been to see the group in concert, consider this your official invitation. We'd love to meet you. Our shcedule can be obtained from our website as well. Look forward to seeing you down the road!
King's Heralds
http://www.theheralds.org
Meet The Band
Jordan is Mike's son and is one of the youngest drummers on the road today. Not only does he play drums, but one of his greatest talents is driving the bus. Seriously, we all sleep the best when Jordan is driving. You never feel a bump, brake or turn. Now, that may not be as impressive as it sounds until you realize that behind that 45 foot Prevost is a 16 foot trailor. When we need to back that thing into a small area, you can bet that Jordan is at the wheel. It might be because he is a bus expert. He knows more about buses than anyone in the group. I think you could probably blind fold him and let him listen to a bus go by and judging from the sound and smell of the deisel, he could tell you the make, model, whether or not it's a leased coach. It's pretty scary. Jordan lives in Gainesville, GA with his mom and dad and his younger sister Keelie.
Trey is one of the youngest piano players in gospel music and I have to say, one of the most talented. He came on board with the group about 2 years ago and has gone from good to amazing in that time. Trey has the ability not only to read music, but has the ability to hear something and be able to figure it out and duplicate it quickly. If you've been to one of our concerts recently, you've probably seen Trey do a piano solo where he incorporates his own style and then transitions into the old, Eva Mae LeFevre style with no effort at all. It is always one of the highlights of the concert. Trey lives in Gainesville, GA and attends Truitt McConnell College.
It is rare to find two guys this age that would devote their lives to ministry. Both of these guys are a huge part of what we do. What I love most about both of them is as talented as they both are, they have a real heart for people and God. Keep these guys in your prayers that God would keep them close to Himself and that they would see the long lasting impact of what they are doing for Him.
Mike LeFevre Quartet
http://www.mikelefevrequartet.com
Oct 08 Reflections
Bill wasn’t the first to employ that tactic. I seem to recall an old Daffy Duck cartoon where his nemesis used a similar routine…only that one ended in an explosion triggered by the correct note. Would Daffy never learn?
Somewhere at my mother’s house is a small alabaster bust of composer Franz Schubert, my old piano teacher’s “award” to me for doing well at one of her recitals, circa 1963. How odd that Mrs. Reader would reward me with the image of a man whose defining composition was “The Unfinished Symphony”. But then, how could she know that anything unfinished would drive me crazy?
At some point after I got married real life set in and hectic and “unfinished” seemed to be my life’s theme. When my son, Jim, was born I began a Fred Flintstone latch hook rug for his bedroom. He turned 30 in June. It’s still unfinished. I began a baby memorabilia book when Jamie was born. It’s unfinished. I just had her 28th birthday party. I never dreamed life would become so busy. It’s just a blur at times.
I’m looking out my patio door at the grid and exposed joists for a 12 x 18 back porch that was begun in April and is still unfinished. Down the hall are two bathrooms that are in dire need of renovation…one before the floor gives way, the other to just complete a window wall project that was started in June. And, of course, they are unfinished. Downstairs there is the framework for a sound room. It’s been a framework since March of ’06. It is, naturally, unfinished.
There are albums begun for hundreds of family photographs that are, you guessed it, unfinished. There is always a stack of laundry in the utility area, as well as old clothes to sort and dispose of by yard sale or charity. The laundry is ongoing and, therefore, unfinished.
A co-writer sent me lyrics to work on a week ago and to date they are …unfinished. I have various song fragments or “giblets” as I call them stuffed in notebooks and drawers…unfinished.
I have prayed and prayed over situations that have dogged my family for years with no apparent solution, and although I have seen a breakthrough of sorts, a cloud the size of a man’s hand you could say, it is still…unfinished.
When you combine all the things in life that are unfinished, the frustration is overwhelming at times. You begin life with the potential to weave a beautiful tapestry and at times it seems that all you have is frayed edges and loose cord.
But despite the frustration the “unfinished” brings to me, I know someone who is the great “finisher”. God’s word says that he who began a good work in us will complete it. There is hope for even me!!
I have heard much discussion over the years as to Hebrews 12:2: “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Most of the discussion seems to focus on the fact that Jesus sat at the right hand of God and why the right hand. Important as that is, that’s not the part that really catches my attention. What I notice is that he sat down. Why? Because that’s what you do when your work is done. It was finished…just as he said on the cross. The Father’s plan to bring light and life to mankind was finished there that day, and through Him we have assurance that all these things that confound us day by day will someday be….finished.
Janice
Cavaliers Quartet - Oct 08
We have had the honor to be part of some great revivals and have met some folks that have gone through or are going thru some very hard situations in their life. Like a young lady we met just the other day who, as a teenager, found out she had cancer. Her doctors had told her that she would have 9 plus months of treatment to go through and they were not sure how it would turn out. Well Dr. GOD started working and her treatments lasted only 3 months, her hair is growing back, she is playing sports again, and oh yes, her cancer is GONE!!! That is just one of the many things that God has done for people we have met over the past few weeks. Makes you almost want to shout doesn't it?
On a lighter note, NQC was a great time this year. I think this year was one of the biggest turnouts we have seen in a long time. The Cavaliers Quartet was honored to be on the NQC Artist Spotlight Showcase this year. All of the showcases this year were more worship than showcase. It was a great time for all in attendance, from fans to artists. We also had the opportunity to be a part of the Southern Gospel Promoters breakfast on Friday of NQC. The Cavaliers Qt want to thank all of the promoters for the kind words and encouragment you gave to all of the artists. It was one of the highlights of our time at NQC.
We also met numerous radio and television folks there also. Listen and look for some of the interviews on your radio and TV stations that were at NQC this year. NQC is always a busy week and it took us a few days to catch up on rest when we got back home, but it was well worth meeting so many people, from the best gospel music fans, to seeing some of our friends we only get to talk to in person once a year.
Oh, I forgot to introduce you to Wayne and Anthony O'Neal (you know, the 54th cousin twice removed) of Ed O'Neal. Well I guess that will have to wait until next month. Make sure you see that.
In His Arms!
Ben, Jason, Wayne, and Anthony
http://www.cavaliersquartet.com
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