NQC Week Recap

This past week Blake and I went to Louisville, KY to participate in the National Quartet Convention! It's like the Superbowl of Gospel Music. There is an exhibition area for singers' booths, crafts, industry services, food...things like that. In other areas there are different showcases where singers are asked to participate. Blake participated in one of these this past week and he did awesome! He sang It Is Well. You can watch the video here:



Then, there is the "Big Momma" stage. Blake didn't sing on that stage. One of these days though... :) We made a lot of friends these past 3 years attending this convention. 'Friends' that I know would call us friends back would be: The Mark Trammell Trio, Ivan Parker, The Torchmen, Master's Voice, Rob Helton, The Weatherfords, Soul'd Out Quartet, The Homesteaders, and Chris Hester. These are all groups and singers that we enjoy being with and always look forward to seeing. It's a pretty tough week for everyone, the booths were open 3pm-11pm each night Monday-Saturday and events start at the convention center around noon or so each day. The week is what you make it....I'd say the first year we went, Blake had a blast but it was overwhelming because everyone is "posturing"...trying to prove their worth and status. We have no status yet, but it is slowly growing! I had to pray that God would affirm my worth in Him this week and remember that He has called us to this work. It's easy to get swept up in fame-chasing. Anyway, I was proud of both me and Blake that we approached this week with a laid-back attitude and a goal of strengthening our contacts and making new ones.

On the way up to Louisville, we had 2 concerts, one in Arnold, MO and one in Fairmont City, IL. Both were near St. Louis, MO. We had good turnouts and Blake sang very well. We were blessed to have gotten 100 of Blake's newest CD available just for this past week to be available at the convention and we're almost sold out. The rest of the order is coming this week I hope.

Blake and I are pretty wiped out. We did get a lot of sleep, but we are just emotionally drained. Everything seems to be going on at once: NQC, house closing (next Tuesday!), CD release... 3 huge things that are all overlapping. I really need to start packing up our house to move! I'm excited but I'm also dreading the work that will be involved. I know, I'm lazy. I'm mostly dreading the yardwork. It's a jungle. Hasn't been mowed since April...I think we're going to have to weed-wack it and then mow it a few times...

Anyway. Here are some photos! I was bad and didn't get photos that are really interesting, like our hotel and Walmart visits :) These pics are not in order at all.

Blake and me singing at Fairmont Baptist, IL

Me waiting for Blake to sing at the showcase. It was freezing in there.

Me with my Torchment Quartet friends.
I talked to these guys ALL week. Love them.

The NQC Stage. Pretty amazing.

Blake and one of our favorite soloists, Mitchel Jon.
We went to his booth and made him feel special and went on and on about how great he is! (he really is great! you should find his Jesus Gave Me Water video on Youtube).

Me and my Torchmen friend. He said he'd have to hide the camera when he got back so his wife wouldn't be like, "so what were YOU doing at the NQC this week??"

Us and Guy Penrod. My heart-throb other than Blake. He's okay with that.
He has a man-crush on Guy too.

Blake and Bill Gaither! Have to say Mr. Bill was not happy to have to be at his booth. But that's okay! Got a picture while he was still putting up with the huge crowd.

Blake singing at Fairmont Baptist, IL. Told ya these photos aren't in order.

Blake getting ear-molds for custom in-ears. They're small speakers that go in your ears like ear bud headphones so he can prevent hearing loss.

Blake and our good friend Cody from The Weatherfords. He lives in OKC near us and we hang out a lot.

Blake and two other soloists, Chris Hester and Rob Helton.

This is what our booth looked like!

Blake letting me take his picture while we waited for him to sing.

At our booth. With nothing to do.

We were actually in the main hall for this photo.

Blake and his goofy friend Cody, and Mike from the Homesteaders.

The Anchormen...they were next to Blake's booth the first year he went. They just released a new CD and it's good! They told Blake next time they are in Oklahoma they want him to open for them.