September 2003 ~ A Year In Review
This month marks two years that I have been writing for the US Gospel News. Last year in the September issue, I reviewed all of my previous articles and brought everyone up to date with all of the latest news about my friends who were featured in my first year of writing. This year I will do the same and will inform you of the latest news of my friends who I wrote about this year.

First I would like to welcome all of the new readers who have subscribed in the past year. September is here and all of Southern Gospel Music is geared up for the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. For those of you who will be attending NQC, please stop by booth #820 and visit with me. I would like to know what you think about these articles each month and get the opportunity to meet you all. This years NQC also marks five years that I have been playing the piano for the Dixie Echoes Quartet. I joined the group straight out of high school and have enjoyed traveling with these guys ever since. I would also like to thank everyone for nominating me as Favorite Pianist in the Singing News Fan Awards. Thanks for your confidence in me and allowing me to live out my dream of traveling full time in Southern Gospel Music!

In October of 2002, I wrote about Melton Campbell, the baritone vocalist for the Inspirations. He joined the group in January of 2000, and has been welcomed into the family by Inspiration fans across the country. Back in July 2003, at the Canadian Gospel Music Fan Festival, I had the privilege of filling in for the Inspirations for two concerts. Their pianist Martin Cook didn't make the trip to Canada, and since the Dixie Echoes were on the program, they asked if I would play at that convention. I am a big fan of the Inspirations and it was an honor to walk on stage with my good friends Melton Campbell, Archie Watkins, Mike Holcomb, Myron Cook, and Matt Dibler.

The next month, I featured Craig Singletary. At the time Craig was singing baritone for Brian Free & Assurance. However, earlier this year he came off of the road in order to spend more time at home with his wife Kasie. Craig is a wonderful singer and still loves Gospel Music. We sang in Georgia recently and Craig came out to the concert to support us. Another friend of mine, Derrick Selph, filled Craig's position with Brian Free & Assurance.

In December, I wrote about one of my best friends and whom I feel is the best bass singer in Gospel Music, Gene McDonald. In the past year I filled in with the Florida Boys for several concerts and have had the opportunity to share the stage with Gene on several occasions. Several of which were concerts featuring the Five Broke Single Boys. I can honestly say that I am amazed at his talent every time he sings. No wonder he is nominated each year in the top five bass vocalists.

January's story went to the other end of a quartet and featured my favorite tenor singer, Jay Parrack. What can I say; Jay is just a cool guy. Jay is an excellent tenor singer and has a great personality. His new cd featuring him and his father Johnny Parrack is one of my favorite cds. I highly recommend that you get a copy for your collection.

For February, I featured yet another tenor singer. Harold Reed, tenor singer for the Dixie Melody Boys, has one of the highest and most powerful voices in Gospel Music. I always enjoy working with the DMB and hanging out with Harold. Harold has been with the Dixie Melody Boys for ten years and has been taught well by legendary quartet man Ed O'Neal. I have a lot of respect for Harold's abilities and how he gets the job done.

Next, bass singer Glenn Dustin of Legacy Five was featured. He is a Louisiana native like myself. Since Legacy Five hit the road in January of 2000, Glenn has won the hearts of fans all over the country, and was nominated this year as one of the top five bass singers. He is also a new daddy! Glenn and his wife Kristi welcome the addition of a new baby girl, Chloe Beth, to their family. Chloe was born July 9, 2003.

In the April issue, I wrote about another one of my favorite tenor singers, Jerry Martin. Jerry now travels with the Dove Brothers Quartet, and is still doing some awesome singing. Since this is the September issue, I will mention that I share the same birthday with Jerry. We were both born on September 11. The only difference is that I was born a decade later!

Amber Thompson of the Nelons was the May feature. She is grown up now and traveling the country with her mom. This year, she has been nominated for Favorite Young Artist in all of Southern Gospel Music. Way to go Amber! In the June article, I strayed from writing about artists and featured a good friend of mine who works in Southern Gospel Radio. Noah Britt is a 22-year-old disc jockey at WOSM in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. He began working with the station at the same time that I began traveling with the Dixie Echoes, and for the past two years Noah has been nominated as Favorite Medium Market DJ in the Singing News Fan Awards.

In July 2003, I featured yet another member of the Dixie Melody Boys, Eric Ollis. Eric is one of my favorite pianists, and is one of the best quartet pianists there is around. Ed O'Neal has a way of finding great talent and with the current lineup, I just don't see how it could get any better. I featured Devin McGlamery in my first year of writing, and in the near future I am sure that I will be writing about their new baritone singer Dustin Sweatman. I have only met Dustin a few times, but he has really impressed me. He is an awesome baritone singer and just a nice guy to be around. Last month I featured Lauren Talley, who I feel is the best female vocalist in Southern Gospel Music. I have known Lauren since she was fifteen and even then was amazed at the voice that she has been blessed with.

That sums up another year of my article. If you are just reading a friends copy of this newspaper, I urge you to become a subscriber. Paul Boden and the rest of the US Gospel News staff have pulled together to put out a top notch Gospel Music publication. If you love Southern Gospel Music and want to get to know more about many of the artists individually, then subscribe today. If at NQC, stop by the US Gospel News booth. The Dixie Echoes also carry subscriptions, or you can subscribe online at www.usgospelnews.com.