IBT Triple L's - December 15th

The Echoes shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ with the senior group of Immanuel Baptist Temple, the Triple L's. After a delicious pot-luck meal, we sang a number of songs, and also gathered around the piano for some Christmas carols. (That's "Christmas" carols, not "Holiday" carols).

As we close out the year, we're especially thankful for all the people who have attended our concerts and helped us worship the Lord. Maybe we can worship with you in the coming year.

Gospel Mission Tabernacle - Bill Carter Benefit - December 2nd

The Goodness and Mercy of God, as well as the generosity of friends and neighbors, was well-represented, as the Echoes took part in a benefit singing for Bill Carter, of the Dixon Springs/Pope County area of Illinois.

Bill has been dealing with melanoma for several years. But his testimony was the highlight of the evening. Bill's faith and trust in God is greater than any disease that might attack him. And that has been a big part of his survival thus far. God's healing power, which is far greater than man's understanding, can overcome. As a song we used to sing says, "God has it Under Control."

A local youth group ended the evening with a drama presentation, which depicts Satan's attempts to control our lives. But turning to Jesus can break the chains that Satan uses to bind -- a very powerful message in a contemporary format.

The love that the community has for the Carter family was amply displayed, as over $2000 was raised to help Bill and his family pay for medical-related expenses. And as another song we sang that night states: "Even In The Valley God Is Good."

To God be the Glory.

Kornbread Junction - November 22nd

We returned for our second visit of the year to Kornbread Junction at Tunnel Hill, Illinois. Phillip Morris hosts a weekly Gospel Night on Tuesdays at the Junction, which is part of his Bed & Breakfast operation at Tunnel Hill.

There was a good crowd of people, sitting around tables, enjoying Beans & Cornbread, Chili, Hot Dogs -- good food and fellowship. Attendees came from all around, including Harrisburg, Illinois, Creal Springs, Illinois, and other "parts unknown."

David played a piano special, with Phillip Morris once again slapping out a rhythm on the old upright bass. That made for a good hand-clapping time. Phillip's granddaughter sang a couple of songs, and David accompanied Joe Irwin, from Harrisburg, who also sang a couple of songs.

The shows at Kornbread Junction slow down a little bit in December and January, but there is usually entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights. Of course, the Bed & Breakfast is open year 'round. If you're in the area and would like an interesting place to stay, check out Kornbread Junction at Tunnel Hill.

We're already looking forward to the next batch of Bean Soup and Cornbread -- along with more great Gospel singing.

WKGMA 2005 Fall Convention - November 5th

The Echoes had a great time with a bunch of our WKGMA singing buddies (West Kentucky Gospel Music Association) at the Saturday session of the WKGMA Fall Convention, at Trinity Baptist Church, in Paducah, Kentucky. This is the third year for Trinity to host the Convention, and they all do a marvelous job of making everyone feel so welcomed. All in all, about seven groups or soloists sang the Glory down on this Saturday night finale of the 3-day Convention!

The Echoes were chomping at the bit by the time we got up to sing. We started off with the entire New Testament in 3 minutes, 15 seconds, as David likes to say, all told in the up-tempo song, "It's Jesus," which had been requested for the Convention. Then, we slowed it down and featured Twila with a reminder of the power of prayer, as we sang, "You Keep Praying." We ended with a rousing rendition of "Damascus Road," that some in the audience standing and clapping along to this spirited song. We truly are on our Road to Damascus, always waiting for God to reveal His will in our lives. But what a time we can have on the journey!

If you like good Gospel music, southern style, be looking for the Spring Convention of the WKGMA (keep watching the Echoes' schedule).

Glory Bound / Weaks Center - November 3rd

We showed up at the Weaks Center in Murray, Kentucky, to participate in a weekly Christian Entertainment event sponsored by Glory Bound Ministries. This was the second appearance at the Glory Bound program; the Echoes also sang on the program in November 2003.

On the program with the Echoes was Divine Appointment, a husband and wife duo who sing original material with a decidedly Country-Christian flavor.

The event is currently held in the Weaks Center, which is the location of the Caldwell County Senior Citizens Center. The audience sat at tables, listening to good Gospel music and partaking of light refreshments -- it could be called "Snack Theater," I suppose.

We'll be looking forward to returning again, and Joe Lawrence, the head of Glory Bound, said it would not be two years before we come back. We'll be ready!

Aurora Days - October 8th

It was a beautiful Fall day in Aurora, Kentucky. The Echoes joined with several other gospel groups to perform outdoors under a cool, partly sunny sky, at an event sponsored by the Aurora Baptist Church.

Each October, the little Kentucky Lake town of Aurora has a fall festival, when the town population temporarily grows to many times its normal size. Food booths, craft booths, flea markets, and a parade make it a popular yearly destination for a lot of people.

We arrived as the Canaanland Quartet was singing, and followed them for a 1-hour set. Then, it was Tarnished Gold who sang until parade time. Other groups were scheduled to sing after the parade.

The stage was on a large flatbed trailer, and the area took on a dinner concert atmosphere, as people sat around at tables eating the delicious food that the church was selling as a fund raiser. David wanted to be sure they didn't run out of Bean Soup and Cornbread, but commented after the song "I Wish I Could Have Been There" that perhaps Jesus could multiply that like he did the loaves and fishes. Anyway, David found that there was plenty of Beans and Cornbread available.

What better way to spend a beautiful, outdoor, fun day, participating in the tradition of celebrating God's blessing on a bountiful harvest. It just doesn't get much better than that!

WKGMA Mini-Convention - October 7th

We joined with our friends, the New Harmony Singers, Alma Young, and the Peacemakers in a Western Kentucky Gospel Music Association (WKGMA) Mini-Convention. The singing was held at the Union Association of Social Brethren Camp, located on Route 145 at Delwood, Illinois.

First up were the Echoes, who sang some older songs, some requested songs, and some of the current songs we have been doing recently. Next, was the New Harmony Singers, who were minus most of their band and a singer. But Alma Young filled in for the missing singer, and the piano player carried the load on the musical side.

Alma Young then sang a few songs which blessed the heart, as always, and then she introduced the Peacemakers, of Paducah, Kentucky, as the final group to sing.

The end of the singing took on tones of a Gaither Homecoming, as all the singers gathered on the stage for a rousing rendition of "I'll Fly Away." It almost made one ready to "fly away," should the Lord return.

It's always good to sing on the same program with other people who love Gospel Music and love sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Song. And it's always good to see those in the audience who are enjoying the blessings of the Lord.

Gaskins City Baptist Church - September 10th

The Lord really was among us as we worshipped with Pastor Teddy Ray Price and an enthusiastic congregation at Gaskins City Baptist Church., in Harrisburg, Illinois.

It's always a blessing to see people worshipping the Lord with upraised hands of praise. David urged everyone to pay particularly close attention to the words of the songs, because God had a message for each individual in attendance. And one song might provide a different message for each person. Well, from the expressions on people's faces, God sure did speak to people!

And the vocal response to our audience participation number, "I Am," was the best we've seen/heard. Join us sometime, and you'll get a chance to participate in that song, too.

Anyway, we came away feeling as if "we'd had church!" We're looking forward to doing it again.

Azotus Baptist Church - August 28th

The Echoes returned to Azotus Church, south of Bay City, Illinois, for our annual participation in Azotus' once-a-year worship service. We've been singing at the Azotus annual homecoming every year now on the 4th Sunday of August, since the early 1970's.

The church no longer even has electricity, and thus we've always had to take a generator to power our sound equipment. Last year, we found an inexpensive power inverter, which allows us to run our equipment off a vehicle battery. That makes it real simple.

Twila's husband, Mark Staton, delivered the message at the morning worship service. Then, tables were lined up outside under a gigantic oak tree, where an abundant spread of food provided a delicious "dinner on the grounds" for lunch. Then, the Echoes presented the ever-same Gospel of Jesus Christ in song, standing under that same gigantic oak tree, to those gathered around.

Azotus is a standing invitation for the Echoes each year, so if the Lord tarries, we'll probably be back again next year to do it all again, on the 4th Sunday of August.

Kornbread Junction - August 2nd

Homespun Dinner Theater at its finest! That's what we found when we sang at Kornbread Junction, in Tunnel Hill, Illinois. Phillip Morris, proprietor, has created a down-home country atmosphere to compliment his Bed & Breakfast operation in Tunnel Hill. Kornbread Junction offers a variety of musical entertainment, with Tuesdays being Gospel Night at the Junction. And all you can eat Beans & Cornbread is always on the menu. (Jerry Kirksey of The Singing News would be in Heaven (he likes to eat good ole home cookin').

The Echoes sang to an appreciative crowd sitting at dining tables around the homey stage area. But no matter where we sing, the Message is the same. And the folks at the Junction heard the wonderful Gospel of Jesus Christ.

This was the first time for the Echoes from Calvary to sing at Kornbread Junction, but according to Phil, it won't be the last. We look forward to going back before too long.

Upper Salem Baptist Church - July 31st

We had a very enjoyable and blessed evening as we returned to Upper Salem Baptist Church, just north of Metropolis, Illinois. It was good to be back with the folks at Upper Salem, after about a 12-year gap since the last time we sang there.

Testimonies at the conclusion of the service indicated that lives had been touched through the songs and spoken words, which is what it's all about! Some of the songs reminded people that God is always faithful, that He is always there to hear our prayers, that he has in store for us the best things for our lives -- and we can trust that He'll be faithful. We ended the evening with "You Keep Praying" as the best advice for guiding our lives.

We don't want to forget to thank the ladies of the church for the delicious dinner enjoyed by everyone after the service. Almost made us want to stop singing early, but as David commented, sometimes we like to sing even better than we like to eat -- especially when the Lord is blessing.

Thanks, Upper Salem, for a very enjoyable evening worshiping the Lord.

Paragon Assisted Living Center - July 23rd

The Echoes from Calvary returned for a second visit to sing for an appreciative group of senior citizens at the Paragon at West Point Assisted Living Center in Paducah, Kentucky. We were scheduled to start at 6:00pm, but the commons visiting area was just about full by 5:45pm. It's not hard to get us to sing at the drop of a hat, so with a good crowd gathered, we began early.

We sang a number of our current songs, each of which had a message for the residents of Paragon (as they do for any listener). David then sat down at the piano, and we took requests from the group for favorite hymns. "The Old Rugged Cross" was called out immediately, with "Sweet Beulah Land" a close second. "In The Garden" and "Amazing Grace" are always favorites. David played "Keep On The Firing Line" on the piano to an instrumental accompaniment, and the Echoes decided to sing the chorus of that song for good measure.

We then ended the evening with "Even In The Valley" and "Keep On Praying" as a reminder to the residents (and us, too) that no matter what comes our way, we can turn our problems over to God, because He is SO good and faithful to carry our burdens.

We then visited with the residents for a little while and met some people from Kansas City, Missouri, who were visiting one of the residents.

As always, while the residents kept telling us how much of a blessing our singing was to them, we found, as always, that we are blessed to a much greater extent by their smiles and support. We'll look forward to going back again.

New Burnsides Community Church - July 15th

The Echoes from Calvary enjoyed a very good evening of Southern Gospel singing, as we worshipped with a good-sized congregation at New Burnsides Community Church, in New Burnsides, Illinois, on Friday evening, July 15th. Thanks to Mr. Choate, who invited us and coordinated the evening, as we sang at the church for the 2nd time in about a year.

The Spirit of God was evident during the evening, as people worshipped God through up-lifted hands and testimonies. A number of different churches were represented, which made it seem all the more like a little of what Heaven will be.

Rend Lake Visitor's Center Sing - June 25th

The Echoes sang outside on June 25th at the Rend Lake Visitor's Center, near Benton, Illinois. Although it was "95 in the shade," there was a good crowd of about 100 people, who set up their lawn chairs around an amphitheater and listened to 2 hours of Southern Gospel singing by the Echoes from Calvary, with special guest Alma Young.

Thanks to Mike Edwards and the Corp of Engineers for coordinating this summer event. Other singings will be held throughout the summer. Check with the Rend Lake Visitor's Center for details.

Echoes from Calvary - SingBlog Begins

Using the emerging technology of the internet-based "blog," we thought it might be interesting to share brief information about the singings in which the Echoes from Calvary participate. So, we hope you join us periodically to keep up with our efforts.

You'll be able to easily access this blog from our Echoes Schedule Page at www.mcgangroup.com/echoes. You might want to bookmark that page for easy access to periodically check up on our schedule on where we'll be appearing, or to now read up on recent singings.

In the meantime, enjoy.

David