Azotus Church Homecoming - August 27th

The Echoes returned for the 35th year to participate in the once-a-year church service at the old Azotus Baptist Church, in the Azotus community in a very rural area south of Bay City, Illinois.

Azotus Church was established in 1848, but has not had regular church services for many years. However, once a year, descendants of the church congregation and families of those buried in the church cemetery gather for a worship service, dinner on the grounds and afternoon Gospel singing.

The morning message was delivered by Twila's husband, Mark. After a delicious pot luck lunch, the Echoes sang under the shade of a huge oak tree for about an hour. Just as we were finishing up our last song, it began to sprinkle rain. Not long after we loaded up our equipment, it began raining harder, and eventually came a deluge of over 3 inches in less than an hour. But the skies had held off pouring out the deluge until after another Azotus afternoon was complete.

Saline County Singing Convention - August 6th

The Echoes travelled to Pankeyville, Illinois (near Harrisburg) and the Pankeyville Baptist Church, for the monthly Saline County Singing Convention. This event has been going on since the early 1900's and is a good opportunity for regional and local groups to share the Gospel in Song with others.

A number of soloists sang between our two sets of music and the Blessings of the Lord came down during the service.

We appreciate Alma Young, President of the Convention, for her dedication to helping sustain Gospel Music in the Southern Illinois area.

Rend Lake Visitor's Center - August 5th

For the second summer in a row, the Echoes travelled to the Rend Lake Visitor's Center, near Benton, Illinois, to sing at their Summer Concert series. The Corps of Engineers sponsors this summer music event.

Held outside in an amphitheater setting, a number of people sat out in the warm, summer evening, to listen to the Gospel in song. Beginning a little before sundown, we sang until well after dark.

Our friend, Alma Young, sang a couple of songs to give us a little break, and we all enjoyed the evening under the stars.

We appreciate the Corps of Engineers for their sponsorship of this summer series and look forward to participating again next year.

Saline Care Nursing Home - July 22nd

The Echoes made a first appearance at the Saline Care Nursing Home, in Harrisburg, Illinois. David's Aunt, Marie Bryan, is a resident there, and gave a special invitation for us to come visit and sing to her and her friends.

The common area at the nursing home was pretty full with residents, family members, and staff. We sang a number of songs, and were happy to see some of the residents clapping their hands to the beat of the song and being blessed by the words.

At the conclusion, several of the residents invited us back, and we will be doing so this fall. We'll be looking forward to seeing them again and sharing the Gospel with such an appreciative and responsive audience.

Elizabethtown Baptist Church - July 8th

Not many churches in this area can say they have been spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ for 200 years. But the Elizabethtown Baptist Church, in Elizabethtown, Illinois, celebrated its 200th anniversary on the weekend of July 8th and 9th.

The Echoes were privileged to be asked to sing as part of the multi-day celebration at the church. So, on Saturday afternoon, we stood under a tent-covered stage to sing to people gathered around to listen to Gospel singing, eat ice cream, pie and other complimentary goodies.

We taxed our memory somewhat, as we had been asked to sing for a 2-hour period. But we made it. Part of the time, we "went back in time" to sing some old standard hymns acapella, just like they might have done 200 years ago when the church was first getting started. (David said that acapella meant "too poor to afford a piano." So, as the audience would call out a song, we would do our best to sing at least one verse. We had a ball, as did most everyone else.

Congratulations, E-town Baptist, on this milestone event in your work for Christ! May you continue until He returns.

Gaither Suites at Westpark - July 1st

We made another return engagement to sing to the residents of Gaither Suites at Westpark Assisted Living Center (formerly Paragon), in Paducah, Kentucky.

As always, the residents made us feel right at home. The meeting area (parlor?) was filled this time with a very appreciative number. As we have made it a practice there, we sang a while, and then passed out song books and invited the residents to call out their favorite hymn. That's always a popular segment of our service.

We hope to get on the busy schedule at Gaither Suites again soon, as we always enjoy worshiping with these wonderful senior citizens.

Oscar Baptist Church Homecoming - May 21st

The Echoes made our first appearance at Oscar Baptist Church, in Oscar, Kentucky, for their annual homecoming celebration.

The 10:00am starting time necessitated getting up early for the pretty long trip to get to Oscar. But singing to a full house of enthusiastic worshipers made the getting up early well worth it.

We'll be looking forward to a return visit to Oscar Baptist.

Glorybound Christian Entertainment - May 19th

The Echoes made a return appearance at Glorybound Christian Entertainment's event at the Goshen United Methodist Church Family Life Center, in Stella, Kentucky. This is about the 4th time we have enjoyed singing to friendly folks, in a dinner club atmosphere.

Appearing with us were The Moreheads, of Monkey's Eyebrow, Kentucky. Although we are both members of the WKGMA, and have sung in the same areas, this is the first time we've had the opportunity to sing on the same program. And what a joy it was! If you get a chance to go see the Moreheads, you'll be in for a treat. Wes Morehead writes a lot of their material, and he is one more good songwriter!

WKGMA Spring Convention - May 5th

The Echoes participated in the West Kentucky Gospel Music Association's Spring Convention, which took place once again at Trinity Baptist Church, in Paducah, Kentucky. Talmadge Martin emceed the Friday concert, introducing a number of WKGMA groups and soloists.

A good time was had by all, as they say. And it was real good to see John Clark, of the New Harmony Singers, in attendance, only a couple of weeks after suffering a stroke. John's miraculous recovery is truly a miracle of God.

Illinois State Quartet Convention - April 21st

The Echoes from Calvary met up with a number of our "singing buddies" at the Illinois State Quartet Convention. Held in the beautiful, new Marion Civic Center, in Marion, Illinois, the event features Southern Gospel groups from all over southern and central Illinois. Hosted by our friends, The Glorylanders, the Echoes look forward each year to this event, where we can not only sing the praises of Jesus Christ, but listen to others do the same. This is about the 30th year or so that we've been participating.

It was good to see that God still has his hand on emcee Dean Stephanson, who is conquering cancer, and Dee Ozment, of the Glorylanders, who has recuperated very well from a stroke suffered last year.

Glorybound Christian Entertainment - March 16th

The Echoes once again were featured at the Glorybound Christian Entertainment program. This time around, Glorybound now promotes their program at the Family Life Center at Goshen Methodist Church, in Stella, Kentucky, about 4 miles west of Murray, Kentucky.

A good group of people enjoyed the evening of the greatest entertainment there is -- Southern Gospel singing.

We're already booked to return to Glorybound on Friday, May 19th. Come out and enjoy the Gospel of Jesus Christ in song with us. We'd like to see you there.

Paragon Assisted Living Center - March 4th

We made a return trip to sing to the great folks at the Paragon Assisted Living Center in Paducah, KY. The community room area of the Center was full of lively seniors who enthusiastically responded to the Gospel in song. We stood around the piano and invited the folks to call out songs from hymnals for us to sing. They always seem to enjoy that segment of our program the most.

We'll look forward to going back to visit again before too long.

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.