Just Thinking

On Friday evening Melisa and I were able to attend a Gaither Homecoming in Hershey, PA. A family in our area bought us the tickets and planned the whole night for us, which included baby sitting service, a delicious meal at a very nice restaurant and the Gaither Homecoming. We really had a good time. I was at a Gaither Homecoming a few years ago and wasn't real thrilled with the whole thing so I was a little sceptical about this one. But I must say that I really enjoyed this one much more. The music seemed to have more meaning and just the whole atmosphere was different. Below are some pictures from the concert. I hope you enjoy.

I regret to inform you that our revival has been canceled. Our evangelist, Rev. Mike Wetherald is also a pastor and just as he was getting ready to leave NC this morning, he received a call that an elderly gentleman in his congregation had passed away. Our thoughts and prayers are with this family during this time. We are hoping to reschedule the revival in a few weeks. We will try to post the dates on here when we confirm them.

From time to time I will have different people tell me that they read my blog. Not very many, but I have been surprised at who does look at it from time to time. With that being said, I would like for you to comment on this post and let me know who you are and where you are from. I know in doing this I run the risk of being embarrassed because I might not get any responses. But oh well, I'll do it anyway. I promise I'll not send you any annoying emails or give you any harassing phone calls. I'm just interested in seeing who reads my blog, so please be so kind to say hello.

Last week was the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, KY. I am a fan of Southern Gospel Music and would like to sometime be able to attend the NQC. Keith Waggoner listed winners of the fan awards on his blog. But at the NQC there are also Gospel Bluegrass awards which is held seperately from the main awards. I love gospel bluegrass music. Not everybody has that same appreciation and I understand that. But I love groups like The Isaacs, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, NewFound Road, and of course The Primitive Quartet. Jeff Tolbert, who is producing my album and playing several instruments on it, travels with the Primitive Quartet. I talked to him one day last week while he was at the NQC. Jeff was awarded the Gospel Bluegrass instrumentalist of the year. Let me tell you, he is good and what a privilege to have him play on my CD. The Primitives also had the Gospel Bluegrass song of the year.

Now this is real talent.

Above is another picture of my great-grandfather Oliver "Poppy" Webb. Here he is standing in his "cash crop" tobacco.

Above is a picture of my late great-grandparents Poppy and Mommy Webb. They were my father's grandparents on his mother's side. I never knew my great-grandmother but from the stories I have hear I understand that "Mommy" was a very hard working, strict woman but loved her family unconditionally. I remember Poppy very clearly though. I remember visiting him when he lived with my great aunt and uncle. I remember having to listen very carefully to hear what he had to say but loved the stories he told. The Webbs originated from Kentucky and were the quintessential hill-billies. Don't laugh at that though because they were some of the hardest working and family oriented people around but lived a simple yet profound life. Profound because of the impact I see on the family yet today. My father tells of how Poppy would work from sun up to sun down even as an old man, on the farm where I eventually spent most of my life. As you can see, I inherited many things from my great-grandfather; big nose, big ears, receding hair line. I just hope I inherited his good health too. As far as I know Poppy never had any serious health problems but lived just a few days shy of 100.

I'm sure we all remember where we were and what we were doing when we heard the horrible news five years ago. Our nation was under attack. I was living in Beavertown, PA at the time and was driving from the church parsonage to the church. I was on Route 522 just about to turn onto to Covered Bridge Rd. and heard it on the radio. My wife was at home so I called her on the phone to tell her to turn the radio on. It was so hard to believe. It was terrifying. We didn't know what we would hear next. World Trade Center, Pentagon, Somerset, PA. Would there be more? We prayed. We cried. We grieved for the families that lost loved ones. Sep. 11, 2001, how can we ever forget? God forbid that we ever do. God Bless America.

The Penn View Fall Picnic was held today. My high school guys beat the college guys 9-5 in a great game. The game was interrupted in the 6th inning by rain but we were able to finish and get the win. Way to go PVCA. For some pictures of some of the action off the field check out Tim Calhoun's blog here.

My good friend Matt Ellison went along with me. Matt is always a treat to be around and he was truly a blessing on this trip. Here Matt is relaxing along side of Tim Surrett listening to a track.

Here we are in the studio. From l to r: Aaron McCarty, Kevin Griggs, Jeff Tolbert, Rick "Drew Carrey" Murry, and Tim Surrett. We had a great time with these guys.

For a few years now, I have been wanting to make a recording. I have done some singing on many CDs but always for other people. I am finally able to do my own recording and I am really excited about it. On Tuesday I was in a studio in Weaverville, NC for the instrument tracks of the project. It was lots of fun and the guys who did the picking were spectacular. I have a great love for acoustic and bluegrass style music and this project is geared that way. Jeff Tolbert, who plays and sings for The Primitive Quartet is producing the album for me. Jeff is a very gifted musician and on my project is playing the rhythm guitar, lead guitar, mandolin, banjo and fiddle. Tim Surrett, who traveled with The Kingsmen for many years is also playing on the CD. Tim did the tracks on the upright bass, electric bass and dobro. Rick Murray is a very gifted drummer and he put some light rhythm on it for me. The studio owner and engineer is Kevin Briggs. The studio is called K & K Studio and has only been open for three years. It is a really nice relaxed atmoshphere. I will be returning to the studio in the next couple weeks to lay down the vocals. I hope and pray that the project turns out good. I know I'm excited about it.

The drain tube was removed from Ethan's mouth yesterday. Everything went well and Dr. Jay was pleased with how Ethan is healing. He had to miss his first week of pre-school but things are looking good for next week.