Gospel Music Association (GMA) is having their Growing More Active silent auction on eBay. It’s an exciting opportunity to get VIP Experiences and even signed Memorabilia from your favorite artists like:

• Guy Penrod

• Karen Peck & New River

• Oak Ridge Boys

• Ricky Skaggs

• Many more…..

The great folks over at GMA are adding new items daily so be sure to browse through and check them out.

Remember, your “silent” bid provides a “louder” voice for the Gospel! All proceeds benefit the work of the Gospel Music Association. For more information call 615-242-0303 or visit www.gospelmusic.org.

Since the news of National Quartet Convention’s move to Pigeon Forge was released, there have been many questions asked about the future of Southern Gospel’s largest annual event. As board members and NQC staff fielded questions from concerned fans, the team came together to create a list to ease the minds of attendees. As you will soon find out, there are many reasons to be excited about NQC 2014 in Pigeon Forge, TN!

For further updates and the latest news and information, Like NQC on Facebook or Follow NQC on Twitter.

Will permanent ticket holders be offered comparable seating in Pigeon Forge?

Absolutely.  When you purchase your seats for the 2013 NQC, you will have seats reserved in a comparable location in the Leconte Center for 2014.  You can purchase and try to upgrade those seats at the 2013 NQC or wait for the invoice and pay by the end of February of 2014.

Will the showcases continue (Featured and Regional Artist Showcases)? / Will daytime events be reconfigured in alignment with the change of venue for NQC?

We will offer daytime packages of entertainment and will use the Leconte Center for some of those major showcases, much as we currrently use Freedom Hall for our major showcases now, and will allso use other venues such as the Grand Convention Center across the street from the Leconte Center.

Is there enough parking for an event this size?

There is a large parking lot that services the Leconte Center and there is also parking in an outlet mall across the street. The parking lot trams will service both areas so parking will not be a problem. Also, for those who have lodging somewhere on the strip, you can use the city trolleys and they will take you right to the front entrance of the Lectone Center, meaning that you can stay parked at your hotel. Parking is absolutely free at the Leconte Center and if you choose to ride the trolleys from your hotel, the ride is only .50 cents.

Will exhibit space be overhauled? / Where will booths be located?

There will be booth space in the Leconte Center. The booth space will be located in the major concourses as well as the major breakout roooms in the facility.

Will the Exhibit Hall be in the same building as the evening concerts?

Yes. The exhibits will be located in the Leconte Center. There may also be some displays in the Grand Convention Center as well.

Will lodging be as expensive in Louisville?

Lodging will be very affordable as the convention dates will be at a time when there is not much activity in Pigeon Forge. In addition to traditional hotels, there are also an abundance of cabin and condo rentals available at very affordable rates.

Is there lodging within walking distance of LeConte Center?

The Grand Hotel, which is undergoing major renovation, is right across the street from the Leconte Center. There are also plans for additional hotels across from the Leconte Center.

When can I make hotel reservations and buy tickets for NQC 2014?

Your first opportunity to make hotel reservations and purchase seats for NQC 2014 will be at the 2013 NQC. Attendees to the 2013 NQC can make their arrangements on site for NQC 2014. Those not attending the 2013 NQC will be able to make their reservations and purchase their seats the week following NQC 2013.

Will seating be more “senior friendly?”

All 12,000 seats will be flat on the floor. You will not have to climb any steps to reach any part of the facility.

Will there be RV hookups on site?

Though there are no RV hookups on site at the Leconte Center, there are over 2,000 full service RV sites located on the strip in Pigeon Forge. Those staying in the RV parks will have easy access to the Leconte Center by either driving or making use of the city trolleys.

Will there be shuttle service offered from Knoxville airport to the Pigeon Forge hotels?

There will be a shuttle service from the Knoxville airport to Pigeon Forge during the NQC.

Will we have major traffic problems in Pigeon Forge?

Once the NQC moves to Pigeon Forge, the event will begin on the fourth Monday of September, which is a very low traffic time for the Pigeon Forge area. There will not be anything going on other than the NQC, so traffic congestion will not be a problem.

Fleece Pullovers

Got Gear?

NQC 2012 Sportswear, Shirts and more

Did you miss your chance to get great NQC gear during the 2012 NQC in Kentucky?

No worries! Our friends and Lighthouse Sportswear has added a full line of great NQC gear on their website including t-shirts, fleece pullovers, denim, long sleeve shirts, button down shirts and more.

 CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR GEAR NOW

Board of Directors sign final piece of steel in Pigeon Forge

As construction for the all-new 232,000 LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge continues, city officials took time to pause with special guests for a ceremonial placing of the final steel beam. Invitees to this special event included officials and dignitaries from: the City of Pigeon Forge, the State of Tennessee, multiple Chambers of Commerce, local and state Departments of Tourism, and also, the Board of Directors for the National Quartet Convention.

As honored guests for the ceremony, board members for NQC were met with a warm greeting as city officials expressed their gratitude and excitement for Southern Gospel’s largest annual event to call Pigeon Forge home in 2014 and 2015. Following a brief word of thanks from NQC President Les Beasley, the gentlemen showed their appreciation in the most familiar way – through song. The impromptu verse and chorus of “Amazing Grace” was again met with a warm applause and smiles. For a brief moment, the small crowd of city officials, state representatives, and tourism members got a taste of what is heading their way in less than two years.

Dates for the 2014 National Quartet Convention in Pigeon Forge have yet to be set. Details including travel, lodging, and area information will be released soon.

In the meantime, check out these photos of our board members attending the ceremonial ”Signing of the Steel”  September 19, 2012 at the brand-new LeConte Center at Pigeon Forge.

Photos taken by our friends at SD Professionals.

LOUISVILLE, KY – On a night unlike any other in recent history for the National Quartet Convention, the first-ever NQC Music Awards took center stage as the Showcase highlight on Friday afternoon in Louisville, KY. With a chance to hear all ten songs nominated for the fan-decided “Song of the Year”, the thousands of fans in attendance got to see and hear the best Southern Gospel had to offer.

Between handing out awards for yearlong accomplishments and plenty of musical performances, there was little room for boredom and plenty of time for laughter and joy. Hosted by the threesome of Les Beasley, Claude Hopper, and Steve French, the three accomplished emcees kept the award show going and setting a high standard for all future hosts of the NQC Music Awards.

Each nominee for “Song of the Year” was given a chance to perform their song even though the votes had been tabulated for quite some time. All ten songs and performances were met with a resounding and well-deserved round of applause.

The majority of awards were determined via fan vote, with five being chosen by industry members. The National Quartet Convention would like to thank the dedicated voting base for their involvement throughout this process and wish heartfelt congratulations to all of the winners.

Winners include:

Songwriter of the Year – Dianne Wilkinson

Favorite Musician – Kim Collingsworth

Favorite Alto – Sheri Easter

Favorite Soprano – Kim Hopper

Favorite Lead Singer – Ronnie Booth

Les Beasley Impact Award – enlighten Radio

Favorite Bass – Eric Bennett

Favorite Baritone – Jim Brady

Favorite Tenor – David Phelps

Favorite Soloist – Jason Crabb

Album of the Year – The Perrys

SGMG Producer/Arranger of the Year – Lari Goss

Concert Promoter of the Year – Bill Gaither

Radio Station of the Year – WBOZ, Nashville

Favorite Mixed Group – Collingsworth Family

Song of the Year – Greater Vision

Male Group – Booth Brothers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LOUISVILLE – The National Quartet Convention has announced the 2013 NQC will be held September 9-14 in Louisville, Kentucky. The 2013 event will be very special, marking the final year NQC will be held Louisville. Many special and unique events are being planned for 2013 to celebrate the end of a wonderful relationship between NQC and the city of Louisville.

Thousands of attendees from across the United States and Canada, as well as several countries around the world, are invited to gather one last time at the current location to relive unforgettable memories from two decades of gatherings at the Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center. Plans are already underway to make the 2013 NQC the largest and best week in the event’s 55-year history. Many first-time attendees are also expected, as it will be their last chance to experience the NQC in this historic location.

September 2014 will mark the beginning of a new era for the National Quartet Convention. Gospel Music’s Largest Annual Event is planning its move to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, one of America’s leading family-friendly vacation destinations.

Fans can make their reservations for the 2013 NQC during this week’s event in the North Wing Lobby of the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center. NQC attendees will also be able to purchase their seats online throughout the year by visiting www.nqconline.com. NQC encourages all to reserve seating and lodging well in advance for the final year of the National Quartet Convention in Louisville.

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We’ve had a lot of fun these last ten weeks, but as our series comes to a close, let’s look at back at some of the highlights from our guests!

We hope that you have enjoyed A Look Inside with these great artists. Other than right here on the NQC Blog, the only other place to find them all is at National Quartet Convention September 9-15th. We’ll see you there!

To get more from our featured artists, visit their website for links to tour dates, social networks, and news features. Was your favorite artists missing from our series? Let us know who you want to see next year by tweeting us @NQConline, or commenting on the NQC Facebook page! One last special thank you to all our guests…

The Chuck Wagon Gang
11th Hour
The Primitive Quartet
Tribute Quartet
Jeff & Sheri Easter
The LeFevre Quartet
The Hoppers
The Bowling Family
The Kingdom Heirs
Tim Lovelace

See you at National Quartet Convention!

Tim Lovelace

There are few things Tim Lovelace cannot do within Gospel music. For the last thirty-six years he has filled numerous roles including singer, songwriter, musician, emcee, and comedian. Beginning his professional career at 18 years old, Tim would travel and sing with groups including The Masters Quartet, Florida Boys, Kingsmen, and Jake Hess before he and wife Mary Alice joined each other on stage.

Tim and Mary Alice, now married for 16 years, traveled the country together as she impressed crowds with her powerful voice and Tim’s wit and personality kept them laughing. Eventually starting a family would become a greater priority than traveling as Mary Alice decided to stay home with daughters Gabrielle and Gracie (and each daughter has an amazing story!) as Tim continued to sing.   As the family grew at home, so did Tim’s ministry on the road. As many friends and family will tell you, his passion for life, sense of humor, and contagious laughter are second to none. So putting together a comedy act just seemed natural.

Audiences around the country have grown to love the Lovelace brand of comedy that is often delivered through song and accompanied by multiple instruments. An accomplished musician, Tim finds a way to intertwine the piano, banjo, and guitar into his honest style of story telling that listeners find both familiar and hilarious.

Tim’s style of sharing his story through song and laughter has made him a sought after performer and a regular at National Quartet Convention for years. Although his role may have changed, there are still plenty of opportunities to laugh with Tim at NQC. Arrive early for the evening concerts and enjoy a hilarious preshow as Tim will share and set the tone for a great night together. Before that, enjoy a few minutes with a family that’s open about their love for Christ and a struggle to find normalcy.

Website     Facebook     Twitter     Socialcam

For more information and ways to support Compassion International, you can visit TimLovelace.com.

The Kingdom Heirs (L-R): Kreis French, Jerry Martin, Arthur Rice, Dennis Murphy, Steve French, Andy Stringfield, Jeff Chapman

Many Southern Gospel artists are blessed with the opportunity to sing to thousands of fans each year. The main difference between The Kingdom Heirs and the rest of the industry, their listeners are typically travelling to their hometown. For 27 years, The Kingdom Heirs have been the resident Southern Gospel quartet at Dollywood in the heart of Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The group actually has ties to the theme park as early as 1981 while it was still Silver Dollar City. But no matter the name on the sign out front, this group has established themselves as one of the top Male Quartets in the country.

Hailing from Mascot, TN, baritone and emcee Steve French, along with younger brother and bass guitarist Kreis French, grew up with the sounds of music in the home. Sons of the local church pianist, they discovered the gift of music would be handed down at an early age. Despite growing up with other sporting interests, the calling for full-time music ministry would win their hearts, as they eventually become the owners and foundation for The Kingdom Heirs.

Joining Steve and Kreis are five talented men sharing their passion for Southern Gospel music. Drummer Dennis Murphy and lead singer Arthur Rice have been mainstays of the group for 22 and 17 years, respectively. Through time, both have been recognized as industry leaders at their positions. Dennis and the band are four-time recipients of Band of the Year honors, while Arthur is known as a talented triple threat with multiple award nominations for Lead Singer, Male Vocalist, and Producer of the Year.

New addition to The Kingdom Heirs include bass singer Jeff Chapman. Jeff joined the group in 2003 and quickly established himself as one of the most consistent and entertaining singers in Southern Gospel. It’s interesting to note that pianist (and sometimes baritone) Andy Stringfield has been alive as long as the group has been performing at Dollywood. Just 27 years old, Andy honed his musical talents in churches, schools, and the University of Tennessee. But perhaps none of The Kingdom Heirs began performing as early as tenor, and newest member, Jerry Martin. At a very young age (you’ll have to watch the video to know just how young!), Jerry began singing in his local church only to see those talents lead to a professional career.

With a song that topped the charts earlier this year (“Tell Me Why” went #1 in April) and a variety of other award nominations, it is clear The Kingdom Heirs’ message is heard far outside East Tennessee. When Dollywood is closed, these seven men climb aboard the bus and log thousands of miles as they travel and sing throughout the country and abroad. Despite a short travel schedule, they always take time away from “The Park” to join us at National Quartet Convention.

While they were between shows, a few of the guys paused to say hello to the fans of NQC. As veterans of Convention (they will perform three times from the NQC Main Stage this year), they had a lot to share and a few reasons why you should be there. As you’ll find out, there’s a lot more than three shows a day with this group.

You can socialize with The Kingdom Heirs by visiting them here:

Website          Facebook        Twitter           YouTube        Newsletter

The Bowling Family (L-R): Terah Penhollow, Mike Bowling, and Kelly Bowling.

For a lucky few, Southern Gospel music is a family business. As members of The Bowling Family will tell you, they are among the fortunate ones. Growing up surrounded by the music made them fans, but now they know how blessed they are to sing professionally.

Mike Bowling and Kelly Crabb were first introduced at a concert – not as members of the audience, but as on-stage talent. At the time, Mike was with The Perrys while Kelly sang with her brothers and sister as The Crabb Family. Both experienced tremendous success with their respective groups and now continue to impress the Southern Gospel industry together.

As The Crabb Family made the difficult decision to pursue other interests, Kelly joined husband and father to her three children to form Mike & Kelly Bowling. While their sound was great, something was clearly missing. A reunion with sister and accomplished alto, Terah Crabb Penhollow, soon followed with some effective “persuading” from Kelly.

Now known across the country as The Bowling Family, these three are continuing the tradition of wonderful Southern Gospel as the family business. Many know their ministry comes with a remarkable story of healing, faith, and provision. In July 2010, the group was involved in a bus accident leaving Mike and Kelly physically and emotionally harmed. While some wondered if they would ever return to music full-time, their answer was an emphatic, “YES!”

Only months removed from the accident, their journey toward recovery brought them to Louisville, KY for National Quartet Convention. While no strangers to NQC, the annual visit had never felt like this. In just a few days, The Bowling Family experienced the heart of a community firmly grounded in prayer, love, and support.

As wounds heal and life returns to normalcy, the family continues to return to NQC, joyfully recalling the feeling of love from friends and fans alike. As they tour, the trio made time for National Quartet Convention to discuss being a family band, how it all got started, and the joy found in community.

You can socialize with The Bowling Family too! Visit them here:

Website          Facebook          Twitter