2005 NATIONAL QUARTET CONVENTION

Sandi Duncan-Clark

At 5:00 AM on Saturday morning, September 17^th, the sky is still dark. The airport is beginning to fill, and I have an hour before my flight home. I reflect on the past week; one of the most exciting weeks of the year for fans of Southern Gospel music and for everyone in the industry. For seven days most of us gather in Louisville, Kentucky for a week of concerts, Bible study, fellowship, food and fun.

I had arrived in Louisville on Tuesday evening at 6:30 PM. From that time till early Saturday morning, things were wide-open and full speed ahead. The convention exhibit hall was filled with booths and people. I noticed the toll that soaring gas prices and the hurricane had taken on this year’s NQC, as I walked the aisles. Several booths were unoccupied, with the participants name still posted overhead. 

It was exciting to see friends I have missed seeing since last year’s NQC! I met David Patillo, Suzanne Graham, Lee and Cindy Condran, Kim and Robin Rhodes, Brenda Dotson all the New Plainsmen Quartet were all a site for sore eyes. Of course there were lots of hugs and kisses all around.

Rising early on Wednesday, I was anxious for the events of the day. Bible Study and Chapel services begin on Tuesday of the week and for the first year in the history of NQC, the Bible studies were conducted by local pastors from the Louisville, Kentucky area. Dr. Buck Morton’s last year of Bible study was 2004, and he retired this year as Emcee for the National Quartet Convention. Dr. Buck was recognized for his many years of devotion to the task of emceeing the greatest national event in Southern Gospel music on Friday night, by the NQC Board.

Afternoon matinees are abundant and although one can not possibly attend every event, I like to pop in to as many as possible to enjoy the music and experience as much of the exciting new talent that is erupting on the Southern Gospel scene.

Record company events for the media were abundant again this year. Most of the recording companies host “meet and greets” to allow the media to meet their artists. On Wednesday evening, Zion Music hosted a session with many of their major artists being available to meet radio personnel and news media. It was a great time of fellowship!

Crossroads Marketing hosted a special time of fellowship with their artists all available for station liners for the DJs and photos for the media in attendance. Most of the Crossroads/Sonlite artists were there, talking and sharing.

Thursday is the annual cruise day for radio and media, as Daywind hosts a cruise down the Ohio River on the Louisville Belle river boat. I’ve heard a number of media personnel say this was the highlight of the week for them. The reason I find this event so exciting is the concert just prior to the boat sailing. Most of Daywind’s artists perform, and there’s always a sweet time of worship and fellowship. I get my battery recharged at this event!

Of course Thursday night’s major draw is the Singing News Fan Award presentation beginning at 6:00 PM and the auditorium and the exhibit hall is “a buzz” with speculation of the winners. Some of my favorite people always win…I love them all!  You’ll find total list of the winners posted elsewhere on the website.

Friday’s are packed, from sun up till sun down. Beginning with the Sonrise Christian Voices breakfast and showcase to the Zion Showcase to the Lamp Showcase and the Airplay Showcase and on to the Diamond Awards, you can hear singing all day long and then into the night. I was honored to be a presenter this year with the great Eddie Crook. This year we presented the J.D. Sumner Living Legend award to a very gracious Connie Hopper. You’ll find coverage of the Diamond Awards elsewhere on our website.

Saturday continues the showcases and the matinee programs at the convention center, Executive Inn as well as the Executive Inn West. For the most part, one stays busy from daylight till dark when attending NQC and all the events of the week.

It was a blessing to visit with all our old friends and meet so many new folks during this week. Needless to say, one can not possibly get around to everything and I can honestly say, I come home so totally exhausted that it took a few days to recover. I so thoroughly enjoy the week with all my Gospel music friends that I didn’t even mind loosing my luggage on my return trip.  At least my un-packing was delayed a couple of days, and I had time to reflect on a very busy, enjoyable week. You should make your plans to go next year, to enjoy an awesome week of Southern Gospel music!