I wanted to pass along the arrangements for John's funeral services. The viewing will be Sunday evening from 6:00-8:00 with the funeral being Monday morning at 10. It will be at the Evans Funeral Home, 1944 State Route 28, Goshen, OH 45122.
The Trust Quartet family is working on scheduling a Memorial Service in the Okeechobee area for John's friends who are unable to attend the funeral in Ohio. Details about time and location will be posted here as well as www.trustquartet.com when those details are finalized.
Please continue to pray for Pat and the rest of John's family during this difficult time.
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
John Daunt Promoted
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| John Daunt |
John and Pat have been vital members of the Trust Quartet family for many years. Pat, of course, does the majority of our scheduling and promotions. John, as Buzz has said many times, was "the other set of feet out from under the bus." If there was anything that needed to be done, John was there to volunteer to get it done. I couldn't tell you the number of times he would go back to the bus during a sound check to grab water bottles for us, or help us lug in the equipment, and he was always willing to help set it up and tear it down. John drove us many smooth miles up and down the roads to various churches ~ safely.
John and Pat made special trips to Florida that are memorable to me right now. In October 2011, they came down specifically to drive us back up to Georgia for a weekend. They didn't have to do that. But they knew we needed the extra help for such a trip. They did the same thing this past Labor Day. We knew then he wasn't well. We knew there was something wrong, but they came. I'm sure glad they did! As history will be written, that was the last time we were able to see John. Our lives are richer for having him as a friend. Now, Heaven is richer for he is there with Jesus.
More details will be coming as we know them; but I wanted to get this out now and ask you to pray for Pat and the rest of the Daunt family. And, as you're praying for them, please remember the Trust family as well. That was an extended part of John and Pat's family.
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Tribute Quartet in Vero Beach
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| Tribute Quartet |
The church in Vero Beach known for hosting southern gospel groups has started their 2013-14 season, and this past Friday night was my first opportunity to go. This concert has been circled on my calendar for months! The group? Tribute Quartet. In fact, I told tenor singer Riley Harrison Clark after the concert this is one that is marked that I do NOT miss!
I relayed this story to baritone singer Josh Singletary and bass singer Anthony Davis, as well as lead singer and manager Gary Casto: The first time I attended a Tribute Quartet concert, I had never heard of the group. It was at this same church in Vero and I pointed to a seat in the back corner where I sat that night. I recounted that I was angry that night (for the reason I cannot recall) and had the attitude, with my arms folded, 'Bless me if you can, guys!' I looked each of them in the eye, and told them, 'You did, and I've been a Tribute fan ever since!'
I have been following southern gospel music for the better part of 35-40 years, and this group ranks in the top five of my favorites of all time. Ladies and gentlemen, that list would include the Cathedrals, Nelons, some of GVB's lineups. These guys are the real deal!
This particular concert included some of my absolute favorite Tribute songs like Outside the Gate, That's Why I Love Him So, and Through Me the Cross Lives On. What I wasn't expecting was an arrangement of How Great Thou Art that blew me away. And as I mentioned to Josh on Facebook Monday, I sang Look For Me all the way to Miami and back Sunday.
There was some particularly moving parts of the concert Friday night. In fact, Gary mentioned it from the stage this was not a normal Tribute concert. Riley, the 'baby' of the group, talked more than usual. That was a good thing, because his reminders to the audience that God is still God was obviously what was needed on this night. Tears flowed as the group led the congregation in singing that chorus, He Loves Me. What a reminder that the God of the Universe who created all there is ~~ loves us.
We laughed (if you've not attended a Tribute concert, I'm living proof it can NOT be done without smiling!), we cried, we shouted, we lifted hands to Heaven ~ and not to say all those are needed elements of worship ~ we worshiped Friday night! I'm not a fan of the phrase, God showed up, because He's already omnipresent, but I think it is safe to say that those who attended allowed God to move among us in a mighty way.
If you ever have the opportunity to attend a Tribute Quartet concert, do yourself a favor and do it. When you hear about it in your area, circle your calendar and let nothing stand in the way! You will not regret it!
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
Going Home: An Incredible Journey
The journey has been a long one. It was supposed to have begun over Memorial Day weekend. Unfortunately, those plans fell through and were amended to begin three weeks later. We made our plans to go to a new place and work with a new person to complete our plan.
We approached the session with a confidence that we would be able to complete the project and make it available for all our friends by Labor Day. It seemed very doable. We hired our new person to do his best to give us a product that we would be proud to put on our table and termed it a 'do it right' proposition. Little did we know at that point the journey we were on!
The first day was a bit slower than we'd expected. There were some harmony parts that this writer just could not hear correctly. But our project manager patiently (well, as patiently as he could!) plugged along with us. More accurately, plugged along with me.
When that first day was over, I thought back to my high school band days. If the band director was a trumpet player, the trumpet players in the band were typically the ones who caught the brunt of the director. He expected perfection from them. Our project manager / producer / teacher / coach ~~ sings baritone. He was working to pull harmonies out of me that I didn't know existed! I've told people before that I'm a lead singer (one who sings melody) trapped in a baritone vocal range (one who does not sing very high)! I saw this project as a challenge, an opportunity to become a better musician. I saw it as a way to be taught by one of the best!
The second trip to the studio would be better. We just knew it! It was better, but we still were not able to complete the project as we'd hoped. The product being available by Labor Day was quickly becoming doubtful. The third and fourth trips to the studio saw more progress, but there was still that one song that needed to get done. Fortunately, we had already scheduled a concert in the immediate area of the studio in October. Finally, at just about 2 o'clock in the afternoon on October 19, we declared this project a wrap. I don't know who was more excited ~ Trust Quartet or our project manager!
The project was now in the hands of our capable project manager to make it sound as it should. Please understand a couple of things here: first, 'project manager' is not the proper title. Second, a recording project never sounds like it did when it was being recorded. Our 'project manager' coaches us through the whole process. Some of it is recorded literally phrase by phrase. Many times. In fact, a few more than 'many'! Recording an album is a tedious process. Don't misunderstand, I LOVE being in the studio!
Last night, I had the opportunity to sit in a room in Vero Beach and listen to the recording for the first time. Buzz, Rhonda, Beverly, and Jeff were there. Unfortunately, Spence had other obligations and couldn't be with us. Later as I continued to listen, I sat mesmerized at what I heard. Not because I was singing, as much as it was the realization of the hard work being completed. We've been singing these songs for a long time. Don't tell anyone I said this, but it was almost to the point the songs were becoming old. As I listened last night, the songs were fresh again.
On the CD credits, the 'project manager' will probably be listed either as an engineer or a producer ~ or both. That's the technical hat he wore. Rest assured though, Kevin Hunt - baritone extraordinaire, coach, teacher, project manager - could put whatever title he wants on himself as far as I'm concerned! Words cannot adequately nor accurately express our gratitude for what he's meant to Trust Quartet.
I still cannot give a specific date the CD will be available. It is now going to the next step at the duplicator. Friends, its much closer than it has been! Trust me when I tell you this: Going Home is a CD you will want to make a part of your music collection!
We approached the session with a confidence that we would be able to complete the project and make it available for all our friends by Labor Day. It seemed very doable. We hired our new person to do his best to give us a product that we would be proud to put on our table and termed it a 'do it right' proposition. Little did we know at that point the journey we were on!
The first day was a bit slower than we'd expected. There were some harmony parts that this writer just could not hear correctly. But our project manager patiently (well, as patiently as he could!) plugged along with us. More accurately, plugged along with me.
When that first day was over, I thought back to my high school band days. If the band director was a trumpet player, the trumpet players in the band were typically the ones who caught the brunt of the director. He expected perfection from them. Our project manager / producer / teacher / coach ~~ sings baritone. He was working to pull harmonies out of me that I didn't know existed! I've told people before that I'm a lead singer (one who sings melody) trapped in a baritone vocal range (one who does not sing very high)! I saw this project as a challenge, an opportunity to become a better musician. I saw it as a way to be taught by one of the best!
The second trip to the studio would be better. We just knew it! It was better, but we still were not able to complete the project as we'd hoped. The product being available by Labor Day was quickly becoming doubtful. The third and fourth trips to the studio saw more progress, but there was still that one song that needed to get done. Fortunately, we had already scheduled a concert in the immediate area of the studio in October. Finally, at just about 2 o'clock in the afternoon on October 19, we declared this project a wrap. I don't know who was more excited ~ Trust Quartet or our project manager!
The project was now in the hands of our capable project manager to make it sound as it should. Please understand a couple of things here: first, 'project manager' is not the proper title. Second, a recording project never sounds like it did when it was being recorded. Our 'project manager' coaches us through the whole process. Some of it is recorded literally phrase by phrase. Many times. In fact, a few more than 'many'! Recording an album is a tedious process. Don't misunderstand, I LOVE being in the studio!
Last night, I had the opportunity to sit in a room in Vero Beach and listen to the recording for the first time. Buzz, Rhonda, Beverly, and Jeff were there. Unfortunately, Spence had other obligations and couldn't be with us. Later as I continued to listen, I sat mesmerized at what I heard. Not because I was singing, as much as it was the realization of the hard work being completed. We've been singing these songs for a long time. Don't tell anyone I said this, but it was almost to the point the songs were becoming old. As I listened last night, the songs were fresh again.
On the CD credits, the 'project manager' will probably be listed either as an engineer or a producer ~ or both. That's the technical hat he wore. Rest assured though, Kevin Hunt - baritone extraordinaire, coach, teacher, project manager - could put whatever title he wants on himself as far as I'm concerned! Words cannot adequately nor accurately express our gratitude for what he's meant to Trust Quartet.
I still cannot give a specific date the CD will be available. It is now going to the next step at the duplicator. Friends, its much closer than it has been! Trust me when I tell you this: Going Home is a CD you will want to make a part of your music collection!
Monday, November 11, 2013
Salute!
November 11 is a day in these United States that has been set aside as a day to honor the veterans of our military. Unfortunately, it's one of the lesser known holidays. In fact, I wanted to learn a little more about it, so I did what most people do today when they want to find out about something ~ I Googled it. Google directed me to many different sites, but I felt the most trustworthy (no pun intended) to look into was the official one. Here's a link for you to check out for yourself.
I have a great respect for our military and those who have served. When I was in high school, I gave thought to becoming a member of the US Air Force. Through a various maze of events, I did not enlist and went to college instead. Our Air Force is probably better off!
The biggest reason to post a blog about Veteran's Day on the Trust-Worthy News is to pay tribute to our own. While I don't have all the particulars regarding years of service, etc. I can tell you that both Buzz and Spence are military vets. I enjoy listening to some of their stories from those years. Those are experiences that, in one sense, I cannot relate to. Yet, as an American, I relate to them very well because they help shape who we are as a Nation. I don't think either of them were in wartime combat, but that doesn't matter. They still took the oath of service and gave themselves in the event that became necessary.
I suppose we all have people in our lives who are military veterans. Today, my hat's off to those men and women who have served our country with honor and dignity. I salute those who have given of themselves to guarantee our freedoms. Thank you isn't enough; but sometimes that's the best we can do. Be encouraged through the various events of today that you thank a vet. Pay for his lunch, grab the tab for that cup of coffee, let him in the front of the line. They deserve all this and much more! Along this line, I just got a text message from Beverly ~ Buzz gets a free meal at Golden Corral as a veteran. Way to go GC, and Buzz ~ eat an extra bowl of banana pudding for me, will you?!
I have a great respect for our military and those who have served. When I was in high school, I gave thought to becoming a member of the US Air Force. Through a various maze of events, I did not enlist and went to college instead. Our Air Force is probably better off!
The biggest reason to post a blog about Veteran's Day on the Trust-Worthy News is to pay tribute to our own. While I don't have all the particulars regarding years of service, etc. I can tell you that both Buzz and Spence are military vets. I enjoy listening to some of their stories from those years. Those are experiences that, in one sense, I cannot relate to. Yet, as an American, I relate to them very well because they help shape who we are as a Nation. I don't think either of them were in wartime combat, but that doesn't matter. They still took the oath of service and gave themselves in the event that became necessary.
I suppose we all have people in our lives who are military veterans. Today, my hat's off to those men and women who have served our country with honor and dignity. I salute those who have given of themselves to guarantee our freedoms. Thank you isn't enough; but sometimes that's the best we can do. Be encouraged through the various events of today that you thank a vet. Pay for his lunch, grab the tab for that cup of coffee, let him in the front of the line. They deserve all this and much more! Along this line, I just got a text message from Beverly ~ Buzz gets a free meal at Golden Corral as a veteran. Way to go GC, and Buzz ~ eat an extra bowl of banana pudding for me, will you?!
Wednesday, November 6, 2013
Reflections
November 6, 2010 was a cold morning in Homeland, FL. No, really, it was COLD! Even Buzz says it was cold, so it was meat-hanging weather! I remember that because that was my very first concert with Trust
Quartet. The picture at the right is a bit blurry because of the resolution, but that's Gary Franklin, Buzz, myself, and Spence drinking hot chocolate and trying to stay warm that day. Yeah, it's been three years since I became a member of the Trust family.
Yes, I've been with Trust now for three years; but Buzz and Beverly will be celebrating the Big 2-0 in February of 2014! That will be here before we know it. Many details will be coming soon about our Twentieth Anniversary Celebration. We look forward to seeing you there!
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| Trust Quartet on that cold November day in Homeland. |
That first concert was a Saturday morning concert and it was an outdoor event. The church was having a fall festival for the kids and the community and we were singing in the yard using a flat bed trailer as a stage. Not only was it cold, but the wind was blowing. The wind blew so hard, our product table was a healthy mess and one of our main speakers blew over onto one of our monitors. And so my time with Trust began.
We had three concerts that weekend. Incidentally, I love three concert weekends ~ especially if Jeff is there to load in and out for us! (Jeff, you knew I had to slide something like that in there!) I remember we were at Homeland Baptist Church, the Basinger Christian Brethren Church, and First Church of the Nazarene in Okeechobee that weekend. I've had the good fortune of being back to Homeland and Basinger multiple times since then. In fact, there have been several venues that I've been to multiple times.
It's going back to those places again and again that helps build great friendships and relationships with those we have grown to love. The friends of Trust Quartet are now my friends, too.
But this past weekend, we had the opportunity to be in a couple of churches for the very first time. It's these churches that are awesome because we can make new friends! On Sunday morning, we were at Central Baptist Church in Port St. Lucie. This church is just a slice of Heaven! It is multi-cultural, multi-racial, and all about loving Jesus! When Spence asked them to sing along with him as he sang It Is No Secret ~ they sang! I told him after the concert I almost interrupted him and told him to be quiet and listen to the congregation sing! (Yes, I REALLY thought that, and yes, I REALLY told him so!) It was such a joy to be with those dear folks, and I believe we made some genuine friends there.
We left there and went to West Melbourne to be with the folks at Heritage Baptist Church. They celebrated their sixth anniversary Sunday, and it was such a privilege to celebrate with them. They have turned a former residence into a church facility with plans to add and build on. It's a good thing, because if Sunday morning was any indication, they need to build in a hurry! The place was packed with folks of all ages! Let me tell you, they love to sing, too! I really enjoyed our time with those dear folks and the fellowship we had together. It was so good to see Tom and Peggy Ridley at the concert as well as some other friends as well. I only single them out because they have been such good friends of Trust Quartet through the years.
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| Trust Quartet today |
I'm grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Trust Family. I'm grateful, too, for the opportunity to have met many of you through these last few years. Let's look forward to a few more and meeting many more new friends!
Monday, November 4, 2013
What In The World is Trust Doing?
It's been a while since I last posted, but I wanted to give you a brief update on what is going on in the Trust Quartet world. We have wrapped up the concert schedule for 2013 (unless someone wants to schedule a short-notice one), but we will still be working during the down-time.
We are anxiously awaiting being able to listen to the master recording of Going Home and giving our final approval before it goes to duplication. Along with that comes much "behind the scenes" work that must be done. The artwork and all the things you see on the CD cover has to be prepared and sent off for duplication. The pictures, the song titles just the way they're going to be on the CD, the credits, and the introductory message all have to be gathered and sent to the folks who will make it look pretty. These are just a few of the things going on.
Additionally, if folks want to hear us sing some different songs, we have to practice 'em! We'll be spending some of our down time and holiday time getting together and learning some new material to present to you. In all seriousness, please pray for us during these days. We want to be sensitive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit in the songs we present to our listeners. Beyond that, we need to be focused on learning the music well and doing our very best in that area. Our goal is to present everything as our very best to God.
I'm sure we will try to communicate to you more during the upcoming days and weeks, but since we are in the beginning of November, please allow me the opportunity to say how blessed we are as a group to have you as our friends. We thank God for you and the opportunities God has given to us to interact with you. As we prepare for this holiday season (Thanksgiving AND Christmas), please know we think of you often. When God calls you to our mind, we try to be faithful to breathe a prayer for you. Thank you doesn't seem adequate, but we are so very grateful for each of you.
We are anxiously awaiting being able to listen to the master recording of Going Home and giving our final approval before it goes to duplication. Along with that comes much "behind the scenes" work that must be done. The artwork and all the things you see on the CD cover has to be prepared and sent off for duplication. The pictures, the song titles just the way they're going to be on the CD, the credits, and the introductory message all have to be gathered and sent to the folks who will make it look pretty. These are just a few of the things going on.
Additionally, if folks want to hear us sing some different songs, we have to practice 'em! We'll be spending some of our down time and holiday time getting together and learning some new material to present to you. In all seriousness, please pray for us during these days. We want to be sensitive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit in the songs we present to our listeners. Beyond that, we need to be focused on learning the music well and doing our very best in that area. Our goal is to present everything as our very best to God.
I'm sure we will try to communicate to you more during the upcoming days and weeks, but since we are in the beginning of November, please allow me the opportunity to say how blessed we are as a group to have you as our friends. We thank God for you and the opportunities God has given to us to interact with you. As we prepare for this holiday season (Thanksgiving AND Christmas), please know we think of you often. When God calls you to our mind, we try to be faithful to breathe a prayer for you. Thank you doesn't seem adequate, but we are so very grateful for each of you.
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