Wanna Help? Here's How!

I was just looking over some of the statistics for this blog. I consider it still in its infancy, and I look forward to it growing as more people become aware of it. Thank you for reading whenever something is posted.

There are two things I'd love for you to do.

One, subscribe to the blog. This way, whenever something new is posted, it sends you an e-mail to let you know. You'd never miss a beat! (Oh, did you catch that music-related terminology there???)

Two, feel free to comment. There has yet to be anyone to comment on what they're reading. It doesn't have to be lengthy or even profound. It would be fun to have some banter back and forth on here.

OK, I'll add a third. This is a bonus, a freebie, even! Please tell a friend about the blog. Go ahead, you can do that. We don't mind a bit! In fact, that'd just tickle our funny bone to the core!

Thanks for being friends of Trust Quartet. We value each of you like you wouldn't believe!

And another freebie . . . be watching for a special Year-End message from me in a couple of days.

Popcorn Concerts Are Coming Quickly!!

Not long ago, I posted a blog about what singers do during our time off. That particular night, I was attending another concert in our town and learning from others how to make our own group better.  If you've been to a Trust concert before, you have probably noticed a video camera in the back by the sound system. While we use those videos to put on our website and YouTube, we also watch them to learn from our strengths and weaknesses.

I've been able to take a couple of days off from my job around Christmas, so what do I do? I watch a concert video from a while back to learn how I might can get better at what I do. Tonight, I decided to watch a Popcorn concert. In fact, it was the Inaugural Popcorn Concert from almost a year ago. I sat and watched the entire concert, from start to finish. As the video was drawing to a close, I pulled out my phone that is smarter than I, and began to make some notes. I saw things that I need to do in order to perform my tasks better. I saw some things that I'll suggest to the others in the group that could make it better. Oh, and I laughed. I worshipped. I enjoyed reminiscing the great time we had that January night in Indiantown.

Having said that, I want to encourage you to check out our schedule at our website. If we are going to be in your area, please make plans to be there. We do work hard to make the concerts worth your while. Yes, we want to do well musically, but before we ever sing a concert, please know that it is bathed in prayer and asking that God speak to the lives of people who gather to hear it.

There are several Popcorn Concerts coming up in the next couple of months. You really do want to find one close by and circle that date on your calendar . . . then attend! We'll look forward to seeing you!

Our Visit with Laura at The Clock

Buzz, Beverly, and Laura

One of the enjoyable things about being with Trust Quartet involves food! If you know me, stop laughing ~ NOW! Seriously, the fellowship on the bus is great, and the concerts are obviously what we get serious about. But when we're in a restaurant enjoying the fellowship around the table, we have a blast!

It's especially great when we have those servers that go above and beyond their call of duty. Such was the case this past weekend when we stopped by The Clock restaurant in Arcadia. On Sunday, we were fortunate to have Laura as our server. She's pictured here with Buzz and Beverly as we were getting ready to get back on the bus. (Hence the messy table!)

I'm not sure if I made her nervous or not when I asked to speak to her manager. Shortly after I mentioned that to her, the manager came out and he asked if everything was alright. I told him these folks (pointing to the quartet family around the table) know I generally don't complain, but I had a complaint that I needed to tell him. In fact, at this point, I think some of the Trust family was getting worried! I just told him that Laura didn't make enough money! Servers at restaurants don't make much money from the place of business. They rely on our tips to make any kind of decent living wage. While we certainly try to leave generous tips, this was one occasion that I don't know that anyone could have left an adequate tip! Laura was just that good!

So, if you're in the Arcadia area, visit The Clock restaurant and ask that Laura be your server! You won't regret that decision. Oh, and when you're there, the shrimp basket with a side of fries is good! 

Trust Quartet Celebrates Christmas

We are on the bus on Saturday night after set up, sound check, and rehearsal for our concert in the morning in Arcadia. Friends, we genuinely love one another and look for every opportunity to share with one another.

Tonight we are together for the last time before Christmas, so we took the time to share Christmas gifts. It was really a special time as we gave of ourselves to each other.

From our Trust Family to all our friends, we wish God's most special blessings on you this Christmas season. May you experience the joy of knowing the Person of Christmas this year!

Trust's New Look

"Lightning"

This past summer, while Trust Quartet was rehearsing and not "concerting", some very important work was being done. Over the years, Trust has been fortunate to travel to concert venues in a bus equipped with nine beds, a living room, a kitchen, a dressing room, restroom, and of course a driver's seat.

Thanks to God's goodness in using you, our faithful supporters, we were able to get a much needed paint job for the bus. Spence likes to tell folks the bus got saved ~~ now white as snow with the blood of Jesus streaming down the side!

We are so very grateful for our friends who helped provide the means to acquire this new 'addition' to our Trust Family.

Trust Quartet at Point of Life Fellowship in Lakeport, FL

Trust Quartet got back together this weekend after a week off. It sure was good to see everybody again. Our concert Sunday morning was just down the road in Lakeport ~~ and wow, what a time! I've just been watching some video of the concert, and I may post a couple of videos from this one. Not necessarily because of the music quality, but the energy in the place was electric! Point of Life Fellowship and their pastor Eddie Woodham welcomed us with open arms and we were able to just relax and enjoy the presence of the Lord together.

Spence was recovering from a pretty nasty cold and we were a bit apprehensive as to how things would go, musically. But as the concert went on, his voice got stronger. We were so thankful that God gave him the strength to get through this one. Now our prayer is that he didn't give it to any of the rest of us!!

After the concert, several of the church folks took us to a restaurant and treated us to a buffet lunch. That was just another highlight of the day. It doesn't take much to figure out that a buffet meal will put a smile on the faces of Trust Quartet!

To all the folks at Point of Life Fellowship in Lakeport ~ thank you so much for an incredible day!

A Trust Thanksgiving

I've been watching many of my friends on Facebook posting a daily word of thanksgiving this month. That's really cool and I wish I would have thought to do that at the beginning of the month, but I didn't. I didn't want to feel like I was simply jumping on a popular bandwagon a week into it, so I've simply enjoyed looking at what others have written. Please understand that in no way means I'm not thankful, because I am. In fact, what it has also done, is remind me of things I'm thankful for that sometimes I may take for granted.

I may take the time to make a list for my personal blog (Faison Focus) this week, but right now, I want to share some things from the quartet's perspective. These are not written in any particular order.

We're obviously thankful and in praise to our God for allowing us to travel and sing. Our ministry heart is to encourage the believer and evangelize the lost. The abilities that God has given us to accomplish those goals are an unbelievable blessing. It's one we do not take lightly. God has given us many friends who allow us to minister in their church. He has kept us safe over many highway miles. In short, as the Scripture says, "Every good gift and perfect gift comes from the Father..." To God be the glory! The rest of the blessings are certainly in light of the Ultimate Blessing we have in Christ.

We're thankful for our friends that support us, both prayerfully and financially. Some of us were talking this past weekend about how we have some incredible friends who are there for us, through good and bad. There are folks who are so kind and gracious to help us as they are able financially and more importantly hold us up in prayer on a regular basis. Friends, we absolutely could not do what we do without you!

We're thankful for our families who allow us to go and fulfill our ministry. From time to time, we're able to have family on trips with us, but many times we leave them behind on weekends. We do try to schedule our services around important dates in our family's lives, but sometimes that cannot be avoided. Our families mean so much to us and the support they provide helps us beyond what words can express.

We're thankful for Ole Lightning. The bus has many, MANY miles on her. In fact, that bus is younger than any of us (Assembled in 1980, according to the sign on the wall.), but with well over a million miles under her belt, she's holding her age well! We try to take care of her, but we're grateful for the way she helps get us down the road.

We're thankful for our friends in the quartet 'business.' I use that term almost tongue in cheek, simply because it's the term that comes to mind to express who I am referring to. While the list could go on and on, I would simply highlight the folks associated with Simple Faith and Gulf State Quartet. Our partnership with the POPCORN Concerts provide us with opportunities to fellowship together, and when we say we get along well ~~ it's truth! The men and women who make up these three ministries have a genuine appreciation and admiration for each other that cannot be overlooked nor overstated.

And, since I'm the one writing this, I'll mention this ~ I'm thankful for Trust Quartet. The Trust family is a special group of people with a special bond. We enjoy traveling together and sharing the good news of Jesus through song. God has placed a unique group of people together and is using that group to further build His Kingdom. I'm thankful for each one who is working together toward that common goal.

We'll take time off this weekend and do the family thing. But as we do, please know that we are thankful for you, our Trust friends. You are a blessing to us, and we appreciate all you are to us and what you do for us. We love you.

Buzz and Beverly, Jeff and Rhonda, Seth, Spence and Karen, John and Pat, Robin and me ~ and all our families ~~ Happy Thanksgiving!

Singing With Robert!

He first caught my attention during our sound check Sunday morning. Then, when I went to Sunday school class, there he was again. I sat behind him, and throughout the Sunday school time, I found myself observing him. I learned his name is Robert. I watched how he interacted with others in the room much older than he. I listened as he shared prayer requests for those he was concerned about. I listened to how several in the room mentioned his love for music. After all, that's why I had the occasion to be there ~ Trust Quartet would be singing during their worship service that morning.

I watched as Robert and his family left the room and went to take their place in the sanctuary and prepare for worship. They sat on the very back row, left side. Smiles rarely left their faces, even through some of their tears of joy as we sang Because He Lives, Treasures Unseen, and Sinner Saved By Grace. What really caught my heart, though, was his response to the very last song we sang. This particular song speaks of going home to see Jesus. As I introduce the song, I'm reminded (so I remind those listening) that life as we know it can be hard. It can be riddled with pain, suffering, and disappointment. There are things we may not understand as we walk through life here, but one day soon, we'll be home with Jesus. Life as we know it is almost over. Those of us who know Christ as our Savior will soon be able to worship Him in all His glory! As we sang It's Almost Over, Robert and his mom, through tears, were smiling from ear to ear! They both had their hands raised in worship of the Almighty God who loved them and was waiting to welcome them to that reward!

You see, Robert is confined to a wheelchair. I don't know all his physical ailments, but I know from his testimony that he loves Jesus with everything he's got! One day, he's not going to be bound to that wheelchair! One day, he's not going to have trouble communicating with those around him. One day, Robert will be able to stand and sing in the Heavenly choir! And for the record, I'm looking forward to joining him!

Trust's Newest Helper

Seth Joiner

Each person in the Trust Quartet family has a responsibility. Whether it is loading or unloading the bus, moving equipment in and setting it up, or being in charge of the product table ~~ you get the idea. There are lots of jobs available, and if Buzz is gonna feed you, he wants some return for his investment! (Just kidding, Buzz.) After all, there are some of us that the investment is significantly larger with that deal!

For the last few weeks, we've had a young man with us who has been trying his best to earn his meals. Seth Joiner is the nine year old grandson of Rhonda and Jeff. He has learned quite well how to bring in microphone stands, stools, tables . . . and he's a pretty good water-go-getter, too! Seriously, if he can help, he's generally ready to do it.

When Seth is not traveling with us, he is a fourth grader in school, and enjoys riding the bright orange bike Papa and G-ma (Buzz and Beverly) gave for his birthday. He hunts with Papa Jeff every chance he gets, and enjoys playing football, baseball, and fishing with dad (Brett Joiner). Maw Maw Rhonda tells me he really enjoys playing drums and guitar and has tried his hand at writing a song or two.

Seth is a talented guy and one day, I wouldn't be surprised to see his name in the credits alongside a song and you may just see him on stage with Trust Quartet some day. Until then, though ~~ Hey Seth, would you please go grab Uncle Steve some water??? Please???? 

What Do Singers Do in Their Free Time?

I tend to visit websites of Southern Gospel artists, and several ask and answer questions about our hobbies. Our site, trust quartet.com is no different. As I type this on my fancy phone, I'm sitting on the front row at Faith Baptist Church in Vero Beach anxiously awaiting the Tribute Quartet concert to begin. If you look on my profile on the quartet's website, you'll find this group listed among my favorites. These guys are great musically, and appear to be the real deal. Coming to concerts of the full time groups is a treat for me, too, because when I do, I learn from them.

I'm going to wait til the concert starts, take a couple of pictures to attach to this blog and post it. Then, I'm going to put the phone up and enjoy the music. If you ever have the opportunity to hear Tribute Quartet in concert, you really need to do yourself the favor and take advantage of that. To learn more about my friends at Tribute, visit their website at www.tributequartet.com.

Oh, here they come!!!!!!

A Few Thoughts From My Heart

It has been a while since I wrote anything here. Thanks for your patience and hanging around.

The results of the election were not at all what we hoped for, but we should be reminded that the same God who was on the throne yesterday is still on the throne. He may not be pleased with the direction our Nation is headed, but our job is not to worry, but to rest ~ in Him! We need not fret, but rather continue to walk in the paths of righteousness, holding firmly to His nail scarred hand.

The song perhaps never meant as much to a collective group of people ~"I don't know about tomorrow, I just live from day to day". Friend, I know who holds tomorrow, and I KNOW WHO HOLDS MY HAND! When I examined my life this morning, I remembered my job here has not changed. I am still called to love God and my neighbor, and pray daily for them ~ yes, even those with whom I disagree.

Stay focused on doing our part to keep our Nation great. I'm still thankful to be an American!

URGENT NOTICE!

Due to illnesses, Trust Quartet has had to cancel appearances this weekend. Buzz is ill and Beverly had to be taken to the Emergency Room with a severe case of vertigo on Friday. Thankfully, she was allowed to go home, but is on complete bed-rest for a few days. The Popcorn Concert (to my knowledge) at Friendship Baptist Church in St. Petersburg will still happen with Gulf State and Simple Faith, but Trust will not be there. The concert that was scheduled for Sunday morning at Faith Temple Church of God in Wauchula will now feature Spence singing and preaching. We are sorry for the inconvenience, and would ask that you remember Buzz and Beverly in your prayers. At this point, we will look to be in Anthony, FL at the Anthony United Methodist Church on both Saturday night (October 27) and Sunday morning (October 28).

Trust Quartet is Thinking About YOU!!!

Trust Quartet had a great September! The month began at FGMA and we put a wrap on it last weekend at the Okeechobee Church of God. In the middle we were at some fine churches and had a blast making some new friends and renewing old acquaintances! October is here and we will be heading towards Frostproof and Lorida this coming weekend; then a POPCORN Concert in St. Petersburg the following weekend. Check the schedule and when we're near you, please come join us for a great time of southern gospel music. I'll not write a lot here right now, because I'll be working on a combination piece for the website and here, but I just wanted to give you a quick hello and we love you. Steve for all of the Trust Family

A Cat-Nap on the Bus

Many of you know by now that I work the midnight shift at a hotel. I was a bit nervous about doing that when I first started. That is due in large part to a failed attempt at being a security officer some 15 years prior to this job. I didn't handle staying awake when the sun was down on a regular basis very well. But quite honestly, it doesn't bother me now. Perhaps its because back then it was not as consistent in working overnights with maybe an afternoon or morning mixed in. Now, I'm working midnights and I know that's what my schedule is. Even still, though, if the other part of my day is different and the routine is disturbed or changed, it does not bode well with my body clock. This past weekend, I chose to get some other work done on Friday instead of taking a nap as I normally do. So, although I slept REAL GOOD Friday night, I guess I was still a bit sleepy after we got on the bus to go to our concerts. We weren't traveling that far away, so I didn't want to go lie in my bunk, but I just couldn't hold my eyes open. When that happens, my thing is to grab one of our 'sofa pillows' and hold it so I don't break my neck as we're rollin' down the road. I had no idea that one of my quartet sisters took a picture of my catnap ~ until I received it via e-mail on Monday! I'm honestly not sure which one of those sisters to give credit to for the photography. I do know either Beverly or Rhonda deserve credit for it. But I figured I'd pass it on, anyway. I'm hoping some other pictures will be able to be posted later either here on my blog or at trustquartet.com.

Welcome Home!

Sunday, September 9 we sang at Carlson Memorial United Methodist Church in LaBelle, FL. As we pulled up on Saturday to load in, this sign greeted us. We're always glad when churches actively promote concerts when we travel, but the part that caught my eye was the 'Welcome Home' sign above the sign!
When we began to get set up, Beverly commented to the Associate Pastor, Joe, who was serving as our host, how beautiful the church was. His response gave us a clue what to expect. He graciously acknowledged the comment about the church 'building', but quickly added that the people attending there was the real 'beautiful church.'
Pastor Joe hit the nail on the head with that assessment! The time Sunday morning with those dear friends was nothing short of sensational. They were such a gracious group of folks and Trust Quartet is so glad to count them as friends.
If you are unchurched in the LaBelle, FL area, we can highly encourage you to attend this fine church and worship with them.
Carlson Memorial UMC, THANK YOU for allowing Trust to be with you! We're already looking forward to our next opportunity to be with you!