Trust Quartet Celebrates 19th Anniversary

Trust Quartet singing at 19th Anniversary Celebration

 

OKEECHOBEE, FL -- Trust Quartet celebrated their 19th Anniversary POPCORN style Saturday night, February 2, 2013 at the Abiding Hope Worship Center in Okeechobee. Celebrating with Trust was Simple Faith Quartet from St. Petersburg, FL and Gulf State Quartet from Bowling Green, FL.

The three groups have joined forces to produce what is being termed, POPCORN Concerts around the state of Florida. POPCORN Concerts are concerts that feature each group singing in rapid succession song after song after song. The result is approximately two and one half hours of music, with minimal time spent speaking.

Some 200 friends and family filled the auditorium and enthusiastically welcomed the groups. When all was said and done, a time of refreshments was served in the church's fellowship hall.

Trust Quartet wishes to thank the pastor and congregation at Abiding Hope Worship Center as well as Simple Faith and Gulf State. Countless hours of planning and preparation go into such an event and without the help of friends and family like these who work sacrificially behind the scenes, it simply would not be accomplished. To list each one's name would be a mistake because inevitably someone's name would be left out. That would be far more disastrous!

Plans are already in the making for next year's anniversary ~ the 20th for Trust Quartet! Be watching as time draws near and make plans to attend.

Thanks From Lakeland ~ and the Weekend's Activities

The POPCORN Concert Tour made stops in Bradenton and Lakeland last weekend. I received a kind note from the folks at Lake Gibson United Methodist Church in Lakeland and I wanted to share it with you. It reads:

     Dear Members of the Trust Quartet ---
What a unique presentation of your gospel music via a "Popcorn Concert!" We so enjoyed  your presentation of favorite songs and hymns. May you continue to bless congregations with your vibrant music. God bless you all.
    Sincerely yours,
     Music Committee
     Worship Committee

Well, may I just say ~ it was our honor to present an afternoon of music to the folks at Lake Gibson! We thoroughly enjoyed our time together with you.

If you are in the Lakeport area Saturday night ~ be sure to come to Maple Grove Baptist Church at 6 for a great night of gospel music.

Trust Quartet will also be there Sunday morning helping to celebrate their homecoming! On Sunday night at 6, we'll be at the North Okeechobee Church of God. We'd love to see you at any of these you're able to attend.

Overcoming Life's Hiccups

What does an osprey, a split fuel line, sound system confusion, and a wild boar have in common? I'm glad you asked such a random question. It just happens to be one I know the answer to! All four of those are hiccups that tried to stand in our way this past weekend ~ and they all four LOST that battle!!!

In the words of Ricky Ricardo, "Let me 'splain."

The Trust Gang loaded up and left for Bradenton Saturday morning to meet Simple Faith and Gulf State, our partners in POPCORN Concert-ology and while making our way there, an osprey decided to fly into the path of our bus. Fortunately, it was a very low-flying osprey so it didn't hit the windshield. A bit of touch-up paint from where its feet scratched the front driver's side ~ we're back to being as good as new. God 1 ~ Satan's Hiccups 0.

When we got to Bradenton and ready to unload, the back bay was opened up, and we were met with a strong smell of fuel and a soaked piece of carpet. That did cause some angst with Buzz and John as they worked to find the source of the fuel and then try to repair it on a Saturday afternoon while on the road. God intervened and allowed them to find some extra pieces of hose among the stash of materials we had in that bay and they were able to patch it up until we can get a more permanent repair job done. God 2 ~ Satan and his hiccups 0.

As we were setting up for the concert, we were trying to save space and use as little sound equipment as necessary. For whatever reason, our system just did not want to cooperate with our best efforts to give it a night off. With time running a bit short, we were able to go ahead and set up and get the concert started ~ even a couple minutes EARLY!!! Now then . . . God 3 ~ Satan's hiccups 0.

The concerts at both Bradenton and Lakeland were well attended and received. The kind comments and words of encouragement of those who attended were sincere and appreciated. After each concert, we rejoiced at God's evident presence with us. 

On the way home, along one of those dark Florida highways, a wild boar decided he wanted to cross the road. Ladies and gentlemen, a hog is no match for a bus! In all seriousness, we realize the catastrophe that could have happened, but we also recognize God's kind hand of protection when we see it. We're blessed and thankful that as of this writing, I've heard of no serious damage to the bus. There will be a bit of cosmetic work that needs to be done, but nothing that I know of that should be very extensive. Just in case you're keeping score; God 4 ~ Satan's hiccups 0!

I will say this about the boar experience; if you're ever riding down a dark road and encounter a wild hog the way the bus did, the bang is quite loud! Some of my stories had almost put Beverly to sleep on the couch and Rhonda had already laid down for a nap in her bunk. Trust me when I say, the hog woke 'em up for the rest of the trip home!

Here are a some pictures of Buzz and John examining the bus after hitting the hog. And there are pictures at www.trustquartet.com of POPCORN Lakeland. Be sure to check 'em out!

The Browns ~ Great Concert

The plan was to have my bags packed for the weekend Trust trip, go to the Brown's concert on my way to work the overnight shift. Since we were planning to pull out early, I would leave from work and head straight to the bus to sleep a few hours before setting up for the concert Saturday night.  

I got to the church about 45 minutes before the concert was scheduled to begin. As I approached the church, I noticed there were already a lot of cars in the parking lot. I knew it would be this way. I had planned to arrive a few minutes earlier, but just could not get things caught up in time to leave. In fact, I almost stopped to ask the parking attendants if there were any seats left in the building.

Approaching the church door, I peered inside and it looked packed. I walked inside and my thoughts were confirmed. It was packed! I stood toward the back of the room and looked around to see where an empty spot might be. Believe me, they were few and far between. Only needing one chair, I began toward the front determined I'd sit in the first one that was available. May I say there is truth to the statement that the back seats go first? Yes siree, I wound up on the front row! I hate it when that happens! (Sarcasm FULLY intended!) The only problem with this front row seat was that it was on the side ailse instead of the center.

I've heard the Browns on the radio and read about them online and in magazines, but this was the first opportunity I had to see them in concert. They sang several songs that were originally theirs. Their latest song that is on the Singing News chart is written by the youngest of the Browns, 17 year-old Adam, titled, Beautiful Day. If you have the opportunity to purchase their music, this one song would be worth it.

One thing I truly appreciated about this family group is their singing some of the older songs. They put a fresh touch on many songs like Great Is Thy Faithfulness (combining with Majesty for an incredible medley), I'll Fly Away, Wonderful Grace of Jesus, and It Will Be Worth It All. And friends, let me say when they finished It Will Be Worth It All and started quietly singing Going Home a cappella, this Free Will Baptist boy just about came outta my seat!

On a personal note, Going Home was one of the songs I would sing with my dad and sister while we were growing up. It's still one that my sister and I sing whenever we're together. That may be one reason I love to sing It's Almost Over so much. Songs about Heaven just never get old!

I tweeted earlier this evening, "...the Browns are getting me amped for Trust's weekend!" I was encouraged this evening by their music and the presentation. If you are able to go to a Browns concert, I'd encourage you to do that ~ as long as you're not choosing them over Trust!  ;)

Hey, if you're in the Bradenton or Lakeland areas this weekend, be sure to come see us along with Gulf State and Simple Faith at our POPCORN Concerts. Check the website for all the information. If you can't be with us in person, please lift us to the Father in prayer! 

POPCORN Concert Series in High Gear!

I really wish it was possible to communicate how much we are anticipating the next few weeks! The next three concerts Trust Quartet has are all POPCORN Concerts! A couple of weeks ago, Jerry White, of Simple Faith came to hear us when we were at the Red Barn in Clewiston. We spoke of how we were looking forward to being with them in our POPCORN Concert series that was coming up. Last weekend, Paul Clark and Gregg Rawls came to hear us at the RV Park where we were singing in Wauchula. Again, we talked about how we were looking forward to being together this weekend. We even took the conversation to Wendy's and made some plans while we ate together.

Incidentally, the next best thing to attending a concert is to go out to eat with us! We do enjoy ourselves wherever we are!

Speaking of our concerts this weekend, I want to update you on Saturday's event. The POPCORN Concerts are typically a $6 donation at the door in addition to the love offering. INJECTION > We are not trying to make a lot of money ~ simply to cover our expenses!! I've just learned, however, that the concert in Bradenton at Samoset First Baptist Church (408 31st Avenue East in Bradenton) will not be requesting the donation at the door. There will be a love offering, but the $6 donation will not apply to that particular concert. If you're anywhere along the west coast of Florida, it's not too far a drive to come over to the sing. You won't regret it!

As an extra side note to the concert on Saturday night, I have been told the church is having a chili supper before the concert. I believe there is a $5 donation asked for to participate in that, and I believe they'll serve the chili from 4:30 til 5:45. Please understand neither of the three quartets are necessarily involved in promoting this part of the evening, it is a church function.

If you're more in the central part of the state, here's some great news! Sunday afternoon, we'll take our POPCORN Concert series to the Lake Gibson United Methodist Church in Lakeland (424 Daughtery Road). The Sunday concert will begin at 3 o'clock. You've got time to attend your local church before making the trip to Lakeland to experience the finest in Southern Gospel music around.

If you've not attended a POPCORN concert before, let me wrap up this article by trying to paint a picture for you. The three groups are all on stage together. The first group sings and as they are finishing their first song, the second group's music begins. They POP UP to sing and as they are finishing their song, the third group's music begins. They POP UP to sing and as they are finishing their song, the first group's music begins. And so the rotation goes for about 12 songs back to back to back to back ~~ you get the idea. There's no talking during this entire segment of the concert.

Then each group will do about four or five songs each as in a regular concert mode. We might sing a choir song, or may pull different members from a group to form what's known as a Scrap-Iron Quartet.

The concert ends with another round of the POPCORN sets of two or three songs each, and a song altogether. One of the things we talked about this past weekend while we were visiting together at Wendy's is the fact that someone can attend a POPCORN Concert this weekend, and another next weekend, and it's completely different. These things tend to take on a life of their own.

I really hope you'll consider attending a POPCORN Concert when we are near you. You won't regret it!

This Weekend's Concerts

This past week has been very busy for me personally, keeping me from doing a lot of posting online. But another weekend is upon us, and as has been mentioned earlier, these first few months of 2013 are going to be crazy busy for the ole Trust Quartet gang. This afternoon, we'll get started for a trip to Wauchula to sing at the Little Charlie RV Park on Saturday night and on Sunday morning at 11 o'clock, we'll be at the Southside Baptist Church (510 South 10th Avenue) in Wauchula. I do hope you can make it to one of these concerts if you're in the Wauchula / Bowling Green / Zolfo Springs area.

Keep eyes and ears open for next weekend ~ POPCORN Concerts will be popping up everywhere! Saturday the 19th, we'll be at the Samoset Baptist Church in Bradenton for a 6 PM concert. The church is located at 408 31st Avenue East. Then, on Sunday afternoon at 3 PM, we'll be with the good folks at Lake Gibson United Methodist Church in Lakeland. You'll find that church located at 424 Daughtery Road. Please also note that for the Popcorn Concerts, we do ask for a $6 donation at the door and we will also be receiving an offering during the concert. These events do cost quite a bit and we simply are trying to break even. Thank you so much for understanding.

Make plans to be with us when we're close by. We look forward to seeing you!

Have You Had a Trust Fix Lately

Trust Quartet kicked off our 2013 last night at The Red Barn in Clewiston. It was good to have John and Pat Daunt back with us from their summer palace in Ohio! When we got to The Barn, we set up, did our sound check and preparations for the concert. Then, we were joined by over 100 people in the barn ~ and they were ready for gospel music!

Have I ever told you that it's much easier for a gospel group to sing when the crowd is already primed and ready? We turned the Barn into a church last night and had an incredible time!

As I type this, I'm listening to Spence having his own church service. He's watching videos of Trust Quartet performances online. Every once in a while, I'll hear him, "Wow, I didn't know that was on here!" Then it will be, "Oh my, that's GOOD!" He's having what we call around here a Trust Fix! Have you had yours lately? You can get them at our website, www.trustquartet.com. For even more, use the youtube link there and head to many more Trust Quartet videos.

That works when you're not close by. The absolute best way to get a Trust Fix, though, is to be with us in concert. Tonight we'll be in Lorida at the Lorida Church of the Brethren Church ~ if you're in the area, come on by at 7 o'clock. By the way, set your GPS for 1701 Purdue Drive in Lorida. See you there!

Happy New Year!

Can you believe it??? It's 2013!!!! Yes, I watched the ball drop in New York City on television last night. It wasn't that I really wanted to stay up til midnight just to see it, but I was had to work the midnight shift anyway.

Trust Quartet is looking forward to this year. We've got some big news on the horizon and we're looking forward to sharing with you in the coming weeks and months. But first things first ~ we've got three concerts this weekend. On a personal note, I kinda like these kinds of weekends when we get a chance to sing a little more.

On Friday night at 7, we'll be at The Red Barn just outside Clewiston. If you've ever been there, you can attest to the unique atmosphere there. If you've not been there, make the trip this weekend! We'd love to see you and you'd get a concert that you will remember a long time. I might remind you, though, if you make the trip, dress appropriately ~ you're going to a barn for cryin' out loud! You can find The Barn on US Hwy 27 just outside Clewiston.

Saturday night, again at 7, we'll be at the Lorida Church of the Brethren. You can find that church at 1701 Purdue Drive in Lorida. This will be my first trip to this church, and I'm looking forward to being there. Sunday morning concerts are great ~ but typically, concerts on Friday or Saturday nights are much more relaxed and we can just enjoy "hangin' out with the folks" a little easier.

Sunday morning, we'll be at Abundant Blessings in Okeechobee. The church is located at 4550 US Hwy 441 North of town. This will also be the location of our 19th Anniversary Sing next month. This is another church that will be new to me personally, and I'm anxiously looking forward to worshipping with them this weekend.

As I mentioned in my last blog, January through March will be crazy hectic for the Trust Family. We are looking forward to seeing many of our friends as we travel across the state. We're kicking it off in grand fashion this weekend, and if you can come help us be a part of it, we'd just be happy to see you!

The Trust Quartet family would like to wish for you a Happy and Prosperous New Year. Please remember us in your prayers that we would stay true to the God who sends us and that we would be safe traveling up and down the highways.   

Why Hello 2013 ~ Nice to Meet You!

Another year has come and gone. The quartet is taking some time off to spend with family before starting a crazy hectic schedule in January, February, and March. I can't go into much detail right now ~ just because it's a bit too early ~ but I will encourage you to hang on tight and stay closely in touch with what's going on with Trust Quartet in 2013!

As I mentioned, we have concerts booked pretty solidly through the first quarter. There are quite a few POPCORN concerts around, too. Find out where they are and circle those dates and places on your calendar and come see us. You won't regret that trip! Several are already on the schedule and more are in the works and just haven't been confirmed yet.

We are planning a trip back to the studio. While it's far too early to even project a release date, look for a new recording to be available during the late summer months or early fall.

And finally, get set for 2013 to be closed out like never before! There are still some details to finish before we can formally release an announcement, but trust me when I tell you that if things follow through with the plans that are on the table right now . . . WELL GLORY!!!

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!