Going Home - Order Yours Today!

Congratulations to Brenda L. in Georgia for being the first person to respond and order a copy of Going Home! In fact, she put her order in for two CDs, and we're glad to be shipping those out to her! Mary T. here in Florida stopped by where I work and picked hers up this morning. If you want to be among the first to get your copy, you might want to get in on the action ~~ NOW! 

While I may be writing a bit light-hearted about that, I'm very serious in that you need to get your order in now so we can get it shipped out to you as quickly as possible. They'd make great Christmas gifts, but if you want to do that, you REALLY need to get your order in now.

The CDs are $15 each and if you need it shipped to you, please add $2.50 for shipping / handling costs. There are a couple of different ways to do that. You can mail a check to P. O. Box 386 Okeechobee, FL 34973 or phone us at 863-634-8793. If you'd prefer to do it the online way, simply click here to our website order form and let us know what you need.

Song titles include: 

How Long Has It Been

Ransomed and Redeemed

It's Almost Over

Testimony

God Knows How Much Mercy I Need

I Want To Know

I Believe

Hide Thou Me

We Shall See Jesus

Treasures Unseen

Exciting News!!!

I've been debating whether or not to post this here yet, but the excitement is too much! The latest recording project, Going Home, is finally available for you to purchase! The shipment has arrived to our offices in Okeechobee and we can now begin processing your orders.

The only reason I debated announcing it now is just that I don't have any pictures to post here yet. I will get it scanned and uploaded both to this blog site as well as our website in the next day or so. The CDs are $15 plus $2.50 S/H. Checks can be made out to Trust Quartet and as soon as we receive your check with an address telling us where to ship it, we'll get it out to you.

If you see on our schedule that we're going to be somewhere near you soon and you would prefer to wait til a concert, we are able to take your credit card at our product table now.

Included on this album are songs like Hide Thou Me and Treasures Unseen. If you've heard Rhonda do these in concert, just wait til you hear it here! She does such an awesome job on these two songs ~ its almost worth your money just to hear these!

Ransomed and Redeemed is a song that's been very well received in our concerts lately and you can hear that as well as the old song, How Long Has It Been.

Spence and Buzz tag team on a bouncy song that says, I Believe, I Believe! Many of you have snapped your fingers to that tune in a Trust Quartet concert.

Spence and I tag team on arguably one of the most powerful songs ever written. I love to sing it and I've enjoyed hearing it on the CD, We Shall See Jesus.

They let me sing a couple songs on this project as well. You've heard me sing at the very top of my vocal range when I sing Testimony. And the "song inside the song" is where the title of the album comes from ~ It's Almost Over, I'm Going Home!

You can also hear a couple of songs on the CD that you've not heard in concert yet, too! Spence does an outstanding job on a song titled God Knows How Much Mercy I Need. What an incredible truth is found in this lyric and Spence does it right! Buzz is featured on an old Stamps-Baxter type song, I Want To Know. Leave it to Buzz to want to jazz things up a bit!

All in all, this is one of the better recordings Trust Quartet has ever done. I've said that before and I'm standing by it. The song selection is varied in style ~ there's sure to be something you like! Kevin Hunt did an outstanding job pulling every bit of our abilities out of us as he produced it. Then when he mixed and mastered, he made the balance and blend just what it needed to be.

I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I'll try to get some more information uploaded to our website in a day or two; but in the meantime, call us or e-mail us so we can get your copy sent out to you.

Prayer Need

The McKameys have a song that speaks about unspoken prayer requests. They sing about how when our hands go up indicating that need that just doesn't need to be public just yet, the secret's already out in Heaven.

Such is the case right now. Beverly just called me and shared with me a medical need for a family member. I really don't see the wisdom in sharing a lot of details that aren't important in this prayer. As they need to become known, we'll obviously post them here.

But suffice it to say God already knows the need, please join the Trust family in prayer. Thank you; we sure do value our friends. God bless you guys, we love you!

Funeral Service Arrangements for John Daunt

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.

John Daunt Promoted

John Daunt

I just received a phone call from Buzz this morning at 8:09. It was not the phone call I wanted to receive. In fact, when I sat at my computer this morning I was going to write to ask you to pray for John Daunt. Now, I'm asking you to pray for his wife, Pat. John went to be with the Lord this morning. I have no other details at this time. More will come later when I have the opportunity to gather them.

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.

Tribute Quartet in Vero Beach

Tribute Quartet

As is well documented in my TrustWorthy News blog, I enjoy attending southern gospel concerts. Usually when I am able to attend one, I write about it and just let my readers know what I thought.

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!

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!

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?!

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

Trust Quartet on that cold November day in Homeland.

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.

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. 

Trust Quartet today

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!

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!  

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.

Did You Hear The Shout?

Trust Quartet poses in the studio

Saturday afternoon at about 2:05 Eastern time ~ did you hear a shout? Did you? I'm sure anyone within 200 miles of Ocala, FL heard a collective shout from several people. The four quartet members, Beverly our trusted sound tech, and Kevin Hunt the engineer / producer each let out a joyful noise about that time, I think! The latest CD project of Trust Quartet, Going Home, is now a wrap.

While it is still too early to give a projected release date, we do know that it is in the capable hands of Kevin now to further his magic to help us sound the very best. He now has the tedious job of mixing the recording. Basically, imagine listening with a fine tooth comb. He will be working with all four of our voices and the music tracks to balance and blend everything to as close to perfection as he can get it.

Kevin Hunt at the controls

When that is done, he will send us the master copy of his work. We (the quartet) will listen to it with our fine tooth comb to make sure we like what it sounds like. At that point, we'll then send that master copy to the duplicators who will make your copies of the project. THEN, we'll be able to give a release date and make them available to you.

Trust Quartet recognizes that this could not have been accomplished without the faithful prayers of our friends and family. We know that God is in the center of this project. We also recognize the amazing talent and patience of Kevin for pulling out of us, vocally, what we never thought possible. We know that this is in his very capable hands now and that what we put on our product table will be the very best possible.

Thank you, friends, also for your patience. We have been talking about this project for months. We know people have been asking for it and wondering why it hasn't been completed yet. After hearing the brief bits that we've heard, please believe me when I say, it is worth the wait! Please continue to pray for Kevin as he begins the arduous task of mixing the recording.

And all God's people said ~~~ AMEN!

All done ~ Trust with Kevin Hunt in the studio

Let's Go To Steak n Shake!

One thing I enjoy about singing Gospel music is the fellowship among the various groups. I wrote recently about being able to join with Simple Faith at Sonny's after a recent concert. Many times after concerts, the host church will have a fellowship time so we can get to know our new friends better and renew acquaintances.

There is a church not far from where I live that hosts Southern Gospel concerts during the winter months ~ or Snowbird Season ~ as we refer to it around here. I try to go whenever possible, and make a special effort for certain groups when they are coming our way. Yes, they have the food and fellowship after the concert and it is always such a great time.

I have already looked at this season's schedule and have circled some dates. I'm already looking forward to hearing folks like Tribute Quartet, the Browns, the Nelons, and Great Day. If you read my bio on our website, you'll see two of those listed among my favorites! Yes, I'm already pumped!

One of the things I really enjoy with all of today's technology is being able to keep up with my favorite groups. With Facebook, Twitter, Socialcam, and of course, their websites, it opens a new avenue for building relationships with our brothers and sisters who bring us this great genre of music. I've always been fascinated at learning about life on the road, what they like to do during their rare moments of downtime, and seeing the country through their eyes. Some of them are really great tour guides!

For example, I've learned the Nelons enjoy Steak n Shake. Incidentally, I also really enjoy Steak n Shake! I was thinking about them on my way to work the other night, and looking forward to the upcoming concert. I thought how cool it would be to hang out with Jason, Kelly, and Amber at Steak n Shake after the concert when they're in town. It just so happens that I have to pass our local Steak n Shake on my way to work. Because this was on my mind, I literally got in the turn lane for Steak n Shake instead of passing by. Thankfully, I was jogged back to reality in time to correct myself and clock in at work on time!

So, when the Nelons (or Tribute, or the Browns, or Great Day . . . ) come to Vero in February (or select your month here!), here's your invitation to hang out a little after the concert if you're not pressed to make it somewhere in a hurry! Please know that I appreciate you and your testimony. Keep doing what you're doing for Jesus and building His Kingdom! 

Trust Going Back To The Studio

Trust Quartet is headed back to the studio to work on our latest recording project, Going Home. We do see light at the end of the tunnel, but we've all learned to roll with the punches of unforeseen challenges. Please be praying for us as we travel to Ocala and for Kevin as we get together to work on this CD.

Our mantra for the whole thing is: Good things come to those who wait.

Thanks in advance for your prayerful support as we continue to work on spreading God's Word through music.

Simple Faith From the Front Side

Recently I had the opportunity to hear our friends, Simple Faith and since I often write about various concerts I attend, I thought I would do the same for this one. This one, though, was a bit different. Simple Faith is from the St. Petersburg area and Trust Quartet knows them well. In fact, they are some very dear friends. Because Spence lives closer to them, he's had many more opportunities to hear them in concert, but since I live on the eastern side of Florida, I do not have the opportunity to hear them as often. I thought as I drove to the service that I had not seen them in just a Simple Faith concert. Most of the times we are together are either POPCORN concerts or other events with other groups. In many of those settings, we are on stage with them while they are singing.

I arrived at the church in eager anticipation of a great night of music. Jerry, Jeff, Michael, and Ron did not disappoint! From the first song to the last, they led the congregation to worship the God of Heaven. I especially appreciated the way they invited those listening to know the Jesus they were singing about. I also appreciated their kindness in introducing me and acknowledging Trust Quartet.

After the concert, they invited me to go along to Sonny's to grab a bite to eat. If you know me, you know they didn't have to twist my arm very much for that one!  It was good to sit, relax and fellowship with them for a bit. It was also nice to meet the music director at the Palm Bay Baptist Church and her mother. As result of that opportunity, you can hear Trust Quartet at the Palm Bay Baptist Church in June, 2014!

As I mentioned, all the previous times I've heard Simple Faith, we've shared the stage. Again, because of POPCORN concerts, most of the time I've not been able to see their faces while they sing. Trust me when I say, THEY LOOK MUCH BETTER FROM THE FRONT SIDE!!!

I told them that that night and we had a good laugh. If you ever hear of Simple Faith being in your area, you owe it to yourself to go and hear them. You'll be glad you did!

God is Good!

As I begin typing this post on my handy dandy smartphone, its 5:45 AM Labor Day. The Popcorn Gang (Simple Faith, Gulf State, and Trust) spent last night at an RV campground in Ocala in anticipation of the God and Country Rally today.

Trust has already had a good weekend, and the excitement built even more as our friends arrived last evening. We've enjoyed some fellowship together already and now we are preparing our hearts for the day that is ahead. Simple Faith had a concert in the area last night and 3 precious souls changed their course for eternity! We rejoice with our partners in ministry because THAT is why we do what we do!

Those of us who live around city lights sometimes forget what a night in a rural area is like. As I went to the shower house a few minutes ago I couldn't help but notice a vast expanse of stars in the sky. What an incredible reminder of the creativity and wonder of God. His power on magnificent display proves His amazing splendor.

The preparations of the day took on a higher level as I was able to thank Him in the quiet morning for His creation. As you prepare for your day's activities, remember your Creator. Acknowledge His plan and purpose for your life today and we pray He will reveal Himself to you in a personal and unique way.