About the “dancing man” that kept trying to sabotage L5’s set: I think he “got filled with the Spirit” when the Kingdom Heirs did their encores of “What We Needed” during the set before. I saw him dancing around near the stage during that song.

I guess he was still “filled” when Legacy Five came on and therefore pulled those shenanigans. Quite ridiculous, but I wonder if the video will be called off since that happened. When they led him off stage the first time you could see them walking off behind the group. Awkward…

Roy Webb did stay to watch SSQ. He was quick to stand and cheer throughout the set. Once, Ryan Seaton exited the stage near him and they exchanged a man-hug (lean in one shoulder and put one arm around the other guy). That was the only visible interaction between Roy and SSQ. Ernie took the same exit once and turned the other way to leave. Don’t know if it was intentional or not.

As for Haun singing, I recall a few years ago that he filled in at baritone for the Perry’s during NQC when they were in-between. I believe it was after Curt Davis left. I’m pretty sure that was the year they hired Joseph Habedank at NQC and had him come up to sing a song during their last set of the week. Haun was their producer at the time.

I really think we can give the whole “stacks” commentary a rest. The stacks, for the few that used them, were mixed well and didn’t overshadow the groups live vocals. Ehssq proved that they sound better live than several other NQC regulars, including that horse abortion GV made of “Little is much.” Gerald will live to regret the Kitson decision. As mediocre as Waldroup was, he fit and sounded much better with GV.

GVB — vocally flawless. Wes Hampton is not David phelps, but he is making us believe that that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. “Always a place at the table” was easily the best vocal performance by anyone at NQC last night or all week. Speaking of bill taking 3 during that number, I can’t help but wonder if there is some unspoken health issue w/BG. Last night, in combination of the rushed releases of the GVB latest work (the Christmas cd and reunion projects weren’t suppord to release until this time next year– the Christmas cd comes out in two weeks and the reunion project is slated for January) and him sitting out on a song he sang on the recording, have me worried that the most iconic person in SG right now may be in health trouble.

Food for thought anyway.

Not much has been said about the King’s Heralds, and I’d submit that they have had the toughest sets of all this week. They are periodically parked in the stairwells to sing accapella while the groups like the Isaacs, Primitives, etc get set up. They have done an outstanding job. As all singers know, singing without music is the toughest thing. The rubber meets the road in accapella singing. Congratulations to the King’s Heralds on a solid week with that.

The Isaacs are consistently remarkable. As an aside, I love the guy who sits on his drum and slaps it with has hands during their set. Not sure what this contraption is called, but it works for the Isaacs.

The Perrys were unbelievable vocally as always. I thought Habedank was dancing around his notes a little too much tonight; it had the feel of Angie Hoskins singing all around THE note before finally going to it. I do think the Perrys need to get a new record out pretty soon. They are in need of some strong new material. Some of the stuff they are doing over and over is starting to stagnate.

Regarding the GVB stand, I think the inclusion of either the “John Wayne” song or “Sinner Saved By Grace” was spur-of-the-moment. Gaither is sitting on the stairway of the stage while the rest of the group does a trio thing and I see him turn to Kevin Williams. Williams lifts his eyebrows to say “What?” and Gaither turns away, clearly contemplating a change of course for the set. Finally, Gaither turns to Williams and calls the next song. This was interesting to watch. I liked “Sinner Saved By Grace” in the set. I think Gaither realized the importance of coming back to NQC with an humble spirit, and he did that both off the stage and with his group on stage.

Legacy Five is a great group vocally, but they are a ship lost at sea right now. Fowler is clearly looking for “IT”, that special stage presence that they are lacking. He gave the mike to Seamons tonight for a song introduction and Seamons fumbled around and talked too long. Fowler took it back after the next song and finished out the emcee work. I would agree that the Tim Parton song was poorly placed at 11:35 pm. Nice song, but it was ballad-eering the people to sleep. I just thought while they were singing that someone in the industry needs to work with them on stage presence, discernment of reading a crowd and talking on stage.

I kept wondering while Mark Bishop was singing…what would he sound like if he didn’t have a nose? Like his brother, he puts it all through his nostrils. I agree with Avery that “He Never Sleeps” is really a strong song. Love the words to this one.

I also agree with Avery on the Compassion International pitches. Stop it already. Everybody knows all about Compassion by now. We are all sick of hearing about it. If we want to contribute, there are all kinds of opportunities on the internet, etc.

While many of the artists may not be on top of their game this week, there is one thing most people are not aware of. MANY of the artists are battling illness this week. The six days of NQC are grueling at best and many of the artists you mentioned DO spend a great deal of time at their booths greeting and speaking with the fans. If you’ve passed the BB booth at all this week, you would have seen that when the guys are there, they are bombarded by people. They are very gracious with their fans. I know - our booth is a few rows down from theirs and I had to go past it many times. Every time Ronnie, Jim or Michael were there they were inundated. Add to that, Ronnie & Jim Brady were both fighting throat infections and were never 100% physically - Something that most fans would never have known. I think all the artists do need to be cut some slack - it’s an exhausting week and is a setting that demands 150% for an six days. How many secular artists could hold up to this kind of rigorous schedule and still give impeccable performances? While there was much this week that was imperfect and sub-par, this week is for the fans…at least they can come with a forgiving ear and accept that, while their favorite groups may not always do it perfectly, they’re still their favorite group. Sometimes I wish I could go back to being just the average fan in the seat and enjoy NQC for what it is - a chance for fans to see their favorite group, up close and personal, hear new groups, buy new product, and meet fellow SG lovers.