Mark Bishop was the first artist that I saw that night. He kicked off his time on stage with his snappy song was, Cloud Nine Headed For Ten. Josh Singletary accompanied Mark on the piano. Next, was his very popular I Got Here As Fast As I Could. He introduced the next song by talking about a couple that he once knew. The wife had Alzheimers, and though it came to the point where she couldn’t remember who her husband was, he faithfully came and spent time with her every day. Mark said that was the closest thing that he had ever saw to the love of Christ. . .and he wrote a song about it! It’s called Pay Attention. His closing song was a very popular radio single from a few years ago, Remember Who He Is, Remember What He Does. Everyone in Freedom Hall was clapping to that one!

The Anchormen were up next on Main Stage. Their first song was a fast one that kept everyone’s toes tappin’ called I’ve Been Touched. Everything But Time followed, featuring the bass position. Next, was a personal favorite of mine, a slow song called One Day.  It’s about that day in the future when Christ will get all of the glory He deserves!  Their last song’s name is slipping my mind – but it was another fast one, and the crowd loved it!

The Kingsmen were the highlight of the evening for me! They had the crowd excited with their fast quartet song When It’s All Said And Done. Harold (tenor) was featured next on their #2 hit, God Saw A Cross. Of course, Rodney Griffin (the writer of the song) was watching from the side with a huge grin on his face! Kudos to Harold for a tremendous job, especially considering he is suppose to be on voice rest due to the effects of the not so wonderful ragweed season in Branson, MO. (I’ve heard from several artists that were in Branson for the Southern Gospel Picnic, that the ragweed really had an effect on them!). Bryan (baritone) introduced their pianist, Cody, who played A Mighty Fortress Is Our God for a piano solo.  Standing ovation for him!  (No surprise!  He sure is a favorite.) Stand Up, another great Kingsmen classic, ended their set with everyone in Freedom Hall on their feet!

After the Kingsmen, Dean Hopper invited the Freedom Singers to come up on stage and tell everyone a little about what they would be sharing at the Wednesday morning Chapel service, and to sing a song. Simon, the Freedom Singers’ tenor, gave a brief testimony regarding their part of the upcoming Chapel service, then they sang a song in Romanian. Half way through, Dean stopped them and said, “Wait! – You guys need a bass singer! Gerald, come on up here and sing bass for these guys!” So Gerald Wolfe went up to sing with them; then, Simon lightheartedly said, “I thought we would get a real bass singer!” He proceeded to tell the audience how Gerald had sang with them at the Great Western Fan Fest this year, and how he wasn’t sure what language Gerald was singing, b/c it sounded more like “baby talk”! The audience roared with laughter and the expression on Gerald’s face was priceless. It was all in good fun, and the love and support of one another was very evident. It was also great to see the warmth in which NQC received the Freedom Singers! So Gerald sang with them, though I don’t know what language he was singing, cause it wasn’t Romanian!!! It was beautiful for the ears to behold.

Karen Peck and New River were on next. Ephesians One started them off and really warmed up the crowd. There were a lot of KP&NR fans in the house! Their popular radio song, Why Should I Worry, followed. Karen talked about how she loves the verse in Matthew where Jesus says, “Don’t worry.” My favorite song they sing came next – I Want To Thank You! There is nothing like seeing them doing it live! Their fourth and final song was We Shall Wear A Robe And Crown, during which, Eric Bennett came up and joined them singing bass, Jeff Stice took care of the piano as part of the band, while Dean Hopper played bass guitar, (there was also a drummer, but I didn’t recognize him). They encored the song a few times, which, with the bass part, was really awesome!