“Our government,” Danny Jones began, “recently commissioned a research, they got the results back from the research this Friday – this is what they found:  one out of every three persons is not normal!”  While everyone laughed, Michael Booth walked on to the stage with a questioning look on his face.  Danny Jones continued, “I bet you can figure out who I’m talking about concerning the Booth Brothers!”  After Michael made his appearance, he laughed with everyone else and went backstage again.

This was only the beginning of the wonderful time we had at MTQ’s Homecoming on Saturday night.  That evening our special guests were the Booth Brothers … and of course our host group, The Mark Trammell Quartet!  As you can see from above, Danny Jones was present to enjoy and pick on the host.    The church was packed with SGM fans filling the floor and the balcony, and there is no doubt that those individuals left refreshed, encouraged, and with a few good “mini” sermons slid in here and there from various individuals.

Danny Jones (editor of the Singing News Magazine) made some special announcements before the concert began, and the anecdote above was just one example of the fun that the night had in store for us!  Danny told the audience about the special “Covers” issue that the Singing News printed in recognition of the SN’s 40^th Anniversary.  There are only 3,000 of these issues in print and 2,000 have already been sold!  (If you don’t have one, now’s the time to get yours!)

Danny had one more victim to pick on before the concert began, and that person was none other than Mr. Mark Trammell himself!  “Mark and I often pick on each other about our declining age,” Danny began, “our receding hair line, and our exceeding waistline,”  Danny paused for a moment before going on, “I was an only child;  I never had the privilege of having a brother, and the things that would occur if I had had one.  But after knowing Mark Trammell for as many years as I have, I can honestly say, if I ever had a brother come into my life – I would want him to be like Pat Barker!”  The expression on Mark’s face was priceless while the crowd roared with laughter!  (If there were any place that Mark was not safe – it was at his very own homecoming!)

Jay Parrack prayed, then, invited everyone stand to their feet and welcome their host group … The Mark Trammell Quartet!

MTQ opened the evening with the rousing old classic, Leave Your Sorrows (and come with me).  Mansion Over The Hilltop followed, sung by Joel on the second verse.  Mark asked the audience to sing along on the chorus, and it was so moving to hear the congregation singing with the guys.  You could really hear them too!  Next up, Mark gave short introductions of the guys … at least he wanted them to be short!  He specifically asked the audience to hold their applause until he was finished with all the guys, “Save it for the end and do it all at once,” Mark said.  Well, the audience didn’t listen and began clapping when Mark introduced Joel; Mark held up his finger and reminded everyone, “Hold your applause!”  (This was just the beginning – we had an unruly crowd that night!)  When he came to Pat he mentioned that once again, he had a request to let Pat sing a certain song.  Though this song had a disadvantage to it… they had never done it live before!  Mark decided that they would proceed with it, and the “surprise solo” began – I Thirst.  Which Pat did a great job on!  You know, I sat on the “bass singer side” that night, and I do have to say, Pat sure had his hair fixed well that night…how does he manage to always look so perfect?  LOL!  (Pat – I’ll be waiting for that check in the mail!)  LOL!  Anyway, back to the concert, Testimony was up next, and the crowd really got clapping to the beat!  LOL!  The worshipful, How Long Has It Been followed – then Mark introduced another request.  He said, “Satan would like to think that he can do whatever he wants to the Child of God…but there is one thing that he can never do – he can’t keep us from loving the one who died for us.”  Loving the Lamb was the requested ballad, and its message moved the crowd like none other.  MTQ sang their hearts out on this one … their passion for the Lord just poured off the stage into the audience.  That’s no exaggeration either!  For when they held their last note the whole auditorium instantly stood to their feet – even those in the balcony!  (Now, you know it’s something special when you get the balcony in a standing ovation!)  With the crowd in such a state, there was no better follow up than Boundless Love!  Everyone clapped to the beat and we were well past our way to having church!  We were already there!  The Spirit was so strong that Mark turned to where the Booth Brothers were sitting off to the left and said, “When ya’ll come out here, just mind the Lord – it’s wonderful.”  Then on silly note he added, “Well, Jim and Ronnie, you two mind the Lord … Michael doesn’t mind anyone!  If he had a mind, he would take it out and play with it.”  (The crowd just ate that one up)  LOL.  Getting back on a serious topic, Mark began to acknowledge those who have served in our nations armed forces.  As grateful as I am sure we all are for our religious freedom, Mark reminded us that if we don’t safeguard that as children of God, we may not always have our freedom.  Yes, even in America.  Mark shared an experience that he had that would change your life if you ever get to see it for yourself.  He said, “It would change your life, to be in an airport when a large plane comes in from a foreign country – and all the luggage from that plane comes down the conveyer belt, but suddenly, everything gets still.  The next thing you see is a lone casket draped with a flag slowly making its way down the conveyer belt.  At the end is a color guard who salutes that soldier.  All the other people in the airport are unaware of what is taking place, unless there is one who knows what is going on … outside.  (Speaking of the war).  Seeing  that will change your life.”  The drums rolled and the guys performed their stirring arrangement of Statue Of Liberty.  A video played on the power point, illustrating the song.  Once again, as the first words were sung, the whole auditorium was on their feet in respect of the ones who have paid the price with their lives for our freedom.  This song just sent chills up my spine – it was sooooooo powerful!  That song closed MTQ’s first set.  (The crowd was well warmed up for the BB’s!)

“When you see Mark, Joel, Pat and Dustin sing across the country,” Jay began, “they don’t just represent themselves.  They represent their families: their wives, kids, their parents and even this church – but even more – they represent our Lord Jesus Christ!”

The Booth Brothers were up next as MTQ’s special guest of the evening, kicking their time off with He’s So Good To Me.  All three guys shared the lines in the first verse of this up-beat number, which went right into I See Grace.  The Booth’s received a thunderous applause for their first few songs.  “We’ve got a lot of new songs for you,” said Ronnie setting up for his solo, “this one is written by our very own Jim Brady, and I love singing it for you.”  This beautiful ballad is from their new project (Let It Be Known) and is called Masterpiece of Mercy.  After a count off the guys barreled into Welcome To The Family.  When they came to the line that talks about the tea being “sweet and cold,” Jim let out a “whooooo!”  Michael stepped up and began talking to the audience; saying how it is wonderful to be here with us, and mentioned that we are all family in Christ.  “Family,” Michael said, “You do realize you will have to spend eternity with me!”  He paused then added, “Is Mark looking yet?”  Michael went onto to explain a song that is really special to him and Ronnie.  He shared how they had wonderful grandparents.  Their grandma (their mom’s mother) suffered with Alzheimer’s, and naturally, that was hard to go through.  He shared that even though the mind may be failing in the body, there is still hope.  As an example, he talked about how when a passage of Scripture is quoted or an old hymn is sung, she would just light up and quote it with you.  Those moments are an example of the hope we have in Christ in any situation … even with this terrible disease.  All of these thoughts lead up to the song Ronnie sang, She Still Remembers Jesus Name.  After the slow feature, Michael asked, “Isn’t that sweet?”  Then … Michael began being, well, Michael!  “We were in a church the other day,” Michael said, “and you wouldn’t believe what they did!…The piano was on the other side of the stage!”  (Michael points to where Jim is standing on the right)  Jim asked, “What does it matter where the piano sits?”  Michael points to the left and very passionately replies, “Because it’s supposed to be on this side!”  Jim questioned, “But it’s not in the Bible.”  Michael faces the audience and says, “But it’s in the bulletin!”  Chuckling, Michael goes on to say that they grew up very conservative Baptists, and though they may not have been right about everything, they were always confident!  Michael said to Jim and Ronnie, “C’mon guys, while we’re at it lets do It … one, two, three!”  In sync, Ronnie, Michael and Jim announced, “We grew up: fundamental, independent, King James, black cover, red letter, 1611, conservative Baptist!”  While Michael was talking “conservative,” he spoke about the hymns and how they are being taken out of churches.  I liked it when he said, “How great these hymns are when you leave them alone and sing it the way the writer wrote them.”  This lead up to a hymn melody they sang, the songs in the piece were:  Peace, Wonderful Peace, The Old Rugged Cross, and How Great Thou Art.  These were sung accapella and received a standing ovation.  A good ole’ “quartet number” they “stole” from the Imperials was next on the set, it featured Jim and was called Keep On Casting.  During the first verse Jim, Michael and Ronnie posed for a picture!  It was a pretty fast song and afterwards Michael said, “We would have done more of that…but it’s not in the bulletin!”  Of course, as he’s saying this, he’s panting for breath.  Ronnie looked at his brother and said, “Hey!  I think the skinny guy is out of breath! – Michael, why don’t you loosen up your tie?”  Horrified, Michael replied, “What?  Oh, no!”  Jim asked, “Why not?”  Michael stuck his nose up in the air in mocking pride and answered, “Because, I’m Baptist!”

Switching to a serious atmosphere, Michael began sharing with the fans that Jim is an incredible songwriter and has been penning some great songs recently.  “I’ve learned that I need to get them before he gives them all away!” Michael said, “Truth Is Marching On went to Gold City…he obviously didn’t even pray about that!  And Testimony went to Mark … but we were in the car on the way to the airport one time, and I asked him if he had any new songs and he played this one for me.  I told him that I wanted to sing that song.  Michael proceeded to get out his Bible and read Romans 5:1 that says, ‘Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ’ –  “you are free from the guilt of past sins!  I want you to listen to this song that Jim wrote for us…”  Jim came forward and sang a beautiful ballad called When You Bow At Jesus Feet.  Another new song off of their Let It Be Heard project is See What A Morning, an up-beat song with a Celtic feel about the Resurrection that features Michael on the second verse.  This inspiring arrangement received a standing ovation.  “You believe that?”  Michael exclaimed after the number, “Christ is risen!”  With that, the Booth’s closed their first set and Jay Parrack came up on stage to take up the offering.

“You are seeing two of the greatest groups here in Anniston, AL, you really are,” said Jay (aka Jaybird).  Dustin played What A Friend We Have In Jesus while the ushers passed the offering plates, then we had a short intermission.

Before beginning the second set of the night, Mark came on stage holding Emma Cathryn in his arms.  He stepped up to the mic and said, “I want to introduce to you the newest member of the MTQ family.  This is Pat’s daughter, Emma, and she’s had about enough of this (referring to the long evening).  Jay came back on stage wearing a very, very “special” T-shirt.  On the front it said, “Jay’s Jems,” and on the back it said, “PRAY FOR MARK!”  The audience roared with laughter as Jay informed us that there is only one T-shirt like this in the whole world!

The Mark Trammell Quartet came back to the stage with a song penned by Dustin Sweatman, called, One Drop.  “We had some of the strangest requests tonight,” Mark shared with the fans, “we are going to try to fulfill the strangest one right now.”  With anticipation I awaited what song that would be … I mean, C’mon, how many songs can you entitle – strange?  Leave it be, the song was … O Holy Night!  With power and precision Mark delivered the verses with everything he had.  A standing ovation was the only result!  (And you know that MTQ didn’t get to warm up on this one – it was a pure request performed like true pros!)  Mark shared how such a “strange” request came about.  He was at the table and this little lady came up and asked if they would sing a certain song.  He asked which one – she replied, “O Holy Night.”  Mark said, “I’m thinking to myself … it’s 100 degrees outside – that’s not holy!”  Mark went on to say that they had, yet another request for their bass singer.  Without even knowing what the song is, Pat goes, “Oh yeah!  I like that one!”  Mark kind of gives Pat a sideways glance and continues, “We did this one last night and it went over real well.”  But before he went on to sing the song, Mark shared something with the crowd that a lot of people come to him to know.  They ask him why his group is so successful … is it because he’s been in the industry for a long time and just has a name, or something like that?  Mark’s reply? – “Roads have been out there forever and they’re just roads – our success is because of the God we serve.”  (And I might add to this that, the Lord blesses those who honor Him!)

At this point, MTQ went in to a song of popular demand – I Want To Know.  So popular, that it received a standing ovation in the middle of the tune!  For the great response it had, Michael came up on stage and said, “I know that this is not my moment here, but this is the song I was looking forward to the most tonight, and I noticed that three out of four of ya were really putting some effort into it.”  He walked across the stage to Mark and speaking directly to him said, “Guess which one I didn’t think was putting any effort into it?”  Michael turned to the audience and said, “If ya’ll wouldn’t mind, I think the old man has just a little more gas left in the tank.  Let’s make him do it one more time,” turning back to Mark spouted, “And let’s put some ‘effort’ into it, (pointing to the audience), these people paid good money to here you do this.  You’re a legend.”  Without missing a beat, Mark interjected, “I’m also a Baptist.” So, they did an encore, and were joined by the BB’s as the audience rose from their seats in ovation.  Michael, standing next to Mark, attempted to get Mark to bend at the knees and sway his legs back and forth in a dance fashion.  Mark made an attempt to comply and Michael tried to really ‘fire him up’ by stepping out and doing some trademark “Elvis” moves on stage.  When Michael stepped back in line with all the guys, he had his back somewhat towards Mark, who simultaneously turned towards him and started doing jumping-jacks in the middle of the song!  Michael responded by stooping down on the floor in laughter and disbelief!   And so, they ended the set wound up and pouring their hearts out!

Next, the Booth Brothers came up on stage and Michael said, “I have to sing a serious song right now, and I can’t!”  After the crowd chuckled again, Michael added, “I should have took my pill today!”  (Which only caused the audience to roar even more!)  Ronnie casually replied, “I wish there was one!”  Well, the serious song that Michael was talking about was the classic, Look For Me At Jesus Feet, featuring yours truly … Michael Booth!  He Saw It All followed, which Ronnie introduced, “We’re going to sing a song about the blind man for you.  If you’ve never heard this song, you’ve never heard it put quite this way before!”  After that song Michael stepped up and asked if they could sing another song that Jim wrote.  He told the audience that a couple of years ago he made some notes from some passages of Scripture and asked Jim to write a song about it.  “He re-wrote this thing three times,” Michael shared.  He went on to explain what the song was about, which lead into discussing assurance of salvation.  “Too many times we point to things that DON’T MATTER,” said Michael passionately, “They may be beautiful landmarks (speaking of walking down to the altar, or writing the date you were saved in the cover of you Bible) – but where you need to go is the Word of God.”  (Satan can’t argue with the Word!)  Michael sang a gorgeous ballad called What About Now?  The conviction in the lyrics brought everyone to their feet.   This song is a gem of precious truth.

Before the Booth Brothers could walk off the stage, Mark came up and asked the Booths if they would honor him with something.  He said to the Booths, “Would you all humor me and do this one thing with me?  I want to sing one more song with you guys!”  Michael asked, “Which one?”  Then exclaimed, “Oh!  I know!  The one about God!”  Mark said that he wanted to sing the one with all the words.  “I might have to take my teeth out to sing it so I don’t bite the inside of my mouth!”  The track was cued and MTQ sang Still Feeling Fine with the Booth Brothers – it was a sight to behold!   And so, Saturday evening closed with the wonderful thoughts of those lyrics and the fantastic energy in which they were sung.  Ya’ll are gonna be blessed by the upcoming video clips from this Homecoming event!