Gaither Homecoming in Nashville

Here is a copy of the report that I posted on the EHSS MB, enjoy!:

I have to tell you all that I was so nervous about meeting the guys that I almost couldn't breathe and I almost had to throw up before we left the hotel and then once on our way to the venue, I couldn't stop laughing. My grandmothers were about to kill me and I think I was scaring the lady next to me on the shuttle bus! HAHA But, i couldn't help it!

We finally got inside the Sommet Center with about 5 minutes to spare. We did not have time to go to the product table because we had to get to our seats. We are walking down the steps to our row (We had floor seats) and the lights went out mid-way so I knew that I had to get to my seat. When we got to our seat, the stage lit up and they started singing the song "The Unclouded Day" as all of the homecoming friends walked on stage, and there were many of them, I mean, this is music city! They consisted of (This is all that I can recall, I think I have them all): Ernie Haase ( I almost passed out because he is like my role model!), Ryan Seaton, Doug Anderson, Tim Duncan, Gene McDowell, Eva Mae LeFevre (What a Sweetheart!), Mary Tom Spear, Ben Spear, Micheal English (What A Surprise!), Ivan Parker, Joy Gardner and the Christ Church Choir, Charlotte Richie, Greg Richie on Drums, Jeff Easter, Sheri Easter, Guy Penrod, Wes Hampton, Marshall Hall, Lynda Randle, Kevin Williams, Rory Rigdon and of course, Gordon Mote.

What a Lineup! The spirit in the place was absolutely amazing. In fact, my shoulders are very sore from having my hands lifted up in Praise for our savior most of the night! After the couple of congregational songs including all of the homecoming friends, they all dissapeared leaving EHSS and GVB up on the stage and they sang "Great Day", "Love is Like a River" and "Sweet, Sweet Spirit". Oh, how overwhelming it was!

After this, Jeff and Sheri Easter and Charlotte Richie came out and sang, the songs have escaped me. After them it was Joy Gardner and the Christ Church Choir and she only sang only one song. Then, Ivan Parker came out and he sang "This I choose" and another song that I don't remember what it was called. Janet Paschal came out and sang and then she talked about her recent battle with Breast Cancer and then she sang another song. Lynda Randle was next and she sang a couple of songs that i don't remember the name of either. All this time, I am wondering where our guys are and when they are coming out! Next up was Ben Speer and he sang an old hymn that I can't remember the name of. Next, Eva Mae LeFevre came out on stage and she looked at Bill and she said "Bill, it has been 98 days since I have seen you! Bill, if that happens again, I am going to slap you!" The crowd erupted in laughter! I t was good to see her again. She sang the old song "Leave it there" , I think she did this song on either homecoming picnic or campfire homecoming.

Up next was what I had been waiting for. EHSS came running out on stage and I just jumped to my feet and screamed as loud as i could! None of the people around me even moved, but I didn't care, I love them so much that how could I not scream out! They sang "Someday", "Glory to God in the Highest" (Yes, Brandon, that is the song that you heard. Sorry it wasn't any better!), and "Till we Fly Away". Then the entire stage went dark with Gloria in the spotlight and she told about the death of Jesus in such a beautiful way. It brought tears to my eyes. The guys sang the first verse of "Then Came the Morning" and then at the chorus when they say "..Then Came the Morning!" the entire stage lit up and I just jumped up with my hands raised to our father before I even thought about it. I was just overtaken! After this song they sang "Get Away Jordan" with 2 reprises! I guess they would have done a third one but I suppose one person standing up and yelling at the top of his lungs (me!) was not enough for a third reprise! HAHA

After EHSS, GVB came out and sang several songs. They walked on stage singing "I'll tell it wherever I go". They then sang "I catch 'em, God Cleans 'Em." They then sang "Journey to the sky" with a funny comedy routine with Marsh and Bill. Then, Guy sang "Why Me, Lord" and then the GVB sang "Give it Away"

Then there was intermission and I knew that I had to find the EHSS table. I came out to the main floor and walked almost all the way around the venue till I saw that huge picture of EHSS and I just took off running. Ryan was standing there with his grandmother, a really sweet lady and his mom was standing on the other side of the table because I saw him yelling her name. I tapped him on the shoulder and he turned around with a big smile on his face and I asked him if he would take a picture with me, he said, "Yeah man, no problem!". He stood with me and took a picture with me. Then, I saw Doug come over and I asked him if he would take a picture with me, and he patted me on the shoulder and said, "sure". We talked for a little bit, he is such a great guy! I then pulled Tim over and he took a picture with me. By the Way, Brandon Tim says Hello. He laughed when I told him that Brandon says hello. Then, It happened. I spotted Ernie Haase himself on the other end of the table. I got in line to meet him. However, when I got up to him some guy came around and said "Ernie, you need to get in [the arena]" He looked at the guy and said "I have 5 minutes" and he looked at me and said, "Hey, I like that shirt!" I just laughed and I got our picture made, it came out blurry but I am happy with it anyway! I would have loved to have talked to him some more but I know that he was busy. So, I walked away. I am hoping I can have more time to talk to him in Paducah!

After intermission they started again and Kevin and Rory was doing some jokes, most of which were on the "Together" video. All of the homecoming friends came back out and they sang "Rock Of Ages" and at the end they showed a video of Vestal Goodman up on the screen singing the second verse of the song. They also sand "Leaning on the everlasting Arms" in the same style that they did on the "Together" video. They also sang the song "Up Above My Head", and at the end they showed Jake Hess and George Younce, singing the song together and it was amazing! They also sang "Amazing Grace is the sweetest name I know" and Ivan Parker and Micheal English got up and sang "Thank You for giving to the Lord", which was very touching!

They ended with a prayer from Gloria Gaither and the song, "Because he lives" with Charlotte Richie and Ben Speer singing the 2nd and 3rd verse. It was very touching.

Afterwards, We went back to the product table because I had realized that in my excitement, I had not bought anything! I went and grabbed the "Great Love" Cd, the only one I don't have, and the Brown Get Away Jordan T-Shirt. Tim was standing there and he said "Can I help Someone?" I handed him the CD and told him about the shirt and I asked him if he could get everyone to autograph the CD. Tim said, "What is your name?" and I said "D.J." and then he looked at me with that mischevious grin of his and he said, "how do you spell that?" and I started to answer him but then he started laughing and I just felt really stupid, "He said don't worry about it, I do stuff like that all the time!". I walked away from the product table with my pictures and autographs and I was in Glory--as Kay says!

All in all, the concert was amazing. I loved it very much, but I am kind of sad that it is over! I will be in line next Friday to buy Paducah Tickets for sure!