All Stop!

I've seen several movies that portray life on the sea, either in the navy or on some other type of ship. I can remember hearing the Captain of the boat yelling, "All Stop!" when he wanted the engines shut down so the vessel would cease in its forward momentum. At this point you may be asking yourself, or saying out loud to your computer (I do that occasionally), "What does this have to do with Gospel Music? Allow me to explain.

Each year, the biggest event in the Southern Gospel Music industry occurs - the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. Although we had planned to attend, unexpected circumstances prevented us from going. This convention would have been my first since coming on board the Gospel Music Times, and I was looking forward to writing about all the happenings at the convention. Since I was unable to be there in person, I was looking forward to hearing about it through press releases and news stories.

You see, the Gospel Music Times depends on news releases and press releases from the various artists, groups, promoters and management firms in Southern Gospel Music as the source for our "News Center" articles. Some weeks will see a few press releases coming our way; during other weeks, the press releases will flood our inbox. But during the NQC, the press releases didn't just slow down, they stopped.

Which is the basis for my naval musings, because everything stopped during the convention. That speaks volumes about the importance of the NQC to the Southern Gospel community. Although in the past we have at times been critical of the NQC, we would be remiss if we didn't point out the convention's importance to the industry. Although I haven't seen any attendance numbers yet, I'm sure that thousands of Southern Gospel fans attended. It's no secret that many of the current Southern Gospel greats were there to perform, and the chance to see your favorite group both on stage and at their booth is worth the price of a ticket.

Now that the convention is over, the press releases have once again began flowing into our inbox and things are back to normal once again. The engines are once again running and forward momentum has once again ensued. How exciting it is to be a part of this wonderful industry. By the way, if you are an artist, group, promoter or management firm, please send any news releases or press releases to info@gospelmusictimes.com. We love to hear from you!

What do you think? I'd like to know!!

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Past Articles:

ISAIAH’S CRY   (5/6/2013)

Brenda Whitlock - A Lady With A Song   (4/3/2013)

Wanda Osborne: Charismatic Singer/Songwriter/Speaker   (3/8/2013)

It's Not Easy Letting Go   (5/11/2012)

Rushing, Rushing, Rushing   (4/16/2012)

Introducing: Jamie W. Lewis   (3/27/2012)

It Was A Moment To Remember   (2/19/2012)

My Integrity Is Intact   (2/8/2012)

The Bush is Still Burning   (12/1/2011)

Too Good To Be True   (10/25/2011)

Life Happens   (10/10/2011)

Give the Little Guys a Chance   (8/14/2011)

Don't Throw Away Your Confidence   (7/12/2011)

The Green Thing   (5/15/2011)

Mercy   (4/25/2011)

It’s Just Another Easter Sunday   (3/28/2011)

Busted Faith   (2/28/2011)

It Won't Be Long   (2/8/2011)

Mary, Did You Know?   (12/20/2010)

Some of Our Favorites   (11/30/2010)

Some of Our Favorites   (11/30/2010)

Some of Our Favorites   (11/30/2010)

Time to Capitalize   (10/15/2010)

The Sadness of Loss and the Joy of Gain   (10/1/2010)

The 2010 National Quartet Convention   (9/18/2010)

It's That Time Of Year Again!   (9/12/2010)

The Trial Will Become A Blessing   (8/2/2010)

Countdown to the BGMC   (6/8/2010)

I Love Gospel Music   (5/13/2010)

Keeping Things Fresh   (5/3/2010)

Still Learning   (4/25/2010)

Rejoice, for He is Risen!   (3/22/2010)

Goodbye, Old Friend   (2/19/2010)

Our Marketing Stinks   (12/29/2009)

Christmas time's a-comin!   (12/18/2009)

What Our Work Truly Is   (11/27/2009)

They Bypassed My Heart, But Not My Wife   (11/12/2009)

An Old Cub Scout's Point of View   (11/3/2009)

This Is A Moving Story   (10/26/2009)

Feeling the Pressure   (10/7/2009)

All Stop!   (9/23/2009)

The Excitement in the Air   (9/9/2009)

Being The Light   (9/2/2009)

Things We Can Learn From Rocky   (8/24/2009)

Two Men, Three Pigs and a Bag of Wind   (8/13/2009)

Pastors on the Moon   (8/3/2009)

A Difference In Focus   (7/20/2009)

It's Time for the Good to Speak Up   (6/23/2009)

Turn on the lights, turn on the Spirit   (6/15/2009)

David of the Future   (6/3/2009)

Change - It's Not Always Easy   (5/26/2009)

The Great Debate: Tracks or Live Band?   (5/24/2009)

Sometimes I really Miss the Seventies   (5/18/2009)