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I have intentionally held back from getting to like any Gaither Vocal Band tenor too much. They put in two years with the Gaither Vocal Band, then leave for a solo career in Contemporary Christian Music. Well, it looks like Wes Hampton could be a different sort of tenor. He recently had an interview with the Kalamazoo Gazette (hat tip, Gospelmusicfan), where he said:

“I’ll be in this group till it ceases to exist,” Hampton predicted.

He has spent more than a year with the group, whose alumni include Steve Green, Michael English and Russ Taff, all of whom have solo careers.

“I don’t want a solo career; I’m here for the group,” Hampton said. “I’m living my dream.”

I like what I’m seeing thus far. He has a good voice, and if the Gaither Vocal Band can keep him for the long haul, they could go to new heights.

My post on the LeFevre Quartet’s dissatisfaction with not being invited to appear on the main stage at last year’s National Quartet Convention sparked an interesting discussion. Several people have made interesting comments, but one in particular was thought-provoking enough that it deserves a post of its own. In answer to the assumption (inherent in David Staton’s argument) that Horizon Groups of the Year should get an NQC mainstage slot, “Clarence” observed:

The Horizon Award winning group has been left off the main stage before. Common Bond and the Florida Melody Boys won the award back in the ’90’s and never did get a mainstage slot that I recall.

He has a valid point. (Continue Reading >>>)

Word has it that the Singing News Fan Awards will be moved to Saturday afternoon at the 2006 NQC. Gospelmusicfan.com has the story. If true, this would be an interesting development.