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UPDATE (10/10/08, 9:59 AM): Jennifer Blackwood, Mark’s wife, comments below:

Mark and Ron have done concerts together recently and there are plans to do more in the future. However, Mark has no plans to discontinue HIS group. It is funny how there is so much ditscussion here, yet no one has even asked the folks involved.

ORIGINAL POST: SoGospelNews recently posted a feature interview with Ron Blackwood of the Blackwood Singers / Blackwood Quartet. It’s a fascinating read, and has one particularly newsworthy item. Ron was asked to list the three Blackwood Groups in existence today, and in the process of so doing mentioned that there would soon be two:

There are 3 Blackwood Groups The Blackwood Quartet which is ME! and then My Cousin Jimmy Blackwood & The Blackwood Brothers and Mark Blackwood. Mark is joining me after the first of the year and will no longer have his group. We are all Family and work well together. I do all I can to help Jimmy and Mark. They are my Cousins and I love them.

Mark Blackwood has run the Blackwood Gospel Quartet for several years and sings baritone. Since Ron and R.W. Blackwood hold down the lead and baritone positions, with John Rulapaugh on tenor and Rick Fair on bass, it’s not immediately clear what part he will be singing. But it will be a little less confusing to have just two Blackwood groups.

Several years ago, Eddie Crook stepped back from day-to-day leadership of the Eddie Crook Company. Dave Wilcox headed up day-to-day operations until his seemingly abrupt recent departure. It was announced yesterday that Crook would return on an interim basis to lead the company.

Crook is currently the pianist for the Prophets Quartet. I contacted Paul Jackson, Prophets lead singer and de facto spokesman, to ask whether Crook would stay on with the Prophets. After commenting that Crook had been participating in Prophets rehearsals this week, he said: “Mr. Crook seems more dedicated and enthused, than ever before, about his role in the mission of The Prophets!”

From Dan Keeton’s latest email newsletter:

I have been thinking, now that NQC 2008 is over and we have had time to reflect on what was accomplished, tonight, I received this email….

Dear Keetons,
10/6/08

My name is Jeff and I work for the State of Kentucky down in Louisville…

I was working one day down in the dumpsters area cleaning up all the trash on the ground & outside of the dumpsters where all the trash goes after each big show that comes in down here in Louisville. I was cleaning & spotted some Christian CD’s in the trash, But I found them all & cleaned them off and took them home with me and listened to all of them.

For years I have been running from Lord, this song (Answer for the Lost) in the trash “reached out” and it touched my sinner’s heart & I cried out to the Jesus… I went to my Moms & Dads church, and after church my baby-brother prayed with me & I gave my whole life to the Lord Jesus on 9-21-08…

I thank the Lord for helping me find your CD & for the song (Answer for the Lost) “that helped me get back home” ..

Thank you,
Jeff

Some people have dreams of being on the “main stage”. Some have aspirations of being the next BIG thing. Let it be known, if this is what happens, Dan Keeton hopes more of his CDs make it to the trash.

(Reprinted by permission.)