Daniel: Over the last few months, Union Street (formerly The Ryan Seaton Quartet) has generated enough buzz and won enough fans that I thought readers would be interested to see an interview with the group’s newest face. I understand that this isn’t your first time singing with a Southern Gospel group, though. What group(s) have you sung with previously?

Andrew: I’ve been around Gospel music my entire life. I joined the Conquerors Quartet as their lead singer in 2006, when I was a Sophomore in high school. Once, I began my college career at Oakland City University, I joined their ambassador Gospel group, Earthlight. I traveled with both groups during my college years.

Daniel: What or who inspired you to start singing?

Andrew: My family has been my inspiration. My dad started singing with the Conquerors Quartet when I was six months old. I always wanted to be like him, and be a member of the group. I have had the honor of singing alongside of him with the Conquerors since 2009. Not only is he an amazing vocalist, (100 times better than I’ll ever be), he’s completely in tune with what God has in store for each and every one of our concerts. Not only does my father sing, but my mom has one of the smoothest alto voices you have ever heard. She sounds a lot like Karen Carpenter. I’m blessed with such talented parents. I also have had the opportunity to sing with both of them as a trio.

Daniel: Have you had any vocal training, formal or informal?

Andrew: Yes, I actually just graduated with degrees in Music Education and Vocal Performance from Oakland City University. My instructor, Cynthia Retana, has been a tremendous influence in my music. She has helped develop my voice, and helped to take it to the next level. I have studied Italian Arias, Opera, English Oratorio, German Lieder, French, and English Arias under her direction.

Daniel: Readers might be interested to know about a musical connection you share with Ernie Haase, Scott Fowler, Jeremy Lile, and Dusty Barrett. Could you elaborate?

Andrew: Yes, these fantastic artists were once members of Oakland City University’s ambassador Gospel group, Earthlight. I have been a member of Earthlight during my college years.

Daniel: Why the big glasses and bow tie?

Andrew: Union Street wants to not only appeal to current Gospel music fans, but we want to appeal to future, younger fans of Gospel music. Our style and sound is more progressive gospel. The glasses set me apart from others, and I’ve always been a huge fan of the bow-tie.

Daniel: I love bow ties, by the way—I wear one myself when I wear a tie! Do you have other musical talents, perhaps playing an instrument, running sound, or something else?

Andrew: I’ve played the drums since I was 11. I’ve had the opportunity to play alongside some great musicians. I actually started with the Conquerors as their fill-in drummer during their time traveling with a live band. I would not consider myself a sound man, but I did run sound during my time with Earthlight.

Daniel: How long have you known Ryan Seaton?

Andrew: I met Ryan during his time with Signature Sound. At the time, I wasn’t aware that he lived, basically just down the road from me. I later found out, we actually graduated from the same high school (He, of course, long before me). We became friends during this time and have kept in touch.

Daniel: When did you first find out about what is now Union Street, and join in?

Andrew: Ryan called me one day on my way home from work asking me if I would be interested in singing for fun at his upcoming solo concert at his home church. He said that he had an itch to sing with a quartet, and thought it would be fun to put a group together as a surprise at the concert. That’s how it all began.

Daniel: Can you fill us in on plans for Union Street’s debut recording?

Andrew: Union Street is hoping to get into the recording studio soon. We are currently raising funds for this. If you or someone you know would like to help, check it out on KickStarter here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/unionstreet/union-streets-debut-recording. 

I’m also currently working on my first solo project, set to release this summer.

Daniel: How can readers keep up with you and with Union Street?

Andrew: Follow us on Facebook (Union Street). You can also follow us on Twitter @unionstreetqt. You can also follow me @agoldman_12, Tony @TobyHitchcock, Ryan @rseaton1.

Daniel: Thank you for taking the time to do this!

Andrew: Thank you, sir!

Do you have an (often expensive) cleaning machine? Do you use special brushes or solutions, or make your own solutions? 

Southern Gospel songs focus on many of the highest themes known to mankind—songs of Salvation, the Cross, the Resurrection, and eternity. But critics claim that they focus on these themes to the exclusion of other Biblical themes which are appropriate and perhaps necessary to address in song.

For how many chapters in I Samuel can we find Southern Gospel songs addressing their themes?

• Chapters 1-2: Birth of Samuel; wickedness of sons of Eli
• Chapter 1: Hannah Prayed (Jeff & Sheri Easter)
• Chapter 3: Samuel hears the Word of the Lord
• Chapter 4: Philistines conquer Israel
• Chapter 5: Philistines and the ark of the covenant; Dagon falling before the ark
• Chapter 6-7: The ark returns to Israel
• Chapter 8: Israel rejects Samuel’s sons as judges
• Chapters 9-12: Saul becomes king
• Chapter 13: Saul’s sacrifices
• Chapter 14: Saul curses (ultimately) Jonathan
• Chapter 15: God rejects Saul
• Chapter 16: Samuel anoints David
• Chapters 16-17: David (Three Bridges)
• Chapter 17: David and Goliath
• Chapter 17: Only a Boy Named David (Gaither Vocal Band)
• Chapter 17: David and Goliath (Imperials, Perrys)
• Chapter 17: When Compared to God (Mark Trammell Trio)
• Chapter 17: Poor Goliath (Mark Bishop)
• Chapter 17:47: Little David (Freemans, Dove Brothers)
• Chapter 18: David and Jonathan covenant; Israel exalts David; Saul tries to kill David
• Chapter 18: Blood Covenant (The McKameys)
• Chapter 19-24: Saul tries to kill David
• Chapter 25: Samuel dies
• Chapters 25-30: Saul tries to kill David; David lives with Philistines
• Chapter 31: Saul killed

What others come to mind?

We are asking for everyone to please pray for our oldest son Breck. He had a head on collision this evening and was life flighted to Vanderbilt Trauma Center. He is currently in ICU with multiple facial fractures, fractured foot and fractured L5 vertebrae. We are now waiting to see what time he will be going to surgery. We are praying but we are also THANKING God for having his hands on him today!

Duncan sings bass for Canton Junction and sang in the past for Poet Voices and Ernie Haase & Signature Sound.

• The Gospel Music Association has announced that the Hoppers will be inducted into their Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will be August 14th.
• Long-time NQC emcee Buck Morton’s wife Annette passed away last Saturday.
• Former Sego Brothers & Naomi member Lamar Sego, the last surviving Sego brother, also passed away last Saturday. In recent years, his sister-in-law Naomi Sego Reader has continued the group as Naomi and the Segos.
• Radio promoter Donna Beauvais King will be leaving Daywind at the end of the month to focus on the artists associated with her own promotions company, Vertical Sky. She will be replaced by Southern Gospel soloist Taj Rohr.

Worth Watching

Here’s an in-the-studio sneak peek of a new Mark Bishop song:

Worth Discussing

It’s open thread Saturday—you decide!

3:1 Reviews offer three highlights of an album and one area that could have been improved

1: Daniel Ashmore. Since the Old Paths’ last album, they had a change at the bass position. They found 21-year-old Daniel Ashmore—and what a find! He sings with a warmth and rich resonance which suggest comparisons to Big John Hall or Randy Byrd. He’s already one of our genre’s ten best bass singers, and that’s just at 21. Imagine what a few years of seasoning and experience will add, and this could add up to a breakthrough moment for the group.

2: “The Blood On My Hands”: This is the project’s strongest ballad. Though it was recorded by the Skyline Boys, Jodi Hosterman, who had the feature, left shortly afterwards to join the Inspirations. So it’s essentially as good as new.

3: “God’s Great”: For decades, Sandy Knight has been in the elite class of writers who can can write quartet songs like nobody’s business. This one doesn’t disappoint. The studio rendition is a straight-ahead midtempo cut, but given the energy the Old Paths bring to the live stage, it wouldn’t be hard to imagine them tearing up stages with this one live.

:1: More Daniel Ashmore: This recording was probably already in the works when previous bass singer Brandon Barry left suddenly, so it’s entirely understandable that new bass singer Daniel Ashmore really only has one feature song. But he’s one of the best bass singers in our genre, and it would be nice to see more bass features on the Old Paths’ next project.

I am so thankful that God has allowed me to do what I have always loved to do. I could not be more excited about joining a group with such a legacy and rich history as The Kingsmen. I have been a fan of The Kingsmen since I was very young. I look forward to seeing what the future holds with this great quartet, especially this line-up of individuals as they are top-notch vocalists. It is a real honor to follow in the footsteps of some of my heroes.

After Harold Reed left the group last December, Ernie Phillips filled in for several months. After he came back off the road about a month ago, Chris began filling in. After several weeks filling in, he has been officially hired.

The Kingsmen: Ray Dean Reese, Bob Sellers, Randy Crawford, Chris Jenkins, Brandon Reese

Despite a bus tire exploding, a car not starting, and a “late” leave time, our family was able to attend a Ball Brothers’ concert this past Sunday evening (May 6th, 2012) in Buffalo, Minnesota during Chad McCloskey’s second full weekend with the group.

When the Ball Brothers ran up on stage, immediately, the crowd was interested in this exciting group of five young men. As they opened with their signature “do-dos” on “Happy Am I”, we were instantly impressed with their cohesive blend. With each note precise and solid, the Ball Brothers have probably the strongest group blend we have heard live. And with their new vocalists, Andy Tharp and Chad McCloskey, they are on top of their game. They easily master intricate harmonies and send them hurling into the audience as a unifed wall.

Daniel Ball’s robust lead vocals provide a rich, full sound to the group, and Andrew Ball’s clear, silky tenor fuses their distinctive blend. Both of the brothers’ voices have matured since we first heard them on tour with Ernie Haase and Signature Sound in 2006, and they are some of the most polished vocalists in our genre.

Andy Tharp, who recently replaced Stephen Ball as baritone, has a very reliable, resonant voice and unassumingly adds greatly to their harmonies. The Ball Brothers made a fine choice for a new baritone!  Andy does well adding a country twang to his voice, as on “Walking in Jerusalem” and “I’ve Been Redeemed”.  

At 22 years old, the newest member, Chad McCloskey, has an exceptional voice and range. He sang “Beulah Land” with his own creative improvisations, and held down the low parts of the rest of the songs well.  He is a great addition to the group!  

Cody McVey, formerly of the Kingsmen Quartet, is a talented piano player and it was fun to observe his technique.

Enthusiastically diverse, the group offers a broad selection of music, covering their style of Southern Gospel, contemporary, jazz, country, bluegrass, and even a touch of classical. But each song was refreshing and filled with the message of Jesus Christ.  Their ending song of the concert, “It’s About the Cross”, defines their ministry and message, and they passionately deliver their now popular song with power.  (See below for a video.)

A particular highlight was listening to the story of their beginnings, which they shared candidly while sitting on the church’s stools (theirs weren’t as nice, supposedly). They also paid tribute to the Cathedral Quartet by singing “Plan of Salvation”, which was neat for our family to experience, as we were never privileged to hear the famous quartet share this touching song live. Daniel Ball carried the solo well and Cody McVey’s piano playing recalled Roger Bennett’s familar piano arrangement.  Also, they made a familiar Cathedrals’ song “Glory Train” their own, adding a humorous twist.  (See video below.) 

In 2006, when we first saw the Ball Brothers, Ben told one of the brothers that when they had their first stand-alone concert in Minnesota, we would be there. Amazingly, God graciously allowed this to happen, and are we glad to have been able to attend! The promoter told us that many people wanted the Ball Brothers back, and we’d encourage any promoter to have this 2011 Horizon Group of the Year at their church or venue.

Here’s a video of assorted song clips from the night:

“It’s About the Cross”

“Ride that Glory Train”

To read a list of songs from the concert, click “More”.  

Continue reading: Concert Review: The Ball Brothers with Chad McCloskey (Buffalo, MN)