The beautiful Marcus Pointe Baptist Church in Pensacola,
FL, was the location of the first ever J.G. Whitfield Memorial Gospel Sing.
This location is located conveniently off of interstate 10 with plenty of
parking, nearby restaurants, and hotels.
Florida Boys and Dixie Echoes buses parked near the church,
with fans already arriving over two hours prior to concert start time!
...and the fans kept coming! We knew that we were in for
a special night.
The Grand Lobby and main entrance to the concert was always
busy. We enjoyed visiting with so many people that we haven't seen in a long
time. It's not often that either quartet worked in our hometown, much less
together.
The product tables were a hotspot. Also, not pictured,
was a table selling J.G. Whitfield's biography.
Former Dixie Echoes bass vocalist Mike Bullock, Scoot
Shelnut, and "Daddy Paul" Vinson, visiting in the lobby prior to the
concert.
Shirley Shelnut (Dale Shelnut's wife), and Hazel Whitfield
(wife of J.G. Whitfield)
Remember this bunch from the Gospel Singing Jubilee? It's
Glen, Derrell, Les, Tommy Atwood, and Billy Todd. What a night!
Bass singers were plentiful on June 22nd in Pensacola.
L-R: Mike Bullock, Butch Owens (Florida Boys), Tracy Crouch, and Billy
Todd.
Look real closely and you'll see the promoter, Stewart
Varnado, on stage welcoming a SOLD-OUT crowd to the first ever J.G. Whitfield
Memorial Sing. Interesting note...this photo was taken 30 minutes before
the concert began!
The Florida Boys were the first on the program, with Josh
Garner singing tenor, Les Beasley on lead, Glen Allred on baritone, and Butch
Owens on bass.
and there's Derrell Stewart on the piano looking onto
a packed house of fans!
The Dixie Echoes were up next! Whoever said we'll never
see great crowds at a Gospel concert again? They need to come to Pensacola
next year and see this for themselves!
"Daddy Paul" Vinson joins the Dixie Echoes on stage singing
"Hallelujah Square".
After an introduction to the "Gospel Singing Jubilee"
by Hal Kennedy (The Little Man with the Big Voice), Derrell Stewart kicked
off the theme song to the popular television program, joined by the Dixie
Echoes and Florida Boys singing "Jubilee...Jubilee...You're invited to this
Happy Jubilee".
The Legendary Hal Kennedy takes the public spotlight for
the first time in nearly 40 years! Singing his hit song, "Until Then".
The Jubilee Choir joins in with Hal Kennedy on the
chorus.
Tommy Atwood taking a solo. He's still got it!
Followed by Billy Todd (who has been a member of both
the Florida Boys and Dixie Echoes)
Your pianists for the evening...Derrell Stewart and Stewart
Varnado. Would you believe that for nearly a decade, they have been neighbors
in Pensacola?
Les Beasley, Craig Pippin (sang lead with Dixie Echoes
after Dale passed away), and Hal Kennedy.
Miss Hazel had a front row seat for the entire evening.
This "Singing" was just as Whit would have wanted
it..."Super"!
Hazel joins us on stage for a couple of photos.
All good nights must come to an end... But get ready for
next year! The Dixie Echoes and Whitfield family are ready.... are you? Make
your plans to join us. We will announce a date for the concert soon.
Join our free email list to find out details as they are made.
Also, if you were in attendance and took some good photos, please email them
to: stewart@dixieechoes.com |
