Artists

New Ground

New Ground - Apr 2004

Hi Everyone,

"On the road again, just can't wait to get on the road again" - have you ever heard that song - that should be our theme song - because we absolutely love being on the road - singing about our Risen Savior!!

We also love being with our many friends and meeting many new ones along the "gospel road". Our last weekend in February was no exception. We were at the Gospel Music Expo in Tupelo, Mississippi with many of our great friends in that area. Good to see Buddy and the guys from Southern Image, the awesome trio - Living Proof (oh yeah, Brent is doing a fabulous job), Brenda & Sid Whitlock, Orval & Nell Nichols, Donald & the Masters Quartet, Roy Chandler, Alabama Crossmen, Trish Henderson, Jeff & Kim Cooper, Glen Barlow from WFCA, Robin Clayton from WLRC, the Rudds, everyone from the Blue Springs Baptist Church, Jon Archie from East Prairie, MO and to spend special time with our dear friend, Dave Wilcox!! It was on from Tupelo to Ephesus Baptist Church in Haleyville, Alabama. Jr. Hood and his congregation make you feel so welcome - matter of fact - David left his coat at this church - so we have been telling Brother Jr. that we are gonna have to come back and sing and pick up David's coat!! Sunday morning found us at the Town Creek Assembly of God. William "Bones" Corum met us on that Sunday morning ready to have church!! After we enjoyed the service and a great lunch it was off to Carnes Chapel Methodist!! We fell in love with the people from this church about two years ago - and needless to say - we still have that special bond with them.

The next weekend finds us in Birmingham, Alabama doing a concert for Currington Promotions. I will guarantee you that Alvin Currington knows how to promote a concert!! The concert featured Greater Vision, Florida Boys, Talley Trio, New Ground and the Diplomats. We are already looking forward to being a part of this event next year - so make your plans for March 19th, 2005 - it will be the Greater Vision Reunion - featuring Greater Vision, Mark Trammell Trio, Chris Allman and New Ground!! Sunday morning we are in Ranburne, Alabama. Gotta tell you a funny!! Now remember - we are in Alabama. We go in and get set up - I look at the Music Minister and say - "It starts at 11:00am" - and he nods and says yes. Well, when I get back to the bus I tell the guys that we have 1 - hours before we sing - now considering we haven't had any breakfast - we trek off to the store. Get our bellies filled - have a little fellowship and head back to the church - OOPS!! - now remember - the church is on Alabama time - but they start their services according to Georgia time - so needless to say - we are getting changed as fast as possible - the preacher was giving his sermon when we get in the door - but everyone was so understanding! We ended up having a great time - even though we were late. Our weekend finished up at the Bethel Baptist Church in Snead, Alabama. Troy Rogers was so nice to bring us to this great singing church!! Hope ya'll let us come back really soon. Also, just a note to let you know that Jeremy Keifer - "On The Road" writer for SoGospel - was with us this weekend - checkout his story!! He's a hoot!!

The second weekend was a wild one to say the least. We were to leave on Friday headed to Florida to sing at Risen's Homecoming. On Friday morning, Dale finds out that he is not going to be able to go - so he gets on the phone and calls our former baritone singer Eric StClair and asks if he can help us out for the weekend. Well, Eric calls back and says he can help us out - so David, Eric and myself head to Florida on Friday night around 7:00pm. Everything is going fine until about 11:00am on Saturday morning - the bus takes a hiatus! We have no one to call - or no one in the Gainesville area that we even have a clue to get in touch with. I noticed that David had gone to the back of the bus - but I didn't think that much about it - but about that time Eric said, "There's a guy out here with a Diesel Mechanic Sign on his shirt". Well, David told him that he was at the back of the bus praying that the Lord would send us someone. He got on the bus and started working - he worked and he worked and he thought it was the fuel system. After about three hours it came to me to get out of the bus and walk around it and pray. Before I got back to the front of the bus - it started. David said while I was out walking and praying that the mechanic found a wire and said "What's This". He connected it back and it started!! We serve an awesome God. Well, we made it to Risen's Homecoming and still had a great time with the Risen Guys and also we enjoyed going out to eat afterwards with the great group Pure Heart!! David, Dusty & Eva have an awesome sound - and you should book them at your church!! Our last stop was in Perry, Florida with Mr. McDonald and the congregation at the Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. Now this church is also a great church to sing at. Then they fed us and sent us on our long trip back to Alabama. Thanks again to Eric StClair for all your help!!

March 20th we got to visit the West Side Baptist Church in the big town of Felton, Georgia. It was a packed out crowd and they were ready for singing!! Brother Jeff Hulsey and his congregation are on fire for the Lord! It was also good to see Randy & Sylvia Bowling and Aunt Dean Mauldin. March 21st we spent with David's In-Laws. Now you put David and his Mother In Law in the same choir together - wow - just kidding - it was wonderful. Sandy Fumbanks, David's Mother In Law, is the Choir Director at the Rehobeth Presbyterian Church in Tucker, Georgia. She did a tribute to the old time hymns for her Spring Musical and New Ground was honored to be a part of this special day. Everyone laughed at me because I didn't even know how to put on a Choir Robe - you see - our church doesn't have Choir Robes - we just say "Ya'll Come On Up and Sang" - LOL!!! But it was a great time. Then that night New Ground was the Special Guests of the church and we brought our ministry to them and shared our songs with their congregation. We sure hope we get to go back really soon.

We closed out the month at the Calvary Baptist Church near Ashland, Mississippi. Brother Robert Buse is the Pastor at this church. He is a little fireball for the Lord. We had a great time seeing Buddy, Brenda, Heath, Lauren, Lynn and Robin. Sure hope we get to be with ya'll again soon! Then it's off to the big metropolis of Leighton, Alabama. Brother Ron Edgil and his congregation welcomed us to a great night of worship!! He's a Pastor that can let it loose and sing!! It was also good to see Brian & Luke Waldon.

Well, we are gearing up April - lots of places to go and songs to sing!! But we are blessed. Just wanted to say thanks to everyone that nominated us for "Horizon Group of the Year" in the Singing News - it is most appreciated - we owe all the glory and honor and praise to Him!! He is the one that deserves any type of accolades or awards - He is our strength!!

Make sure that you come and see us when you can!! Check out our web site at [url=http://www.newgroundministries.com]http://www.newgroundministries.com[/url]

Until He Comes,

Robbie Maxwell
New Ground
[url=http://www.newgroundministries.com]http://www.newgroundministries.com[/url]