Artists

Southern Sound Qt - Jun 2004

I don't know about you, but we're getting primed and ready for the Southern Gospel News Convention coming up in a little over a month. Deon, Amy, Susan and Chris I am sure have many wonderful things in mind for all those who attend. I personally look forward to giving Deon a hard time. But he can dish it out pretty fair too.

We are busy rehearsing with Woody Beatty and Trevor Haley, our two new members who start on the road with us in early July. It is a difficult process to learn all the timing cues and harmony parts when your walking into over five years of continual refinement of those songs you sing, but these two men are doing just great. Trevor is learning the baritone parts, and we are learning a few new songs to sing with him. And of course Woody is working on the piano and getting ready to do the emcee work. I really believe that Southern Sound will be better than ever with these two men. Trevor's wife Maranda, is also doing some rehearsing of her own, as she is about to become our house sound engineer. This is a big job, and sometimes a thankless one to boot, but I am quite sure she is up for the task. Many groups mix the house sound from the stage, but I have never been quite comfortable with that approach. Maranda graciously agreed to give the position a try, and we are very pleased that she will be a part of what we do. Maranda is very musical and I am sure she will do just great.

Speaking of the wives, maybe this would be a good time to state our position on our spouses traveling with us. I know some male groups have strict rules against family members going along on the bus, but we are quite the opposite. We encourage the wives to go along when they can, and they are always welcome. Southern Sound is very much about family, and our families sacrifice a great deal so that we might be able to do what we believe God wants us to do. It is the least we can do to ask them to go along. In fact, we really want them to travel with us when they can. Isn't that what family is all about?

We are taking much of June off as this is our time of the year for vacations and family. So please don't think we are neglecting our duty by not being out on the road so much. We do have an obligation to spend time with family and friends once in a while. Also, I have been told the fish are biting, and its time for me to find out for sure.

Take care till we see each other again,

Be sure and check out our web site:

www.southernsoundquartet.com

Ben Harris