One Bad Apple. . .

We had a very interesting event on Friday. . . This is actually the third year we have been hired to run sound for a local church's anniversary party. This particular church really knows how to throw a party, too. The last two years we have set up our system inside their church building and have run sound for several different services and concerts over a three to four day period. This year, for their 10th anniversary, they decided to have a gospel concert at The Egyptian with several Big Names and even box office ticket sales. We've worked with Big Names before so we weren't concerned about not being able to provide all that they would need. We've worked at The Egyptian many, many times so we weren't concerned about not being familiar with the venue. And because we've worked with this church on big and small events, we weren't concerned about "proving" ourselves and making a good first impression. In fact, this should have been a piece of cake. . .


The talent that was flown in was great. Most of the groups were gracious and professional. The first group up was The Timmons Brothers. . .


They were very talented musicians with great harmonies. . .

The second act of the evening was my favorite. All of the pictures I took were blurry but I found lots of information with a google search. Her name is Shirley Murdock and she's very well known. She has an amazing set of vocal chords! She was gracious as well as talented and was very easy to work with.

The next performance was by a group that we have worked with in the past. The group, Witherspoon, is made up of 4 sisters who have been singing together most of their lives. They have a great message as well as smooth harmonies. . .

After a brief intermission, local talent, Cherie Buckner-Webb sang one song with one of the church members and then the "headliner" took the stage. I'm really trying not to dwell on just how poorly we were treated by this "good, Christian" woman but it's been difficult. . .

What should have been a smooth set-up and sound check in the hours before the concert turned into an experience that we won't soon forget. We can take some comfort in the fact that we weren't singled out for her abuse but taking into account all of the concerts we have run sound for over the last 6 years and all of the people, famous and not so famous, Christian and not so Christian, we have worked with, no one has treated us with more disrespect than this woman.

In my opinion, no amount of Grammys, accolades, awards or gold records gives someone the right to be-little another person in front of one person or an audience of 500. Even if you do punctuate the abuse with "Praise Jesus, Hallelujah. . . "

This could have been a really great concert. . .