Louisville, KY– The 54th Annual National Quartet Convention officially
concluded on Saturday, September 17, following six days and seven nights filled with memorable moments, special reunions, local and national television exposure and more than 75 hours of music, music and more music. The event kicked off on Sunday evening, September 11 at Louisville’s Kentucky Fair & Expo Center and continued throughout the week, as Southern Gospel Music fans from more than 40 states and at least a half dozen countries traveled to the city of Louisville, KY, for the 2011 Convention. In addition to the many popular quartets, trios, duets and soloists featured throughout the week, prominent keynote speakers included Dr David Jeremiah, Dr Charles Stanley and former
Attorney General John Ashcroft, as well as Fox New Correspondent, Kelly Wright.
The National Quartet Convention, which first began in 1957 in Memphis, TN, offers fans of Southern Gospel Music the convenience of seeing and hearing their favorite groups at a single event, as well as meeting those favorites, purchasing their music, videos and much more at any one of the 500 exhibit booths which span throughout 175,000 square feet. Southern Gospel Music lovers enjoy their favorite music all day long, as music spectaculars begin each morning and continue until nearly midnight each evening, with performances by such popular and multi-award winning recording artists as The Gaither Vocal Band, Jason Crabb, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, The Booth Brothers, The Hoppers, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, The Isaacs, and Jeff & Sheri Easter.
One special highlight of the week included the very first NQC Christmas Day on
Tuesday, as the day kicked off with a special bonus Christmas concert. Christmas decorations decked the hallways of the Kentucky Fair & Expo Center, and the evening concluded with a special NQC Christmas In September music extravaganza.
Another highlight included the Dixie Melody Boys’ 50th Anniversary Celebration, featuring the reunion of more than 40 past and present Quartet members. Other reunion appearances included the Gaither Vocal Band Reunion, the Hinsons Reunion, as well as the Rambos Tribute. Each Reunion Tribute featured former classic standards recorded and made popular by each of the groups.
The 3rd Annual NQC Cancer Walk, hosted by Janet Paschal, proved to be another huge success, as more than 100 walkers braved a cold, drizzly Louisville morning on Thursday to participate in the event. The event raised $1783.00 for the American Cancer Society.
Reflecting upon the 2011 NQC, Executive Vice President, Clarke Beasley, stated that the overall success of the event was most evident to all who attended the event. “It was truly a special year, filled with many memorable moments. Attendance was very strong, and our attendees were truly blessed by all they saw and heard.”
The 2012 National Quartet Convention will take place September 9-15, 2012 in Louisville at the Kentucky Fair & Expo Center. Visit www.nqconline.com, as a complete schedule of events will be posted in the coming weeks.
