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NQC Announces Suspension of NQC 2020

NQC Announces Suspension of NQC 2020

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. ) – Due to state government orders for the month of September in regards to social distancing and crowd limits, NQC 2020 has been suspended. The alternate event, the NQC Fall Festival, will now take place from September 27 – October 3, 2020 at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, TN.

• The NQC Fall Festival will take place September 27 – October 3, 2020
• The LeConte Center will be set with 1,500 chairs socially distanced 6’ apart by pairs
• The main stage of the Fall Festival will be set up at one end instead of in the round.
• Admission for the NQC Fall Festival will be sold on a first come, first serve basis. The event is currently on sale and will be a general admission event.
• NQC customers will either have their admission for NQC 2020 refunded or applied to next year. It will be each customer’s choice.
• Artists who perform in the Fall Festival will have displays set up in the Greenbriar ballroom, and the displays will be sufficiently distanced apart. There is plentiful space in the Greenbriar to allow for distancing between and in front of the displays.
• For NQC Fall Festival, a webcast will be made available to subscribers and details are available at NQConline.com

NQC Board of Directors Addresses Coronavirus Concerns for 2020 Event

NQC Board of Directors Addresses Coronavirus Concerns for 2020 Event

UPDATED!! NQC Spring Break To Be Held April 23 & 24, 2020

NQC – The National Quartet Convention

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (March 24, 2020) – NQC (the National Quartet Convention) has announced that NQC’s Spring Break festival will now be held on April 23 & 24, 2020. The fourth annual event will once again be held at First Baptist Church in Sevierville, TN. Produced by NQC – Gospel Music’s Largest annual event drawing nearly 40,000 from 40 states and half dozen foreign countries to its annual fall festival at the end of September – NQC Spring Break is designed to give gospel music fans a taste of the big fall convention and give gospel music fans an opportunity to enjoy the Smoky Mountains in the Spring as well as the fall.

Featured on the event this year will be last year’s biggest winners at the annual Singing New Fan Awards, the Triumphant Quartet as well as Dollywood’s host group, the Kingdom Heirs, both of whom reside in Sevier County. Also featured will be many artists often featured on the popular Gaither Homecoming series such as the Hoppers, Greater Vision, Mark Trammell Quartet, Jim & Melissa Brady along with the very popular Primitive Quartet and Singing News Fan Awards two-time Soloist of the Year, Joseph Habedank.

In addition to these popular Gospel Music artists, the event will also feature an appearance by the East Tennessee Mass Choir featuring the choir members of First Baptist Sevierville, and several other area choirs. Being lead by First Baptist Sevierville Worship Pastor, Scott Andrews, the choirs will be performing a special to open the second half as well as singing with several of the featured artists.

A packed house at 2019’s NQC Spring Break in Sevierville, TN. Photo by Chip Woods

NQC organizers are set to make an exciting announcement about the future of the Spring event during both the Thursday night and Friday night performances.

The event takes place April 23 & 24, 2020 at First Baptist Sevierville.  Door open at 4:00 and the concerts start at 6:00 p.m. each night.  Additional information can be found at www.nqconline.com

SGMA BRINGS CATHEDRAL BUS TO NQC FOR TOURS ON TUESDAY

CATHEDRAL BUS

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee – The Southern Gospel Music Association (SGMA) is thrilled to announce that the Cathedral bus will be available for tours on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 from 3-6pm during National Quartet Convention this year only. The black silhouette that carried The Cathedrals safely all over the nation has driven its last mile, but the memories live on. The bus has been generously donated for display at the SGMA Hall of Fame and Museum, so you will have an opportunity to board the bus and sit where George Younce sat, walk around the back parlor where Glen Payne sat with his Rand McNally, mapping from one date to the next, and experience “the last ride.” As they sat in the front lounge, recounting memories, Ernie Haase, shared with JP Miller, “I can still smell George’s cologne in his closet, and his shoe rack is still right where it was when he used it last.”

Join us for the SGMA Hall of Fame Induction ceremony at 1:00pm inside LeConte Center for the Induction Ceremony and benefit concert. Learn how you can join the SGMA and help preserve the history of Southern Gospel music for generations to come. Your $20 membership fee includes an SGMA tote bag and a ticket to tour the Cathedral bus on Tuesday between 3pm and 6pm. If you recently renewed your membership, your $20 donation will extend your membership one year from the date of expiration.

If you’d like to be one of the first to board the Cathedral bus for “the last ride,” you can donate today online at www.sgma.org and you will receive a special first-class ticket that will allow you to board at the front of the line. Your $50 online donation will include a two-year membership to the SGMA, an SMGA tote bag and you’ll be one of the first to experience life on the Cathedral bus.

Plan to join us on Tuesday at 1:00pm for the SGMA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and benefit concert and be a part of preserving the music we love for generations to come. Immediately following the ceremony, enjoy “the last ride” on the Cathedral bus, just outside the doors of LeConte Center.

The SGMA Hall of Fame and Museum is located inside the gates of the Dollywood theme park. On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff, we thank you for helping us keep the music and the memories we cherish alive. Visit www.sgma.org for more information.

Video:  Ernie Haase interview with JP Miller on the Cathedral bus, filmed and produced by Jonathan Kitts.

For more Gospel music features, read the latest SGNScoops Magazine HERE.

Listen To Todays Gospel Music Here

Fox News’ Todd Starnes To Appear at NQC

Todd Starnes, Journalist, Will Tape Show, Starnes Country, to Feature Gospel Music’s Largest Annual Event

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (August 26, 2019) – NQC (the National Quartet Convention) has announced that Todd Starnes, celebrated Fox News journalist, will appear during the 2019 National Quartet Convention. Todd will speak during the NQC Chapel service on Friday, September 27, 2019, at 10:00 AM.

Additionally, Starnes will be covering the NQC on his signature show Starnes Country, which is on Fox Nation.

Starnes Country is a news magazine-style program where Todd travels the heartland, providing commentary on the political and cultural issues of the day with his signature southern humor and conservative style.

NQC will be featured during one of the upcoming episodes of the new show. Air dates and times will be announced at a later date.

“Todd Starnes has been a long-time friend of the NQC, and we are delighted to welcome him back to the event,” states Clarke Beasley, Executive Vice President of the National Quartet Convention. “We are also thrilled that he and his producers have decided to make NQC the focus of one of the episodes of Starnes Country.

“My family has been attending the National Quartet Convention for a number of years,” says Todd Starnes. “It’s the premier event for Southern Gospel fans and I’m excited to be able to share that story with the rest of the nation.”

Todd Starnes is an American conservative columnist, commentator, author and radio host. He has appeared on multiple Fox News programs and In June 2017 began hosting a syndicated talk radio show on Fox News Radio.

NQC – the National Quartet Convention – was founded in 1957 by gospel music legend and former backup vocalist for Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner who co-produced the event with James Blackwood. The annual convention was moved in later years to Nashville, TN and then to Louisville, KY where it was held for 20 years.

The 2019 NQC will be held in Pigeon Forge, TN at the LeConte Center from Sunday, September 22, 2019 – Saturday, September 28, 2019.

For schedule, admission and all other information, visit www.NQConline.com

For more Gospel music features read the latest SGNScoops Magazine HERE.

NQC Announces NQC Road Trip Tour

NQC Announces NQC Road Trip Tour

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. – NQC – the National Quartet Convention – has announced the creation of a new tour series called, NQC Road Trip. The concerts associated with this tour will take place in Tulsa, Oklahoma, at the Union Performing Arts Center, Oklahoma City, OK, at First Southern Baptist Church and Hallsville, TX, at Hallsville High School Coliseum.

NQC Executive Vice President, Clarke Beasley, states, “We have recognized these particular cities and surrounding areas as underserved by concerts and artist appearances, though there are many fans of our music in and around these cities.  Therefore, we created the NQC Road Trip tour in order to bring top tier talent to these markets.”

Appearing at these dates will be the Hoppers, Greater Vision, the Mark Trammell Quartet and Jim & Melissa Brady.  The Tulsa and Oklahoma City concert will also include Master’s Voice and will be emceed by veteran promoter and emcee, Duane Garren.

Clarke Beasley also stated that this tour series is something that can be very portable, and NQC will be exploring other locations in the future. Tickets for NQC Road Trip are on sale now at www.NQConline.com.

NQC Announces Original Television Series

NQC Announces Original Television Series

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn. (March 22, 2019) – NQC – the National Quartet Convention – has announced they are producing an original television series called, NQC’s American Gospel. The program will be hosted by Gerald Wolfe and Joseph Habedank and feature main stage performances from the 2018 National Quartet Convention. The program will have a featured artist for each episode, with that artist being interviewed by Matt Fouch of Legacy Five. Each episode will also feature a segment from the 2018 Gospel Music Hymn Sing.

Clarke Beasley

“We are excited about this new series, “states Clarke Beasley, NQC’s Executive Vice President. “This program gives viewers the feeling that they are attending the Convention with many of the sites and sounds of the event visible on the program.  We believe this will entice people to want to attend NQC in person.”

NQC – the National Quartet Convention – was formed in 1957 by gospel music legend and former backup vocalist for Elvis Presley, J.D. Sumner who co-produced the event with James Blackwood. The annual convention was moved in later years to Nashville, TN and then to Louisville, KY where it was held for 20 years.

Exodus “shares the truth” on NQC mainstage

Exodus on NQC mainstage

What a great time Exodus had at the 2018 National Quartet Convention (NQC) this year. It’s a place to connect with friends, make new ones, and sit in heavenly places, as touching lyrics and beautiful melodies fill the soul.

There’s definitely no place like it and for Exodus to be a part of such an extraordinary event is humbling, to say the least.

Exodus on NQC mainstage

We had just stepped into a new era of our ministry, as we became an all female trio. We decided.. ‘ to sing in one of the showcases would be a good idea.’ Much to our surprise, Exodus was chosen to sing on main stage.

We were so happy. We all need encouragement from time to time and this definitely encouraged us.

Yes, the lights are grand, the stage is awesome, but all that fades away as you remember the pledge you made so long ago, to allow the Holy Spirit the space he requires to live and be seen through you.We sang our newest radio release written by Susan Brady and Phil Cross, “Thats What Happened At The Cross.” May we never forget what happened there.

Exodus

Singing on the same stage, where all the greatest groups and singers have sung their heart out, year after year, with the hope of leaving a stamp of love on our hearts and a new spring in our step, gave us a sense of pride in knowing the message in which we carry brings hope to the hopeless and redemption to the lost.

Exodus on NQC mainstage

What an honor to share these truths before so many people at one time.

Exodus on NQC mainstage

We want to thank Shane Roark and Chapel Valley for sponsoring and managing the showcases each year, as well as Clark Beasley and all the folks who work so hard making NQC the greatest event for Southern Gospel music.

If you have never attended NQC I urge you to make plans to attend next year! You won’t regret it.

By Susan Brady of Exodus

NQC 2018: The Song Goes On!

PIGEON FORGE, Tenn.  –  Over 40,000 people from all over the United States and all over the world – including Sri Lanka, the Netherlands, Ireland, Australia, Brazil and Canada – enjoyed the very best in gospel music at the 61st NQC, the National Quartet Convention.