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‘The American Face’ speaks to today’s world

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Lily Isaacs talks about the opportunities America offered her family, which immigrated from Europe following World War II, before The Isaacs sing the title song from their latest album ‘The American Face’ at Coffmania in Danville, Ky., on Aug. 28.

The Isaacs’ latest album uses familiar covers, original works to bring positive message in troubled times

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

(Second of two parts. Previously, the Isaacs talked about their upcoming induction into the Grand Ole Opry.)

It only takes one listen to The Isaacs’ new album to know something is just different.

The vocals on “The American Face” are mesmerizing, as usual. The instrumentation is as good as it gets, which is no surprise, either.

But this project is unlike anything The Isaacs have released.

So when we sat down to talk with The Isaacs before they took the stage at Danville Church of God on August 28, the obvious question was, “Have you heard that comment before?”

Lily Isaacs broke into a big smile. “We have,” she said.

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Opening doors in a Grand fashion

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The Isaacs perform at Coffmania in Danville, Ky., on August 28.

Isaacs humbled by Opry invitation, see another opportunity to share the gospel

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

(First of two parts. Coming soon, The Isaacs talk about their latest album, “The American Face.”)

The Isaacs had no idea that August 10 would be a night that would change their lives forever. 

None. There was no clue that a special night would be elevated to the realm of extraordinary.

And there was certainly no indication that the most coveted invitation among Nashville musicians would be theirs before they left the stage that Tuesday evening.

And almost three weeks after being asked to become the newest members of The Grand Ole Opry, there was still a sense of wonder in their voices. 

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Coffmania is Coming!

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The Coffmans will be hosting Coffmania at their home church, Danville Church of God, on Aug. 28 at 6 p.m. From left are Louis, Tamra and Canaan Coffman. (Photo courtesy of The Coffmans.)

The Isaacs headline fast growing gospel showcase

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

DANVILLE — Louis Coffman comes across as a laid-back, low-key guy whether on stage singing with his wife, Tamra, and daughter, Canaan, or just chatting over lunch.

But he looked like he was ready to jump up and kick his heels as we talked about Coffmania over some chicken.

“We are real excited about this year, being able to go ahead with Coffmania” he said, breaking into a huge smile. “After last year, we are real excited to have it.”

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Out of the Ordinary Career for the Extraordinary Message

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Owensboro native Steve Bridgmon, one of the hottest names in Christian country. (Facebook photo)

By John Herndon, Kentucky Sings

SONORA, Ky. — Steve Bridgmon is anything but your ordinary Christian music artist. That was apparent as we finalized the details of getting together to talk about his meteoric rise in Inspirational Country Music.

We’d settled on a meeting place at Brooks Cafe, an out of the way country-cooking place where the decor from days gone by belies its proximity to Interstate 65 in Hardin County. “This place is very cool,” he’d say time and again as we chatted over lunch. 

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A Menu of Glorifying God

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Lee Collins is all smiles as his Billy Ray’s Restaurant is nearly full at lunch time on June 22, 2021. Collins runs his restaurant on the Christian principles of which he sings. (Photo by John Herndon)

Eastern Kentucky singer Lee Collins’ only desire is to share the message of Christ in all he does

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

PRESTONSBURG, Ky. — You can get just about anything you want to tickle your taste buds at Billy Ray’s Restaurant but you can be sure that regardless of your appetite, Lee Collins wants to give you the bread of life.

The restaurant has been Lee Collins’ livelihood for more than 30 years and on an early summer weekday, he greeted a lunchtime crowd with a huge smile, often calling them by name or asking about family and friends. It’s the kind of down home atmosphere that has made Billy Ray’s a local landmark. 

But as much as Lee Collins would like for someone to try one of his dinners — the pork chops we ordered were fantastic! — he knows his mission is much more than the hospitality industry. 

“I just love singing about the Lord,” he said as a steady stream of patrons filed by. “That is what I have sung all my life.”

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Living the music

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Triumphant Quartet’s Clayton Inman sings “Eye of the Storm” during the group’s concert at Sand Spring Baptist Church on June 17, 2021.

Triumphant Quartet’s Clayton Inman reflects on The Goodness of God seen in The Eye of the Storm. He really is Bigger than Sunday.

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. — Only a few moments before, Clayton Inman had a near-capacity crowd at Sand Spring Baptist Church howling with laughter. 

He’d danced and gyrated while waving a handkerchief in what every fan of Triumphant Quartet knows as one of his signature concert moments, his performance of “White Flag.”1 It’s one of those moments that prompts Triumphant bass singer and program emcee, Eric Bennett, to make some jokes about people not judging the rest of the group by Inman’s hilarious performance.

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Bringing joy, receiving joy

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Bryan Elliott, a favorite of gospel music fans, performs with The LeFevre Quartet at Sand Spring Baptist Church in Lawrenceburg, Ky., on May 13, 2021.

LeFevre Quartet pianist Bryan Elliott reflects on lessons learned and lived through pandemic. And he’s mighty happy to be back on the road

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. — When he sat down at his keyboard Thursday night, Bryan Elliott showed that nearly a year off the road had not affected his very talented hands.

He can still make his keyboard talk.

OK, not quite, but it just seemed that way at times as he accented The LeFevre Quartet or brought the house down with rousing solo work. Elliott played everything from old-fashioned Southern Gospel to classical Christian and a lot in between. And his demeanor ranged from laser-like focus to hamming it up for a camera — mine!

It was more than 90 minutes of joy as The LeFevre Quartet opened the Sand Spring Baptist Church gospel concert series. 

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Bringin’ it!

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Adam Crabb bringing the house down with a rousing performance in Mt. Sterling, Ky., on May 8, 2021.

Adam Crabb brings old-time revival to present-day world and is ready to hit the road with The Gaither Vocal Band

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

MT. STERLING, Ky. — When he took the stage at Life Impact Church Saturday night, Adam Crabb didn’t appear to be someone who had been largely shut down for more than a year. He didn’t look like someone exhausted after returning from vacation to his Nashville home little more than 12 hours earlier. 

As The Coffmans’ Louis Coffman had predicted earlier in the program, he was ‘Bringin’ it!”

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A nice problem to have

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From left, Greater Vision’s Chris Allman, Jim Brady and the Mark Trammell Quartet’s Nick Trammell and Randy Byrd form a makeshift quartet in the Gerald Wolfe Hymn Sing at First Baptist Church of Cold Spring in October. The concert was a huge blessing during a year marked by chaos. (Photo by John Herndon)

After 14 months of a nearly blank calendar, things are changing. And it’s for the good!

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

I have a little problem.

Actually, it’s a nice problem and one that’s been too long coming, so I’ll certainly not complain! I’m just itching to get to a few gospel concerts.

I don’t know about you, but being able to hear people sing about the Lord, His goodness and being inspired to serve Him better is a big part of my life. And it seems that with all that has happened since March 5, 2020, a major part of my life was taken from me.

The Old Time Preachers Quartet performs in concert at Sand Spring Baptist Church on March 5, 2020. A week later, the music industry came screeching to a halt. (Photo by John Herndon)

Now, I don’t really know what to do.

You see, when I look at the KentuckySings concert calendar, I see many more concerts than I can possibly attend. 

And that’s a good thing!

Last March 5, I was blessed to attend a concert by the Old Time Preachers Quartet and Beyond Grace at Sand Spring Baptist Church.  That night, I talked with OTPQ members Les Butler and Mike Holcomb about the concert, their ministry and plans.

Little did any of us know what the next 14 months would bring.

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Triumphant has changing sound — just a little! — and unchanging message

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Triumphant Quartet was in concert at First Baptist Church of Cold Springs on March 19.

Bigger Than Sunday CD and Tour reflect a belief that God is working today

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

The first thing you might notice about Triumphant Quartet’s concerts in 2021 is that things just seem a little different.

At least from my angle they did when they took the stage at First Baptist Church of Cold Spring back on March 19. The quality, as always, was top-notch. A group doesn’t have a firm grip on being named America’s favorite quartet in The Singing News Fan Awards — every year since 2009 —  by being anything else.

But when Scotty Inman started singing “Best Thing” from the quartet’s latest CD, Bigger Than Sunday to open things, the concert had a little different feel.

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