Covington, KY

We had to leave early for Covington on Monday morning. Dave Frederick, my esteemed brother-in-law, promoted the concert and he was scared to death. You just have to know Dave. He's not a glass half-empty type of guy; he's more like an empty glass person. He did a fantastic job at promoting the concert, but told me that he wasn't sure if anyone would show up. When he arrived, I asked him if he had worn his brown pants. He told me that he hadn't been sleeping well and that his blood pressure was sky-rocketing. There was definitely some stress going on! It was quickly relieved, though, as people started showing up. We ended up having a great crowd. I knew that Dave would make it happen, and he did.

Assurance, an old GBS quartet, opened up for us and sounded great. Martha Miller, my esteemed piano teacher, played for them and did a wonderful job. Dan helped the guys get a sound check and came out to the bus shaking his head. "These guys are great! They're definitely the best group that's ever opened for us." I used to work with Brandon Mills and Mike Mater in one of their quartets when I was still at GBS. They have done so well. I was proud of them!

We had a lot of fun singing! We debuted some new songs off of our new recording "Timeless, Treasured Hymns, Vol.2". I think the album is going to be a best-seller for us. We did a mix of old and new songs and just thoroughly enjoyed our time there.

Jack Hooker, my former boss at GBS, was the emcee for the concert. He needs to do that more often. He's good. It was great to see him again. Speaking of bosses, Ray McCrary and his fam: Lenea, Marissa, and two of the incredible Grace Teens, Tosh and Darnelle, showed up. Doran and I both worked with Ray at Grace Bible Church. We're cousins, but more like brothers.

There were so many friends at the concert that night, that I'm going to get in trouble if I start naming all the names. I do have to shout out to all my old Immanuel Church of the Nazarene friends, John, Carolyn, Ernie, Cathy, Charlie, Cathy, Emmett, Kathy (a lot of Cathys at the church), Webb, Kate, and everybody else. Also, one of my mentors came to hear us; my youth pastor, Monte Stetler. There are few people who have had more of an influence in my life than Monte and Connie. It was so good to see him again. The dude never ages! Then, Bryan Potteiger, my old Allegiance buddy was there. I didn't even see him until after the concert was over. I would have pulled him up on stage to sing "Great Day" with us. That was the old Allegiance foot-stomper.

Of course, I enjoyed being with Dave, Char, David, Ank, Alicia, and Christy. I've been blessed with the greatest in-laws. We actually like to be together! Go figure!

Once again, I forgot to bring in my camera. However, my faithful sister-in-law, Char, was supposed to send me some pics that she took. I'm still waiting...Anyway, here are just a few pictures from the evening:

I had fun shooting the breeze with Jack and Jane Hooker. Usually, when Jack and I are together there's a lot of hot air blowing around.
I stole this picture from Char's blog. She won't send them to me, so I have to do what I can to provide you with the latest in Liberty pictures. She could have refrained from posting this one, though.

It's so nice to be able to pose for pictures with famous people, such as Char. I stand in awe of you, Charlotte.

Dad, Ray, Darnelle, Lenea, Marissa, and Tosh pose while Cathy, Jim, and I lean in.

Notice how I'm showing up in every picture? Jeremy Leach, Nathan Dahler, Liz Charlton (soon to be Dahler), Dan, me, Brandon Hilligoss, Nathan Gumbiner, and Emilie Leach (from right, clockwise).

Doran and Trish and Jonathan Makcen. Unfortunately, I missed this photo op.

But I made it to this one, along with Doran's in-laws, Cathy and Jim.

I just wonder what is going through Jonathan's mind right here. This was after Royce had the bean soup and Frisco sandwich. That can't be pretty.