August 26, 2018 - Sis Betty Seabolt called and invited us to sing at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church in Dahlonega, Georgia for their annual homecoming. Alecia and I left immediately after I preached at my home church that I pastor, Antioch Baptist in Cumming, and we arrived there in time for the afternoon singing. The folks were enjoying dinner on the grounds under the covered arbor when we arrived. The pastor opened the singing with prayer, and they sang several congregational songs. Sis Seabolt introduced us, and we sang for about 45 minutes, closing with "If Not Today". I then played the piano for more hymn singing. The folks were very receptive and asked us to come back. We left with our two dinner plates to go, and drove back to Antioch in time for choir practice and the evening service. It was a wonderful day of ministry.
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November 13, 2017 - We were originally booked in September, but it was cancelled by Hurricane Irma. Bro Bill Shipp called us after someone gave him one of our cards. He is the leader of the "Keenagers" senior group, and has been so for twenty-seven years. When we finally arrived after fighting rush-hour traffic on Ga 400, we were surprised to see our aunt, Joann Atcheson, there. She lives nearby, and heard that we were singing there. Bro Shipp opened the meeting with prayer, and told some hilarious jokes. He told us they were a fun-loving group, and he was right! During our concert, I talked about some of the Southern Gospel legends (James Blackwood, Hovie Lister, the LeFevres etc), and many told me of their experiences seeing them. We enjoyed a great lunch, and met several at our product table. One lady with tears in her eyes thanked me for singing "God Bless the USA" in tribute to the veterans. The folks there could not have been nicer, and we look forward to being back next year.
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My family and I left after our morning service on Sunday, September 24th and drove to Pigeon Forge, Tenn. for the National Quartet Convention. Alecia and I sang in the Artist Showcase on Monday morning. This was our first time to sing at the NQC. That afternoon, we joined the office staff of the SGMA at their booth, and signed up new members and sold bookstore merchandise. On Tuesday, I was the floor director for the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame Inductions and concert. Weeks earlier, Dr. Jerry Goff called and asked me to be the director as he would be the Master of Ceremony. It was a real experience to line up the performers and award recipients for the program. It gave me a greater appreciation for those that work these events behind the scenes. One of the greatest moments for me was when Arthur Rice asked me to go on stage to present Randy Shelnut his award and medallion. Randy and the Dixie Echoes have sung at my church for the last several years, and we have gotten to know him well. After the inductions, Alecia and I worked at the SGMA table inside the auditorium, receiving memberships and donations. It was the most successful day for the SGMA ever at the NQC! On Wednesday, I attended the annual board meeting of the SGMA at the LeConte Center board room. I was honored to be elected to serve on the Executive Board. One night, we ran out of tote bags that we gave to new members, so my son, Lee and I drove over to the Hall of Fame museum for more after the park had closed. He said it was a real "night at the museum"! The rest of the week we mostly stayed at the SGMA table, with occasional breaks to go hear some of the evening concerts. On Friday, Rodney Baucom, network director for Life FM, asked me to do a radio interview. I met with Paul Brown for the interview, and really enjoyed my time with him. We so enjoyed seeing many of our friends that we have met at NQC and the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion. On Saturday night, we loaded our vehicle with the booth merchandise and unloaded it at the museum. We drove home Sunday afternoon, thanking the Lord for a wonderful trip!
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Cumming, GA - On June 1st, there was a benefit concert for the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame at North Lanier Baptist Church. Pastor John Lay welcomed us and led in prayer. Our emcee was Melvin Klaudt, who also sang. We were joined by "The LeFevre Quartet" and the "Troy Burns Family". SGMA President, Arthur Rice, appeared on screen via Skype and made the first public announcement of the SGMA Class of 2017: Tony Greene, LaBreeska Hemphill, Troy Burns and Randy Shelnut. It was so special to have Troy present when the announcement was made. The concert closed with all groups on stage singing hymns. Melvin was presented a birthday cake (his birthday is June 5th). Several of us met at Applebees for dinner afterward and ate a piece of the cake!
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This was our third time to sing for the "M&M's" at Jefferson 1st. Bro. Richard Dixon is the minister of music.
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We were invited to sing at the Valentine Banquet. We sang "Walking Through Jerusalem With You", "I Believe That God Put Us Together", "I Am Your Brother" and "If Not Today". Pastor Tony Howeth of Newton Baptist Church was the speaker. Dr. Charles Blackstock is the pastor. It was a great evening with many people that we knew.
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February 11, 2017 Toccoa, Georgia -
We were in concert at the historic Ritz Theater in Toccoa, Georgia. Our son, Lee, and his girlfriend, Andrea Phillips, were with us. Auston Ivester was the promoter for this monthly singing. There was a good crowd, and we were well received. We sang for over an hour, and I played two songs on the piano. There was a special tribute to the veterans present. Rev. Billy Burrell and his family were there, and we so enjoyed seeing them. Also, our friend Kay Gray was there. After the concert, we ate at Longhorn's in Cornelia. Our next event will be in Dawsonville at the Lighthouse Baptist Church for their Valentine banquet...Travis
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Alecia and I attended the National Quartet Convention in Pigeon Forge, Tenn Sept 25th - Oct 1st. We worked at the Southern Gospel Music Association booth enlisting new members and selling products from the Hall of Fame bookstore. I gave three radio interviews on behalf of the SGMA, including Life FM and Praise 96.3. We had a poster printed with each inductee's picture, and they were signed by the inductees or their families. On Monday evening, Peg McKamey was inducted and accepted the award from Karen Peck-Gooch. On Tuesday, Carrol McGruder was inducted posthumously and the award was accepted by his wife Sharon, daughter Shawnee Towbridge and son, Eric McGruder. On Wednesday evening, Gerald Wolfe presided over the induction of Lari Goss. His wife, Carolyn and brother Roni, accepted on his behalf. Then on Thursday evening, SGMA President, Arthur Rice, presented Ronny Hinson his medallion and award, welcoming him into the Hall of Fame. Each induction was introduced by a video.
At the SGMA board meeting at the LeConte Center, Arthur Rice was re-elected president, and I was re-elected to the Board of Directors.
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March 12, 2016 - Blue Ridge, Georgia
This event was held at the beautiful Fannin County Performing Arts Center as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life". Bro. A.C. Caylor opened with prayer. The emcee was Allen Abernathy. Our friend, Bill Siniard of Jasper, opened the program with "Love Lifted Me". He was followed by Paula Culver and Cassidy Graham. These young ladies did a wonderful job. Bonnie Roper, who helped organize the event shared her testimony about her husband's fight with cancer, and about the work of the ACS. Allen Abernathy then sang some songs he had written. All the soloists were great. "The Caylor Family" sang next. They have that great family harmony. We followed them, and opened with "Tradin' A Cross For A Crown". We closed out the program with "If Not Today". Bro. Caylor prayed the benediction. After the program, we met our friends, Cherie Martin, Bill Siniard and several others which treated us for dinner at "Circle J" steakhouse in Blue Ridge. It was a great evening for us, and we appreciated being able to help a worthy cause.
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February 20, 2016 - First Assembly of God, Adel, GA.
This is an annual singing held in memory of Bro. Ken Williams' father, Rev. R.V. Williams. It also was in recognition of Bro. Ken's birthday. We drove down on Friday and stopped to eat at "Buckners", one of our favorite places. We spent the night in Tifton. When we arrived at the church Saturday afternoon, two of our dear friends from Valdosta were already there, John and Lois Manfra. We later saw another friend from Valdosta, Ray Norton. The program began with a welcome and prayer by the pastor, Rev. Eric Gordon. "Just One More Time" sung by "The Inspirations" was played in memory of the Southern Gospel artists, songwriters, musicians and promoters that had passed away since the last singing. Ken and his wife, Mary, "The Williams Two", opened with accompaniment by Mark Fuller on the piano. They were a blessing. "Naomi and the Segos" were scheduled to sing, but Naomi was unable to attend because of poor health. Josh Phillips, a member of her group, was there and later sang. Next, Joyce Croft played the piano and sang. She and her husband, 2014 SGMA Hall of Fame inductee, Colbert Croft, wrote over five thousand songs together. She sang several of them including, "I Believe He Died for Me" and "I Can't Even Walk Without You Holding My Hand". She shared the background stories of the songs. She has an amazing gift of music ministry. The next group was "The Believers" from Adel. They were a local favorite trio. They sang "Swing Low Sweet Chariot", "Roll That Burden on Me", and more. They did an outstanding job. After the offering, Alecia and I sang, opening with "I'm Climbing Higher Each Day". I spoke as a member of and on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Southern Gospel Music Association commending Naomi Sego for her over sixty-five years singing Southern Gospel music, and recognizing Colbert and Joyce Croft's contribution to Southern Gospel. We closed with "If Not Today". Mark Fuller then played and sang "He Pilots My Ship", "Mansion Over the Hilltop", "Keep On the Firing Line" and "Goodbye World, Good-bye" and others. Josh Phillips joined him, and they were both great. Troy and Tammy Burns closed out the program. Troy was an original member of "The Inspirations". He told several stories about his time with them starting at age thirteen. They sang "Jesus is Coming Soon", "I'm Praying for You", "The First Million Years" (written by Colbert and Joyce Croft), and they closed with "How Great Thou Art". They were wonderful. Rev. Mike Bennett prayed the dismissal, and the groups got together for pictures. We drove home on Sunday, and I preached the evening message at our church. After the service, the church prepared a surprise party for Alecia's birthday, and boy was she surprised! We thank the Lord for travel mercies during our 500-mile trip, and for His blessings on our ministry. And a special thank you to Bro. Ken Williams for inviting us.
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The Bridgemans / Blog
Homecoming at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church
August 26, 2018 - Sis Betty Seabolt called and invited us to sing at Pleasant Grove United Methodist Church in Dahlonega, Georgia for their annual homecoming. Alecia and I left immediately after I preached at my home church that I pastor, Antioch Baptist in Cumming, and we arrived there in time for the afternoon singing. The folks were enjoying dinner on the grounds under the covered arbor when we arrived. The pastor opened the singing with prayer, and they sang several congregational songs. Sis Seabolt introduced us, and we sang for about 45 minutes, closing with "If Not Today". I then played the piano for more hymn singing. The folks were very receptive and asked us to come back. We left with our two dinner plates to go, and drove back to Antioch in time for choir practice and the evening service. It was a wonderful day of ministry.
Reply
"Keenagers" at First Baptist Douglasville
November 13, 2017 - We were originally booked in September, but it was cancelled by Hurricane Irma. Bro Bill Shipp called us after someone gave him one of our cards. He is the leader of the "Keenagers" senior group, and has been so for twenty-seven years. When we finally arrived after fighting rush-hour traffic on Ga 400, we were surprised to see our aunt, Joann Atcheson, there. She lives nearby, and heard that we were singing there. Bro Shipp opened the meeting with prayer, and told some hilarious jokes. He told us they were a fun-loving group, and he was right! During our concert, I talked about some of the Southern Gospel legends (James Blackwood, Hovie Lister, the LeFevres etc), and many told me of their experiences seeing them. We enjoyed a great lunch, and met several at our product table. One lady with tears in her eyes thanked me for singing "God Bless the USA" in tribute to the veterans. The folks there could not have been nicer, and we look forward to being back next year.
Reply
The Bridgemans at NQC
My family and I left after our morning service on Sunday, September 24th and drove to Pigeon Forge, Tenn. for the National Quartet Convention. Alecia and I sang in the Artist Showcase on Monday morning. This was our first time to sing at the NQC. That afternoon, we joined the office staff of the SGMA at their booth, and signed up new members and sold bookstore merchandise. On Tuesday, I was the floor director for the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame Inductions and concert. Weeks earlier, Dr. Jerry Goff called and asked me to be the director as he would be the Master of Ceremony. It was a real experience to line up the performers and award recipients for the program. It gave me a greater appreciation for those that work these events behind the scenes. One of the greatest moments for me was when Arthur Rice asked me to go on stage to present Randy Shelnut his award and medallion. Randy and the Dixie Echoes have sung at my church for the last several years, and we have gotten to know him well. After the inductions, Alecia and I worked at the SGMA table inside the auditorium, receiving memberships and donations. It was the most successful day for the SGMA ever at the NQC! On Wednesday, I attended the annual board meeting of the SGMA at the LeConte Center board room. I was honored to be elected to serve on the Executive Board. One night, we ran out of tote bags that we gave to new members, so my son, Lee and I drove over to the Hall of Fame museum for more after the park had closed. He said it was a real "night at the museum"! The rest of the week we mostly stayed at the SGMA table, with occasional breaks to go hear some of the evening concerts. On Friday, Rodney Baucom, network director for Life FM, asked me to do a radio interview. I met with Paul Brown for the interview, and really enjoyed my time with him. We so enjoyed seeing many of our friends that we have met at NQC and the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion. On Saturday night, we loaded our vehicle with the booth merchandise and unloaded it at the museum. We drove home Sunday afternoon, thanking the Lord for a wonderful trip!
Reply
SGMA Benefit Concert
Cumming, GA - On June 1st, there was a benefit concert for the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame at North Lanier Baptist Church. Pastor John Lay welcomed us and led in prayer. Our emcee was Melvin Klaudt, who also sang. We were joined by "The LeFevre Quartet" and the "Troy Burns Family". SGMA President, Arthur Rice, appeared on screen via Skype and made the first public announcement of the SGMA Class of 2017: Tony Greene, LaBreeska Hemphill, Troy Burns and Randy Shelnut. It was so special to have Troy present when the announcement was made. The concert closed with all groups on stage singing hymns. Melvin was presented a birthday cake (his birthday is June 5th). Several of us met at Applebees for dinner afterward and ate a piece of the cake!
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Senior luncheon at Jefferson First Baptist
This was our third time to sing for the "M&M's" at Jefferson 1st. Bro. Richard Dixon is the minister of music.
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Lighthouse Baptist Church, Dawsonville, GA - February 18, 2016
We were invited to sing at the Valentine Banquet. We sang "Walking Through Jerusalem With You", "I Believe That God Put Us Together", "I Am Your Brother" and "If Not Today". Pastor Tony Howeth of Newton Baptist Church was the speaker. Dr. Charles Blackstock is the pastor. It was a great evening with many people that we knew.
Reply
Ritz Theater
February 11, 2017 Toccoa, Georgia - We were in concert at the historic Ritz Theater in Toccoa, Georgia. Our son, Lee, and his girlfriend, Andrea Phillips, were with us. Auston Ivester was the promoter for this monthly singing. There was a good crowd, and we were well received. We sang for over an hour, and I played two songs on the piano. There was a special tribute to the veterans present. Rev. Billy Burrell and his family were there, and we so enjoyed seeing them. Also, our friend Kay Gray was there. After the concert, we ate at Longhorn's in Cornelia. Our next event will be in Dawsonville at the Lighthouse Baptist Church for their Valentine banquet...Travis
Reply
SGMA at NQC 2016
Alecia and I attended the National Quartet Convention in Pigeon Forge, Tenn Sept 25th - Oct 1st. We worked at the Southern Gospel Music Association booth enlisting new members and selling products from the Hall of Fame bookstore. I gave three radio interviews on behalf of the SGMA, including Life FM and Praise 96.3. We had a poster printed with each inductee's picture, and they were signed by the inductees or their families. On Monday evening, Peg McKamey was inducted and accepted the award from Karen Peck-Gooch. On Tuesday, Carrol McGruder was inducted posthumously and the award was accepted by his wife Sharon, daughter Shawnee Towbridge and son, Eric McGruder. On Wednesday evening, Gerald Wolfe presided over the induction of Lari Goss. His wife, Carolyn and brother Roni, accepted on his behalf. Then on Thursday evening, SGMA President, Arthur Rice, presented Ronny Hinson his medallion and award, welcoming him into the Hall of Fame. Each induction was introduced by a video. At the SGMA board meeting at the LeConte Center, Arthur Rice was re-elected president, and I was re-elected to the Board of Directors.
Reply
Relay for Life Benefit Singing
March 12, 2016 - Blue Ridge, Georgia This event was held at the beautiful Fannin County Performing Arts Center as a fundraiser for the American Cancer Society's "Relay for Life". Bro. A.C. Caylor opened with prayer. The emcee was Allen Abernathy. Our friend, Bill Siniard of Jasper, opened the program with "Love Lifted Me". He was followed by Paula Culver and Cassidy Graham. These young ladies did a wonderful job. Bonnie Roper, who helped organize the event shared her testimony about her husband's fight with cancer, and about the work of the ACS. Allen Abernathy then sang some songs he had written. All the soloists were great. "The Caylor Family" sang next. They have that great family harmony. We followed them, and opened with "Tradin' A Cross For A Crown". We closed out the program with "If Not Today". Bro. Caylor prayed the benediction. After the program, we met our friends, Cherie Martin, Bill Siniard and several others which treated us for dinner at "Circle J" steakhouse in Blue Ridge. It was a great evening for us, and we appreciated being able to help a worthy cause.
Reply
29th Annual Birthday Gospel Sing
February 20, 2016 - First Assembly of God, Adel, GA.
This is an annual singing held in memory of Bro. Ken Williams' father, Rev. R.V. Williams. It also was in recognition of Bro. Ken's birthday. We drove down on Friday and stopped to eat at "Buckners", one of our favorite places. We spent the night in Tifton. When we arrived at the church Saturday afternoon, two of our dear friends from Valdosta were already there, John and Lois Manfra. We later saw another friend from Valdosta, Ray Norton. The program began with a welcome and prayer by the pastor, Rev. Eric Gordon. "Just One More Time" sung by "The Inspirations" was played in memory of the Southern Gospel artists, songwriters, musicians and promoters that had passed away since the last singing. Ken and his wife, Mary, "The Williams Two", opened with accompaniment by Mark Fuller on the piano. They were a blessing. "Naomi and the Segos" were scheduled to sing, but Naomi was unable to attend because of poor health. Josh Phillips, a member of her group, was there and later sang. Next, Joyce Croft played the piano and sang. She and her husband, 2014 SGMA Hall of Fame inductee, Colbert Croft, wrote over five thousand songs together. She sang several of them including, "I Believe He Died for Me" and "I Can't Even Walk Without You Holding My Hand". She shared the background stories of the songs. She has an amazing gift of music ministry. The next group was "The Believers" from Adel. They were a local favorite trio. They sang "Swing Low Sweet Chariot", "Roll That Burden on Me", and more. They did an outstanding job. After the offering, Alecia and I sang, opening with "I'm Climbing Higher Each Day". I spoke as a member of and on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Southern Gospel Music Association commending Naomi Sego for her over sixty-five years singing Southern Gospel music, and recognizing Colbert and Joyce Croft's contribution to Southern Gospel. We closed with "If Not Today". Mark Fuller then played and sang "He Pilots My Ship", "Mansion Over the Hilltop", "Keep On the Firing Line" and "Goodbye World, Good-bye" and others. Josh Phillips joined him, and they were both great. Troy and Tammy Burns closed out the program. Troy was an original member of "The Inspirations". He told several stories about his time with them starting at age thirteen. They sang "Jesus is Coming Soon", "I'm Praying for You", "The First Million Years" (written by Colbert and Joyce Croft), and they closed with "How Great Thou Art". They were wonderful. Rev. Mike Bennett prayed the dismissal, and the groups got together for pictures. We drove home on Sunday, and I preached the evening message at our church. After the service, the church prepared a surprise party for Alecia's birthday, and boy was she surprised! We thank the Lord for travel mercies during our 500-mile trip, and for His blessings on our ministry. And a special thank you to Bro. Ken Williams for inviting us.
Reply