Just read John's article, and I would like to know the answer. I really want to know the REAL reason, not the one they might put out in a press release. I myself don't have any intentions of going, since they don't sing my kind of music there anyhow. The "real thing" is at the GOGR. When a true four-man quartet, with a Hall of Fame member can't "get on the program", there is a problem. Maybe someone from the NQC can come on here and give us all some answers.

I myself would have to chime in. I enjoyed NQC by way of internet this year (and very much I admit), but there was a snubbing of a couple of our Hall of Famers (Lily Fern & Gerald Williams) and of 2 or 3 of gospel music's most legendary names (Chucks, Blackwoods, etc....), of which IMO would have done nothing but help ticket sales. There were a handful of groups on the program that I had never heard of, and I it wouldn't have made much difference whether I had heard them ever...they were that unremarkable. To say that such groups put together would have sold more tickets than the Chuck Wagon Gang alone would be absurd.

I thought NQC was quite good this year, but I can't help but wonder how much better it would have been if they would have actually took a little time for the people who built this industry.

The owners of NQC probably spent all their money on the "Vocal Band" and "Signature Sound"....It's no telling what they had to pay for these 2 [/B[B]]groups...and for what??????? The fans didn't even think enought of those 2 groups for them to win any of the Singing News Fan awards...NQC could have actually saved THOUSANDS by having Weatherfords, Melody Boys and Chuck Wagon Gang on the program rather than the before mentioned groups.

Sounds like they were catering to the younger audience. I don't go, so I am just offering my opinion that doesn't mean much, but how can you not have those groups.........if they actually wanted to be there.

I would love to hear the thoughts of some of the people that were there. I know Dean went, and I am sure a few others, as well.

I've been waiting for years for the GVB to come back. I was thrilled beyond measure to see them again.

For those of you who want to complain about who is on, and who is not.... maybe you ought to write to the big wigs of the NQC, rather than wondering "what's up with that?" If I like something...... or don't like something...... I make my voice known. If they have enough people who feel the same way, then something will be done about it. It may not be in "your" timing, but changes will come about.

Shari, that is a good point. I think that works, and I think the GVB and SSQ should definitely be there every year, because they are arguably the top two groups today.

But, I think the main point of this conversation is that no one should HAVE to ask the NQC to have groups like the Melody Boys, the Weatherfords and the Chuck Wagon Gang at the convention. Goodness, that should be automatic. Two of them have Hall of Fame members and the third has been singing since the beginning, almost. And, they are all good quality groups.

I think we all know by now that it's strictly a $$$$ thing to the NQC board of directors. Years ago, the quartet convention was the place groups went to in order to book their dates for the next year because most of them booked their own dates. All the major promoters attended the convention back then to schedule their concerts for the next year. Now, with most all groups being representated by booking agencies I really don't know why groups think it's important to be at NQC. From what I hear, only a few groups come out on the winning side financially. And from what I hear also, the NQC board doesn't pay very well considering the number of hours and days involved.

Been there, done that, just didn't get a T-Shirt.