Our Archives preserve (for a while) previous "Current Information" pages by date, after they are no longer "current."
The archives also preserve some special articles of interest we've posted from time to time.
See the left sidebar on the "Current Information" page for all currently-available program dates and articles.

Return to Current Information page.

From the broadcast the weekend of May 22nd & 23rd, 2010: I'm glad we could have the Lesters on this program as Featured Artists. I've been visiting with the Lesters throughout this program's 30-year history, and I always enjoy it. Brian Lester has a seemingly unquenchable enthusiasm for what he does, which is why he makes such a great emcee, not only for the group but also, for example, at the National Quartet Convention and other such major concert venues. I think their current "Call For Freedom" CD is one of their best of recent years, mainly because the music is outstanding and the song selection is exceptional. Every song has a message of encouragement or, in some cases, a salvation message. "What Faith Does," their current radio single, is such a song. Two of the other songs I played, "I'll Not Be Afraid" and "Hold On To Jesus," are very timely songs of encouragement. Jonathan Lester, Brian's son, certainly has grown into the role of fulltime vocalist very well. I think we'll see him (the fourth generation of the 85-year old Lester Family) continuing on the Lesters tradition for many years to come. More info about the Lesters can be found at www.thelesters.com. The Lesters' CD featured on this program, "Call For Freedom," is available from our mailorder service, Springside. Just call 1-800-38-MUSIC to order. You can order easily from our webstore by using this link to go directly to this item. (Orders over $40 in the USA qualify for free shipping.) I've been wanting to include the Diplomats on the program for some time, and finally I had the chance. As you heard Jim Pearson say, they've been going since 1966. But today's group has five vocalists, include Jim's wife, Rita. That means they can swap off as either a mixed quartet or a male quartet. Such variety is a hit with audiences. Group members are Jim and Rita Pearson, their son, Corey, Joseph Brown and Matt Dibler, along with pianist Michael Lott and instrumentalist Rodney Shirley. They're based in Carrollton, Georgia. I didn't get into it on the air, but sometimes in concert, especially when Rita takes the lead, this group has a remarkable vocal resemblance to the legendary Happy Goodmans. More info about the Diplomats can be found at www.diplomatsqt.com. On the Headline Update I mentioned the severe flooding that recently decimated a large part of middle Tennessee, especially the Nashville area. As you know by now, it forced Legacy Five to cancel their Memorial Day weekend celebration concerts at Opryland Hotel, because the hotel was underwater. As the weeks go by, it appears it'll be many months — perhaps years — before things there can return to what passes for normal in Music City. The music community has been pitching in in various ways to help, especially by raising contributions to help in flood relief. Information can be found at www.gospelmusic.org from the Gospel Music Association. Also, check this site for information from Nashville's MusicCares organization.

Back To Our

Page