Sounds like you had a great time, Ron! Good on you. I was thinking that P.D.Q. Bach is to classical music what Spike Jones was to popular music. Behind the humor was always impressive musical performance.

This is THE week for us... our 10th Anniversary concert for the Gospel Messengers is this Saturday. We have one more practice, and I'm going to the church to set up the sound system on Thursday. Then it'll just be time to relax and enjoy singing.

I've leanred as much as I already knew about the difference between black gospel and doo wop. When I have time, I'll share a little bit of that in here for whoever is interested. The two major problems my two new doo wop singers have difficulty with is understanding that the message, and the lead singer are the focus of most of the songs. There's no "message" in doo wop, and the arrangement is King. It's been hard for them to accept that the harmonies and back-up are just that... The other is the whole spiritual dimension to the music. The doo wop singers are looking for perfection. We're praying for humility... :-)

But, more later..

And by all means, tell us more about your concert.

I'm also putting together some great early R&B form the 50's which I'm sure that you'll be interested in. Ivory Joe Hunter when he rocked and did boogie woogie...

Jerry