For a look into a perhaps unfamiliar musical environment, my gospel group has been invited to participate in the Men's Chorus of Shiloh Baptist Churches Anniversary. We've done these countless times, and they are always a great experience. Each group that comes does two songs. At Shiloh, the program starts at 6 p.m. and can go close to midnight, two songs at a time. There are often fifteen or twenty groups participating. Those who are not singing make an enthusiastic audience, often singing along unprompted. Musicians from one group often support another, and the quality of the music ranges from superb to sincerely trying to do the best they can. Groups range from a dozen singers down to one, depending on who makes it. And then everyone is invited to join the next church's anniversary.

I'm looking forward to it.

And as always, I'll be the only white guy there...

Jerry