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Sunday Edition


24
Aug
2005
An Open Letter From Randall Wilds, SGM FanFair


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Dear Friends,

I wish to express my deepest gratitude to all who attended the 2005 premier of Southern Gospel Music FanFair. The feedback we have already received has been extremely positive, and I can't thank you enough for your enthusiasm and support of this endeavor. Many are already making plans to be with us next year, which is a great encouragement to us!

Though the audience steadily grew in number as the week progressed, the overall attendance was still disturbingly low for an event of this size. However, I want to go on record stating that we utilized every possible means of advertising to promote this event, both locally and nationally. We were thrilled to have fans represented from 22 states, Canada and Scotland.

I confess... I was disappointed that the crowds were not what I had anticipated. We all were. But I am not discouraged by it! In the words of the legendary Dottie Rambo, "Defeat is one word I'll never use!" So, contrary to some of the negative buzz going around, there WILL be a 2006 Southern Gospel Music FanFair. (Well, unless the rapture takes place before such time!)

I wish to express my sincerest thanks to all the artists who appeared at the premier event. You all were so very kind, generous and easy to work with. Thank you for your cooperation! Most of all, thank you for giving your best! You ARE the best!

Last, but certainly not least... I wish to thank the Southern Gospel Music FanFair Board of Directors, staff and volunteers. Your dedication and labors of love are greatly admired and deeply appreciated. Thank you for going above and beyond the call of duty to ensure a most memorable week for all involved. You are true team players. Some planted the seed, some watered. Now, watch God bring the harvest!

Most of all, I give all the praise to my Lord Jesus Christ. It is an honor to be about my Father's business, and a privilege to labor for the Kingdom of God. Thank you for the gift of music, and for my southern gospel music family!

The atmosphere at Southern Gospel Music FanFair was one of unity and camaraderie among both fans and artists. There were tears and laughter, excitement and solitude, worship and celebration, prayer and singing....lots of singing! There are also testimonies as a result of this year's event. One artist led a waitress to the Lord at a nearby cafe. Another artist led a convention center employee to the Lord. There were several attendees who met Jesus for the first time at FanFair.

That's what I call a "successful" event!

Yours In Christ,
Randall Wilds, CEO
SGM FanFair
http://www.sgmfanfair.com

Reader Comments

I am reminded what the late Everett Greene (The Greenes) stated a couple a years ago when at a meeting of the campers discussing the improvements to Greenes' Sing in August. Someone asked about having another multi-night sing at Boone in the Spring or Falll beside the longtime August sing.
He stated that it would hurt the August event.
Granted, it might not be the best of times to start a event of that size due to current events of the day
Here is a list of many long time events in August, not to mentioned several large event Labor Day weekend, prior NQC.

Brumley Gospel Sing, Barnhill Arena,Fayetteville, AR
Campbells' Homecoming Oakland, ME
Celebration Anniversary Singing, First Baptist Church,Ardmore, AL Cele
Gabbards Homecoming Celebration, Griffin Centre Amphitheater, Falmouth, KY
Garden Spot Blue Mountain Gospel Music Festival, Kempton Community Grounds, Kempton, PA
Grand Old Gospel Reunion, McAlister Auditorium, Furman University, Greenville, SC
Greene's Annual Gospel Singing Jubilee, High Country Fairgrounds, Boone, NC
John Lanier Anniversary Concert Bowden,GA
Martinsburg Convention, Morrisons Cove Memorial Park, Martinsburg, PA
Mended Heart Homecoming Southwest Community College Richlands VA
Northern Gospel Singing Convention, Sunnycrest Baptist Family Life Center, Marion,IN
Paul Williams' Bean Blossom Gospel Jubilee, Bean Blossom Bluegrass, Bean Blossom, IN
Rex Nelon Memorial Homecoming, Grace Baptist Church, Power Springs, GA
Seminole Gospel Sing, City Park - Seminole, OK Frank Arnold Promotions
Young Harmony Homecoming The Colonnade Ringgold, GA
Southern Gospel Convention, West GA County Community Center Dallas,TX

How much can the promoters of southern gospel music expect southern gospel music supporters to support?


Commented by Carl Holmander On 08/25/2005
Randall thanks for making Southern Brothers part of this years line up,the facility and audio was top notch!


Commented by Todd Mills On 08/25/2005
Randall,

I am amazed at your spirit and determination. When others would give up, you are going for it. God bless you my friend. You are a classy gentleman, I really believe that FANFAIR will succeed, and become a premier event in Gospel Music. I was proud to be a part of it, and I look forward to returning. I will do all I can to tell everyone about Fanfair 06. I think it will grow each year. As it does, I can already hear the sound of the skeptics swollowing their words.
Keep the faith. GOD BLESS YOU!


Commented by BIG MO On 08/25/2005
I was able to attend only one night. The facility was great, the sound was great. I, too, was disappointed by the size of the crowd. I also was at the cafe the night the waitress was led to the Lord. That spoke to me of hope for future Fan Fairs. I would only ask that perhaps a week in spring might be better; as a previous writer noted all the other activities at this time of year.


Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 08/25/2005
Randall,

We (king's Cross) were also delighted to be a part of this event. We counted it a privelege and an honor. Thankyou for pressing forward, and we will look forward to being with you again next year.

God Bless You and all those involved for all the hard work.

Mike


Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 08/25/2005
Randal,
We were honored to be a part of the Fan Fair, and look forward to next year. There were so many wonderful things that took place there. The spirit of the Lord was so present during each event and I thought it was wonderful to be in a place where HE was welcomed. The atmoshere of the entire week was one of praise and I think that speaks volumes. Thanks for letting us all be free to pray and worship the ONE we are all in this for anyway!!! God will bless what gloifies HIM!!! It was a pleasure to meet you and to be part of your event.


Commented by Charlotte Baker On 08/25/2005
I wanted to encourage Randall. He treated me with great respect and I appreciate his obvious love for this gospel music. I hope to be back at Fan Fair.

I loved seeing old friends and meeting new ones..it doesn't get any better than that!!

Ann Downing


Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 08/25/2005
Yeah, it can definitely be a good thing, but I think 2 things affected attendance this year. Frist, there was a lot of great talent, but not enough BIG names to warrant the ticket price which I would say kept people away, and then it is also very close to NQC which, if most people had to choose, they would go to NQC because right now they are more familiar with it. And a third reason, Chattanooga is not a very supportive town attendance wise. It was in the 70's but now the crowds have died, but Birmingham always turns out in numbers for concerts. The facility was great down there, and the directors were very accomodating, and very helpful and were willing to do anything possible to make every satisfied, and I think with a few changes, it can be a big think. Randall, you and John did a great job, our experience at our booth was great you all really took care of us. Thanks! Hope we all have better luck next year.


Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 08/26/2005
The 2005 SGM Fan Fair was a great week and I look forward to being a part of the 2006 event. God is going to do something great with SGM Fan Fair. I can feel it. Thanks to Randall and his entire staff for the opportunity of being there.


Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 08/26/2005
I was able to attend the Fan Fair for the first 2 and a half days. With the exception of a select few artists, everyone had a good spirit and attitude of cooperation. I enjoyed it because I got to hear some very good artists that I certainly wouldn't have seen at NQC. As far as I'm concerned, the Fan Fair is by far the better value for the money.


Commented by (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) On 08/26/2005
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