Family Fest in the Smokies

by Lisa Hildreth

I just returned from spending a fun filled weekend in Gatlinburg, TN.  The annual Gaither Family Fest was the event.  We had a great time.  It was wonderful to spend some time with The Isaacs and to hear some uplifting music and testimony.  If you've never attended this event make your plans now for 2010.  

The Isaacs had just returned from a 10 day trip to Africa on Wednesday.  Becky said she did not even get to sleep in her own bed for even one night before they had to leave out again for the weekend.  I can't imagine!  But you know what, they didn't even seem tired.  They were still top notch all weekend!  They had performed in Nashville on Friday night at the Legacy Five

 Homecoming and then made their way to Gatlinburg arriving in the wee hours of the morning on Saturday morning.

I left my home in NC around 3:30 and drove to Spartanburg, SC to meet up with my good friend Shelly.  She then drove the rest of the way to Gatlinburg.  When we got there Lily called and said the guys had taken in all the product and she needed us to set up the booth when we got to the convention center.  It was kind of difficult since the doors had already opened for the morning show and while we were trying to set up, folks were already trying to buy stuff.  We got it done though.  The morning service started at 10:00am.  On the morning sets Bill usually had each person/group do one song and then had the morning speaker to come up.  All of the services

 were so good.  On Saturday morning Bill Young, author of "The Shack" was the special guest. That was really great!  Zig Ziglar made a brief visit to the stage.  Sunday morning's speaker was Steve Brown, well known Christian author and founder of KeyLife Network.  The messages were great, the music was fantastic and the Blessings were in abundance.

The Isaacs performed a variety of music this weekend.  Bill called them up to do several songs from their upcoming Acapella album which is due to be released sometime this summer.  They still don't have a definite title for it, but we'll be announcing that soon.  The songs are awesome. One very special one they did this weekend was "Mama's Teaching Angels How to Sing" by the late Dottie Rambo.  This month marked a year since Dottie's passing.  Sonya mentioned Eva Mae Lefevre as they began this song.  Miss Eva Mae was always a favorite at Family Fest.  She passed away this past week and she was greatly missed.  

It was a fun filled weekend.  It's always especially great because most of the artists have their spouses and children with them for the weekend.  On the final night Bill has all the children come onto the stage.  It's a wonderful site to behold.  

Sonya did not wear a raincoat on stage

see! there's proof! this was in the pocket

Becky with Sherri Easter

Ben & Mindy with Gordon Mote

John & Becky

Sonya backstage visiting with friends

Nathan on the cajon - Walk On

Becky, Sonya & Ben singing with Gordon Mote