The Isaacs in Fork Union, VA March 6th, 2009

A GREAT WEEK END WITH THE ISAACS.............by Carl Bagby

 

               THE ISAACS GOT INTO FORK UNION ON FRIDAY ABOUT 10 AM AFTER DRIVING MOST OF THE NIGHT FROM NASHVILLE. FORK UNION IS A MILITARY ACADEMY LOCATED IN THE FOOTHILLS OF THE BLUE RIDGE MOUNTAINS OF VIRGINIA. THE SCHOOL THRIVES ON DISCIPLINE AND SCHOLASTICS. MANY ATHLETES PREP FOR COLLEGE HERE. THEY PRESENTLY HAVE 13 GRADUATES PLAYING FOOTBALL IN THE NFL. COLONEL FRED HARDY HAS HAD 5 FUTURE OLYMPIANS RUN THROUGH HIS TRACK AND FIELD PROGRAM.

               LILY ASKED COLONEL FRED, " WHY US,?" MEANING WHY DID FUMA CHOOSE THE ISAACS TO COME AND PERFORM AT THE SCHOOL. FRED AND I HAD SEEN THE ISAACS FOR THE FIRST TIME AT GRAVES MOUNTAIN IN '03 AND WE WERE SMITTEN WITH THEIR MUSIC. HE WAS THE MAIN IMPETUS BEHIND BRINGING THE ISAACS TO FORK UNION LAST YEAR WITH FUNDS A PARENT HAD GIVEN THE SCHOOL TO DO SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR THE CADETS AND FACULTY. THAT SOMETHING SPECIAL WAS THE ISAACS. IT’S NO WONDER THE ISAACS WERE BACK FOR A SECOND YEAR.

               THE TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE 70S, WITH A WARM GENTLE WIND BLOWING ACROSS CAMPUS AS FRED ESCORTED THE ISAACS TO THE MESS HALL: A FAR CRY FROM THE SINGLE DIGIT TEMPERATURES AND A 9-INCH SNOWSTORM A FEW DAYS EARLIER THAT HAD KNOCKED OUT POWER, PHONES, AND THE HEAT. IT OCCURRED TO ME THAT AT MANY TOUR STOPS, THE LOCAL FOLKS GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO PROVIDE WONDERFUL MEALS FOR THE ISAACS. BUT THEY DO HAVE TO BE PREPARED TO EAT WHAT IS PLACED BEFORE THEM AND SMILE. THE BILL OF FARE AT A MILITARY SCHOOL IS, SHALL WE SAY, SPARTAN.

               AFTER LUNCH, COLONEL FRED HAD ARRANGED TO HAVE CADETS HELP THE ISAACS UNLOAD AND SET UP. THEY DO HAVE IT DOWN TO A SCIENCE, WITH MIKES, SPEAKERS, SOUND BOARDS- INSTRUMENTS ALL NEATLY PACKED AWAY IN CRATES THAT THEY WHEEL ABOUT ON DOLLIES. THEN THEY HAVE TO SET IT ALL UP AND DO A SOUND CHECK. THE GIRLS HELP ON THEIR END BY PUTTING UP THE PRODUCTS TABLE. THE WHOLE PROCESS TAKES A COUPLE HOURS. AND AFTER MAKING SPECIAL MUSIC........ALL THIS HAS TO GO BACK INTO THE BOXES AND BE CAREFULLY LOADED BACK ONTO THE TRAILER BEFORE THEY LEAVE FOR THE NEXT STOP.

               DINNER AGAIN IN THE MESS HALL BROUGHT COMMANDANT AL. HE, SONYA AND BEN BANTERED BACK AND FORTH WITH PLAYFUL TEASING. THEN THE ARTISTS WENT BACK TO THE BUS TO GET READY FOR THE BIG SHOW. THE ISAACS PLAYED BEFORE A PACKED HOUSE OF 6OO+- ALL THEY COULD FIT INTO THE CHAPEL. WITH COLONEL FRED, AS WITH THE ISAACS, IT'S ALL ABOUT FAMILY. (SEE PIC) FRED'S WIFE JO, TWO SONS AND A GIRLFRIEND, HIS OLDEST SON, WIFE AND TWO GRANDCHILDREN, AND HIS IN-LAWS WERE ALL THERE. FRIENDS ANDY AND ELLEN CAME IN FROM WARRENTON, AND KIT AND RUSTY FROM VIRGINIA BEACH. THEY WERE PART OF THE ROLLICKING, FOOT-STOMPING FRONT ROW CROWD THAT REALLY GOT INTO THE MUSIC. A FEW BARS INTO THE FIRST SONG, IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THIS AUDIENCE WAS GOING TO BE INTO THE SHOW ALL NIGHT. IT WAS THE MOST ENTHUSIASTIC AND PARTICIPATORY ISAACS AUDIENCE I’D EVER SEEN.

               LILY TOLD ALL ABOUT HER PERSONAL JOURNEY FROM THE DEATH CAMPS OF EASTERN EUROPE TO A JEWISH GIRL SINGING GOSPEL MUSIC. SHE RELATED HOW DIFFICULT IT WAS FOR A JEWISH GIRL RAISED IN THE JEWISH TRADITION TO FIND JESUS IN A SMALL COUNTRY CHURCH AND FORSAKE ALL FOR HER BELIEFS. SHE TOLD THE STORY OF THE AMERICAN SOLDIERS LIBERATING HER MOTHER AND FATHER AND THE IMPORTANCE TO OUR WONDERFUL COUNTRY OF THOSE WHO SERVE IN UNIFORM. SHE RELATED HOW, HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR THESE SOLDIERS LIBERATING HER PARENTS SHE WOULD NOT BE STANDING HERE TODAY. THIS WAS AN ESPECIALLY POWERFUL MESSAGE HEAR AT FUMA, A MILITARY SCHOOL WITH A LONGSTANDING MILITARY TRADITION. THEN SONYA STEPPED ONE STEP DOWN OFF THE STAGE AND BEGAN THE STAR SPANGLED BANNER. BECKY STEPPED DOWN BEHIND HER AND BEGAN HER HARMONY, AND THEN BEN FOLLOWED. WHAT AN AWESOME, POWERFUL MOMENT! THIS AUDIENCE, WITH MANY CADETS AND RETIRED MILITARY, STOOD WITH HAND -OVER -CHEST AT RAPPED ATTENTION, IN DEEP REVERENCE. THERE WAS MANY A MOIST CHEEK. I DO KNOW THAT SINGING THIS PATRIOTIC SONG IS DIFFICULT. NO ONE - - NO ONE BRINGS THIS NATIONAL ANTHEM OFF LIKE THE ISAACS.

               COMMANDANT AL WOULD GET HIS TURN. SONYA INVITED HIM UP ON STAGE TO DO THE BROTHER /SISTER PART SOLO OF "IF THAT DON'T MAKE YA. WANT TO." I CAN TELL YOU THE ISAACS GREATLY ENJOYED THIS PART. CHECK OUT THE PICS. THE AUDIENCE..........THE CADETS WERE RAUCOUS.

               FUEL FOR THE TANK: I DIDN'T GET TO RELATE THIS TO THE ISAACS. A GOOD FRIEND OF OURS, WHO IS A FINANCIAL ADVISOR, HAS NATURALLY HAD A TOUGH YEAR EMOTIONALLY IN THIS CURRENT MARKET. YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN THE SHEER JOY ON HIS AND HIS WIFE'S FACES. FOR THIS MAGICAL EVENING, THE DEPRESSION MELTED AWAY. I ALSO MET HEATH AND ALICE FROM BUCKINGHAM COUNTY. HEATH HAD BEEN INJURED RECENTLY AND WAS IN A WHEELCHAIR. THEY HAD NEVER SEEN THE ISAACS BEFORE BUT HAD BEEN LISTENING TO THEIR CDS. THEY HAD COME EARLY TO GET A GOOD SEAT. LILY HAD INSISTED I TAKE AN EXTRA DVD WHEN I TRIED TO MAKE A DIESEL DONATION. I MARCHED RIGHT BACK DOWN TO MY SEAT AND GAVE THEM THE DVD. THE ISAACS TOUCHED THESE PEOPLE VERY DEEPLY THIS NIGHT. I KNOW TOO THAT THE MESSAGE THE ISAACS HAD FOR THESE YOUNG IMPRESSIONABLE CADETS WAS REAL AND WELL-RECEIVED.

               EVEN THOUGH THE ISAACS HAD MANY MILES TO GO TO BE READY FOR THEIR NEXT STOP IN GRANITE FALLS, NC, THEY BACKED THE BUS DOWN THE ROAD AND SHARED SOME QUALITY TIME WITH COLONEL FRED AND HIS FAMILY. FRED'S FOUR-YEAR-OLD GRANDSON WAS STARSTRUCK, AND SONYA, YOU HAVE A NEW ADMIRER.

               LISA HILDRETH TOLD US ABOUT THE ISAACS IN GRANITE FALLS, NC ON SATURDAY. SONYA ASKED LISA AND WADE TO STAND AND ACKNOWLEDGED THEM FOR THEIR TIME AND CONTRIBUTIONS WITH THE WEBSITE AND OTHER MATTERS. SHE RECOGNIZED GINA BLACK AND DAVID CARMACK AND HIS FAMILY FOR THE SUPPORT THEY LEND THE ISAACS ON THE ROAD. ALL THESE GOOD FOLKS PLAY A ROLE IN PERPETUATING AND EXPANDING THE ISAACS MINISTRY.

 

               GOD BLESS THE ISAACS, THEIR MUSIC, MESSAGE, THEIR MINISTRY, THEIR HEART AND SOUL. 

The Isaacs in North Carolina

by Lisa Hildreth

The Isaacs made an appearance in North Carolina on Saturday night.  Granite Falls was the place. A nice little town in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  The day was warm, almost hot as the temperature was up around 75 degrees.  The stage was set and 6:00pm sharp The Isaacs entered the auditorium.  The rest is history........

When we arrived at the church around 4:00 The Isaacs were just finishing up their sound check. They had gotten a late start with set up as there was some confusion on the bus about what time the concert started.  Some thought 7:00pm but it was actually scheduled for 6:00pm.  They finished up and I went to the bus to catch up with Lily.  I got to listen to some rough recordings of their new acapella project.  I say rough because the songs haven't been mastered yet, but it didn't sound too rough to me.  It's gonna be amazing! I can't wait to have a copy in my hands and for each of you to have one also.  

Soon the bus got crowded as everyone came in to start getting dressed.  I made my way back to the auditorium to find my hubby who was chatting with my friend Gina and my other friend Carl Bagby.  The auditorium was filling up.  Final count for the night was over 900 people in attendance.  The concert was awesome.  One of the sweetest parts is when Lily came forward and shared her testimony.  I've said this before, but it always brings me to tears.  She is indeed a very special lady and her story is so special.  She is still working on her book about her life story and believe me it will be worth the wait.  

The Isaacs are gearing up for a trip to Ireland in a couple of weeks.  We'll be sure to have some blogging and photos from their trip.

Speaking of photos, Tracy Pyle shared these photos from Granite Falls last night.

2009 National Quartet Convention

The Isaacs will be appearing at the National Quartet Convention again this year. Their schedule has recently changed and they will now appear on the main stage on Tuesday night September 15th and Saturday night September 19th.

For more information visit natqc.com

Cruise with The Isaacs in 2010

The Isaacs recently returned from a fabulous cruise with Templeton Tours. Plans are already in the works for the "Singing at Sea" cruise 2010.

Visit this link to read all the cruise information.  You can read all about the cruise ship, scheduled entertainers, etc.  The Isaacs would like to encourage you to make your reservation online right away.  Some cabin selections are already sold out and the rest won't last long.  All you need is a $200.00 deposit to reserve your reservation.  

If you would like me to email you a brochure just email me at Lisa@theisaacs.com and be sure to put Cruise 2010 in the subject line of your email.  I can also mail you a brochure.  Be sure to list The Isaacs as your host on your application!!

Make your plans now to join The Isaacs on this wonderful trip.   

Templeton Tour cruise 2010

The Isaacs travel to the Pacific Northwest

Come hear the Isaacs in Portland, Oregon on February 20, 2009! Simply go to www.iTickets.com to get your tickets online or call 1-800-965-9324. We’re excited to be appearing in the Pacific Northwest and don’t want you to miss this special event. You’ll hear songs from our latest album, BIG SKY, our second release for Gaither Music Group. Nothing expresses God’s love and mercy quite like a powerful song. Bring your friends and family and experience an incredible evening—a unique fusion of blue grass, gospel, and country!

February 20, 2009 – 7:00 p.m.

Central Bible Church

8815 NE Glisan Street

Portland, OR 97220

General Admission: $12 advance; $15 at the door

Gold Circle: $16 advance only

NOTE: Service charge applies. Gold Circle tickets not available at the door. Groups of 10 or more can receive a 10% discount on General Admission tickets purchased in advance.

The Isaacs at First Baptist Church of Lake Wales, Florida

February 14th, 2009

by: Tammy Wells

 

 

The Isaacs did an outstanding job at the First Baptist Church of Lake Wales.   They were looking sharp in brown and with the glow of sun on their skin.   The Isaacs had just finished a Gospel cruise that went to Mexico and Grand Cayman Island. 

 

The singing and playing were outstanding.   The Isaacs did many of their best songs.  They started off with the upbeat "Great is Thy Reward"  which features Ben on Vocals.  Of course the night would not be complete with out the popular "Blue Grass Medley". Becky did a very passionate "Through the Valley".  Becky's vocals continue to amaze me.  Her voice is so strong and just fills the room.   They also did "I Have a Father", "The One I'm Dying For", and "It is Well".   It was an outstanding first half.  

 

In the second half they did some requested songs.  In honor of Valentines day Becky sang "Thats alright by me".  Becky also did a couple of more songs that she is featured on including the often requested "Stand Still" which is always so moving.   She also sang with Sonya the song "Lord I thank You for Touching me today".  I'm not sure if that is the title but this song ministered to me in a very special way.   The whole evening was very moving and filled with great fun.  I can't think of a better way to spend my Valentines Day than being where the one who loves us most is honored. 

The night in fact was a great success as some came by the tables to tell the Isaacs that their music and ministry had touched them and that they were rededicating their life to Christ.  What an awesome Valentine!

 

As always the evening is over way too soon and it's time for the Isaacs to pack up and head to the next stop.  

I am so thankful for the Isaacs and their music and ministry.  It has meant so much to me and my life.  

I hope you will try and see the Isaacs soon.  You will be blessed!

 

God Bless,

Tammy   

Bon Voyage!

Photo by Becky Isaacs Bowman
See more photos from our cruise HERE

The Isaacs left today on a cruise with Templeton Tours. See below a detailed description of the cruise.

About 4:00pm EST this afternoon I heard from both Sonya and Becky. They send their love and these photos! They were aboard the ship in Tampa, Florida and they were heading out. We hoped to have a blog or two from them this week but Becky said they would not have use of their phones or computers. She said they would take lots of pictures to share with everyone! Have fun Isaacs!!!

TEMPLETON TOURS has chartered Carnival Cruise Line’s Inspiration for this Southern Gospel Music Cruise. The bars, casinos, and slot machines are closed and the ship’s entertainers are replaced by inspired preachers of the gospel and THE BEST IN SOUTHERN GOSPEL MUSIC.

Our first stop of the cruise will be the resort island of Grand Cayman. Grand Cayman is kissed by sparkling, turquoise waters…where you can enjoy virtually every water sport you can imagine. Snorkel with stingrays go scuba diving, sport fishing or just relax along the island’s most magnificent stretch of oceanfront, Seven Mile Beach. Thursday morning we arrive at Cozumel, a resort town of fashionable shops and beautiful beaches. Cozumel is world-renowned for the superb diving opportunities it offers, including Palancar Reef, home to thousands of kinds of brilliantly colored fish. Shop til you drop, dive in, or just kick back on a sun drenched Mexican beach and say ‘adios’ to all of your everyday concerns.

Our home for this adventure will be Carnival Cruise Line's Inspiration. The newly remodeled Inspiration features a world class spa, putt-putt, and a three-story water park for the young and young at heart. During the cruise you will enjoy gourmet delights and sumptuous buffets. From the Welcome Aboard buffet to the 24 hour Pizzeria, you will not have a chance to get hungry. The Inspiration also offers a complete children's program with supervised activities for ages 2-15 each day. Kids can enjoy treasure hunts, movies, video games, ice cream parties, and even their own swimming pool. While the children enjoy supervised activities, you can enjoy inspiring Bible study or great Gospel music. This is the ideal vacation for the family.

You will enjoy Christian fellowship, comedy, preaching, and Great Southern Gospel Music every day. The week is yours to relax and enjoy vacationing in a Christian atmosphere.

2009 SGN Music Awards

The voting has begun.........

Click HERE to vote for The Isaacs!

Voting ends on February 15th.

Thanks for voting for The Isaacs!!!

Concert Review from Hawkinsville, GA

The Isaacs in Hawkinsville, Ga.

Saturday, January 31, 2009

My husband Randy and I made the trip down to Hawkinsville on Friday with plans to attend both Isaacs shows at the Hawkinsville Opera House.  The Opera House is a beautiful, historical building that was originally constructed in 1907.  It isn’t huge, it only seats about 380.  But what it lacks in size, it makes up for in character. 

We had dinner on Friday night with friends Peggy Fauscett, Kemper Meadows, Tammy Wells and Lucy Dudding.  We were all looking forward to the concerts on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon.  Peggy is of course, the mother of The Isaacs drummer Nathan Fauscett.  The concerts were to honor her late husband, Byron Fauscett whom we lost about two years ago.  Byron was a very much loved man and he is truly missed by his family and friends.  Everyone involved, which seemed to include most of the town, did a wonderful job of honoring the memory of Mr. Byron Fauscett. 

The Isaacs enjoyed lunch on Saturday with some folks from Peggy and Nathan’s church, including Nathan’s high school band leader.  Tammy, Lucy, Randy and I went out for some light shopping, a street tour of some of the old homes in Hawkinsville,  then a spaghetti  lunch at The Horse Shoe Restaurant.   We met The Isaacs at the Opera House at 1:00 for the load out and set up.  

It is always interesting to see the transformation that comes over the band members when the trailer door opens.  They systematically start rolling boxes and carts of equipment off the trailer into the venue and the work begins.  All the equipment has to be unpacked and set up-----just right.  Folks, there is so much more to this than just unpacking the instruments and singing.  Ben does a great job getting the sound just right for each venue.  Sound check is an interesting experience, too.  It went quickly in the opera house because of the attention that was paid to the science of acoustics when the place was built.  

The show was scheduled for 7pm.  We had our choice of seats but we soon found that there was not a bad seat in the house.  The Saturday show was sold out weeks ago.  It didn’t take the place long to fill with excited fans and friends.  The Isaacs had two friends traveling with them for the weekend, Tim Dillman of Music City Coach and Mike Bilanchi from World Vision.  In addition to Randy and me, Tammy Wells and her mom Lucy Dudding drove up from Brandon, Florida.  Dee and Mary Hill drove up from Murrell’s Inlet, SC.  The Beckers were down from TN.  And might I add, Peggy and Nathan had a friend or two there!

The Isaacs took the stage in black and silver.  They gave an awesome performance for the first half of the show.  The sound was perfect.    We were pleased to see John Bowman filling in for Thomas Wywrot.  Thomas had a prior obligation for the weekend when he came on full time with the Isaacs and they had John filling in.  I love to hear John pick and his voice is wonderful.  Becky was really happy to have her husband along for this special weekend. 

The cajon was placed at the front of the stage so Nathan could really show off for his hometown.  While playing his solo on “Walk On”, he looked around when the audience started laughing…..every member of the group had walked off stage……Nathan was out there alone.  It was a total surprise to him and his expression was priceless.  Sonya told me later it was Ben’s idea.  Great prank, guys! 

There was an intermission and then the second half of the show.  The concert promoter, Norman Bonds, called Peggy, Nathan and Kelly to the stage and talked about Byron.  This is when Nathan was asked to speak about his mom and dad.  Nathan was very emotional, feeling very close to his father as he talked to his hometown crowd.  He spoke eloquently about his parents and what a loving home he grew up in and how great his dad was and how great his mom is.  There were lots of tears shed during that time.  But, I knew Nathan had a secret that he was getting ready to reveal.  He finished talking about his mom and dad, and then about his new road family, The Isaacs.  Suddenly, he spun around to Kelly, his girlfriend, and dropped to one knee as he pulled the diamond engagement ring from his pocket and asked her to be his wife in front of nearly 400 people!  The crowd went nuts!  Go Nathan!  That really took some guts----especially knowing that the Isaacs band members had tortured him about it for months.  You know, things like hiding the ring from him and asking what he’d do if she said no in front of all those people…..

The concert somehow continued after all that.  Ben, Sonya and Becky did a new song, “I Will Praise Him”.  It was an acapella that they’ve been practicing for their new CD.  As you know, they are in the studio now, working with Bill Gaither to record a CD of mostly acapella songs.  Ben and Bill Gaither are producing the CD and Bill asked them to try the song on their audiences to see what their reaction is.  Well, I don’t know about anyone else, but it brought many of us to tears.  It is a powerful old hymn and their performance was breath-taking.  I don’t know how anyone who knows the Lord could listen to that performance without crying.  Ben said later that he was not able to hit the high notes because he had a little bit of a sore throat.  Trust me, he was mistaken.  His voice was perfect doing that song.  I can’t believe how The Isaacs continue to get better and better at what they do.  One would think it wasn’t possible for them to improve……seems there is no room for improvement because they are so good……and then they go and kick it up another notch.   Glory to God, for they are simply amazing and anointed by Him to do what they do so well.  

After the show, we were treated to a great home-cooked meal at the home of Peggy Fauscett.  She is such a good cook!  Some of us should take lessons!  We had chicken and roast, vegetables, potatoes, gravy and biscuits.  There were two scrumptious desserts and plenty of iced tea.  And, lots of talking,  joking around and fellowship.  Peggy had made a poster with the heading, “She Said Yes”.  She had added some pictures of Nathan and Kelly and one questionable photo of Nathan……..it looked like he might be wearing a Barbie Band-aids shirt that was a little small for him……it made some folks ask why she said yes……..Just kidding, Nathan!  We didn’t stay long after eating, everyone was very tired.  We shuttled everyone back to the bus and got to bed at a reasonable time.  We were all looking forward to the next day’s events.

Sunday, February 1, 2009

We were all meeting at a local restaurant, The Steakhouse, for a Sunday buffet lunch.  Randy and I got ready and checked out of our hotel and drove over to the bus which was parked at the Opera House.  We had a great visit with John, Ben and Mike Bilanchi while waiting for the others to finish with showers.  Peggy was shuttling band members from the hotel to the bus and we’d come to offer some assistance.  They all made it to the restaurant by noon…….we were supposed to be there by 11:30.  We enjoyed a delicious buffet….including Nathan’s favorite, homemade macaroni and cheese.  We went over and over the previous night and Nathan’s successful proposal.  Sonya shared the video she made from the stage which you can now see here on the blog.  Ben suddenly stood and said, “Guys, we sing in exactly one and a half hours!”  We finished up and caravan back to the Opera House, actually getting everyone into a vehicle the first time.  I’m not sure if there were more, but I know that at least one seat belt violation occurred………

There wasn’t a packed  house on Sunday, but there was an avid crowd.  The Isaacs did songs I had not heard them do in a live show.  A local dobro player joined them on stage for a song.  Good job, Jimmy!  Then, they called Peggy Fauscett to the stage and she did a song with them playing for her.  She has a great voice but the highlight of the song for me was when Lily took her mic over to the drums and Nathan harmonized with his mother!  He has a great voice, too!  Sonya said they had a new name, “Nathan Fauscett and The Isaacs”.  This brought a huge round of applause.  Then, Ben made Nathan introduce all the band members.  It was hilarious!   

After the show, it was load-out time.  The guys got things packed up and we all stood out in the street talking and saying our good-byes.  It was a rare occasion for the Isaacs bus to return to TN before the wee hours of the morning.  They actually pulled out a little before 5pm.

This was a totally awesome weekend.  There were many special moments.  Some of the highlights for me, in no particular order, included:

The proposal (and having Nathan tell myself and my husband about it ahead of time but    

making each of us promise not to tell anyone, including each other)    

Seeing Tammy, Lucy, Dee, Mary, the Beckers, Kelly and Kemper

            Hearing Ben, Sonya and Becky sing “I Will Praise Him”

            Hearing Peggy sing

            Eating Peggy’s cooking

            Having time to have meaningful conversations with each member of the group and family 

It was so much fun to have other fans and friends there for the weekend.  Randy and I have made so many special friends because of our interest in The Isaacs and their ministry.  And the group really does love seeing familiar faces in the crowd when they go different places.  So, check the calendar often and look for a show near you.  You won’t regret it!  Thanks Peggy and Norman for a great weekend.  May God continue to bless The Isaacs and each one of you!

Gina Black 

Congratulations! An Engagement!

Last night in his hometown of Hawkinsville, Ga, Nathan (aka Spickett) asked his beloved Kelly to be his wife. He did this right on the Isaacs concert stage on Saturday night. She said Yes!

Sonya caught it on video and shared it with us........

Please visit our gallery for more photos from Hawkinsville.

Congratulations Kelly & Nathan

Some good news and a great opportunity for you to get involved.......

Update:

Monday January 26, 2009

OK, you guys are great! Lots of great title suggestions have been coming in. Too many in fact for me to keep up the pretty little photoshop doodad at the bottom. I'll now just make a list of all your entries. Feel free to keep them coming.

Scroll to the bottom of this post to see list of submitted titles......

PLEASE VISIT OUR GALLERY FOR MORE PHOTOS FROM THE STUDIO!

Original Post:

Wednesday January 21, 2009

News from Alexandria, Indiana

by: Lily Isaacs

"We are so excited to finally be in the studio again. We are in the process of recording a MOSTLY A CAPELLA project. That means that some of the songs are without any music at all and some of the songs have just one instrument playing along."

"We are honored to have Bill Gaither and our own Ben Isaacs Co-produce this project. We are in Alexandria, Indiana today at the Gaither Studios. We have about 18 songs picked out and it is going to be hard to choose. Working with Bill is so much fun. He has a lot of creative ideas and between him and Ben we are going to have a fantastic CD. It should take us a couple of months to complete it and we will surely keep you posted about a release date as we get closer to it.".....

"We are actually looking for a really good title for the CD and that's where you come in. Will you help us come up with a catchy name for our project? We've thought of "Almost A capella" and a few others, but we just know you guys will have some great ideas."

HERE IS A VERY SHORT VIDEO BECKY SENT FROM THE STUDIO

Email your ideas for a title to LHildreth@northstate.net. I'll get them posted here and of course you can post comments on your thoughts about each one. This should be a lot of fun.

1. Isaacs Unplugged

2. The Isaacs - Music to My Ears

3. The Isaacs in the Key of God

4. The Isaacs - Just Us

5. The Isaacs - Naturally Us

6. Just Isaacs

7. Just We Isaacs, singing for I AM and You to

8. Praise In voice - The Isaacs

9. Purely: The Isaacs

10. 99 44/100% Pure A Capella

11. Only The Isaacs

12 Between the Notes

13. The Isaacs Pure Voices

14. The Isaacs - The Pure Sound

15. The Isaacs - Pure and Sweet

16. The Isaacs - Four Part Harmony

17. The Isaacs - Almost No Instruments

18. The Isaacs - Pure & Natural

19. Simply Isaacs

20. Isaac-apella

21. The Isaacs - All Natural

22. The Isaacs - Essentially A capella

23. The Isaacs - The Silence of Voices

24. The Isaacs - Musical Silence
25. The Isaacs Back To The WORD
26. The Isaacs Word Pictures Alone
27. The Isaacs Words Without Music
28. The Isaacs Harmo-Lyrical Only
29. The Isaacs Voice Instruments Only
30. The Isaacs The Instrument of Voice
31. The Isaacs Word Pictures

32. The Isaacs - Straight from the Heart

33. The Isaacs - Untouched - Straight from their Hearts

34. The Isaacs - A Family Tradition

35. The Isaacs - Harmony for the Soul

36. Here are The Isaacs - Naturally

37. The Isaacs - Doin what they do best

38. The Isaacs - Plain and Simple

39. The Isaacs - Just Us

40. The Isaacs - Family Harmony

41. The Isaacs - Just the Way you like it

42. The Isaacs - Soulful Melodies

43. The Isaacs - Back to the Basics
44. The Isaacs - With One Accord

45. The Isaacs - In One Accord

46. In Harmony with The Isaacs

47. The Isaacs - Lend an Ear

48. The Isaacs - On Wings of the Dawn

49. The Isaacs - On the Horizon

50. The Isaacs - Songs from Sacred Hearts

51. Harmony with Him

52. The Isaacs - HE is the music

53. The Isaacs - HE is our music

54. The Isaacs - Heavenly Harmonies

55. The Isaacs - Sing with the Voices of Angels

56. The Isaacs - Angelic Sounds

57. Four For One - Isaacs A capella

58. Powerful Words

59. The Isaacs - Just Words

60. The Isaacs - Entirely A capella....almost

61. The Isaacs - Our Voices

62. Angels in Disguise

63. The Grass is Bluer on the Upper Side

64. The Isaacs - Dig the Music and Pull some Grass (LOL, this one made me giggle)

65. A capella A la carte

66. Almost A capella

67. The Isaacs - Singing it Our Way

68. The Isaacs doing it Vocally

69. Vocal Grass

70. Mostly A capella

71. The Isaacs - A capella Mostly

72. The Isaacs Heavenly Harmony

73. Praise in Harmony by The Isaacs

74. The Isaacs - A capella with Style

75. The Isaacs - Our Style

76. "Voice Lift" by The Isaacs

77. Isaacly Speaking

78. Isaacapella

79. The Isaacs - Loud and Clear

80. The Isaacs - Joyful Noise

81. The Isaacs - Hummmmmmm

82. The Isaacs - The Voices

83. The Voices of The Isaacs

84. The Isaacs - Instrumentally Challenged

85. The Isaacs - Back to A capella

86. No Electricity

87. The Isaacs - Back to the Basics - No Electricity

88. The Isaacs - Vocal Sessions - Volume I
89. The Isaacs - In Tune
90. The Isaacs - Pure Heaven
91. Got Harmony? (you know, like, Got Milk?)
92. The Isaacs - a capella -n- then some.....
93. The Isaacs in every key
94. The Isaacs from A to G a capella
95. The Isaacs singin it old school
96. The Isaacs without some strings
97. The Isaacs on wings of angels
98. The Isaacs Purity of Spirit
99. Uplifiting Harmonies - a collection of Hymns from our past
100. Just Enough
101. The Isaacs - High and Lo and in between
102. Pure and Simple

103. No Strings Attached - Only the Isaacs
104. Silent Music - The Isaacs sing a capella

105. Serenading of Wings lift the Lord

106. Icapella

107. Natural

108. Simply Natural

109. Pure

110. Back to the Basics

111. Simply Sung

112. The Isaacs Capella

113. A Inspiring A capella

Saturday night in Roanoke, VA

by: Lisa Hildreth

We decided this afternoon to take a little road trip to Virginia.  The Isaacs were scheduled to appear in Roanoke at Roanoke Life Church at 7:00pm.  We left our home around 3:30 and drove the familiar drive North.  We didn't tell The Isaacs we were coming.  When we arrived right before 6:00 the parking lot was already full and the folks were filing in to the auditorium.  We went in to find some friends of The Isaacs manning the product table so we made our way to the front row where our friend Carl Bagby had saved us seats front and center.  In a few minutes Jesse and Nathan came in to turn down the Bluegrass music that was playing so the Pastor of the church could speak. They spotted us right away and we said Hello.  The rest of the group started making their way to the front.  After a great introduction The Isaacs took the stage and the rest is history. The sound was perfect (great acoustics in this place), the crowd was responsive, the mood was so sweet and their voices were right on.  They performed a lot of the regulars like Yours and Mine, I Have a Father & Heroes and they shared a very special new a capella song that they just learned last night.  They've been in the studio this week with Bill Gaither working on a new project.  Bill helped arrange the new song and told them they had to try it out on their audiences this weekend.  Let's just say, it was magic!  It brought the crowd to their feet.  I can't wait for you to hear it and all the other songs on the new project.  I wasn't quick enough to get my cell phone out to record it.  I would have loved to have a clip to post here.  Maybe someone else caught it and will send it to me.

Here they are singing the new a capella song straight from the hymnal

After this song Lily stepped up and shared her testimony and Becky played the guitar softly in the background.  I've heard her story many times and have even read the manuscript of her book she is writing about her life, but I have to tell you, everytime I hear it I am brought to tears.  It's just an amazing story that she's where she is today with her children sharing God's love from the stage.  It was such a sweet and moving service.  When she was finished she asked the pastor to come back up and he prayed a powerful prayer.  At the end he started to sing It is Well with my Soul except he changed the words and said Is it Well with your Soul?? Becky, Sonya and Ben started to sing along.  Wow!  

The Isaacs closed out the night with He Ain't Never Done me Nothing but Good and Jesse tore it up on Orange Blossom Special.  The pastor could bearly stay in his seat.   A couple of funny things took place during the evening.  Somehow the pastor heard that a couple of them did pretty good imitations and Nathan performed a little "Brown" from Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns.  It was hilarious.  The other was Sonya and she does a pretty good Reba on I'm Gonna Take That Mountain.  They are just so much fun!!

Nathan doin "Brown" from Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns (Hilarious!)

Afterwards everyone went over to the pastor's house where his sweet wife had prepared pasta, sauce, lasagna, salad, all kinds of desserts, sweet tea and it was all so delicious.  We were able to stay and visit with The Isaacs for a while and then we hit the road and headed back to N.Carolina.  We arrived back home about 2:00am.  It was a fun night!  We're already planning our next road trip......come and join us!

SoGospelNews.com announces nominees for SGN Music Awards

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Deon and Susan Unthank, administrators of SoGospelNews.com, are proud to announce the nominees for the 2009 SGN Music Awards. As in year’s past, the nominees were chosen by the staff of SoGospelNews.com. Starting on February 1, 2009, the fans will get a chance to vote for their favorites in each category. 

http://sogospelnews.com/index/content/articles/sogospelnews.com-announces-nominees-for-2009-sgn-music-awards/

Songwriter (Artist) - Sonya Isaacs & Rebecca Isaacs Bowman

Progressive Southern Song - "Your Cries Have Awoken the Master" by Sonya Isaacs & Rebecca Isaacs Bowman

Special Event Project - LIVE from Norway - The Isaacs

Best LIVE Performer - The Isaacs

Fan Favorite Artist of the Year - The Isaacs

**Thank you for your nomination vote for Fan Favorite Artist.  Don't forget to cast your votes in each category starting February 1st at www.sogospelnews.com**

Reporting on The Isaacs from Tyler Texas

by Odie Boggs

January 19^th2009, Green Acres Baptist Church, Tyler Texas

My Monday started out normally.  I was settled in for a day on the road traveling from Louisiana to Oklahoma.  We had not been on the road long when Mom woke me up, and told me to clean things up.  We were maybe going to stop and see friends along the way.  Well, I was moving rather slowly at the task. My parents finally told me we were going to see the Isaacs in Tyler,  Texas.  I got into hurry mode then!!

    We pulled into the Green Acres Baptist Church shortly before the Isaacs bus.  The church was an enormous complex of buildings with lots of parking lots.  After giving them a while to get things situated we went and listened to sound check.  It had been a while since I have been in on an Isaacs sound check.  There is a lot of work that goes into making everything just right!!   Just by hearing the sound check I knew we were in for a great night.

   My family was not the only ones joining in on the fun.  The Kincaid Family and two friends also were there.  They drove four hours one way just for the concert.  There were a couple other ladies who are friend of the Isaacs, I did not catch their names.  I was happy to learn Levi, Jacob, Cameron, Kyra, and Jakobi were all with the Isaacs.  It was a good, rare, visit with the kids.  They all are a blast to be with!!!!!!!!!

   Once the things were setup the church people said there was food for the group.  There was enough food for an army!  The church had the food catered in from a local restaurant.  It was so delicious!!  Thank you for feeding all of us!  I don’t know if I can name all the foods they had available: chicken, red potatoes, green beans and cheese, salad, fruit, rolls, and cookies.  Oh yea, I can't forget the sweet tea, I heard Nathan say, "that is real sweet tea”!

   By the time we all headed our separate ways to get ready for the concert the crowd was already coming in.  It was a huge church, and I wondered how the attendance would be to a Monday night event.  It was about 6:30 when got back in the church.  The main floor of the sanctuary was filling up already, and folks were now sitting in the balconies.  It was a great crowd!!  Thanks to the Kincaid family for sharing their seat with us.  We forgot to save a seat earlier.  The Isaacs came on stage around 7:00 P.M.  The music minister of the church introduced them.  They kicked it off with Great is Thy Reward.  It was HOT from the start!!!  I Have a Father Who Can, Yours and Mine The Hymn Medley, Heroes, Through the Valley, The One I’m Dying For, Stand Still, Walk On, Love is a Cross, It is Well With My Soul, and He Ain’t Never Done Me Nothing but Good are all songs they sang during the night.  I forget the proper order.  God Is So Good, Jesus, There’s Just Something About That Name, and Because He Lives are some chorus they also sang.

   It was just a wonderful night!  The singing was out of this world, and the music just keeps getting better.  Lily, Ben, Sonya, Becky, Jesse, Nathan, and Thomas all did a marvelous job.  

An exciting foot note: 17 children received sponsors thru World Vision.  Over a 1,000 children have now been sponsored through the Isaacs ministry. Before we knew it was time to say our goodbyes and hit the road.  Each time I attend a concert I gain many memories that I will cherish for a long time to come.

 Odie Boggs with Sonya Isaacs  

The Isaacs will be in the studio some this week. They a working on a new project produced by Ben and Bill Gaither.  Keep them in your prayers that all goes well!

Odie Boggs

Check our photo gallery to see pictures from Tyler, Texas

Awesome Isaacs Finale in North Carolina!

Hello Isaacs fans! This is Gina with the third and final installment from the Isaacs North Carolina weekend. It was such a wonderful time. I wish you all could have joined us at one of the shows.

We drove in from Morganton, arriving in Fayetteville at about 4:30am on Sunday morning. We went to bed and slept until about 11:00. Then it was time to shower and get dressed. Randy went on the bus to lunch with the gang, then on to the church for load-in and set-up. I made the 45minute drive to Pembroke to get my mom.

The Sunday show was at Fayetteville Community Church. For those of you who might not know it, this is the home church of Wesley Pritchard. Wes continues to be the choir director and their choir is magnificent! They performed several songs before the show, my favorite being "I Can't Even Walk Without You Holding My Hand". They were awesome.

The Isaacs took the stage looking great as usual. They did a similar show to what we had seen on Friday and Saturday with a few extras. Sonya, Becky and Wes sang the "Star Spangled Banner" while Ben looked on, waiting to see if Wes could hit the high notes. Wes did a great job. After they finished, Ben handed Wes his bass and said he was going to sit down. The crowd roared at this, but Wes begged him not to leave him holding that huge thing because he didn't know what to do with it. Wes sang a bluegrass tune while the gang played and harmonized with him. And, Ben, Sonya and Becky sang their beautiful acapella, "Blessed Assurance" for my mom.

After the show, Wes took us all out for some delicious Mexican food. Everyone was tired and silly at dinner. Those who had been away from home all weekend were ready to return.....myself included. When dinner was over, we stood in the parking lot talking, laughing, hugging and saying good-bye until the next time. Finally, it was time to go. Prayers went up for safe travels all around.

What a blessing it was to accompany this anointed family on their trek through NC. Randy and I were hesitant to miss church.....but believe me, we had church during each performance. It was so touching when Lily talked about JESUS and the fact that she was not allowed to speak His name at one point in her life. Thankfully, she is now able to not only speak His precious name but to shout it and to sing it for thousands and thousands of people everyday. Amen!

Don't forget to check the Isaacs concert schedule frequently. It can be found on their website. New shows are added from time to time so check it often and perhaps you can catch a show near you! And as always, all The Isaacs send their love and thanks to you, their fans. God bless each of you! And thanks for coming back to read these entries from this amateur blogger!

Peace,
Gina

Visit our online gallery for photos from Fayetteville, NC

Fantastic Weekend in NC!

Hi everyone!

This is Gina again, ready to recap the rest of the Isaacs North Carolina weekend. I last left you in Morganton. I was sitting in the green room provided by the church. They also provided a laptop with a password and an invitation to use it! We were all treated so well.

The show started just a few minutes late because of some technical difficulties with the sound system. Ben quickly fixed the problem and the band went to the bus to change into their black and silver attire. I believe they also got an energy boost from some goodies brought to the church by friend, Sherry.

It was cold out and hundreds of people stood in line waiting for a seat and a chance to see the greatest group of singers and musicians that gospel music has to offer. Once the door opened, it didn't take long for the seats to be filled. Church members brought in chairs and people lined the walls; it became standing room only! We had seats reserved but gave them to an elderly couple and their son who were leaning against a wall. We heard the concert from the church foyer, along with about 20 other people.

The performance was wonderful. Again, our Lord reached the crowd through the words and the music of The Isaacs. Their voices seem to get better all the time. Sonya's vocal abilities are unequaled. Becky is a genius when it comes to harmonizing with her siblings and when she sings, I, for one, am mesmerized. Ben's voice is one of the most under-rated male voices out there. And Lily sings like an angel. (These are my opinions, of course, and I am happy to share them with you!)

One church official estimated the crowd was about 700 in number. Another church member who was working in the parking lot said that about 125 more left after finding out that it was standing room only. They missed a terrific performance.

It was dinner at Sage Brush afterwards. It was very casual......everyone let their hair down a little. Then, on to Fayetteville for their final show of the weekend at Fayetteville Community Church.

Again, I wish you all could have joined us. It has been a very special couple of days. I will tell you all about Sunday's show a little later. And for those of you who don't already know, Lily is the one with a new hairdo. She had a little color change and is now a stunningly beautiful redhead!


Please keep checking out The Isaacs calendar on their website. Maybe they'll be in your area soon. You wouldn't want to miss them! Take care and God's blessings to each of you. Until next time.....

Gina

Check our website gallery for photos from Morganton, NC

Fan Favorite Artist voting........

SGN is now taking nominations for the Fan Favorite Artist of the Year category in the 2009 SGN Music Awards.

You can vote for your favorite artist of 2008 by clicking on the following link and placing a nomination:

http://sogospelnews.com/index/site/fanfavorite

Nominations will be accepted through January 20, 2009.

Nominees in all 24 categories will be announced on January 21, 2009.  Voting in all the categories will run from February 1-February 14, 2009.

The SGN Music Awards Celebration will take place on Tuesday, April 14, 2009 in Smyrna, TN at River of Life Church.  Make plans now to attend!

Hello From North Carolina!

Hi everyone!
This is Gina blogging from Morganton, NC. The Isaacs are blessing us with three North Carolina shows this weekend. My husband Randy and I are ticking off the miles with hopes of enjoying all three shows.

Last night, we were in New Bern, NC at Believers' Fellowship which is a beautiful church built inside a old retail space. The church was packed almost immediately. Staff members brought in chairs and placed them in doorways so as many people as possible could watch as The Isaacs brought them to the Lord with their wonderful voices and music. There were a lot of "first timers" who had never experienced The Isaacs live. There was so much excitement and anticipation in the room.....I knew it would be a great show! The holy spirit covered the room through the moving words sung and spoken, as well as the wonderful music. Just when you don't think they can get any better, they do.

Everyone looked great in purple and black. One of the girls has a great new hairdo......you'll have to wait for the pictures to find out which one. Each member of the group reported having a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Lily says she is happy to be back at work.

After the concert, we enjoyed a delicious, although late, dinner at Applebee's. It is always fun to see everyone relax after the performance. We ate, talked, laughed and ate some more.

The Isaacs have a friend on the bus this weekend. His name is Josh and he lives in TN. I understand he is a great golfer. Nice meeting you, Josh!

We arrived in Morganton around 1pm today, actually beating the Isaacs' bus to the church. We met up with Dave and Sherry Carmack and their children Josh and Jennifer. They live near Kingsport,TN and are long-time Isaacs fans. We had met them last month at an Isaacs show in Virginia and were thrilled to see them again.

The Isaacs are doing sound check right now. Of course, they sound great. I am guessing we might see them in black tonight. The show starts at 6pm and we are expecting a full house. I wish each of you could be here. We are waiting for our Lisa to arrive now. She is so much better at this blogging than I am.

I have a few words from some of the Isaacs band members:
Becky says, "Hello to all. Come and see us!"
Nathan says "Hi."
Thomas says "Hello, Happy New Year, eh?"
Ben says, "Hi."
Lily says, "Hi, God bless you all!"

Tomorrow we will be in Fayetteville at Fayetteville Community Church at 6pm. Come on down to beautiful NC and join us. And don't forget, Jesus loves YOU!!!! More from Morganton tomorrow.

Blessings to you all,
Gina B.

Check our website gallery for photos from New Bern, NC