The Singing News does not run NQC.

Fan Awards = the opinions of Singing News subscribers only...not the general opinion of all people attending NQC.

We realize that the NQC and the Singing News are not one in the same, but do you not think that by having the SN Fans Award during the NQC (and especially during a major segment of performance time) that it lends itself to the public view that they are indeed connected in some fashion?

You have been around enough to know that the aveerage fan views them as one and the same.

I wasn't talking about public perception, though.

What you're saying is true...fans view NQC and the Singing News Fan Awards as being the same. Danny Jones had an article recently about people who complain to Singing News about things that go on at NQC who don't realize the two are separate.

That's totally understandable from the fan's perspective, since they see Singing News holding the Fan Awards on the main stage at NQC as part of an evening event, but an artist who has dealt with the NQC board should realize that there's a difference. That's why I pointed it out...maybe Staton didn't realize this when he wrote what he did. On the other hand, if he does realize the difference, then he's deliberately playing to the ignorance of fans to ask them to write NQC and complain, IMO.

Of course he is deliberately playing to the ignorance of the fans. Understandably so. Countless fans will go up to them during NQC and later and ask why they aren't singing when they just won an award. Why not use the fans to accomplish what he is after?

It's the NQC and The Singing News' fault that the fans perceive it this way. They both could easily remedy the situation by seperating the two events. Or at the very least by placing the fan awards at a different time and not smack in the middle of the week during performance time.

My question, though, might be more simplistic. Will they accomplish what they want with this tirade or will they instead alienate themselves further from the very stage they are trying to get on?

Another good question is this. If they won horizon group of the year, do they NEED the NQC stage to validate their music? Didn't they must make Horizon group without the NQC? Why not just keep doing what they are doing and not worry about the NQC. After all, as Danny Jones and others have said, the NQC is just one more concert.

Agreed...Staton is burning his bridges with this attitude. He could have accomplished more by painting himself as the "bigger man" when people asked why they weren't going to be on the main stage at NQC.

Of course, he may be taking a page from Sheri Easter, who took her case to the fans last year when NQC wouldn't give them a raise and was thereby able to renegotiate a deal for Jeff & Sheri to come back to NQC...but that's an established group vs. a relatively new up and coming group...not sure the same approach was a wise move...plus Sheri was less whiny in her letter to the fans, as I recall. She was simply letting them know why they wouldn't be at NQC rather than complaining about it.

Where has this ministry gone. This is all it is about now just making it to NQC. For some reason the SGM Industry is so out of focus that it make me sick at my stomach. I cant belive that the industry cares more about being on that stage and owning the newest bus, and getting number one in the singing news magazine, than the lives of the lost. We are delaing with life or death here people. Lost people are dying and going to hell every day and all the inustry can think about is singing on main stage. Where has this ministry gone. I miss the gospel of Jesus through song.

What a sad time

How is it that Mark Trammel Trio won and the following year they were on the stage - and how about The Monument Quartet winning and on the stage - and Gary Jones' group winning and on stage every year since - as well as Signature Sound winning and on stage - why is it different from the Mike LeFevre Quartet?

Well, folks, we ALL want to be on that stage, don't we? It is natural to feel that you have "arrived" because you won the award, but...

The bottom line is the bottom line. The NQC board OWNS the NQC. It is a business. They do need input and all from the fans, but it is THEIR decision. Good or bad, they will make the choices of who sings and how long the sets are and how often they will sing that week. Period.

There are TONS of groups I'd like to hear several times that week! Some get on once; some twice; most have never been on that stage, but.... no one asked me who I want to sing. I am just one ticket.

If folks feel strongly enough about it, get a petition together and get 500 signatures of NQC ticket holders and say who you want to see on the stage in September. How hard is that? That would get the attention of the Board. 500 tix at $24 a ticket = well, a bunch of money! lol....

If I don't get to hear a certain group at the Convention, I am a bit disappointed, but really guys.... it is still a great night of singing (or nights if you stay longer). The groups that will be on the stage are great singers. Even if they may not sing your favorite style.

Go or don't go. Just quit trying to make everything "fair" for the groups that don't get to sing on the stage. If they aren't there, go hear them where they WILL be singing, and smile and enjoy them in that setting, wherever it is....

Life isn't fair. Deal with it.

Well, I do agree with the fact that The Lefever Quartet should appear on the main stage. I mean, if for no other reason, the legacy is represents. I mean we have artist like The Nelons that are no longer a touring artist, but yet have a spot on the main stage. A few years ago the board made the inconsiderate decision to remove industry legends such as Naomi Sego, and The Singing Cookes among others from the main stage, so they are not great at making decisions based on the fans. I think there are a host of groups who do not need a spot on main stage, while we have other very deserving groups who do deserve a spot, but no we have to hear the Hoppers and the Florida Boys 3 nights because of all reasons the owners of these groups also own this industry, as well as the NQC. Instead of only doing a reasonable amount of time, they have to take the maximum amount of time on stage as well as the max amount of nights, instead of giving a little time to someone else a bit of glory. To answer Davids question, I think it's ridiculous that The Lefever Quartet is not on, and will let the board know it. It is time deserving artist get noticed instead of this industry being dominated by a few board members. After all, NQC pretty well defines this industry dont you think?

I really can't believe that I am commenting on Mr. Staton's expressed desire to perform at next years NQC. I do understand the desire, however, God smiled and with the voting fans your group received "Horizon Group" of the year. What an honor& blessing. Not intending to sound "super spiritual" but why stir the fans in some sort of a political motion. As "fairy tale" as it may seem Mr. Staton God still leads and opens doors..not that you shouldn't strive to be the best, but accepting, and acknowledging the successes of your group and giving all honor to God and trusting Him for doors wherein lie golden opportunities for MINISTRY is indeed what it is STILL about. I know there are logistics, as with any business, but I fear many Gospel music performers unintentionally lose sight of the vision upon which all of this was originally founded. Not accusing you of anything... I just wonder how much of a change we will see in & with your group having received this award...is this the beginning of reaching for the "stars"? True enough the name Lefevre which your group carries, merits great respect from an all-age listening audience(don't fool yourself about that) What exactly do you feel you will accomplish if you are asked to perform next year center stage? Sincerely Mr Staton, We as gospel music fans want to hear your group sing under the anointing of the Spirit of God, and acheive much in efforts to build the Kingdom, but that will not happen with anything less than the absolute aspiration of winning souls to the Kingdom. Aspiring to be recognized by ANYONE other than the Master or in it for the love of money making will breed a fall. Don't allow this to detour a sanctified goal or attempt to use a respected legendary name as a spring board for success. Remember...The Lord Giveth and the Lord taketh away.

You might be surprised to learn that the Singing News fan awards will be on Sat. afternoon next year to separate it further from the NQC. I have heard that directly from a board member.

When I had my radio station it took about a hundred votes to win DJ of the year. I was talking to a HIGH official this week, and the Horizon award was probably won by less than 300 votes. So, its a big deal to the artist to have 300 folks like them. But, to NQC they are trying to draw 30,000 people. So to them it didnt mean a whole lot.

This may come as a surprise to some of you, but the NQC has NEVER been about ministry. I consider it a very seperate thing. Has their been times that the spirit has moved at NQC? A few, but thats not what the week is about. I was a part of the convention for 5 or 6 years before I decided to go off the road. Now that I've returned I really don't care if I go.

If they called up, would I be there? Absolutely! As far as promotion, and exposure for an SG group theres no better place to be, unless your last name is Gaither. You have to realize that as well as being a ministry, groups are also a buisiness. When your in any industry, you strive to get to the top. I can understand any group being disapointed in not being invited to NQC.

Ministry is very important, but make sure you recognize the dual nature of these groups. It's a requirement to be buisness minded as well as spiritually minded. Otherwise you would see alot of groups sitting at home. Just my two cents.

Brandon Shreve
The Masters

The OFFICIAL word from Clarke Beasley and the NQC is that the Singing News Awards will be presented on THURSDAY evening of NQC, just as has been done in the past

Well I can't say that this has come to be a surprise. There have been artists that have had #1 songs and never graced the "NQC" stage. It really is all about the money and who can draw the most fans in. It's I'll scratch your back if you'll scratch mine it's sad but it's true. I feel bad for Mike and the guys but really what have you lost. Does it make you more of a pro. to sing at the NQC? I don't think so, not even close. There are alot of singers that never get to sing on "THE MAIN STAGE" that can flat out sing and packing churches and other venues out.So please don't measure your sucess on one event. It's just not worth losing your godly integerity over. Just what I see from a little man's point of view. Tim Bates

What has happened with Mike LeFevre Quartet. Since the NQC would not have them I have heard other rumors. Are these rumors true!!!