Tuesday, July 03, 2007

Half Time Match Report

We're now on our two day break in the middle of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival. So far we've done 10 one hour concerts, and it's been great fun. We've met lots of fantastic people who are interested in the culture, history and gospel connections across the Atlantic. Lots of christian folk who are delighted that we're presenting a gospel message. Too many to list here. We even had a track played on the famous Washington DC radio show "Stained Glass Bluegrass" (it was "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing"), on WAMU 88.5FM. You can listen to it online every Sunday (UK time 11am - 3pm).

The Kennedy Centre went really well, full house with hundreds of folk standing at the back of the long room. An amazing venue and a real privilege to be there. On the wall outside the entrance there's a JFK quote inscribed in huge letters into the stone panelling which reads "...this country cannot afford to be materially rich and spiritually poor...". In the midst of all that grandeur, I hope we helped to redress the balance, even if only for an hour.

So tomorrow's the 4th of July - America's National Holiday - and DC will have millions of people descending for the celebrations. I wonder if it'll be as good as the 12th July at hame?!

11 concerts to go... and we'll be live on BBC Norn Irn themorra nicht on John Toal show at 11pm Norn Irn time, which you can listen to here at about 1hr 15minutes in. John was at our show on Sunday afternoon and he told Graeme that as he stood at the back of the tent, he thought it was like being in a mission hall! Soons like we're mebbe no daein sae bad.

(Hooaniver - ....A am far frae ma hame an A'm weary aftenwhiles....)

6 comments:

eloquentwoman said...

As a new fan and American listener at both the folklife festival and the Kennedy Center gig, let me tell you that the Boys are making their mark here...people (myself included) are showing up at more than one appearance,and the Smithsonian folks tell us that the Low Country Boys are attracting record crowds. We're all charmed by the music and the lads...

Unknown said...

We saw you today (July 6th) and loved hearing the gospel in song. We appreciate your music since your accent is more pleasing than typical American "nasal" bluegrass singers. Seriously, keep praising the Lord.

Anonymous said...
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Mark said...

Denise / Steve,
Thanks for coming to see us, and for your encouragement too. Seems like there are lots of believers in the Smithsonian audiences who have been really thrilled - and surprised - to hear people in the Northern Ireland delegation singing the old evangelical gospel!

Northern Ireland has sometimes been described as Europe's Bible Belt (as far as I know we have the highest proportion of church attendance, of evangelical churches, and of missionaries in all of Europe) so maybe that helps explain the connections.

For God so loved the world!

Anonymous said...

I heard you on WAMU Stained Glass Bluegrass last Sunday - "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing" - and I immediately made plans to see you at the Folklife Festival. It was wonderful to see you in person and your Vol 1 CD has not left my CD player all week. Thanks so much for crossing the Atlantic!

Unknown said...

My family and I heard you gentlemen perform at the Kennedy Center, and we were very blessed by the message and the music you brought with you. As a follower of Jesus Christ, I can see that you are not simply performing music, you are praising the Lord and bringing a much-needed message to this land. Christ's love and joy was evident in your faces as you sang His praise.

God bless you and your families as you continue to give your time and energy to serving the Lord with your talents.