The Gaither Vocal Band Thursday night, along with several guests, brought a nearly three-hour display of good-natured comedy, powerful singing and a spirit of peace and understanding to Hempstead Hall. The show was brought to Hope by the Jack Daniels family, which runs Miracle Farms near Bodcaw.  

Bill Gaither, leading the show gallantly while about to turn 88 March 28th, was already on stage before the concert’s scheduled time, cutting up with the early attendees. His self-deprecating repartee with audiences and with virtuoso guitarist Kevin Williams often set the crowd chuckling and belied the superstar status of a man who, with his wife Gloria, and several gifted collaborating musicians, has produced a backlog of songs, albums and performance DVDs to rival any other in the history of popular music. 

So much was striking about Thursday night’s concert: the talent of the several singers and performers featured, the full commitment each brought to their performances, the quality of melody, harmony and chordal variety in the songs, the way the Vocal Band and the performances called on the audience to clap and sing.  (There were even screens showing the lyrics for those like me who needed them).  Gaither unquestionably enjoys himself and the performers like making him happy. 

The guest singers at Thursday night show were Ladye Love Smith, possessed of a sweet carnation of a voice; Gene McDonald, applying his rich bass early to “The Arms of God;” and later in the program, Jake Cowley, the young dynamo of a tenor from Benton, Louisiana lent his golden tone to several songs, starting with “Hide Thou Me” and fairly brought the walls of Hempstead Hall down. 

But Gaither and his Vocal Band of four distinctive singers each capable of awe-striking solos and together spreading a lovely lacquer of harmonies over every tune certainly made it a memorable and often touching evening.  The hymns and songs partook of influences from gutbucket southern gospel to doo-wop to folk pop to classical.

Thanks to the Daniels Family, Platinum Sponsors Farm Credit, Farmers Bank & Trust, Gold Sponsors Pafford and Montgomery Law Firm, and Silver Sponsors Bank OZK, United Ag & Turf and the First National Bank of Tom Bean for helping bring this show to Hope.