I also want to thank The McNeill family for returning to Rockport for another year at our festival. They were from Bailey, Texas but have just recently made a move to Emory, Texas but I will let them tell you their story as they sing during the weekend. The McNeills are very dear to Patty and I and we appreciate them for allowing us since our retirement to “follow” them around the United States as we have heard them sing at the National Quartet Convention in Pigeon Forge, Tn. as well as at Dollywood and the Singing in the Sun in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and several other venues and churches.

We have one completely new group this year known as The Kinsmen except that many of you will recognize the bass singer (Gerald Williams) who was last here singing bass with his group The Melody Boys Quartet.  Gerald tried the retirement bit but it appears it was just not for him so thus, The Kinsmen.  Please make them feel welcome. 

With us this year as well are Megan and Logan Pettis. Miles Pike, and the DeLawder family from Branson, Missouri, and you will certainly be able to see a sighting of Barney Fife as well with his humor as well as the incredible talent of this whole family!!

Of course, we want to welcome our master of ceremony back – Brian Arnold of Branson, Missouri. We are also excited to welcome the First Baptist Church of Rockport choir under the direction of Marcie Peterson, the Song of Glory and Rockport’s Gospel Force will also be here and we all pray that you have a worship experience that you’ll not soon forget!

Now for one major exciting surprise for everyone.  For those of you that have followed our festival for many years we are so honored to have Patti and Patrick McLead here with us to present our opening song on Friday night.  We love them both so much, and are so glad that they have come back home to Rockport. [ I have been having to keep this quiet for far too long and am so excited that I can now put it out here and let everyone know of their being with us.].