DALLAS HOMECOMING
DALLAS, TX
FEBRUARY 13-14, 2004
Tour 2004 originally wasn't supposed to start until May. But, I had a offer I couldn't refuse. Free tickets to the Dallas Homecoming concerts.
Though, a couple of weeks before this offer arose, I hoped to go to Nashville to see the 2nd best male singer in my world, Michael McDonald, in an intimate setting at the Bluebird Cafe. But alas, despite speed dialing for 45 minutes straight, when I finally got through, reservations were sold out already. I told God I hoped he had a good reason for this one not working out. Maybe this Dallas opportunity was it. Since the money I didn't use for Nashville was available, why not, eh?
At least, I thought, there would be warmer weather there. Wrong. I arrived in Dallas one day ahead of the first concert. And what did I find? Minnesota weather. Cold. Snow, even, on Saturday. At least I was dressed for it. However, it did not stop me, 60's pop culture queen, from heading straight to the scene of the JFK assassination and the Sixth Floor Museum (the old Texas School Book Depository). It was incredibly surreal to be right in the thick of Dealey Plaza and the grassy knoll, the site of the shooting, and to stand next to the enclosed area of the 6th floor window where the sniper perch was. Even the original boxes of books dated 1963 are still there (or at least I thought so--until I watched a DVD I bought there and discovered it's actually a darned good re-creation.)
I also took some time to scope out the logistics for getting to the shows. Despite all my prep work, I realized once I got there that getting around would be much easier than I thought. Didn't need light rail, didn't need buses or cabs. My two feet would take care of most of it. Everything was in walking distance--even the AA arena. If I could see it, I would walk it. Which is what I did Friday morning when it was time for us to meet at the Corner Bakery. Who knows how many Gaithernetters would be meeting for brunch. I got there early and waited for someone to recognize me. Ironically enough, the first one I encountered was the man himself--Mr. Bill Gaither. He was there having breakfast with friends. He walked by me, I said good morning to him, and he stopped and shook my hand. Finally, other familiar faces and names arrived--Troy and Belinda, Jen, Tommy and Charlotte, Dr. Michael and Karen, Holley and family, Lucy, Norma, Penny, Chere, Sara, Beth, Toni, Kate, Kerry and Han, and other assorted friends and anyone else I forgot to name! We had a great time hooking up with each other and then it was off to the first show. Norma and I had good walking shoes, so we walked there. I think we beat the folks who took the bus!
Once at the shows, we hooked up with other Gaithernetters at the usual meeting place--Anthony's table, and elsewhere at the arena. Yes, Linda Hayes DID make it to the shows! It wouldn't have been as special without her next to me! We also met Bobber & Lynda, Kitty, Kimberly, Beejay and our great gospel resource, Glenda!
As for the shows, I'd call the Dallas Homecoming "Praise Gathering without the keynote speakers". If you've ever been to the PG shows, the excitement and spirit was much the same. Since other folks covered the actual show lineups in detail, I will just note my selected personal highlights:
- For those missing Mark with the GVB, as the song goes, "for one brief, shining moment, there was Camelot". The four guys brought back the "Jesus on the Mainline" routine for some great nostalgia and laughs. They also did "Star Spangled Banner" together.
- Speaking of missing, Russ, you were missed!
- A "dream trio": Kim Hopper and Sonya Isaacs backing Mark on "I Call Him Lord."
- Mark did "Mary Did You Know" twice over the two days, and each time I was left speechless. So saying this once again for the 3,657th time, he is the best male singer I've ever heard.
- For me, the biggest spiritual impact came on the Saturday afternoon show, when Ken Davis set the tone by saying that our hope was not in particular people or jobs, but through music, or in his case, grandchildren, we get a glimpse of what it's like.
The concerts were once again a showcase for Taylor Mason, his puppet friends, his musical abilities and comic timing. His table was next to Anthony's, so I spent a lot of time observing in between the onstage action. Watching Taylor interact with a growing following of fans, I saw a true example of his self-generosity...he took time to set up memorable photo opps for people with his puppets, broke into mini-routines with children at his table, and treated everyone who came up to him with kindness and sincerity. That's what I call a Christ-like spirit.
There's one other example...the above photo. I was hoping to get a photo opportunity with Taylor and Mark originally. Taylor promised me he would do his best to make it happen. He did that, and more. He went out into the audience before the concert looking for me, and brought me backstage for the photo. As we were taking the pic, along came Anthony Burger, saying "Wendy V...if you married me, you'd be Wendy Burger." We pulled him into the picture and that was the icing on the cake. Many people know I don't celebrate Valentine's Day...but that day, I did.
I was also very happy to get to say to Sonya Isaccs "congratulations...you have a hit record in Minneapolis/St.Paul." Her country single, "No Regrets Yet" is getting heavy airplay in this area on the local country station, and she was delighted to hear it.
I've been to a lot of these shows...and I thought about making this year the "farewell tour". But the Dallas concerts just beat all and convinced me to forget about "retirement" for now. Music aside, I was deeply touched by some acts of friendship showed to me over the course of this weekend. You know who you are--and I resort to an old but true cliche in this case...it all meant more to me than you will ever know.
Yep, God had a good reason for me missing Nashville--he decided to send me here instead. I think I'll keep Him as my "travel agent".
--Wendy V