Rod Burton Music

Hey y’all!

We are back from a fantastic week in Branson at the Branson Gospel Music Convention! This is
the ‘official’ update, so get comfy, grab a cold drink, and HANG ON!

But first…a message from our sponsors. Did want to get in that we’ve added several new dates to the schedule…and I’m looking for several more. Please check with your local churches and send them to my web site. I’d love to come and share the message of hope, grace and restoration. Also…be sure to contact your local radio station and XM/Sirrus Enlighten to request Take A Stand. It’s a song with a message that we need today!

Last week was without a doubt one of the best weeks of my life. Having had many great weeks, that’s not something I say too quickly. The vision of the Branson Gospel Music Convention was simple. We wanted to celebrate the message and the music, and see lives changed both in the seats and on the stage. Last week we saw all those goals accomplished by a higher power than any of us could even imagine.

As most of you know, the convention faced several trials through the months. The biggest was that our partner took off with some of the funds for the event, as well as money that other artists had paid for recording projects. While that was a tough thing to deal with, God made a way and the convention moved on. When we arrived there on Sunday evening, we immediately heard from folks who were having a hard time either finding the place or even getting into Branson. Car troubles, direction issues, deer meat on the road…you name it, our artists and partners were having the problems.

Monday morning we met at the Branson Convention Center with a group of about 40 for prayer. Then the work began. Booths, carpeting, stages, sound, lights…all had to be set and ready by 11am Tuesday. The people doing the work were amazing, and even more amazing was the attitude that everyone worked with. People were excited about what was going to happen that week. There was an anticipation in the air that this was something we’d be talking about for years. There were no egos, no bickering, it was a great experience. Each problem we faced, we found a solution for. Each challenge that was raised, there was an answer provided. Things were coming together and we ending our day about 11pm that night. The stage and sound crew was still working, and didn’t expect to get done till about 2am. They started about noon that day. –Commercial break–The Sonshine Group led by Travis and Shane Roark are some of the best folks I’ve ever worked with. They care…and they’re willing to go the distance, no matter. I’d highly recommend them for any event.

Tuesday was an early call with lots to do before the 1st song was to kick off at 11am. We started the day with an artist only chapel at 9am. I stepped on the stage (that didn’t get done till after 2am) for the first time Tuesday morning and was amazed. There are things in your life that you picture in your head and hope to see them come to be. Usually they don’t quite measure up to that vision…but may be close. As I stood on the stage and looked out over all the seats in that building, I saw exactly what I had pictured in my head. It was perfect…could not have been any more so. Even though the stage I was standing on didn’t exist the week before (Travis found and bought it, driving from Knoxville to PA and then to Branson just for this event), it was set up and laid out exactly as I wanted. The dimensions were right on, the 16ft cat walk was right on, it was perfect. Young Harmony opened with worship and my buddy Bobby Carter delivered a message and challenge to the artists. It was just what we needed to kick start this event.
The booth spaces were filling up nicely and most groups had arrived as planned. The first song was kicked off after prayer at 11am, and the Branson Gospel Music Convention was underway!

Tuesday night had an opening number that I had thought of many months before. I wanted to do something really special and make this a night to remember. We got most of the artists to participate, and at 6pm a live band made of my good friend Gregg Gray from Mansion Entertainment and 3 members of the Country Tonight Band took the stage. They started playing “Won’t That Be A Hallelujah Meeting” as we stood behind the stage. The crowd was estimated to
be about 600…which was only 1/3 of what it could be. While I would love to have seen it packed…I was pleased that the 1st night was as well received. After letting the band ‘vamp’ the intro for a bit, I took the stage singing the chorus to the song. The crowd was clapping and my special back ground singers were down off the stage backing me up. After that chorus I did the 1st verse, which starts with “Oh what a celebration, forgetting where we’ve been”. That was an
incredible time. We’d been in a valley…through issues and pain. But now we were standing on the mountain, lifting praise to an almighty God who had seen fit to use us in this manner. When I finished the verse…the band played and I welcomed the folks to Branson. I thanked them for being a part of history, and for being at the 1st ANNUAL Branson Gospel Music Convention. We’d already decided…this was going to be an annual event. I then had the privilege to introduce my friend…and someone I admire very much, Mr. Eric Hinson to sing the 2nd verse. Eric hit the stage running, and never looked back. His energy is as high as it was when he was on the stage with Kenny and Ronnie, and he was determined to minister to those people that night. We sang the chorus together, then I welcomed all the Branson GMC artists to join us in the song.

Folks came from behind the stage up to join us, and from the hallways into the main auditorium to gather round the stage. It was an awesome site to behold, and the spirit of God was there. We had some of the best know names in Gospel music on that stage Tuesday night. The Blackwoods (commercial break here…Ron Blackwood is one ofthe best men I’ve ever known. God has made him a picture of grace, and he blessed me last week in a great way), The Chuck Wagon Gang and many, many more. All the artists were great and ministered to the crowd till the midnight cry (almost), but nothing compared for me to that opening. It was a celebration that I believe stirred Heaven, and started our week on a very positive note.

Wednesday was the first ever His Choice Talent Search. This was a great event that had folks talking all week. Several artists performed for a chance at recording time with His Choice Music and a spot on the Friday night stage. At 11am we kicked off day 2, and never looked back. Each of the matinee sessions had very good crowds, but the greatest thing was that there were people there who wouldn’t come to the ticketed evening event. They came during the day and were greeted with ministry, and many ended up coming back that evening. Wednesday night was incredible, the ministry was turned up a notch and the crowds were bigger. God was moving in that place, people were seeing their lives changed and we were just half way through the week!

Our new buddy Dino had our board come and have dinner at his cafe after the concert that night. He and Cheryl are wonderful people with a love of Branson and a love for ministry. They also have some of the best food anywhere! The welcomed us themselves that night about 12:30 and visited for quite a while. We appreciate them and their staff for being so kind and generous to us and the event.

Thursday Kelly and I had the chance to leave the convention center for a bit. Our friend Elaine from 2nd Generation took us over to the Jim Bakker show for me to sing. It was great fun…and I appreciate the folks at Morning Side
for all their support. I also go to see just how fresh I look in makeup! Even with big 4 day bags under the eyes, they made me look like I was wide awake! We had a wonderful support network back at the center keeping things going. There were many folks, but Ginger Bond, Brenda Denney, Bobby Carter, Jonathon Edwards and our daughter Paige were essential in running the show. Everything moved right along and we arrived back about 3pm. There were
several special events planned for that night, and lots of preparations to get them ready. We appreciate everyone who played a part in this event. While I can’t name them all, I have to add to the names above and mention Rose and Jerry Capriotti (Kelly’s mom and dad) for helping with the little girls, my Aunt Reba and Treva, my Mom and her husband Larry…all these folks were incredible helps to us.

Thursday night brought the Diamond Awards to Branson. Rob Patz (also a huge help) with SGM Radio put together
a great event and the evening was off and running. Another special event that night was one dear to me. The “Hinson Revival” was on the schedule…but we were keeping it a secret as to what that meant. When the time came for Hinson Revival to take the stage, it was Eric, Sharona Carter from the Jay Stone Singers and me. We had put together a set of classic Hinson songs and hit the stage with “He Can”. The folks in the audience went wild, and we had a blast with that song, “I Could Still Go Free” and “Hallelujah Meeting”. It was such an honor for me having grown up a Hinson fan, to now be able to share those songs with the people at that event. The last song was “The Lighthouse”. As Eric sang the 1st and 2nd verse to that song, I stood and looked at the crowd that was there. We’d grown since Tuesday night. Estimates were 900+, but what had really grown that week was the ministry. People were being fed…people were being changed. It was great to see…and it was wonderful to stand there on the stage looking out at the crowd, and know that God had allowed Kelly and me to be a part of this. The chorus to that song is one that touches me every time…and this
night was no different. The crowd joined in and praises rang from one end of that building to another. God was being honored there that night…and He poured His spirit out on the audience and the artists in the crowd. It was yet another amazing night of praise.

Friday was the final day of the event. Just like every other day we kicked off at 11am and folks were ministered too the entire day. I’m so thankful for every artist that took part in this event. I’m thankful for their hearts…and their willingness to be used. We had regional groups that most had never heard of on the same stage right after the legendary Stamps Quartet. All shared the same message. All shared the same vision. Friday night was a jam packed night of worship. Kenny Hinsons son Wes was there with his group, Ron and The Blackwoods continued to just raise the roof and many regional groups delivered powerful messages of hope and grace to a crowd estimated at 1200. There was a great time of ministry all day and evening, and then end of the night and the event was fast approaching. Another idea I had several months ago was to have a closing number involving as many artists as possible. We had arranged for everyone that could to be available at the end of the night, and my friend David East of The Sounds, along with Bobby and Stone Carter took the stage and started playing a song. Kelly and I went to the stage and thanked folks for joining and standing with us through this week. It had been a long journey, filled with pain and obstacles, but we pushed through. We’d seen peoples lives changed over those 4 days. There was at least one of the hotel workers who had
listened to the music and talked to one of the artists about it. That man gave his life to Jesus that night. His life was changed forever. There were many folks in the day and evening audiences who came and told us the impact the week had on them, lives changed…and there were artists who shared the same story. Artists who had found themselves weary and weak in their ministries had their lives changed. These were regional as well as national artists who were refreshed and revived through the ministry of this event. These are people who will now go out and share a fresh message of hope and grace with countless individuals, sharing the good news and saving grace of Jesus Christ. Lives…will be changed. As David and the guys played, I started singing the verse to a song that has ministered to me for years. My mentor and the man who gave me the love for ministry wrote a song called “I’ll See You In The Rapture”.Charles Feltner wrote a song 40 years ago that was touching hearts in Branson, MO that night. The verse says “If we never meet again, on this earth my precious friend. If to God we have been true, and we’ve lived above our sin. Then for us…there’ll be a meeting, oh there’s going to be a greeting. And I’ll see you in the rapture, some day”. That was the promise we left with those people that night. It was late…the crowd had dwindled some, but the stage and front floor area was filled with artists who were making that promise to each other, and to the crowd. If we don’t see you here again, we’ll see you in the rapture!

Hearts were changed that week, mine was. I have a more clear picture of ministry and my life than ever before. I’m so blessed to have a partner and wife that sees that same vision. We’re already making plans for Branson 2010, and know that God has some incredible things in store for us as we head that direction. Please pray for us, for guidance and wisdom. Pray for those who have stood with us in our board of advisers. Pray for those who will take a more active role as we move ahead. And pray for our ex partner who took from us in an effort to stop this event. Satan used him as a tool meant for harm, but God took that and changed lives last week that will change lives for years to come.

Take A Stand!

Rod

Recently:

• Interesting read on digital vs. physical CD sales
• From hopeless…to hope
• I saw God today….
• Colombia with Compassion
• So…what’s new with you?!
• Rod Burton Signs Booking Agreement With EHA Nashville
• 2010 Homecoming Concert with Jay Stone Singers Coming in August
• Rod Burton Exits Hinson Revival
• Rod Burton Releases New Recording – The Difference
• Both Hinson Revival and Rod Burton added to Gospel Music Nashville 2010!