Concert smashing success
More than 1,500 attend for benefit of Rector Helping Hands Foundation

Together on stage for the finale at the Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation concert Aug. 4 are, from left, Jamie Dailey, Lily Isaacs, Becky Isaacs Bowman, Guy Penrod, Sonya Isaacs, Kevin Williams, "Big Ben" Isaacs and Darrin Vincent.
(Democrat photo/Nancy Kemp)

[Click to enlarge]

"WOW, WHAT A SHOW!

Everyone who attended the Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation's second annual benefit concert Tuesday night, Aug. 4, seemed to have the same reaction to a night of music by internationally-known artists Dailey & Vincent, The Isaacs and Guy Penrod.

"I knew watching the sound checks before the concert that we were going to see some special moments," said event chairman Gregg Sain, a member of the Helping Hands Foundation board. "What I could not possibly have known was that the night would just progress from one special moment to the next for the whole 3 ½ hours. The talent on stage was truly world class."

With such an impressive lineup, the concert, held at the new RHS gymnasium, brought people to Rector from Michigan, California, Ohio, Florida, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Missouri and all over Northeast Arkansas.

The event raised more than $34,000 for the Helping Hands Foundation and its work in providing scholarships and assistance in many forms to disadvantaged students in Rector schools.

"This amazing number is the result of the artists donating their time, Gaither providing sound production, Glen Sain Motors, Liberty Bank and the ASU ticket office selling tickets at no cost to us, Harps donating food, Dr. Bryan and Nancy Blackshare providing dinner for the artists and the generous Rector High School donating the gym and staff to assist the event," said Sain.

"Normally you have to pay ushers, parking attendants, security personnel, ticket takers and anyone else working on the event. It is a savings of thousands of dollars that so many volunteers offered their services to this event.

"Without any donations, the expenses could have easily been around $23,500 for this event, so you can see the value of the donations. Everyone should know that their contribution made this net possible and that the dollars saved go directly to help a deserving child in the Rector School system."

All of the artists, as well as famed lighting expert Allen Branton, came to Rector at the request of Foundation co-founder Bill Carter, a Rector native now residing in Lebanon, Tenn.

Carter has years of experience in the entertainment industry, both as an attorney and producer, and currently is producer of the Gaither Homecoming videos. He also works on many other projects, including recent documentary films on Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley.

In interviews during the months preceding the show, the artists expressed their admiration for Carter, praising his compassion and concern for others. All, too, expressed their excitement at being a part of such a worthwhile project.

Returning as emcee for the evening was Kevin Williams, a long time member of the Gaither Music Group, who hails from the small town of Russell, Ky. Since his first visit to Rector last year, Williams has become an ambassador for the Helping Hands Foundation, singing its praises to many artists who hope to be a part of the Rector concert in the future. He also has sought Carter's help in establishing a Helping Hands Foundation in his hometown.

Williams opened the night introducing Sain, who spoke briefly of the Foundation's work and gave a special thanks to Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, which donated gift certificates for two free meals at any Cracker Barrel, given as part of a thank you to those who purchased $50 premium tickets.

Rector Mayor Ron Kemp welcomed all of those who traveled to Rector for the concert and joined Sain in drawing the winning ticket for an autographed Dolly Parton rocking chair, also donated by Cracker Barrel. The lucky winner was Barry Sanders of Rector.

Williams then introduced RHS athletic director Mark Manchester, a member of the Helping Hands Foundation board, who spoke with emotion about the difference the Foundation's help has made in the lives of hundreds of students. Manchester introduced Foundation scholarship winners Racheal Gipson, Sarah Hester, Bethany Sisneros, Joabou Mitchell and Daniel Hester, who, when questioned by Williams, spoke briefly about their studies and future plans.

Manchester then introduced the RHS Choir, directed by Judy Hargrave. The impressive chorus of young women appropriately sang "When You Believe." The song opens with the lyrics, "Many nights we've prayed with no proof anyone could hear, in our hearts a hopeful song," and goes on to say, "There can be miracles when you believe."

After a long round of applause for the choir, Williams stepped back to the microphone to get the amazing concert underway.

The huge crowd of more than 1,500 was immediately caught up in the explosive energy and talent of bluegrass group Dailey & Vincent, which opened the show with songs from their two albums, "Dailey & Vincent" and "Brothers from Different Mothers."

Members of the appreciative audience spontaneously sprang to their feet several times as lead singer Jamie Dailey, his partner, Darrin Vincent, and band members Joe Dean Jr., Jeff Parker and Adam Haynes presented a wide range of songs with beautifully harmonious vocals.

In introducing Dailey & Vincent, Williams joked that the duo sings "high and higher." Dailey's soulful and emotion-filled tenor vocals, combined with the perfectly blended voices of the others, brought down the house, with thunderous applause in response to the melodic "I Believe," the faith-inspiring "Oh Ye Must Be Born Again" and a fabulous rendition of a Statler Brothers song, "More Than a Name on a Wall."

The quick wit of Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent, as well as other members of the band, inspired lots of laughter. Teasing Vincent about his balding head, Dailey quipped, "Darrin used to use Head and Shoulders. Now he uses Mop and Glow."

Vincent quickly popped back, "It takes a real man to sing like a woman."

The group closed its hour-long performance with "On the Other Side," a stirring emotional song sure to bring a lump to the throat of all who hear it. It was hard for the crowd to let Dailey & Vincent leave the stage, and many rushed after the concert to buy one or both of their albums.

Taking the stage for the second hour, The Isaacs electrified the crowd with powerful vocal and instrumental music. It was quickly evident why the award-winning family has won accolades all over the world.

Beautiful sisters Sonya and Becky, brother, Ben, mother, Lily, and band members Jesse Stockman, Thomas Wyrot and Nathan Fauscett, combined bluegrass and Southern gospel in an amazingly diverse program, which included old standards such as "I'll Fly Away" and "I Surrender All," songs from their album "Big Sky," as well as a surprise rendition of the 1959 classic "The Three Bells (Little Jimmy Brown)," originally recorded by The Browns.

Lily, the Jewish daughter of Holocaust survivors from Poland, became a Christian after she married Joe Isaacs, the youngest of 17 children from a poor Kentucky family.

"It's amazing that a Jewish woman who grew up in the Bronx in New York became the matriarch of a Southern gospel bluegrass group from Tennessee," Sonya laughed.

Lily delivered a touching song about her love for her children, tenderly looking into the eyes of each one as she sang.

The Isaacs closed their hour with a powerful a cappella version of "It Is Well with My Soul," leaving the stage to a long standing ovation. A new album "The Isaacs Naturally," which, Sonya said, will be "mostly a cappella," will be released in the next few days.

Hailed as one of the world's greatest gospel singers, Guy Penrod, a former member of the Gaither Music Group and for years a part of the Gaither Vocal Band, launched his solo career with the Rector concert and quickly found himself at home among a throng of people who had long awaited his visit here.

Penrod quickly embraced the Rector crowd and, much to the delight of all, brought to the stage his beautiful wife, Angie, and their eight children, Tyler, Logan, Joseph, Jesse, Levi, Grayson, Zachariah and Lacey.

Penrod sang Gaither favorites such as "The Old Rugged Cross Made The Difference" and "The Baptism of Jesse Taylor" and debuted several songs from his new CD "Breathe Deep."

As he relaxed on stage, Penrod shed his jacket and pulled up a stool. He was joined by the Isaacs for several songs, and Williams returned to the stage to play along on his guitar.

All of the artists joined Penrod for the soaring finale, "The King Is Coming," and Penrod led a prayer to close the evening.

Stunning light work by Branton and expert sound by Blackhawk Audio of Nashville took the show to a level usually found only in much larger venues.

"I think people understood once the concert began, as they watched the mesmerizing light show, that we really had not burned the popcorn," laughed Sain. "The smoke machine enabled the lights to have a laser beam effect. The lights were programmed to move to the music. It was a great visual addition to the show."

Premium level ticket holders went to the RHS cafetorium prior to the concert for a "meet and greet" with the artists. Lots of photographs were taken, the artists gladly gave their autographs and Penrod even sang "Happy Birthday" to retired RHS teacher Jessie Malin, who was celebrating her 80th birthday that day.

A large number of volunteers worked for months making preparations for the show, and many others stepped up to take on jobs on the day of the event.

"It's hard to name names on something like this, but Foundation board member Joey Pruett deserves some very special recognition," Sain said. "He worked so hard and put out all the fires on sound and light equipment. Volunteer Pam Forrest had an army ready to handle the parking.

"Foundation board members Kay Huggins, Lisa Manchester and Teresa Sain were there before 7 a.m. both Monday and Tuesday. Mark Manchester, Stephen DeMent and football coaches Bob Alberson and Nate Henderson were there all day Monday and Tuesday and worked until 2:45 a.m. Wednesday loading sound and lighting equipment after the show -- in a very scary thunderstorm, I might add. Joey also stayed with us that long.

"We also owe a very special thanks to Gerald Gregory of G & G Electric in Paragould, who provided invaluable assistance in many many ways to be sure we had no electrical problems.

"There were many great things accomplished at this year's fundraiser," Sain added. "The money will be used to help students from kindergarten through 12th grade. Some of the money will be used to provide scholarships after graduation. This is all great and very much needed, but one thing that was accomplished that is more valuable than money is that a group effort like this pulls a community together. I could not possibly name everyone who helped on this show. I know that every time I looked up Tuesday night I would see someone new in a Helping Hands tee-shirt helping.

"It is a rare moment when the school and the community come together in a group effort. There is no greater example we can show our kids than to volunteer for a project where the money is used for them. The students who were there to see all the adults working on this project will have that ingrained in their memory. Thank each and everyone of you very much."

Sain expressed special appreciation to Danny Ford and Glen Sain Motors, Liberty Bank and Harps for their valuable assistance.

The Rector High School Helping Hands Foundation was established in 2006 by Carter and his former classmate George Barker (Major General, U.S. Army retired) of New York. Other members of the Foundation board are: Sherland Hamilton of Rector, president; Leland Blackshare of Rector, vice president; Nancy Kemp of Rector, vice president/public relations; Cathy Manning of Rector, secretary/treasurer; Oral Edwards of Forrest City; Jerry Glaub Frets of Radford, Va.; Tim Ingram of Jonesboro; Jim Marlar of North Little Rock; Gloria Rust Reed of Winfield, Ill.; Jim Taylor of Brentwood, Tenn., and Dr. Bryan Blackshare, Danny Holifield, Kay Huggins, Lisa Manchester, Mark Manchester, Joey Pruett, Gregg Sain, Teresa Sain and Julia Wyss, all of Rector.

The Foundation works with teachers, counselors and administrators in the Rector school district to identify students whose families are unable to meet their financial needs. In addition to the scholarships, assistance through the program has included the purchase of clothing, athletic equipment, band instruments, money for meals, dental care, health care, funds for field trips and much more.

The Helping Hands Foundation is chartered in the state of Arkansas and has 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit status from the federal government. Donations to the Foundation are tax deductible and may be made to honor a person on a special occasion or as a memorial in lieu of flowers.

Those who want more information about the RHS Helping Hands Foundation may contact the Foundation office at (870) 595-3501 or go to www.rhshelpinghands.org.