Talented artists wow Rector crowd

Artists taking part in Thursday night's Rector concert benefiting the Helping Hands Foundation did more than just perform. They poured out love and energy for a cause they deeply admire and, in return, won the affection of a huge crowd which eagerly rewarded their efforts with applause, cheers, tears and laughter.

The show was the third for the foundation, which assists Rector disadvantaged students, and while the first two were truly amazing, many are calling the 2010 concert the best yet.

In four hours of non-stop music, Gaither artists Mark Lowry, Jason Crabb, Charlotte Ritchie and Gene McDonald were joined by America's top bluegrass group, Dailey & Vincent -- and the energy just seemed to accelerate as the night went along.

With Gaither singer/guitarist Kevin Williams serving as emcee for the third straight year, the evening began with a brief video about the Foundation, featuring country star Trace Adkins.

The Rector High School choir, which opened last year's concert to much acclaim, followed with "Da Do Ron Ron" and "Be My Baby." The 14-member all-girl choir is directed by RHS music teacher Judy Hargrave.

Williams, deemed an honorary Rectorite because of his easy friendliness and his enthusiastic support for the Helping Hands Foundation, received a warm welcome back. He was joined by Dailey & Vincent fiddler Jesse Stockman as he played a few songs from his new album "Acoustic Sunday."

Beautiful Ritchie, with a brilliant smile and a warm, rich voice, captured the audience with songs from her albums, including the touching "My Father's Angels" and the high-energy "I've Got Joy."

McDonald, who hails from Bragg City, Mo., and sang in the Rector area while growing up, thrilled with his deep bass voice on songs which included the stirring "Ten Thousand Angels."

With a powerful bluesy voice which electrified the crowd and had people on their feet, Grammy winner Crabb poured out his soul with songs from his new album, including "Walk on Water," "Daystar" and the moving "Through the Fire." A down-to-earth Kentuckian, Crabb also shared humorous stories of his early years singing with his family and asked the crowd to join in singing several old-time hymns.

All enjoyed a time of riotous fun with the hilarious Lowry, who is Bill Gaither's comedic sidekick, as well as a tremendously talented singer and songwriter. Many were wiping tears of laughter as they listened to Lowry's take on church and Bible stories, as well as personal experiences, and were amazed when Lowry's crazy faces dissolved, the mood changed and he sang favorites, including his own composition, the beautiful "Mary Did You Know," as well as others from his albums.

Back in Rector after winning the International Bluegrass Music Association's Entertainer of the Year award for the second consecutive year, Dailey & Vincent again brought fun and amazing music, opening with songs from their album Dailey & Vincent Sing the Statler Brothers.

The group added bass singer Christian Davis before recording the Statler Brothers album and proudly introduced him to the Rector crowd, which thrilled to the handsome young Davis' unbelievably low voice, as well as the antics and tremendous talents of the entire group.

Dailey & Vincent invited Lowry back to the stage, teasing that he couldn't "sing straight" without his signature vibrato, but Lowry proved he was up to the challenge, joining in the beautiful "Beulah Land."

Even though the program was long, the crowd didn't want to let the artists leave, and all returned to the stage together to sing the final song "I'll Fly Away."

"I thought this year's concert had a chance to be something special," said event chairman Gregg Sain. "I think when I told people it could be the best show ever, I raised a few eyebrows. I knew Dailey & Vincent would be great, and they were. What a talent!

"I thought Jason Crabb would be good from watching his videos on YouTube. They did not do him justice. He is a strong talent that has a passion for music. He had the crowd on their feet for many of his songs.

"Gene McDonald and Charlotte Ritchie brought several fans to the show and did not disappoint.

"Mark Lowry is an enormous talent. I have never seen a live entertainer that is more alive. He is the funniest person I have ever seen. He had the crowd not just laughing, but roaring for minutes at a time. He then would switch gears and wow the crowd with a great singing performance. What a talent!

"I talked several of the people I do business with into coming to the concert," he continued. "Most live within an hour drive. I have been contacted by most of them since the concert. All of them could not believe the quality of the concert, as well as the quality of the gymnasium in Rector. They bragged on the stage and lights and sound system. But the compliments I heard the most were about how friendly all of the volunteers were. And there was an army of volunteers.

"Without the volunteers this show wouldn't be possible. Thank you all for the help. Every time I looked up a new face was in a lime green Helping Hands tee shirt with a smile of their face. That is what makes this concert special -- volunteers with smiles on their faces. Thank you all."

Foundation co-founder Bill Carter of Lebanon, Tenn., producer of the Gaither Homecoming videos and a longtime force in Nashville, is responsible for bringing so many tremendously talented artists to his hometown.

"These artists donate their time, but they beg to come back to Rector. They all talk about the kindness and amazing spirit of love they feel from the people here. It makes me very proud of my hometown."

Corporate sponsors for the event were Glen Sain Motors of Rector, Kennett and Paragould, Liberty Bank of Arkansas, Barton's Lumber and Greenway Equipment Inc.

Gold sponsors included Legacy Equipment LLC, Rector Downtown Drug, First National Bank of Paragould and Piggott State Bank. Silver sponsors were Fry Equipment, BancorpSouth, Arkansas Methodist Medical Center and Dr. Bryan Blackshare.