Comments on: New Location/Date For 2010 Fan Awards

By: DRL

DRL — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 06:15:40 +0000

I was never a big fan of the lame fan awards show at NQC, back when I actually used to go to NQC. However, I don’t see the logic in this one at all! There’s a rumor that NQC was going to move the fan awards to an afternoon showcase which, to me, seems like the logical place for it. At least that way the ceremony takes place where a large portion of the fans are without intruding on the evening programs. The theater at Dollywood only holds 20% of what Freedom Hall would seat, and how many of the nominated artists are actually going to be there? I suppose this will be a nice kickoff to Dollywood’s Gospel Music month in October, but it’s going to be a long way from what was the highlight of NQC week for many people.

And yes, the idea of moving the HOF induction to NQC would have been great. NQC is a National event where everyone in the industry is gathered together and can best honor the inductees. Having a permanent hall at Dollywood is great, but the ceremony should be a major event.

Kyle, I don’t see a Thurs-Sun event happening. They can’t keep the major groups in the house if they aren’t performing on Saturday nite now! You can’t ask everyone in the industry to give up an entire weekend’s revenue to hang around NQC. Most fans don’t realize it, but NQC really is a business convention for the industry, as well as the concerts and showcases that take place. Everyone in the industry is under one roof and there is a lot of business that takes place Monday-Thursday that the average fan never sees.

By: GospelMusicFan

GospelMusicFan — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:02:17 +0000

A factor to consider before jumping on the Saturday Night Gaither Live’s bandwagon is that Gaither’s concerts are local events to 75% of the country.
Driving 8-16 hours to NQC might give you the option to skip a Saturday Night Gaither’s event knowing you can have your cake and eat it too.
Leaving town on Saturday morning would allow you to see one of your favorite artist half-way home Saturday night and be home (or another concert) Sunday knowing that Gaither will be within four hours of your home in the near future.
You might argue that you can not get enough Gaither which might be correct for the core base of Gaither.
A majority of people attending a Gaither Homecoming concert is something that the locals look forward to as part of their local church fellowship and social calender.

By: David

David — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 21:09:46 +0000

Way too many egos having tantrums is my opinion!

By: admin

admin — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 17:28:37 +0000

Andrew,
That’s not a bad idea, but the downside would be less people visiting the physical hall of fame.

Kyle,
A similar thought had crossed my mind. It makes sense, at least in theory, to have a Gaither/Homecoming sort of finale that might attract additional fans to come on Saturday who wouldn’t otherwise care much about coming to NQC.

I don’t think a Gaither Saturday night would necessarily convince artists to leave their booths in place, but it could help bring in a different crowd for the final evening. People who prefer the usual NQC lineup of artists would still get it for five nights…six if you count Sunday night…and people who are mostly interested in Gaither specifically would be more likely to attend on a weekend night where the timeframe was less restrictive vs. a Thursday afternoon showcase where the timeframe is more restricted.

By: Andrew S.

Andrew S. — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 16:11:28 +0000

What would be so harmful in moving the SGMA’s induction ceremony to the National Quartet Convention? The SGM Guild presents its lifetime achievement award ((also current living artists/industry personnel making an impact)), and, of course, there are the Singing News Fan Awards during the event. So why not try to keep the NQC as Southern Gospel and united as possible and have all three?

By: Kyle Boreing

Kyle Boreing — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 10:57:47 +0000

Kinda makes me wonder if there is a new evening showcare being considered. Perhaps the idea is to move the Gaither showcase to Saturday night, giving everyone an excuse to stay Saturday night.

I still say that NQC needs to move to a Thursday-Sunday setup.

By: Singing News moves Fan Awards to Dollywood | SouthernGospelBlog.com

Singing News moves Fan Awards to Dollywood | SouthernGospelBlog.com — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 05:04:05 +0000

[...] is mixed; some are ambivalent, many aren’t [...]

By: Concerned Fan

Concerned Fan — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 03:35:57 +0000

Yes DJPhil

There are no clear winners here. The award show and The Induction Ceremony are both going to be diluted. Plus, the fact that not many people who attend the Quartet Convention will even be able to attend at Dollywood weeks later. Also, all the artists who should be in attendance will not be able to be there.

The end is near….I wonder who’s stupid idea was this?

By: admin

admin — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 23:35:34 +0000

DJ,
It’s hard for me to empathize, because I’ve never cared that much about attending. I have a feeling, though, that you’re right.

I wonder what the tickets will cost.

By: DJPhil

DJPhil — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 22:58:39 +0000

Frankly, I’m not seeing this as a win for either party. It seems that the awards are always well attended at NQC, but how many folks do you think will go two weeks later after NQC to see the awards in Pigeon Forge? I honestly don’t see many more people coming to see the SN awards than are already coming to the Hall of Fame awards. (Especially the people nominated that are not likely to win…) I would be curious to hear the real reason behind this move.(Other than the press release spin)