The Inspirations Thread... (Full Version)

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InspirationsNut -> The Inspirations Thread... (10/28/2006 1:23:31 PM)

Taking a cue from Josh (a.k.a. KingsmenQT.fan), I thought I would initiate a thread to discuss MY favorite group: The Inspirations, from Bryson City, North Carolina.

I know that a lot has already been printed about them in SingingNews Magazine over the years, but I am curious as to what you folks think about them; I also want to see if anyone else out here in Cyberspace is as fanatical about their music as I am!

So, whaddaya think??? Are the Inspirations truly "inspirational?" They've been going strong for 42 years...mighty impressive for any quartet or group! I welcome your comments!

[P.S. -- Please be curteous...I have a fragile psyche [;)]]



zmanfan38 -> RE: The Inspirations Thread... (10/28/2006 1:40:10 PM)

Inspirations fans here![sm=wave.gif] Archie is my hubby's Uncle, so we are a little biased just from that, but I think they are inspirational. They are such good Godly men on and off stage.

We haven't been to a concert or "across the mountain" since becoming mommy and daddy 18 months ago. Our daughter is now able to travel well and we can't wait to go visit Archie and Cindy and introduce them to our little girl!

Oh, and ditto on the fragle psyche thing. [;)]



MTTROCKS -> RE: The Inspirations Thread... (10/28/2006 1:44:02 PM)

I do enjoy listening to there music.



Timwhite7 -> RE: The Inspirations Thread... (10/28/2006 2:33:28 PM)

My favorite Inspirations song is Overwhelming Joy. What's yours?



MTTROCKS -> RE: The Inspirations Thread... (10/28/2006 2:38:32 PM)

I really like that song to.[:D]



JimC -> RE: The Inspirations Thread... (10/28/2006 3:05:38 PM)

I love the Inspirations..
I've only seen them in person one time, which was last December, I think....they were in Gainesville with the McKameys, Primitive QT, etc....

I see they are going to be in Jasper, GA on 11/10.....it's Mike Holcomb's homecoming....
That's about an hour north of here.
I'm going to do my best to be there......



MTTROCKS -> RE: The Inspirations Thread... (10/28/2006 3:22:28 PM)

WOW! you get to go to alot of concert.
quote:

ORIGINAL: JimC

I love the Inspirations..
I've only seen them in person one time, which was last December, I think....they were in Gainesville with the McKameys, Primitive QT, etc....

I see they are going to be in Jasper, GA on 11/10.....it's Mike Holcomb's homecoming....
That's about an hour north of here.
I'm going to do my best to be there......



InspirationsNut -> RE: Favorite Inspiration Song (10/28/2006 3:26:25 PM)

One of my favorites from their latest works--from their From the Smokies album--is "Not Worth a Dime," written by Val and Gene Johnson. It makes me cry everytime I hear it!



MTTROCKS -> RE: Favorite Inspiration Song (10/28/2006 3:34:15 PM)

It sounds Like a great song hope I can here it some day.[:)]



InspirationsNut -> RE: The Inspirations Thread... (10/28/2006 3:34:35 PM)

I can't remember how many times I've seen The Inspirations in concert, but I've been to The Singing in the Smokies only once, and it's by far the best way to enjoy their music...They are really in their element on that hillside!

When Archie sings Amazing Grace, and it echoes off the mountains, it's truly ethereal!



MTTROCKS -> RE: The Inspirations Thread... (10/28/2006 3:42:15 PM)

WOW!! that sounds amazing.



danielmount -> RE: The Inspirations Thread... (10/28/2006 3:55:44 PM)

I like them now, but I really like their 1970s classic sound.



JimC -> RE: The Inspirations Thread... (10/28/2006 3:59:06 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: MTTfan

WOW! you get to go to alot of concert.



Yes, I am truly blessed to be in a place where there are a LOT of concerts, pretty much on a weekly basis.....and many of them are less than an hour away....
There have been times I've had to make a decision for the same night....
For example:

The Perrys or The Kingsmen?
Brian Free & Assurance or The Dove Brothers?
Mark Trammell Trio or The Isaacs?
Etc.



danielmount -> RE: The Inspirations Thread... (10/28/2006 7:55:03 PM)

Each of those would be easy choices for me.[:D] But I won't reveal my picks.[:D]



zmanfan38 -> RE: The Inspirations Thread... (10/28/2006 8:44:45 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: InspirationsNut

I can't remember how many times I've seen The Inspirations in concert, but I've been to The Singing in the Smokies only once, and it's by far the best way to enjoy their music...They are really in their element on that hillside!

When Archie sings Amazing Grace, and it echoes off the mountains, it's truly ethereal!


I agree, the Singing In the Smokies is awesome!



GrammyK -> RE: The Inspirations Thread... (10/28/2006 9:05:33 PM)

I love The Inspirations. They are one of the very first groups I remember. One of my favorite older songs is "Keep Your Eyes on Jesus." Although I do like many (maybe even most) of the newer SG groups, I like the fact that The Inspirations stay the same...sound, appearance, friendliness, etc. Not saying that 'newer' groups don't have some great qualities, but to be able to say that about people that have been singing 42 years...WOW! I'd heard them for a few years before, but probably saw them the first time when I was 12. I still get excited when we're planning to see them now-years later-and I'm a granny.



savannahgirl -> RE: The Inspirations Thread... (10/28/2006 9:22:46 PM)

I love a lot of their old songs, but as for new without question or doubt that would be their newest song "I Have Not Forgotten". I can listen to that song over and over again and be blessed over and over. [:)]



KingsmenQuartetFan -> RE: The Inspirations Thread... (10/28/2006 10:37:15 PM)

I love the Inspirations along with the Kingsmen. [:D] I would have to say that the Inspirations, Chuck Wagon Gang, and the Kingsmen are the three groups that have been traveling for 40 plus years and I hope that they keep going on for a long time.

Hey, InspirationNuts
You should start an artist profile for the Inspirations on myspace.com, I did one for the Kingsmen.



JustaFan -> RE: The Inspirations Thread... (10/28/2006 10:43:35 PM)

I like the Inspirations, but I only have a couple of their CDs. If I were to expand my collection, what two or three Inpsirations projects do you all consider to be the essential purchases? I already have their Reunion concert.



DJSfromCleveland -> RE: The Inspirations Thread... (10/29/2006 12:11:12 AM)

I love them too! I'm like Josh, also, Kingsmen is my favorite, then i like the Inspirations way up on the top of my list too. I don't have all of their projects by far, but i have probably gotten the last 10 or 12 they have released, Plus a couple of the older cassettes of theirs from years back.

Of their videos, i have the Inspirations Reunion video, i have Inspiration Live 2000, 30th Annual Singing in the Smokies, double video with other groups, like the Kingsmen with them, Live in Jacksonville, Live in Alaska, Live in Indianapolis, Its Still the Blood.

Then i also have their book, What a Wonderful Time. My book is autographed by Martin and Myron Cook, Mike Holcomb, Jack Laws, Melton Campbell, Matt Dibler, Archie Watkins, then of the previous group i have Eddie Dietz, Ron Hutchins, and Roger Fortner.

I am missing Troy Burns, Marlin Shubert, Chris Smith, and Dale Jones.



CountryPreacher -> RE: The Inspirations Thread... (10/29/2006 12:29:01 AM)

First, the Inspirations are inspirational. I love their testimonies and their love for the Lord. As far as what projects, among my favorites that are still available: "Old Time Religion", "Sunday's Coming", and "Pure Vintage." Personally, anything by them is worth listening to and owning.



InspirationsNut -> RE: The Inspirations Thread... (10/29/2006 7:52:17 PM)

I would say their best works in recent years have been Pure Vintage and Highway to Heaven. I have over fifty of their albums now, thanks to a recent acquisition on eBay....and I would say that they were in their prime in the late 1970s, although they are still sounding great today.

If you notice on their most recent albums, the piano part sounds, well, different. That's because the great studio pianist Otis Forrest, whom The Inspirations have used for over 20 years, hasn't worked on their recordings since the loss of his wife. While I send my condolences to Mr. Forrest, I would love to see him return to the studio, particularly to The Inspirations' endeavors...

As far as acquiring older Inspirations works, I recommend eBay wholeheartedly. I have found most of my Inspirations vinyl via eBay, and it's nearly always in excellent condition. I have digitized a great deal of these records to .MP3 and/or .WMA format.

But, to answer your question, I would get Warner Robins Live double CD, for sure!



CountryPreacher -> RE: The Inspirations Thread... (10/29/2006 8:10:14 PM)

Their latest project, I Know, is great also. If you count "Through the Gates with Ralph Sexton," I lack 7 albums having a complete collection.
quote:

ORIGINAL: InspirationsNut

I would say their best works in recent years have been Pure Vintage and Highway to Heaven. I have over fifty of their albums now, thanks to a recent acquisition on eBay....and I would say that they were in their prime in the late 1970s, although they are still sounding great today.

If you notice on their most recent albums, the piano part sounds, well, different. That's because the great studio pianist Otis Forrest, whom The Inspirations have used for over 20 years, hasn't worked on their recordings since the loss of his wife. While I send my condolences to Mr. Forrest, I would love to see him return to the studio, particularly to The Inspirations' endeavors...

As far as acquiring older Inspirations works, I recommend eBay wholeheartedly. I have found most of my Inspirations vinyl via eBay, and it's nearly always in excellent condition. I have digitized a great deal of these records to .MP3 and/or .WMA format.

But, to answer your question, I would get Warner Robins Live double CD, for sure!



InspirationsNut -> RE: The Inspirations Thread... (10/29/2006 8:39:54 PM)

Good luck finding that recording! I've never seen it for sale anywhere!

The Inspirations' first Mark V recording, Our Pioneer Heritage, once sold on eBay (still in plastic) for over $120. It's one of the few I lack, too.



CountryPreacher -> RE: The Inspirations Thread... (10/29/2006 8:41:37 PM)

One can hope
quote:

ORIGINAL: InspirationsNut

Good luck finding that recording! I've never seen it for sale anywhere!

The Inspirations' first Mark V recording, Our Pioneer Heritage, once sold on eBay (still in plastic) for over $120. It's one of the few I lack, too.



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