Hey y'all!  Welcome to the "happenings" page.  Here, I will post thoughts, what's going on in our lives, along with anything else that comes to mind!  Be sure to check in every once in a while to hear what's going on.  I try to blog at least once every week, but sometimes my schedule doesn't allow.  I will do my best though...thanks!  Note that the opinions/comments shared are only those of Wes and don't neccessarily reflect those of the Gaither organization or Wes's family (I'm sure my wife would strongly agree with this!)  :)

Thursday, August 14, 2008

Sitting here childless (yay!) with Andrea on the plane.  We stop in Dallas for a couple of hours then we’re off to Seattle.  It feels so strange knowing that for a whole week we can basically do whatever we want on our own time.  We have no diapers to change, no little mouths to feed, no bath time, and no getting up in the middle of the night due to “being scared of the floor” or “being scared of the fan” (yes, those are actual examples of what Barrett has said before). 

Andrea’s parents came over to our house last night and spent the night so that Andrea and I could leave this morning at 5:30.  They are keeping both boys for us at our house, which is so very gracious of them.  Some in-laws, huh?!  Hopefully they’ll still love our children (and us) about this time next week.  Andrea gets home next Friday, but I stay on the road and don’t get home until that next Tuesday.  I should be missing the boys pretty badly by then. 

I’m looking forward to escaping from the hot weather of Birmingham.  Alaska is nice and cool, just how I like it.  I do have to say that Andrea and I will go through Mexican food withdrawals while we’re gone.  We actually ate at our favorite Mexican place yesterday for lunch so that we got our last “fix” before leaving.  There is a “Mexican food bar” on the ship, but it just doesn’t quite cut it. 

We had such a blast at the lake this past weekend with our friends, the Willis’s and the Oak’s.  They are so much fun.  And forget about staying on the whole “eating healthfully” plan I’ve been following.  The food spread was outrageous…fresh fried okra, fresh black eyed peas, fresh creamed corn, fried green tomatoes, fresh sliced home-grown tomatoes, homemade macaroni and cheese, fresh green beans, honey-baked ham, and the richest, sweetest, most over-the-top coconut cake you’ve ever had.  That was just dinner the first night.

I finally got to hear the final mixes of the GVB’s new Christmas album, due out sometime next month (I think it’s around September 30 if I recall correctly).  It really is so much fun.  The last GVB Christmas record, “Still the Greatest Story Ever Told,” is really incredible.  If you don’t have it, go get it…it says “GVB” all over it.  This new Christmas record is great as well, but it says “Christmas” all over it.  It has a couple of a cappella songs, a new version of “O Holy Night,” along with some Christmas classics that everybody will enjoy.  

We’re about to land, so I don’t want the flight attendants getting onto me for having my computer on.  Talk to you soon!

Friday, August 8, 2008

Happy anniversary to us.  Andrea and I made it to ten years...wow, it's hard to conceive that we've actually been married ten years now.  We've actually been together for twelve years (if you count when we first started dating back in 1996). We celebrated last night by going to The Melting Pot, a fondue place.  It was fantastic.  Sure, we left there feeling a little bloated and slightly nauseous due to the overeating of dessert, but it was our anniversary for crying out loud.  It was worth it!

It's a beautiful morning here.  Barrett is chomping on a Pop Tart (nutritious, I know) while watching Max and Ruby (it's a LOT better than Doodlebops...well, really anything is better than that show, besides Yo Gabba Gabba...sorry, I digress) with Hiyiye. We got a good bit of rain yesterday which really helped our yard out. This summer has been less harsh than previous summers. At least we haven't been on water restriction this year.  We leave for the lake today for the weekend.  We're spending our time there with some really great friends of ours, so we're looking forward to it greatly.  

I've spent a good bit of time this week water proofing our back yard fence. Okay, this takes time for those of you who were wondering.  Even with a sprayer it takes a lot of time, and I've only done one side of it. The fun part is when I get to do the outside part of the fence that's right against bushes, trees, snakes, spiders, fire ants, and all that fun stuff!  That'll come next week some time.  

Speaking of next week, the schedule kicks back in next Friday when the Gaither Homecoming cruise leaves for Alaska.  I'm really looking forward to it, especially since Andrea and I will be sans kids.  Her mom and dad are keeping Barrett and Hudson for us.  It's just so hard for me to get any rest on the cruises with the kids along with us.  They get up at 6:30 every morning when we're on the cruises...don't know why.  I think it's built in to their genetic code or something.

I talked with Jeff Easter yesterday.  He said that Sheri is doing very well and will start chemo fairly soon.  They will be on the cruise next week, so it will be good to see them.  The doctors still feel good about her prognosis so far but want to up her chances of staying well by going through with chemo.  They are still waiting on the results of some scans, so we are praying everything comes out clearly.  I hate cancer.  Too many of our friends have been affected by this evil disease:  Darryl and Lori Johnson, Jeff and Sheri Easter, Janet Pascall, David Gaines, Don and Betty Silogy, Bonnie Woodhouse, Lari Goss, Wayne and Mary Jane Williams, and the list goes on.  We are obviously praying for healing in the lives of our friends, as well as those we don't even know.  

Enjoy your weekend.  Talk to you soon.

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Just a couple more days left and August will be here...wow. Andrea and I will be celebrating 10 years on the 8th, which is crazy to think about.  We'll celebrate on the Gaither cruise by having NO kids with us on the trip.  I hate to say it, but we are so excited just to have "us" without the kids for a week.  While it's fun having them along, it's really hard for me to rest on the cruises when they are with us. I will definitely miss them but will not miss getting some rest!

Last night Andrea and I (along with her parents) went to see Steve Green in concert here in Hoover, Alabama.  It was absolutely incredible.  Not only is Steve such an amazing vocalist, but his concerts are so worshipful.  I love how he involves the congregation in his music during the concerts.  This man has something to say and conveys the message that's been placed on his heart so powerfully.  I've been corresponding with Steve ever since the reunion this past Wednesday.  When I told him that I was going to be able to make the concert after all, he was excited and told me that he would hold some tickets for us.  Oh, and by the way, he also said "...and be ready, I might ask you to sing with me.  How about "It is Well?"  No, I am not kidding.  

It was one of the most humbling, exciting, surreal, and absolutely powerful moments of my life.  To sing with my "vocal hero" was something that I have dreamed of doing since I was a little kid.  I don't know why God has allowed me to live so much of my dreams, but He has and I am forever thankful to Him.  Steve is the real deal.  He is so kind, humble, and made me feel like it was HIS pleasure to sing with ME (Even though HE is the multi Dove Award-winning artist, along with something about several Grammy nominations).  I've added this video to the FUN page for anyone to see.  I actually have not even listened to it yet if you can believe it.  I'm not even sure how I sound, but frankly I don't really care at this point!  :)  I'm just blown away to have had the opportunity to sing with him.Wes

Wes, Andrea, Marijean, and Steve

Friday, July 25, 2008

I'm still in a daze after what happened to me this week in Indiana...the Gaither Vocal Band reunion taping.

All of my vocal idols in one room together, singing some of my favorite songs, and I was there in the middle of it...I still can't wrap my mind around the reality that I was actually there.  What an amazing day it was...okay, that was an understatement.  I could go on and on about it, but I will mention just a few of the many highlights for me.  Emily Sutherland from Gaither.com has posted an awesome recap of the day below, so be sure to read it when you get the time...by the way, great job, Em.  

The first highlight for me was getting to sing "Satisfied" with Michael, Mark, and Bill.  That was really the first GVB song that "hooked" me, since the first GVB album I heard was Southern Classics, Volume 1.  It was an absolute blast singing that song. 

Another highlight was when Guy, Marsh, Bill, and I sang "The Love of God."  We started off singing it, then David Phelps took the chorus.  If that wasn't enough, Larnelle Harris took the second half of that chorus, and then I get to finish it. Hmmm...someone doesn't belong here, and I wonder who it is? Obviously, it was me.  I was in a dream at this moment in time. We three continued to toss the parts of the chorus around to each other when Bill would point to either me, Dave, or Larnelle. All three of us ended the song together with Guy, Marsh, and Bill. Wish I could sing that song like that every night we sing it in concert.  

Another highlight was when Guy, Marsh, Dave, and Bill sang "O Love That Will Not Let Me Go."  "Stellar" is all I can say.

Guy, Marsh, Bill, and I sang "There is a River" at the very end.  I LOVE these guys and I LOVE singing with these guys.  I'm glad we got that moment on tape as well.  

The biggest highlight for me was when Steve Green (the biggest musical influence in my life) sang "No Other Name But Jesus."  It was the best I have ever heard that song sung.  It was a very powerful moment for everyone in the room.  He then shared some of what was on his heart.  I will not even attempt to paraphrase it...just get the video (I think there will actually be two videos since they can't pack everything onto one DVD) and you'll understand.  He then sang "Find Us Faithful."  Enough said.  No need to elaborate on it because you know it was amazing.  

I found myself at times (well, most of the time) in awe of the men around me.  Phelps sat to my right, and Larnelle sat to his right, and Guy sat to Larnelle's right.  Again, what am I doing here?!  I had a good bit of trepidation stepping into the tenor position of the GVB after David left, as would anyone.  I have to say, as if it really needs to be said, that he is a vocal android. Seriously, to hear him up close, singing right beside him, I'm blown away at this man's vocal ability. Believe me when I say I've heard plenty of people making comparisons between Dave and me, which is the natural thing to do...some kind and some not so kind.  I'm so glad that Bill chooses to play to everyone's individual strengths.  I could never ever attempt to fill Dave's place.  God created me to be me and to do what I do best. The same can be said for Dave and every other GVB member that has come and gone through the years.  Guy is no Michael English, and Michael English is no Guy Penrod.  Marsh is no Mark and Mark is no Marsh.  You just don't replace members...you go a different direction.  I think that's one of the many things that has made the GVB so viable and wildly successful all these almost 30 years.  I was reminded of this truth (thanks alot to what Steve had shared) sitting in that room on Wednesday...just be me. Be who God has called me to be.

Larnelle Harris sounds the same as he did almost 20 years ago. Unbelievable...kind of sickening, really.  He sang several great songs that brought back great memories for me.  "I Walked Today Where Jesus Walks," "New Point of View," "Can't Stop Talkin' About Him"...great stuff.

There were many more highlights for me, but I guess this is enough of them for now.  I'm getting ready to leave for Fist Baptist Venice Beach for a solo concert on Sunday.  Looking forward to it very much because I was there this time last year. What an awesome congregation.

I'm also looking forward to seeing Steve Green in concert in Birmingham this coming Monday.  I originally thought his concert was on Sunday while I was singing in Florida, but was very much relieved when I found it was after I get back from my solo concert.  Andrea and I will be going, without the kids of course.

Just trying to take it all in...

Larnelle Harris

Steve Green

Michael English, Mark Lowry, Buddy Mullins, SSQ (in back), and Reggie Smith

I will be posting some video footage from this week soon on my FUN page, so be sure to stop back by in the next several days.  

I'll leave you with Emily's article that she wrote for Gaither.com:

This week, history was made once again at Gaither Studios as Gaither Vocal Band alumni came together with the current Vocal band members to create the first-ever Gaither Vocal Band Reunion video-taping. Cameras began rolling around 12:30 p.m. and except for a brief supper break, the music kept going until 10:00 p.m. Past and present GVB members in attendance were: Bill Gaither, Lee Young, Gary McSpadden, Steve Green, John Mohr, Jim Murray, Larnelle Harris, Buddy Mullins, Michael English, Mark Lowry, David Phelps, Russ Taff, Guy Penrod, Marshall Hall and, the most excited attendee of all... Wes Hampton. 

... and others!

Saturday, July 19, 2008

What a great week we had at Orange Beach.  We all stayed at the Caribe resort which is so family oriented and so much fun. There is a lazy river that's almost a half mile long that we basically lived on the entire week.  If you're ever in that area on vacation, be sure to check that place out.  It is so great for the kinds.  While there, we got to spend a good bit of time with Andy Andrews and his family, who are just the best.  They came and played in the lazy river one day, then that night we all had dinner at the condo.  That next day, we got to visit them at their home on Ono Island, a beautiful place.   Our boys had an absolute blast together, as well as the adults.  I'm already looking forward to our next time down there.  I hope this turns out to be an annual happening.  I will recommend any of Andy's books again...he is really an amazing writer.  You can find all his material at www.andyandrews.com.  The best part about the trip is that no one killed each other, which is highly likely when you have three children under the age of five, four families, including a grandmother (who happens to LOVE to tell whomever is driving the car where to turn next...even though she has no idea where she's going), living in the same space for an entire week.  

In other news, the GVB Christmas record is coming right along. It is due for a September 30, 2008, release.  We are very excited about this CD because it is so different.  As I've stated before, it is very laid back and has a Nat King Cole flavor to it.  Here is the track listing for the new record, titled "Christmas Gaither Vocal Band Style."  

The track listing is as follows:

Winter Wonderland

I'll Be Home for Christmas

O Holy Night

I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day

Away in a Manger

Come and See What's Happenin'

White Christmas

Christmas in the Country

My Heart Would Be Your Bethlehem

Carol Medley

O Little Town of Bethlehem

I'm preparing myself for the GVB reunion taping, coming up next week.  I'm still pretty freaked out (in a good way) and just amazed that I am going to be there for such a monumental event.  It's always been my dream, now here I am right in the middle of it.  I am so thankful that God has allowed me the opportunity to do this.  I'm not sure when they are planning on releasing the GVB reunion video.  I would guess it would release sometime in 2009.  There will be lots and lots and lots of singing, so I know the fans will be pleased.  I have three full rehearsal CD's worth of songs to learn, so that's about 60 songs.  Now, all these songs probably won't make the video, but most of them will.  We have B-roll taping scheduled as well, so there should be some fun and interesting interviews with all your favorite GVB members.  It should not disappoint the GVB fan, that's for sure. I am pretty bummed that a couple of guys won't make it, but it will still be such an experience that will be captured on video for all to see.  

Lastly, I'm excited to announce that I am currently writing a cookbook...yes, a cookbook!  I've been furiously typing away at my computer these past couple of weeks pretty much nonstop (evidence of this can be seen in the fact that I haven't blogged for two weeks).  I would love for it to be released sometime this fall and feel fairly confident that it will.  It will be sold through this website only, so I will be sure to announce when it will be available for purchase and pre-order.

Okay, off to the showers.  Just finished my exercise for the day, and if I want to be anywhere close to Andrea, I better get to smellin' a little better...enjoy the rest of your weekend!