Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

Saturday, August 13

The 156th session of the East Texas Sacred Harp Singing Convention met at the new Henderson Civic Center in Henderson, Texas, on the second Sunday and Saturday before in August. The class was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by Sam Craig leading 47t. The opening prayer was offered by Gaylon Powell.

Leaders: Sam Craig 31t; Jo Elmore 451; Cheryl Foreman 171; Rick Foreman 268b; Rebecca Short 63; Tim McClain 559; Jackson and Baron Powers 29t; Jane Goforth 393t; Ron Ryan 403; Bill Aplin and Victoria Aplin 106; Eloise Wootten 222; Myrl Jones 142; Robert Gholson 572; Nate Green and Norma Green 84; Erik Mason 96; Wanda Gregg 98; Hubert Nall

503; Robert Handel 544; B.M. Smith 563; Cassie Allen 443b; Dale Redmon, Jr. 540; Joe H. NaIl 543.

The following officers were elected or appointed to serve: Chairman—Sam Craig; Vice Chairman—Robert Vaughn; Secretary—Carole Watts; Memorial Committee—Mike Hinton, Robert Vaughn, and John Morris.

RECESS

The class was brought to order by a warm welcome from Mayor Buzz Fullen and Councilwoman Pat Brack. Announcements were made by Sam Craig.

Leaders: Sam Craig 134; Susan Cherones 40; Silas Huckaby 421; Crystal Meadows and Mary Beth Powell 522; Ainsley Ross 78; Margie Neal 192; Garrett Powell 128; Judy Caudle 273; Jackson Owen 401; Rodney Ivey 464; Carter Cook 268t; Joan Aldridge 508; Riley Owen 32t; Ron Bernucho and Suzan Bernucho 463; Sarah Huckaby 168; Baron Powers 239; Leon Ballinger 217; Marla Beth Elliott 38b; Anita Buswell 410; Eddie Huckaby 45t. The blessing before the noon meal was offered by Stanley Smith.

LUNCH

The class was called to order by Sam Craig leading 145t. Leaders: Scott Ivey 380t; Stanley Smith 430; Catherine Rogan 220; Sonny Erwin 488t; Tommie Spurlock 299; Dennis George 133; Gary Rogan 558b; Tammy Powell 137; Tim Jones 120; Kevin Powell 486; Margaret Wright 200; Marlon Wootten 99; Vivian Rogan 146; Billy Huckaby 444; Janie Short 91; Jeb Owen 210; Shane Wootten 567; Mike Hinton 434.

RECESS

Sam Craig led 154b to bring the class to order. Leaders: Liz Owen 155; Karen Rollins 123t; Tom Owen 198; Beverly Coates 416b; Lindsey Wiggins 383; Kyle Hearn 68t; Amanda Bowles 331b; Donald Ross 395t; Gaylon

Powell 482; Kris Wiggins 163; Chris Nicholson 264t; Reed Coates 138t; Kristie Powell 411; Ryan Ross 497; Julia Loy 45t; Bruce Coates 264b; Diane Ross and Findley Ross 442t; Michele Rogan 39; Scott Curran 356; Linda Booker 38t.

Sam Craig led 225 as the closing song. Robert Vaughn offered the closing prayer.

Saturday Night, August 13

Saturday night a meal of Tex-Mex and good old American chicken was enjoyed by approximately 70 singers at the Henderson Civic Center. After everyone had eaten, the group gathered together and sang from “Harp of Ages.” Four new compositions were introduced to the singers. After singing for a couple of hours, some of the group brought out their dulcimers and other folk instruments and finished out the evening with an impromptu jam session. The entire evening was a huge success.

Sunday, August 14

The Sunday session of the East Texas Sacred Harp Singing Convention was called to order by Sam Craig leading 283t. The opening prayer was offered by Tom Owen.

Leaders: Sam Craig 100; Greg Bowles 54t; Joan Smith 335; John Morris 58; David Rousseau 288; Charlie Soape 44; Cheyenne Ivey and Ainsley Ross 128; Barbara Smith 189; Leon Ballinger 507b; Jane Goforth 501; Karen Rollins 406; Megan Smith 300; Rebecca Short 159; Bill Aplin and Victoria Aplin 514; Myrl Jones 491; Emma Smith 427; Eloise Wootten 511b; Nate Green and Norma Green 498b; Erik Mason 380b; Wanda Gregg 559; Rodney Ivey and Pearl Cantrell 450; Hubert Nall and Rodney Ivey 313.

RECESS

Sam Craig led 503 to bring the class back to order. Leaders: Robert Handel 511t; B.M. Smith 73t; Judy Caudle 216; Riley Owen and Ainsley Ross 572; Jeb Owen 68b; Silas Huckaby 388; Shane Wootten and Marlon Wootten 376; Jackson Owen 401; Marla Beth Elliott 89; Joe Nall 30t; Susan Cherones 392; Margie Neal 434; Crystal Meadows 182; Garrett Powell 85; Stanley Smith 196.

The memorial lesson was conducted by Mike Hinton, Robert Vaughn, and John Morris. Mike Hinton began by reading the names of the sick and homebound. Robert Vaughn led “Rogan”, a song he had written for Zach Rogan, and his family. This is a prayer that he set to shape note music. John Morris led 174 for the other sick and homebound.

Mike Hinton spoke and read the following list of names of the deceased: Wilburn Martin, George Jones, and Edwin Reed—Texas; Ernestine Pipkin and Myrtle Wootten—Alabama; Virginia Cowart—Georgia; Elsie Nall Ancelete—Florida. Robert Vaughn led 496t in their memory, and closed the memorial lesson with prayer.

Leaders: Joan Aldridge 276; Sarah Huckaby 553; Scott Ivey 336t; Tommie Spurlock 574; Sonny Erwin 113. Bruce Coates offered prayer before lunch.

LUNCH

The afternoon session was called to order by Sam Craig leading 270.

Leaders: Tom Owen 309; Gaylon Powell and Kristie Powell 532; Carter Cook 142; Cassie Allen 552; Anita Buswell 323b; Eddie Huckaby 422b; Julia Loy 45t; Chris Nicholson 513t; Catherine Rogan 212; Ron Bernucho and Suzan Bernucho 484b; Dennis George 211; Gary Rogan 453b; Tammy Powell 192; Diane Ross 95b; Vivian Rogan 49t; Janie Short 466; Kevin Powell 183; Mike Hinton 463; Michele Rogan 203; Donald Ross 224; Linda Booker 199; Beverly Coates and Bruce Coates 505; Billy Huckaby 47b; Scott Curran 470; Lindsey Wiggins 222; Amanda Bowles and Greg Bowles 129; Ryan Ross 285t; Reed Coates 42; Burl Russell 164.

The East Texas Sacred Harp Convention was attended by 391 people from eleven states. Ninety-five leaders led 164 songs.

Sam Craig led 528 as the closing song. Robert Vaughn offered the closing prayer, and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Sam Craig; Vice Chairman—Robert Vaughn; Secretary—Carole Watts