Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

The 123rd session of the Fayette County Sacred Harp Singing Convention was held at Mount Lebanon Baptist Church near Fayette, Alabama, on the first Sunday in August. Chris Ballinger brought the class to order by leading 56t. Buddy Ballinger offered the opening prayer.

The class was organized by electing or appointing the following officers to serve: Chairman—Chris Ballinger; Vice Chairman—Lisa Geist; Secretary—Nicholas Thompson; Arranging Committee—Amber Davis.

Leaders: Chris Ballinger 410t; Lisa Geist 293 (in memory of J.H. Ballinger); Nicholas Thompson 439 (in memory of Earl Ballinger); Amber Davis 224; Mike Hankins 527; Louise Yeager 480; Jimmy Ballinger 565; Faye Donaldson 168 (for Betty Baccus); Rebekah Gilmore 276; Butch White 547; Jared Wootten 31t; Roma Rice 566; Lomax Ballinger 277; Andy Ditzler 564 (in memory of Susan Fetcho); Linda Booth 218; Shawn Taylor 283 (for Don Bowen); Jeff James 472.

RECESS

The class was brought back to order by Beth Wallace leading 268. Leaders: Buddy Ballinger and Amber Davis 343; Ainslie Allen 542; Philip Gilmore 498; David Ivey 292; Theresa Westmoreland 280; Henry McGuire 482; Jamey Wootten 48t; Katie Ballinger 145t; Ken Tate 146 (for Wanda Capps); Abigail Cannon 187; David Broduer 373; Ricky Beasley 75; Loretta Whittman 569b; Marty Wootten 313t; Cassie Allen 317; Drew McGuire 316; Beverley Nelson 155; Reba Windom 546; Larry Ballinger 528; Elene Stovall 483.

RECESS

Chris Ballinger and Rodney Ivey called the class back to order leading 270. Leaders: Shane Brown 228; Cindy Tanner 269; Rodney Ivey 30b; Julia Poston 166; Andy Ditzler 419; Drew McGuire 329; Shawn Taylor 371; David Brodeur 377; Abigail Cannon 500; Jared Wootten 186; Henry McGuire 497. Mike Hankins offered a blessing on the noon meal.

LUNCH

The afternoon session began with Chris Ballinger and Lisa Geist leading 215 (in memory of Gravis Ballinger). Leaders: Wayne Baines 59; Jamey Wootten 131b; Shane Brown 387; Doug Cantrell 235; David Ivey 444 (in memory of Toney Smith); Reba Windom 411; Cindy Tanner and Marty Wootten 73t; Jeff James 86; Theresa Westmoreland 299; Nicholas Thompson 189; Beth Wallace 442; Philip Gilmore 300; Cassie Allen 213t; Ricky Beasley 49b; Rebekah Gilmore 448b; Butch White 535; Louise Yeager 426b; Ken Tate 378b; Julia Poston 275b; Doug Cantrell 354b; Larry Ballinger 551 (in memory of Earl Ballinger); Amber Davis 380 (for Paula Springfield). Announcements of upcoming singings were made. Chris Ballinger announced that the organizers of the Fayette County Convention had decided to move the convention to the fourth Sunday in October, starting in 2025.

Chris Ballinger and Lisa Geist led 46 as the closing song. Ken Tate offered the closing prayer and the class was dismissed.

Chairman—Chris Ballinger; Vice Chairman—Lisa Geist; Secretary—Nicholas Thompson