Minutes of Sacred Harp Singings

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The Big Singing

Old Marshall County Courthouse, Benton, Kentucky

May 24-25, ’25

Saturday, May 24

The Saturday session of The Big Singing, using The Sacred Harp, 1991 Edition, was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Gene Gilliland leading 59 and 63. Leaders: Randy Webber, “Old Hundredth” arr. John Dowland (1621), [504]; Ray Turner 39t, 300; Tim Reynolds 313b, 278t; Garrett Herndon 96, 68b; Barbara Lehr 178, 47b; Erin Fulton 24t, 130; David Carlton 472, 481; Gene Gilliland 127, 268; Randy Webber 549, 163b; Ray Turner 276, 551; Tim Reynolds 492, 148; Garrett Herndon 143, 128; Barbara Lehr 448t, 56b; Erin Fulton 42, 146.

LUNCH

David Carlton called the class to order after lunch leading 421 and 496. Leaders: Gene Gilliland 64, 354b; Randy Webber 236, 162; Don Waggener 183, 455; Ray Tuner 489, 299; Tim Reynolds 117, 547; Garrett Herndon 107, 28t; Barbara Lehr 277, 270; Erin Fulton 53, 57; David Carlton 332, 370; Gene Gilliland 235. After announcements, Erin Fulton led 347 as the closing song.

Sunday, May 25

The Sunday session of 142nd Big Singing, using The Southern Harmony, compiled by William Walker, was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Gene Gilliland leading 103 (SoH) and 8t (SoH). Leaders: Erin Fulton 123 (SoH), 112 (SoH); Tim Gregg 24b (SoH), 59 (SoH); Raphael Finkel 159b (SoH), 50 (SoH); Don Waggener 116 (SoH), 296 (SoH); David Killingsworth 48t (SoH); Trent Hollinger 107 (SoH), 51 (SoH); Randy Webber 72t (SoH), 40t (SoH); David Carlton 256 (SoH), 137 (SoH); Ray Turner 259 (SoH), 118 (SoH); James Thobaben and Marcelyn Thobaben 16 (SoH); Tim Reynolds 33 (SoH), 322 (SoH); Matt Meacham 11 (SoH), 312t (SoH); Erin Fulton and Martha Paris Smith 38 (SoH) (in memory of her parents, William & Nancy Paris).

LUNCH

The afternoon session was called to order at 1:15 p.m. by Gene Gilliland leading 103 (SoH) and 10b (SoH). Leaders: Erin Fulton 165b (SoH), 327 (SoH); Tim Gregg 13t (SoH), 13b (SoH); Raphael Finkel 144 (SoH), 71 (SoH); Don Waggener 83 (SoH), 213 (SoH); David Killingsworth 181t (SoH); Trent Hollinger 181 (SoH), 89b (SoH); Randy Webber 262 (SoH), 189 (SoH); David Carlton 164 (SoH), 310 (SoH); Ray Turner 92t (SoH), 308 (SoH); James Thobaben 281t (SoH), 31t (SoH); Tim Reynolds 276b (SoH), 64 (SoH); Matt Meacham 252 (SoH), 299 (SoH); Gary Clark 51 (SoH); Randy Webber 11 (SoH).

The memorial lesson was led by Tim Reynolds. He spoke about how William Ralph “Rodney” Paris, Jr. had encouraged him to continue his involvement in The Big Singing. Mr. Paris had practiced behind-the-scenes leadership of the singing. He began a short-lived singing in Marion, Kentucky, using The Southern Harmony, The Sacred Harp, and occasionally, The Missouri Harmony. He was noted for his use of a tuning fork to pitch songs and his use of a plumb bob and string with knots placed at the intervals specified by William Walker to set the tempo of songs. Others listed in the memorial included Grady Waid Denney Burgess and Beverly Rollins Thompson—Georgia; and Phil Perrin—North Carolina. Tim Reynolds closed the memorial service with prayer.

Leaders: Tim Reynolds 17t (SoH); Trent Hollinger 39t (SoH); Randy Webber 133 (SoH); David Carlton 276t (SoH); Erin Fulton 35b (SoH); Matt Meacham 80 (SoH); Gene Gilliland 334 (SoH). Gary Clark closed the singing with prayer.

Chairman—Gene Gilliland; Secretary—Kevin Byars