Melody Fortissimo: Sacred
Concerts
MOST OF MY programs are in the form of sacred concerts. They include the old hymns, as well as some of the contemporary gospel songs.
I have presented concerts in churches and other auditoriums in literally hundreds of places all over the United States and Canada. I have played in big churches, little churches, city auditoriums, and even outdoor stadiums.
I always give my personal testimony during the course of the program, although the primary emphasis is upon the music. Sometimes I am asked if I ever get tired of playing the same numbers over and over again. The answer is, "No!" I never get tired of these wonderful songs.
My programs feature songs such as "Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing," and "When They Ring the Golden Bells," "In the Garden," "My Heavenly Father Watches Over Me," "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross." I usually play about fifteen numbers in the course of a concert.
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In addition to my personal testimony, I usually talk about the "Old Fashioned Revival Hour," with which I was associated for over thirty-one years. I find that people are interested in knowing how The Hour was presented, and in hearing about some of the interesting things that have happened on the broadcast.
Another indication of the people's interest in The Hour is in the fan mail which I have received over the years. The speaker naturally receives the largest number of letters, but those of us who furnish the music also receive our share of mail. Recently I received a letter from a mother in Orlando, Florida, with a very special request. It went like this:
Dear Mr. Atwood:
This may seem a bit unusual, but I have wanted to write you for some time, asking a favor of you. As most children have someone they highly admire—ball players, actresses, etc., ours are no exception. Only you are the one our children look up to.
Two of them, Charlotte, fourteen, and Allen, thirteen, take piano and have learned some of your transcriptions which we all enjoy very much. We have most of your albums and books. I was wondering if it would be possible for you to write them a note, emphasizing the importance of scales, classics, etc. They have these, but they don't see the real need of being precise now. I hope you will not think me out of order. I would be most grateful.
Sincerely, in Christ.
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My reply to this letter was as follows:
Dear Charlotte and Allen:
I have just learned that you are interested in playing the piano, and that you have been working on some of my arrangements. I am always pleased to hear of young people who are interested in music, for, as you know, I have been playing the piano for many years.
I hope you realize the secret of success in mastering the piano lies in the mastery of technique. This means, simply, the faithful practice of the scales, arpeggios, trills, thirds, sixths, octaves, and the many other technical exercises for the piano.
It is also extremely important to have a knowledge of the great classics, and there is a wealth of material written for the piano.
My favorites are Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin, but I also enjoy many others.
You might be interested to know that I practice my technique every day.
I hope you will continue with your music, and that someday you may have the opportunity to use your talent for our Lord. If I can be of help to you, don't hesitate to write to me. God bless you.
I have often wished that my schedule permitted more personal appearances. I really do enjoy meeting with people in different churches and in different areas, and
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I always feel right at home with God's people. Also, I believe that these concerts were good public relations for the "Old Fashioned Revival Hour." Generally speaking, I have better crowds for my concerts in other areas of the country than around Southern California, where we make our home.
One of the delightful experiences of my concerts is the opportunity to meet and fellowship with the local pastors. Some of these men have been featuring programs of this kind for years, while for others it is a relatively new venture. I would say that in almost every instance it brings visitors to the church, and gives the pastor an opportunity to present the church program, and invite the people back. I like to think that my program is not only a spiritual blessing to those who attend, but also a practical benefit to the church.
Here in Southern California, programs featuring several artists, both vocal and instrumental, have become very popular and successful. These Saturday night musicales give me the chance to fellowship with some of my friends who sing and play in the service of the Lord. Although many of these friends live in the same general area, we rarely get together except at a program such as this.
I am always glad to see old friends who have been in this work for years, but I am also delighted to see many of our young people being featured on the program. It is encouraging to know that young folks, with their youthful enthusiasm and outstanding talents, are interested in serving the Lord, and bringing a blessing to the hearts of their hearers.
I believe many pastors would like to present programs
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in their churches, which feature outstanding religious artists, but they simply don't know how to begin. It is not always easy to know how to contact a singer or musician personally, and the pastor may hesitate, not knowing if the artist would even be available. The obvious answer to this problem is a booking agency which could act as a go-between for the artists and the pastors. I don't know about other areas, but here in Southern California we have such an agency. It is called Christian Representation, and contains a list of almost all the outstanding artists in this area. This agency has been doing an excellent job of promoting the singers and musicians through mailings to churches and radio announcements. In addition, it handles all correspondence and financial arrangements for the engagements.
Some of my own concerts have been set up by Christian Representation, and I have always been pleased with the helpful service they have given. It is reassuring to receive a card with the name of the church, location, time of the program, and financial arrangement, all neatly typed out, and containing all the necessary information!
One of the most unusual arrangements I have ever worked out was made through contact of a Christian layman in the Reading, Pennsylvania, area. This gentleman wrote me that he had been listening to me "all of his life" and would like to set up a series of meetings in the Pennsylvania area. I seldom make arrangements of this nature through a layman, because often there is a lack of understanding of all the complications involved. However, for some intuitive reason, I answered
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Ray Minnick's letter affirmatively, and we agreed upon a week of meetings to be set up by him and confirmed at my end.
I have always been glad that I answered that letter! Not only was that week one of my greatest blessings both spiritually and financially, it has to be put down as a milestone in the history of friendships. Parents and neighbors of Ray told me how he used to "run home from church" in order to hear the "third reviewing" of the Sunday program of the "Old Fashioned Revival Hour."
Ray's beautiful wife, Libby, said, "I knew even before I married Ray that if we were ever within 500 miles of hearing you in person, we would drive all night to be present." No one could help but respond to love like that! I have a picture of Ray Minnick, his pastor, Rev. Milton E. Detterline, and me on the occasion of that week of meetings—all of us glowing!
I arrived home with gifts from the Minnicks to each of my family, which is a picture of me upon arrival from any occasion with them.
We discovered we had much more than a love for the Lord, and an affinity to music in common. We began exchanging thoughts on various sports events and players, and when our families met, the children began talking until they were hoarse and our wives seemed very much alike in interests and in a gentle approach to life.
Through the years, we have met nearly every summer during the month of August, at either coast. The fellowship we have enjoyed must be like the pure love of
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heaven. As far as we are concerned, there is nothing good enough for the Minnicks. I would never hesitate to call upon Ray for any emergency, so sure am I of his loyalty and devotion.
