[cheers and applause] >> gaither: welcome to a country bluegrass homecoming. this homecoming brings together world-class talent from the very best of gospel, country, and bluegrass music. together we are celebrating and bluegrass music. together we are celebrating a faith that first started us singing. >> ♪ well, now, there's power, ♪ power, ♪ there's a wonder-working ♪ power. >> gaither: we've got a great lineup of hymns, gospel classics, and new favorites you're going to love. >> ♪ heaven's door will ♪ swing wide open ♪ when i die. >> gaither: join us now for this unforgettable music event, featuring:

>> ♪ i thought i had ♪ my bases covered. ♪ my destiny was in control. ♪ but i could see ♪ i'd never reached perfection ♪ the day i hit a slick spot ♪ in the road. ♪ and after that, ♪ i thought my life was over. ♪ but jesus had ♪ a different point of view. >> ♪ all i did was confess. >> ♪ and jesus did the rest. ♪ thank god, ♪ i've been released ♪ and made brand-new. >> ♪ now you're looking ♪ at a child forgiven. ♪ you're looking ♪ at a soul set free. ♪ you're looking ♪ at a pardoned prisoner ♪ who's walking now ♪ in liberty. ♪ i'm standing here ♪ because of wondrous grace. ♪ my sins are ♪ in the deepest sea. ♪ he washed me clean somehow, ♪ so what you're seeing now

♪ is a happy, happy child ♪ set free. ♪ >> ♪ now, what you see ♪ is not a perfect person. ♪ what you see ♪ is not a faultless soul. >> ♪ what you see is someone ♪ that was broken... >> ♪ until the hand of jesus ♪ made me whole. ♪ now, what you see ♪ is not a finished product, ♪ and what you see might ♪ sometimes miss the mark, ♪ but i know my father's eyes ♪ seek only his sweet prize... >> ♪ the perfect, ♪ holy children that we are. >> ♪ yes, you're... >> ♪ looking ♪ at a child forgiven. ♪ you're looking ♪ at a soul set free.

♪ you're looking ♪ at a pardoned prisoner ♪ who's walking now ♪ in liberty. ♪ i'm standing here ♪ because of wondrous grace. ♪ my sins are ♪ in the deepest sea. ♪ he washed me clean somehow, ♪ so what you're seeing now ♪ is a happy, happy child ♪ set free. ♪ yes, you're looking ♪ at a child forgiven. ♪ you're looking ♪ at a soul set free. ♪ you're looking ♪ at a pardoned prisoner ♪ who's walking now ♪ in liberty. ♪ i'm standing here ♪ because of wondrous grace. ♪ my sins are ♪ in the deepest sea. ♪ he washed me clean somehow, ♪ so what you're seeing now ♪ is a happy, happy child, ♪ happy, happy child,

♪ happy, happy child ♪ set free. [cheers and applause] >> gaither: few of my bluegrass friends have more enthusiasm for gospel music than marty stuart. he is a remarkable talent and an icon in the field of bluegrass music, and i love his heart. this homecoming would not have been complete without marty's energy and his incredible band. [playing bluesy country music] ♪ >> ♪ well, let me tell you ♪ what the bible says. ♪ in 1 thessalonians ♪ it is read. ♪ the 16th verse ♪ in chapter 4. ♪ now, listen, friend. ♪ let me tell you more.

♪ it said the lord himself ♪ is gonna shout, ♪ and gabriel will bring ♪ his trumpet out. ♪ he's gonna blow it loud ♪ from the eastern sky. ♪ then the saints in christ ♪ shall rise. ♪ they'll go dancin' ♪ on the cloud. ♪ they're gonna go first ♪ to show us how. ♪ talkin' 'bout a child ♪ that's left behind, ♪ it'll only be ♪ for a moment's time. ♪ then get up ♪ out of that ground. ♪ get up out of that ground. ♪ get up out of that ground. ♪ get up out of that ground. >> ♪ whoa, child, ♪ it's time to go home. >> go home! [guitar solo] ♪ ♪ well, meanwhile, ♪ back in the gospel way,

♪ servin' jesus day by day, ♪ sometimes i drift ♪ and dream at night ♪ to the heavenly world. ♪ such a precious sight. ♪ well, i wonder ♪ how long will it take ♪ till jesus steps out ♪ from those gates ♪ and says, "come on. ♪ now's the time. ♪ friend, don't you ♪ get left behind." ♪ get up out of that ground. ♪ get up out of that ground. ♪ get up out of that ground. ♪ get up out of that ground. >> ♪ whoa, child, ♪ it's time to go home. >> rock on! ♪ well, get up ♪ out of that ground. ♪ get up out of that ground. ♪ get up out of that ground. ♪ get up out of that ground. >> ♪ whoa, child, ♪ it's time to go home. ♪

[lead guitar solo] ♪ ♪ whoa, child, ♪ it's time to go home. [cheers and applause] >> all right. you know, in my mind, i've never seen a lot of difference in country music and gospel music.

i mean, if you went down through the cast of country music past, present, and future, what you would find: the common denominator in that cast is that most of us got our start singing at church or were inspired by gospel music. and it never ceases to amaze me that when we all--when a situation like this homecoming gets us together, different walks of life. the last bluegrass one we did, i was amazed that vestal and jake hess had really never seen ralph stanley or worked with him before and vice versa. but it was wonderful to see it cohesive and in the same room. mavis staples of the old staples singers told me that they used to listen--you know, here's black gospel at its finest-- used to listen to country music going down the road and bluegrass music. and it's just a matter of the setting. i think time has gone on long enough, when we have the proper setting, it's all great. you know, it's god's music. it's great when it comes together and we can play it and make a joyful noise together. [lively country fiddle music] ♪

>> ♪ turn your head. ♪ look down the road. ♪ there's a story ♪ to be told of home. ♪ ♪ no one with ♪ more love to share ♪ mom and dad, ♪ they're waitin' there at... >> ♪ home. [lively fiddle solo] ♪ [banjo solo] ♪ >> yeah. ♪ i was taught so long ago ♪ to keep your eyes ♪ up on the goal... >> ♪ home. >> ♪ and when you die, ♪ if you lived right, ♪ you'll spend ♪ each and every night at... >> ♪ home. >> better, boys. ♪

yeah. ♪ ♪ no one with ♪ more love to share. ♪ i got loved ones ♪ waitin' there at... >> ♪ home. >> ♪ and when we finish ♪ with this song, ♪ we'll pack up ♪ and git along... >> ♪ home. >> git along, boy! yeah. ♪ hey. whoo! ♪ hey. ♪ [cheers and applause] let's git on home, boys.

[laughs] thank you. thank you. >> gaither: okay, welcome buddy greene. [cheers and applause] >> buddy! >> whoo! >> whoo! whoo! whoo! >> thank you. ah, you know, i grew up in the baptist church, learned a bunch of hymns. but then i came to nashville and got to play with pickers like jerry reed and learned a whole new twist to 'em, like this. [guitar picking] ♪ ♪ would you be free ♪ from your burden of sin? ♪ there's power in the blood, ♪ power in the blood. ♪ and would you o'er evil ♪ a victory win? ♪ there's wonderful power ♪ in the blood.

>> ♪ there is power, power, ♪ there's wonder-working power ♪ in the blood of the lamb. ♪ there is power, power, ♪ there's wonder-working power ♪ in the precious blood ♪ of the lamb. >> ♪ and would you be free ♪ from your passions ♪ and pride? >> ♪ there's power ♪ in the blood, ♪ power in the blood. >> ♪ well, come ♪ for a cleansing ♪ to calvary's tide. >> ♪ there's wonderful power ♪ in the blood. >> ♪ well, there is... >> ♪ power, power, ♪ there's wonder-working power ♪ in the blood of the lamb. ♪ well, there is power, power, ♪ there's wonder-working power ♪ in the precious blood ♪ of the lamb. uitar piing] ♪

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♪ andrace will lead me home. ♪ ♪ ♪ when we've be ♪ 10,000 years, ♪ bright, shining ♪ as the sun, ♪ we've no less days ♪ tsing god's praise

♪ than when ♪ we'd first begun, ♪ we'd first begun. ♪ >> gaither: vince gill. [canapau] >> how are you, bill? >> gaither: i'infi. good to have you. >> it's good to be here. isitn was hoping reason i got amy might show up. >> gaither: [laughing] >> either you wanted amy, or it's an intervention. which is it? [laughter]

>> gaither: you're something else. been fun. it's been a fun day, right? >> yeah, it's been a great day. lot of gospel songs, though. >>aierye. [laughter] >>'m starting to see a pattern here. >> gaither: yeah, yeah. i think you're gonna like it. and, you know, one of the thin that we talked about during the interview is that country music is a lot more instruments than vocals. whe t more vocals., we do but, boy, we've had a lot of instruments today. you like that? >> yeah, some great musicians. there's a lot of great musicians out there, especially in country music, bluegrass music, which i. it's been fun seeing a lot of old friends like ralph and doyle lawson and everybody that's on the show. the isaacs are kind of newer friendofin b oe ai it's great to, you know, have fellowship and community and all that. it's been a great day. >> gaither: well, they're kind of like a fungus. they'lgr oyo a.. [laughter] maybe you'll like it.

what? >> appreciate it. >> gaither: welcome vince, all right? you sing. [peppy bluegrass intro] ♪ >> ♪ i'm all prayed up. ♪ i'm ready to meet my savior. ♪ eternal life is waitin' ♪ in the by and by. ♪ i'm all prayed up. ♪ my faith will never waver. ♪ heaven's door's gonna swing iade my peace ♪i die. ♪ with jesus ♪ a long, long time ago, ♪ trusted in him ♪ he would save my soul. ♪ i walk up there beside hi ♪ he guides me on my way. ♪ i know he hears me ♪ when i kneel and pray. >> ♪ i'm all prayed up. ♪'mea tme msaor ♪ eternal life is waitin' ♪ in the by and by. ♪ i'm all prayed up. ♪ my faith will never waver.

♪ean'door's gonna swing ♪ wide open when i die. [peppy fiddle solo] ♪ >> ♪ now i ain't ♪ afraid of satan, ♪ his wicked ways of sin. ♪ he tempted me, ♪ but he couldn't pull me in. ♪ when i've gone ♪ to live with jesus, ♪ face my judgment day, ♪ he'll fulfill for me ♪ the promise that he made. >> ♪ i'mll prayed up. ♪ i'm ready to meet my savior. ♪ eternal life is waitin' ♪ in the by and by. ♪ i'm all prayed up. ♪ my faith will never waver. ♪ heaven's door's gonna swing ♪ wide open when i die. [mandolin solo] ♪

[banjo solo] ♪ ♪ i'm all prayed up. ♪ i'm ready to meet my savior. ♪ eternal life is waitin' ♪ in the by and by. ♪ i'm all prayed up. ♪ my faith will never waver. ♪ heaven's door's gonna swing ♪ wide open when i die. ♪ i'm all prayed up. ♪ my faith will never waver. ♪ heaven's door's gonna swing ♪ wide open when i die. it's a "country bluegrass homecoming" on your public broadcasting station. i'm cris hardaway. jim eikner's over there with a special guest, but right now you need to use the numbers on your screen and support your public broadcasting station with your dollars. this is public tv. it's viewer supported, and we just can't do it

without your help. (cris) great shows like this one are made possible in part by your contributions. so, get busy, get on the phone, talk to our volunteer operators, and support your public television station. support the music that you see on pbs. what a wide range of music is offered on public broadcasting. where else are you going to see on one night a show like this one, the "country bluegrass homecoming," and the next night you'll be watching grand opera or rock and roll? music has always been a part of pbs and public tv, and you can help keep it there by dialing the number you see on your screen and supporting your public broadcasting station. we have some wonderful premium gifts for you. (cris) at the $75 level, you can have your very own copy of the "country bluegrass homecoming" cd. this cd features 20 of your favorite songs, many of the ones that you're hearing right now during this show. so make that telephone call for that $75 contribution

for the cd. and for the $100 level, if you'd like to have your very own copy of "country bluegrass homecoming" dvd, it can be yours for $100. twenty-two songs, over 90 minutes of material. let's go over to jim eikner now with a special guest. well cris, opera is going to have to wait until tomorrow night, of course, unless it's grand opera. we might hear a little bit of that this evening. what an absolute joy it is to be here (jim) with a special gentleman, bill carter, executive producer not only of this program but also of "elvis: the gospel music of elvis" as well as "the gospel music of johnny cash." it's a marvelous experience to have you here with us. thank you. (jim) congratulations on the great work. how did you manage to get this gathering together? well, getting them together is the most difficult part about the whole show. their schedules are so diverse. (bill) they're all working and going around the country, and to pull them together is difficult. but once you get them together it's a lot of fun. (jim) well we can see the magic and the chemistry

that begins to happen. you've been with the gaither organization for almost two decades? (bill) yes. i have. and what a pleasure. (jim) he looks like he's in fine form on this. who wouldn't be working with these folks? well, we need for you to go to your phone and call us at the number right there on your screen. i know that bill carter is waiting for you to call to support this kind of programming. the gaither vocal band is just wonderful. they really get you going, don't they? they sure do. a lot of energy. (jim) the young blonde fellow is really talented. what's his name? (bill) marshall hall. (jim) well, he's excellent, as is the whole group -- marty stuart, the grascals, everybody here. but of course we need for you to support us by calling the number on your screen. bill is here especially to urge you to go and to familiarize us with some of the background (jim) behind this great program. and it's your donations that make this show possible, (bill) so please call. (jim) you said the magic word. the gaither band gets

hands clapping and boots tapping, so you scoot your boots right over to that phone and call the number on your screen as we go back to cris. you know, bill carter is right. it is your donations that make this kind of programming possible and help run your public broadcasting station. and that's why it's important that you go to the phones and make that telephone call. make that commitment to become a partner with your public broadcasting station, and invest in it. you will get a return on your money. and every pledge is important. it doesn't make any difference how large or small it is. the important thing is to get involved in public tv. again, it's viewer supported, and we can not do it without your help. let me encourage you one more time (cris) with the cd of the "country bluegrass homecoming." for a $75 contribution, this cd can be yours. twenty songs on this cd. songs like:

great names on this cd, and it would be great for your cd collection. so, make the telephone call now and support your public broadcasting station. a $75 contribution not only gets you the great programming, but it gets you this great cd so you can put it in your music library and you can listen to it anytime you would like to. don't forget, it's public tv. the only way to keep it that way is to make the telephones ring and get the volunteers busy taking your pledges. let's go over to jim again. anytime you see marty stuart is just a joy, (jim) but that band of his is just remarkable. (bill) they are incredible. i think one of the best bands in country music. (jim) they certainly showed their wares this evening. marty made some interesting statements about the connection between country and gospel and bluegrass and soul.

what's that connection to you? i think it all came together sitting on the front porches of the appalachian mountains. the early settlers who came here sang songs on their porches about god and country. and it all combined -- all genres of music -- bluegrass, country -- originated from that -- and gospel. actually maybe gospel first. and so much of the fertile ground was in the music sang in churches. and the comment that mavis staples, the stax soul artist, saying i listened to bluegrass, i listened to country and i just felt a kinship with it. it's just a marvelous experience to have all of these talents, and we need for you to show how much you appreciate it by going to the phone and calling the number that is there on your screen. the grascals are an interesting group. (bill) they're one of the hottest new bluegrass groups out there. they're very talented musicians. (jim) you have so many talented musicians

that you've been able to get together and it's to your and bill gaither's credit. the grascals were performing that song, "home." (bill) yes. well, e.t. call home. we need for you to call right now, e.t. we need for you to call the number on your screen because bill carter is here and we're waiting to hear the phones ring and for you to enjoy this music and take it home with you. call right now. bill and i are going to be back to tell you more about what's coming up. let's go back to cris hardaway. indeed there is more to come. right now it's your turn to go to the telephones with you dollars. as they told you, we can't do it without your help. this great show is made possible in part by you. so it's investing in your own entertainment enjoyment when you make that telephone call and make that commitment to support your public broadcasting station. (cris) a recent roper poll highlighted a number of issues about pbs. pbs, according to this poll, is one of the most trusted --

is the most trusted -- of the seven national institutions that they asked about in this poll. americans are most satisfied with programming on pbs compared to either cable or commercial broadcast. pbs has the most trusted news and public affairs programs. and the majority of americans believe that having pbs is very important. if you believe it's important, than you owe it to yourself to support your public broadcasting station because it's not going to be here without your help. it's viewer supported television. let me review the gifts we are offering you. (cris) at the $75 level it's "country bluegrass homecoming" cd. twenty of your favorite songs on this cd that you can enjoy anytime you'd like. so put it in your music collection now. at the $100 level, it's the dvd of the show that you're enjoying now -- "country bluegrass homecoming," with over 90 minutes of material, 22 total songs, and all of the stars that you're watching on the show right now -- country, bluegrass, and gospel.

that would be great to have in your video collection. so why don't you make the call and support your public broadcasting station? let's go back to jim and bill. okay, bill carter, executive producer of this program. buddy green said in nashville he learned some new licks from the late jerry reed -- amos moses himself. and i imagine you've learned some new licks with regard to how expensive it is to produce these shows. these shows are very expensive. (bill) we try to do the very best quality production. we need your help to support these shows. if you'll call the number on the screen and make a donation, it'll help keep these shows coming. (jim) how well said. george jones is a wonder. not only does he have control of that veteran voice of his, but he also controls his hair pretty well. this fellow is looking pretty good. you told me an interesting thing about george jones on the set of this show. what did he say? (bill) when he came and he started to sing, he stopped and said, "i'm so nervous, i really can't sing.

"i'm having a hard time. i'm so honored to be here on bill gaither's show." he said, "i've idolized bill gaither. "i watch his shows. "and this is the first time i've had an opportunity to be here, and i'm really nervous." if i were bill gaither, i'd be busting my buttons. that's a great thing for a veteran like george jones to say. and the fellow that plays the piano, he's so wonderful. he just plays with his right hand. (bill) gordon mote. gordon mote? well, whether you play the e-flat telephone with your right hand, or whether you play it with your left hand, you need to go over to it and call the number on your screen as we are going to be going back to the program. >> ♪ amazin' grace, ♪ how sweet the sound. >> gaither: ralph stanley is a living legend in the field of bluegrass music, and he has been a defining influence for generations of artists. he has been singing and recording ground-breaking bluegrass music for decades,

but many of us fell in love with his music through the movie sound track of o brother, where art thou? which has become one of the most definitive bluegrass recordings ever released. >> well, that movie was in 2002, i believe. >> gaither: yeah, you've been playing about 50 years, and all of a sudden, at the end-- >> yeah, or 55 years. all of a sudden, here it was. course, i was ready for it. >> gaither: there's been a close connection down through the years between the church and country music, hasn't it? >> there have. there have. >> gaither: what do you call that kind of singing where you teach it to the crowd, like amazing grace, you sing a line, and then they follow you, right? >> yeah. back years and years and years ago, maybe they didn't have but one songbook in the church, and, you know, the congregation, the people didn't know the words. and the preacher got up in the stand and gave out the words so they all would know what to sing. i've heard that's why

that started. >> gaither: the congregation would follow. >> they'd follow, yeah. that's how they'd get the words, you know. >> gaither: yeah. well, it's good to have you on the program today. >> well, i appreciate being on the program again. >> gaither: yeah. god bless. >> thank you. god bless you. [banjo picking] ♪ >> ♪ the road gets ♪ rough and rocky ♪ that i travel day by day, ♪ but i feel ♪ at the end of my journey, ♪ i'll see the great ♪ milky way. >> ♪ i cannot sing ♪ like an angel, ♪ and i cannot preach ♪ like paul. ♪ but, lord, ♪ when you get ready, ♪ i'll try and answer ♪ the call. ♪

>> ♪ you said, lord, ♪ when you left us, ♪ you descended ♪ and went away. ♪ "fear not, and be faithful, ♪ for i'll return someday." >> ♪ i cannot sing ♪ like an angel, ♪ and i cannot preach ♪ like paul. ♪ but, lord, ♪ when you get ready, ♪ i'll try and answer ♪ the call. ♪ >> ♪ i'm on my way to glory, ♪ to the wonderful happy land. ♪ i want to sing ♪ in the heavenly chorus ♪ of the angels' happy band. >> ♪ i cannot sing ♪ like an angel, ♪ and i cannot preach ♪ like paul. ♪ but, lord, ♪ when you get ready, ♪ i'll try and answer ♪ the call.

[cheers and applause] >> to me, when you go down through the genres of american music or world music, it's hard-pressed to find anything deeper than gospel music. and it always has a way of reaching out and touching. [heartfelt country intro] ♪ >> ♪ ooh, ooh-ooh-ooh, ♪ ooh-ooh-ooh ♪ i'm a child of the king. >> ♪ once because ♪ of my own thinkin', ♪ i was lost, ♪ and i was sinkin', ♪ oh, so low, ♪ livin' down ♪ in the darkness of my mind ♪ where the righteous ♪ do not go,

♪ till the day ♪ i fully realized ♪ that god could deliver me ♪ and more, ♪ raise me up ♪ to higher heights ♪ and give me joy ♪ i'd never had before. >> ♪ and i thank him ♪ for the miracle ♪ that brought me from ♪ the wrong to the right, ♪ the miracle that saved me, ♪ that brought me from ♪ the darkness to the light. ♪ and i thank him ♪ for the never-ending song ♪ of joy i sing, ♪ and i thank him ♪ for the miracle

♪ that made me ♪ a child of the king. >> ♪ in the darkness ♪ of my soul, ♪ i felt a longing ♪ just to trust ♪ in his embrace. >> ♪ oh, and i said, ♪ "lord, can i love you? ♪ can i hope to ever ♪ look upon your face?" >> ♪ and then i took him ♪ at his word that said, ♪ "believe in me, ♪ and you will never fall," ♪ oh, no. >> ♪ "believe in me, ♪ and you will be ♪ as if you'd never ♪ strayed away at all." >> ♪ whoa, ho. >> ♪ and i thank him ♪ for the miracle ♪ that brought me from ♪ the wrong to the right,

♪ the miracle that saved me, ♪ that brought me from ♪ the darkness to the light. ♪ and i thank him ♪ for the never-ending song ♪ of joy i sing, ♪ and i thank him ♪ for the miracle ♪ that made me ♪ a child of the king. ♪ yes, i thank him ♪ for the miracle ♪ that made me ♪ a child of the king. >> ♪ oh-ho-ho ho-oh. >> ♪ i'm a child of... >> ♪ the king. >> ♪ whoo-ooh-ooh-ooh,

♪ ooh-ooh-ooh. [cheers and applause] >> gaither: you've got a lot of wonderful songs. but i would venture to say, you may be as well known with go rest high as anything you've written. >> oh, there's no question. i've had bigger hits and songs that have sold more and all those things, but that will be the one song, hands down, that will identify me, and i couldn't be prouder. you know, if that were to wind up in a hymnal someday, it would just be the sweetest thing in the world: you know, that something i did later in life would correlate with the very first thing that i ever heard, was something out of a hymnal. and i know that song is powerful.

it had no intention of being any of that. you know, all it was intended for was for me to grieve my brother's death and honor him and celebrate what i thought was in store for him and really didn't even plan to record it. and tony brown said, "you have to record this song." i said, "well, okay, if you want to." and then they told me they were gonna put it as a single, and i said, "well, you guys have lost your minds." and i couldn't have been more wrong. but...i really could not be prouder that i was lucky enough to strike a chord with people that they want to go to that song in their gravest times, and in their most painful and hurtful and sad times that they go to that song to find comfort. maya angelou got in touch with me and told me that that song

was an amazing...healing process for her when she lost her brother. >> gaither: sure. >> i feel pretty blessed and lucky and all those things to have gotten to write that one. >> gaither: my mother-in-law said that there are two times in life when we really get serious about life. one is when a baby is born-- or overwhelmed; i just-- brand-new grandson about five weeks ago-- and a death. i mean, she said, "otherwise, we're doing all this stuff in between." >> just one foot after the other. and you got the beginning and the end, and that's true, yeah. >> gaither: you sang at vestal's home-going, and you sang go rest high. and i knew you just had the guitar, and about halfway through the last verse-- 'cause we had a choir of singers up there. >> i'll say. >> gaither: i said, "i don't want to tromp on vince, and i hope he doesn't think this is intruding," but i asked

them to start humming, and they sang with you on the chorus. >> it was one of the most beautiful things i've ever heard in my life. it was--it was--it was as big a gift to me as i could've ever gotten, and i think that's what the beauty of being of a giving spirit is, you get so much more out of it when you're doing the giving than when you're taking stuff all the time. i mean, there's no--i don't find much redeeming qualities in taking anything, and so, yeah, that was a great gift to me. i'll never forget that as long as i live. that was hauntingly beautiful. [quiet piano and mandolin] ♪ ♪ i know your life ♪ on earth was troubled,

♪ and only you ♪ could know your pain. ♪ you weren't afraid ♪ to face the devil. ♪ you were no stranger ♪ to the rain. >> ♪ go rest high ♪ on that mountain. ♪ son, your work ♪ on earth is done. ♪ go to heaven a-shoutin' ♪ love for the father ♪ and the son.

♪ oh, how we cried ♪ the day you left us. ♪ we gathered round ♪ your grave to grieve. ♪ wish i could see ♪ the angels' faces ♪ when they hear ♪ your sweet voice sing. >> ♪ go rest high ♪ on that mountain. ♪ son, your work ♪ on earth is done. ♪ go to heaven a-shoutin'

♪ love for the father ♪ and the son. [mandolin solo] ♪ ♪ go rest high ♪ on that mountain. ♪ son, your work

♪ on earth is done. ♪ go to heaven a-shoutin' ♪ love for the father ♪ and the son. ♪ go to heaven a-shoutin'... >> ♪ love for the father ♪ and the son. ♪ [applause] thank you so much. thank you, beck. thank you, sonya. [applause]

thank you. >> ♪ go rest high ♪ on that mountain. ♪ son, your work ♪ on earth is done. ♪ go to heaven a-shoutin', ♪ go to heaven a-shoutin', ♪ go to heaven a-shoutin' ♪ love for the father

♪ and the son. [applause] >> there it was, [applause] >> there it was, the intervention, right there. what a beautiful song from vince gill and a beautiful moment, too, in this "country bluegrass homecoming." if you enjoyed that moment, then you need to use the numbers you see on your screen, and call and support your public broadcasting station. i'm cris hardaway along with jim eikner and a very special guest that you'll meet in a moment. but right now, you're the one that's important. you need to go to the telephone and commit to supporting your public broadcasting station. if you value the programs like this that you see on pbs, then it's your job to support it. this is viewer supported television, and we simply can't do it without your help. so please, go to the telephones, call our volunteers. they'll take down the information they need. we just need your support and your dollars to continue bringing you great programming.

(cris) let me entice you with some great gifts. at the $75 gift level, you can choose the "country bluegrass homecoming" cd. this features 20 songs, many of them you're hearing right now during this show. songs from stars like vince gill, marty stuart, buddy greene, ralph stanley, george jones, and many more are all on this cd. put it in your music library for a $75 contribution. at the $100 contribution level, you can have the "country bluegrass homecoming" dvd -- your very own copy of the show that you're watching right now. it has over 90 minutes of material -- that's more than you're seeing in this show -- with 22 songs that celebrate the very best of country, bluegrass, and gospel. let's go over to jim eikner now. there's much more coming your way. marvelous music! bill carter, executive producer of this program for the bill gaither organization is here with me, (jim) and you have given us "elvis: the gospel music of elvis" -- such a spectacular success on public television -- and "the gospel music of johnny cash."

it just gets better and better, and this is a spectacular show. you're to be commended. thank you. (jim) this fellow vince gill looks like quite a character. (bill) vince is probably the most respected artist in country music today, and a wonderful person. just a pleasure to work with. he doesn't want you to do anything for him. many artists expect you to do so much for them. vince just comes in his car and gets his guitar out. you know, he comes in and enjoys the show. (jim) this comes across. when you look at the dynamic that's going on here you see that about vince gill. this is just a monster hit of his, "go rest high." obviously very inspirational. artists like vince, though, to get them on the show (bill) costs a lot of money to put this kind of show together, and we really need donations to do this quality of show.

to get artists like ralph stanley and vince gill, we need help if we're going to keep bringing these shows to you, so please call. (jim) you heard the man. it takes money to do this and it takes money to bring these programs to you on public broadcasting. what a delight it is to have it on public broadcasting. vince gill said that maya angelou, the poet laureate of our country, found great comfort in that song of his because she had a loss at the same time. yes, so many people. as gaither travels around, people come and talk about that song and what it's meant to them. our artists have done that song many times on the show. (jim) if it's an inspiration to you, then by all means call the number on your screen. i know cris hardaway can entice you to do that. thank you, jim. i hope i am able to do it. and i hope you will call the numbers you see on your screen and support your public broadcasting station because we certainly need your support. remember, it is your dollars that make these shows possible.

it's also your dollars that make the great kids' programming possible. pbs has always been a popular place for kids (cris) to turn to with shows like "sesame street," "arthur," and the whole kids line-up. and where would you and your family be without that kid's line-up? also think about the fact that pbs is a place that you can trust. your child can tune into pbs and watch the shows, and you know that the shows are going to be wholesome. and it's going to be a great learning experience for your kids. so, what better reason to contribute to your public broadcasting station than to support the great kids' programming that's on pbs? help us keep it there by dialing the numbers you see on your screen. let me go over the gifts one more time. (cris) at the $75 it's "country bluegrass homecoming" cd. twenty songs are featured on this cd, including:

and for a $100 contribution it's the "country bluegrass homecoming" dvd -- the show you're watching right now, but with more material. ninety minutes on this cd. let's go over to jim. we were just talking -- bill carter, the executive producer of this show and i -- about the extremes as far as chronology is concerned. ralph stanley is just extraordinary. (jim) "oh brother where art thou" gave him a new boost, but he's been sixty years at it? (bill) yes, at least. i don't want to talk about his age, but he's the dean of bluegrass music and the most respected artist out there today. (jim) now there's a fellow i particularly admired on here -- he's one of the booth brothers -- (jim) "thank you for the miracle." what's his name? (bill) michael booth. (jim) the lead singer, what a gorgeous voice. and you were saying that he's pretty young. (bill) this is a young group that hasn't been around long, and it's great to see the young ones come along like that

because we've lost so many of the legends that have passed away. we're excited about having these young groups come along. (jim) you were talking about needing the young people to come along and get in the pipeline. it's the same thing with public broadcasting. we need new members coming on all the time. we lose members through attrition and various ways, so we need you to call the number on your screen right now. if you enjoy the type of gospel/bluegrass/country music that bill carter and bill gaither have enabled us to put on for you this evening, then you need to call that number on your screen. why don't you give them the pitch? well, we love doing these shows. they're fun to do. i hope you enjoy them as much as we enjoy doing them, but we can't do them without your help. so please help us. make a donation. if you're a new member, please call. we need all the help we can get. and thank you so much for your support. well said, and let's go back over to cris hardaway. he'll make the phones ring.

i hope so. they just made a great point about new members supporting your public broadcasting station. if you've never made the telephone call, if this is one of your first experiences watching pbs, then i urge you to go to the phone now, talk to one of the volunteers, make that commitment to your public broadcasting station and support it with your dollars because it will come back to you in the form of good programming. it truly is an investment in your entertainment enjoyment. that's what this is really about. so go to the phones, call the number on your screen, and support this station with your dollars. we can't do it without you. and especially new members. if you've never made that call and that commitment, increase the membership base. the more dollars the station gets, the more and better programming will come your way. public tv -- it's viewer supported. (cris) one more time, let's go over all of the gifts. at the $75 gift level, it's the "country bluegrass homecoming" cd. twenty songs on this. songs by a wide range of country, bluegrass,

and gospel artists. all twenty songs on this "homecoming" cd. at the $100 it's the dvd "country bluegrass homecoming." you can have it in your library and watch it anytime you want. ninety minutes of material on this dvd. that's more material and more songs. twenty-two songs on the dvd. so make the call now. let's go over to jim one more time. coming your way in just a minute, it's going to be vince gill again. of course, everybody appreciates him. and, of course, it's going to be george jones once more. bill carter was telling me that maybe the hottest ticket in town's coming up in this next segment. who is that? jimmy dailey and darren vincent -- dailey & vincent. they're the talk of nashville right now. they popped out there. they've just been out a year, and they've exploded.

and the reason is because of their great talent and great harmonies. so, watch for dailey & vincent and we'll keep bringing you dailey & vincent and all of the young talent if you'll pledge a donation and help us keep these shows on the air. well, there it is. that's right from the -- well, i'm not going to say the horse's mouth -- but that comes from the expert right here. so call, won't you? dailey & vincent will knock your lights out. we need for you to be calling right now before they do. i previewed this program and the harmonies that they had at the end were thrilling. they're incredible. and i can see why they're the new, exciting thing in town. be ready to enjoy that, but you have just enough time to go to the phone and call the number on your screen. (jim) delighted to have bill carter with us. his dedication, along with bill gaither's, for this kind of music is shown in all the series that they've done as we go back to the program.