BIRMINGHAM, AL (March 2, 2011) — Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver visited Children’s Hospital of Alabama on the third official hospital stop of their Children’s Hospital and Arena Tour this afternoon, following their early morning appearance on Birmingham’s live morning show “Talk of Alabama” on ABC 33/40.
The Birmingham hospital’s two-story lobby quickly packed with children, parents, doctors and hospital staff as Doyle and the boys in Quicksilver set toes to tapping with new album cuts “Gone at Last” and “Love on Arrival.”
“That was the biggest lobby crowd we’ve ever had by far for any celebrity program event we’ve hosted in the past five years,” said Suzanne Reeves, the hospital’s Director of Child Life and the Sunshine School.
The crowd revved up as one doctor called out a special request for “Sadie’s Got Her New Dress On,” and Doyle and Quicksilver took the lobby on a rollicking ride through the perennial favorite.
The tone then changed from rollicking to comforting as Mike Rogers led DLQ in soulful performances of “Nothing Can Touch Me” and “Precious Memories.”
Then memories of the group’s first visit the Birmingham hospital flooded back as Carl White stepped to the microphone and led a heartrending rendition of the group’s Southern Gospel #1 hit, “Help Is On the Way,” which DLQ sang all over the Birmingham hospital during their October 2009 visit.
“Doyle and his band stayed at the hospital an amazing seven hours that day, singing and visiting with families,” said Sherri George, the hospital’s Celebrity Events Coordinator. “All we saw were big huge grins on every single face of patients, parents and staff all over the lobby and entire hospital when DLQ sang. I’ve never seen anything like the impact they had. DLQ were like an infusion of Instant Happy!”
“That was a special day,” said Lawson’s manager, Josh Trivett. “If you have a chance to help kids and their families feel better, you want to do that. It’s always a blessing to be able to help.”
Doyle forged some special friendships during his first visit to Birmingham, including with an adorable six-year old, McKinley Keith.
“She just stole my heart,” said Lawson of the bright-eyed recovering cancer patient from Crossville, AL.
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver with McKinley Keith of Crossville, AL, after their performance at Children's Hospital of Alabama on October 23, 2009. Photo by Sherri George. Pictured L to R: Jason Barie, Joey Cox, Josh Swift, Doyle Lawson, Corey Hensley, Carl White, and little McKinley.
McKinley and her mother Angel came into the Birmingham hospital’s lobby that sunny October afternoon while Doyle and Quicksilver were performing. During a pause between songs, the smiling little girl with sparkling blue eyes told Lawson she wanted to dance. “You want to dance?” Doyle asked her with a big grin, and he and Quicksilver gladly obliged her with a revved up instrumental version of “North Carolina Breakdown.” And, little McKinley danced.
And she danced.
And she danced!
To smiles on every face in the lobby, including a beaming hospital CEO Mike Warren, McKinley danced. With chemotherapy over, and an all-clear diagnosis recently proclaimed, the little girl from northern Alabama had plenty to celebrate, and all energy back to do it with.
“McKinley loves to dance,” said her mother, Angel Keith. “And Mr. Lawson and his band provided her with the perfect opportunity! She loved it!”
The desire to bring smiles to children and parents like McKinley and Angel across the southeast region led Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver to partner efforts with Sherri George to create their current Children’s Hospital and Arena Tour.
“Moments like those with McKinley are priceless,” said Lawson. “We’re loving every minute of this tour, being able to perform for kids and their parents when our music may be able to make a real difference for them.”
That’s what its all about right there folks!
AMEN!! “The Word” says: when U’ve done it unto the least of these, U’ve done it unto Me.” God bless y’all as y’all do these. Good videos, BTW.
What a great story!!!! Music is a great healer, and this little one got a lot of healing. Thanksd fellows for your compassion and thanks for the story. It goes to show that you live what you preach. What a wonderful way to demonstrate God’s love. You’re right, this is what it’s all about. Carry on and keep up the good work Looking forward to having you back in our church in Harrison, Ark on Sep 09. Keep telling the messge. No one does it better.
What a great day and great to give a little joy to all the children….
Did U C my comment on your Facebook page?? GREAT job on the song! God bless.
One of the highlights of my career in music overall!!! Those kids are precious gifts of God.
AMEN!!!! Brought back bad memories of my stays @ ours N B’ham, AL due 2 Spina Bifida & all that goes with it. PTL that Dec. of 1994 was the last time I had 2. The bad part though, “celebrating the Lord’s birth” recovering from Round 2 of back surgery. Prayin’ God’s blessing y’all 4 doing these. Keep me poste on when y’all will B back @ the 1 N B’ham.
Carl – I’m sure that would be a career highlight! This is a very moving story – in fact, I was actually crying as I was doing the technical work necessary to put it up this morning. And being a guy, of course I don’t cry all that often!
One of the greatest things that happened was when Carl gave one of the other guys his bass, and he went out and danced with little McKinley in the middle of the lobby. SO sweet! I think it touched everybody there that he would do that. Kudos for being so nice, Carl
What an awsome thing to do!!! God will surely bless every one involved. I bet it was an experience no one will forget!
I hope we get to go back! What an amazing experience….
Me 2 & if y’all do, let me know when so I can plan (if possible) 2 B there since that isn’t 2 far from me. TY.
McKinley Danced…..There’s a song in there somewhere!
I like that idea…now get 2 writin’ Corey!!
I agree… That would be a song and a half!
Josh Swift’s wife, Tobi, is expecting their first baby, a boy, at any time. Swifty says she is having pains so please pray for a safe delivery while Swifty is home. They have a dog, Henry, who has thought he was the baby.
Congrats 2 The Swift Family!!
I can remember U (Josh) when U played with Set Apart. GREAT group. God bless y’all.
Sorry to be a bother but, I had asked a question on here and must have missed the reply. I wanted to know who the 4th person is on the gospel radio gems cover. I know one is Dale, one is Barry, of course Doyle. The fourth looks like Jim Mills.I can’t find a listing for the group on this one.
Mary, we don’t have any clips to listen to on the older CDs DL&Q have recorded. Gospel Radio Gems was great quartet singing and guitar playing, and no other instruments were used and none of the songs are a cappella.
Mary, the personel on Gospel Radio Gems was Barry Abernathy, Barry Scott, Dale Perry and me.This was before Barry Scott began lifting weights and watching his diet so he was a few pounds heavier then. That is one of my favorite gospel recordings that I have done. Thanks for asking and hope this clears things for you.
Barry Abernathy
What a heartwarming story of giving your time and talents to lift the spirit of those going through a rough time. The love of your giving shines through each one of you. You are an awesome group of guys and when you meet our savior you will be rewarded greatly . Thank you all for doing such a wonderful thing. God bless each one of you. Love you and your music. I tell everyone I talk to about your talents and entertainment. I especially thank Mike for including Tom and I in your great gatherings at your house where I was first introduced to this group. Mike you are a great person…..never change!!! Love you all.
I think we could have did without the drums on the new CD
I don’t have the new CD, but I agree w/U.
Bill you are a man with a level head. You understand true bluegrass music.
It’d be nice if they had 2 versions of the CD, one with drums and one without.
Congrats 2 the Swift family on the birth of your son, even as we speak!! God bless U all. Hope everything goes smoothly 2day.
Cager Glynn Swift – 22 Inches Long – 8 lbs. 14 ounces…just found out! Congrats 2 the family/quartet!!