The fiftieth anniversary of the Parade of Quartets surpassed all expectations.  Local legends like The Original Abraham Brothers, Veteran Harmonizers, Brewsteraires, Traveling Singers, Gospel Echo Soul Stirrers, Spirits of Harmony, Flo Carter and the Sounds of Joy, Bright Stars, and others were honored.   The Brewsteraires did a musical medley of tribute to the local legends that was awesome. Nationally Joe Ligon and Richard Wallace of the Mighty Clouds of Joy were in attendance, Ben Chandler of the Pilgrim Jubilaires, Sandy Foster of the Mississippi Blind Boys were also there.  We honored Big Red and the Swanee Quintet, Rev. F. C. Barnes. The Lighthouse Singers were magnificent as they paid tribute to the national legends.

 Sam Tate of Gospel Gems was the masterful emcee of the event, George Stewart of the American Quartet Convention was in attendance, Blanche Goodsen presented Ester Wooten with the Parade of Quartets Golden Drum Award who was in attendance with her husband Roy Wooten who brought two upcoming groups, The Jackson Sisters and Gerald Hinton that performed. 

 Larry Veil a comedian from Atlanta broke the sides of everybody while Dr. Patricia Russell McCloud brought the house down with a 15 minute oratory on gospel music's role in the African American experience and her normal inspiration "Never Give Up" spill.

 Performances by Luther Barnes and the Sunset Jubilaires, James Bignon and the Augusta Workshop Choir, The Brooklyn Allstars, Angelica Christie, Melba Moore, and the unbelievable Smokie Norful were the highlights of the night.  The crowd ate scrumptiously and enjoyed a night in Augusta unmatched by any awards ceremony.