I recently confirmed that I’ll be heading down to The Extra Mile a week from Saturday.

The concept intrigued me from the day the first announcement went up on the site. It wasn’t just the event—it was what it represented for our style of music. Back in the (very) old days, Southern Gospel was experienced through singing schools and church homecomings. For the last few decades, Southern Gospel has revolved around the live concert. But due to rising gas costs and a host of other problems, it’s just getting harder and harder for artists to pull off 200 concerts each year.

This event could be a model for what Southern Gospel looks like a decade from now. What especially intrigues me is that the product table is gone, and that the music is included in the cost of the event.

I’m looking forward to setting foot in Tennessee for the first time and meeting many of you. Since I write about just about everything, I imagine I’ll be writing about it, too.

If you haven’t registered yet, sign up here. It’s more than music, and even more than an event . . . if it’s a success, it could be history in the making.

See you there!

You have the option to STRETCH your payment over two months. Here’s how it works:
1. You register online this week with your first payment of $45.

2. Your second payment of $42 will be automatically charged to your card the week of the event, March 15.

On March 15, we will hold a drawing and 3 winners will have their second payment WAIVED!

The STRETCH option of making two payments and the chance to win a half-price ticket are only good through February 28, so hurry!

The Extra Mile is more than just a conference, or a book/CD launch, or an evening of concerts. It’s an investment in YOU. It’s a day of spiritual refreshing. It’s a chance to begin anew in your life and your walk with God. It’s going to be a day of stretching our minds and our faith, and we want YOU there.

If that sounds good to you, click here to STRETCH! And remember, it only lasts through February 28!

• It’s an event
  Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, March 20, 2010. The premiere of Lauren Talley’s first book and new solo album, Songs In The Night, and the launch of an exciting new ministry.
• It’s an invitation
  Join Lauren and Debra Talley as they teach you from God’s word how to overcome life’s obstacles and live the life in Christ you were meant to live.
• It’s an experience
  In the breathtaking scenery of the Smoky Mountains, reconnect with God on a deeper level. Enjoy inspired teaching and be a part of a once-in-a-lifetime worship experience featuring two concerts with Lauren Talley and the Talley Trio.
• It’s a challenge
  Push yourself to learn more, grow closer, dig deeper, and go farther in your walk with God.

Will you go the extra mile? Click here to learn more.

Many people make resolutions for the New Year, but I have found that I am one who has good intentions, but has a hard time following through.  Is there anyone out there like me?  I have set a few goals this year though.  My main one is to spend more time in the Word.  Another is to get my freezer cleaned out, but that will have to be a warm weather goal since the freezer is in the garage.  I have some others, but I would like to know how you feel about resolutions and if you have any for this year and how you plan to accomplish them.  I could use some inspiration!

We hope to see many of you in the coming year.

Happy New Year

Debra

As you open your gifts this year, give thanks for your blessings and remember with each one you unwrap the greatest gift every given to man.  Jesus Christ, our Lord.  Merry Christmas!

Congratulations Barbara Fisk!
You’re the winner of our Christmas giveaway.  You’ll be receiving a package of prizes from The Talley Trio.

And we decided to also award some consolation prizes.  Those winners are:
Bobby Hendrix
Tom Weaver
Kay Davidson

Have a Merry Christmas!

Prizes will include:

• Talley Trio CDs
• Talley Trio DVDs
• T shirt
• TalleyTree-O tote bag
• A Christmas phone call from our house to yours
• FREE tickets to “The Extra Mile” Event. (Watch for details soon!)
• And other surprises !!

If you’re a subscriber to the talleytree-o.com website, or you receive our email newsletter, you will be automatically entered in the drawing.  If not, you need to subscribe BEFORE Dec 15. Just click on “subscribe” over in the upper right corner. We want you to win so subscribe today!

No one told us we could not sing gospel songs.  As a matter of fact, that’s why we were asked to be there.  As Christian music was sung and played, people clapped their hands and praised the Lord.  We honored our country and our Lord.  Maybe it’s just me, but as I stood there and watched the soldiers, the flag, and listened to the songs of our country and our faith, my heart swelled and I kept thinking, “this is America.”

• America is not politics, government, rhetoric, or agendas.
• America is communities coming together for each other all across our nation when there is a need.
• America is pride in our men and women who sacrifice their lives to protect the freedoms we enjoy every day.
• America is looking beyond ourselves and reaching out to the less fortunate all across the globe.

America is being maligned in our world today, but even with its faults; it’s still the place that people dream of coming to for a better life.  I am proud to be an American and even more so on this Veteran’s Day.  My nephew, Cameron, is currently in boot camp in Camp Lejune, SC.  My father is a WWII Navy veteran.  We are America because young men and women risk their lives to protect and defend our nation and old men, who have served, lived to tell their stories of the battles that have preserved our freedom for generations.

Let us never forget who we are and where we have come from.  It’s the surest way to preserve the nation we love and that God has blessed.  Tell us about someone that you know who has served and why you think it’s important to our country.