The Gospel Music Roadshow had the privilege of being at Greater Vision’s Great Smokies Praisefest the first of November in Sevierville, Tennessee. The event began as an outdoor sing in a field 35 years ago and now is hosted at the beautiful First Baptist Church in Sevierville. It is a worship experience wrapped up in three days with Believers who come ready to be blessed year after year. In this “On The Road with GMR,” we wanted to recount some of those moments and blessings.
Great Smokies Praisefest kicked off on a Monday night with music from The Dumplin Valley Trio, The Mark Trammell Quartet, Gold City and Greater Vision. Greater Vision is the host for the event and you know that means Gerald Wolfe, the greatest emcee in the industry, was at the helm welcoming everyone from the stage when the night began. The evening was filled with great hit songs, four part harmony and the beginning of a phrase we would hear for the next five sessions from Gerald… “Do you have a Christmas CD?”
Tuesday morning was truly a highlight of the week. The Kramers and The Whisnants shared the stage with Greater Vision for the session. During The Kramers set, Maria Kramer Wolfe called up Elizabeth and Gerald to play a duet of “Jesus Loves Me” on the piano. What a precious moment the audience experienced as Grandpa Gerald played this song with his granddaughter. That evening, the worship and harmony continued with Tribute Quartet, The Inspirationals Quartet of Texas, Ronnie Booth and Greater Vision. It was a delight to see Ronnie Booth sing and bring his wife, Kim, on stage for a few songs, as well as bring up Chris Allman and Rodney Griffin to sing “He Saw It All.” Before the evening closed, Gerald Wolfe wanted to take a few requests from the audience and create a little piano medley of hymns. He took a request from each section with hymns like, “What a Friend We Have In Jesus,” “How Great Thou Art” and “Further Along.” Upon hearing that last one, Gerald asked the man on the front row, “You mean Farther Along?” The man replied no, “Further Along.” Without missing a beat, Gerald teased, “Is it ‘Further Along’ in Georgia?” Everyone chuckled but what followed was a beautiful, off the cuff arrangement of those hymns that had everyone in the room to just take a moment and be still before the Lord.
Wednesday morning featured Jim & Melissa Brady, the Down East Boys and Greater Vision. Hands were raised in worship, hearts were blessed and a few Christmas songs were sung. That evening, the event closed with Endless Highway, The Mylon Hayes Family, Dumplin Valley Trio and Greater Vision. This time, Chris Allman interrupted Gerald to put him on the spot. He said, “Last night, you played ‘Farther Along’ but tonight I think you should play ‘Further Along.’ This led to Gerald playing the hymn with all the Floyd Cramer licks he could throw in the arrangement. When he was finished the crowd cheered and Gerald said, “I couldn’t tell if that was ‘Further Along’ or ‘Last Date!’” As the night neared to a close, our hearts and spirits were full. Five sessions of Gospel music, laughter and being reminded of God’s goodness has a way of making you forget the burdens you walked in with on Monday night. But it wouldn’t be Great Smokies Praisefest if there wasn’t a quiet moment of prayer before the Lord where the weary could release those burdens before the throne. Rodney Griffin led a prayer from the stage for both those who were hurting and others who may be looking for a relationship with Christ for the first time. It was a still, tender moment where all could focus their hearts on what these sessions were truly all about and silently bow before the throne. After this time of prayer, there was an intermission and then Greater Vision and The Mylon Hayes Family teased a few songs for their upcoming Family & Friends Christmas Tour.
Great Smokies Praisefest has been going strong for 35 years and as Gerald says, “If we’re breathing, there will be a Great Smokies Praisefest.” Not only are the sessions filled with great music, it truly is a worship experience and one that people come ready to participate in, along with moments of laughter, prayer and fellowship. It’s a place where burdens are lifted and spirits renewed and as long as we can, the Gospel Music Roadshow will be at this event. If you have never been to this event – mark your calendar for November 9-11, 2026. Tickets go on sale to the public in 2026!