Concert Review By
Gary Hagen
It has been almost a week since Jeff and Sheri Easter and Ryan Seaton finished up their West Coast Tour. Reflecting back on their concert in Vancouver Washington at the First Church of God it was a very unpredictable good time for everyone. What I mean by that is that when the concert was first announced people wondered how such a performance would pan out with such two different singing styles. As a volunteer ticket seller, when the sales at first were a little slow I myself began to question such a match up. But when the time got closer and the sales picked up the Southern Gospel fans came through just like they always do here in the Portland OR/ Vancouver WA area. Over 500 people were in attendance and they were wowed.
Ryan Seaton started off the first set and did a great job. His smooth vocal performance was appreciated and I then knew why there were so many young faces in the crowd which normally doesn’t happen at a SG concert. Not everyone in the Southern Gospel fan base appreciates the crooning style but the majority on that night were there in part to see and hear Mr. Ryan Seaton along with Jeff and Sheri. When Morgan, Jeff, Sheri and Madison Easter took the stage it lit up again. One can never tire of their enthusiasm and talent with country and blue grass sounds galore.
Before the concert my wife, Kathie and myself were busy helping stuff flyers, getting the food for the Meet and Greet and setting up the tables. When Brandon Beene brought Jeff and Sheri into the meet and greet room the VIP ticket holders erupted with applause and appreciation. They relished the time the Easters took to tell some personal things about their lives and of course the witticisms that Jeff always comes up with. What a guy and what a character.
After intermission Ryan again started off the second half. He also took some time for personal revelations about 
himself and his family. One thing about gospel groups and relating to the audience like that it is very humbling. It is nice for the ordinary person to see that just because someone has a God given talent, they are just as human as you and me. They have the same problems and trials in life that we, that are not so talented, have. Ryan then introduced Jeff and Sheri and again the stage was electrified! Sheri told of her fight with cancer and then sang a song especially for someone in the audience that had lost a family member. The song was “She Loved” one of my favorites, about how we want someone to look at us when we are gone. Morgan and Madison were able to showcase their voice talents individually at different times in the concert and it shows that the talent sure runs in the family. Ryan joined them for the last part of the concert and attempted to teach them a EHSS song and dance routine that was very entertaining. All in all I think everyone, except for the little old lady with the hearing aid and walker that complained about the sound, enjoyed the concert immensely and hope that The Easters and Ryan Seaton will not be strangers to the West Coast for too long!
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