Crystal River Reunion highlights Robert York’s Concert Ramblings

CONCERT RAMBLINGS – ROBERT YORK

I had the opportunity to drive to Knoxville, TN for the Annual Winterfest Concert put on byÂ New Destiny Productions. It was something very special this year. They were able to put together a Crystal River Reunion. For the first time since the group disbanded, somewhere around 2008, they got back together for a reunion.Â

I was privileged to have the group in concert March 5, 2006. They did a morning worship service for the school then an evening concert along with First Love that evening. I also attended their final concert at Sunrise Baptist Church in Lawrenceville, GA. This was after some of the members had left and they were performing as a trio.

Crystal River got together and rehearsed three songs to sing that evening. The rehearsal lasted about 10 to15 minutes. They were so great that the crowd insisted on another song. They gathered around the piano and sang one more song.

Zackary McGill,l whose family had a background in Southern Gospel music formed the group. Zackâ€™s dad, David McGill, was the original lead singer for the Kingdom Heirs. Zack got some of his friends together and they began singing and became an immediate hit among Southern Gospel Fans despite their youth and hair style. Arthur Rice produced their first recording For The First Time. Other members of the group wereÂ Dusty Barrett who currently sings tenor for Soulâ€™d Out Quartet and Jeremy Lile who sang bass. Jeremy left the group to sing

with Brian Free and Assurance but has since come off the road. Former member Jeff Snyder now resides in Johnson City, TN where he is employed with Farmer Mutual Insurance. Upon leaving Crystal River, Jeff sang with The Greens and Mike Bowling Family.

The remainder of the evening consisted of Scott Allen, soloist who previously sang with Mercyâ€™s