It is with much sadness that we have to announce that Cathy Collins has left the Gospel Tide.  Cathy has been with the group for nearly 12 years.  A change after that length of time is always very difficult.  Larry and I have struggled with saying goodbye to her.  She was more than just a member of the group....she was and always will be a member of our family.  When you spend that much time together on the road, you are forever bound together.  
    I will never forget the first weekend she sang with us.  We went to Benson, NC.  Of course we hadn't had much time to practice so the long drive was the perfect time for that.  We left Ashland, KY around 5pm and headed down the highway.  The evening wore on and we were near Chapel Hill, NC and it was nearly midnight.  All of sudden the van started to sputter and die.  I looked at the gages and couldn't believe my eyes....we were out of gas!!!!  Cathy had a cell phone and we called the emergency number and a very stern police officer responded to our call.  He wanted to know why we thought we were out of gas....Ellen replied, "because the gas gage is on the empty line"  He told Ellen to get in the car with him and the others to stay in the van and headed for a gas station.  After buying a gas can and getting the gas, we headed back to the van.  He hadn't said much on the drive to the station but finally he said...."Would you mind telling me one more time how three adults can run out of gas????"  We put the gas in the tank, thanked the officer and headed on our way.  I knew we had a "keeper" when Cathy was willing to go out again the next weekend...LOL
         We have shared so much through the years, laughter, tears, illness, sorrows but most of all a friendship that will never end.  
   Cathy has moved to the Orlando, Florida area and will be opening a children's clothing boutique with her daughter there.  We pray that God will continue to bless her and guide her steps as she begins a new chapter of her life.