The Blind Boys of Alabama performed Thursday evening for the first time in Hays, but you can bet this visit won't be their last.

Their Christmas show, "Go Tell It On the Mountain," met with such uproarious approval they are a cinch to be invited to appear in the Fort Hays State University's Encore Series again and again.

The gospel/soul music of the descendants of the group that, according to the program note, "formed at the Alabama Institute for the Negro Blind in 1939," warmed Beach/Schmidt like a tidal wave of hot chocolate with whipped cream on top.

This music has its own unique sound -- loud, rich and complex; embellished with wailing, long-held high notes and improvisatory runs and turns; with fast-alternating rhythms and tempos.

Framed by moving spotlights and against a background of changing colors, the spokesman/lead singer of the three blind vocalists and four not-so-blind instrumentalists warmed up the audience with humorous complaints about the cold and snow and mock-serious warnings like, "Blind Boys don't like to sing for a conservative audience." No fear. Amidst claps and cheers, they launched into "Up Above My Head" and "Perfect Peace."

They then turned to some Christmas songs, "I Pray on Christmas" and "White Christmas." "White Christmas" featured a guitar solo that went well, even though the guitarist had a problem with his instrument -- son Andrew said it might have been a loose string.

Mentioning the many Grammy and other awards they have won, the Boys treated the audience to a few prize-winning numbers including "Spirit in the Sky" with a solo dance and series of long-held notes by the fat guy in the group. Some of my favorites came next, "(Keep the Devil) Way Down in the Hole" and the Christmas carols "Go Tell It On the Mountain" and "Silent Night."

The Boys opened the next set with humorous salesmanship. Mentioning their 2008 album "Blind Boys Down in New Orleans," their spokesman exclaimed, "Blind Boys love to eat," which they can do if we buy the album. Maybe I will, but I don't think he should have pointed at the fat guy as he spoke. The high point of this set was their version of "Amazing Grace."

After the concert, friend Linn Ann Huntington, whose husband, Don, taught her a lot about New Orleans jazz, told me they sang it to the melody of "The House of the Rising Sun."

During the last number -- I didn't quite catch the title, but it might have been "Feel Good" -- an assistant guided the lead singer up and down the aisles while he sang and waved his hand mike around like a holy water sprinkler. The others stood on the stage, jumping up and down and singing at the top of their voices. The audience, too, jumped up and down wildly, yelling, cheering and clapping.

I found all of this amazing -- such explosive applause is much more likely to happen on the football field than in the concert hall.

The next FHSU Encore Series event will be "The Hobbit" puppet production, scheduled for Jan. 25 in Beach/Schmidt. And remember: Spring season tickets make great holiday gifts.

For more information please call Rhonda Tutak at (785) 628-5308 or e-mail rtutak@fhsu.edu.

Ruth Firestone is a supporter of music and theater in Hays.