Comments on: Whence comes the Inspirations’ popularity?

By: Quaid

Quaid — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 01:26:05 +0000

I’m reminded of something Martin Cook said in the May 2008 Singing News, “…there is one thing that is a “must’ for a group’s success: You don’t change your style- you present your style.”

Very profound words for sure. A ‘gold nugget’ of wisdom.
If only the majority of today’s groups would understand and could “get a hold of” , putting this concept into pratice……
Southern Gospel could be immeasurably better off.

By: Debra Mallais

Debra Mallais — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:40:25 +0000

I am searching for a song that touched my heart and has left me wanting to hear it again and again…The Rose Arose, I thought that may be the title but not sure, the story in the song was that the devil thought he had won when Christ went into the tomb, but the Rose arose….not sure the proper title or artist…any help would be magnificient!

By: Scott Cundiff

Scott Cundiff — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 03:21:37 +0000

Good post on the Inspirations. Their song selection, constant quality, and especially their spirit are what keeps me listening.

By: www.southerngospelblog.com » Blog Archive » Inspirations, revisited

www.southerngospelblog.com » Blog Archive » Inspirations, revisited — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 10:08:07 +0000

[...] Doug Harrison over at Averyfineline noticed my recent Inspirations post and responded to it with a post of his own. Now I suspect that Doug has more raw genius than all the other Southern Gospel bloggers put together, but he missed my point just the same. [...]

By: Charles Brady

Charles Brady — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 19:18:19 +0000

If you don’t think the Inspirations are successful just try to book them sometime. Good luck trying to find an open date! I also remember a conversation I had with Mickey Gamble one time about the challenge of getting product into the major retailers. The Inspirations are there because the demand is there. It will sometimes surprise you at what sells and what doesn’t.

By: Ed Butler

Ed Butler — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 17:02:18 +0000

I have great respect for both the Inspirations and McKameys – and have seen them both in concert, been deeply blessed and wanted to hear more.

However, I do not own their recordings because they don’t appeal to me personally. That is the difference in live versus recorded music.

I own literally hundreds of CD’s – mostly really good all male quartets, but a few GV, Hoppers, Perrys & Talley Trio. I buy CD projects I want to listen to while driving.

Everyone has different taste. In addition to what I mentioned above – I own every Twila Paris recording she has ever made. I even own and listen to Nicole C. Mullen some.

You can’t knock success. The Inspirations and McKameys are two of the most successful groups traveling today – or ever. I wish them well and can’t wait to see them again.

Just my thoughts… Great topic Daniel.

JEB

By: Rob Falk

Rob Falk — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 15:35:09 +0000

It never ceases to amaze me how certain bloggers and ” vocal pro ” folks denigrate The Inspirations…They have had a consistent sound for decades ,great songs, and mass appeal to thousands of fans. Thier testimony has been consistant as has the biblical content of thier songs. The fact that thier detractors are so vocal about it on the various forums does not matter one whit !! The thousands of fans that love them and support them do !!

By: 2miles

2miles — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 13:38:33 +0000

I have always said that groups like the McKameys and Inspirations are popular because they sing songs that “ordinary” people can sing. You can take their songs and sing them on Sunday Morning at your local church. Many groups start this way and once they become “popular” they try to showcase their talent by singing difficultly arranged songs, that while they are nice to listen to, are almost impossible for the average Sunday morning singer at Pine Grove Baptist in South Georgia to sing. (I use that church name because my wife and I joke about there being a Pine Grove church of some sort in nearly every little town we go through here in Georgia)

By: JImT

JImT — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 11:16:32 +0000

Daniel, I think you pretty well nailed it. You can put the McKameys in the same category. I don’t know beans about the technical aspects of music, but I know what blesses me and without fail an Inspirations or McKameys concert does that. This, I think, is one of the problems over at averyfineline. He is a musician and tends to evaluate everything from a technical music standpoint. I’m not a musician and I evaluate everything a bit differently. I will admit that other groups may have more polish and skill, but they don’t effect me the same. That’s what made the Cathedrals (and Blackwoods and Statesmen) so special; they were great musicians but also nurtured you spiritually while entertaining you. There are precious few groups going today who can say that.

By: Ron Fleshman

Ron Fleshman — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 05:36:41 +0000

I’ve onlyheard them twice in person, and I don’t see much difference. You either have a good voice or you don’t. I think (and it’s just me probably) that those guys just aren’t very good singers and this goes back to their “country” heritage. They don’t blend well. You can listen to the great quartets–the Statesmen, the Blackwoods, the Cats, etc. The sound is uniform and of one voice with parts interwoven. With the Inspirations you usually hear one voice (usually Archie’s or Matt’s) louder than the others. It’s may be (for lack of a better word) sophistication they lack.

Do they sound good? Not to me. Local church quartets sometimes sound better to me, but some like them a lot because of the “meassage.” Friends, if we ever have sg groups that don’t deliver a “message” in their songs, we are in big trouble. The Inspos are popular among their fans, but the quality of musicianship is not there. Daniel cited a feew songs like “Glory to God”. I challenge anyone to thing it is better sung by the Inspirations than the Old Friends or EHSSQ. If so, then I have nothing else to say.

If we’re talking quality of musicianship, it’s not the Inspirations we’re talking about. If we’re talking about fine Christian men, that’s another matter.