Comments on: Is Traditional Southern Gospel still viable?

By: Aaron Swain

Aaron Swain — Wed, 25 Apr 2007 00:41:15 +0000

my views on the future of southern gospel music, progressive or traditional, at my website….

By: SoGospelNews

SoGospelNews — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 14:56:08 +0000

I think people mistake radio programming for showing favortisim. It may not be good radio programming but it really isn’t favortism unless the programmer is only programming his own favorites.

Southern Gospel music has many different flavors or styles and you may not like all the flavors, but it offering a choice has kept Baskin Robbins in business for many years and it will keep our great music going as well.

Long live the choices!!!

By: Mary St.Clair

Mary St.Clair — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 23:08:51 +0000

To answer Chris Unthank’s question to me: I beleive that radio is showing favoritism.
For example, I could not have the radio on my area’s SG station without hearing ‘Give It Away’ at least once every hour EVERYDAY for 2 or 3 weeks after it was released. Then we have ‘John In The Jordan’, and last year ‘Jonah’ (from the Northmen)
Also I’ll say that I’ve heard WAY too much of the McRaes and Three Bridges in the past few months.
Yet I hardly ever hear The Dixie Melody Boys, Dixie Echoes, Old Time Gospel Hour Qt, Palmetto State, Monument Quartet,ect.
I’ve never heard the Beene Family, any of the current Blackwood groups, The Browns,or Naomi and the Segos.
It’s been about 3 years since I’ve heard 3For1.
I could go on and on, but you should get my point by now.

By: Deon Unthank

Deon Unthank — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 03:43:13 +0000

John, you are absolutely correct, That four part harmony is a part of the American culture and it is here stay. So is the country flavor in SG. They have worked side by side since the beginning and will continue to do so for many, many years to come.

By: Daniel J. Mount

Daniel J. Mount — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 20:34:24 +0000

Chris, I am just going to have to listen to that GC CD again with your comments in mind! I didn’t hear any similarity before, but maybe I’ll hear it next time.

By: Chris Unthank

Chris Unthank — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 20:32:19 +0000

Who’s showing favoritism? The winners of the SGN Music Awards are decided on by the readers of SoGospelNews.com.

As for the Perrys and Gold City comparison – I stand by it. They are both big, traditional, four part records. The orchestrations on the ballads are similar, the upbeat numbers feature country tinged sounds, etc.

By: Mary St.Clair

Mary St.Clair — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 14:31:26 +0000

WOW! Gospel Music Fan hit the nail on the head.
As I said before, what appeals to one person may not appeal to the other. I for one can’t stand the CD ‘Revival’, but I love Gold City’s past matieral, especially from the mid 80’s. But, when Midnight Cry, or In My Robe Of White came out, someone was proably ranting about how awfull this new progressive stuff was. Today, those are top songs that will always be assoicated with Southren Gospel.
I am shocked that Chris even thought of comparing the Perry’s and Gold City’s last albums. That’s crazy.
I mean, you know SG has reached a dark day when Mike English co-produces a quartet album. Someone will surely rant that he started in SG and I’m AWOL for stating what I did.
But does he sing it currently? No! So why is he quallified to produce today a quartet’s album?
Alot of people seem to want to leave in the past and forget yesterday’s music. I say “KEEP IT THRIVING”. Magazines and web-sites for SG organizations should not show favoritism to past OR modren in order to ‘kick out’ the other.
In Christ we’re supposted to work togehter, remember??

By: Inquirer

Inquirer — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 14:20:04 +0000

To answer Daniel’s direct question, “traditional” Southern Gospel(itself a bit of an oxymoron, because the traditional music was never called “southern gospel” as a genre until the 1980s)will always endure.

Whatever size box one wants to place it in, the traditional four part gospel singing is a permanent part of the American musical culture, and as such, has enough adherents and fans to always sustain it, regardless of all the “trends de jour” that seem to come along in ALL musical genres.

By: GospelMusicFan

GospelMusicFan — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 12:34:12 +0000

We would be treading on thin ice if start listing “ministry” groups. It would be starting the traditional vs progressive all over again in a more
dangerous setting.
We need more focus on including the people instead of trying to find ways to exclude people in southern gospel.
Personally, I know which groups focus in on the message of Jesus Christ.
Once, my wife and I, were attending a morre entertainment type event and my wife crossed path with one of our many favorite artists. The artist asked my wife, “If she knows what she was getting herself into here?” My wife replied in the positive.That group has been at the the top of our favorites list ever since that encounter.
I do not have to have a chart, be told this is a Top 10 song or hear a list of awards to determine the “ministry” rating of a group.
The southern gospel industry seems to miss the point that their supporters do know what is going on around them.
People, in general, do not want to be told what to think.
They like ti be asked or invited into the fold.
Pastors and promoters are a good test for the discerning spiritually minded concert goer.
The best award a seasoned group can get is when they feel that the Holy Spirit was presented in the venue tonight and concert goers can confirm that fact by saying by saying I felt the Lord in this place tonight after the concert.
That’s true success.

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 11:12:56 +0000

I agree with DB. His definitions of progressive and traditional are very good. Today’s progressive music, upon acceptance by the mass audience, dictates tomorrows traditional. The Imperials were as progressive as it gets “back in the day” but by today’s standards are mostly traditional.