I think it was Randy Shelnut that I was talking to a few years ago about this topic. He actually brought it up and said that folks have been telling him that it was on the decline for 30 years. He didn’t seem to think it was going any where.

And please don’t just toss out the old tired, worn-out phrase “that’s why this industry is dying” just because you don’t agree with what’s being discussed. There are a lot of intelligent people who know what they’re talking about on this website. We may not agree all the time, and we may not have all the answers to the problems this industry (and many other musical genres) faces, but we collectively do have a good knowledge of this industry and the people in it. Most of us know the good, bad, and ugly parts of southern gospel music, what works and what doesn’t. Have you been to a well-promoted concert lately? Do you know how poor the economy is doing? I personally think we’re doing well, as a genre, at surviving some pretty tough financial times.

Music is not ignored in this genre. There are many fine players that are contributing their work in studios and on the stage. And I would challenge you if you don’t like the way things are going in this industry, tell us all how to make southern gospel a perfect genre. We’d love to be in the know. Better yet, put a group together, get a bus, and head on down the highway and show us by example the way you think it should be done. It’s easy to spew out what’s wrong with the industry and those who like to discuss it. But a wise man named Big Jim Hamill used to never offer criticism unless he had a way to help solve the problem.

Don’t take one post out of the context of the entire site!

Have your favorite group show up without their ubiquitous “band-in-a-box” and do a concert of just reading lyrics. Tell us all how the response was?

This post illustrates exactly why the genre is dying. All the blogs and forums are filled with posts on how wonderful the words are, who wore what, what type of bus is best, where to buy p.a., how important is a soundman, what label should I sign with, radio promotion, why isn’t my group at NQC, etc. etc. But the most important thing, the music, nope … nobody ever wants to talk about that! Southern gospel MUSIC is the only specialty genre of music where the actual music is relegated to non-factor status.

And then you wonder why ppl outside of the genre laugh at you and call you karaoke wannabes?