The truth is every singer out there (except one) is inferior to someone. Perhaps inferior is a poor choice of words because of the connotations it brings. Look at the Wes Hampton for David Phelps exchange. I really, really like Wes and think he is a wonderful singer, but he is not the tenor that David Phelps is.

Ryan is a good lead singer and will continue to get better, but Shane is a fantastic lead singer who has a power and fullness that Ryan doesn’t possess. At least not yet.

Roy is a good pianist, but Garry Jones is a near legend in SG. His arrangements and accompaniment abilities have very, very few equals in SG today.

My point was, as I stated at the end above, that even though Ernie may get a very good replacement, it is extremely difficult to make up for losses of key personnel.

That’s true. When they began ,(this may be hard for some of you to beleive) I really liked them. They had a great potentiall. BUT, it seems they slacked in quallity with the release of “Ernie Hasse and Signature Sound” in 2005, which (correct me if I’m wrong) was their first CD after joining the Gaither bandwagon. Coincidence? I don’t think so.
Regardless if their is a connection there or not, they have changed from what they were into a “inferior group”.
I don’t like that.

I hope he makes a great choice too, but honestly it is a difficult thing to replace a valuable quartet member.

Until you can prove a comment like that, there is no reason to believe that statement any more than to believe that he is still in EH&SS’s good graces.

I’m looking forward to seeing who Ernie chooses to add to his group! I’m sure it is a choice that will not be made lightly, and he’s done well previously.

I would think that missing the Gaither taping would be the last straw. Perhaps this has been going on for a short while, and when he was not present for the “main event,” that was the end of it.

Granted, if the reports about his family matters are true (and as serious as they seem to be), I would understand missing the date. But it appears that only death or personal sickness is excused in the Gaither camp (Rex Nelon passed away the day before the London taping, George Younce was rushed out of the Carnegie Hall taping mid-shoot), and if someone is ill, the taping is rescheduled (as was the Old Friends taping with both George and Jake Hess).

One must wonder if Ernie knew that Roy wouldn’t be there beforehand, and if so, how far in advance. If Ernie knew about it far enough before the taping, could he have perhaps postponed it? Was it Ernie’s call to go on with the show, or was it Gaither’s?

If it was a last-minute deal, like either the day before the day of, then I would think that excusing the absence would be understandable. Especially if it is a family emergency. In that case, it almost makes Ernie look like the dictator (”I don’t care if your dad’s dying, you WILL do the show or you’re fired!”).

Granted, this is all speculation, but my guess is that Roy wanted to take off some personal time, and it was more than either Ernie or Gaither was willing to deal with.

My question is, though, why do they even need a piano player if they have those tracks? They’ve even gone as far as eliminating the piano intro to “Stand by Me” when done live (which was actually originally recorded and performed by Garry Jones!!). Save for the occassional “Plan of Salvation” number and the required “let’s actually hear our piano player PLAY something,” it’s kinda pointless at this point…

An on going bad situation worsened this weekend….. Roy’s estranged father has been fighting cancer and is right at deaths door. Roy said it is very VERY bad! In the light of the situation and the fact that there are years and years of “issues” between them that need to somehow come to a close “Real Fast” He (Roy) felt the right thing to do was come off the road and “Deal” with these “Real Issues” of life, death, family and healing.

All the guys and the families of EHSS support Him and request prayer for Roy and his family as they wade through these uncharted waters.

Ernie