Open Thread #3: Politics in Southern Gospel

A recent thread on the Dove Brothers got sidetracked by a political discussion. This topic deserves its own thread.

What role should politics play in Southern Gospel?

Do the political inclinations of a musician influence your view of his music?

6 Responses to “Open Thread #3: Politics in Southern Gospel”

1. Dean Adkins says:

   October 22, 2007 at 12:36 pm

   I do not go to a concert (church or auditorium) to hear some singer’s political agenda (makes no difference if it’s Democrat or Republican). I am turned off when an artist makes disparaging remarks about candidates or elected officials. That includes their clumsy attempts at comedy at the expense of candidate or someone in office.

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2. Ben Harris says:

   October 22, 2007 at 1:23 pm

   Amen

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3. Inquirer says:

   October 22, 2007 at 1:51 pm

   The political views of anyone I know, musician or otherwise, have absolutely NO bearing on my opinion of them.

   I have friends of all views and persuasions, and they are my friends based on my perception of their characters, not on how much like me they are.

   Why, then, would I care what the politics of a virtual stranger to me has?

   I evaluate musicians solely on what I feel about their music, and whether or not they have the same opinions as I do has nothing to do with their musical abilities.

   Those musicians I’m fortunate to have as personal friends are evaluated on the standards I outlined in my first sentence.

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4. ABK says:

   October 24, 2007 at 9:25 am

   I’d prefer that all facets of politics (liberal, conservative, green party, brown party, whatever…) be left off of the southern gospel stage, because no matter what is said or done politically on stage, somebody will always be hurt or offended by your political stand. Also, the fans don’t come to a concert to hear politics, if anything, they usually come to forget about such. At the same time, the artist is doing his or herself a favor by not doing such. Some artists have killed their popularity at the expense of venting their political beliefs onstage and I think it’s better off if everybody would just entertain the folks. Leave the singing to the singers and the politicking to the politicians.

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5. GospelMusicFan says:

   October 24, 2007 at 10:38 am

   Discussing politics in the south would put you closer to the edge but it would put way over the cliff in many parts of the north.
   Southerners, be thankful for the extra freedom you have in singing God’s music in public places like the main streets or closing down a town square.
   Try something like that in the north and our friends would be making appointments for us in unfriendly surroundings.
   Maybe you might want to do your feel good political thing by going the extra mile but I wonder if that is the Christian love and compassion the Jesus shown while here on Earth

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6. New SoGo Fan says:

   June 26, 2010 at 1:14 pm

   Somebody tell that to Scott Fowler… while I agree that we shouldn’t give an artist or group *undue* favoritism because their politics line up with ours (regardless of their musical quality) I think there’s nothing wrong with speaking truth from the stage in that realm. And if somebody is offended by the truth, that’s their problem. It’s not your business to worry about that sort of person.

   And for the record, I like Scott’s voice too, and I think L5 is a solid group. Just because I happen to like Scott personally as well doesn’t stop me from giving him or his group an objective evaluation. Fortunately, they get a thumbs-up from me on all counts.

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