SouthernGospelBlog.com

With all the channels the Gaither TV specials have been on, one they have never been on is the Hallmark Channel.

Until tonight, that is.

Tonight, at 8 PM EST/PST (not sure if that’s a typo, since it is two separate times), and 7 PM CST, the Gaither show will be aired on Hallmark for the first time.

This jumps out to me as big news because at one point (earlier this year) I was on the phones in a call center taking calls for a certain Christian charity on a regular basis. There was a regular, predictable amount of call volume most of the time, but one night, when they aired a program on Hallmark for the first time since I’d been taking those calls, we were swamped by at least ten times the normal amount of call volume.

Gaither will be airing one of his recent hymns tapings as the hour-long special, and the Gaither operators should at least be prepared for quite the response.

According to a press release from Gospel Music Update, the Palmetto State Quartet will be appearing on the Oprah Winfrey Show next Tuesday, November 24. They will be appearing as backup singers for Wynonna; her step-father, Larry Strickland, owns and sings bass for Palmetto State.

The quartet will also be backing Wynonna up on her Christmas tour, a  15 city tour this month and next. During that tour, they will have the chance to be featured on one song, the title track to their new Christmas CD, Lo and Behold.

The Talleys are sending He’s Alive to radio.

It’s a great choice, certainly the standout single from Songs You Know By Heart. Here’s a video of them singing it in concert about a month ago:

I had heard rumblings that Signature Sound might be moving toward more of a focus on a solo ministry, and this post would seem to confirm that:

Our last few Gaither dates sad but exciting 2. We will be on our own this Cmas. Gonna miss ol Bill!!

And lest any rumors get started, the rumblings I’d heard had indicated that this was with Bill’s blessing—much like he encouraged the Cathedrals 13 or 15 years ago to strike out on their own more.

“Thou shalt have no other gods before Me.” (Exodus 20:3)

“For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” (Exodus 34:14)

“And Jesus answered and said unto him, ‘Get thee behind me, satan: for it is written, “Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.”‘” (Luke 4:8)

A few weeks ago, while going through a very dark time, I began to ask God to show me things in my life that displease Him. True to form, He did and, as usual, I didn’t like what He showed me but I am thankful that, in mercy, He does take time to point things out so I can change and grow closer to Him.

I feel like there were a couple things in my life that I had unknowingly begun to idolize. They weren’t bad things and, in fact, they were things God had given me but I found that my whole world was wrapped around those things and that, without them, I would be nothing (or so I thought).

How merciful for God to point those out so that I can repent and turn to Him again wholeheartedly, thanking Him for His many blessings but aware that, if He removes those blessings, it really doesn’t matter because I still have Him. In proper perspective, nothing can rock my world. Friends may forsake me; family may let me down; everything I hold dear on earth may disappear; but God remains and it’s Him I’m leaning on.

Who or what are you worshiping? Are you worshiping and serving God only, or are people and things taking more priority?

Former Kingsmen baritone Parker Jonathan was off the road for several years after leaving the Kingsmen. For the past few years, he’s probably been one of the top 20 featured in various “Where Are They Now?” columns.

A friend (hat tip, RY) let me know that he has now started a trio called The Jonathans with his wife and a third singer [EDIT: tenor singer Eric Dunson - hat tip, DB]. They are opening for the Mark Trammell Trio and the Perrys tonight in Bowdon, Georgia.

The Collingsworth Family is launching a concert series called A Special Evening with the Collingsworth Family tonight with a concert in Cincinnati that also features guest artist Larnelle Harris.

It’s an interesting concept. Other artists have promoted their own concert tours before (think Gaither), but for the concert kicking off this series, they are offering weekend packages with hotel accomodations, a meal at Cracker Barrel, and tickets to a nearby attraction (the Creation Museum, a subtle statement I wholeheartedly applaud them for making).

I had been hoping to make it and post a full report, but car troubles are forcing me to stay close to Mansfield right now. (At least my car should be fixed next weekend, so regular concert coverage can resume shortly.)

I know this site has at least a few readers in the Cincinnati area. If any of you can make it this evening, share your thoughts in the comments.

The Singing Echoes is a group that has been on the road for forty years this year. Over the years, they have introduced quite a few songs that have become classics, including “Look For Me at Jesus’ Feet,” “His Tomb is Empty Now,” and “Shoutin’ Happy.”

The group, now in its third generation, is still on the road. To promote their current radio single, “I’m a Used to Be,” they have launched a concept website for their fans to share their used-to-be stories, http://imausedtobe.com/.

The site is a frame-based design, a fairly brief fad in web design that went out of style a few years ago. Minor design quibbles aside, it’s an interesting concept—not one that every single would lend itself towards, but a good idea for this one.

Emusic.com has posted a new Christmas project from CCM act SonicFlood, winners of numerous Dove and Grammy Awards. Interestingly, they list the label releasing the project as … Daywind.

Is this an error? After all, Amazon lists a different label, Resonate. Perhaps the connection is just that Daywind’s sister company, New Day, is distributing the project. But is there anything more to it?

According to this post, Aaron & Amanda Crabb have accepted the position of Minister of Music for John Hagee. They will be leading worship at Hagee’s Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, Texas.

Hagee’s occasional controversial statements aside—many public figures occasionally make controversial statements—this is a great platform for the Crabbs.