Though I was aware of the fact that Ernie Haase and Signature Sound and the Gaither Vocal Band were taping a live joint DVD on Wednesday, I didn’t watch it online since I’m not a $65-a-year member of the website.

But I did just go over to the Signature Sound message boards to gauge fan reactions. It seems that the general feel over there is that it was a nice concert but more subdued than they expected.
The big news of the evening is that pianist Roy Webb was absent. There were several different rumors about health problems, but no official word as to what caused the absence.

Given the importance Signature Sound places on their live videos, the health issues (or whatever it was) must have been pretty serious for Roy to skip.

Story developing…

Singing News posted a new upgrade to their website yesterday–sound clips of the top 10 hits on their radio airplay chart as well as sound clips of the top 10 new releases. [EDIT, 11/8/10: The link is broken and has been removed.]

This is an encouraging step toward bringing their website to the next level.

Singing News has posted some minor upgrades to their website, www.singingnews.com. The most significant is making some freely available feature articles and supplements to feature articles–things which were previously only available via the print magazine.

Like all forms of print media, they struggle with the tension of providing relevant content in the Internet age and providing meaningful content in the print publication that still makes it worth a subscription.

They promised some upgrades this year, and bit by bit, we are seeing several encouraging improvements.

Dinana on the Singing News forums is reporting that Gerald Wolfe is going to take over hosting duties at this year’s pianorama. Beyond doubt, he’s a good pick as an emcee; the only surprising part is that he’s not particularly known for his piano skills right now, being primarily a vocalist, and I’m not sure if he’s even taken part in past pianoramas.

That said, there aren’t too many group leaders / emcees who are also Pianorama-quality pianists, and thus Wolfe makes a logical pick.

To say the least, this will be interesting to watch!

EDIT: Now it’s official. [EDIT, 11/8/10: The link is broken and has been removed.]

I’ve had a day to think it over, and I decided to go ahead and post the top-5 Singing News Fan Awards list circulating right now. Obviously, I’m not going to be 100% certain until Singing News actually prints their ballot, but whether or not anything will change this list sure makes for some interesting discussion points.

Female
Bean, Peg McKamey (McKameys)
Easter, Sheri (Jeff & Sheri Easter)
Hopper, Kim (Hoppers)
Stuffle, Libbi (Perrys)
Whisnant, Susan (Whisnants)
Male
Fowler, Scott (Legacy Five)
Haase, Ernie (Ernie Haase & Signature Sound)
Parker, Ivan (Soloist)
Rice, Arthur (Kingdom Heirs)
Wolfe, Gerald (Greater Vision)
Tenor
Free, Brian (Brian Free & Assurance)
Haase, Ernie (Signature Sound Qt)
Seamans, Frank (Legacy Five)
Sutton, David (Triumphant Quartet)
Waldroup, Jason (Greater Vision)
Lead
Dibler, Matt (Inspirations)
Fowler, Scott (Legacy Five)
Inman, Clayton (Triumphant Quartet)
Rice, Arthur (Kingdom Heirs)
Wolfe, Gerald (Greater Vision)
Baritone
Anderson, Doug (Signature Sound)
Griffin, Rodney (Greater Vision)
Howard, Scott (Legacy Five)
Inman, Scott (Triumphant Quartet)
Trammell, Mark (Mark Trammell Trio)
Bass
Bennett, Eric (Triumphant Quartet)
Duncan, Tim (Signature Sound Qt)
Dustin, Glenn (Legacy Five)
Holcomb, Mike (Inspirations)
Stuffle, Tracy (Perrys)
Alto
Easter, Sheri (Jeff & Sheri Easter)
Hopper, Connie (Hoppers)
Stuffle, Libbi (Perrys)
Talley, Debra (Talley Trio)
Whisnant, Susan (Whisnants)
Soprano
Fortner, Connie (McKameys)
Gooch, Karen Peck (Karen Peck & New River)
Greene, TaRanda (Greenes)
Hopper, Kim (Hoppers)
Talley, Lauren (Talley Trio)

Young Artist
Fortner, Eli (McKameys)
Free, Ricky (Brian Free & Assurance)
Habedank, Joseph (Perrys)
Inman, Scott (Triumphant Qt)
Sweatman, Dustin (Mark Trammell Trio)
Horizon Individual
Barker, Grant (Kingsmen)
Lile, Jeremy (Brian Free & Assurance)
Singletary, Josh (Tribute Qt)
Sweatman, Dustin (Mark Trammell Trio)
Trammell, Nick (Perrys)
Horizon Group
Ball Brothers
Browns
Crystal River
Paid In Full
Young Harmony
Musician
Bennett, Roger (Legacy Five)
Collingsworth, Kim (Collingsworth Family)
Holt, Matthew (Perrys)
Stice, Jeff (Triumphant Qt)
Webb, Roy (Ernie Haase & Signature Sound)
Songwriter
Bishop, Mark
Brady, Jim
Crabb, Gerald
Griffin, Rodney
Wilkinson, Dianne
Album
Get Away Jordan (Ernie Haase & Signature Sound)
I Know (Inspirations)
Live In Music City (Legacy Five)
Revival (Gold City)
Triumphant (Triumphant Qt)
Group of the Year
Booth Brothers
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Inspirations
Legacy Five
Triumphant Qt

Song
Give It Away Gaither Vocal Band
He Will Hide Me Perrys
Heaven’s Hero Greater Vision
Hey Jonah Triumphant Qt
I Have Not Forgotten Inspirations
I Will Trust You Lord McKameys
If It Takes A Valley Brian Free & Assurance
My Anchor of Hope Kingdom Heirs
Once Upon A Cross Mark Trammell Trio
Strike Up The Band Legacy Five

Clearly, the hottest groups in Southern Gospel right now are Signature Sound, the Inspirations, and the Triumphant Quartet, in roughly that order. Triumphant seems to have a strong enough fan base to be nominated for top 5 in virtually every category in which they are eligible, year after year. They must be nearing a record for most consecutive top-5 nominations without any win I can think of. If they can hold their current lineup together for the next few years, and if any of the select few groups more popular than they are have major lineup changes, I could easily see them starting to win awards right and left. But as it is, this steady track record of being nominated for just about everything and winning just about nothing leaves me wondering if it won’t happen again.

Legacy Five, of course, released what is probably their strongest record yet, Live in Music City, in this year’s eligibility period. Add that to a bit of sympathy vote with Roger Bennett’s passing and I wouldn’t be shocked to see them take home a few awards this year. I still plan to vote for Roger Bennett for one last time for favorite pianist this year.

As always, there are at least four strong albums in the top 5. The Inspirations’ album–no matter the song selection or production details–always stands a chance of winning, and Signature Sound’s could always win, too. But it wouldn’t shock me to see Legacy Five’s Live in Music City win, either. This is just my opinion, but they might be able to seal the deal by sending “I Have Been Changed” to radio.

Of course, after last year’s tie, all eyes are on the Inspirations and Signature Sound. Probably a big factor this year will be which way disappointed Perrys and Greater Vision fans go: To the Inspirations’ side of the aisle because of their clothing and presentation, or to Signature Sound’s big ballads and quartet songs. Of course, there is a third possibility: That Greater Vision and Perrys fans would tend to prefer Triumphant (most similar musically) or Legacy Five (popular personalities), and that this influence could propel one of the two into the top award.
Well, that’s enough commentary, except for one more detail. I haven’t made up my mind on some of the categories yet, but I am definitely planning on voting for Joseph Habedank as Young Artist. As I’ve said before, I think he’s a great singer and has taken the Perrys up a level.

It’s pretty much a given that I always vote for Libbi Stuffle for Alto and Female Vocalist, and I’ll add Young Artist this year. If Perrys bashing goes too much farther, I just might react by voting a straight ticket! I’m waiting until I hear their next album to decide whether or not I think they are the best they’ve ever been, but based on their NQC performace last year, I am strongly inclined to think that they are.

It’s been a while since I posted an update on lineup changes and the like. So to catch up on some news:

1. It’s now official; Harold Reed is the new Kingsmen tenor. According to Lane Rainwater, the Kingsmen gig is bringing out parts of his range we’ve never heard before. I still think this will be a change from the typical Kingsmen sound, but we’ll see. [EDIT, 11/7/10: Regrettably, the link is broken, so it has been removed.]

2. Chuck Wagon Gang alto (and last remaining family member) Shaye Truax is taking a leave of absence from the road starting June 1. Her position will be filled by Penny Greene. Since she’s the last link to the original group, she will still make selected appearances with the group.

3. It looks like the Jody Brown Indian Family has disbanded, or is at least taking a leave of absence. [EDIT, 11/8/10: The link is broken and has been removed.] I haven’t yet heard a breakout JBIF radio single , a song that’s grabbed my attention the same way a “Calvary Answers for Me,”  “My Name is Lazarus,” or “Once Upon a Cross” does. In other words, I think that they never did break into Southern Gospel’s top tier of most popular artists. But time will tell, and they could always return.

A little bird tells me that neither the reigning trio of the year nor the reigning mixed group of the year will be in the top 5 for Group of the Year in the Singing News Fan Awards. If this is true, it is surprising, but stranger things have happened.

I think this will have one definite result: There will be increased fan demand for the group categories to return next year. But I could be surprised. As I said, stranger things have happened before.

The Grand Rapids Daily Press has an interesting article on Guy Penrod’s solo album. Also, this Marysville Daily Times article on Fred Eaglesmith has an odd reference to Southern Gospel:

Fredheads concerned with Eaglesmith’s departures from the norm, however, should probably prepare themselves for his next album. Currently in the production stage, Eaglesmith said it veers away from his traditional Americana sound perhaps more sharply than ever.

“It’s more based on the Southern gospel culture, going all the way down to the snake churches,” he said. “I was raised in a real sort-of cultish religion, and it’s coming out. I’m into that, the black gospel stuff, right now, and it sure is fun.

“It feels like the right thing to be into for me. Every album these days seems to be an Americana album — everybody is playing our music now, and the more people who play it, the more it gets watered down.”

The Dixie Echoes and the Mark Trammell Trio both announced upcoming live DVD tapings within the past few days.

The Dixie Echoes will record theirs on June 2, 2007 at XM Radio’s Live Performance Theater in Washington, D.C. Attendance will be limited:

The seating for this special program is extremely limited and people will be chosen on a “first-come, first-served” basis determined by when their email is received at XM. If you are interested and are 100% confident that you can be in Washington, DC on the afternoon of June 2, 2007, please send an email complete with your full name and contact information to live@xmradio.com. Make sure to include “DIXIE ECHOES” in the subject line of your message to live@xmradio.com or your email will not be considered.

If you wish to come with a guest – one other person only – please include that person’s name and contact information (email and cell phone nos. are important in case there is a change in schedule) as well. If you are selected to attend, you will receive an email with the exact time and further instructions. Only people who have received this email will be put on the guest list and will be able to attend.

Also, the Mark Trammell Trio just announced that they will be taping a live DVD next Thursday, March 17, at Christ Church in Huntington, West Virginia. Those who seek more information can call  256-442-1621.

This DVD will be their first since bringing Steve and Dustin on board. I’m glad that this particular lineup will be captured on video, because it is their best yet and may be the best they will ever have.

The DVD will include songs from their last two projects (I’m assuming Once Upon a Cross and Journey Thus Far, though it may include some from This Time) and songs from their next CD project, which is evidently already under way.

I recently joined a website for homeschool alumni. I noticed yesterday on one member’s profile page that she liked “Conservative Gospel Music,” naming artists from the Inspirations to Steve Green’s earlier work to (possibly?) Greater Vision.

When I read that, I thought her phrase captured well the answer to the perennial question about how some Southern Gospel fans (me included!) could vote for the Inspirations in one category and Greater Vision in another. Both groups stay within their tradition, neither pushing the envelope, and the members of both live (to my knowledge, and to the public’s knowledge) lives off stage consistent with how they represent themselves on stage.

Conservative Gospel Music is something almost as undefinable as Southern Gospel Music. You just have to know what you’re looking for, and if you do, you intuitively know when you have found it. You come away from a Mark Trammell Trio concert or a Primitive Quartet concert with a whole different feeling than you do after hearing certain progressive groups, or than you would after hearing a singer who you knew was living a life offstage inconsistent with how they represent themselves on stage.

It’s the sort of thing that I can’t capture in words, but have been pondering anyhow ever since that phrase caught my attention.