But is it an open door that those of us in Southern Gospel aren’t using to full advantage? Because just as Christmas is the one time of year when secular stations play Christian songs, it’s also the one time of year when Christian stations play secular songs. My local stations’ playlist—and, during the nights, Solid Gospel’s national feed—are, if my spot-checking is any accurate indicator, over half secular right now. And I’m not talking about a Legacy Five or Gaither Vocal Band cover, either; I’m talking about early or original renditions from 50s and 60s crooners.

When stations do their annual Share-a-thons (their annual fund-raising drives), they will discuss what an opportunity having Gospel music on the airwaves provides for sharing the Gospel. I am not necessarily making the case that it’s a sin to sing or play a secular song; that’s a discussion for another day. I am making this case: In this season, which is our culture’s biggest open door to hearing the Gospel message, wouldn’t we be better off making the most of it, and focusing on the songs that carry that message—with those strong lyrics and power harmonies that make our genre unique?

I can understand the viewpoint that we should be glad anyone wants to sing our style. And I can understand that perspective, particularly when a group with solid SG roots releases a strong SG tune (Quicksilver and the Oak Ridge Boys come to mind). But this particular song had very little that suggested any Southern Gospel influences, except (through circular reasoning) due to the extent Southern Gospel has incorporated country influences.

But there is a limited number of slots on a Southern Gospel station. And even though some programmers air sub-par material, it’s not like there isn’t enough quality material out there. To any DJ who says that the current material from the 25+ groups on major labels isn’t enough for a varied program, ask me for a list of five or ten independent groups to contact for a current single. Groups like Liberty Quartet, the Old Paths, Paid in Full, the Browns . . . and the list goes on and on.

It’s not like someone who points to that group as a favorite will start listening to Southern Gospel stations just to hear the once every two hours that song is played; if they’re listening for that act, they’ll be listening to their local country station.

There’s so much quality SG music worth playing that SG radio simply doesn’t need occasional novelty Gospels singles from mainstream country acts to fill out a set list. Let’s keep Southern Gospel radio Southern Gospel 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:

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.

It’s the Perrys’ first #1 single in just over five years—their last #1 was “I Wish I Could Have Been There” in July 2004.

It is also the Perrys’ sixth #1, a number that ties them with the Cathedrals. (The Perrys’ six: Not Even a Stone, By Faith I Can Touch Him Now, Praise God It’s Settled I’m Saved, I Rest My Case at the Cross, I Wish I Could Have Been There, and this one. The Cathedrals’ six: Step Into the Water, Can He Could He Would He, Boundless Love, I Can See the Hand, Wedding Music, and He Made a Change.) The Cathedrals’ six songs, however, spent more months at #1 (19 vs. 8).

It’s a well-deserved honor. Congratulations!

I started listening last night but gave up after about twenty minutes, since it seemed groups couldn’t go two full songs without a promo or ad break. The broadcast will be starting at 10 AM today, and I plan to give it another try then.

Update: I must have just hit a particularly rough spot last night. Things are going better today. (The feed hasn’t gone down today, either, another plus.)

Although Crossroads has been servicing the radio markets for several months with their monthly digital releases, this is the first time they have released singles on a single song, as needed basis.  This gives the company the ability to release a single within hours of making the decision, instead of having to sometimes wait for days and weeks, as in years past.  It will also allow the company to have more opportunity to get additional singles off each record by eliminating time delays.

Unless Singing News moves to a digital-driven chart, not constrained by waiting for magazine deadlines, allowing for faster chart action—or, for that matter, moves to a bi-monthly or a weekly chart—there probably won’t be much opportunity to speed up single distribution. But being ready to release a single on the spur of a moment could conceivably allow Crossroads to get in one more single per project, even under existing conditions.

Former Inspirations tenor Archie Watkins will be releasing the debut recording of his solo career with Crossroads. Yesterday, they sent out the first single from that project, a song called “He Will Remember Me,” as a mid-month single release.

This is a worthwhile move, since it will allow more variety on radio stations through the month, with new songs getting introduced throughout the month rather than all at one time. And perhaps, with this being the first try at that system, the novelty will help the single.

• I CAN PRAY Nathan Markee Asheville Music Publishing Chris White Music Dove Brothers Sonlite Records
• I’VE BEEN CHANGED Earl Galloway Jeff Steele Christian Taylor Music OSMR Songs Sunset Gallery Music Legacy Five Daywind Records/Daywind Music Group
• LAST NIGHT Marcia Henry Christian Taylor Music Marcia Henry Music Karen Peck Gooch & New River Daywind Records/Daywind Music Group
• NO DOUBT SALVATION Jeff Weeks Pisgah Ridge Music Palmetto State Quartet Sonlite Records
• THE ROCK’S BETWEEN A HARD PLACE AND YOU Dianne Wilkinson Niles Borop Music Kingdom Heirs Sonlite Records

Oddly enough, none of these were Singing News #1s in 2008, but “I Can Pray” was #1 in June/August 2007  and “Last Night” was #1 in October 2007. “The Rock’s Between the Hard Place and You” peaked at #7 in December 2007.

This suggests that, at least according to BMI’s measuring methods, singles have more staying power on Southern Gospel radio than the SN chart reflects.

Now to rewind the clock a little, this was, I think, a little before the Collingsworths started doing Gaither dates. I was of the opinion at the time that they had the talent, beyond question, to be one of Southern Gospel’s biggest groups, but they were three minutes away from the top. In other words, they needed a good radio song that people would associate with the group.

As soon as I heard “Blessed Be the Lamb,” I thought, for the first time when hearing one of their songs, “This could be the one!” It is a well-penned and well-arranged ballad that fits their group perfectly.

This month, they are finally sending it to radio. So we shall see if I was right.