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In my post yesterday on SoGospelNews’s Ovation Awards, I mentioned that Gold City’s Revival album fell outside what I would consider the traditional Southern Gospel sub-genre.

Chris Unthank, who I respect for always being reasonable in his posts even when we disagree, posted some fascinating thoughts in the comments. Here’s the money quote (to borrow an Averyfineline phrase):

I know this is just a differing of opinions - but if you are limiting your view of traditional Southern Gospel to the artists that you have listed - the SGN Music Awards wouldn’t have enough nominees to fill out the category every year - because that old throw-back style is not the most produced product every year.

Just something to think about.

That got me thinking. In fact, I spent probably a half-hour typing a follow-up comment, only to do something wrong and lose it all. I was so frustrated that I gave up for the day and decided to re-write it as today’s column.

How viable is traditional Southern Gospel?

Let me revisit the definition I gave in my column yesterday:

In my book, a traditional album is an album that is stylistically similar enough to earlier classic Southern Gospel projects that either the songs themselves or their arrangements leave no question that Bill Lyles or Mom Speer would have recognized it as a Southern Gospel project.

Of course, I chose Bill Lyles and Mom Speer randomly. I could just as easily have mentioned any prominent SG musician who died before the ’70s or so.

How strong is this part of our genre? Could we come up with ten strong nominees?

I decided to answer this question by preparing two lists of albums released in 2006. The first is a sample / possible top 10 list of traditional albums, strictly defined:

1. Smooth and Easy, Dixie Melody Boys
2. Sounds of Sunday, Dixie Echoes
3. Gospel Quartet Favorites, Palmetto State Quartet
4. I Know, Inspirations
5. Rock of Ages, Blackwood Brothers Quartet
6. Shout it Out, Dove Brothers
7. Off the Record, Kingdom Heirs
8. 70th Anniversary, Chuck Wagon Gang
9. Keep on Singing, Florida Boys
10. Journey Thus Far, Mark Trammell Trio

The second is a list of traditional albums, a little less strictly defined:

1. Come Thirsty, Perrys
2. Sweet Land of Rest, Palmetto State Quartet
3. Journey Thus Far, Mark Trammell Trio
4. I Know, Inspirations
5. 70th Anniversary, Chuck Wagon Gang
6. Off the Record, Kingdom Heirs (a KH main release would also fit!)
7. Hymns of the Ages, Greater Vision
8. Keep on Singing, Florida Boys
9. Sounds of Sunday, Dixie Echoes

Is the traditional part of the Southern Gospel genre still viable? I think everyone knows what I think, but what do you think?