SouthernGospelBlog.com

Especially since I was reminded of singer/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman’s Southern Gospel ties, I feel this post is hardy inappropriate here.

His daughters* inspired him to write his most recent radio single, “Cinderella.” It can be heard on his MySpace page here. Since I don’t listen to CCM radio, I hadn’t heard the song until this afternoon. It was written before Wednesday’s tragedy, but the lyrics are poignant now.

She spins and she sways to whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I’m sitting here wearing the weight of the world on my shoulders

It’s been a long a day and there’s still work to do
She’s pulling at me, saying, “Dad, I need you,
“There’s a ball at the castle and I need to practice my dancing–
“Oh please, Daddy please…”

(Chorus)
So I dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
Cause I know something the prince never knew
… all too soon, the clock will strike midnight
And she’ll be gone

How true.

* [Edit] Here’s the story.

Seven of Southern Gospel’s most prominent bloggers announce the joint effort, SouthernGospelAlbums.com. This website features joint reviews from various combinations of bloggers, as well as summaries and links to the bloggers’ reviews on their individual sites. The site is intended as a primary resource for fans of Southern Gospel music to find reviews of their favorite artists’ recording projects. Participating bloggers are Wes Burke (Burke’s Brainwork), Brandon Coomer (Coomer Cove), David Bruce Murray (Musicscribe), Daniel J. Mount (Southern Gospel Blog), Adam Edwards (Southern Gospel Critique), Kyle Boreing (Southern Gospel View), and Aaron Swain (Swain’s Musings).

For more information on the site, check out www.southerngospelalbums.com.

For more information on review submissions, send an email to contact@southerngospelalbums.com.

While this blog isn’t covering CCM news, this SoGospelNews story transcends genres. As much because I support adoption as anything else, I have been aware of CCM singer Steven Curtis Chapman’s efforts to promote international adoption through Shaohannah’s hope.

According to The Tenneseean, one of the three Chinese girls Chapman’s family adopted, Maria (age 5), was killed in a freak accident while playing outside in their family’s driveway. One of her older brothers was driving a vehicle and did not see her in the driveway.

This is the kind of thing that nobody with a driver’s license wants to think about…but we must, so that hopefully it does not happen closer to home.

EDIT: As my readers remind me, Chapman did write / co-write several Southern Gospel hits, “I Can See the Hand” (Cathedrals) and “Sing With the Angels” (Gold City).