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Steve Green sang a song a few years back which said, “May all who come behind us find us faithful.” This week, I’ve been thinking about some of the “heroes” who have gone on before who truly were faithful examples to us as we live our Christian lives.

The person I most looked up to and respected in the Gospel music field was Vestal Goodman. I would love to have the faith she had and the walk with God that she had which kept her fulfilling the call God placed on her life for over 50 years! God is continuing to change me in many areas but I know I have a long way to go.

I’m now at an interesting age where I can still learn from those older than me but there’s also now a lot of people who are younger than me who desire to see someone living the life they’ve heard about but may have never seen or are having a hard time living it themselves. It’s no longer acceptable to say, “I wish I were like Vestal Goodman or Chris Freeman.” I have got to be faithful to serve God where He has me and to be an example of the Believers in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, and in purity (1 Timothy 4:12). The people I look up to do not have a closer walk with God because they are super spiritual. They have that walk because they spend the time with God that it takes to achieve that closeness with Him. My goal is to keep pressing on until it’s no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me.

Like the saints of old who have given us an example to follow, and those who continue to do so, let’s ask God to help us to become the role models this next generation needs so that we can continue to be used of Him to bring others into His Kingdom!

A couple stories I didn’t get to this week:

• The Imperials announced two new vocalists this week: Tenor Perry Jones and lead singer Scott Allen replace Jeremie Hudson and Shannon Smith, respectively. Scott Allen was introduced to Southern Gospel audiences as the second and final lead singer for Mercy’s Mark; his brief tenure with the group included a mainstage appearance at the 2007 National Quartet Convention.
• Worth reading: Wes Burke reviews a Dixie Echoes concert.
• The Isaacs and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver picked up nominations in this year’s 2008 International Bluegrass Music Association awards. The Isaacs are up for Vocal Group of the Year, and Sonya Isaacs is nominated for Female Vocalist. Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver is up for Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year, and Mandolin Player of the Year (Doyle Lawson).
• The Ball Brothers launched a new website design last night.
• Personnel changes this week: Bass singer Brandon Barry leaves the Old Paths Quartet, and pianist Joshua Pope leaves the New Florida Boys.

Comment of the day definitely goes to former Dixie Echoes bass Tracy Crouch. His comment on my review of the group’s first album since his departure is pure class:

The guys really outdid themselves on this one! There’s not a group on the road today that truly represents what our industry is all about like the DE’s. Am I a little prejudiced? Sure! But…I’ve also looked at what else is available. There are a lot of good groups but no one is any closer to true, pure quartet singing than the DE’s. I have been a Pat Barker fan from day 1, I can’t think of a better fit in the bass position than he. Pat’s version of “Not In A Million Years” is a true crowd pleaser and consistantly has people on their feet everywhere they go. Wesley is one of the smoothest, easy sounding tenors today. Not many tenors can sing “Walk With Me” the way it deserves, but Wesley nails it perfectly. I think this album showcases some of Scoot’s best singing ever! He has developed into one of the best baritones in our business today and it is evident by his lead on “Until You Find The Lord”. Of course Randy’s rendition of “Little Is Much” has been a hit since the first time we staged it. I still love to hear this arragement. And certainly the DE’s would not be able to do what they do without the classic touch on the piano provided by Stewart Varnado. The currently line-up of the DE’s is one of the best. In fact, I’d rather hear Pat sing than me any day!

If someone were to ask me to play a cd of songs that represent what southern gospel music is all about, this would be the cd I’d give them. I’m extremely proud of the work the guys have put into this project and I encourage everyone to get their own copy. You can sample tracks from this album at the Dixie Echoes MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/dixieechoes

Upcoming reviews (switching to 2 per week during NQC album release season):

• Aug. 26: Simplified (Ball Brothers)
• Aug. 29: Turning Point (Cross 4 Crowns)
• Sep. 2: Nothin’ But Good (Mike LeFevre Quartet)
• Sep. 5: How Great It Is (Inspirations)
• Sep. 19: Faith to Believe (Mike & Kelly Bowling)

Also in the works: Reviews of the latest from the Talley Trio, the Old Paths Quartet, a solo project from Liberty Quartet bass singer Royce Mitchell, and a classic CD from the Kingsmen.

Through their Talley Tree-o website, Crossroads Music and the Talley Trio have been involving fans in the recording process of the group’s upcoming release, Life Goes On.

The album is set to release on September 16, but the group and label decided to make the album available digitally now to involve the fans in the process of picking out a single. It’s available on the Crossroads website, here.

Also, be watching for a CD review on this website in the coming weeks.

Observant Singing News forum poster LRBB observed a strange anomaly on the Singing News charts for 2001. From May through October, a song charted in the top 40, peaking at #7 in July and August. It was at #23 on the all-year chart.

However, on the Singing News hits archives for 2001, all of the instances where the song appears are left blank.

LRBB asked what song was missing. I did some research. The song?

“Left Behind” (Steeles)

No, I’m not kidding. You can’t make this kind of stuff up.

Could some staffer at Singing News be playing a royal practical joke on us? I wonder how long this song has been missing.

Rating: 5 stars

Producers: Randy Shelnut, Randy Shelnut Jr., and Stewart Varnado

Song List: I’ll Be Ready To Go With Him; So Many Reasons; Miracles Will Happen On That Day; Until You Find the Lord; Not in a Million Years; Walk With Me; On the Other Side of Jordan; How Big is God; I’m Gonna Move to the Sky; Little is Much.

Available from: Artist.

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In the two years since the Dixie Echoes released their last release (Sounds of Sunday), they have had two member changes. Former Palmetto State Quartet member Wesley Smith has replaced Dallas Rogers at the tenor slot, and former Diplomats bass Pat Barker has replaced Tracy Crouch at bass. Since every Dixie Echoes project over the past several years has introduced at least one new member, the group has been fortunate to maintain the same core through that time–lead singer Randy Shelnut, baritone “Scoot” Shelnut (Randy Jr.), and pianist Stewart Varnado.

For the last five or six years, the Dixie Echoes have predominantly recorded and staged classic Southern Gospel songs. So Many Reasons continues this trend. However, it differs from the typical table project. Many groups record projects of new songs as their mainline releases and do table projects of classics on the side; these table projects typically feature ten of the 50 to 100 songs instantly recognizable to any Southern Gospel fan. The Dixie Echoes consistently make a concerted effort to find and bring back forgotten gems.

Granted, the project has its familiar songs, three or maybe four songs from that (hypothetical) list of 50 to 100 songs that every Southern Gospel fan knows. But each has a purpose in the album. “Walk With Me” showcases tenor Wesley Smith; “How Big is God” and “Not in a Million Years” introduce Pat Barker. Somewhat like his predecessor Tracy Crouch, Barker is not the lowest bass ever, but has a rich, warm tone and carries a pleasant lead. “Not in a Million Years” might not have been primarily thought of as a bass song before this rendition, but Barker’s vocals make it sound as though it was written for a bass voice.

“Little is Much,” the project’s other instantly recognizable song, features lead singer Randy Shelnut. Undoubtedly, enough fans who have heard Shelnut’s often electrifying live rendition of the song requested for a CD with the song that the group needed to record it eventually.

Probably the project’s best forgotten gem is the opening track, “I’ll Be Ready.” The song was written by David Reese, a member of the Harvesters and Rangers, and recorded by both groups. Other than a splendid rendition on a recent Couriers project–a project that unfortunately stayed unknown to most Southern Gospel fans–the song has been largely forgotten for decades. The Dixie Echoes turn in a great rendition, managing to showcase all four members without any awkward transitions. (Pat Barker even sings some rhythm bass during Wesley Smith’s solo.)

Other project highlights include “On the Other Side of Jordan,” “I’m Gonna Move to the Sky,” and the two songs featuring Pat Barker, “How Big is God” and “Not in a Million Years.” This project will delight fans of classic Southern Gospel, and undoubtedly win a few new ones along the way.

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A few words about the rating. Since this is only the fourth 5-star rating I’ve given this year, and only the second to a project released this year, it might raise a few eyebrows that I gave the rating to a project of (mostly) familiar classics. I did this for two reasons. First, I compare it against other projects of classic songs, and it’s one of the best in recent years. Second, part of the rating is due to the recording process. They recorded the core instruments on the soundtracks themselves, and recorded the vocals without stacks or auto-tuning. So Many Reasons gets four of its stars because it’s good; it gets its fifth star because it’s real.

At any given point, Southern Gospel (as any other genre) has its fair share of up-and-coming artists. Sometimes these artists get noticed early, are signed to a major label, and really start to make their mark on the genre. Other times, they tour and record independently for a few years before getting a major label deal.

Who are some of the artists in the second group? Who are the strongest unsigned up-and-coming artists in our genre?

In no particular order:

• Old Paths Quartet. Any group ambitious enough to field a live band and produce recordings at the level Old Paths is doing is worth a closer look—even if they don’t have a sound as good as this group’s.
• The Diplomats. This Georgia-based mixed group captures the raw energy and enthusiasm of the Happy Goodmans, recording and staging both old and new songs.
• Ball Brothers. These four brothers might not have a bass singer in the family, but they have the tightest four-part harmonies around.
• Liberty Quartet. Perhaps the only full-time group on the West Coast, more national exposure for this group help expand the reach of Southern Gospel.
• The Browns. They consistently produce albums worthy of major label distribution, and have a unique live presentation to boot.

This list specifically focused on up-and-coming artists, so I didn’t include artists that have been on major labels at some point but for whatever reason are not now (e.g., Dixie Melody Boys, Dixie Echoes, Blackwood Brothers, Hayes Family).

Ernie Haase & Signature Sound announced in their last email newsletter that they will be offering free advance downloads of two tracks from their upcoming release, Dream On, to anyone who pre-orders it online on their website. The tracks are “The Old Landmark” and their first single from the project, “Reason Enough.”

From the announcement:

Filmed at the Famous Navy Pier in one of the greatest cities Chicago IL, in front of some of the greatest fans in all the world, this action packed musical event has something for everybody.  Special guests on the DVD are Jessy Dixon, The “New Friendship Youth and Young Adult Choir” from Chicago’s south side, and the comedy of Chonda Pierce.

As a bonus ….. FREE DIGITAL DOWNLOADS!!!

Want to hear the new CD before it comes out?  If you “Pre Order” the new CD and DVD “Dream On” from the EHSS website you will be given a FREE DIGITAL DOWNLOAD of two “LIVE” tracks from the Live in Chicago taping. The digital download link will be presented to you right after your credit card is processed. As well you will also receive a follow up email with the same link. Please note that only web orders for the pre-sale will receive the free digital download.

Rating: 3.5 (of 5)

Average Song Rating: 3.8 (of 5)

Song List: I Know, I Know; Help is On the Way; Eternity Has Two; One of These Days; Truly God is Love; Land of the Dying; I Won’t Have to Worry Anymore; When the Hand of God Comes Down; The Black Sheep Returns to the Fold; I’m the Clay in Your Hands; Press On, O Pilgrim, There is Joy Ahead; What Shall I Do With Jesus; He Made it All Right; Keep Your Eyes on Jesus.

Available From: Artist, Crossroads, Amazon, CBD.

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Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver is a rare example of a group that manages to enjoy success concurrently in Southern Gospel and another genre without alienating many fans in either genre. They alternate Bluegrass and Bluegrass Gospel releases, releasing their Bluegrass Gospel releases to the Southern Gospel via Crossroads Records.

This project gained some notice when its title track went to #1 on the September 2008 Singing News radio airplay charts (subscribers-only link here). Oddly enough, with the song being the group’s first #1, it’s not even the best track on the project. “One of These Days,” “When the Hand of God Comes Down,” and “Press On, O Pilgrim, There is Joy Ahead” are outstanding uptempo numbers that would be termed “convention songs” under different arrangements. “Press On, O Pilgrim, There is Joy Ahead,” in particular, is a song that a traditional group like the Dixie Echoes, Inspirations, or the Blackwood Brothers could adapt easily to their style.

Among the project’s slower tracks, the most memorable lyric comes from “Eternity Has Two”: “Life has many options / Eternity has two.” It’s the sort of lyric and melody that stick in your mind for days, even after only hearing the song once or twice.

This album is an enjoyable mixture of new and classic Gospel songs performed in a Bluegrass style. Despite posts like these two, I see no reason why fans of traditional convention-song quartet singing would dislike Quicksilver. In fact, their vocal arrangements are much closer that style than many of today’s top groups.

What are the best blogs by professional Southern Gospel performers? Which give the most insight into their day-to-day life, road life, or the recording process?

Keith Waggoner and Paul Jackson are on my daily reads. Who are on yours?

Singing News forums member RogerBennett_Fan made this statement a few days ago:

I just think that SGM is running short on solid quartet songs. . .Making it harder for the groups to remain 100% traditional.

Is Southern Gospel running short on solid quartet songs?

I think the answer is “no.” We might not have as many as in the days when songbook companies would publish several new songbooks every year, chock-full of quartet songs.

Let’s just take a few current groups’ recent projects. I’ll mention newly written convention-style quartet songs; the idea is to highlight songs that the Statesmen, Blackwood Brothers, Happy Goodmans, or Kingsmen could have done in the 50s, 60s and 70s.

Perrys

• “When We Hear Him Say Well Done” (Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey) – Changed Forever (2001)
• “Come on and Join Us” (Beverly Lowry) – Changed Forever (2001)
• “Damascus Road” (Kyla Rowland) – This is the Day (2003)
• “We Will Be Changed” (Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey) – Live of Love (2004)
• “Until the Last One is Home” (Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey) – Come Thirsty (2006)
• “A Day That Never Ends” (Gerald Crabb) – Come Thirsty (2006)
• “Every Question Will Be Answered” (Rodney Griffin) – Look No Further (2007)

Kingdom Heirs

• “Mighty Deep Well” – Going On with the Song (2003)
• “Good News From the Graveyard” – Going On with the Song (2003)
• “I Know I’m Going There” – Forever Changed (2004)
• “Sing, Shout, Dance” – Give Me the Mountain (2005)
• “I Don’t Wanna Go Back” – Give Me the Mountain (2005)
• “Poorest Main in Heaven” – Give Me the Mountain (2005)
• “I Want You to Know” – True to the Call (2007)
• “What We Needed” – True to the Call (2007)

Triumphant Quartet

• “Forgave Me, Saved Me, Raised Me” (Jerry Kelso, Sue C. Smith) – Triumphant Quartet (2005)
• “Don’t Let the Sandals Fool Ya” (Rodney Griffin) – Triumphant Quartet (2005)
• “He Rescued Me” (Chris Binion) – You Gotta Love It (2007)
• “I Know I’m Going Home” (Jeff Stice) – You Gotta Love It (2007)

Inspirations

• “Overwhelming Joy” – Highway to Heaven (2002)
• “In the Twinkle of an Eye” (Sandy Knight) – What a Day (2004)
• “I Have Not Forgotten” – I Know (2006)

Brian Free & Assurance

• “My Answer is Yes” – Greater Still (2004)
• “Crown of Thorns” – Greater Still (2004)
• “We’ll Say Goodbye” – Live in New York City (2005)
• “Knock No More” – Live in New York City (2005)

Ernie Haase & Signature Sound

• “Old Time Christian Way” – Stand By Me (2003)
• “Goodbye Egypt” – Ernie Haase & Signature Sound (2005)
• “John in the Jordan” – Get Away Jordan (2006)

Gold City

• “Then We Shall Sing” – Walk the Talk (2003)
• “God Handled It All” – Walk the Talk (2003)
• “My Child Enter In” – First Class (2004) (not sure if it was new)
• “This Poor Man Cried” – First Class (2004)

Greater Vision

• “He Is to Me” (Rodney Griffin) -Quartets (2004)
• “I Didn’t Know” (Rodney Griffin) – Quartets (2004)
• “When He Washed My Sins Away” (Dianne Wilkinson) – Quartets (2004)

Do we have as many good quartet songs written each year as we used to? Maybe not.

But are there still good quartet songs to be found?

It’s your call.