SouthernGospelBlog.com

Welcome Gerald Wolfe to the blogosphere!

http://www.geraldwolfesblog.blogspot.com/

He started off with a political post. I’d love to see some insights about life on the road or other SG-related posts, as well.

Unfortunately, about the only thing Cathedrals fans who remember anything about Kurt Young remember is the infamous Dove Awards performance.

I say “unfortunately,” as Dean Adkins has posted a video on YouTube that shows what the Cathedrals must have heard when they hired him:

Obviously, he was no Danny Funderburk, but neither was Ernie Haase. So while his voice wasn’t a fit for the Cathedrals’ set list at the time of his joining, this song encapsulates what could have been.

Hat tips to Aaron and Kyle for bringing this to my attention.

Rating: 4 stars (of 5)

Average Song Rating: 3.9 stars (of 5)

Song List: Walking the Sea; Look On the Brighter Side; The Love of God; Friends of Mine; Gonna Keep Holding On; Heaven Will Be Worth it All; Safe Now; A New Life; That Third Day; Love Lifted Me; I’ve Never Been This Homesick.

Available from: Label.

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Crossroads / Horizon Records recently reissued this classic Kingsmen project digitally as part of their discounted digital classics series (selling for $7.99 instead of the standard $9.99). This project was originally released in 1994 and featured a lineup of tenor Chris Collins, lead Jim Hamill, baritone Parker Jonathan, bass Ray Dean Reese, and a band consisting of Tim Surrett (who also sang vocals), pianist Randy Matthews, drummer Greg Fox, and Randy Miller.

Owner / manager Eldridge Fox also made an appearance, singing the familiar song “Heaven Will Surely Be Worth it All.” He brought a Kingsmen flair to the rendition, capping it with an acapella last chorus and strong ending. The album has other Big and Live moments, to be sure, particularly in the opening and closing songs.

The song closes with “I’ve Never Been This Homesick Before”; members of the Perry Sisters came out on the encore. The interesting combination worked, and the audience seemed to come alive for a strong closing to the project.

Live From the Alabama Theatre doesn’t have quite the same edge that made the Kingsmen’s best-remembered live albums classics. But it is an enjoyable project, and as good as any live project being released today.

What do the Gaither Vocal Band and the Inspirations have in common?

Right now, last we’ve heard, both have tenor singers filling in for lead singers. (Respectively, David Phelps and Daron Osborne.)

Recently, former Old Paths Quartet bass singer Brandon Barry has been filling in with Ed Enoch’s Stamps Quartet. I came across this video, and since today seems to be a slow news day so far, I thought this was worth mention:

Earlier this week, I was reading the parable of the unjust judge. “And shall God not avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him, though He bears long with them? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:7-8) I’ve often referenced that last sentence in conversation but, for some reason, I didn’t realize this was the context it was used. As I reread that passage, I got a mental picture of a God who is waiting and willing and just about ready to answer a prayer or intervene in a situation when the petitioner gives up for whatever reason. Maybe he or she is tired or discouraged or beginning to feel hopeless but that’s when we need to press in further because His hem is not that far away.

God can, and often does, move on our behalf before we ask and sometimes we may not receive an answer because we ask outside of the will of God. However, I feel like often we “have not because [we] ask not.” (James 4:2)

I pray that, as I come before His throne, I will never lose the awareness that I stand before a Holy God who doesn’t owe me a thing but who delights in giving good gifts to His children. (Matthew 7:11) May He find me full of faith, not just in the good times but in the trying times as well.

A rumor is circulating that Marlin Taylor has left XM radio, and that XM radio is dropping enLighten, its Southern Gospel channel. Marlin emailed me to set the facts straight:

Daniel,

It appears that reports have circulated that I am no longer with XM Radio … and that possibly enLighten will be dropped.

I want everyone to know that this is not true – I am still with XM and very much in charge of enLighten … and, due to the vast number of XM subscribers who indicate they listen to little, if anything, else … management is not even thinking of dropping the channel.

I’ll have more information down the road.

My best,

Marlin

David Phelps filling in with the Gaither Vocal Band:

In the news:

• The Southern Styles radio show is celebrating its 15th anniversary with a special week-long series of broadcasts from Oct. 15-21.
• David Bruce Murray has a fascinating post on whether it’s legal to purchase a promo CD.

Upcoming Reviews:

• October 21: Live From the Alabama Theatre (Kingsmen)
• October 24: DVD – Your Ticket to Music Hall (Collingsworth Family)
• October 28: Heaven’s Headlines (Keetons)
• October 31: DVD – Personal (Kim Collingsworth)
• November 4: Until Now (Gerald Wolfe) (and yes, that’s Election Day)
• November 7: Reminiscing (Chuck Wagon Gang)
• November 7: DVD – Live in Concert Kings Mountain, NC (Chuck Wagon Gang)
• November 11: A New Day (The Browns)
• November 14: DVD – Caribbean Live (Tribute Quartet)
• November 21: DVD – Hymn Sing 1 and 2 (Liberty Quartet)
• November 28: DVD – Live (Mike LeFevre Quartet)
• December 5: A Classic Canaan Christmas (Various Artists)
• December 12: December (Mercy’s Well)
• December 19: Destination Heaven (Melody Boys Quartet)
• December 26: Ain’t Nobody (Soul’d Out Quartet)
• January 2: Easier to Live (Voices Won)

And consider the comments section an open thread.

Mark Blackwood of the Blackwood Gospel Quartet posted a comment clarifying his intentions as to the future of his group:

I normally do not post on these blogs and message boards. However, in respect for Deon Unthank and our friendship I will comment on this issue. I will be sending a press release to SoGospelNews as well.

There has been a lot of confusion about what happened with Ron and I and what was said in the SoGospelNews article. What transpired was a meeting between the two of us where we came up with what we thought was a good idea. The result was Ron and I working together, changing some personnel and changing the name of my group. What looked really good at the outset started looking a little shaky and between the time I talked with Deon and the time the article had been published, we changed our minds about our plans. The article was correct at the time it was made, but in the interim, the situation changed causing a lot of confusion.

My relationship with the Unthanks is strong. We talk on the phone once or twice a week. My relationship with my cousin Ron is still very solid. What looked like a good idea got changed in mid-stream and caused a lot of confusion. I am look forward to continuing working for the Lord with the Blackwood Gospel Quartet. We will be honoring all present and future dates.

I am more thrilled and excited with our current group than I have ever been. Brad Smith, David Mann and Dustin Bearden are all three extraordinary singers. We just had our photo shoot Wednesday and will be updating the website shortly.

Check back with sogospelnews.com and bgqmusic.com for further updates.

Cecil Mark Blackwood