Saturday News Roundup #36 Worth Reading: Nate at Burke’s Brainwork found a demo of Carrie Underwood of “Jesus Take the Wheel” fame singing “For God So Loved” in her pre-American Idol days. It’s pretty good, with a strong ending. Cody McVey is now officially the pianist for the Kingsmen. He’s...

Somewhat Off-topic: Bible Study ordered to close This is my second off-topic post in as many weeks, but like the previous one, it’s also tangentially related to Southern Gospel. According to a Fox News report (hat tip, Matt Paasch), San Diego county is attempting to shut down home Bible studies. Apparently, they only want licensed religious...

Classic CD Review: Pilgrim Song (Poet Voices) Rating: 4 stars (of 5) Average Song Rating: 4 stars (of 5) Song List: Pilgrim Song; O Happy Day; This Little Light of Mine; Be Still and Know; Sweeter as the Days Go By; Gotta Go Back; If it Wasn’t For Your Love; Gonna Walk; A Bridge You Cannot Burn; Heaven’s Jubilee. Available From: Label. * *...

Pick the songs for Greater Vision 20th Anniversary project Greater Vision is coming up on their 20th anniversary. Their first concert was on December 30, 1990; they will be celebrating their 20th anniversary year from this December 30 to December 30, 2010. On August 6 and 7, they will record a live CD, to be released on December 30. It will be recorded at Temple,...

Mike Huckabee makes surprise appearance at Legacy Five event For the last several years, Legacy Five has brought in surprise guests for their Memorial Day Celebration event in Nashville. This year, they brought Mike Huckabee. He made a speech and then played bass guitar as the group sang “I’ll Fly Away.” Mike Huckabee is the former governor of...

Lewis Family to Retire After 60 years on the road, the Lewis Family has announced that they will be singing their last concert on September 5. This was necessitated by health issues, one of which was that Polly Copsey’s Parkinson’s and dementia has moved to such an advanced stage that she has recently had to get off...

Happy Memorial Day! Happy Memorial Day! On Veterans Day we honor the survivors of war. Today, let’s give our heartfelt thanks to families who have given their sons and daughters to make the ultimate sacrifice in freedom’s cause. Let Freedom...

Somewhat off-topic: The Demographic Future of Christendom This is only tangentially related to Southern Gospel, but it was too thought-provoking not to share: Every now and then, the question of the future of the Southern Gospel demographic is raised. This sheds a unique perspective on the...

Joint CD Review: What Will My Cross Testify (The Rowlands) This is a joint review with Adam Edwards of Southern Gospel Critique. 1. “What Will My Cross Testify” Adam: Ron Martin’s power vocals on this Kyla Rowland tune really kick this project off. Ron is one of the best vocalists in Southern Gospel music that chooses to remain in the ministry instead of the...

David Phelps posts in-the-studio GVB clips Wes Hampton and Mark Lowry have posted footage of the New Gaither Vocal Band in the studio; now it’s David Phelps’ turn to get in on the...