Archives 6/05
June 5, 2005-
The reason is faith- My last post mentioned speculation about why Tony Peace is sending his new solo CD, The Story, for any love gift that you feel the Lord leads you to send. In a statement Tony mentioned several emails and the blogs speculating why he was not charging a set price for the CD. His reason is that he has always relied on faith in the Lord to provide the funds to keep his TV show on the air and in the same way, since he is advertising the CD on his show, he was offering it for a love gift to anyone who wrote in wanting it. I find this very respectable. I may be wrong but I believe I was the only blogger who speculated about this and I really felt that Tony was talking to me along with the folks that emailed him. (On a side note: one of my points of speculation was whether the CD was good enough to sell. I've since heard clips and this is certainly not the case. From what I heard it is very good.) I'm glad that a reason was given even though he didn't have to give one. We need more artists that will be open with the public instead of staying silent when things are being asked and speculated upon by fans. Thanks, Tony! Now, when are you going to start that group? I'm ready when you are.
June 10, 2005-
Talent and the power of music- John Lanier's latest post, as usual, is a great read. In my opinion John is the best blogger. Not only because he is a skilled writer, but also because there is so much heart and truth in what he writes. His latest, The Power Of Song, The Miracle of Music, made me think of the talent factor when it comes to how powerful a song is and how effective the ministry of a group is. I've always been an advocate of letting regional groups that have no talent do what they want if they feel the Lord is leading them to do it. Anyway, it's a free country and people are going to do what they want regardless. Taking John's post into account and a recent benefit concert that I was at made me think about how power and spirit quenching untalented individuals and groups can be. The concert was spur of the moment for us. We usually don't do them anymore except in special cases. This was a special case for an old friend and fan. Being that we were the featured group we were scheduled to sing last. One of the groups before us sang a song that we normally use as our "homerun" song. I've never did this song without it totally bringing down the house no matter where we were. You could just feel the Spirit fill the church or auditorium at the high point of the song. However, on this night, that wasn't the case. Bless their hearts, but the group that did the song just couldn't sing which got no reaction from the crowd whatsoever. In good manners we chose not to do the song because it had already been done. Now don't think I'm saying because we didn't sing the song the crowd missed a blessing. That is not my point at all. God uses us as His instruments and "The Power of Song and The Miracle of Music" in Christian music comes from Him. It doesn't come from me. My point is that maybe in SG we should not be so accepting of those untalented individuals and groups that do not have the talent to be spreading the awesome message of Jesus Christ through song. I know this still sounds condescending, but please understand that my intentions in saying this are pure. I have personally witnessed the power of a song and the power taken out of a song all because someone is not clear on what God called them to do. All Christians are called to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Not all Christians are called to do this through music. We should be passionate about the "call", but we should be sure of what avenue God wants us to pursue it through.
June 14, 2005-
Making it- From Danny's Diary http://singingnews.com/news/dannys_diary/ to a thread on SGML http://www.sogospellovers.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2986 there has been a lot of thought and talk about up and coming groups and helps/hindrances of them climbing the ladder to success. Some things like determination and dedication are givens when it comes to what it takes to move up in SGM. Other things, such as political connections and being in the concert line-up with a major group, are not. Politcal connections in SGM, whether earned or not, are not always visible but, more times than not, are a deciding factor when it comes to being noticed. I believe Danny is mostly right when he talks about up and coming groups making sure you "can be the best you can be and be an asset to a program". This is where the politics of SGM make this statement false. I've personally witnessed regional groups purposefully not be put on programs with major groups because they were better than the major group. Most people don't know it but in many towns there is an opening group blacklist. On the other side (or maybe the same side) of this political coin the regional group was held back because they didn't want the help or to give money for help from the "powers that be". This brings me to my main point. Through SGM magazines, websites, message boards, and blogs there seems to be a plan for success that some have subscribed to because it is the plan that most all of the "powers that be" preach. You know, do a recording in a certain studio (it is a short list) with a certain producer (another short list), release a song to radio, open up for major groups, get an ad in SN or on SGN, and do more radio releases till you have a hit. Then you will make it. Sometimes I believe that the "powers that be" want everyone to buy into this set plan so they will be the ones who get all the money. I think there is one set plan to follow to make it in SGM. Follow God's leading. Everything else is making sound decisions with the common sense that God gives you.
June 18, 2005-
Surprised?- Many times in SGM I am surprised when I hear of someone leaving a group. When I heard today about David Phelps leaving the Gaither Vocal Band there was no surprise. My first thought was "I wondered when that was going to happen". According to the Gaithernet message board there was not only surprise, but anger. More than everyone in SGM that ever went solo after being with a successful group, Phelps has the talent and ability to be successful at it. I remember when Ivan left Gold City. I was sad that one of the, in my opinion, best sounding quartets of all time was breaking up. Ivan has been very successful as a solo artist. I've always thought of David Phelps as a solo artist. With that voice it is a no-brainer. According to some of the opinions of people making comments on message boards they think Phelps will go CCM. A lot of them even say it like it is a shame. Sure, we want talent in SGM, but how many people other than me think that Phelps has a more CCM style? His voice is almost too good for SGM. I just can't imagine Phelps being with a group like The Kingsmen, Greater Vision, or even Gold City. Even though they are tops in SGM, if Phelps was their tenor, it wouldn't seem right if you didn't call the group David Phelps and The Kingsmen, etc. Probably the only SGM group (and some people say they are not SGM) that David could ever be with is the Gaither Vocal Band. It will be interesting to see who is the next GVB tenor. There was some speculation in Avery's comments about it being Ernie Haase. I don't think Bill will be able to fill David's shoes with anyone. Those shoes won't fit anyone else. Even though I like Ernie (except he needs to comb his hair), I like his voice, and his group, he does not come close to GVB standards in talent or style. No matter what genre he goes to, whether it be CCM or whatever, I wish David luck and God's guidance as he goes out on his own.
June 21, 2005-
Maybe I should write about my dogs?- Or maybe Eharmony, what I had to eat tonight, how I can't get a date, or how coffee makes me hallucinate in order to be more original. This is in response to Amy Marie Unthank's latest post about me being a copycat. This is not a "Days in the Life" site. I don't guess Amy read the title: "My mission as one of the "millions of monkeys with a keyboard" is to comment about Southern Gospel Music, the various Southern Gospel message boards, blogs, websites, news agencies, and the industry itself." Thanks, Avery (I think?). I think Avery says it right when he says "the usefulness or value of blogs focused on commentary (as opposed to "dear diary" type entries of personal web journals) derives not from the originality of their content but from the insight" of different bloggers. I believe you call this diversity. I will defend myself on one of avery's comments where he says that my problem is I "assert without evidentiary or argumentative support". I don't think I do this anymore than him or the sgmblogger. You can look on my comments page and see where I obtained any information. Plus, a lot of assertion comes from personal opinion and speculation, not facts. And he says that "he mistakes different premises for parts of the same claim." He is talking about the comment I made on 6/18 about Phelps voice being too good for SGM. He is mostly right in this comment. I have a habit of running thoughts together as I type. All I can say is I'll try to do better on this. Keep in mind, as I've said many times, I'm not as articulate as a college professor. I will say if I was going to copy a blogger it would be Avery. I believe avery has grown out of the blog world and into the SGM news world. He usually has the news before anyone else.
About sgmupdate.com: Amy Marie's comments about it just goes to show me that The Unthanks didn't think of it first. Although Heavensound has it's good points, sgmupdate is far superior.
June 24, 2005-
Will traditionalists be the death of Southern Gospel?- I'm sure this won't be a popular topic for traditionalists. It is not meant to bash traditionalists, but to comment on the good and bad points of traditionalists and non-traditionalists. I am probably some where in the middle leaning toward non-traditionalism so the comments may seem a little prejudice toward that side. I think both sides think they are saving SG. The traditionalists have a narrow definition of SG. Some even go as far as saying that anything but 4 men and a piano is not SG. Others think everyone should sound like the Statesmen and Blackwoods of old. From a moral standoint, some traditionalists think that the more progressive you get the more sinful you get. On the other hand non-traditionalists want SG to progress in musical style, hairstyles, and apparel. The extreme non-traditionalists seem to think that anything goes almost to the point of there being no defining line between SG and CCM. Let me list some pros and cons of each. Although they are just my opinions, I believe they are things that make sense from a marketing standpoint and could kill SG or keep it alive.
Traditionalists
Pros- SG is kept pure (not morally). That is to say the style will not be watered down with more progressive sounds.
Cons- The fan base will stay the same. Although there are younger traditional SG fans they only comprise about 25% of the fan base. As the other 75% dies the fan base will even become smaller.
Non-traditionalists
Pros- More progressive sounds will attract a broader fan base. My non-traditional thinking tells me if you have styles ranging from traditional to progressive SG, you will attract fans that like at least one of the styles. More fans = most importantly more souls, but also more money.
Cons- When it comes to non-traditionalists I believe the only cons come in under the extremists who think that anything goes. As Danny Jones says, we will look like the "world". Therefore, under a extreme non-traditionalist, traditional SG music would own a very small part, if any at all, of the SG real estate.
Change is already under way in SG. Whether we like it or not it is getting more progressive. I think it is healthy and, to a point, will embrace it.
Where do you fall in this Traditionalist/Non-traditionalist picture? How much do you think it will effect the future of SG?
June 28, 2005-
Changing gears- Over the last month I've been thinking about making a change in the site. To tell you the truth, even though I'm not one 100% of the time, I'm tired of coming across as a gripe. I guess I gave into the mindset and seemed to follow the example that you always have to comment on the negative, find something negative, or state your opinion as if it is law. In doing some soul-searching I realized that I wasn't getting a good feeling from this. Sure, I still think that certain things should be done differently by artists and the industry, but people will probably think more highly of me if I don't state my opinion in a demeaning way. All in all I just want to become a more positive blogger. I want to include some personal experiences of what the Lord has done for me in and from Gospel music along with the ways He has worked in general in my life. In the next few days I will also be deciding whether or not to change to another host. One that allows RSS feeds because, for the life of me, I can't figure out how to put one on here. If anyone has any advice it will be greatly appreciated.
For starters, when I can locate it, I will post a testimony of my total surrender to the Lord several years ago. It is called The Search. I will then post the events leading up to my best friend's untimely death due to his failing to answer the call to preach.
For today I will tell a true story that one of my close friends and readers told me not long ago.
A large church was having a revival with a guest evangelist. The first parts of the service were done and it was time for the evangelist to preach. He came to the pulpit, told a little about himself along with a joke, and preceded to instruct the congregation to turn in their bibles to a certain scripture. The evangelist never read a single word because he was suddenly overcome with sadness which brought him to tears. The congregation was very still and silent because all the evangelist could do was look out at them with tears streaming down his face. When he gained his composure enough to speak he said, "I am very sorry for this, but when I look out at this congregation all I can see is dead people and it breaks my heart". Almost immediately approx. 35 people rushed to the altar and all gave their lives to Jesus Christ.
June 29, 2005-
The Search- As promised I wanted to post what I wrote several years ago (7 years to be exact) shortly after totally surrendering my life to the Lord. I accepted Jesus as my Savior and believe that I was saved at 11 years old, but that is as far as it went. I never grew or matured. I'd say one of the most negative influences on Christian growth for me, other than all the temptations of the teenage years, was "religion" itself. The Search is not meant to be some great literary work. It is simply what came out of me explaining what I had just went through and the truth that I never realized before.
The Search
For most of my life I've been searching. Searching not only for what is the most important goal in life, but also the satisfaction of my soul. My search has taken me through physical and mental adversities to victories in athletics. It has taken me through the pursuit of wealth and social standing by working long hours at two jobs and obtaining almost more debt than I could repay. This search has taken me down the road of drugs and alcohol to automobile accidents and to the point, if I had been caught, that I would be in prison today. It has taken me down a path of destruction where I welcomed the bad and wanted no part of the good. The path lead me to uncontrolled rage that was always just under the surface and where relaxation could not be found. It lead me to the point of waking up with demons around my bed. They had me right where they wanted me. This search lead me to the point of holding my only baby son as he suffered with an oftentimes fatal disease and calling upon God to give me the disease because I was the one who had done all the wrong. At this point part of the scripture went through my mind "He gave His only begotten Son". With this revelation I cried out to God and totally surrendered my life to Him. My life is now in His hands to do with me and use me however He wants. My search for the satisfaction of my soul and the most important goal in life had ended. This search went through bad times and bad experiences that were not required, but sometimes we have to see the unimportance of wealth, social standing, fame, awards, and worldly victories, with no satisfaction, to see what is truly important. Through my search I found out that the most important goal that a Christian has in life is to fulfill the calling of spreading the message of Jesus Christ. When Jesus comes back all the wealth, social standing, material things, and worldly victories of this life will pass away. On that day I want to be found pursuing the call of Christ for it is the only goal in life that will make an eternal difference. "Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" Philippians 3:12-14
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