I give this song an A+.

New music is being cranked out from some of your favorite gospel artists. Brian Free & Assurance, Taranda Greene, Joseph Habedank, Tribute Quartet and many more. Today I will focus on just a few and as always, I encourage you to listen to the music yourself and form your own opinions.

For nearly three months I have been anxiously waiting for Brian Free & Assurance (BFA) to release their new album. Today I got to listen to the first radio single, and I love it. BFA has a knack for getting the message of the gospel and hope in their albums over and over. Their yet to be released album “Looks Like Jesus” is no exception to this. The first single is “What the Cross Really Is”, as you would think, it does speak of the Cross of Christ, but it goes deeper. One line is “Looks like shackles being broken, like burdens being lifted…”, this lyric could stand alone, but given that it is delivered in their tight harmonic trio style and a still conservative style, I give it an “A +”. 

Taranda is up next, a large step away from conservative she sings in a Night Club style. Can the gospel really be presented in such a style? Technically, yes, but for my old soul it is not a pleasing combination. In this one song, you will almost smell the cigarette smoke, and see the reflection from the disco ball. “Somebody Told me ‘Bout Jesus” is delivered with a whisper at times and a repetitive backup singer doo-wap style throughout the song. Since I’m apparently grading songs in this article, I give it a “C-“. This album is a huge departing from when she sang with her late husband and the Greene’s.

Tribute Quartet is next with “Somebody Tell”. It does begin with an uneasy feel but it quickly brought back to a traditional Southern Gospel Sound… though not completely. It is from their 2019 album, “Living the Stories”, it does not have the newest voice of Bass singer, Ian Owens, but don’t let that stop you. The song, and album is a great pick me up and will please you by providing toe-tapping music, and a heart felt message. Oh, by the way, I guess I’ll give this one an “A”.

It pains me to be negative about an album, artist, or song, especially when it contains the Gospel. However, in my opinion if you have to wade through the muddied waters of instrument choice and musical style, and artistry to hear it, is it really sharing the Gospel message? It is highly likely that many of you that read this may disagree with me, some may agree but remember… this is just my Southern Gospel Point of View.

For more Southern Gospel news, visit www.southerngospelpov.com.

Religion, Unspoken Requests, and Trust

I’ll take today’s writing as an opportunity to introduce three new songs. Before I get into that, I need to remind you of the refreshing that comes from great gospel music. Admittedly, not all new releases will not fall into that category, but as one preacher put it, “When a song is church approved…”, it passes the test. It’s not only about lyrical hooks, and musical runs, or even vocal prowess or stage presence, what I look for in a song is if it truly blesses me and can be sang in my church. So, with that, I’m often very hard on songs, but I’ll give them all a chance.

Up first is The Erwin’s new release, “The God I Know”. In this moving ballad the siblings begin with that all too often problem, unanswered prayer. Hope is given in the chorus as they describe God as the mountain mover, the holder of our souls, and calmer of storms. The second verse has a poignant line “Tell your heart to trust Him”, this may be one of the gut wrenching lines in the song. Could it be that reason for our prayers being unanswered is that we haven’t fully trusted Him? 

The Jordan Family Band have also released a song about prayer and faith. This title, “Unspoken” takes me back to my youth when our pastor would take prayer requests and always ask if there were any unspoken requests.  You see, those unspoken requests are often so dear to our hearts, so intimate in nature that we cannot publicly express them. As Randa Jordan sings, sometimes “all I offer is a groaning, inside my soul there is a knowing” that God hears our unspoken requests. 

“Religion isn’t Working” anymore is the very first line of Joseph Habedank’s brand new single. An off-putting title to say the least, but if you have followed Joseph for any length of time, you know He’s like those Fire and Brimstone preachers of yesteryear that give their convicting sermons a title to catch your ear. In the second verse, He sings, “Religion never set nobody free, it’s always made a prisoner out of me”. Let me pause and say “AMEN”, before I trusted Christ as my Savior, I tried religion, IT DOES NOT WORK. Joseph later sings, “Just give me Jesus”, that’s all you need. Jesus, just to say His name, brings peace to my heart.

This week, beginning Monday April 19, 2021 our Church will host our Camp Meeting for the 35th year. As a singer and Pastor, I can assure you that some of those “church approved” songs will be lifted under the old tent. We won’t be pushing a religion, but Jesus Christ, so drive the short distance outside of Americus, to Lighthouse Baptist Church on Hwy 280. Now, that just my Southern Gospel Point of View.

Longevity in Southern Gospel

  Let me say first, I am no historian of Gospel Music. Also, I am not a researcher into deep guarded secrets of Gospel Music. I know what I know, so the information will be cursory, some vague, and some of the info, you may already know.

Without a doubt, there is longevity in the ranks of Southern Gospel Artists. Yes, there are some that start out and finally make it to the national stage and then fall away. This may be because of the schedule demands, travel logistics, or some other internal issues or decision. There are however, many Southern Gospel group and individuals that have travelled and ministered for decades.

 

Right off the cuff is The Cathedrals, they sang into retirement for 37 years. The Hoppers are still going strong and have celebrated 63 years, while the Perry’s announced just last week that on Christmas day, they began their ministry 50 years ago.

 

Another group from just down the road in Nashville, Georgia began their 37 year on Christmas Eve, The group’s name is The Keffers, and Gary Keffer, his wife Lind, son, Paul, and daughter-in-law Jessica keep the ministry going while their daughter, Amy occasionally sings but writes songs for them and many other artists.

 

Others include the Gaither Vocal Band, Greater Vision, Karen Peck and New River. The GVB has seen many changes through the years but have been singing since 1980, that’s right, 40 years. Greater Vision began 30 years ago during this holiday season. Karen Peck began New River a year later in 1991.

 

We cannot forget the McKameys, 65 years of ministry on stages all over the country, they retired in 2019, and are still having charting success with their last album. Sue Dodge began her career in 1969, 51 years ago, she still has a powerhouse voice, and is showing no signs of slowing down. Ivan Parker began singing in 1982 some 38 years ago, Joseph Habedank began his career with the Perrys in 2003, a mere 17 years ago, but has amassed many awards, nominations and fans around the world.

 

Shortly after February of 1989, a raspy voiced Michael Combs came into the music ministry and despite many health-related setbacks, continues to sing. I could mention the Statemen, the Stamps and many others, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the longest running group in America. The Blackwood Brothers began in 1934, of course, they too have seen members come and go. Some tragically, others a transition to one place or another, but to be on the road for… 86 years, one will no doubt see a lot of changes. 

 

So, some may feel like Southern Gospel is dead, or dying, I boldly say that because of the longevity of our founders and new comers we’re in good hands, and I think this music will be around for many more years to come, but that’s just my Southern Gospel Point of View.

He Did It All for Me

Tuesday night in a fitful sleep, I was awakened with the thought “He did it all for me”. I turned over again in an attempt to fall back into a peaceful rest. My mind kept reeling, I thought about this week, the Easter Sunday coming, but above the resurrection I couldn’t help but to think about the cross.

When is the last time you thought about the cross? Maybe you’ve heard it called Calvary. Just the name evokes a sense of horror yet in some strange way…gratefulness. Calvary was called the place of the skull. It was there that Jesus of Nazareth was led; battered, bruised, and bloody up the hill to be crucified. Mind you, He did it all for me.

On Wednesday morning, I began to process my mid-night thoughts and found a verse of scripture to tie the thought together.
Hebrews chapter 12 verse 2 is the verse that I settled on. In it, we find “the joy that was set before Him”, “endured the cross”, “despising the shame”. These three statements made no sense to me, so I began to search and pray for some meaning. 

What was this Joy that was set before him? After a day of contemplation, I believe it was…me. You read that right. The joy that was set before Jesus Christ was not the cross but the result of the cross. If you are a believer, you can see this in your own life. If you are reading and are not a believer, permit me to beg your attention. Jesus Christ saw something in you that is redeemable. When He saw you, he found joy. So much so that he “endured the cross”.

This next statement seemed to make sense to me, endure is to follow to completion. So, Christ completed His work on the cross. This is illustrated when He said It Is Finished. This phrase, always said victoriously, is no doubt a shout of victorious completion. Again, this was done for… me! All of the shame and pain that He endured was to provide a way for all of us to avoid that penalty of death. 

Next, we see the phrase “despising the shame”. On the surface I understood the word despising. I took it to mean he disliked the shame, but I was wrong. The word means that Jesus disregarded the shame. In other words, He thought the shame the He would endure, was a small price to pay…for me. He weighed the shame and His love for me, and His love far outweighed the depth of shame He would face. 

So, I simply ask you today as you prepare for Easter Sunday, to reminisce on the Cross. After all, He did it all for… You! This is more than my Southern Gospel Point of View… It’s the Gospel.

For more Southern Gospel news, visit www.southerngospelpov.com.

Have you heard of these artists?

As you read each week, you may notice that I love the mainstream artists of today, but what about those obscure artists? I love them too, sometimes even more. Today I want to introduce you to a few artists. Maybe you’ve heard of a few of them, some have been on the radio, some have not though. Let's dive right in.

First, I want you to get to know Gloryway Quartet. Four gentlemen from Ohio and West Virginia. They

were founded in 2002, since then they have not let the grass grow under foot. Each year they travel over 60,000 miles and have had nationwide success with many songs, with two hitting the Top 80 charts in Southern Gospel. They have been on nationally syndicated radio shows as well as on stages across America.

They have just released “Nobody”, a song that may sound familiar to CCM fans. Written by Mark Hall, Matthew West, and Bernie Herms, and originally released by Casting Crowns. I’ll be the first to admit I do not like or appreciate crossover songs from CCM to Southern Gospel. I’ve not liked a single instance of it, until now. Gloryway’s rendition of “Nobody”, outreaches the original recording both in musicality and vocal prowess. I’ve listened to it on repeat for weeks now. I highly recommend it. 

Now, here’s one that you may have heard of. The Lore Family, one of SG’s rising stars. I met Darren Lore in 2017, after talking for 20 minutes we realized that we really should write some of this conversation down. We scheduled an interview later that week and got to meet family too. Since then, we’ve had multiple conversations and have stay in touch via text and social media. Their latest album “Hidden Blessings” is full of great songs like "Keep Praying", “Didn’t He Promise”, and “His Cross is Now Empty”, and “I’ve Got a Really Good Feeling”. Darren has a wonderful talent for writing and arranging, the family harmonies are sure to please your ear from the very first song. 

I’ll not take the time to detail some other artists but I do leave their names for you to check out. The Chandlers, Dustin Lambert, The Phillips Family and Tammy Jones Robinette. Tammy has released a song that honestly drives me crazy It’s a great song, but I can swear to anyone that I’ve heard it before and not by her. She wrote it, recorded, and published it and I cannot find anyone else that has recorded it. The song is “I know that Man”. If you listen to it and figure it out, please email me. 

There, you now have six new artists that you can search out and listen to some great music. They may not be household names, but by all accounts, they seem to be doing things right, but that’s just my Southern Gospel Point of View. 

For more Southern Gospel news, visit www.southerngospelpov.com.

Southern Gospel in Podcast

Most Southern Gospel Music listeners do not listen to podcasts. By and large they listen to their music via physical albums but are rapidly transitioning to streaming platforms. I myself have a few playlists on Pandora and Spotify but am often disappointed by the choice of music those platforms play. More often than not, because I say, “Play Southern Gospel Music”, the algorithm determines that I want to hear Alan Jackson sing The Old Rugged Cross, or Carrie Underwood sing How Great Thou Art.

Don’t let that discourage you however, Southern Gospel needs to move into the light of the 21st century. So, as you explore more music in the digital world, I invite you to also explore podcasts. Over the last several years I’ve search in my podcast player “Southern Gospel”, and have found a few, only a few choices. In 2017 there were two, both have abruptly stopped recording and/or updating content. 

I began podcasting myself along with Reggie Taylor in 2017 and had marginal success, and because of our content, decided to stop. You see, we were playing music, essentially, we put our radio show on the podcast platform. Folks loved it, we had subscribers and great communication from those folks. The reason we stopped was of one word, Copyright. We found out that there was and still is so much gray area in copyright laws that we could be sued for playing copyrighted material. I say could, because we also heard, that we might be sued, would definitely be sued, and also, there’s no one that would sue you for playing their music. 

Fast forward a few months and enter Darien Southerland and Jeff Steele. They began a podcast entitled “Southern Gospel News Podcast”; it was a hit! I mean the show was received better than anything I’ve ever seen in the digital world of Southern Gospel Music. Within a few months they have thousands of subscribers. After a while Jeff had to step away and Arthur Rice stopped into the role of Co-host. They’ve recorded 134 episodes with SGM’s biggest names from the stage, behind the singers, and in the recording studios. 

Back in 2020 I started our podcast again, you can search Southern Gospel Point of View, and you’ll find us, we’ve only produced 7 episodes but have many more in the works. I no longer play music on our show, we do however get to talk to some the genre’s biggest stars as well as the upcoming artists. In each of our shows we share the hearts of those we are speaking with, we do our best to think as a listeners and fan, not just an interviewer. So, there will be questions asked and answered that seem too personal but will be absolutely enjoyed.

Now if you were to search Southern Gospel in your podcast app you will find quite a few irrelevant shows, but the first seven will be the ones to look into, but there are on three of those that have up-to-date content. Do yourself a favor, break out of the album only prison and step into the waters of podcasting. Visit Darien and Arthurs SGNP, and my
SoGoPoV, you’ll be pleasantly surprised at what you’ve been missing, but that’s just my Southern Gospel Point of View. 

For more Southern Gospel news, visit www.southerngospelpov.com.

The Sound, Tim Menzies, and Shame on me!

There are several newcomers to Southern Gospel Music. For this writer, that is a good and a not-so-good thing. Some of those newcomers bring a different sound and a different look to the stages across the country. However, I must be objective and honest in my reviews. So, I’ll put off my old-fashioned ears for a moment and give you my honest opinions, and they might surprise you!

Up first is indeed a newcomer to Southern Gospel music. By their look and sound you could easily assume that they are a new CCM artist. To be truthful, they could easily make a name for themselves in that genre, but they have made an impact in SGM, a big impact. I’m speaking of “The Sound”, a father and sons’ trio.

The group was formed in 2017 and have been nominated for a Dove award and have been featured in Singing News Magazine. In their latest radio single, they tell an all too familiar story of redemption to the one who has fallen time after time. This time though, he is welcomed in the “First Church of Mercy” and urged to take a seat on the front row of grace. 

The soul injured man is told that he doesn’t have to be perfect, we are all broken, bruised and scarred until Jesus took us in to His family. One of the most compelling lyrics is found in the tag of the song, it states “We’re not here to judge you, you can find that anywhere, but we’re called to love you.” If I can, I say WOW! In my opening statements I honestly said how different this group is, and this song has placed me in that oft required seat of shame. 

Tim Menzies has been on my radar for a while now. In fact, I interviewed him on my podcast and learned his heart and about his ministry. You can find that interview RIGHT HERE. 

Tim’s latest album, “His Name is Jesus” is jam-packed with “old-country” style gospel music. The third track on the album is “Don’t Wait”, a timely message for the sentimental and sinner. With a voice that pulls at the heart strings, his self-written words beg us “If you haven’t trusted Jesus, don’t wait”. In this one song, we hear a message of urgency to make things right with our family, and God. 

As I listen to and write about the greatest music on earth, I have to listen with a humility that often puts me in my place. That’s where I am today, thankful that anyone, at anyplace regardless of their look or my opinion can share a message about Jesus, but that’s just my Southern Gospel Point of View. 

For more Southern Gospel news, visit www.southerngospelpov.com.