What is Southern Gospel Music?

What is Southern Gospel Music? 

            The origin of Southern Gospel Music can be traced back to 1910 and was typically
comprised of a piano, stringed instruments, and a quartet. It has been described by some as folk, mountain music, old-fashioned or sacred music. The music has changed in many ways, now with keyboards, drums, electric and acoustic guitars, and technology this style of music sounds just like any other modern genre. But, why is Southern Gospel Music so obscure in society? 

            Try searching iTunes or Google Play stores for Southern Gospel and you’ll likely be frustrated with results from Country Music Artists singing hymns or church choirs. If smart speakers are your forte, try saying “Alexa, Play Southern Gospel Music”, chances are you will get a few Southern Gospel artists, but no doubt you will get bluegrass gospel, and hymns sang by secular artists. 

          I used the word frustrated, there are other words that would describe my emotions as I try to train my phone or smart speaker to play Southern Gospel Music. I have had days when I have to skip nearly every other song. Not because I don't like the song, because it doesn't fit into the genre I requested. 

            Each week while reviewing new music, I’m disappointed to find that the reason for the obscurity of this genre falls directly on the artist, studio and record label. The music is rarely tagged with Southern Gospel as the genre. Generally, it is tagged as “Religious”, “Gospel”, “Christian”, “Inspirational”, or simply “Music”. I’ve even had a few that were tagged as “Metal”.

            So, what is Southern Gospel Music (SGM)? Today there are at least six distinct “flavors” of SGM. Male quartets are four men singing individual parts such as The Kingdom Heirs, Master’s Voice, and Tribute Quartet. Mixed Quartets with the traditional four-part harmony but with at least one female voice such as the Perrys, Exodus, and Karen Peck and New River. There are Trios like Greater Vision and the Booth Brothers. Duos (not to be confused with a duet – a song performed by two people) like Jim and Melissa Brady. You have solo artists like Mark Lowry, Joseph Habedank, Ivan Parker and Michael Combs. The sixth group is usually a family or mixed groups like the Collingsworth Family or the Gaither Vocal Band, and usually have more than one person singing the same part. 

            Before I forget, the best way to find SGM on a digital platform is to start with an artist you know and begin to follow the suggestions for similar artists, but that’s just my Southern Gospel Point of View.

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

The Next Generation of Southern Gospel

 

          Allow me to introduce the “3 Heath Brothers”, a trio that is on the verge of taking our nation by storm. In Southern Gospel, youth has been scarce over the last few decades, but these teenage brothers are doing their part in bringing this music to a younger generation. Nicholas, Clayton, and Christian Heath make up this trio from North Carolina. Nicholas is the oldest and has written one of my favorite tracks on this album, Clayton and Christian are identical twins and it shows.

            In 2017, I began Southern Gospel Point of View, my first event was the National Quartet Convention. While there, I interviewed quite a few artists, but these three brothers left an impression. After the interview, I made several attempts to get a “liner” that I could play on my radio program, after about 6 attempts, I finally got something that I could work with. Their excitement and personalities were on overload and I loved it.  We laughed to the point of tears as they forgot their lines and made failed attempts of improvisation. After that night I’ve kept up with them on social media and have been pleasantly surprised to see them rising in the ranks of Southern Gospel.

            Last year they signed with Horizon Records and released a new album entitled “Who We Are”. Packed with eleven songs and a mixture of traditional southern gospel melodies to acapella, this album is something that you need to hear.  A favorite song of my 10-year-old daughter is “Smell of Smoke”, as you may have guessed, it tells the story of the three Hebrew children in the furnace from Daniel Chapter 6. “Give it to Jesus” was written by Nicholas, with lyrics like “Bring every burden, bring every bruise, bring every problem you wish you could lose…”, hope is evident to the listener. “Shake in his shoes” brings the fight to the Devil. As Christians, we should live in the truth and plead the blood. 

Combining genres and styles, this album is a must for any listener. The adult and young listener will no doubt enjoy the offerings from the 3 Heath Brothers, but that’s just my Southern Gospel Point of View. 

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

Building a following

To say I need you to follow me, or follow my page takes a lot for me. I have to say it more than I want to, but it goes against the grain of my very being. I’m not a fan of self promoters, I just don’t like it. I’ve been raised to be humble and to prefer someone else above myself, so this is hard. But, I need you to follow me and my page. I need to know you're reading this blog, listen to my weekly radio show, or read the new weekly newspaper article. If you listen, please comment on the post. If you have a show or blog post idea, please comment.

Go ahead and sign up for the email version of this post. It’s simple...
Step 1: Enter email address
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Step 3: You are done! There is no step 3

See? Simple, easy, not hard, reasonable, elementary

Please, ease my pain and follow me. Let me know that something I am doing puts a smile on your face or makes you think.

Thanks folks... oh by the way, I submitted my second article today, if they print it Saturday I guess they like it.

The Perrys Have Done it Again

          With forty-nine years of experience, The Perrys are still producing music that stirs the heart, tickles the ears, and gets your toes tapping. With 25 albums that have soared in Southern Gospel charts, their latest album, “Keep Movin’ Along,” still has the message of the Gospel as its core, and it is delivered with power and style.

A short album by most standards with only seven tracks, this album is packed with greatness. Beginning with “It Never Gets Old,” the Gospel rings loud and clear through lyrics about the love of God and truths about the Cross. “Walk Me Through” is a favorite of mine with Libbi Stuffle’s alto voice singing about the presence of God in our darkest valleys. The next voice you hear is Andrew Goldman as he sings “Take You to the Cross,” presenting a truly gripping journey as we discover Christ’s love for us. Jared Stuffle is driving the bus on “That’s How You Know,” along with Troy Peach and Andrew Goldman. This track is smooth as silk with a mid-tempo tune. It begins with Jesus speaking to His disciples in Matthew 24 and ends with a resurrected Jesus, all the while taking us on a trip through the ministry of Christ.

Next in line is “Tailor Made” sang by Troy Peach, a balled with a country flair that focuses on the work that God does in repairing those that are torn, broken, or stained. The result is a wonderful message of redemption regardless of how ragged one may be. “Never a Time” is, in my opinion, a classic Perrys-style track. Libbi again leads by reminding the listener that God is indeed faithful. The title track “Keep Movin’ Along” was written by Lonnie B. Combs and published in 1945. This convention-style song allows their quartet harmonies to shine bright. These lyrics encourage the listener to keep on moving on the gospel way and warns that we should not be hindered by the snares or the obstacles in our way.

There is something for every listener on this album, from a modern sound to country to the old convention style, but that’s just my Southern Gospel Point of View. 

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

Be sure to check out my latest episode right here.  

Exciting News

Last week I hinted at some news. Now, I can finally announce it. Beginning Saturday, February 8, 2020, Southern Gospel Point of View will be in the Local newspaper.

I will begin writing a weekly story in the Americus Time-Recorder, it will be printed each Saturday. The article will be an extension to this blog and my radio show and will include album reviews, artist news, and concert events in our area.

I've wanted to branch out in this way for a while but never had the nerve, then on a whim and a queso blanco (the mild kind) induced brainstorm from La Hacienda, I contacted the General manager and she was glad to have the opportunity to add the article to the paper.

So over the last few days, I've poured over a fairly new release and have written my first review to be submitted tomorrow by noon. I have to admit, writing a review about an album and doing a radio show about it are two very different beasts. Especially if you want to sound like you know what you're doing.

Please subscribe to my blog feed and keep track of the show at www.southerngospelpov.com

New Music and News

I've just posted a brand new episode of Southern Gospel Point of View and want you to hear it. New music from The Old Paths Quartet, The Perry's& the Gaither Vocal Band.

Check it out on our Archives Page, be sure to click on Episode 89.

Don't forget, I'll be sharing some great news very soon.

Soon and Very Soon!

We have some exciting news. With the next week we should hammer out the details and begin sharing right here and on social media. Please stay tuned!