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.

Choose Happy!

When I review an album, it is usually one that has just hit the market or in pre-release, today I make an exception. I met Tim Lovelace in 2017 at the National Quartet Convention (NQC) and have been impressed and blessed by him ever since. Also, a quick note, a pet peeve of mine actually. It is Tim Love LACE, not Tim LoveLESS. 

In 2017, Tim released his album “Living in a Coffee World” and it is chock full of happiness. Songs such as “What Happened to Tomatoes?”, “Living in a Coffee World” and “Mercurochrome” fill the album with laughter and puts us in touch with our childhood and reality. Still the album touches a nerve of relativity with “Black Belt to Black Eye” while still delivering a few laughs.

A few weeks ago, a young boy in my church sent me a message that Tim Lovelace would be at First Baptist Church in Butler, GA. Without hesitation, I jumped at the opportunity to drive the hour to see him in Butler. Now, this young man is a Southern Gospel fan, I mean he is a F-A-N-A-T-I-C. So, in the week and a half between finding out about the convert and the day of, he downloaded all the Tim Lovelace music he could find and watched as many YouTube videos as possible of his comedy, and songs.

So, on Sunday morning after church, we began talking and he knew more about Tim and his music than I did. I’m telling you; this boy is a Fan! As the day went on, wet and rainy, cold and foggy, I almost didn’t go. Thankfully my little girl wanted to go and she talked me into it. We began our journey and I too played her some videos and she was hooked. 

By the first song on stage, my daughter and her friends were not only laughing but found themselves enthralled with the words coming from Tim. The night had tears, laughter, and contemplation. He closed the night with his testimony and the song “Composer of My Life”. I must say, if for no other song on the album, you must hear this song. Beautifully written and arranged, it is an amazing picture of God at work in our lives through to the finished product. 

One other song on the album and the title of this article is “Choose Happy”, I wake up each morning, and make choices. Some are easier than other, but each day, I choose to be happy. You have a choice too, don’t make the wrong decision, Choose Happy, and that’s just my Southern Gospel Point of View. 

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

Sometimes I Remember

If you know me personally, you will already know, I am so forgetful. Since COVID-19 things have gotten worse. So in an exercise to outrun the COVID induced “Brain Fog”, I find myself forcing myself to remember things from years ago. It’s true, I can rarely remember yesterday, but there’s something special about those bygone years that draws my mind to them.

If you remember, I started listening to Southern Gospel music when I was a pre-teen, around 10 years of age. Some of the first groups were, The McKameys, The Kingdom Heirs, Gold City, The Kingsmen, The Florida Boys, and an unheard of group called the Regals. So, because of the imprint those years made on me, my mind spends countless hours remembering the groups and music of those days. 

How many remember the first song you heard that made an impact on you? I suppose one of the first was “Miracle in Me” by the Greenes. If you have any Holy Ghost fire in your bones, it is bound to show during that one. Then “it’s Still the Blood” by the Inspirations, the message of the Old Accuser being told the truth once again about my sin being covered with the Blood of Christ, is one that I simply cannot get over.

Oh! Do you remember “Oh, What a Savior”? Ernie Haas sings with the Cathedrals this 1948 Marvin Dalton hymn in such a way that Ernie himself cannot duplicate in EHSS. Don’t get me started on “Walking Back Down” by the Chandlers. My heart simply cannot recall the times that this song has burst into my heart and out of my mouth. Here’s a few lyrics, “I’ve spent a lot of time at Calvary, kneeling before the Lamb, His blood makes everything whiter than snow, when I come just as I am”. Can I just write a hearty AMEN? AMEN!

Let’s go back to the early 1990’s, Charles Johnson and the Revivers, “Until Then”, “I Can’t Even Walk”, and “My God is Real”. Go ahead, let yourself get filled with the flood of emotion and spirit that Charles sings with. “Until then, I’ll lift the name of Jesus, Until I’ll lead the lost Sheep to the fold…”. I nearly ready to rapture out of this world. Praise the Name of Jesus.

You see, I remember many of those “old” songs, and “old” artists, because they are memorable. They weren’t just songs to make your feet tap to the beat, those songs had meaning and a message.  Today, artists, musicians, and writers occasionally miss the mark on that. They are caught away with popularity and the wind of relevancy, but I’ll keep on remembering those songs from my past. 

If you’re having one of those hard days, take a few moments to remember those “good ole days” and you’ll find the encouragement you need, but that’s just my Southern Gospel Point of View. 

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

An afternoon with the Wisecarvers

Just a few weeks ago I had the opportunity to visit with a relatively new group called The Wisecarvers. We first met a few years ago and have kept in contact. Their music, though sometimes unorthodox, has had an effect on me and my children. With a revisited “Heaven’s Jubilee” to “Thank You Lord for Your Blessings on Me” to “Go Down Again”, their style of writing and arrangement is impressive.

Now, I want to introduce you to the group, Vince and Tammy Wisecarver are the parents to Dustin and Chase. Kaila married into the family as Dustin’s better half. As you look at their bio’s, you will see a theme, each one of them are songwriters. Admittedly, they have different styles but love to work together too. 

Currently, the favorite song of mine is “Go Down Again”. Yes, this is the second time I’ve mentioned it, but that’s for a reason. Folks, you really need to hear this song. Introduced with a simple piano tune, Kaila brings the lyrics to life as she sings about the Old Testaments Naaman. Have you ever felt that you’ve tried so many times and still there’s no end of your pain in sight? This song exhorts us to press on and try once again.

“Somebody Here”, is yet another call to action for the believer. Chase, Dustin, and Kaila share the vocal responsibilities, and the message is a familiar call for somebody to grab that hand reached out to them. Another song, one that will catch you off guard is “Manufactured Smiles”, the idea is that we all have a hidden part, closed off to others, but “Jesus knows the hearts of man”.  Our faces “can’t hide our every scar”, is just one heart clenching lyric, but, if you move beyond title, the message is clear.

In our conversation, we were able to discuss the effect on Covid-19 on their ministry, their family and what is next for the family. We also uncover some little-known facts about the group. With little ones in the family, we get to talk about Chase and Kasie’s family as well as Dustin and Kaila’s little ones. 

So, I offer you two things. First, go out and get their music, there are three albums available, “Journey”, “Armor”, and “Silhouette”. Second, listen to our conversation on our podcast. 

Well, I’ve shared my story of the Wisecarvers and hope you can hear my heart in it. Now, it’s up to you to love them as much as I do, but that’s just my Southern Gospel Point of View. 

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

No New Thing

“…there is no new thing under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 1:9 This verse has always puzzled me, how can someone say that there are no new things? Electricity, telephones, radio, and television all sound like new things. But, in fact, they are not. They are different avenues of communication or power. 

Song writers, musicians, preachers, and singers are no exception to this rule. I’ve written two songs, I play the guitar, bass, and piano, I’ve been preaching for twenty-eight years, and I sing often. So, as a member of each of these groups, I can assure that in all of my “original thoughts”, they have all been thought of, spoken, sang, played, or preached before. 

What does this have to do with Southern Gospel music? Simply put, this genre is trying desperately to re-invent itself with “new” shiny, flashy, relevant product design, lyrical hooks, musical loops and all the while, it’s been done before.

I am an eighty year old man trapped in a forty-one year old body. I love old people, old things, and the old ways. Modern music doesn’t move me, modern church gymnastics do nothing for me, and modern bible translations irritate me. Proverbs 22:28 declares “Remove not the ancient landmark, which thy fathers have set.” From this I have to hold to the right in everything I can. I have failed in the past and in the last two years I’ve been reintroduced to the “Old Time Way”, and might I say, I love it.

In the SG genre, it is quickly becoming more contemporary or at best progressive. Songs written and performed by CCM artists are now recorded by SG artists but put a more country spin on it. Southern Gospel artists now or called Christian artists, they have secular music hooks as their introduction’s to songs or in their bridges. The sound has changed, from the old standard of guitar, piano, and light drums, now there are all types of stringed instruments, heavy drums, and other influences that change the style of music that it was intended to be.

Try as they may, no genre of music will come up with anything that hasn’t already been heard. No writer will pen a lyric that hasn’t already been thought of or spoken. But with all that is within me, I beg or you, as a listener, or artist, find those old paths, those ancient landmarks and walk in those. The message of Christ must be told, and the old way of doing so is still the best way to do it, but that’s just my Southern Gospel Point of View. 

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