Mylon Hayes Family

It’s a Family Thing

Family is an important element of Southern Gospel Music. Think back through the

years, and you’ll remember that some of the most successful and the most loved groups are indeed family groups. One comes to mind, a recently retired group that you no doubt have heard of… The McKameys. Their harmonies were tight, and their songs were anointed. Do you remember the Speer Family, the Singing Cookes? Recently the Collingsworth Family, and the Jordan Family Band have made a name for themselves.

Now that our thinking is towards family groups, I want to introduce you to or at least remind you of The Mylon Hayes Family. This an extension of the Hayes Family in which Mylon sang for 40 years. Mylon Hayes is continuing in the gospel heritage with his bride, Wendy, their twin boys, Conner and Bailey, and their daughter Kennedy. 

I recently got a message from Pastor Byron Chesney, he asked me to check the Mylon Hayes Family out. He said, “I’ve recently started listening to them, my favorite is Resurrection Power.” When I receive a request, I take it seriously, so for two weeks I’ve listened to their music and I must echo Pastor Chesney, “man, they have some great stuff.”

Their last album goes back to 2018, with fourteen songs, it is a great find in an era of six or seven tracks per album. It begins with, “We Come in the Name of Jesus”, lifting the name of Christ in song, this is a terrific song that will get your toes tapping but make you think about that name that is above every name… Jesus. 

Though released two years ago, “God Can Still Turn it Around” is a near prophetic song for the current health crisis in America and around the world. Wendy sings powerful lyrics like, “You wonder how it ever got this far, never dreamed your world would fall apart…”, have hope dear reader, God is still in control.

Madison leads the very next song on the album, “God is Always Faithful”, is a pleasant reminder that “God will do what He promised”. 

With styles ranging from Camp meeting, Hymns, traditional Southern Gospel to a grammatically incorrect song “Ain’t It Good”. I’m a new listener to the Mylon Hayes Family, however, with only one album in my library, I’m ready for more. I’m certain if you take a moment or two, you too would be hooked, but that’s just my Southern Gospel Point of View.

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

Social Media Giant among Southern Gospel Artists

               From a smalltown in North Georgia, the Ball Brothers from Chickamauga, Georgia are a favorite among young and older listeners. These brothers, In-Laws, and friends are a social media giant. With followers from all over the world and in small towns across America.

I first heard the Ball Brothers in late 2014, when I heard “Someday”, a song that took me back to an era of music dominated by Bing Crosby, Nat King Cole, and Frank Sinatra. I met them in 2017 at the National Quartet Convention and was very impressed by their live sound and performance, but also their following. Young and old seem to love the sound, as their 2016 album states, they sing “music that spans the generations”.  

Just a few weeks I was able to talk to Daniel Ball. The group visited our little a few weeks ago, he says “We would love to do some exploring in the area”. As I stated earlier, their last album was nearly four years ago, so the next question had to be, when will we hear more from the Ball Brothers. Daniel said, “We are currently working on a project of cover songs with a Ball Brothers twist”. It is slated to be available in late summer. 

Speaking of “covers”, in case that is a new term for you. It is when an Artist re-records a previously released song by another artist. Generally, they infuse the original with their own personality and style, many times producing a better listening experience than the original. A few that you can see on YouTube are Jordan Feliz’s, “The River”, and Zach Williams’, “Old Church Choir”. 

Outside of the brief interaction with them back in 2017, and the Facebook encounter with Daniel, I've not had an opportunity to really get to know them as artists, or individuals. After checking their website and other articles or blogs about them I have found that they are just like me. I know, I know, not one of them is red-headed, or overweight, but they are husbands, fathers, and men. Men that are doing their best to live for God, support their families, share the Gospel, and bring smiles to faces across the world. Isn't that we all should be doing? In a word the answer is... YES!  

While the world is on lockdown because of COVID-19, do me a favor. Purchase their music, watch their online videos, interact with them on social media, and as soon as they are able to book again Go out and see them. There is a void in the world right now, at least the Southern Gospel Music World because of the lack of brick and mortar meeting places for concerts. I mentioned this above, but I'll reiterate it here. The Ball Brothers are social media giants. They have over 22,000 subscribers on YouTube, and over 2,000,000 views. Their YouTube channel began in 2007, and since that time, other SG artists have taken their lead and jumped headlong into the YouTube and Socal Media pool. Matt Fouch, Mark Lowry, and Jordan Family Band are a few Artists that are making strides in the social media realm. 

With that said, these artists are now performing in homes or on empty stages to provide a Live Concert feel. They are doing these Live Concerts for a reason, they don't want to give up, they want to make a difference, but if I can go to bat for them, these artists need to stay in communication with you and I. For many, concerts are their income, for some, it is their only income. So, as you watch these videos, andLive concerts, consider donating to their ministry. Suppor them during this time if you are able. Most of them will not ask for your financial support, but I encourage you to consider these as your friends and family. They need help too, they have bills too, and they have no income during this time of "Social Distancing".

I've digressed just a little, for good reason, but to get back to the purpose of this post. The Ball Brothers truly do sing “music that spans generations”, of the albums that are available to purchase you will undoubtedly find something that you enjoy, but that’s just my Southern Gospel Point of View. 

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The Inspirations are “Sounding Sweeter”

          A few weeks ago, when I received the new album from The Inspirations, I had mixed feelings. For over 30 years I have been an avid listener to Southern Gospel Music (SGM), and The Inspirations have been a staple in my library. I have been disappointed lately in their sound and song selection, so I began listening with high hopes and I must say, I’m impressed.

I am 40 years old, and in those years, I’ve found myself needing an escape from time to time, particularly that escape was in the lines and melodies of SGM dating back to the ‘60’s and ‘70’s. My library includes music by the Stamps, the Blackwoods, Masters V, Naomi and The Segos and many more, but two groups occupy the most space, The McKameys and The Inspirations.

Once I began listening to the Inspirations they were well into their 3rd decade of recording SGM. The first song I remember hearing was “When I wake Up” from 1973. I was around 10 years old at the time, and they were the best of the best. The high notes of Archie Watkins and the Lows of Mike Holcomb were the standard by which I judged every other group I heard. 

Though there have been personnel and ownership changes, the sound I grew up with is back. In their new album “Ever Old, Ever New”, all of the men do a tremendous job, but Archie Watkins sounds his best in years. The new album is slated to release April 10, 2020, and will be available on CD, digital download and streaming platforms. 

Eddie Dietz though has my favorite song “Knowing you’re there”. A song that allows us to picture a man in prayer, not asking for a thing and having no troubles, just communing with the Lord. “1945” transports us back to churches with wood slat pews, old-fashioned mourner benches, and leather-lunged preachers. Luke Vaught gets to show off on “I’ll Fly Away”, he plays all of the instruments on the track. As someone who loves bluegrass, he gets high marks on the banjo, dobro, fiddle, and mandolin. 

If you love tradition quartet Southern Gospel, you will love this album with a refreshing sound and stirring lyrics, but that’s just my Southern Gospel Point of View. 

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

Taking a trip with Endless Highway

             Just outside of Milan, Tennessee is… What’s that? You’ve never heard of Milan? What about Greenfield? No? Okay, about 30 miles north of Jackson Tennessee somewhere between Nashville and Memphis is Trenton, the home of the 31 miles per hour speed limit and Endless Highway. 

Endless Highway is not some forsaken stretch of road in Tennessee. It’s the name of a Southern Gospel group with Jason & Vanessa Griggs and their children, Jay & Allison. When asked about the group name, Jason responded “This name connects our generations of ministry that will be endless until the return of the Lord as we go into the highways and hedges and compel the lost to come to Him. The basis for the name is found in Isaiah 35:8-10”

On March 20, 2020, the group will release their 3^rd album, “Countless”. It is available for pre-order now, but I’ll give you a sneak peek of a few of the songs. “Keep looking up” is first up with carefully placed lyrics that will encourage and uplift the listener to continue in the faith by encouraging them to Keep on keepin’ on. “Countless”, the title track allows the listener to think of God’s love for us. “All that remains to be seen”, a favorite on this album is an upbeat song about the changes that are not only needed but promised for the believer. I begin to stray a little on the next song, “26 Cents” is a fresh cut on the 1999 country song by the Wilkinsons. There’s nothing inherently wrong with the song, it’s neither spiritual nor scriptural, but a lot can be said about the sentimental subject of a mother’s love.  “Somebody’s World Changed Today” will stir the heart with an emotional message that takes us to the home of a newborn baby and to the family saying their last goodbye. Another track is “Til They Came Home”, it gives us a poignant picture of the lives of families torn by service to our country. 

There are only 6 songs on the album, but they are packed with lyrics that will fill your heart with remembrance and music that will have your toes tapping, but that’s just my Southern Gospel Point of View. 

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

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.

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