Sounding their best

Legacy Five is in their 21^st year, and in my opinion, they are at the top of their game. Scott Fowler has placed voices together that is an incredible mix. Matt Fouch holds the honorable place of bass. Lee Black rises to the occasion in the tenor position. Brian Walker is in the baritone position and doing an amazing job. Scott Fowler is the groups lead singer. Josh Townsend shares a few vocals from time to time but is their amazingly talented pianist.

Now that you know the group, let me say that this is best that Legacy Five has sounded in years. Don’t get me wrong, they’ve never sounded bad, but with this vocal collection, their harmonies are tighter, their highs, and lows are right where they need to be, and the baritone rounds out the harmony in a way I’ve not heard in years. 

L5’s latest album entitled “Pure Love” begins and ends with a bang. “What a Day” starts with a contemporary beat, an almost whispered voice in the verse but takes full effect in the chorus and you immediately hear that harmony that I told you about. I’m listening now, and after the second chorus, their voices make me feel the words.

“What Kind of Man” has garnered much attention for the group and Southern Gospel. Brian Walker begins with the proclamation that he is Barabbas and paints a vocal picture of a questioning man as he looks at Christ. Scott Fowler is up next as Thomas, recalling his own struggle with doubt, but is faced with the scars in the hands and side of Christ. Lee Black makes his presence as Peter and details his denial of Christ and wonders how Christ could still care. After the men reprise their roles, Matt Fouch appears as all three in one. The message is, “What Kind of Man would rescue the sinner and offer amazing grace at Calvary?”

The album’s namesake in “Love Pure Love” and opens up with a welcomed jam session of guitar riffs and a bit of drums, but the story begins to take shape as the sinner woman breaks the high valued box and anointed Jesus, but His response was not critical but Pure Love.

“I Believe the Book” is a favorite of mine, partly because of Brian Walker's smooth vocals, but the message is on point for those of us that truly believe “God’s Wonderful Book Divine”. There are seven songs that I’ve not been able to cover in this article however they are sure to uplift you and will undoubtedly speak truth into your life.

I’ve been clear that this is the best L5 has sounded in years, I make no apology in saying that. Folks you owe it to yourself to hear this album, but that’s just my Southern Gospel Point of View. 

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The Songs of Master’s Voice

           This week’s artist is likely new to you. I’ve been around Gospel music for a few decades now and in the “industry” for over two years now and have only recently become acquainted with them.  In early 2019 I was sent their album “Vintage”, then in December 2019 I received their latest album, “Solace”. It is this album that I intend on reviewing for your benefit and I hope to introduce you to this rising group.

Released in January of this year and available on cd and in digital form, I highly recommend it. Normally I reserve that suggestion for the end of the review, but let’s be honest, even if I have a negative review of someone or an album, I still hope that you will listen and form your own opinion.

The group began in 1995, and have only released five albums, one of which was a Christmas album. Although only a few albums are under their belt, this latest release has everything you could ask for. It is surprisingly packed with 12 songs and over 45 minutes of listening pleasure. The album begins with a mid-tempo song, “Let Us Not Grow Weary”, it is plain and simple an encouraging song straight from Galatians 6:9. “He’s coming Back” is again torn from scripture. It has a musical vibe that reminds me of the disco era, but it’s not off-putting in any way.

My favorite title is “Things Only God Can Do”. Opening with the prayer that many of us prayed as a child, “Now I lay me down to sleep”, the song outlines some of those simple things and moments in our life that are actually profound.  The fourth track is “Thinking Outside the Grave’, is begins with a dark overtone, but once the lyrics start to unravel you’ll soon realize that “Life doesn’t end with a box in the ground”, and as believers we can think beyond the grave.

Their latest radio single is “Peace Like a River” has an island themed intro, followed by wonderfully delivered lyrics by Tenor/Owner Ricky Capps. You’re bound to feel a little lighter after hearing this, so be sure to request it on Radio or even on Southern Gospel Point of View. There are seven more songs on this album, and each one is worth your time. I’d love to hear your thoughts about the album, but especially track 11 “Last of the Last Days”. 

Do me a favor, go to my website and request any of their songs, you can also call in your request at 865-315-7996. When you call, leave a voicemail about any of the groups, reviews, or songs that you’ve enjoyed through this article. 

I have to encourage you one last time to get to know Master’s Voice. They are everything you can look for in a quartet, but that’s just my Southern Gospel Point of View. 

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

Faithful Still...Down East Boys

        You may not have heard of the Down East Boys, but it’s my honor to tell you about and possibly introduce this storied group to you. My experience goes back nearly 30 years to 1992, someone gave me a cassette tape with various artists and the Down East Boys sang a song called “The Singing News Song”. A comical song about the Singing News magazine. A year or two later I was able to see them in person at a church in my hometown of Palatka, Florida. It was there that I bought my first Down East Boys album entitled, Newborn. 

Fast forward 26 years, the Down East Boys are now in their 37^th year, and going strong according to the Southern Gospel industry, proven by awards for group of the year, multiple Top 40 songs, and 3 #1 songs. Their last album “Faithful Still” will hit the streets on May 15, 2020, and it is one that you’ll want to add to your collection. This album with eleven songs is both memorable and uplifting. 

Opening the album is “Amazing Amounts of Amazing Grace”. A mid-tempo, modern sound that proclaims that the grace of God is in every part of our lives, whether in the valley, a trial, on a mountain or a new day. “What Love” is next and gives an audible picture of what we once were without Christ but crying out “what Love could love me”. 

“John Saw and Wrote About” is a traditional quartet song that’s a pleasant listen. The music is subdued, and the lyric is clear, it reminds me of quartet music from the 90s without all of the orchestrations and synthesizing. A fun, upbeat song on the list is led by the bass singer Zac Barham. With your faith and God’s victory, those walls in your life will “Fall like Jericho”.

A haunting tune is up next in “I Hear”, pleasing to the ear and gripping to the heart as we are transported back to ancient times in the last days and hours of Christ. Just as hopelessness sets in, the tune brightens, and the lyrics proclaim that the shackles of death haven been broken, and the Savior has risen. A choir backs up these golden voices to declare we are redeemed.

Much could be said about the remaining tracks on the album, but I’ll leave that to the imagination. “Those Hands” led by Ricky Carden, “God Will, Yes He Will”, “Bottom of the Basket”, “A Story that Began at the Cross”, and “Sweet Journey” round this album out as one of the best albums released in Southern Gospel this year, but that’s just my Southern Gospel Point of View. 

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

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.