Comments on: Video clip: Michael English

By: quartet-man

quartet-man — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 03:48:31 +0000

I discovered this old thread while looking for something else. As far as the Jesus On The Mainline routine, they actually did it earlier when Murray was in the group. It was on the Gaither Vocal Band and Trio in Concert VHS released before this. In some ways it was funnier there, but I can’t be sure if it is because it was the first place I saw it, or because the other was more over the top.

By: oshwayne rondganger

oshwayne rondganger — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:20:25 +0000

mike is one of my best solo perfomers. for me during the years he just kept growing in his music.
thi is a very good video.

By: KB

KB — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 15:55:46 +0000

I have used the gum trick in the past. It works to an extent, but I also find that it can hinder your ability with something flopping around in your mouth….

By: David

David — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:31:28 +0000

Ray Reese’s gum is legendary-when The Old Time Way CD came out, it included a song called “I’ll Leave it All Behind.” It was performed in concert around an antique RCA microphone and at some point in the song Ray’s gum would come out and stick to it. Then at the bass solo on the last chorus, Ray would sing, “I’ll leave my gum behind” to the laughter of the crowd.

By: David Bruce Murray

David Bruce Murray — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:43:14 +0000

The prison stripe suit was not in style at the time. It was merely Lowry being Lowry.

That was a great video. I wish they’d release it on DVD. It actually came out after the first Homecoming video.

The best thing Michael English has done in recent years is his Christmas project. His range isn’t as high as it used to be, but he can still do some impressive embellishments with his voice.

By: Brandon

Brandon — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:14:54 +0000

Thanks, MM. They’re not easy to locate, so here are links:
What A Day That Will Be
There Is A River
Little Is Much
… or you could purchase ithere.

By: MM

MM — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 16:34:33 +0000

*Update* I search for Mark Lowrey on Youtube brings three other clips from the same video including the afore mentioned “Little is Much”, and “What a Day That Will Be”. Also, “There is a River” Worth the time to check out.

By: MM

MM — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 16:31:09 +0000

Still my favorite Gaither video. I believe this is when they first started the “Jesus on the Mainline” routine. Very Funny! To hear Terry Franklin sing “Little Is Much” is a real treat.

By: Brandon

Brandon — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 13:57:46 +0000

“Live At Praise Gathering” is one of the greatest concert videos I’ve ever seen, simply because it captures an era when the GVB would (and could) carry an entire program. Their repertoire consisted of a significantly wider variety of styles, therefore they were capable of maintaining a heightened level of excitement throughout. Here, the Christ Church Choir provides BGVs, and you may spot Tanya Goodman-Sykes as well as the aforementioned Hildreth/Pierce, who was hand-picked to succeed Franklin, perhaps my favorite tenor of all time (see “What A Day That Will Be” from the same video).

Mike has done demo work for years, most notably for Daywind and in the occasional choral collection. Though his voice isn’t as pure as it was in the late eighties, you can still hear remnants of his old style on even the most recent of these projects, recalling the vocal suppleness he had before he devolved almost exclusively into IAG singing.

Interestingly, Mike’s acceptance speech during his final year at the Dove Awards included an homage which began, “I’d like to thank my gum…”

By: Tom

Tom — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 03:57:32 +0000

I had this entire video at one time, I’m not sure where it got to though. It’s a great video, some fantastic singing and Mark is also in top comedic form.

And isn’t that Jonathan Pierce in the choir?!

I caught a Michael English solo concert once, actually it was just a few months before “the fall.” He explained he always chewed gum because when he got up in front of people to sing his mouth would dry out.