Comments on: L5, after Roger http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/ Criticism and commentary on southern gospel music and culture Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:11:22 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 By: Glenn Camp http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-13929 Glenn Camp Thu, 03 May 2007 03:56:41 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-13929 I think Tim Parton is an excellent choice for LT to replace Roger. I am glad I purchased some tapes and CD's of Roger's beautiful piano playing. It had become very difficult to hear his playing at L5's concerts because of the extremely loud canned background noise. I hope when we do get to attend an L5 concert with Tiim Parton playing the piano that we can actually hear Tim's playing and him not be drowned out by the excessive loud canned background noise that is referred to as music, which it isn't. Loud banging drums and steel guitars are just not condusive with the great harmonious sound of L5. I wish Scott Fowler would realize this. I think Tim Parton is an excellent choice for LT to replace Roger.
I am glad I purchased some tapes and CD’s of Roger’s beautiful piano playing. It had become very difficult to hear his playing at L5’s concerts because of the extremely loud canned background noise.
I hope when we do get to attend an L5 concert with Tiim Parton playing the piano that we can actually hear Tim’s playing and him not be drowned out by the excessive loud canned background noise that is referred to as music, which it isn’t. Loud banging drums and steel guitars are just not condusive with the great harmonious sound of L5. I wish Scott Fowler would realize this.

]]> By: Aaron Swain http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-10566 Aaron Swain Tue, 10 Apr 2007 21:36:07 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-10566 Tim Parton has officially been named as L5's new pianist. Singing News has the story. Tim Parton has officially been named as L5’s new pianist. Singing News has the story.

]]> By: Tom K. http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-10301 Tom K. Mon, 09 Apr 2007 12:01:22 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-10301 Tim Parton is the choice - quiet, professional and unassuming. And, now getting ready for some criticism, Stan Whitmire is the most overrated pianist in the business. Tim Parton is the choice - quiet, professional and unassuming. And, now getting ready for some criticism, Stan Whitmire is the most overrated pianist in the business.

]]> By: GC http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-9656 GC Fri, 06 Apr 2007 20:47:18 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-9656 Varnado is silly... Varnado is silly…

]]> By: GC12 http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-9637 GC12 Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:44:08 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-9637 To GC11: I would offer that Varnado would be a great fit. If you actually ever spend any time watching him he is very classy. The goofy stuff doesn't carry through the entire concert and when it does it's because Randy Shelnut sets it up. I would bet that if Stewart was offered that position he would do very well at it. Unfortunately I think that his problem is going to be the same problem that child actors face. He came on very young and used the cheesy stuff to help get some recognition but has now grown into one of the best and most respected pianist in the business. He's going to have to overcome the "cute little redheaded piano player" mentality and get folks to recognize that he is now older, and more mature as a musician. He'll have a long and very successful career in gospel music no matter what group he is with. To GC11: I would offer that Varnado would be a great fit. If you actually ever spend any time watching him he is very classy. The goofy stuff doesn’t carry through the entire concert and when it does it’s because Randy Shelnut sets it up. I would bet that if Stewart was offered that position he would do very well at it. Unfortunately I think that his problem is going to be the same problem that child actors face. He came on very young and used the cheesy stuff to help get some recognition but has now grown into one of the best and most respected pianist in the business. He’s going to have to overcome the “cute little redheaded piano player” mentality and get folks to recognize that he is now older, and more mature as a musician. He’ll have a long and very successful career in gospel music no matter what group he is with.

]]> By: Bradley http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-9635 Bradley Fri, 06 Apr 2007 15:31:49 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-9635 So I guess if they entertain you at all it's goofy? If you'll remember Roger did his share of goofy things on stage, Anthoy did also, but they grew older and we regard them as class. I think Stewart is one of the best that we have in SG. Great player and great entertainer! So I guess if they entertain you at all it’s goofy? If you’ll remember Roger did his share of goofy things on stage, Anthoy did also, but they grew older and we regard them as class. I think Stewart is one of the best that we have in SG. Great player and great entertainer!

]]> By: GC11 http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-9442 GC11 Fri, 06 Apr 2007 00:24:28 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-9442 I think Varnado is just as goofy as Ishee, he's good but not classy...I think he'd be a way wrong fit even if Bennett was his hero. I think Varnado is just as goofy as Ishee, he’s good but not classy…I think he’d be a way wrong fit even if Bennett was his hero.

]]> By: Smith http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-9233 Smith Thu, 05 Apr 2007 01:58:30 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-9233 Varnado would bring a lot to the table, and he has always said that Roger was his hero. Is anyone remembering NQC? Varnado played with L5 there and shared a piano with Roger at Pianorama. It's easy to throw names out there as to who the replacement will be, but I suggest giving the situation time. I don't suspect that Varnado will be leaving the Echoes at any point in the near future however a good fit he may be. Varnado would bring a lot to the table, and he has always said that Roger was his hero. Is anyone remembering NQC? Varnado played with L5 there and shared a piano with Roger at Pianorama. It’s easy to throw names out there as to who the replacement will be, but I suggest giving the situation time. I don’t suspect that Varnado will be leaving the Echoes at any point in the near future however a good fit he may be.

]]> By: Linda H. http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-9183 Linda H. Wed, 04 Apr 2007 22:25:27 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-9183 True they have taken a lot of unknowns and brought them to prominence, however I agree that Stewart would be the best fit that I can think of. Losing Roger leaves a huge hole in L5, and it will take time to recover, but having a respected and well-liked fan favorite at the piano seat should help. I'd love to see this happen. There are several good pianists out there, and Tim Parton perhaps the better pianist, but overall Stewart would probably bring more to the table True they have taken a lot of unknowns and brought them to prominence, however I agree that Stewart would be the best fit that I can think of. Losing Roger leaves a huge hole in L5, and it will take time to recover, but having a respected and well-liked fan favorite at the piano seat should help. I’d love to see this happen. There are several good pianists out there, and Tim Parton perhaps the better pianist, but overall Stewart would probably bring more to the table

]]> By: Linda H. http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-9182 Linda H. Wed, 04 Apr 2007 22:23:47 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-9182 True they have taken a lot of unknowns and brought them to prominence, however I agree that Stewart would be the best fit that I can think of. Losing Roger leaves a huge hole in L5, and it will take time to recover, but having a respected and well-liked fan favorite at the piano seat should help. I'd love to see this happen. There are several good pianists out there, and Tim Parton perhaps the better pianist, but overall Stewart would probably bring more to the table. True they have taken a lot of unknowns and brought them to prominence, however I agree that Stewart would be the best fit that I can think of. Losing Roger leaves a huge hole in L5, and it will take time to recover, but having a respected and well-liked fan favorite at the piano seat should help. I’d love to see this happen. There are several good pianists out there, and Tim Parton perhaps the better pianist, but overall Stewart would probably bring more to the table.

]]> By: Ty http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-9180 Ty Wed, 04 Apr 2007 21:44:56 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-9180 I think Varnado's the choice. Parton or Whitmire would be fine too, IMO. Whatever the case, you definitely don't what an "Andrew Ishee" in there who's all over the keyboard because I think L5 fans would react. The choice needs to be laidback, self-confident, and unassuming. If he tries to take the show, or impersonate Bennett he will absolutely fail. I also don't think an unknown pianist is out of the question, as L5 has a history of taking singers from out of nowhere (Seamans, Cobb, Howard, Dustin) and making them stars. I think Varnado’s the choice. Parton or Whitmire would be fine too, IMO. Whatever the case, you definitely don’t what an “Andrew Ishee” in there who’s all over the keyboard because I think L5 fans would react. The choice needs to be laidback, self-confident, and unassuming. If he tries to take the show, or impersonate Bennett he will absolutely fail. I also don’t think an unknown pianist is out of the question, as L5 has a history of taking singers from out of nowhere (Seamans, Cobb, Howard, Dustin) and making them stars.

]]> By: wc http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-9069 wc Wed, 04 Apr 2007 12:16:42 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-9069 L5 was in Greensboro, NC a week or so before Roger passed away. Scott Fowler said at that concert that Tim Parton had agreed to travel with them as long as needed. L5 was in Greensboro, NC a week or so before Roger passed away. Scott Fowler said at that concert that Tim Parton had agreed to travel with them as long as needed.

]]> By: Trent http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-8977 Trent Wed, 04 Apr 2007 04:41:30 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-8977 Varnado would be a great replacement for a lot of different reasons. He has tremendous rapport with audiences, he is skilled beyond belief, and his personality, looks, and age are so different from Bennett's that much comparison would be unlikely. Stan Whitmire, who is the best pianist in SG today, would be the cream-of-the-crop- catch-of-the-year for L5. I doubt they will be able to get him, though. He has so many other projects & interests that I can't see him foregoing them to travel with L5. Matthew Holt is probably the most underated piano player around right now..but he seems to be at home with the Perrys. Of course, Mr. Justin Ellis of the Crabb Family is going to be looking for work soon; the timing could be right. He is multi-talented, but he may have to lose the Greg Brady look to play with Legacy Five. Varnado would be a great replacement for a lot of different reasons. He has tremendous rapport with audiences, he is skilled beyond belief, and his personality, looks, and age are so different from Bennett’s that much comparison would be unlikely. Stan Whitmire, who is the best pianist in SG today, would be the cream-of-the-crop- catch-of-the-year for L5. I doubt they will be able to get him, though. He has so many other projects & interests that I can’t see him foregoing them to travel with L5. Matthew Holt is probably the most underated piano player around right now..but he seems to be at home with the Perrys. Of course, Mr. Justin Ellis of the Crabb Family is going to be looking for work soon; the timing could be right. He is multi-talented, but he may have to lose the Greg Brady look to play with Legacy Five.

]]> By: GC http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-8962 GC Wed, 04 Apr 2007 00:26:19 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-8962 Roger was so much more than a piano player that replacing him will be impossible. Just a personal opinion, but he was the most enjoyable vocalist in the group. He knew how to communicate a song to an audience in any setting. Roger was so much more than a piano player that replacing him will be impossible. Just a personal opinion, but he was the most enjoyable vocalist in the group. He knew how to communicate a song to an audience in any setting.

]]> By: Brenda http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-8954 Brenda Tue, 03 Apr 2007 22:27:59 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-8954 What about Stewart Varnado? I think he'd be a good fit for Legacy Five also. Similar style to Rogers. It will be a hard job for anyone to follow Roger Bennett, but someone's gotta try. What about Stewart Varnado? I think he’d be a good fit for Legacy Five also. Similar style to Rogers. It will be a hard job for anyone to follow Roger Bennett, but someone’s gotta try.

]]> By: quartet-man http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-8932 quartet-man Tue, 03 Apr 2007 15:49:55 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-8932 Parton did do a good job with them, but of course I missed Roger terribly due to all of the other things he brought besides the piano playing. I think he or someone like Stan Whitmire might be good as far as the piano playing part. However, like trying to replace Younce or Payne in the Cathedrals, they would have to make their own pair of shoes, because there was only one Roger. Parton did do a good job with them, but of course I missed Roger terribly due to all of the other things he brought besides the piano playing. I think he or someone like Stan Whitmire might be good as far as the piano playing part. However, like trying to replace Younce or Payne in the Cathedrals, they would have to make their own pair of shoes, because there was only one Roger.

]]> By: Thom http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-8922 Thom Tue, 03 Apr 2007 14:08:33 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/04/03/l5-after-roger/#comment-8922 Parton does seem the logical choice. Very talented and confident - solid performer, great accompanist, elegant style, not too showy. Nice fit for L5. There are a number of great young pianists in SG. Among them Scott McDowell with BFA, Matthew Holt with Perrys and Tommy McKenzie with Crystal River. It is reassuring to see these young virtuosos choosing to play SG music. Note to groups with good pianists: feature them more, turn off the tracks every once in a while and do some good ole fashioned "gather around the piano" singing. I believe your fans would love it - I know I would. Tee Rawls Parton does seem the logical choice. Very talented and confident - solid performer, great accompanist, elegant style, not too showy. Nice fit for L5.

There are a number of great young pianists in SG. Among them Scott McDowell with BFA, Matthew Holt with Perrys and Tommy McKenzie with Crystal River. It is reassuring to see these young virtuosos choosing to play SG music.

Note to groups with good pianists: feature them more, turn off the tracks every once in a while and do some good ole fashioned “gather around the piano” singing. I believe your fans would love it - I know I would.

Tee Rawls

]]>