Comments on: “Why limit your observations to one genre”?

By: Rod

Rod — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 16:25:19 +0000

Tim-I agree but the postings are people who take a few songs they hear on KLOVE for 10 minutes and judge the entire CCM industry by those standards. It is the same with SG radio. I agree there are great artists both musically and morally but most SG fans judge CCM by only a few songs they hear on mainstream radio and it’s all “of the devil” and if they do have wild hair or tatoos then they “can’t be Christians”. It burns me up to no end. We are NOT living in the first century anymore and although the MESSAGE never changes the METHOD has. That’s just the way it is.

By: Tim

Tim — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 14:43:19 +0000

I don’t know, Rod. The “sound” of CCM has certainly narrowed over the past few years and is dominated by “Third Day- Jeremy Camp” wannabees. There seems to be a lack of creativity in the genre with record labels controlling what reaches the public than in SG.

CCM is growing and reaching more people than ever but musically I think that it is definately progressing at a snails pace.

Who are the trend buckers in CCM? DecembeRadio? , Toby Mac, Tekoa?

You are right about CCM artists, irregardless of the look, the tattoos, the piercings, the artists are awesome people - so are most SS artists.

By: Rod

Rod — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 03:39:00 +0000

Misspelled ridiculous…I think this is right

By: Rod

Rod — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 03:32:18 +0000

Let me interject my two cents here…I am mainly a CCM artist. Although not mainstream I feel like most SG fans are very narrow minded when it comes to the music. If it’s not three chords and a cloud of dust or a song about mama, the bible and the blood it’s just not right. If it has too much of a pop/rock sound it can’t be Christian. This is exactly why SG music will never be what it once was. No creative or outside the box productions will continue to keep SG music exactly where it is…At the bottom. Remember the Imperials or the Goss brothers…They had great lyrics but modern music and still weren’t accepted in the “industry”. That’s why the Imperials became such a success. There were many other artists (Bill Gaither trio, vocal band, etc) that were ostracized because of the same reasons…This same mentality that SG music is of God and all the long haired hippies and non-traditional outfits is the reason Gaither has once again separated himself from Mainstream SG music once again. WAKE UP and smell the coffee people…I agree that some songs are watered down and that the CCM industry tries to replicate some of the secular modern music but in the words of Gaither himself…”WHY NOT”. CCM will reach people SG will NEVER reach. Also I have been on both tour buses of CCM and SG artists and I can tell you this first hand and without any reservations. CCM artists as a whole exemplify A Christ-like attitude, no jealousy and higher standards by far than most SG artists I have been involved with. So complain about the Rocky sound, lyrics and mod haircuts all you want but they are reaching millions more people than SG ever will for Christ not the Anti-Christ. (Ridiclous)

By: Joe

Joe — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 01:29:16 +0000

Daniel-

You are correct, sir. Far too often, it would seem we assess things by our own parameters and standards, and not, as you so succinctly say, by “God’s book”. In most cases, maybe close to all…He is clear. If it is not spelled out, the Scriptural principle is readily available. He most definitely is NOT “wishy-washy”, as you state. How much better off would be, if we were not so much so??!! Thanks.

By: TE

TE — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 10:58:34 +0000

Middle ground songs would include the “Jesus is my boyfriend” type songs. Nothing wrong lyrically, just not pointing overtly to Christ.

The black and white issue can get complicated. How would yu classify songs such as “America the Beautiful” , “Cats in the Cradle”,”Hey Jude” or Dylan’s “Masters of War”?

[Bob Dylan - here is an example of lyrics that require an individual to invest of themselves and as a result these fans are quite loyal and diverse.]

Youngbass: Do you feel the same way about 1/2 the people sitting in the pews on Sunday?

It’s sad to think that these country singers and their actions are probably representative of 1/2 the people sitting in the pews on Sunday. Their lives are “singing” 6 different tunes of sin throughout the week, but one day a week, they raise their hands and sing praises to the Lord.

Your indictment against these singers is really an indictment against the sad state of the American church body at large.

By: Youngbass

Youngbass — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 19:08:18 +0000

I do see a problem with country artists recording an album full of hymns or stating a spiritual representation of a song, when the majority of their songs are composed around topics of adultery, alcohol, bars, and sin, period. For example, one particular example is “Drunker than Me” - debut single - next single, “One Wing in the Fire”(inspirational). If you haven’t heard these country songs, you should hear them - it is quite amusing.

By: Daniel Britt

Daniel Britt — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 18:59:59 +0000

Joe: Maybe the “middle ground” he is talking about is defined as either GOOD or EVIL– it’s just that we don’t know which?

I guess drinking alcohol to some would be considered GOOD. To some, EVIL. To others, it’s “middle ground.”

Obviously it is one or the other in God’s book, right? I mean, he’s not wishy-washy.

So, I see your point … and I agree the middle ground is probably of our making.

By: Joe

Joe — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 17:03:08 +0000

Well, jb- here’s one person who totally and completely agrees with you. And furthermore, writer TE (post 7 above), nails the issue with these words:

“I’ve often wondered who should claim this “middle ground” where the message is not overtly Christian. Should we concede this to the secular world? Is this part of the domain of darkness or do we claim it as the edge of Christian music?”

This is really a brilliantly posed question, and worthy of all of our consideration.

I am reminded what John teaches in 1 John 4:1-6… there are only 2 forces at work in the world today. The spirit of truth (Christ), and the spirit of error (antichrist). This would make us seriously consider ALL music, in the light of only these 2 spirits..we need take it no further. If the spirit of Christ was not behind it, then the other is. It may actually be far, far more of an absolute “black-and-white” issue than we’ve ever allowed ourselves to think. These gray areas may be mostly of our own making.

By: jb

jb — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 15:42:44 +0000

This will open up a can of worms, but, here goes….I have a problem with some country western singers wanting to sing or make a “gospel” cd, when 99% of the songs they sing are about “sleeping with other people, losing your wife, losing your dog, losing your house”… I just don’t get it and I am not impressed when they record a “songs of inspiration” or “hymns” CD. Totally my opinion and I know others will not agree.

By: Aaron Swain

Aaron Swain — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 23:10:18 +0000

Rascal Flatts recorded a song on their Me And My Gang album about God. It was called “He Ain’t The Leavin’ Kind”. Pretty good…

By: DRIP

DRIP — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 21:18:17 +0000

DANIEL, TALKING ABOUT AMY GRANT, I REMEMBER THE COUNTRY DUO, FATHER AND DAUGHTER I THINK THAT PUT OUT HEAVEN IS JUST A SIN AWAY—-HEARD THEM INTERVIEWED ONE DAY AND THEY WERE LAUGHING SAYING IT HAD BEEN PLAYED ON MANY GOSPEL STATIONS

By: Daniel Britt

Daniel Britt — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 20:26:30 +0000

I just heard an interview with Randy Travis by Drew Marshall. Drew asked Randy what the difference between “Gospel” and “Christian” music is. Drew expounded on the question by asking Randy “is it pretty much an age/time?”

Randy conceded he was probably right.

So they’re answer was: Gospel is defined by “old music.” And Contemporary is defined by new, what’s-hip music.

I don’t agree - but the perception of the average listener might.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 16:34:52 +0000

Apparently, as of late, southern gospel IS contemporary!! Avalon, Jars of Clay, Selah, FFH, and other groups are releasing “roots” albums full of sg standards (like “I’ll Fly Away,” “How Great Thou Art,” etc.), and they are some of the biggest sellers.

On that same note, Alan Jackson’s gospel CD (which received NO radio airplay) went at least Gold, if not Platinum by now, and all it is is a piano, guitar, and some vocals from a hymnbook. Randy Travis completely re-invented himself with his hymns projects. And now it seems, Alabama is on that bandwangon with two “Songs of Inspiration” discs.

Food for thought….

By: Bob

Bob — Tue, 17 Apr 2007 15:20:02 +0000

I once wrote to a promoter involved with two of the most visible CCM festivals here on the West Coast and asked if they would consider setting up a stage for Southern Gospel. The response was that they couldn’t cover all the different genres of Christian music and do justice to them and gave the example of Christian Rap. The comparison of Southern Gospel to Christian Rap as just another ’sub-genre’ of Christian music made me cringe, but it shows how far off the radar this style of music is on the West Coast…