Comments on: NQC 07: Thursday night

By: In The Spotlight: Paid In Full « Coomer Cove

In The Spotlight: Paid In Full « Coomer Cove — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 17:48:05 +0000

[…] the line up of tenor Jeff Crews (Doug Harrison of A Very Fine Line has wrote that Jeff is a “bankable talent“), lead Lance Moore, and baritone Bradley Littlejohn. This lineup stayed together until […]

By: Stephen

Stephen — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 15:13:09 +0000

The fact that The Inspirations and the like are being pushed by so many as “Southern Gospel’s Best” is what is pushing so many people away from SG music! If you love the Inspirations, good for you, but my point is that I have heard sooo many younger people say the same line, “I hate Southern Gospel Music!” and it’s mostly because they think of groups like the Inspirations when they think about SG music. Groups like the Inspirations have their place, and their place is not to be the forefront or the face of Southern Gospel Music.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 14:28:46 +0000

I am surprised that you chose to not mention Roger Bennett winning. That was one of the most magical moments for me. He was a true master of his craft and it was nice to know that he won that award based on merit just as mush as it was based on being sentimental.

By: RF

RF — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 05:25:10 +0000

Buick # 14, I don’t get the Inspirations either. I live in a very tiny town and the music at my church is far superior to the Inspirations on a typical Sunday morning. That leads me to wonder about my own taste and reason for really detesting them.

Many people look past the talent of the group and look at the message. OK, I can understand that, but these guys get paid for what they do and if it’s not really quality music, why pay them? If I can get the same poor diction and unprofessional performance for free at my church, what’s the point? They’re old? They’re legends? Sorry, but that does not replace quality. Many identify with them because they are a lot like the local groups they hear. Others admire the individual members.

To each his own, I guess. Tonight, not being one of the lucky ones who get to attend the NQC during this time of year, I sat at home bored and do what I usually do–put in a DVD of preformance sg music. Tonight I picked the Gaither African Homecoming DVD. All performances were professional. Everyoe was in tune. It was entertaining and the message came through. I enjoyed it, probably something I would not have done being fed a constant diet of Inspirations or other groups. And old saying from my late father came to mind:

“All their taste is in their mouths.”

Yep, that’s the answer. And there is absolutely nothing we can do about it. But “for the rest of us,” as this site used to say, there is an alternative. And having a “No Inspirations Zone” in my house, car and office is what I use.

By: Buick

Buick — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 02:55:32 +0000

Well you know what they say about opinions. Having acknowledged that, I will say that I have NEVER figured the appeal of the Inspirations. They seem ragged and unprofessional, Archie is way too shrill and their diction is atrocious (even taking into account their NC roots). Yet some folk love them. I have a distant relative who thinks they are the very best in SG. Ain’t it great that there is room for all of us under the big SG tent? (But I still don’t get the Inspirations!)

By: DamonfromKY

DamonfromKY — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 00:58:05 +0000

Angie’s right on the first part, at least. I Have Not Forgotten was #1 in April 2007. It dropped to #6 the next month, but I guess the ballots were already cast. The Fan Awards are unfortunately skewed towards songs that peak in the February to May period. A song that is at or near the top right now has no chance in 2007 or 2008.

As to the second part, I’m pretty sure “Thank You” (or whatever that thankful song was called) was #1 too.

By: Angie M

Angie M — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 23:47:50 +0000

#9: I completely agree! I’m glad Doug’s reviews are what they are. I don’t agree with Doug about “He Is,” but the rest of what he said was spot-on. And I’m almost certain “I Have Not Forgotten” was #1 sometime around March to May. Because wasn’t it the first #1 the Inspirations have had since “Touring that City,” or something?

By: SPD

SPD — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 22:29:23 +0000

Dito #9! Dito Doug on the Paid In Full bit! They sang on the main stage in 04′ and 05′! Were’nt they the first ever non quartet to sing on monday night in 05′ ! I didn’t really get the horizon thing! But I do like their music! And for the nominations didnt the SN staff pick the top 10 this year for us to narrow down to 5 and then the winners! I don’t remeber the write in ballots in this years SN mag. Did I just miss that! And if that’s the case Daywind must have spent some money somewhere b/c the fan awards seemed to be daywind heavy! I know that Daywind is prob. the top desired label by SG groups but Crossroads/ Horizon typically out charts Daywind in the SN! Maybe because their stable is larger! Any way just wondering!

By: Gina

Gina — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 18:36:34 +0000

Thanks for the great review! Your comments are especially interesting to those of us who couldn’t make it to NQC this year.
As for your trivia question about Song of the Year.. I know at least one of the songs did go to #1, that being ‘I Will Trust You Lord’.

By: RF

RF — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 17:36:28 +0000

Wonderful commentary and well received by this reader.

I get a little tickled when people start praising people for wearing their “rosy” glasses or being less negative. Most mentally healthy people comment on what reality is to them. Avery is no different and when he sees something that is negative, he tells it like it is–from his viewpoint and I wouldn’t have it any other way. For too long the sg “press” has fed us horse manure and called it spaghetti sauce. Here is a place I can hear praise when it’s deserved and criticism when it is warranted.

Thank you, Avery. Do not ever change.

By: David Ratliff

David Ratliff — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 17:07:08 +0000

I think The Perrys did a wonderful job. Since you mentioned Angie Hoskins, didn’t she just open a promotions company?

By: wackythinker

wackythinker — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 16:19:26 +0000

As for women on the awards list, there were only 3 other categories women could have been elegible for: Horizon Individual, Musician, and Songwriter. And since the FANS are the ones who vote, I guess there just were not enough fans who thought there were any women more deserving this year than Nick, Roger and Rodney.

And much of the Jubilee footage was made available several years ago on VHS by Gaither. Not sure any ever made it to DVD, though. And you’re right — it’s good stuff.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:50:07 +0000

Want to know what’s wrong with Southern Gospel music? One line explains it all… “Song of the Year: The Inspirations, I have not forgotten”.

By: dd

dd — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:17:04 +0000

did i hear you say wonderful?…

By: RR

RR — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:03:37 +0000

Great report! Thanks for toning down the negativity, and wearing rosy glasses for a change. Your mastery of the language still shines through.

By: Bryce

Bryce — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 13:46:46 +0000

Before the naysayers have a chance to chip away at this great analysis — you make me wanna go to NQC… and I hate NQC.

By: Jim2

Jim2 — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 13:13:10 +0000

Thanks, I’m looking forward to the rest of your reports. Sorry your NQC Pal couldn’t be there with you this year, but maybe the noted mellowing is because you didn’t have her to “riff” of of? Anyway, I appreciate the “eyes wide open” version of the night and grateful for the improvements you noted on the awards show.
You’ve piqued my curiosity about “He Is” by the Lesters - I always liked the Aaron Jeoffrey version, so I’ll have to listen to the Lester’s “No Doubt” CD to check it out.

By: Sheldon

Sheldon — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 11:40:37 +0000

great read. Do I sense a bit of mellowing, or at least a concerted effort to let us in on what actually attracts you to SG and not just what annoys you about it? Nick Trammell’s line = priceless!!