Comments on: I wish I could write like this http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/ Criticism and commentary on southern gospel music and culture Fri, 21 Nov 2008 22:25:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 By: TLN http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-143759 TLN Sun, 07 Oct 2007 21:10:46 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-143759 Let's just say...the invitation got "lost in the mail"...... Let’s just say…the invitation got “lost in the mail”……

]]> By: AD http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-140808 AD Fri, 05 Oct 2007 03:35:02 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-140808 I don't think GVB and EHSS were invited I don’t think GVB and EHSS were invited

]]> By: cdguy http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-140190 cdguy Thu, 04 Oct 2007 15:38:02 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-140190 Best guess about GVB & EHSS: they chose not to be there. I know they were on tour elsewhere that week. It was probably a financial decision. I'm sure they would have been invited. Best guess about GVB & EHSS: they chose not to be there. I know they were on tour elsewhere that week. It was probably a financial decision. I’m sure they would have been invited.

]]> By: Claudia Ragsdale http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-139267 Claudia Ragsdale Wed, 03 Oct 2007 17:59:01 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-139267 I want to know why Signature Sound and Gaither Vocal Band were not part of NQC? They are the two best groups around and there must be a reason they were slighted. I want to know why Signature Sound and Gaither Vocal Band were not part of NQC? They are the two best groups around and there must be a reason they were slighted.

]]> By: Jim E. Davis http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-131151 Jim E. Davis Wed, 26 Sep 2007 19:24:15 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-131151 Keith Green was a huge influence during my college days in Oklahoma and his three night concert at Oral Roberts was a life-changing experience. No band. No back-up singers. No tracks. Just Keith and piano. The energy was incredible. The first night was attended by about 500. The second night crowd grew to 1500 and the final night exploded to over 3000. It was more than the music. It was a revolution and we were ready for change. What I wouldn't give to experience it again! Keith Green was a huge influence during my college days in Oklahoma and his three night concert at Oral Roberts was a life-changing experience.

No band. No back-up singers. No tracks.
Just Keith and piano.

The energy was incredible. The first night was attended by about 500. The second night crowd grew to 1500 and the final night exploded to over 3000. It was more than the music. It was a revolution and we were ready for change. What I wouldn’t give to experience it again!

]]> By: David Bruce Murray http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-130377 David Bruce Murray Wed, 26 Sep 2007 04:45:51 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-130377 From Wikipedia... "Keith Green died on July 28, 1982, when the Cessna 414 leased by Last Days Ministries crashed barely after takeoff from the private airstrip located on LDM property. In order to give visiting friends an aerial tour of the LDM property and the surrounding area, the small plane carried eleven passengers and the pilot, Don Burmeister. Green and two of his children, three year old Josiah, and two year old Bethany, were on board the plane, along with visiting missionaries John and Dede Smalley and their six children. All on-board the seven-seat aircraft were killed. Among several causes, the NTSB determined that the crash was largely due to overload. The pilot, who was an experienced U.S. Marine Corps pilot, should have refused to take five more passengers than there were seats on the plane. With eleven passengers on-board, the aircraft was considerably overloaded at nearly 450 pounds (202 kg) overweight. Thunderstorm activity in the area also left suspicions of windshear as a contributing factor." From Wikipedia…
“Keith Green died on July 28, 1982, when the Cessna 414 leased by Last Days Ministries crashed barely after takeoff from the private airstrip located on LDM property. In order to give visiting friends an aerial tour of the LDM property and the surrounding area, the small plane carried eleven passengers and the pilot, Don Burmeister. Green and two of his children, three year old Josiah, and two year old Bethany, were on board the plane, along with visiting missionaries John and Dede Smalley and their six children. All on-board the seven-seat aircraft were killed.

Among several causes, the NTSB determined that the crash was largely due to overload. The pilot, who was an experienced U.S. Marine Corps pilot, should have refused to take five more passengers than there were seats on the plane. With eleven passengers on-board, the aircraft was considerably overloaded at nearly 450 pounds (202 kg) overweight. Thunderstorm activity in the area also left suspicions of windshear as a contributing factor.”

]]> By: David Bruce Murray http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-130376 David Bruce Murray Wed, 26 Sep 2007 04:44:14 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-130376 Trent, I believe it was a plane crash...some similarities to the Blackwood Brothers crash, if I recall correctly. Trent,
I believe it was a plane crash…some similarities to the Blackwood Brothers crash, if I recall correctly.

]]> By: Jim2 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-130333 Jim2 Wed, 26 Sep 2007 03:50:20 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-130333 Trent, It was a plane crash. What is driving me crazy is I just recently read a great article about Keith and now can't recall where it was. Trent,
It was a plane crash. What is driving me crazy is I just recently read a great article about Keith and now can’t recall where it was.

]]> By: Trent http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-130225 Trent Wed, 26 Sep 2007 01:59:29 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-130225 How did Keith Green die? How did Keith Green die?

]]> By: Songwriter Sue http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-130011 Songwriter Sue Tue, 25 Sep 2007 22:08:32 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-130011 If you have lp's you'd like to listen to today, try purchasing a usb turntable. You can use it to convert lp's into cd's using your computer and a free piece of software called Audacity. I bought one at Urban Outfitters; it was around $150. If you have lp’s you’d like to listen to today, try purchasing a usb turntable. You can use it to convert lp’s into cd’s using your computer and a free piece of software called Audacity. I bought one at Urban Outfitters; it was around $150.

]]> By: David Mize http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-129606 David Mize Tue, 25 Sep 2007 11:38:23 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-129606 I remember that epiphany as well, only for me it came in the music of Keith Green. Being a piano player and most influenced by Elton John I was amazed to find someone who played like that and yet placed that great playing under a Christian message. Back in the day Keith was giving his albums (yeah, that's right... albums) away for a donation and I bought every one of them I could. From that point forward he became my most pronounced keyboard influence and I'm the better for it. It was such a conflict when he died, knowing that he did so just because of a stupid, stupid decision. Was it "his time to go?" I don't know, but if it was I think God would've found a better way to take him. Afterwards there was the inevitable release of "unreleased material" and the hundreds of makeovers. I think he actually released more music after his death than before. (Take that Tupac!) Those were the days. It was edgy. Now it's just plastic. I still have the albums somewhere. I just wish I had something to play them on! Oh well, thank goodness for remastered CDs... I remember that epiphany as well, only for me it came in the music of Keith Green. Being a piano player and most influenced by Elton John I was amazed to find someone who played like that and yet placed that great playing under a Christian message. Back in the day Keith was giving his albums (yeah, that’s right… albums) away for a donation and I bought every one of them I could. From that point forward he became my most pronounced keyboard influence and I’m the better for it.

It was such a conflict when he died, knowing that he did so just because of a stupid, stupid decision. Was it “his time to go?” I don’t know, but if it was I think God would’ve found a better way to take him. Afterwards there was the inevitable release of “unreleased material” and the hundreds of makeovers. I think he actually released more music after his death than before. (Take that Tupac!)

Those were the days. It was edgy. Now it’s just plastic. I still have the albums somewhere. I just wish I had something to play them on! Oh well, thank goodness for remastered CDs…

]]> By: DM http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-128809 DM Mon, 24 Sep 2007 21:44:29 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-128809 The crowd at NQC in Nashville walked out on the Oak Ridge Boys after they went country. J.D. and his Elvis show wasn't received much better. This was in the 1970's. The crowd at NQC in Nashville walked out on the Oak Ridge Boys after they went country. J.D. and his Elvis show wasn’t received much better. This was in the 1970’s.

]]> By: scope http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-128807 scope Mon, 24 Sep 2007 21:42:23 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-128807 This is one reason Joel is my favorite song writer; he is just a great writer. Period. This is one reason Joel is my favorite song writer; he is just a great writer. Period.

]]> By: CVH http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-128733 CVH Mon, 24 Sep 2007 20:27:04 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-128733 I forgot: Amy then - HOT Amy now? HOTTER I forgot: Amy then - HOT
Amy now? HOTTER

]]> By: CVH http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-128729 CVH Mon, 24 Sep 2007 20:25:31 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-128729 Writing 'on assignment' is one approach, often a necessary one, and it frequently yields satisfying, though in my own experience, more predictable results. Writing 'in an open space', whether measured in days or even uncluttered hours, usually brings a more thoughtful, honest and potent lyric, allowing all the images, ruminations, rhyme schemes and intentions that have been running around in my head and heart an opportunity to come together at their own pace, which is almost always, at least to me, more meaningful. Maybe not as commercial, but more satisfying artistically. I've always thought of writing as being similar to creating art. One has to have the vision and skill to be able to present not only what is overtly there to the naked eye, but to bring forth that hint of mystery or revelation that lies behind the subject. That's when creativity transcends the literal and speaks to the soul. Writing ‘on assignment’ is one approach, often a necessary one, and it frequently yields satisfying, though in my own experience, more predictable results.

Writing ‘in an open space’, whether measured in days or even uncluttered hours, usually brings a more thoughtful, honest and potent lyric, allowing all the images, ruminations, rhyme schemes and intentions that have been running around in my head and heart an opportunity to come together at their own pace, which is almost always, at least to me, more meaningful. Maybe not as commercial, but more satisfying artistically.

I’ve always thought of writing as being similar to creating art. One has to have the vision and skill to be able to present not only what is overtly there to the naked eye, but to bring forth that hint of mystery or revelation that lies behind the subject. That’s when creativity transcends the literal and speaks to the soul.

]]> By: Jim E. Davis http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-128614 Jim E. Davis Mon, 24 Sep 2007 17:42:40 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-128614 Interesting history lesson. I also grew up in that era and can still hear the shocked murmur from the southern gospel audience when 16 year old Amy walked out on stage at the Maybee Center in Tulsa Oklahoma in a pair of slacks. Then watched as hundreds of disgusted fans walked out on BJ Thomas when he began his second set with "Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head". Times have changed. Now Gold City joins the Oaks on stage for a rousing rendition of "Elvira" and nobody hardly notices. Interesting history lesson. I also grew up in that era and can still hear the shocked murmur from the southern gospel audience when 16 year old Amy walked out on stage at the Maybee Center in Tulsa Oklahoma in a pair of slacks. Then watched as hundreds of disgusted fans walked out on BJ Thomas when he began his second set with “Raindrops Keep Falling on my Head”. Times have changed. Now Gold City joins the Oaks on stage for a rousing rendition of “Elvira” and nobody hardly notices.

]]> By: Revpaul http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-128274 Revpaul Mon, 24 Sep 2007 07:42:18 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-128274 "The entire thing" is exquisite! “The entire thing” is exquisite!

]]> By: Jay http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-128099 Jay Mon, 24 Sep 2007 03:50:46 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2007/09/23/i-wish-i-could-write-like-this/#comment-128099 I read the essay you are talking about and I must admit it is good. The sad part is that I can relate to what he is saying. I remember when Amy Grant first came out and became popular. I loved her music, but I also remember the controversy surrounding it and the fact that most older people wouldn't listen to it or even put up with knowing anyone else listened to it. Thankfully, my children and I have pretty much the same taste in music. We are all huge fans of Ricky Atkinson & Compassion, Talley Trio, The Perry's, and Janet Paschal, among others. We love music in general-especially sg-but these listed are our absolute favorites. We are also big fans of Gold City (most of the time!). Although this article has a definite point in the transition music went through in that era, I am pleased with the direction most of my favorite groups are going in now. Great post on a great article!!! I read the essay you are talking about and I must admit it is good. The sad part is that I can relate to what he is saying. I remember when Amy Grant first came out and became popular. I loved her music, but I also remember the controversy surrounding it and the fact that most older people wouldn’t listen to it or even put up with knowing anyone else listened to it. Thankfully, my children and I have pretty much the same taste in music. We are all huge fans of Ricky Atkinson & Compassion, Talley Trio, The Perry’s, and Janet Paschal, among others. We love music in general-especially sg-but these listed are our absolute favorites. We are also big fans of Gold City (most of the time!). Although this article has a definite point in the transition music went through in that era, I am pleased with the direction most of my favorite groups are going in now. Great post on a great article!!!

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