Comments on: Dissent of the day http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/ Criticism and commentary on southern gospel music Wed, 23 May 2012 17:42:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 By: tommywales http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-1257469 tommywales Wed, 27 Oct 2010 11:15:28 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-1257469 Thanks Tori for coming to the defense of your husband. i would like to share my five cents worth... in the music scene/music biz/entertainment world / music ministry ..there will always be critics, naysayers, tooth achers and back biters. any one doing Christian music, gospel, rock etc gets there share of "stones thrown" at them. we should find great solace in knowing that when we stand before GOD, that HE rewards us, for what we do for Him, when it was done with the right motive. (and..we cast our crowns back at His feet.) thats ALL that matters, when all is said and done. "whatsoever you do, do heartily as to the LORD and not unto men" God bless you, your hubby and your family. (incidently your husands album "Medals" was a great blessing to me in college...) Thanks Tori for coming to the defense of your husband. i would like to share my five cents worth…
in the music scene/music biz/entertainment world / music ministry ..there will always be critics, naysayers, tooth achers and back biters. any one doing Christian music, gospel, rock etc gets there share of “stones thrown” at them.
we should find great solace in knowing that when we stand before GOD, that HE rewards us, for what we do for Him, when it was done with the right motive. (and..we cast our crowns back at His feet.) thats ALL that matters, when all is said and done.
“whatsoever you do, do heartily as to the LORD and not unto men”
God bless you, your hubby and your family. (incidently your husands album
“Medals” was a great blessing to me in college…)

]]> By: Auke http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-773039 Auke Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:08:42 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-773039 You bunch of hypocrits!!! listen to yourselfs 'way to go! 'you go girl!!... I am one of those who are relentless in their critique...clothes..hair...vocalabilities...i have my opnions...and i fully understand my opinions...some ppl don't get it, or me for that matter. But at least i'm being honest about. Just remember that this site wouldn't it be for Doug..if you hate it so much? Hey the principle goes as it did for the TV...you can turn it off...or flip on thru to the next CH...right? Right...! Abt Tori's piece...purely poetic...and very entertaining....she really painted the 'victims' picture..and i'm not saying this because i had the disctinct honor of meeting Russ here in Holland and spent a few hours with him. He's the real deal..as the british would say: "He's a jolly good fellow'...he's that...smoke an occasinal pipe, drinks coffee like your big ol' SUV doing a hundred...and love Gospel Music and it's people...including fans. I know he even loves Doug! Cause this is the first Gospel artist i'd ever met that didn't have that showbizz thing going! Russ is an amazing talent...and his voice dropped...it's still a beautiful,emo-drenched voice...a voice i could listen all day long to..singing with the Imperials,Solo,Vocal Band..doing SGM or CCM,rock or country flavored stuff...he's a stylistic benchmark in Gospelmusic ranging from SGM to CCM..... The hints of the old majesty of his voice...and the ripened voice..bluesy...yet never sad or blue..Russ the singer's singer! If i get to know ppl...all i can ask is...Forgive me..i'm so sorry! Remind Me of Calvary! Auke Amsterdam The Netherlands You bunch of hypocrits!!! listen to yourselfs ‘way to go! ‘you go girl!!…
I am one of those who are relentless in their critique…clothes..hair…vocalabilities…i have my opnions…and i fully understand my opinions…some ppl don’t get it, or me for that matter. But at least i’m being honest about. Just remember that this site wouldn’t it be for Doug..if you hate it so much? Hey the principle goes as it did for the TV…you can turn it off…or flip on thru to the next CH…right? Right…!
Abt Tori’s piece…purely poetic…and very entertaining….she really painted the ‘victims’ picture..and i’m not saying this because i had the disctinct honor of meeting Russ here in Holland and spent a few hours with him. He’s the real deal..as the british would say: “He’s a jolly good fellow’…he’s that…smoke an occasinal pipe, drinks coffee like your big ol’ SUV doing a hundred…and love Gospel Music and it’s people…including fans.
I know he even loves Doug! Cause this is the first Gospel artist i’d ever met that didn’t have that showbizz thing going!
Russ is an amazing talent…and his voice dropped…it’s still a beautiful,emo-drenched voice…a voice i could listen all day long to..singing with the Imperials,Solo,Vocal Band..doing SGM or CCM,rock or country flavored stuff…he’s a stylistic benchmark in Gospelmusic ranging from SGM to CCM…..
The hints of the old majesty of his voice…and the ripened voice..bluesy…yet never sad or blue..Russ the singer’s singer!
If i get to know ppl…all i can ask is…Forgive me..i’m so sorry!

Remind Me of Calvary!

Auke
Amsterdam The Netherlands

]]> By: pianodude http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-753699 pianodude Sat, 27 Dec 2008 14:56:01 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-753699 cdguy- I do agree. There is way too much hatred on this sight for the Gaithers and their fans as well.I just believe that it's been blown way out of proportion. There will always be likers and dislikers in any type of music business you go in (I'm 14 and I know that). And I do believe that it is Tori's right to defend her husband. I do believe that he has to deal with way too much crap. All I'm saying is, it's part of the business (not that it is right, because it's not). Thanks!!! cdguy- I do agree. There is way too much hatred on this sight for the Gaithers and their fans as well.I just believe that it’s been blown way out of proportion. There will always be likers and dislikers in any type of music business you go in (I’m 14 and I know that). And I do believe that it is Tori’s right to defend her husband. I do believe that he has to deal with way too much crap. All I’m saying is, it’s part of the business (not that it is right, because it’s not).
Thanks!!!

]]> By: american http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-741580 american Wed, 17 Dec 2008 00:09:04 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-741580 #81 A big hearty amen! #81 A big hearty amen!

]]> By: wackythinker http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-741411 wackythinker Tue, 16 Dec 2008 22:38:31 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-741411 jphillips -- You're absolutely correct. Russ & Tori are 2 of the friendliest people I've ever met in the sg realm. Tori just acts like she's your long lost cousin, wanting to catch up on old times. And Russ is the biggest cheerleader on the tour. Gotta love 'em! jphillips — You’re absolutely correct. Russ & Tori are 2 of the friendliest people I’ve ever met in the sg realm. Tori just acts like she’s your long lost cousin, wanting to catch up on old times.

And Russ is the biggest cheerleader on the tour.

Gotta love ‘em!

]]> By: jphillips http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-740057 jphillips Mon, 15 Dec 2008 20:01:16 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-740057 I attended my first Homecoming concert in 1997. I was hooked. Before that, I had been a big Kingsmen and Gold City fan, but the GVB was and still is the best (in my opinion). I've seen members come and go and each time, their sound changes a little. I hated it when Jonathan Pierce left. I had never heard of David Phelps when he was hired, but boy did that change in a hurry! I hated when Mark left, but gosh how I enjoyed the time Russ Taff was there. Russ, to me, is the ultimate in "class". The way he handled things while in the GVB and the way he handled them after he left showed nothing but Christian love. I'll never forget a Sunday morning in Birmingham (after a Saturday Homecoming) when we went to the lobby of the Sheraton to wait for our car, and Russ, Tori and girls were also waiting. There was none of this big Gospel star - there was Russ who talked to me like he'd known me forever. Tori talked to my wife like they were old friends. Take away the stigma of Gospel music star and wife, and what we saw was two great, funny people. I will never forget just watching Russ Taff at the concerts - not just while he was performing, but while others were. Watch him on video in the background as David Phelps sang These Are They on one of the Colorado videos. Russ laughed at Jeff Easter's jokes like he'd never heard them. He encouraged the other performers to give their all. I've talked to him several times since then and he's always been Russ. I hated when David Phelps left, but how can you not love Wes Hampton? I see such sincerity when he sings. Wes is the first one that will tell you that he didn't try to fill David's shoes. He's Wes and he's contributed so much to the GVB. I promoted a solo concert for David Phelps and many of the volunteers thought David was "stuck-up" because he wasn't talking much. Later, David told all of us that he didn't talk much on the day of a concert. Makes sense. I say all this to say this - I will never "put down" a brother (or sister) just because they don't fit in some paradigm I've created in my mind. Because you see, on my best day, I could never sing as good as Wes Hampton. I could never provide the encouragement and good old cheerleading that Russ Taff does. I could never sing I Bowed On My Knees like Michael English or Guy Penrod. I could never make millions laugh like Mark Lowry has. I could never organize a concert and promote the Gospel like Bill Gaither has. Are they getting older? Yes - but so are you! They might not have the same haircut (thank goodness in some cases); they might not have the same waistline; and the list goes on and on. But - the big question in my book is "are they still a witness for our Lord"? If I can answer yes to that, I don't care what they look like. I am thankful to Bill Gaither for giving me the opportunity to see and hear many of the people I grew up listening to. The Goodmans, The Cathedrals, Ben Speer just to name a few. Let's not put these people out to pasture just because the prime of their career is over. They are still powerful witnesses for the Lord. Listen to them if you like - turn them off if you don't. But please don't disrespect the performers and/or their families. As we say in Alabama - "that dog won't hunt"! I attended my first Homecoming concert in 1997. I was hooked. Before that, I had been a big Kingsmen and Gold City fan, but the GVB was and still is the best (in my opinion). I’ve seen members come and go and each time, their sound changes a little. I hated it when Jonathan Pierce left. I had never heard of David Phelps when he was hired, but boy did that change in a hurry! I hated when Mark left, but gosh how I enjoyed the time Russ Taff was there. Russ, to me, is the ultimate in “class”. The way he handled things while in the GVB and the way he handled them after he left showed nothing but Christian love. I’ll never forget a Sunday morning in Birmingham (after a Saturday Homecoming) when we went to the lobby of the Sheraton to wait for our car, and Russ, Tori and girls were also waiting. There was none of this big Gospel star - there was Russ who talked to me like he’d known me forever. Tori talked to my wife like they were old friends. Take away the stigma of Gospel music star and wife, and what we saw was two great, funny people. I will never forget just watching Russ Taff at the concerts - not just while he was performing, but while others were. Watch him on video in the background as David Phelps sang These Are They on one of the Colorado videos. Russ laughed at Jeff Easter’s jokes like he’d never heard them. He encouraged the other performers to give their all. I’ve talked to him several times since then and he’s always been Russ. I hated when David Phelps left, but how can you not love Wes Hampton? I see such sincerity when he sings. Wes is the first one that will tell you that he didn’t try to fill David’s shoes. He’s Wes and he’s contributed so much to the GVB. I promoted a solo concert for David Phelps and many of the volunteers thought David was “stuck-up” because he wasn’t talking much. Later, David told all of us that he didn’t talk much on the day of a concert. Makes sense. I say all this to say this - I will never “put down” a brother (or sister) just because they don’t fit in some paradigm I’ve created in my mind. Because you see, on my best day, I could never sing as good as Wes Hampton. I could never provide the encouragement and good old cheerleading that Russ Taff does. I could never sing I Bowed On My Knees like Michael English or Guy Penrod. I could never make millions laugh like Mark Lowry has. I could never organize a concert and promote the Gospel like Bill Gaither has. Are they getting older? Yes - but so are you! They might not have the same haircut (thank goodness in some cases); they might not have the same waistline; and the list goes on and on. But - the big question in my book is “are they still a witness for our Lord”? If I can answer yes to that, I don’t care what they look like. I am thankful to Bill Gaither for giving me the opportunity to see and hear many of the people I grew up listening to. The Goodmans, The Cathedrals, Ben Speer just to name a few. Let’s not put these people out to pasture just because the prime of their career is over. They are still powerful witnesses for the Lord. Listen to them if you like - turn them off if you don’t. But please don’t disrespect the performers and/or their families. As we say in Alabama - “that dog won’t hunt”!

]]> By: cdguy http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-731130 cdguy Tue, 09 Dec 2008 19:38:20 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-731130 Pianodude -- I'm not so sure Tori was so out-of-line, and from the little bit I've been around her and Russ, I'd say she probably took quite a breather before she hit "send". She probably wrote and re-wrote, and re-wrote some more, before sending her final version. She's absolutely right, there is WAY too much hatred shown on this sight (and others) for the Gaither crowd. And imho, it's purely jealousy. Bill & Gloria have never claimed to be great singers. But they've always surrounded themselves with talented people, and have built quite a following. They've obviously done some things right, or they would not have been able to reach the station they have in life. And I have some personal friends who are regulars on the tour, and from what they speak, the "Homecoming Family" not only is very close-knit, but also genuine. There may be some who are not as friendly or out-going as others, or you may catch someone on a bad day (I know I have bad days, from time to time), but for the most part, if you see them in the hallways or at the product tables, they're as nice as they appear on stage. And I'd venture to say, although the trio is/was only average singers (at best), the GVB is well ABOVE the average in sgm. Personal tastes aside, there are few who can sing, blend, and draw any better than GVB. And c treadway -- again, from what little I know and have been around Tori, I doubt if she intended her missive to be purely private. She probably would have responded as such, if she had. And, yes, the gossippers we will have with us always, and maybe Doug is an enabler (at the least), but we should are free to call their hand. In fact, I think that was what Paul instructed. Pianodude — I’m not so sure Tori was so out-of-line, and from the little bit I’ve been around her and Russ, I’d say she probably took quite a breather before she hit “send”. She probably wrote and re-wrote, and re-wrote some more, before sending her final version. She’s absolutely right, there is WAY too much hatred shown on this sight (and others) for the Gaither crowd.

And imho, it’s purely jealousy. Bill & Gloria have never claimed to be great singers. But they’ve always surrounded themselves with talented people, and have built quite a following. They’ve obviously done some things right, or they would not have been able to reach the station they have in life. And I have some personal friends who are regulars on the tour, and from what they speak, the “Homecoming Family” not only is very close-knit, but also genuine. There may be some who are not as friendly or out-going as others, or you may catch someone on a bad day (I know I have bad days, from time to time), but for the most part, if you see them in the hallways or at the product tables, they’re as nice as they appear on stage.

And I’d venture to say, although the trio is/was only average singers (at best), the GVB is well ABOVE the average in sgm. Personal tastes aside, there are few who can sing, blend, and draw any better than GVB.

And c treadway — again, from what little I know and have been around Tori, I doubt if she intended her missive to be purely private. She probably would have responded as such, if she had.

And, yes, the gossippers we will have with us always, and maybe Doug is an enabler (at the least), but we should are free to call their hand. In fact, I think that was what Paul instructed.

]]> By: c treadway http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-725065 c treadway Wed, 03 Dec 2008 17:03:48 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-725065 they called Jesus a winebibber didn't they? christians have been gossiping as long as there has been Christianity. It doesn't make it right, its just the way it is. Somebody called me a drug addict once, and all kinds of other things too. In the church. Who cares? Averyfineline why do you publicly post a letter from somebody who probably wrote to you privately? you are a piss-ant. is that a word? I like russ taff and wes hampton both. they called Jesus a winebibber didn’t they? christians have been gossiping as long as there has been Christianity. It doesn’t make it right, its just the way it is. Somebody called me a drug addict once, and all kinds of other things too. In the church. Who cares?
Averyfineline why do you publicly post a letter from somebody who probably wrote to you privately?
you are a piss-ant. is that a word?

I like russ taff and wes hampton both.

]]> By: Pianodude http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-724516 Pianodude Tue, 02 Dec 2008 22:59:44 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-724516 WHOA!! Take it easy, Mrs. Taff. You just need to calm down and take a breather. I, for one, have no problem with your husband or the Gaithers. Your hubbie is a wonderful guy, but I wouldn't put him in the same category as the Gaithers. He's more worshipful and fun on stage. The Gaithers (not that they are bad) are just your average SG group on stage. WHOA!! Take it easy, Mrs. Taff. You just need to calm down and take a breather. I, for one, have no problem with your husband or the Gaithers. Your hubbie is a wonderful guy, but I wouldn’t put him in the same category as the Gaithers. He’s more worshipful and fun on stage. The Gaithers (not that they are bad) are just your average SG group on stage.

]]> By: american http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-716056 american Wed, 26 Nov 2008 21:30:18 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-716056 I don't know if she was there or not, there was so many people around him, at his table, I couldn't tell. I don’t know if she was there or not, there was so many people around him, at his table, I couldn’t tell.

]]> By: not a grammarian http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-715760 not a grammarian Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:14:05 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-715760 what about Russ' smokin hot wife, Tori *TafT* ? was she at the concert? what about Russ’ smokin hot wife, Tori *TafT* ? was she at the concert?

]]> By: american http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-714872 american Tue, 25 Nov 2008 23:01:56 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-714872 I would just like to say that I saw Russ Taft, along with other artists on the gaither tour, in Anaheim,Ca last friday night. Never have I enjoyed a concert so much! I feel so blessed to have been there. I might add that Russ was in top form, and looked incredibly handsome. You go Tori! I would just like to say that I saw Russ Taft, along with other artists on the gaither tour, in Anaheim,Ca last friday night. Never have I enjoyed a concert so much! I feel so blessed to have been there. I might add that Russ was in top form, and looked incredibly handsome. You go Tori!

]]> By: wackythinker http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-714711 wackythinker Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:04:25 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-714711 freddy - #73 -- You may have hit the nail on the head when you said "True Christians are supposed to lift each other up not run them down" right after the observation about "commenters on this site". We're not being very Christ-like, much of the time on these sites. freddy - #73 — You may have hit the nail on the head when you said “True Christians are supposed to lift each other up not run them down” right after the observation about “commenters on this site”.

We’re not being very Christ-like, much of the time on these sites.

]]> By: freddyfastbeat http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-713734 freddyfastbeat Mon, 24 Nov 2008 22:46:18 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-713734 Go Tori!!!! Critisism of musical quality is ok and good; however, when you attack an artist for the way they dress or make nasty remarks about their personal lives or about their children it isn't critisism. I think Doug and many other commenters on this site are simply jealous of the success of others and really want to be like them. True Christians are supposed to lift each other up not run them down. Go Tori!!!! Critisism of musical quality is ok and good; however, when you attack an artist for the way they dress or make nasty remarks about their personal lives or about their children it isn’t critisism. I think Doug and many other commenters on this site are simply jealous of the success of others and really want to be like them. True Christians are supposed to lift each other up not run them down.

]]> By: Juliet http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-713505 Juliet Mon, 24 Nov 2008 17:42:29 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2008/11/15/dissent-of-the-day-6/#comment-713505 GO TORI!!! That was awesome...and first i want to point out that the "artist's kids are commenting trying to defend their families" was brilliant :) And the main reason I think so is because I am one of them and i've sat in front of a lap top on a bus with some friends as they say "He really said that about your mom??" I've also watched as some of those friends observe my parents differently after reading these things..I've read those "cheap shots" and cried my eyes out thinking that someone actually finds my parents to be that way? And the worst- I've watched a friend lose almost all hope because she read that people didn't like her voice..and i don't mean a 40year old woman. A TEENAGER! Honestly i think doug is a guy who tried out for a SG group back in his prime, got rejected, and now is taking out all his furry on people he knows are better at what he wanted to do. So mr. dude,sir, sir dude, doug, (aka that guy who sits in front of his computer with a dictonary/thesaurus finding and using words he knows everyone isn't going to understand just so he can appear educated) go back to your original life..I mean he had to be doing SOMETHING before he got into ruining peoples reputations, crushing their self-esteem,and loving every minute of it. right? GO TORI!!! That was awesome…and first i want to point out that the “artist’s kids are commenting trying to defend their families” was brilliant :) And the main reason I think so is because I am one of them and i’ve sat in front of a lap top on a bus with some friends as they say “He really said that about your mom??” I’ve also watched as some of those friends observe my parents differently after reading these things..I’ve read those “cheap shots” and cried my eyes out thinking that someone actually finds my parents to be that way? And the worst- I’ve watched a friend lose almost all hope because she read that people didn’t like her voice..and i don’t mean a 40year old woman. A TEENAGER! Honestly i think doug is a guy who tried out for a SG group back in his prime, got rejected, and now is taking out all his furry on people he knows are better at what he wanted to do. So mr. dude,sir, sir dude, doug, (aka that guy who sits in front of his computer with a dictonary/thesaurus finding and using words he knows everyone isn’t going to understand just so he can appear educated) go back to your original life..I mean he had to be doing SOMETHING before he got into ruining peoples reputations, crushing their self-esteem,and loving every minute of it. right?

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