Comments on: Archie http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/ Criticism and commentary on southern gospel music Wed, 23 May 2012 18:17:36 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3 By: Wade http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-845662 Wade Sat, 21 Mar 2009 06:42:44 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-845662 Maybe Archie and Ernie can go on the Tenor Solo Tour!!! That would be fun!!! Maybe Archie and Ernie can go on the Tenor Solo Tour!!! That would be fun!!!

]]> By: W Stephens http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-824715 W Stephens Fri, 27 Feb 2009 22:36:21 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-824715 What a farse, Archie Watkins solo? I say great for the Inspirations, every song they have recorded over the past 10 years, sound the same... He in my view is one of the worst tenors (vocally) in gospel music. He is a legend? where? Does anyone realize how small the southern gospel music industry is? What a farse, Archie Watkins solo? I say great for the Inspirations, every song they have recorded over the past 10 years, sound the same… He in my view is one of the worst tenors (vocally) in gospel music.
He is a legend? where? Does anyone realize how small the southern gospel music industry is?

]]> By: gina http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-823277 gina Thu, 26 Feb 2009 15:35:33 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-823277 Just noticed Archie's site now has a schedule of appearances up. Already 12 dates up over the next three months! Interestingly, several of them seem to line up with dates the Diplomats are appearing on. Isn't Matt D. a permanent member of the Diplomats now? Just noticed Archie’s site now has a schedule of appearances up. Already 12 dates up over the next three months! Interestingly, several of them seem to line up with dates the Diplomats are appearing on. Isn’t Matt D. a permanent member of the Diplomats now?

]]> By: gina http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-820735 gina Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:45:01 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-820735 Robert, I agree with your perspective on the success of Archie and the Inspirations. The official press release (see SN site) does actually use the words "solo artist" in a direct quote from Archie. He also has his own site established (archiewatkins.com) on which it says he is "following the call as a solo artist." I personally hope he does a fair number of dates, but I would think solo work would be even harder on his voice than quartet singing. Robert, I agree with your perspective on the success of Archie and the Inspirations. The official press release (see SN site) does actually use the words “solo artist” in a direct quote from Archie. He also has his own site established (archiewatkins.com) on which it says he is “following the call as a solo artist.” I personally hope he does a fair number of dates, but I would think solo work would be even harder on his voice than quartet singing.

]]> By: Robert Davis http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-820583 Robert Davis Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:59:06 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-820583 I don't know what the "press release" (if there was one) actually said, but Archie told my dad about 3-4 years ago he was thinking of retiring. His plans were to buy a nice RV and travel with his wife. The travel was more for recreation than to sing. Although, there were locations around the country that he said he would be able to sing at, I don't think his intent was to become a "solo artist". His intent then was to travel with his wife and sing at a few places along the way. People can say whatever they want about the Inspirations and Archie. Maybe their style and singing ability is not "technically sound". This is subjective. There are some music legends that come to mind who, in my opinion, are not technically sound singers (Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson are a couple) but people love them. Apart from longevity, filling auditoriums when others could not, and having #1 songs almost every year, there is one thing you certainly cannot take away from the Inspirations. They are one of the most financially successful SG groups. Show me some other SG artists who can afford to retire, much less retire and buy a 1/4 million dollar RV and travel in retirement. With all due respect, Avery, I would bet Archie is much more financially successful than you. Maybe his voice not being to your liking is not the only reason you like to make "snarky" comments about him. I don’t know what the “press release” (if there was one) actually said, but Archie told my dad about 3-4 years ago he was thinking of retiring. His plans were to buy a nice RV and travel with his wife. The travel was more for recreation than to sing. Although, there were locations around the country that he said he would be able to sing at, I don’t think his intent was to become a “solo artist”. His intent then was to travel with his wife and sing at a few places along the way.
People can say whatever they want about the Inspirations and Archie. Maybe their style and singing ability is not “technically sound”. This is subjective. There are some music legends that come to mind who, in my opinion, are not technically sound singers (Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson are a couple) but people love them. Apart from longevity, filling auditoriums when others could not, and having #1 songs almost every year, there is one thing you certainly cannot take away from the Inspirations. They are one of the most financially successful SG groups. Show me some other SG artists who can afford to retire, much less retire and buy a 1/4 million dollar RV and travel in retirement.
With all due respect, Avery, I would bet Archie is much more financially successful than you. Maybe his voice not being to your liking is not the only reason you like to make “snarky” comments about him.

]]> By: Jeff http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-820025 Jeff Tue, 24 Feb 2009 03:31:05 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-820025 Can't say I pay to hear him sing solo either. No way he can hold an audience as good as Ivan Parker does. Can’t say I pay to hear him sing solo either. No way he can hold an audience as good as Ivan Parker does.

]]> By: Inspolegacy http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-818042 Inspolegacy Sun, 22 Feb 2009 16:23:20 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-818042 One phrase: "Ain't nobody likes it but the people" One phrase: “Ain’t nobody likes it but the people”

]]> By: WA http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-816914 WA Sat, 21 Feb 2009 22:53:12 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-816914 Honestly, I don't know if I'd buy an Archie solo CD either. I came to really enjoy the I's group sound, as it seemed to really improve through the years. They were - and are - what they are, mountain and country Gospel. But, they do what they do with great consistency, and Holcombe is a wonder of a bass singer. Likely one of the best ever, come to think about it. Archie was a huge part of the I'd sound, no doubt. I agree with Doug and others who have written that being a nice guy isn't reason enough to go see someone in concert, but it's been interesting to note that even some who feel that way still have nothing but good to say about the man. And at the end of the day, that in itself is high praise. Honestly, I don’t know if I’d buy an Archie solo CD either. I came to really enjoy the I’s group sound, as it seemed to really improve through the years. They were - and are - what they are, mountain and country Gospel. But, they do what they do with great consistency, and Holcombe is a wonder of a bass singer. Likely one of the best ever, come to think about it. Archie was a huge part of the I’d sound, no doubt.

I agree with Doug and others who have written that being a nice guy isn’t reason enough to go see someone in concert, but it’s been interesting to note that even some who feel that way still have nothing but good to say about the man. And at the end of the day, that in itself is high praise.

]]> By: Mike McIlwain http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-816829 Mike McIlwain Sat, 21 Feb 2009 21:53:47 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-816829 While I would not buy an Archie Watkins solo cd, I can see why he would likely do well as a solo artist. He had many of the leads in the songs he recorded with the Inspirations. Most folks who are big Inspiration fans were so due to Archie's singing, or at least most of the ones I know are. While I would not buy an Archie Watkins solo cd, I can see why he would likely do well as a solo artist. He had many of the leads in the songs he recorded with the Inspirations. Most folks who are big Inspiration fans were so due to Archie’s singing, or at least most of the ones I know are.

]]> By: Wade http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-816642 Wade Sat, 21 Feb 2009 17:45:18 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-816642 I got to start keeping my post so I can remember what gets the [edit] I got to start keeping my post so I can remember what gets the [edit]

]]> By: Wade http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-816076 Wade Sat, 21 Feb 2009 06:23:46 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-816076 DISGUSTED... has the Best Line I have not heard since MY SISTER said the same thing to me when my MuM asked what I thought of my sister coming home drunk w/ her clothes on backwards. When I said, I think I received the discretion gene and she didn't... She said, "Wade Shut up and keep your thoughts to yourself" Maybe DISGUSTED had his thong on backwards like she did...[edit] DISGUSTED… has the Best Line I have not heard since MY SISTER said the same thing to me when my MuM asked what I thought of my sister coming home drunk w/ her clothes on backwards.

When I said, I think I received the discretion gene and she didn’t…

She said, “Wade Shut up and keep your thoughts to yourself”

Maybe DISGUSTED had his thong on backwards like she did…[edit]

]]> By: TERRY http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-815733 TERRY Sat, 21 Feb 2009 02:54:13 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-815733 Not one of my favorite singers but trully a class act. We apprecite you Archie. The industry needs more people like you!!!!!!!!!! Not one of my favorite singers but trully a class act. We apprecite you Archie. The industry needs more people like you!!!!!!!!!!

]]> By: Gospel Has Been http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-815489 Gospel Has Been Fri, 20 Feb 2009 22:55:18 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-815489 Well Doug you've done it again. They are all chomping at the bit to tear you up for talking about one of the heros. You must get some satisfaction sitting back reading all these wonderful comments on how terrible you are Well Doug you’ve done it again. They are all chomping at the bit to tear you up for talking about one of the heros. You must get some satisfaction sitting back reading all these wonderful comments on how terrible you are

]]> By: WA http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-815473 WA Fri, 20 Feb 2009 21:56:45 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-815473 Hey, folks - take a few seconds to reread what an industry insider said about Archie: Archie has been and is one of the true “good guys” in this business. He is always positive and no one can be unhappy in his presence. He is generous to everyone with praise, with attention, with any kind of help anyone requests, and few know the work and effort he has put into building this industry over the years. And I’ve never heard him say or do anything to indicate he expects people to “look at me!!!” He absolutely lives and breathes what he sings. Good guy, always positive, generous with praise and attention. Generous with any kind of help anyone requests, few know the work and effort he has put into building this industry. He absolutely lives and breathes what he sings. Add to that a living member of the SGM Hall of Fame. Hmmm. And then I compare all of those accolades with the blogger. My, my. Like his voice or not, he's one of the very best of the gentlemen who has ever stood on a stage and sung a Gospel song. God bless him in his new solo career. Pure class, that Archie. Hey, folks - take a few seconds to reread what an industry insider said about Archie:

Archie has been and is one of the true “good guys” in this business. He is always positive and no one can be unhappy in his presence. He is generous to everyone with praise, with attention, with any kind of help anyone requests, and few know the work and effort he has put into building this industry over the years. And I’ve never heard him say or do anything to indicate he expects people to “look at me!!!” He absolutely lives and breathes what he sings.

Good guy, always positive, generous with praise and attention. Generous with any kind of help anyone requests,
few know the work and effort he has put into building this industry. He absolutely lives and breathes what he sings.

Add to that a living member of the SGM Hall of Fame. Hmmm. And then I compare all of those accolades with the blogger. My, my.

Like his voice or not, he’s one of the very best of the gentlemen who has ever stood on a stage and sung a Gospel song. God bless him in his new solo career. Pure class, that Archie.

]]> By: Bryce http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-815465 Bryce Fri, 20 Feb 2009 21:20:38 +0000 http://averyfineline.com/2009/02/20/archie/#comment-815465 Being more of a glass-half-empty-with-a-fly-in-it kind of person, I'd say this post is the biggest compliment DH ever paid to any member of the Inspirations fraternity. It's a pretty big stretch for a non-fan to extend well wishes to the next career phase of a performer whose material is the antithesis of what one generally considers musically significant, especially when one would prefer he retire to the graces of his grandchildren. Archie's longevity is laudable, and he warrants his own AVFL post for that alone. Being more of a glass-half-empty-with-a-fly-in-it kind of person, I’d say this post is the biggest compliment DH ever paid to any member of the Inspirations fraternity. It’s a pretty big stretch for a non-fan to extend well wishes to the next career phase of a performer whose material is the antithesis of what one generally considers musically significant, especially when one would prefer he retire to the graces of his grandchildren. Archie’s longevity is laudable, and he warrants his own AVFL post for that alone.

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