averyfineline

Via NG, an interesting review of the Gaither Vocal Band from the Pueblo Chieftain Online. Money quote:
When I looked for samples on You Tube of the Gaither Vocal Band, I found what I thought was a sanctimonious group of posers, probably using Jesus, who I came to know under a strict Catholic upbringing, like the […]

As most of you know, I’m currently conducting a survey into attitudes and beliefs about southern gospel music from the perspective of fans and professionals. The survey has been up for a few weeks now and I have been overwhelmed (in a good way) by the number and substance of your responses.
Currently there are over […]

A reader offers some thoughts on my confusion about Barbara Mandrell:
I wonder if SG’s sudden interest in Barbara Mandrell isn’t, in actuality, Barbara’s sudden interest in SG.  We’ve all known for years that Barbara is a devout Christian but it seems to me that it wasn’t until her son married a failed-country-singer-turned-gospel-singer that suddenly Barbara […]

NQC coverage and attention have sort of sucked a lot of non-convention oxygen out of the room lately, so consider this your open thread for non-NQC stuff. Some things to get us started.

Karen Peck Gooch is the new president of the SGMA, and the association’s first female leader. Better late than never, of course.

I didn’t […]

Gaither: I’ve been thinking all week about the take-away themes or feelings from this year’s NQC. And the overriding theme is this: There’s pretty much nothing of value and hardly anyone left that hasn’t been Gaitherized (more here). 
Which is to say: So much of NQC is – whether consciously or not – working from […]

After dinner tonight I couldn’t resist taking another listen to those Stamps Baxter clips from earlier today and ended up clicking my through a series of other clips from the same recording. Here’re two of the highlights by way of an encore.
First, “Every Day is  a Song,” which is both a lovely, understated number, and […]

While I’m finding some time to collect my final thoughts from NQC, two Stamps Baxter clips.
First up, and since kids on stage have been taking up a lot of our energy lately, a delightful clip of some kids leading “O The Glory Did The Roll” at Stamps Baxter (h/t, SS). You’ll wanna wait for the […]

I’ll save the wrap up for a separate post and deal here mainly with the fan awards and what of the evening’s remainder I caught. Comments especially welcome from anyone who stayed for what came after BFA tonight.
THE BIG STUFF
Fan Awards: In general, a show with big, 40th-anniversary ambitions, but a pretty low-key/ho-hum affair […]

There’s always at least one night like this. The night when at some point you just have to leave because too much music is just too boring, and you start fearing that if you don’t get out of there immediately, all traces of individuality may be sucked out of your identity and you will turn […]

And so, dear readers, we meet again like this, me writing in a far-flung suburban hotel in Louisville, and you  reading … from wherever it is you read the internet when you read it.  Before we get started, I’d like to give a big wish-you-were-here to MNP, whom many of you will recall from years […]

In preparation for my flight to Louisville tomorrow and my weekend with a rental car (that may or may not have satellite radio), I’m in the middle of furiously attempting to rip a shoulder-high stack of cds I’ve accumulated over the past year onto my iPod so I’ll have plenty of listening material/distractions from any […]

This just in: Legacy Five is looking for a tenor (and, yes, I’ve confirmed this with the L5 office; Seamans will hang around till the replacement is in place). So whom have you heard this week who might be a good addition to L5?
Consider this your place to discuss that and continue any other NQC […]

Almost Morning*
The Perrys
Daywind, 2009
ALI: 40%
There is no single formula for success in southern gospel when it comes to new music, but in general, most new material that succeeds does so on the basis of how well it makes the listener think or feel. It’s the difference between the head and the heart.
Of course most good […]

Reader jbb reminds me that it’s almost here:
NQC starts in 2 days, well, 3 days for me.  We purchased the live broadcast and for anyone who cares, we shoot the webcast on our wall and sit back and enjoy every evening with the 4 f’s..family, friends, food and fellowship.  I can’t wait.
Just out of curiosity, […]

As of this morning the southern gospel survey I posted last week has attracted over 500 responses. Thank you. It will remain active until I have some dedicated chunks of time to devote to data analysis, but in the meantime, I hope you’ll continue to consider forwarding the link to anyone who hasn’t taken it […]

As part of the book project I’m currently working on, I’m conducting some research into common attitudes and beliefs about southern gospel music aimed at fans and professionals (performers and non-performers alike, full or part-time). It takes about 15-20 minutes at one sitting. I’d be extraordinarily grateful if you’d complete it. If you’re willing to […]