Does Southern Gospel Need Youthful Appeal?

Last updated on: April 30, 2013 at 6:00 am By Esther O’Reilly

Recently I was browsing the Musicscribe mega-blog (which y’all should check out in its full glory here), and I read a contribution from Kyle Boreing about the country/gospel sister act Red Roots. Kyle praised the sisters’ smart, creative marketing choices, holding them up as a tasteful but effective example for the rest of the industry in this area. Specifically, he highlighted their use of radio contests and music videos. And it’s paying off, as they’ve gotten significant airplay and a... Read more

Monday Morning Humor: The "No, no, no" Donkey

Last updated on: April 29, 2013 at 6:00 am By Esther O’Reilly

No, no, no, no, no, no, no… Read more

SG vs. CCM Smackdown: "Your Love Broke Through" and "Love Was in the Room"

Last updated on: April 26, 2013 at 6:00 am By Esther O’Reilly

Pitting southern gospel songs against similar songs from the world of contemporary Christian music. I think I’ve done precisely one of these so far. High time for another installment. Both of these songs use some of the same language and imagery to refer to God’s redemptive love. But stylistically, they couldn’t possibly be more different. Keith Green’s “Your Love Broke Through” may be a blast from the past for some of you. It’s the epitome of light 70s pop. Karen... Read more

Kermit Gosnell, Evil, and Spiritual Warfare

Last updated on: April 24, 2013 at 6:00 am By Esther O’Reilly

A review of that Legacy Five concert is forthcoming. (And I didn’t mention this, but Greater Vision was there too and debuted some new songs!) However, I was too wacked from two back-to-back, early-morning math finals to focus on giving it the report it deserved. But I promise it’s coming, pictures and all. Meanwhile, here’s a mini-rant I threw together last night in the wake of some of the evil America has been experiencing over the past month. First we... Read more

Monday Morning Humor: For (Tolkien) Geeks Only

Last updated on: April 22, 2013 at 6:00 am By Esther O’Reilly

Stephen Colbert, Tolkien geek for the win. Random actor dude = PWNED: [Update: This link is broken and has been removed.] Read more

Recently Added: Elijah Aaron

Last updated on: July 28, 2018 at 11:34 pm By Esther O’Reilly

I first discovered Elijah Aaron through this modestly viral video: So, after replaying that a few hundred times, I started to wonder “Hey, does this guy write his own stuff too?” Of course he does, and quite wonderful stuff at that. (more…) Read more

The Unfortunate Legacy of Brennan Manning

Last updated on: August 17, 2018 at 6:47 pm By Esther O’Reilly

[Editor’s note: I still gets dozens of hits on this page daily, so if you’re a visitor and you like what you read, welcome! If you’d like to know more, check out the short version here. Thanks!] ***** Brennan Manning died last week. Yet another in a strikingly long list of notable deaths over the span of just a few short weeks here in April, including Edith Schaeffer, Margaret Thatcher, and, most recently, George Beverly Shea (may their righteous memories be a... Read more

Southern Gospel vs. The Rest of the World: Sisters and The Andrews Sisters

Last updated on: April 16, 2013 at 6:00 am By Esther O’Reilly

This one occurred to me the other day, and my instant thought was “Duh! Of course!” So here’s a family harmony installment of Southern Gospel vs. The Rest of the World. First, The Andrews Sisters. I have a special fondness for these gals because I grew up on them. My folks gave me a greatest hits collection and a double-disc collection of their duets with Bing Crosby for Christmas one year when I was a little girl. That was around... Read more

Monday Morning Humor: Chopping Broccoli

Last updated on: April 15, 2013 at 6:00 am By Esther O’Reilly

It seemed appropriate to follow up a post showing rock at its best with a classic parody of what rock looks like when it’s not at its best. No further comment required: [gigya src=”http://swf.tubechop.com/tubechop.swf” flashvars=”vurl=ntp8_KFv59Y&start=28&end=257.99&cid=1106834″ allowfullscreen=”true” width=”500″ height=”315″ ] Read more

Recently Added: Classic Rock

Last updated on: April 13, 2013 at 6:00 am By Esther O’Reilly

Okay. After turning in a massive linear algebra project that almost killed me single-handedly, it’s time to rock out a little bit, old school and classy-like. First, a song that my mom doesn’t think qualifies as rock music, but if the Doobie Brothers don’t count as rock and roll artists, well I don’t know who does. Anyhow, see if you aren’t singing that “I like to hear some funky Dixieland” hook at the top of your lungs and dancing in... Read more