Our friends the Garms Family are BACK with yet another homegrown CD! Once again, a review copy was graciously provided for me. After listening to it, I can wholeheartedly recommend that you add it to your Christmas collection. Let’s start with some stand-outs: The opening track is a crisp little bluegrass skip through “Angels We Have Heard On High.” It starts slower and then picks up speed without warning. I think the effect could have been improved with a small... Read more
I’m tired. If you followed me around you’d hear me mumbling a lot: “I’m tired. I’m tired. Wait, did I say that already?” I don’t get enough sleep at night because of chronic sciatica from a twisted spine. Some nights are better than others, but it’s never perfect. Sometimes it’s, “I’m tired and my back hurts,” or “My back hurts and I’m tired” for variety. The thing is though, I’m not always tired, even when I say that to myself.... Read more
We wish Bryan Hutson all the best with Soul’d Out Quartet. At the same time, I’m sure people are curious about what’s ahead for the Kingsmen with the various things they’re facing, including the fact that two members have health issues (Randy and Ray). I don’t know who they’ll get to replace Bryan, but it seems reasonable that they might choose the guy who’s been filling in for him: Bob Sellers. Bob is a good singer, probably better than Bryan.... Read more
I recently read a blog post where the author re-posted an actual office memo prohibiting the employees to engage in “holiday decorations and practices” that would make others feel “excluded.” Invite people to “share” in the “spirit of winter” instead, it suggested helpfully. Translation: Pretend there’s no such thing as Christmas, or else. I immediately thought of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. When the beavers tell the children about the White Witch, they say “She’s the one who’s... Read more
He did it again. After the Broncos’ (by now customary) bleak first three quarters, in which they managed to score a grand goose egg against the Bears, it was Tebow Time. He led a comeback which set up Matt Prater for a fine field goal to send it into overtime, then set him up for the final winning goal. Served the Bears right too. Apparently they were under the impression that this would be an easy win, trash-talking all week... Read more
Today is Gaudete Sunday in the church season of Advent. Our family attends an Anglican church, and each week of Advent we light a candle and pray the appropriate collect from the Book of Common Prayer. Here is today’s collect: O Lord Jesus Christ, who at thy first coming didst send thy messenger to prepare thy way before thee; Grant that the ministers and stewards of thy mysteries may likewise so prepare and make ready thy way, by turning the... Read more
Wow. I’m still collecting myself after last night’s homecoming show. It was probably the best show I’ve ever seen, even though things like song selection and comedy were fairly predictable for anyone who’s been around southern gospel for any significant amount of time. I think every fan of the music should go and experience a homecoming at some point, even if you’re only a casual fan. The quality was outstanding, and there was something for everyone. Every artist shone. I... Read more
Last Saturday, I had the amazing opportunity to see Keith & Kristyn Getty live in concert in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The auditorium held as many people as it could seat, which is approximately 2000 people. It was a huge concert. Keith and Kristyn were joined by a mixed Irish/American band, including Dave Cleveland and Fionan de Barra on guitars, Deborah Klemme on fiddle, Jeff Taylor on accordion/mandolin/penny whistle/concertina, and Patrick D’Arcy on Uillean pipes, plus a bass player and drummer whose... Read more
Okay blog friends… I’ve decided that I’d like to share some of my favorite Christmas music with my readers in the upcoming weeks. I’ll be looking at albums from a variety of artists. They won’t be ranked in any particular order because I don’t have time to rank them all. But, I just thought it would be fun to spread some Christmas cheer and maybe even introduce folks to music they haven’t heard. I’m going to use a special system... Read more
Of the elite tenors in southern gospel today, David Phelps is one name you will hear constantly placed above all the rest. For many, he is the standard by which all other tenor singers are measured. I have to admit that I’m not one of the many. Which is by no means to say that he is not talented. I think if you’re going to talk about pure technical ability, Phelps deserves the top spot. However, a combination of factors... Read more
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