I’m going to give my readers a small quiz today. I’ll quote snippets from two songs, both of which some of you may recognize (in which case you already know the answer, so this doesn’t apply to you). Given the fact that my readers are (I presume) predominantly southern gospel fans, I figured it was a fair bet that at least a good portion of you won’t recognize either song. However, even if you only recognize one (which is plausible),... Read more
How hard can it be to forgive? Much harder than we think. I’m not talking about forgiveness as in, “Hey, I forgive you for forgetting all about our lunch date the other day.” I’m talking about forgiveness when you’ve been wronged, and you can’t seem to let it go. I’m talking about forgiveness when you really don’t want to forgive. You’d rather let the grievance sit there, sucking away your emotional energy, festering and making you bitter. Some people might... Read more
David, Kelly, and Odie Boggs are a mixed trio from Ohio. Davy and Kelly have been involved in ministry/evangelism for a decade, and now they are joined by their grown daughter, who has cerebral palsy and a stirring testimony. Ben Isaacs is Davy’s first cousin, and he has produced their last few projects, which gives them a more polished sound than the typical regional group. Last year, they recorded their first live project in California. Says Davy about the song... Read more
This is an experience that’s all too familiar for me: I’m listening along to a song, maybe I like it, maybe I don’t, but all of a sudden, there’s a word or phrase that just falls with a gigantic *THUD*. Instinctively, my ears cringe, and my face contorts, because it’s just too painful. In general, it makes me lose my appetite for the rest of the song, but occasionally I can overlook it and still enjoy the piece as a... Read more
A while back there was some debate around the southern gospel blogosphere over what great music is. Some said, “Great music is music that makes me stop thinking about any other kind.” Some said, “Great music is music that makes me cry.” Some said, “Great music is something that touches me.” Some said, “Great music makes you want to play music.” Of course, they’re all wrong. Great music is Bruce Hornsby. ‘Nuff said: On second thought, maybe they’re all right. Read more
Hey guys, some of you will remember that I did a little “review” of Doug Anderson’s brand-new project before it actually came out. Well, now that I have my hands on it, I decided to add a few extra thoughts in brackets here and there. I really didn’t have all that much to add, but there were some more thoughts I had and details I picked up on in a full listen that I wanted to share. I have also... Read more
When I first started the blog, I promised a series in which I looked at some key moments in my discovery of southern gospel music. After providing my first entry on Wes Hampton’s duet of “It is Well” with Steve Green, I promptly left the series hanging and gave you no more installments. With my semester wrapped up, I’m going to (try to!) make up for that in the coming weeks. Here then, for your enjoyment, is part two of... Read more
When it comes to critiquing tenor singers, I can be a stinker. In fact, sometimes I can be downright evil. However, you may all rest assured that I will withhold some of my more bitingly sarcastic remarks from this context, because some things just shouldn’t see the light of day. 🙂 But the fact remains that I am mercilessly tough on tenors. To illustrate, I didn’t even like Ernie Haase when I first heard him, and you all know how... Read more
Time for some fun. To all of you who are lamenting the loss of the live band in southern gospel, I present some sympathy from the Muppet Show. In which Dudley Moore announces that he won’t be needing the band anymore: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEJRgS6VTB4 And I could not leave out the follow-up, in which Floyd and Animal come backstage and interrupt Dudley to “reason” with him concerning the new Music And Mood Management Apparatus. Animal makes a particularly convincing argument: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xL-Hikr0hMg Zak... Read more
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Is That Southern Gospel? (Part I, in case I feel like writing a Part II)
Some time ago, I e-mailed this video of Gus Gaches singing “I Stand Redeemed” to my dad. He wrote back and said, “If this is southern gospel, then I’m a southern gospel fan.” But recently, this conversation took place between Dad and Mom…and inspired this post: [Mom, sitting in the living-room happily listening to a Gaither Homecoming Hymns Cracker Barrel special, is interrupted after the first three tracks by Dad, who had hitherto been working in another room.] Dad: What... Read more