Toward understanding

Forgive me for going back over some old ground here…but events and that heavenly Voice demand I do.

A few days ago, I posted an entry here that was intended to be an objective comparison of the various gospel music message boards I belong to. In terms of execution, I think I did just that. But some did not.

Now, there was a time when I would have simply shrugged off such criticism as sour grapes, or just petty hypersensitivity. And in the objective world of reality, it may be indeed that. But unfortunately for me, the world doesn’t always respond to my beck and call…and when you write about real people and real things they do, it is unreasonable for me to expect that they will receive my comments exactly the way I mean them. I understand this very well from my own life experience.

And now, since I no longer live merely for myself, I must consider how the One Who rules my life looks at these kinds of things. And one of the first questions is, do I need to say things that may potentially hurt people, or do I better serve the One I yearn to serve with all my heart by just keeping certain things to myself?

The answer is obvious…I don’t need to say anything that doesn’t serve the interests of my Lord Jesus Christ directly. I can instead show the world that I am a Christian by my love, and practice what I preach, so to speak.

I say the above to say this…after prayer and discussion with those whose counsel I value most, I have determined that some of the phraseology I used in that particular blog entry hurt some people…some real people, not some screen names on a message board. I never meant to do that, and it’s easy to forget that when you’re alone at home, trying to type a good turn of phrase to drive home a point. But now I see that I may have been a little careless in my choices of words, and in so doing, hurt some people that I value a great deal.

And to those people(and to God), I say here, in front of the whole world…I am sorry. Please forgive me. I never meant to hurt any of you.

When I was invited to post an item like that, I should have known what might happen if I wasn’t careful. But, obviously, I wasn’t careful enough. And I regret my carelessness…because, yes, I hate to be wrong.

But I don’t have any trouble admitting I’m wrong…when it’s apparent I am. And I was in this instance.

I know there will be some who say, “Well, John, this is all very well and good after the fact…when the damage has been done, and you were caught red-handed.” I understand that sentiment completely, and I can’t blame anyone if they may feel that way.

But I say, my sincerity was not questioned for a moment when I made my original post. Right away, my motives were questioned, my character assailed, and all kinds of hurtful things were thrown right back at me. If I was being so mean then, why is it hard to believe that I’m being sincere and repentant now?

And the obvious answer is, it’s not. I hope and pray you all will trust me on this. That decision is up to all of you, of course, but the fact that I am willing to return to the “scene of the crime” to ‘fess up, as it were, and ask forgiveness in front of all cyberspace ought to mean something. I hope it does.

I ask now that we all move on from this relative “blip” on the vast radar screen of the universe, and go on doing the very best we can during our time on earth. I am confident that those to whom I am addressing these comments are indeed intent on doing just that.

Sorry for interrupting your fun down here. Hereafter, I assure you that I will strive to be a “kinder, gentler” blogger…I can’t promise I will always succeed, but I do assure you that I will try.

What price magnificence?

Well, one day after being crowned a “message board hater”, I suppose it’s time to risk becoming known as a “Melody Boys hater”, though just as I am no message board hater(some of my best friends are part of message boards), I am even less a Melody Boys hater(they’re not my friends, but I have met them, and they are fine people)!



The Meldoy Boys have been an active quartet since the 1940s(perhaps even earlier), and have always been recognized as one of the smoothest, best sounding quartets out there on the road, as they remain today.



Under the long leadership of Hall of Famer “Smilin’” Joe Roper, the Melody Boys established a well-earned reputation for excellence that they have maintained today under the able leadership of longtime bass singer Gerald Williams(a Hall of Famer himself as of this year).



The last few years have been difficult for many traditional gospel quartets, and the Melody Boys have been no exception. Members have come and gone quickly since the departure of quartet pros such as Mike Franklin and Jonathan Sawrie, and the people who have replaced them are from a different sort of cloth.



Mind you, the youngsters that have been brought into the Melody Boys have been quite talented(especially the recently departed Allen Sipe), but they’re youngsters nonetheless.



I bring this up because at one point(the 1950s), the Melody Boys were approached by James Blackwood to team up with his quartet, in the same manner that the Blackwood Brothers would team up with the Statesmen to essentially rule gospel music through the 1950s and 1960s. Such was the esteem the Melody Boys were held in back in “the day”.



It appears that now, however, the Melody Boys are more like their cousins in name, the Dixie Melody Boys, in that both quartets are better known for the hiring and development of younger talent than for any aspirations to reach the top of the industry. And that is by no means a bad thing whatsoever…what is really so important about being “on top” anyway, besides a few extra dollars in flats(maybe!)?



What’s really important in gospel singing ought to be the singing itself, pleasing(and blessing)the fans, and being true to one’s calling. By those standards, it can be argued that even today’s Melody Boys are right up there at the top of their field.



It’s those kinds of singers I enjoy seeing the most. Sure, Gold City, Signature Sound, Legacy Five, and groups like that are fine in their own way as well, but there’s no doubt that a happy and fulfilled quartet is a good quartet.



The Melody Boys are a good quartet.

One more defensive stand…

Before I begin this installment, a brief observation on the last one…

You know, it’s always gratifying to know that I’m not just writing to myself here…that there are others who drop in occasionally to see what I might have to say about whatever I happen to be discussing. Contrary to what some may think, I don’t write my thoughts down to get attention or notoriety…I’ve been there, and had that, and it doesn’t “turn my crank”, so to speak.

I write because it’s an outlet I have at my disposal to express myself, and it also gives me practice as a communicator to sharpen my skills at communicating(which can ALWAYS be improved). My last entry was actually suggested to me by a friend, who thought after we had discussed the subject at length that it might be of interest to some to have my thoughts written down about the subject.

Well, it was…but not quite the interest I would have hoped for.

One person even called me to express his/her thoughts on what I’d said(don’t even THINK I’d let on what gender this person may have been!), and took the time to correct some errors I had made, as well as making other suggestions about what I ought to have said. This was unexpected(somewhat), but welcome, as I only grow from the “sharpening” that comes from honest discussion. I might add that there IS a built in mechanism here to enable those who have comments or observations(positive or otherwise)to make them so that I don’t get TOO irresponsible here when expressing my opinion about something. Again, as in the past, I encourage those who take exception to things I say to use it, and do not only this blog, but ME a favor!

However, predictably, there were those who chose to express their disagreement in a public place amongst themselves(as if I wouldn’t see it). Along the way, not-so-veiled aspersions were cast upon my character and motivations, and some ideas I had expressed were taken out of context to drive home the point that I am a very bad person.

I have no problem with disagreement with my conclusions…I wonder why, though, if the consensus is that I am so uninformed and off-base, there is such consternation about my opinions. Surely, if my thoughts lack merit to such an extent, it ought to be easy just to dismiss what I say without any need for further comment.

Certainly, an objective reading of my comments would determine that I saw more positive things to point out than negative ones, or at least that was my intention. But I have found in the 18 years I have hosted radio talk shows, and the three and a half years that I have posted on message boards, that some people are more predisposed to respond to what they THINK you said or meant, rather than what was actually said or meant. But I forgive them, for they know not what they do(or say, in this case).
And the obvious problem with that is that usually what we tend to be concerned with motivationally bears little to no resemblance to what is actually the case. I have been as guilty of that as anyone else, and it’s not fair. That is not a complaint, merely an observation of fact.

We too often become enamored with the high-profile gifts of the Spirit and the Father, such as hospitality, exhortation, ecstatic utterance, singing, and yes, writing and speaking. And consequently we tend to ignore the lower profile ones, such as humility and discernment. Perhaps it may be time to pay less attention to OUR senses and focus more on HIS…in hopes that that will give us a clearer picture of what is around us, and how we should react to it.

As always, I’m preaching here as much to myself as to the reader…I’m already thinking of things I could have done differently to be a better example in this area. But doesn’t it make more sense, if when we as Christian people encounter that that annoys or repulses us, that we take such things to God first…before we exhale our frustration and invective to the rest of the world?

Back in 1975, the LeFevres recorded a song called “Talking ‘Bout People”, which said, in part…

Now I hear people talkin’ bout people,

But if you’re gonna talk about me…

Make sure what you’re sayin’ is done while you’re prayin’…

And please do it on your knee.

Well, this has gone on a bit, hasn’t it? I hadn’t intended to go this deep into it…but this is a mere blog, and as far as I know, there is no “Robert’s Rules of Order” for blog entries! So, with the hope that it does some good, those are my thoughts on some of the response to my last entry!

It’s a shame that my mere little words can cause such a ruckus…but I suppose that is also part of the territory covered by a public blog! Now I have a small idea of how someone like Doug Harrison feels when those who seem to oppose him out of hand take umbrage at some of his observations!

I had meant to post on another topic altogether this time, but obviously, I never got that far. Maybe next time…

The message board world

Gospel music fans cannot say they don’t have the opportunities to express themselves on the internet…there are message boards and chat rooms galore for fans who want to share their love of gospel music with the world.



I am a member of six such boards, all of which have auxiliary chat rooms in addition to their boards. I will rate the boards I’m on here, in order of general quality and reputation on the web. I will not attempt to be comprehensive here, for I can only comment on the boards I know most about.



1) SOUTHERN GOSPEL NEWS BOARD-One of the first ones, it is the largest of the boards by far(some 4800 members at last count), and has the most variety in terms of topics and areas of interest. As many others have noted(Doug Harrison, for example), this board is worth reading alone for the often spirited gospel music discussions that spring up on a regular basis. Because of the sheer numer of posters, there are a number of viewpoints that are regularly aired there, and when they can keep personalities out of it, there’s lots of stuff worth reading!



The SGN boards also have sections discussing politics, religion, recipes, computers, sports, and virtually any other subject under the sun. The one weakness of the SGN boards is a tendency to over-moderate the discussions somewhat arbitrarily, but the positive paart of that moderation keeps discussions from getting too far out of hand(as they can do at times when people get too emotionally involved in what’s discussed). Overall, the SGN boards do the best job of offering stimulating discussion of gospel music while simultaneously offering other areas of interest for those whose interests are not confined to gospel music alone. And you CAN have fun there!



2)SOUTHERN GOSPEL MUSIC LOVERS-This site originated in 2004 when several members of the SGN board community felt constrained by the aforementioned moderation policy there, and so they(members of the Pioneers Quartet and a few others)launched this alternative to the SGN board community.



The site suffered the predictable growing pains at first, then went through a period where it segued into the World Center for Emoticons, endured the departure of a few key members, and has matured through it all as a fine alternative to the SGN community, now with the second largest membership roster of the boards spotlighted here.



There also was a period where the rivalry with SGN threatened to engulf the board in negativity, but those days seem safely behind them. The site has not only expanded into a full-fledged website, but the quality of the discussions has grown exponentially over the last year or so, to the point where it can finally be said that it is a “must” place to go for those interested in good gospel music discussion. and as is the case with all these boards, the fellowship and community are outstanding.



3)SOUTHERN GOSPEL NUTS-This site began as a sort of “SGML Jr.”, having been started by a departing memeber of SGML, MsJudy(known then and thereafter as DaJudge)…and in fact, the board is modeled after SGML, even today(with music topics, games, a “soap box”, where thoughts can be expressed with a minimum of moderation, even a history section[led by yours truly]).



The Nuts board has also gone through a number of changes, coming out with a more community-type emphasis than the other boards, and there is a determination to emphasize the gospel aspect in the fellowship as much as the music, led by the board’s two leaders nowadays, Precious and RevTabasco.



The board lost several members due to some necessary pruning of the membership rolls, but those who remain are committed to making it not only a fun, but educattional and imformative place. It’s not where it could be yet, but it’s getting there…and quickly.



4)THE SGM RADIO BOARD-This site is an adjunct of the website of this internet radio station, and began as a quiet, friendly community always more interested in the fellowship within than discussing gospel music exhaustively.



In many ways, the board there has not changed much, but with the addition of posters such as John Crenshaw(whose history forums have relocated there from SGML), there’s been a more concerted effort to incorporate gospel music discussion into the mix.



Still, though, despite the growth of the board, the community is still small, and there are only about a dozen mrmbers who post on a regular basis. But, if you like the warm fellowship of like minded people(and I do mean LIKE minded!), you might enjoy what the SGM Radio board has to offer…if you can get past all the incestuous self-promotion and the seeming insularity of the community.



5)GOSPEL MUSIC FRIENDS-DaJudge’s latest board project…do we need one more of these?



By that I mean nothing malicious, I just mean to point out that SGF offers nothing to date that boards such as SGML and the Nuts board don’t currently offer…thus it seems a bit redundant at the moment…however, with time something more distinctive could develop.



As with all the other boards mentioned here, the fellowship is very warm and inviting.



6)ANN DOWNING’S MESSAGE BOARD-This is probably a typical example of the artist-based board…being part of artist Ann Downing’s web site. There is no pretense to full-fledged gospel music discussion here…it’s a place for Ann’s fANNtastics to gather and fellowship, and they gleefully do that. I would guess most other artist-based boards are much the same.



So then, for news and gospel discussion, the first two boards are the places to go. The others are more fellowship-oriented, and for that, if you’re a gospel fan, they’re all worthwhile places to go.



I might emphasize once more that the respective communities on all these boards are all fine, Chrstian-based communities, and no doubt you’ll make new friends regardless of where you choose to go.

Wondering why…

…some feel led to simply repeat what they hear, with no consideration for the consequences.



I mentioned in my last entry that I would discuss a troubling post I saw recently on a gospel music message board.



A particular poster, who has a decided aversion to “southern” gospel music in favor of what is known by the equally banal term “CCM”, posted that he had HEARD from some musician acquaintances of his that the Crabb Family’s retirement will not last long, and in fact they are already planning to reunite.



Never mind the fact that NO ONE else has even been rumored to have said that, and never mind that the Crabbs own public statements on their future state unequivocally that they will no longer appear as a group after next year. This enterprising poster HEARD someone say otherwise, so he goes to the first public message board he can find and simply repeats it, oblivious to whether or not he may be wrong, or to how he looks publicly for stating it, and for how he looks to his acquaintances, who no doubt will think twice before they repeat ANYTHING they hear again to him.



Why people are so preoccupied with what the Crabb Family will do next can be understood, but simply because it can doesn’t make it any more right to do publicly. So many of these types of “fans” belie their alleged caring for the Crabb Family by attempting to make their personal lives so public.



I made a rather pointed post to this person on that board, and the thread seems to have finally died the death it deserves. I wish I could take credit for killing it, but in all honesty, I can’t…I don’t know if what I said had that kind of impact or not.



But if I did, chalk up one for the “good guys”!

A moment of reflection

Just glanced at Doug Harrison’s blog…he cites what he calls “real world obligations” as the main reason why he’s been posting so sporadically of late.

I can certainly identify with that…my own “real world obligations” are keeping me from posting here more often myself. It’s not that I don’t have opinions or thoughts about things going on, but that I scarcely have time to share them these days.

For example, people have been weighing in left and right on the retirement of the Crabb Family as a performing group. Myself, I wish them all well, and respect their decision to go their separate ways for precisely the reasons they’ve publicly stated. I neither decry or celebrate it…for they have never made much of an impression on me, one way or the other.

They may be an integral part of the “southern gospel industry”, but I don’t feel they are a part of the gospel music tradition I grew up with. That is NOT criticism…just an explanation of my seeming indifference about them.

When I return, I’ll comment on something I saw on a gospel music message board about a rumor someone is trying to spread about them…as if there weren’t ENOUGH baseless rumors about gospel singers.

Some random thoughts that don’t fit anywhere else…

You know you’re getting old when…



You hear commercials advertising such and such a business “since 1973″ or from sometime in that time frame…and it doesn’t sound that long ago to you…and then when you think about it, you realize that that was 33 YEARS ago.:-(



I was informed that the aforementioned honor given to Don Baldwin at this year’s GOGR was really Roy Pauley’s brainchild and not Charlie Waller’s. Oh, well…that figures.



Coming into work this morning, I was enjoying the raving lunacy of KABX morning host Dave Luna. In an era where everything on radio is scripted to the nth degree, and the alleged “humor” of most morning shows is written by professional writers, it is a joy to hear radio the way it SHOULD be done…spontaneously and creatively. Hard to imagine that the remaining vestiges of true radio linger in California’s Central Valley.



Then again, maybe not. After all, it was a station in Fresno that gave the world “Boss” Radio….THE most influential top-40 format of all time.

Good stuff…

It’s just amazing what a few things, strategically placed, it seems, can do for one’s spirits in an otherwise discouraging lifescape.

First of all, I was very pleased to read that, when checking out a friend’s impressions of the just-concluded Grand Old Gospel Reunion in Knoxville, that Don Baldwin, the founder and longtime baritone and manager of the Couriers Quartet, was honored with a “Living Legend” award.

Don has had several health issues in the last several years, but he has persevered and endured, and lately, thanks in large part to Singing News columnist Roy Pauley, is getting a deserved upsurge in recognition and interest. Don was not only the person responsible for establishing and guiding one of the great groups in gospel music history, he was also an encourager and shaper of fine young talent, he was a giver back to the gospel music industry, he was a canny, sharp businessman, and he was one of the finer baritone singers and MCs to grace a gospel music stage.

In short, Don Baldwin is fully worthy of SGMA Hall of Fame recognition…but alas, has not gotten the kind of recognition he so deserves for making gospel music a better place. At last it looks like things are turning around in that regard, and just in time for Don and his loyal, loving wife Cheri. Kudos to GOGR organizer Charlie Waller for giving Don a well-deserved day in the sun. Will the HOF be next? Stay tuned.

Personally, I was battling the financial demons that have been plaguing me for some time now, and while I was able to deal with them effectively today, that whole battle is discouraging and wearying on me. It was in the midst of that that I received some welcome communication from someone I really wanted to connect with today, and to say that that lifted my spirits is an understatement. Hearing from this person was so nice, that I actually forgot about the $$ stuff for a couple of minutes!:-) God is good that way, isn’t He?

So between the news about Don and the notes from my new friend, it was a really good day…in spite of everything else that threatened to drag me down.

Yes, it’s really nice to be remembered…I’m now challenged to have a better “memory” for such opportunities myself.

A sabbatical?

To some readers who come by to check this humble blog, it may seem as though I’ve abandoned it…or at least put it on the back burner.

To that I say, NO! I have no intention of doing any such thing! It’s just that I have had a lot of thoughts race through my head in recent days, but nothing worth trying to put together into a coherent narrative to share with the world.

I assure you, when I get those thoughts put together, what comes out will DEFINITELY be put down here. Be patient with this aging people and gospel music watcher!

For now, I’ll just say, my car’s brakes have been repaired…it’s nice to have wheels again. And my “home remodeling” is slowly taking shape.

That’s it for now…more when I have it! Oh…and happy birthday, Kaye!:-)

What endures…

Well, my latest SG History 101 article is up on SouthernGospelNews.com…and again, the reaction is interesting to me.



I’m very heartened at the number of comments thus far…it’s nice to know that people seem to enjoy “looking back” at our gospel music heritage and thinking about it. But sometimes I wonder why people notice the things they do.



Not that I’m puzzled in any way! But even as my first real article there continues to get comments on occasion, the majority of the comments thus far on my latest piece(on gospel music innovators)have been about the Couriers, even though they were only one of several groups I discussed in that article.



Why is it that people respond to the Couriers so resoundingly when I write about them?



I hardly think they do because I’m such a good writer, although I suppose I’m adequate in that regard. I am the first to admit I am somewhat prejudiced when it comes to them…I truly feel they are one of gospel music’s most accomplished and greatest artists, who had a huge influence in their time and continue to to this very day. I hope that aspect of my analysis doesn’t color it inappropriately.



I think that when reading the comments about the Couriers I receive, the majority of them cite their witness and their characters as people in addition to their stellar musical skills. Clearly the total impact of their presentation has touched both fans and aspiring singers in ways that few others have. I think it’s because of what they exemplified both musically and non-musically that compel so many to respond with such ardor and devotion to the Couriers…in ways that other great artists aren’t able to do as consistently or effectively.



And, really, isn’t that what it’s all about? Communicating the basic message of the gospel…in whatever way possible?

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