Why gospel singers are special

Hmmm...looking at that title, it would be easy to come to the conclusion that I think gospel singers are special in ways that other singers might not be. And I don't think that at ALL...ALL singers are special in their own way.

I just mean that gospel singers relate to their audiences in ways that most other singers in other musical genres don't.

Gospel singers have always been closer to their fans...perhaps it's because of the way the business developed over the years...or maybe because there's not much space removed from singers to their fans due to the origins of the singers themselves, but regardless, there is a special relationship between gospel singers and their fans that is unique in the music business.

What made me reflect on this tonight is what happened to me at the Great Western Southern Gospel Fan Festival last year and this year.

One of gospel's most underrated groups is the Herb Henry Family out of Modesto, CA consisting of Herb, his wife, and his three children. Herb is a longtime fan and performer of gospel music, and at this point in his life, he is perhaps most proud of the fact that his entire family has devoted themselves to spreading the gospel in song. Herb has been a minister for many years, and he remains that first and foremost, devoted the most to living the Word in his life and his music.

Herb's group is now one of the best mixed gospel groups in the nation, and were they touring nationally full-time, the country would know that. But for now, the group is now a not-so-well-kept secret out here in the West and to those who own their recordings.

Anyway, at last year's event, I noticed that Herb's group did a cover of an old Couriers Quartet song, "I Know He Cares", a delightful doo-wop style song that their then-pianist, "Little" David Young, wrote for them. Seeing this, I asked Herb(a longtime friend of mine)if they would perform the song at the event that year. Herb told me that the group was not ready to stage the song, but he promised me that the group would perform it the following year.

Well, wouldn't you know that when I arrived at this year's event, when I saw Herb, he told me to listen to the third song that evening...and after he winked at me, I knew why he said that. The group was ready to sing "I Know He Cares"...and that was Herb's way of saying that he remembered his promise.

Sure enough, come song three, Herb dedicated the song to me, right there on the stage. Now many of the people in the audience knew me from our show, and they applauded vigorously when they finished the song. I was wandering around in the hallways, but I heard every note...and my eyes got wet with gratitude.

Now really, do any of you think that Paul McCartney or Madonna, or even Faith Hill or Travis Tritt would remember a promise they made for a fan a year before, and fulfill it a year later?

Well, they might....but it's not likely. But because Herb is first and foremost grounded in his faith, and is a caring friend, his group did...and few things I've experienced touched me as much.

And I think a lot of gospel singers(at least in the SG genre)would do just what Herb did, for friends of theirs as well. Gospel singers, after all, are not that far removed from their fans.

They ARE special people.

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