For what?...indeed

Many who, like me, were very proud and pleased that Neil Enloe of the famous Couriers was officially inducted into the SGMA Hall of Fame this past week might be surprised to learn that this was not the first time he was so nominated.

Neil's first opportunity to join the SGMAHOF was four years ago, in 2005, the very year that I first met him, and our friendship began.

Those of us who know Neil well will not be surprised at his first reaction to his initial nomination. When told he had been nominated for the Hall, Neil characteristically replied, "For what?"

For what, indeed. I'm not on the SGMA board(if I were, Neil would have been put in then), but I'll put forth some reasons here why Neil Enloe deserves to be in the SGMA Hall of Fame.

To me, a Hall of Fame ought to include the following types of people:

1)Someone well-known(read "famous").

2)Someone who is among the most accomplished individuals in his/her field.

In addition, for someone involved in gospel(Christian)music, the following factor would be important, IMO:

3)Strong adherence to and faithful expression of one's faith.

Upon closer examination, it's hard to understand why Neil wasn't inducted four years ago. His name might not come to the lips of many playing word association games when the term "gospel music" is mentioned, but Neil was a featured and highly visible member(as lead singer and pianist)of one of gospel music's most renowned and acclaimed groups. And as the writer of many of the better gospel songs of his era, he was well known to artists in other groups and many of their fans as well. And Neil's engaging and unpretentious stage manner made him memorable to many gospel music fans who saw the Couriers in concert. His easy way of making friends made him not only,popular, but well-liked in the gospel music field. Certainly Neil qualifies under point #1.

And under point #2...well, as already stated, Neil was among the leading songwriters of his time. He was not as prolific as writers such as Bill Gaither or Mosie Lister(his total output is still less than 100 songs), but a number of those songs became standard ones in the repertiores of many gospel artists, not just the Couriers. To name just a few: "Statue of Liberty", "He's More Than Just A Swear Word", "The Joy Of Knowing Jesus", "Give Me Jesus", "Who Can I Turn To", "From A Star To Stripes", "You Won't Scare God Away", "Lost, Searching, Found", and many more. The albums of many a quartet of the late 1960s and early 1970s had many a Neil Enloe composition on them.

In addition, he was considered one of the best arrangers of his day. He was(and still is)a very good singer and a quite underrated pianist. No less an authority than Brock Speer called Neil one of the best musicians in the entire gospel music field. He is equally proficient at music on paper and in his head, and he was one of the first gospel singers to become expert in understanding sound systems and the mechanics of making and recording music. Clearly, he has excelled at a consistently high level musically and professionally...to this day respected as one of the very best.

All that alone is sufficient to me to earn him HOF consideration, but what puts Neil over the top for admission into a gospel music Hall of Fame is number 3 above. And I am a personal witness of the quality of Neil's walk with and absolute fidelity to God and living that in his life. As our friendship developed, not only did I learn a lot about music and gospel music history from Neil, but he has served as a mentor and friend to me, and simultaneously influenced and challenged me to be a better person, and a better witness to Christ. I am fond of telling some of my friends that I want to be like Neil when I grow up.

And significantly, Neil was also praised at the ceremonies this past week for being not only a gospel music legend, but as a mentor and friend. It was appropriate that the Mark Trammell Trio was selected to sing "Statue" as the official tribute song when Neil came up to accept his honor, because Neil is a primary influence on Trammell as a singer and person. There are many, many other people(including yours truly) who will gladly say the same thing.

So as singer, pianist, composer, arranger, "quartet man", faithful disciple, witness, mentor, and friend, Neil Enloe certainly deserves induction into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame, for gospel music as we know it would be much worse off if Neil Enloe had not been a part of it.

For what, Neil? For all that. For once, take a bow. And yes, here you can come forward and give all the glory to God if you'd like. I know you do, and the other people who know you best(including many of your gospel music peers)know you do, too.

The Gospel MUSIC channel?

In these times when we ALL seem to be cutting back on things in our lives to survive, one thing I've been able to retain is the Gospel Music Channel in my TV package.

But I'm wondering these days if music is really part of the channel's programming plans.

Seems that whenever I tune it in these days, I'm treated to some family themed movie, unsuccessful TV retreads like "Sister, Sister", or a show featuring music videos(which I NEVER got into)of songs that are barely Christian, much less gospel.

Already shows like "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman"(a perfectly good show, BTW)are staples of the channel's daily programming. I'm expecting reruns of "Misterogers' Neighborhood" any day now.

It's bad enough that the GMC, like the GMA, relegates southern-styled gospel music to token segments and treats it like an ugly stepchild in the gospel music world....now music itself seems to be less and less of a programming feature there.

And even the so-called family programming(the old TV shows and movies)are not about the gospel per se so much, which makes me wonder if both "gospel" and "music" should be removed from the channel's name.

I can understand Christian rock or rap not getting competitive ratings in the cable and satellite TV world, but to give up on music...and the gospel...altogether to freshen up the programming schedule? I don't think so.

Anyone out there feel the same way?

More random NQC thoughts

Again, I wasn't there for this year's National Quartet Convention, but that doesn't mean I don't have reactions to what I've read and heard about it. Now that it's history, I'll share a few of those.

One of these days before I go home to glory, I hope to be there to see it.

A number of artists had impressive sets.

Although it must have been nice to see Tim Riley sing bass once more with Gold City, don't expect that to be a regular tradition. Although there are a lot of fans who love and enjoy Tim and understandably so, the group(and Tim)has the right to chart its' own future. In all the stuff I read, I never see anyone wonder aloud, "What's best for Tim? Does he really want to do dates again...even on a semi-regular, limited basis?" Until I read that, I can't take these constant pleas for Tim to come back one more time seriously. One more time may do it, indeed.

But we're fans...and we have the right to selfishly indulge a little bit...I understand that.

The original Couriers(Dave, Duane, and Neil)knocked it out of the park, just as I'd expected they'd do. It must have been a thrill for fans and the guys alike to be witness to the reception they got at both their Showcase and their set on the main stage Friday night. It makes me wish all the more that I could have been there to see it...no doubt people will be talking about it for many years to come.

And will people stop griping about who gets to be on the main stage and who doesn't? The bottom line is, it's the people who run the NQC who have the authority and right to decide who does and who doesn't. It's their money...and their business. If somebody thinks someone else is more worthy, let them prove it by getting the humbers out there so the board can't help but notice that people want to see them, and will subsequently add them on.

Sure, there may be politics involved on occasion...the board is made up of people, after all. But no one running a business for profit is able to afford to stay in business for too long by ignoring the tastes of the market. So to those who make it their place to make a yearly ritual of complaining about such things, I want to share the one-word sign I've read many times in various places over the years...

Kwitchurbelyakin!

Random NQC thoughts…

You'll rightly ask...John, how can YOU have any thoughts on this year's NQC? You're not even there(again)!

And I say, true...I'm not there...but I can comment on what I read about it on the internet about it...because I AM there.

And that's what I'll do briefly here.

At one well-known blog, a comment thread on the NQC was derailed by an anonymous commenter's caustic evaluation of one of the singers that brought a spirited defense of that singer by one of his fans. All I can say about that sort of thing is that it gets tiring to read that sort of dialogue about something so irrelevant. It even brought out a comment by another poster about how "Christians" can carry on about things like that...and I agree, that is unfortunate.

But last I checked, Christians are all human...and all humans are wont to act like that...so we turn the page, move on, and live OUR lives as best we can...what more can we do?

Stop reading that blog? I could...but there are some things there that I enjoy, and since I'm also human, and given to the same kinds of reactions, I read on...and live on.

Elsewhere, it's nice to know that David Bruce Murray CAN enjoy the Inspirations! There IS power in prayer!:-)

That's all I've got for now...maybe someday I can enjoy it first-hand myself!

NQC is nigh, and…

...I wish I were more enthusiastic about it.

After all, since 1957, the National Quartet Convention has been gospel music's premier annual event...a place where almost all of the genre's top artists are in one place for days running, performing for and mingling with their loyal, loving fans. Why wouldn't a guy like me be absolutely ecstatic about the event, in a way reminiscent of football fans on Super Bowl Sunday, or during the week leading up to it?

Well, one reason is that I can't be there...I've never been able to attend the NQC, and things won't be different this year. And for those of you raising your hands wanting to chime in with this, I can't afford to pay the $60 to get it streaming in my home, either. Besides, due to my work schedule, I wouldn't be able to watch it from beginning to end each night anyway.

Another is...due to certain elements in the gospel music industry, there seems to be a conscious attempt to get away from the second word in the event's official name...quartet...even though concert statistics, record sales, and fan polls all agree that quartets are still the most popular form of the genre.

But the quartets featured, with the arguable exception of EHSSQ, are not nearly as interesting from the stage as they've been in bygone days.

Now don't flood my comments section with comments like, "But (insert quartet name here) is GREAT onstage! They have tremendous singers in (blank), (blank), (blank), and (blank), and they're great people of God as well! And besides, isn't saved souls what's REALLY important?"

Well, in the larger picture of life, saved souls are THE most important thing, period...no exception! And I have no doubt that virtually ALL the singers featured at this year's NQC(be they in quartets or not)love God with all their hearts, and do their best to further the Kingdom here on earth.

But the NQC is a business, run for profit. It's not church. Nor is it a fancy revival tent disguised as a convention center to attract the worldly to come in and get their souls saved.

As simply as I can put it, the NQC is an entertainment event designed to present and spotlight the best gospel singers available, to feature them being exactly what they are, and doing what they all do best to further the art of gospel music.

Now if that means that quartets aren't as important in all that as they used to be, then so be it. But I don't think that's the case at this point.

Now it may look as to this point, I've been focusing on negatives, and I really don't want to. Watching the music with the most uplifting message in the world IS a positive thing, and here's why I will be sad to miss the NQC once again.

1)I would really love to be there Friday night(the 18th)...for Dave, Duane, and Neil(formerly known as the Couriers)will appear on the main stage for the first time in 30 years. Not only are they living legends of the genre and among the genre's greatest artists historically, but they are still among the better singers therein after 50+ years of singing and travelling all over the world...and they have become good personal friends as well. I'm always proud to see ANY friends of mine on center stage, and these guys deserve it.

2)Always, no matter how I may be doing circumstantially, or whatever spirits I'm in, I invariably find that after watching a night of the best gospel singing available, my spirits are raised, I feel good, and I gain hope. And really...isn't THAT a big part of the whole appeal of gospel music? Anything that can do that for a person is a worthwhile endeavor.

So I'll miss(in every sense of the word)the NQC again this year. My loss. For that, I suppose I can muster at least SOME enthusiasm!

Much ado about nothing, most likely

Much has been made about an address President Obama intends to make to the schoolchildren of America tomorrow morning.

Too much, I think.

It is understandable that those who oppose our President politically would be skeptical about anything he intends to say to our nation's children...particularly when the President is frantically trying to push his controversial health care reform program through Congress.

But what that has to do with an address President Obama is planning to read to schoolchildren tomorrow is hard to imagine.

Especially since advance copies of said address have already been released to the public, and judging by that, there is no effort being made to unduly influence or "brainwash" our schoolkids whatsoever.

Look, I'm no supporter of the President politically. I have my fears and concerns about the short and long-term effects of the majority of his policies, just like a lot of you.

But is it really fair to assume what the President's motives in such an address are before even knowing what he'll say? I sispect that most of the President's critics who are so opposed to this gesture by President Obama have no idea what he will say...but are merely being swept up in the angry and acrimonious rhetoric of this acrimonious age we live in.

From what little I saw of it today, my suspicion is the toughest struggle our schoolkids will have with our President's address is sheer boredom, and the overwhelming urge to go to sleep. not to be hypnotized into an Obamamantra of some kind.

Before we angrily condemn our President for trying in some underhanded way to corrupt our children, why don't we wait and see what he actually says first?
Is that too unreasonable?

To the intellectually honest, I don't think so.

There’s anger in the land

...was an old folk song from many years ago. And at the risk of sounding like Andy Rooney, let me ask...

Do you ever notice these days just how angry everybody seems to be these days?

A person can barely be out of his/her driveway and when coming to the first traffic intersection, will notice an angry motorist in a hurry making vigforous physical gestures and maybe yelling angry epithets for no other reason than that person is in their way as they frantically try to get to wherever they may happen to be going...as if it were vital that they be there in the next few seconds or else.

That aforementioned motorist can have the radio on as they drive, and hear an angry talk show host ranting bitterly about the President, some legislation, or maybe even more trivially, the performance of a baseball or football team, or its' players, or both.

And when that person arrives at work, their boss(who is under a lot of pressure from a contentious management meeting)greets that person with an angry tirade about how yesterday's mistakes won't be tolerated today, or else....

That thought is never finished, as that boss throws up his/her hand in frustration about how things seem to be going in general.

We seem to be under more pressure than ever before just to live our lives...and as a result, nerves become jangled, and more prescription medication must be taken than ever before just to START to live on a more even keel.

I sure notice it...and although my days aren't always like what I just described, I see enough of this kind of behavior on a regular basis now that sometimes I wish I could just pull out a whistle, get everyone's attention, and just yell, "STOP!" to everyone.

Life is too short and too wonderful, and I am too blessed to deal with all this too-often-contrived outrage.

Why are we all so mad? If we're Christians, and we believe in an all-poweful and loving God to control this crazy universe we live in, why do even we get so angry about so much that isn't really worth it in the long run?

Maybe I just ask too many questions.

A whole lot of inspiration now on YouTube

For all those wondering how the Inspirations got to be such a popular and enduring gospel quartet over the past 40-some-odd years, you need wonder no more.

The audio and video evidence is now yours for the viewing, thanks to a handful of enterprising posters to YouTube

Of course, YouTube has for some time featured vintage video of such classic quartets as the Blackwood Brothers, the Statesmen, Gold City, the Oak Ridge Boys, the Rebels, the Melody Boys, and many more. It has given many young people who were never able to see these fine groups a chance to see them in action and see why so many of us fell in love with gospel quartet music because of these guys. To a certain extent, I feel vindicated now for much of what I said on gospel music message boards over the years about the relative merits of singers like London Parris(who few younger fans are familiar with)as compared to the likes of George Younce and Tim Riley(who they are more familiar with)....the proof is now there on YouTube for anyone to see if one chooses.

As it is now with the Inspirations. For a long while there was very little video available of the group, especially of their "salad years" in the 1970s, when they soared to the very top of the gospel quartet industry, and have pretty much remained there ever since. When it's pointed out to certain people that the Inspirations have won more awards than almost every other group in gospel music, they wonder aloud, "Based on what?" On the distinctive yet idiosyncratic vocal style of Hall of Fame tenor Archie Watkins? On their admittedly rural basic sound? Well, yes, in part....but there's much more to the Inspirations than what one can glean on first hearing.

And now, some enthusiastic fans of the Inspirations have suddenly posted a LOT of video and audio clips of the Inspirations on YouTube, some of it from recent concerts, some of it simply classic audio from their earliest LPs back in the mid 1960s(the oldest of those being their version of "Cool Water" from their very first LP), and some of it(my favorite)video from the early to mid-1970s from TV appearaances, most of them from the "Gospel Singing Jubilee"(where I first became a fan of theirs, when I would watch them there every week during my college years).

Through all these videos, you see and hear the group during their various stages of development, from nervous but enthusiastic young wannabe singers to only slightly more polished(you don't polish tennis shoes, after all)but still enthusiastic young professional singers who simply love to sing, to the established and unique gospel music institution they eventually became.

I was particularly excited to see this footage, because it brought back such fond memories of when I first paid attention to the Inspirations and why. When I first saw them, I saw a quartet that sounded a bit raw and ragged compared to the quartets that first moved me as a youngster(the Blackwoods, Statesmen, Rebels, and Couriers), but I also saw young men that clearly loved what they were doing, and put everything they had into singing the best that they could.

Because I enjoyed bass singers, and liked singing that part myself, I was drawn to Mike Holcomb. At that time, Mike's voice was still developing...it wasn't then the big, full voice it became years later. I liked his approach to bass singing...he always tried to sing as low as he could when he could. He didn't always reach the notes he wanted, but it wasn't for lack of effort. I knew he had the voice to hit the notes he wanted too when I discovered that a lot of the time he missed his pitches, he FLATTED them rather than being sharp(as most basses are when they miss their notes). I knew that if he was missing low, I could just imagine what he'd sound like when he finally hit the notes he wanted...and later on, we ALL found out.

But aside from Mike, I enjoyed watching Archie Watkins lean his head back, and just bellow out those notes that he NEVER had trouble hitting, and the obvious felling each member of the group put into every word they sang...I ALMOST enjoyed them more than the considerably smoother, more polished Cathedral Quartet(who also appeared often in those days on the Jubilee). And the Inspirations had a true appreciation for classic quartet and convention singing, as Martin Cook's arrangements often demonstrated.

I guess the Inspirations had much the same sort of appeal the Chuck Wagon Gang had...they were the sort of group that EVERYONE could imagine themselves singing in...and what's wrong with that?

Gospel quartet music ought to be the kind of music anyone can sing or play along with....granted, it's nice to be able to sing like James Blackwood or play piano like Anthony Burger...but most of us will never be virtuosos at music. But we can still sing praises to the Lord and sound good without being that.

People who put down the Inspirations musically or insist that to be a great gospel singer or instrumentalist, one has to be an excellent technical musician do not understand the art of southern-style gospel music.

The Inspirations did, do, and continue to advance that art...check out all the new YouTube video of them and see why for yourself.

Doran Ritchey leaves Liberty

I told you all I'd be talking about this.

Recently, Liberty Quartet pianist Doran Ritchey announced that he would leave the Idaho-based quartet to join his wife in Phil Cross' new group, Crossing.

This at first glance would appear to be quite a coup for the Dove Award winning singer/songwriter. I don't have first hand knowledge of the singing ability of Doran's wife(Diane), but I didn't have any first hand knowledge of the singing ability of the talented woman she's replacing(Paula Stepanovich), and when I finally saw Paula sing in Fresno, she more than proved that she was not only a fine songwriter, but a very good singer as well. So based on that, my guess is that Diane will be just fine, thank you.

And I DO know first hand that Doran is one of the finest keyboard artists in today's gospel music, as well as an up-and-coming songwriter in his own right. He has been one of the several reasons that the Liberty Quartet has become one of the fastest rising groups in gospel music today.

So I'm pretty sure that Doran will be an asset to Phil Cross and Crossing as well. They've worked together in the past, and they're both very talented people.

But what happens now with the Liberty Quartet? Here they are, emerging from mere regional acclaim in the West, and thanks to many fine recordings, an engaging concert style, good material, and mentions here and again in blogs like these, the Liberty Quartet is finally acheiving the national recognition it deserves.

And at first glance, it may appear that Doran's departure from the Liberty Quartet may be a serious setback for the group, roughly equivalent to Jackie Marshall leaving the Blackwood Brothers in the early 1950s, prior to them making their national breakthrough on Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts(which didn't actually happen, just an illustration to make a point).

And that it might be, if the Liberty Quartet were primarily interested in becoming gospel music's top quartet.

But that is not the Liberty Quartet's primary goal. I have often on this little corner of the web compared the Liberty Quartet to the Couriers, because their primary focus is on ministry through quality gospel music more than it is acclaim or awards. Like the legendary Couriers, the men of Liberty are humble, dedicated men to their mission. Yes, like most groups, the Liberty Quartet has changed personnel several times during their 13 years or so of existence. And through all the changes, they've just gotten better and better.

And with the current lineup of tenor Keith Waggoner, lead Dan Gilbert, baritone Jordan Cragun, and bass and manager Royce Mitchell, the Liberty Quartet currently has what it takes to continue to improve and grow in popularity...their way.

Yes, Doran's singing, playing, and stage manner(especially his comedy interactions with the other members of the Liberty Quartet)will be missed, but I have no reason not to believe that both Liberty and Doran will continue to flourish and fulfill their respective callings in their new relationship to each other.

A short update

A longer installment will follow soon, but for now(for those two or three of you that are interested), an update on the calamities I described in my last missive.

The cable TV...working again(more or less). The DVD player...back in business(yay!).

The car...still running hot...often....but the tires have been dealt with(in a story that is blogworthy in itself!), and it gets me from A to B.

Finances? Still very shaky...but I'm trusting...and praying(as many of the rest of you are as well, and I thank you)....I'll be fine.

And I've not even mentioned Michael Vick's return, or the departure of Liberty Quartet pianist Doran Ritchey(but I'll get to THAT one!)!

Finding the time to write is still a challenge, but it's there...somewhere!

More to come....

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