Are we running short of classic quartet songs?

So asks Daniel Mount...in approximately those words.

Being a holdout "quartetphile", you might imagine I've got thoughts on that.

In a literal sense, no. There are PLENTY of great quartet songs out there, and they are still being recorded by groups like the Melody Boys, the Dixie Echoes, the Dove Brothers, the Inspirations, and even quartets like Signature Sound and Legacy Five. It seems to me that as long as there is a southern gospel genre, there will always be a market for a traditional male quartet singing the types of arrangements long associated with the history of the genre. Just as there will always be a demand for traditional secular love songs, there will always be lovers of traditional, "classic" if you will...gospel quartet songs. Just as there will always be those who prefer baseball played in the afternoon, or outdoor sports played on natural grass.

In another sense, in the words of Bob Dylan..."the times they are a-changin'"...and in gospel music, there are socioeconomic factors that are contributing to a different culture than the one that spawned the writing of the Stamps-Baxter songs or the ones sung at "all day singin's". The American Southeast, where much of that music originated and developed, has in recent decades achieved a comparable level of affluence as has the rest of the United States. Thus, the cultural and religious factors that led to what has become known as "southern gospel" music(which undeniably originated in the gospel quartet tradition)are fast disappearing, and the kind of music originating from the region is likewise changing.

So, perhaps some who contend that the gospel quartet appeal is based on nostalgia have a point, to a degree. Much of the appeal of it can be traced to the traditions of the families of those fans. To use myself as an example, although I grew up in California, it was on a farm...where the traditions associated with that and with my neighbors had a strong influence on my formative music tastes. Gospel quartet music was always looked upon as a sort of American institution, immediately validating it musically and artistically in my environment.

But fewer youngsters are growing up with those influences, not just in rural California but rural anywhere else...there seems to be a restlessness to replace what to some is an outmoded tradition, but not quite sure where to go with it. Hence in today's southern gospel, there is a segment of the core audience that wants to move away from the traditional quartet, but it doesn't want to fully embrace a new base style.

Because of that last observation, and because there will always remain a large segment of the southern gospel core devoted to the preservation of the traditional quartet, the classic quartet songs of the past will always be close at hand for those wishing to partake of them.

However, the particular factors that shaped that sound of the past are disappearing from our experience, so that sound will be difficult to create anew.

Because I will always remain first and foremost a "quartet man", I am rooting for someone to create a new place in the history of the quartet sub-genre...I may be rooted in the past, but I don't want to remain there in perpetuity.

Just venting…

Last time I posted here, I wasn't sure what I wanted to share.

Unfortunately, tonight I am.

Why unfortunately?

Like most of you, I spend a great deal of my online time perusing other gospel music sites and blogs.

It was during my perusal of a couple of them(well, one in particular)that I began to feel sad about the quality of discussion in general on these sites.

I'm not sad about the comments I get here, primarily because almost all of them come from thoughtful, insightful people who express themselves in the tone of this little corner of the internet, and contribute to my understanding and that of the readers who come by here.

I'm grateful for that, and to all to whom the above applies, take a bow.

But today, I noticed that in one thread, the subject of royalties in gospel music was introduced, and almost immediately devolved into a discussion of homosexuality in the gospel music business, and(naturally)into yet another set of tired diatribes about Kirk Talley.

In the past three or four years, what really new, insightful, or helpful insights have been introduced in such discussions? The answer: Zero. None. Nothing.

Yet some feel compelled(as if on a crusade)to keep the subject alive, and continually respond to each other in vain attempts to convince those who disagree with them the errors of their ways.

Don't resume it here, please! There comes a time when enough is enough, and we need to spend the seemingly endless energy we expend in those pointless discussions on more relevant, pertinent things...like living productive, useful lives!

If that would occur during what's left of my lifetime, I will be most grateful.

Then, I noticed in that same corner of the web, a new discussion that started innocently enough...with a question about former members of bygone gospel quartets and their whereabouts.

From there, it went to posts about prominent successors to those quartets, and their relationships to each other, as if that were any concern to any of us.

Also, there was a sub-discussion of the nature of subterfuge that quartets performed on each other back "in the day".

Look, I understand that being fans, we all want to know as much as we can about our favorite singers. I'm like that, too. But to go from there into presumptions about what they did and why they did it without really knowing them or how they really think and feel is a bit disingenuous, to say the least.

Why do we concern ourselves so with how people we don't even know live their lives? When we get that way, we're not that far removed from people in grocery store lines who eagerly leaf through the latest tabloids(which are ALWAYS there), and try to sneak them into our purchases without anyone else knowing.

And in this case, it's not just people I noticed...some of those who commented are people I'm familiar with, and respect a great deal for their opinions and insight.

It just gets me down a little bit...I know we can do better. The question I need to ask myself is, what can I do here to make it better? Well, for openers, I can stop contributing to those discussions myself(I'm guilty as well).

Then, I can post more fruitful areas of discussion myself.

But for now, I'm in a very temporary state of mourning for the level of discussion on gospel music sites.

This will not last long...I just saw a question my friend Daniel Mount introduced on his fine blog that I can comment on...he's always been a balm and inspiration for topics to me.

That's coming next...stay tuned.

Where next?

Well, for once it's not a matter of not having anything to write about, it's a matter of making a choice in which way I go.

I've been listening to a LOT of music lately, and not all of it is gospel. I've been simultaneously reliving many memories of when I first heard the songs I listened to, and analyzing why they were so effective musically and as vehicles for a musical genre and the message they carried as well. When I finally organize all my thoughts on what I've been hearing, I will express them here.

Then there's a blog post from my friend Daniel Mount that has challenged me. Last week, he asked his readers what percentage of their top 10 favorite artists makes up their particular collections. At first, I thought this was a no-brainer, because wouldn't it follow that one's favorites WOULD make up the majority of one's record collection(and yes, I mean record...after all, CDs are records, too...just a different kind than vinyl ones)?

Not necessarliy...I replied to myself after my first thoughts. What if one had a fairly large collection? That would tend to reduce the percentage of one's favorite artists only...then I kept thinking...how many people have large collections anyway? I might think my collection is(or at least was)large, but after talking to some friends, maybe it's not as relatively large as I thought I was.

Anyway, when I finally add it all up(I don't keep written notes of what I have or don't have), I'll post that here, too.

Finally, I had a good feeling today after recording our weekly gospel music show for KMJ radio...I mentioned here a while back that we started a new feature...ending each week's show with a flashback feature, where we play a song from long ago of special importance in gospel music history.

After concluding this week's show with a Statesmen classic, the show's main host, Earline Starnes(eldest daughter of former Blackwood Brothers bass Don Smith)opined to me how glad she was that we were playing these kinds of songs weekly. Most of our flashbacks come from my collection, so you can imagine the sense of pride I felt when she told me that.

Not that I have any reason to feel special...lots of radio programs have similar features. But by the reaction we're getting from our audience, it's heartening to know that people appreciate what we're trying to do. We don't advertise it(unless you want to count my mention of it here as such)...and I don't promote it weekly in my little corner of the web here. But it's a theme that resonates with our target audience...and it gives folks something to look forward to and stay to the end of the program.

And no, it's not a once-a-month segment with a lengthy introduction or a history lesson. It's a weekly song that speaks for itself, and it's there to prove my long-held contention that a good song 40 or 50 years ago is always a good song, and as such will transcend its' genre and remain meaningful and relevant for audiences now...right alongside the best gospel songs being recorded today.

And as I'll go more into in subsequent posts, it's fun to look and listen back to the foundational music of our genre once in a while!:-) And I DO go into the background of each flashback song, to put it in its' historical context. But our flashback songs aren't museum pieces...they're great songs by great artists in the greatest musical genre in the world!

Anyway, what Earline said to me made me smile...I pray the audience agrees with her, and they get as much from the songs as we do.

Well gosh, that was sure a long way of saying that I don't have much to say yet, isn't it?:-)

A pet peeve

Our music should be a vehicle for inspiration and comfort, should it not?

Yet increasingly in this day and age, I see music used as a weapon...to divide, categorize, and ostracize. I often observed in the past that one could tell a lot about someone by his or her book or music collection. That general belief has led to a sort of divisiveness in all sorts of places...from the workplace to the school to the playing fields...and here's where it's really sad...to our church worship services. In the past decade, we've seen actual services divided into not only languages or physical accessibility(e.g., regular or closed-captioned to accommodate the deaf...a perfectly reasonable distinction), but music.

If you don't believe that last example, tell me what else primarily characterizes the difference between so-called "traditional" and "contemporary" services.

I don't think it's gotten down to KJV vs. NIV oriented services...yet, at least.

As I often do, I cite the words of an informed and good friend, longtime gospel singer Neil Enloe, who posted this salient observation(among others)on another blog devoted to analyzing gospel music and its culture.

"...it seems to me that we are headed down a path of division over . . . music styles. Not persecution, not doctrine, not deception; but music styles. If the machines of war ever fly over our comfortable homes, we will not care what particular style of Christian music our brother subscribes to. We’ll become aware of our common need for security and fellowship. We American Christians are rich, overfed and secure. So we argue about . . . music styles."

Thanks, Neil. I couldn't have expressed it any better myself. Why do we hold so fast to our personal tastes, whether they're of music or preaching..or just style of expression in general?

If our primary allegiance is to a holy and perfect God, who are we, His creation, to quibble about tastes and styles when it comes to worshiping Him and receiving His revealed truth?

I don't know about you, but when I'm guilty of that(and we ALL are, at some point), I know I have to re-evaluate what my true priorities are.

In many ways, I too am rich, overfed, and secure. Maybe I should reconsider what I put my real security in. Want to join me?

May we never become so set in our music and life styles that we let them get in the way of people seeing where the hope within us lies...and how we express that in music, and worship.

Wisdom from an older man

Yesterday, I was blessed to have spoken via phone to four different gospel music personalities...each of them unique people, but all are friends just the same.

One of them was Dave Kyllonen. At the age of 73, he is the senior member of what some refer to as the "classic" Couriers...certainly one of the most legendary and illustrious artists in the history of gospel music.

In my conversation with Dave, we briefly touched on the subject of age...and at one point, this extraordinary man made a precious observation...

"You're not old until you're 80!", he declared.

I am still getting to know Dave as a person, but even at this point, I'm confident in saying that Dave will never be old...even when he hits 80!:-)

Blogging out loud

If you've never tried to write a blog before, trust me...it's a lot tougher than it looks!

Sometimes there's just not a lot out there to talk about...and unlike some, I'm not going to post something just to "get things going", or see to what extent I can get people riled up.

I can do a very good job of THAT without trying too hard at all...and besides, I don't enjoy getting people riled just for the sake of getting people to visit my little corner of the web.

In my last entry, in fact...I suggested to you that you suggest to ME what to write about...because frankly, with my interests as broad as they are, I just can't find anything interesting to post about these days.

Brett Favre AGAIN? Uh, no. I think I've said all I want to say about that situation, which may become a dead issue now that the Green Bay Packers have semi-officially allowed Favre to regain his starting quarterback job now that the NFL has officially declared him active and un-retired. So the rest is up to Favre and the Packers. I guess if all this proves anything, it's that a pride and ego-driven athlete can manipulate the general public into making him a sympathetic figure despite his unwillingness to accept responsibility for creating this whole soap opera by not abiding by his original word. I wish Favre and the Packers all the best in this...and whatever happens now, whatever Favre does from this point, I hope he stays committed to.

What about gospel music? OK, what's going on these days? Ministry vs. entertainment? Been there, done that. Live bands vs. tracks? How singers should look and dress? Puh-leeze...what HASN'T been said over and over about those topics?

Personnel changes in groups? What significant ones have there been that I can address? You know, it's all too easy to speculate and theorize about people we don't even know that well as to why they make the decisions that affect their lives...how do I gain by guessing out loud about things that are none of my business anyway? Answer: I don't think I do, and most likely, you don't either.

Album reviews? Now THERE'S a possibility....except I don't get enough new material on a regular basis to even make it interesting to ME, let alone any of you. And you know what I like anyway, why bore you with reviews just written for me?

I'm sure I'll think of something good soon enough. But now maybe you get an idea why blogging is not as easy as it looks...if you want to do it the right way, that is.

Maybe you have some ideas of your own to share...feel free.

It’s THAT time again!

Regular readers on this little corner of the web know that every once in awhile, I make a concerted effort to REALLY make this blog interactive.

Now, I've always wanted this space to be interactive, to talk to you and to hear back from you. And every now and then, I take requests for topics from you...and write about something you want me to!

Well, I want to extend that invitation to you all again. If there's something you want me to write about or comment on, just post a comment and tell me what it is! And I'll try to oblige(NOT obligate:-))as best I can.

No doubt, I still owe some of you some back requests that for some reason went unfulfilled. It's OK to remind me what they might have been, so I can make a better effort to please...which is what I always aim to do!

I enjoy the challenge...and the interaction! So post(and suggest)away, and I'll see what I can do to oblige you all!

What DO you want, Brett?

Recently I weighed in on the Brett Favre mess in Green Bay.

Lest any of you not remember or follow sports news, Favre has been the quarterback for football's Green Bay Packers, and been a very good one for a number of years.

After his Packers lost in the conference championship game to the eventual Super Bowl champion New York Giants, Favre seemed to feel it may be time to end his long career...and in March held a teary-eyed press conference where he announced his retirement. By all accounts it appeared he was serious, as opposed to the past two seasons, where he merely teased at the notion, perhaps to attract public attention and gauge reaction from his many fans to the idea.

The Packers, familiar with Favre's M.O., and with an eye toward actually replacing Favre in their future, pressed Favre on the issue to find out if he was serious this time, in order to make their future plans. I'm sure this time, Favre essentially said...the fire is gone.

Acting on that assurance, the Packers drafted a couple of fine young college quarterbacks, and gave Favre's #1 job to his longtime backup, Aaron Rodgers, who has performed well in the very limited time he has seen action for the Packers.

In recent weeks, though, Favre has expressed second thoughts about retirement. This is not surprising, as many ultra-competitive athletes(like Favre)find it hard sometimes to simply step away from what they've been doing for many years.

But how serious is Favre? Is he really wanting to play now, or is this latest soap opera he's been involving football fans in just his way of satisfying his need for attention and affirmation?

Favre has pointed out that he's still under contract to Green Bay should he decide to resume his football career. The Packers are insisting that Favre told them that he had no intention of returning. Favre has countered with a rather flimsy contention that the Packers rushed him into making a premature retirement decision, and that if they don't want him anymore, to give him his release so he can play again for someone else.

Fine. Now Favre wants to play...or does he?

This weekend, Favre announced that he would report to Green Bay's training camp, as he has for many years.

Problem....Favre officially is retired. For him to be able to come to Green Bay's camp, he must apply for reinstatement to active status, which is an NFL rule.

Favre has not done this as yet...this in light of reports that the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be interested in talking to Favre if he were available. It has been reported that Favre may have contacted the Minnesota Vikings(division rivals of the Packers)about playing for THEM.

All this is looking quite disingenuous on Favre's part. If he really wants to come back now(despite telling EVERYONE months ago he was retired), why doesn't he simply follow NFL rules and apply for reinstatement to active status? If he wants to play for anyone, he's got to do that first.

I suspect that Favre all along has been trying to manipulate the media, fans, and public opinion into forcing the hand of the Packers, and getting his old job back as first-string Packer quarterback.

But if he's not careful, a backlash could develop that will only mar Favre's image in the eyes of fans, players, and former teammates.

As I type this, it's possible I need to put an mp3 of organ accompaniment on here to go with this post.

To be continued...

Much ado about Joel?

Well, what have I been up to this week while the rest of you were reading the many other blogs and websites devoted to gospel music?

Pretty much what I would ordinarily do during a week at the end of a month...gather up ideas and material for my upcoming history article on this very site...and take care of KMJ radio as best I could during another busy week.

And I got some very nice e-mail from some very nice people...and it always brings a smile to my face to hear from people I care about and like.

And of course, I read the same blogs and sites dedicated to gospel music as most of the rest of you do.

Perhaps the most striking and discussion-provoking item there in the past couple of weeks is the item about the excerpts from renowned gospel songwriter Joel Hemphill's book about Jesus where he categorically denies His divinity.

Many have weighed in emphatically on this revelation. Some of you might wonder what I make of it all.

Honestly, it's hard to make a fair comment about this. After all, I have never known Joel Hemphill(even though we share the same birthplace)...not when he was a popular artist, nor in the subsequent years when his life and focus shifted.
I don't know what his personal theology was then, and I have no way of knowing how it developed(or regressed)through the years. I am in NO position to judge Joel Hemphill.

Although my own theology is quite orthodox by comparison to the excerpts from his book that I saw, I'm sure there are ideas I have that are not quite equivalent to the truth that God revealed in His Word. I'm still learning and growing...we all are.

Needless to say, it is quite distressing to me that Joel seems to hold to a Christology that is clearly opposed to what I believe the New Testament teaches...but that is a problem between Joel and God, not something I need to spend a great deal of energy ruminating on. I know what I believe, and I'm convinced that where the identity of Jesus is concerned, I'm confident that I'm on the right track...and nothing Joel Hemphill says or does will deter me from that.

And if we look to ANY gospel music personality for our personal theology, we're REALLY out of the proper focus.

A lot more famous people(and brighter minds)than Joel Hemphill have publicly declared ideas about Jesus that are far worse than what I saw Joel Hemphill express...and yet, the gospel truth still marches on triumphantly...and the blood has yet to lose its' power.

Those who feel that Joel Hemphill has done the church a disservice, and care enough about him that they are concerned about his standing with God ought to contact him directly and tell him so...not fill up blogs and websites with comments on them that did nothing much more than report on what Joel said and in the process shoot the messengers of this news.

And if we believe in prayer(and most of those I read truly do, I believe)then perhaps we should direct our prayers to God, on Joel's behalf.

Let's keep our eyes focused on the Lord, not other people, and likewise trust Him rather than His creations.

Dark night reflections

A lot of us who are motivated to love and serve God really get upset with ourselves when we revert to behaviors and attitudes that make other people wonder if we're really what we represent ourselves to be.

I certainly feel that way tonight.

It's not that I behaved publicly in a way that would call negative attention on myself. Incredible as this may sound about me, it's not even because I said something to somebody that hurt or demoralized someone.

In this case, it's because I've done things in a difficult part of my life to effectively master that I vowed never to do again.

I can almost hear a lot of you saying as you read this...big deal, I do stuff like that all the time! Stop kicking yourself and move on already.

Well, it's not that easy...if I purport to be someone who obeys God for direction in my life, how can I NOT be upset with myself for doing things that I know better than to do?

And if you're like me in that regard, you do the same thing...don't tell me you don't.

And if we use the Bible as the guide for our lives, isn't that a comfort, in a way?

For didn't the apostle Paul write that he would boast in his weakness, for as he puts it, "When I am weak, then I'm strong."

In other words, it's precisely in THOSE moments that we're exactly where God wants us, fully dependent on Him, and knowing that we can't come anywhere near where we need to be to be what we want to be.

And knowing that, it's in those times that we're actually as close to God as we ought to be.

And since that's where I am right now, that's why I still have hope, despite my circumstances...hope that everything will be all right.

So if you feel that way right now, be thankful! You're in a good place!

UPDATE: To those of you who are curious, no, I didn't do anything illegal or sinful here, just something that didn't exercise the best judgment(not that I don't do sinful things periodically...but you know what I mean...I hope!).

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