What Could BE Changed? (Full Version)

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familyharmony1 -> What Could BE Changed? (4/11/2008 3:18:09 AM)

What could be changed in Southern Gospel Music To bring in more people to the Church Services and Concerts alike? I know Southern Gospel has a huge fan base, but It seems, fewer people want to go anymore. I understand the Gas Price issues. But, The word of God needs to be told, Hi and Low, as far as we can carry it. What could be somethings that would turn it around and get more people involved. I have heard my grandparents talk of singings when they had to open the windows and doors of the CHurch because the House was already packed, and more were trying to get it, and they would stand around the door and windows and listen since they couldnt get it. You dont hear much of that anymore. ANd with all God has done for us, its our turn to carry the load, and do for him. Our God is wonderful, and more people need to know him before its too late. Yes, I am a singer and I write songs and play insturments, and I am always searching for answers to this Question. What can we do different to get more people to the Lord, and more people to hearing the Word of God. SO does anyone have any ideas, or comments about this issue. Just a nice open discussion about it. I am not trying to have an uproar or bickering, just like to know if others are thinking this same thing, and have any ideas on it. We as Christans need to take a stand, and with SOuthern GOspel Music, we need to get the word rolling, and more ears listening, more eyes watching, and get a revival in this land.



kidwell34 -> RE: What Could BE Changed? (4/11/2008 9:06:44 AM)

I believe the starting point of renewed interest is raising up our children in the southern gospel atmosphere. Granted, this is a long term fix but I believe that if we foster this w/ our children @ an early age then I think southern gospel will have a great following. We just have so much fighting against us. The world has done a real double whammy on our young folk and they are sucked in this evil and nonproductive lifestyle.
It all starts @ home and w/ our fostering of this great vehicle southern gospel.



sgpianoman -> RE: What Could BE Changed? (4/11/2008 9:32:18 AM)

kidwell34- great suggestions. I was raised on sg, before i knew it was sg, and i still enjoy it haha. Our church is very much a "southern gospel" church...the (then) kids and now young adults grew up hearing this kind of music. I found it very interesting one night when we tried to bring some praise and worship style music to a youth service...they just stared. I found it kind of funny. Because, a vast majority say that kids/youth will not enjoy sg. They came around a little bit to a more contemporary style, but thats when they heard the crabb family and the more "blurred" style they started getting into different styles a little more. But still, they still enjoy and will always remember and appreciate southern gospel. It was nice going on a trip to another church and everyone singing "meet me at the table".

As the OP stated, i as a fan too wish concerts were jam packed. I know promoters, churches, and artists would surely appreciate it as well! And i have heard many stories from those who are older than I (i'm 24) about packed concerts. One of the reasons that i believe we do not get packed out concerts is this: there are too many other forms of entertainment going on simultaneously. You have the choice of staying home watching your HD 500 channels, going to the theater, sporting events, other musical events, other church outings (youth trips on same nights...)**, school events...it really takes time. I really think this is just ONE of the reasons.

**On a side note, I really wish churches today would get behind those they bring in concert. I've been to, performed at, various churches for a concert and it amazes me how they segregate everything. "we're having such and such quartet...now all you senior adults come" It should not be this way. It would be nice when a church is having a group that they would cancel or not schedule other events that would take away people and EXPOSURE to SG away. I believe churches have the "they're not gonna like it" syndrome. Sure we all have our preferences, but exposure is always good. I went to a large church one sunday night for a Brian Free and Assurance, and i was pleasently suprised to find that everyone was in the main sanctuary for the concert (no seperate services for youth ect...i think they just had the nursery open). Just my 2 cents



AdamEdwards -> RE: What Could BE Changed? (4/11/2008 9:41:43 AM)

Part of the problem today is that there are so many groups singing......



kidwell34 -> RE: What Could BE Changed? (4/11/2008 10:04:29 AM)

Competition breeds excellence-



AdamEdwards -> RE: What Could BE Changed? (4/11/2008 10:06:41 AM)

In some cases, it promotes mediocrity...



kidwell34 -> RE: What Could BE Changed? (4/11/2008 10:23:21 AM)

how so



AdamEdwards -> RE: What Could BE Changed? (4/11/2008 11:40:02 AM)

Maybe mediocrity wasn't exactly what I meant (it's been a long morning[;)]). In my mind I was think about uniqueness, but that isn't what was translated by my keyboard.

There are so many groups that sound alike, especially quartets, that there are only a few that stand out. Not that the groups sound bad, but there's just nothing that makes them unique.

Maybe that's why there isn't such a buzz anymore. How many groups can you think of stand out in the genre of Southern Gospel. I know everyone has their own list of who stands out to them, so maybe that is a loaded question. Now my head is spinning thinking about this.......thanks alot!!!! [:D]



Seaton -> RE: What Could BE Changed? (4/11/2008 11:44:39 AM)

I agree with Adam's original statement. There are too many groups competing for the same piece of the pie. The pie is only but so big. 20 to 30 years ago there were maybe (2) to (3) dozen mainstream artists recording/traveling (making a living at Southern Gospel music). Today there are well over 100 artists (that's the one's I know) trying to make a living singing Southern Gospel music.

The easy access for 'joe anybody' to record a CD and get a song on radio nowadays is one of the reasons for this over saturation (IMO).



kenworth -> RE: What Could BE Changed? (4/11/2008 11:44:46 AM)

I disagree....if you look back there are fewer groups today than ever before...I think it is a sign of the times...people dont want to hear the truth in a Southern Gospel song...they talk about the blood...forgiveness

On the other hand I think it is true that groups ar not as good as in years past....I think that is mostly due to the fact that payroll for a full time group is just sad...so all they can afford is to get younger guys that dont have the experence. IMHO



Seaton -> RE: What Could BE Changed? (4/11/2008 11:49:40 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: kenworth

I disagree....if you look back there are fewer groups today than ever before...I think it is a sign of the times...people dont want to hear the truth in a Southern Gospel song...they talk about the blood...forgiveness

On the other hand I think it is true that groups ar not as good as in years past....I think that is mostly due to the fact that payroll for a full time group is just sad...so all they can afford is to get younger guys that dont have the experence. IMHO


I don't agree with that. The influx of artists trying to make it in Southern Gospel is constantly growing. Every month a new Singing News comes out I see an add for another 'joe somebody' who has just recorded a CD and wants us to request their new single on the radio.



hopperfan -> RE: What Could BE Changed? (4/11/2008 11:51:10 AM)

quote:

kidwell34
I believe the starting point of renewed interest is raising up our children in the southern gospel atmosphere. Granted, this is a long term fix but I believe that if we foster this w/ our children @ an early age then I think southern gospel will have a great following. We just have so much fighting against us. The world has done a real double whammy on our young folk and they are sucked in this evil and nonproductive lifestyle.
It all starts @ home and w/ our fostering of this great vehicle southern gospel.


I could not agree more kidwell34. My parents have raised me in church on Hymns and Southern Gospel music and it is all I listen to. I am 17 years old, and probably the only one in my church that knows who Bill Gaither, Kim Hopper, Sheri Easter, Vestal Goodman, Bob Cain are, all of the other kids listen to Praise and Worship. Now I am not against Praise and Worship, but it just doesn't get me like Southern Gospel Music does, you know? The message behind the songs are powerful, and the Hymns are a foundation. I feel that if the youth of today are given a chance to hear the Hymns, and Southern Gospel songs they will love it too, and more kids will come to church because they have heard "The Old Rugged Cross Made The Difference" "There Is A Fountain" and so on.



AdamEdwards -> RE: What Could BE Changed? (4/11/2008 12:58:49 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: kenworth

I disagree....if you look back there are fewer groups today than ever before...I think it is a sign of the times...people dont want to hear the truth in a Southern Gospel song...they talk about the blood...forgiveness

On the other hand I think it is true that groups ar not as good as in years past....I think that is mostly due to the fact that payroll for a full time group is just sad...so all they can afford is to get younger guys that dont have the experence. IMHO

I can see some truth in your statement. While there are a ton of groups on the road in the gospel music genre, many sing a form of bubble gum gospel. Heaven forbid we sing or talk about sinners, hell, and most of all, the redeeming power of the shed blood of Christ. [sm=shakinghead.gif]



tafkam -> RE: What Could BE Changed? (4/11/2008 1:51:20 PM)

quote:

I can see some truth in your statement. While there are a ton of groups on the road in the gospel music genre, many sing a form of bubble gum gospel. Heaven forbid we sing or talk about sinners, hell, and most of all, the redeeming power of the shed blood of Christ.


I'm not sure I agree with this. Every gospel concert I've attended, regardless of style, usually has at least a couple of songs about the blood or the cross or the ressurection.

Personally, I think it is possible to get a little "heavy handed" on the "blood songs", just like it is possible to get too much into the "praise" side without acknowledging the reason we praise.

The trick is finding the appropriate balance.

As for what could be changed to increase the visibility and appeal of SG....as an admitted SG outsider, I'll offer this: SG is seen by many average joes as a sort of "second tier" Christian music style, lacking much of the professionalism found in CCM or even Black Gospel. (I'm not slamming SG artists, as there are many talented musicians in the field, just making an observation from talking to other Christian music fans and pastors)

It's been well documented that, with a few notable exceptions, SG record companies aren't as involved with promoting and grooming their artists as other genres. This leaves the groups often times having to make imaging and marketing decisions on their own (which can be disastrous). SG needs a label like a Word or Integrity or Sparrow, to really get their artists out their into some high visibility situations.

To it's credit, SG really strives to remain what it is, which is admirable. But it's also a double edged sword, because so many of our younger folks gravitate to what is current. Not wanting our artists to grow and be innovative as times change can be a death knell. Understand, I'm not saying that SG groups need to become more CCM, but consider, SG has changed stylistically since the 50's, without compromising what it is. Such change is still possible: you can remain current and relevant without losing your identity. I guess SG just changes style more slowly than other genres.

Hey, I do CCM, and in the course of fifteen years I've gone from doing youth concerts to senior adult events, without changing style at all! You can imagine where such a paradigm shift would put a musical style that is already more closely associated with traditional music.

Sorry, I know that's a lot of thoughts in one posting, and I hope it all makes sense!



Seaton -> RE: What Could BE Changed? (4/11/2008 3:41:58 PM)

tafkam,
It is always good to hear insights from someone who is not as entrenched is Southern Gospel as some of us die hards. Great points.



PaulPate -> RE: What Could BE Changed? (4/11/2008 4:45:22 PM)

I've read with interest all of the posts on this thread. Many of the points I can agree with, and some I disagree with, but that is as it should be. As an "old dinosaur" in SG I remember those days when a concert would be packed out, with people listening outside open windows. That is rare today for many reasons. One of the big reasons is that in those days a gospel concert was a very special occasion, and it didn't have any competition. There was little or no television, and what there was had no Gospel music. There were some daily radio shows playing gospel music, but no full time gospel stations. When someone spoke of Gospel music it was either white or black, and didn't have all the different genres. The number of groups singing was very small. I don't have any statistics, but it seems to me that in most any one genre of gospel music today there are more groups than there were in all of Gospel "back in the day". I am aware that Southern Gospel music has changed through the years and will continue to change, yet when that change is rapid and drastic, it takes on another name, or classification. Such was the case when CCM got started. I don't knock any of the various genres as long as they glorify the Lord, but I, as everybody else, have my favorite and that happens to be Southern Gospel. So far as to what we should do to improve the crowds attending concerts, that is a huge question, but as to improving the concerts, the groups just need to seek God and make sure they are singing for His glory. The one supposed genre (by name), that I object to is "praise and worship". Any Gospel music should be praise and worship.



tafkam -> RE: What Could BE Changed? (4/11/2008 5:34:20 PM)

quote:

The one supposed genre (by name), that I object to is "praise and worship". Any Gospel music should be praise and worship.


Pardon me, but if all gospel should be praise and worship, then why would you object to music that openly identifies itself as such?



PaulPate -> RE: What Could BE Changed? (4/12/2008 11:21:57 AM)

Maybe the term "object to" is not the proper way to state what I meant. What I intended to say is that since all Gospel music should be praise and worship, it doesn't seem right to classsify one style as such. That seems to intimate that praise and worship is exclusive to that genre. Of course that line of thought could include CCM to an extent since contemporary means up to date or current. Although some SG is old, there are lots of good (and bad), songs currently being written and performed in the SG genre. I didn't say I object to any one style of music, and indeed I don't.



dbmurray -> RE: What Could BE Changed? (4/12/2008 12:18:10 PM)

Genre names can always be misleading. "Southern Gospel" doesn't mean the artists are required to reside in the Southern United States.

The question should be whether a genre name is generally descriptive of the music in question...not that it excludes other genres from creating art that may fall under the same description.

I don't agree that all music should be "praise and worship," by the way. We need a vast range of lyrics...even wholesome quality secular music has its place. ..instrumental, etc.



BassSingerSwain -> RE: What Could BE Changed? (4/12/2008 12:30:36 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: dbmurray

Genre names can always be misleading. "Southern Gospel" doesn't mean the artists are required to reside in the Southern United States.

The question should be whether a genre name is generally descriptive of the music in question...not that it excludes other genres from creating art that may fall under the same description.

I don't agree that all music should be "praise and worship," by the way. We need a vast range of lyrics...even wholesome quality secular music has its place. ..instrumental, etc.

Very true.
First words of The Cathedrals' Travelin' Live: "Ladies and Gentlemen, from Stow, Ohio, The Cathedrals Quartet!



PaulPate -> RE: What Could BE Changed? (4/12/2008 5:06:18 PM)

quote:

I don't agree that all music should be "praise and worship," by the way. We need a vast range of lyrics...even wholesome quality secular music has its place. ..instrumental, etc.


I stated that all Gospel music should be praise and worship and I hold to that opinion. I do enjoy many forms of music other than Gospel.



dbmurray -> RE: What Could BE Changed? (4/12/2008 11:38:47 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: PaulPate

quote:

I don't agree that all music should be "praise and worship," by the way. We need a vast range of lyrics...even wholesome quality secular music has its place. ..instrumental, etc.


I stated that all Gospel music should be praise and worship and I hold to that opinion. I do enjoy many forms of music other than Gospel.


Point taken regarding your original wording. However, I meant to imply that I don't think all Gospel music is praise and worship. The secular comment was actually an afterthought.

There are songs that tell stories from the Bible, to give one example. "Fourth Man In The Fire" (lyrics HERE) as recorded by the Statler Brothers comes to mind. You can hear that song and be inspired to praise God for what He did and you can be inspired to worship as well, but it isn't really a praise and/or worship song per se.

Some Gospel songs are more about the journey than the final destination. Some Gospel songs focus on avoiding Hell. Some use satire to get the point across.

Praise and worship is important. I'm not trying to diminish the importance of those songs at all. I'm simply noting that within the confines of Gospel music, we also have songs that explore other areas of the Christian experience.

We had five services at my church this past week on the topic of prayer. The text used by the minister one night was 1 Timothy 2:1-8. Verse one reads, "I encourage you to make petitions, prayers, intercessions, and prayers of thanks." The minister brought out the distinctions between those four types of prayer. The basic admonishment for "prayers" is your basic, "Praise God for being who You are. Thank you for the air we breathe, etc." "Petitions" is asking for things you believe you need. "Intercessions" is prayers on behalf of someone else in need. Finally, "prayers of thanks" is celebratory.

My point in mentioning this is that I don't believe we should boil the Gospel down to just one or two qualities...just as there are several types of prayers, Gospel songs fall into different categories...some overlapping, of course. That's why I have no problem with someone calling songs with common lyric characteristics of praise "P&W," because that trait is shared among those songs. Sure, many Southern Gospel songs have characteristics that can lead to Praise, Worship or both, but those aren't common traits shared by every Gospel song.



threepartharmony -> RE: What Could BE Changed? (4/13/2008 7:47:43 AM)

I too sing in a gospel group and see the same problem in our concerts. People just don't come out like they used to.

I think the problem is multi-faceted. Part of the problem is that more and more churches are getting away from the older songs and going to contemporary music. Not that contemporary music is bad, but just from a numbers standpoint fewer people on a percentage basis attending SGM concerts.

Part of the problem is over saturation. In the past we would not see but a few professional groups come to sing in our area. Then, the major event centers(auditoriums/coliseums) would be sold out. A Ray Flynn concert would seat 15,000 people. But today, he is lucky to seat 2,000.

Part of that is because there are a lot of really good SGM groups that come to local churches on a regular basis. There are probably 30 or more events within a 50 mile area every year.

The bigger problem is in the church itself. Christians of today are just not as dedicated to the church as they used to be. Our pastor touches on this a lot in his messages. In generational terms, our generation is not a close to God as previous generations. And the next generation is not as close as our generation.

You see this come to fruition in the fact that many churches now do not have Sunday evening or Wednesday evening services due to lack of attendance.

I remember a time when, if the church up the street was having a revival, fully 1/2 to 3/4 of our local church would be there. They would actually have different church choirs come in every night. There wouldn't be a seat in the building to be found. But look at where we are today. We can't get 1/2 of our church to attend our own revival.

I think the solution lies in the song that the Freemans sing, 'Going Back'. It's about getting back to the old-time way of worship and serving God.



servants -> RE: What Could BE Changed? (4/13/2008 8:47:49 AM)

Folks it is not just low attendance for singings. Churches today are very lucky to get their people to come out for Sunday morning preaching. God forbid if they have to come early for Sunday school much less for Wensday night or Sunday night services. It is nothing but Bible(There will be a great turning away) more or less is what it says. We still go to some Churches that are packed out. There are some Churches that are still on fire for God. I believe that will preach, somebody please pass the plates and may God Bless this offering.



CrossAnchor -> RE: What Could BE Changed? (4/13/2008 9:55:31 AM)

My quartet sings only locally here is SC and I've noticed that many churches we sing in promote the event mainly within their church, telling their people to invite their friends or putting our flyers on their own bulletin board and in the Sunday bulletins. Turn out for the concert is dependent on typical attendance at regular services... the faithful will come. It's always good and we love the opportunity to share. But we can tell when someone has promoted the event "outside" by putting up flyers in the community or some other broader promotion to "create a buzz". Last year we sang at a country Baptist church and it was standing room only. Even though it was less than 250 people, the "packed house" feeling was powerful to us and to the congregation. There definitely was a special feeling there that my quartet will remember as one of our most memorable nights!

Maybe SG groups can take a more pro-active leadership role in helping churches promote the specific events. Someone told me Bill Gaither takes responsibility for promotion of his concerts. Not sure if that's true, but it makes sense! Of course he has the staff and resources to do it!



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