Am I Just Old Fashioned , Or What ?

I think that I am a pretty "hip" guy for being 60 years old. Go ahead and laugh at that statement, I'm sure that my kids are.
When I was being taught by my parents, it was only good manners to take off your hat when you entered a room. It was only
being polite to offer your seat on the bus to a lady or old man. You said "Yes sir" to a man or "Yes Ma'am" to a lady. I can't help but think that
these actions made us grow up to be people that our parents would be proud of. I can't help but think that those manners made us a better country.

Don't worry, this is not going to be a political blog, though I could do a good one if I wanted. No, this is about how manners and just plain old courtesy
seems to have left it's place in Southern Gospel Music. I have seen it happen more often than not these days, however, last night it happened to us,
so it is very fresh on my mind. You can tell me that I am just an old fogy and that my age is making me too sensitive, but sometimes these things get under my
skin, and last night was one of them.

I am not against doing benefits, and this concert last night was a benefit. To be honest, after having a couple of slow months, it just felt good standing on stage
and singing. They were a great crowd to sing to and really showed their appreciation for our effort. They were a gracious crowd, and I would sing for them in a
heart beat, benefit or not, offering or not. So then what's my beef? Here it is pure and simple. My group sat through the sets of 5 other artists. Some were really good,
and some could use a little more practice. My beef is that fact that all but one singer from all of those groups left after they finished their stand. I want to
thank the gentleman who stayed for the duration of the concert to even hear the last group, us, The Sunday Edition. When all the artists packed up and left,
we had a much smaller crowd to sing to than they did. Oh, I forgot to mention that all of these artists were within driving distance of their homes. Again, this was a great crowd to sing to. They were with us the whole time we sang. I couldn't have asked for a more appreciative audience. Again, back to my beef, My group did the courtesy of staying to listen to all of the other artists perform, and I just consider it good manners to stay and be courteous to the artists who follow you. One group even started tearing down equipment and loading it out of the building while another group was singing. Again, am I just being an old fogy or what?

I understand that sometimes people have to leave concerts, but does everyone from that group need to leave? At least someone could have stayed to represent
thier group. OK, I'm putting on my flame suit now, so I'll be watching for those incoming arrows. So, let's bring back to having some manners in Southern Gospel Music.

America vs the Ark of the Covenant

I was doing my Bible study the other day in the book of 1st Samuel about the 5th chapter, we find that the Philistines have taken the Ark of God (Covenant).
The only problem is that when they took the Ark, troublesome times really hit when they took the Ark to Ashdod. They put the Ark in front of their god Dagon. Of course the next day, their god Dagon had fallen over before the Ark. They stood Dagon back up and the next morning Dagon had not only fallen in front of the Ark, but his arms and his head fell off. Then tumors were appearing on the people, so that they cried out to get rid of the Ark. They then sent ot to another city and similar things happened. What I'm getting at is that they never seemed to realize that their god Dagon was useless, and they would rather send the true God down the road an d stick with their useless god. All they had to do was accept the true God and their lives would have been wonderful.

I got to thinking about America. We saw great revivals in the 40s, 50s, and early 60s. At that point this truly was a Christian nation. The Spirit of the lord was amongst the people of this nation, much like the Ark was with Israel. Then the god of prosperity found its way into our land. Prosperity, our new god, made us self-sufficient, not needing the God of our Fathers. So, when the tumors of crime, rebellion, and disrespect appeared, we ran to our god, prosperity. Why doesn't America see that it has turned its back on the true God? How much lower must we sink, how much more dastardly must the crimes get, how many more thousands of babies have to die in a day at the abortionists clinics, how many more kids have to die in our high schools and colleges before we realize that God is waiting for us to turn back to Him.
The proof is in the puddin, as they say. We didn't have uncontrollable kids, we didn't have the disrespect for each other that we have today. we didn't have the terrible diseases of today, we didn't have people shooting innocent people while out shopping, and we didn't have the threat of terrorism. Say what you want, when this nation wasn't afraid to be a Christian nation, we didn't have these problems.

A Great Weekend

Last weekend I had the privilege of attending two excellent concerts. The first was on Saturday night, with Greater Vision. I hadn't seen Gerald and the guys for quite a while, so I was ready to see them again. Gerald's MC work was flawless. He knew when to make us laugh, and yet also knew when to turn our thoughts to an intimate moment with God. We got to hear some of their old favorites, but also got to hear some new material too. It was just an enjoyable evening of great Gospel Music.

Sunday afternoon and evening, I spent with one of the most under-rated Bass singers in the business. Hovie Walker could well be the lowest Bass singer in the business, maybe even in the world. This man can hit the flat bottom of the barrell. He was singing with the Hymnsmen, and these guys were awesome. They have a great program, yet made you feel relaxed and able to enjoy the evening. The let everyone have a time to show their wares. I love the edge of the Tenors voice, and the Lead singer gives it all he's got. The Baritone, well, he did what all good Baritones do, he kept that harmony together. They also let Hovie shine and you could see the men in the audience poking their wives saying, "That's how a Bass singer is supposed to sound". It was nearly a two hour trip, and if you know Hovie Walker, he has more stories form traveling with Willie Wynn, the Thrasher Brothers, and Leon Russell to keep you in stitches all the way there and back.

So, Saturday and Sunday nights were really great times for me. If you get a chance to see Greater Vision or the Hymnsmen, by all means it will be worth your trip. If you see Hovie Walker, tell him I have a few more vocal pointers for him.

Times are a changin’

My how times change as we get older. My kids did a great job this year of picking out my Christmas presents. You know how it is, Dad is always the hardest person to buy Christmas presents for. For the past five years of so, it's been great, because they would buy me gift certificates, and I would go out and buy me something that I wanted. As nice as that is, it sure takes a lot out of ripping that present open and being excited about what you got. I am so thankful for the gift certificates that I have gotten in the past, because I was just at that age when there was nothing that I wanted that they felt was a good present.

Sadly though, it wasn't always that way. I can remember years when I wanted a new saw or drill for my present, but Susan would fuss and complain that I'll just use it for work, and she didn't want to get me something for work for a Christmas present. That must be a woman thing. So, gift certificates were a wonderful thing at Christmas.

This year, however, I turn 60 just a few weeks ago. I guess things just change a lot as you get older. No longer did I want a drill or an electric stapler. Times are a changin'. This year my kids got me a Vidalia Chopper. I almost cried. I couldn't wait to get home to chop some onions. Wow, this is a great little gadget. I chopped three onions the next day, and wasn't even cooking anything. I mean I just peeled the onion, cut it in thirds and whala, chopped onions. No stinging eyes, just chopped onions. I went to spoon them out to put them in a plastic , and this time I did cry. Oh yeah, the chopper is great, but not perfect, it was the onions this time. I love my Vidalia Chopper. They also got me a new pressure cooker. Oh, My, Goodness. I had a pressure cooker years ago and loved it. It got old and I could find the parts I needed to keep it working, so it just became a big pot to cook in. I am so thrilled with my pressure cooker. It's fun to cook again. Oh, yeah, they also got me some summer sausage logs. Again, something that I really like. So, they get an A+ for Christmas presents this year.

Somebody please tell me that a 60 year old man is not really weird for getting excited about his Vidalia Chopper and pressure cooker for Christmas presents.

This Time Of The Year

What is it about this time of the year. It's always the most joyous time of the year, that's for sure. That is, unless tragedy strikes, and then this time of the year never seems to be the same. I don't know if it's because I turn 60 this month and I'm just noticing things more, but it seems that this season is eye opening for me. I've been reading in the news of several sports figures, who were in their prime, young fellas, passing away. What a waste, yet what permanent effect it has on the families at this time of year, forever. I've heard of several of my friends who died suddenly, then others had spouses that died suddenly. I just heard of a friends husband who just found out that he is terminal with pancreatic cancer. Now we have teenagers going into malls and just killing innocent people. My spirit yells out, "WHAT'S HAPPENING". "This time of the year is supposed to be happy and joyous."

I really didn't mean to be so depressing, here, but there is some good news here. As I've tried to comfort people who have lost loved ones at this time, or have just found out that their loved one is terminal, I am constantly reminded of the song that Amy Unthank (my daughter) and Rebecca Peck wrote a few years ago. "Even In The Valley, God Is Good". This simple statement is so true in times like these. It's the best advise that I can give to my friends who are going through these trying times. Even in the darkest part of the valley, when we for sure do not understand how these horrible things can be happening to US, God is still good. He's still in control, and while we may never understand, if we only look around, God is still good to US.

I wish you all the happiest of Christmas' and I pray for God's blessing and safety for you and your families. I pray the same thing for my family. Maybe as you look around at those around you it would be a good idea to remind everyone that "Even In The Valley, God Is Good".

Are we ready for the singles life?

Yes, I'm happily married and NOT looking for the singles life. I'm talking about the new life of the recording industry, the singles life. The singles life that I am talking about is the music business getting away from albums and going to singles. I can remember in the 60s when I was a teenager, we had this small little record that had a big hole in the middle of it. You had to have this special fat spindle that slipped over that little on your record player. These little records were called 45s. They were 45s, as opposed to 33 1/3 records. The numbers have to do with the revolutions per minute. If you forgot to change the speed on the record player the 45 sounded like it was dragging and the Bass singers sounded really great. If you forgot to change the speed back, your albums sounded like Mickey Mouse or the Chipmunks. These 45s only had one song on each side. Sometimes, if they were radio cuts, the same song was on both sides.

Let me stop reminiscing and get to the topic at hand. With the invention of the MP3s and the downloading of songs on the computer or Ipod, the music business appears to be going BACK to the singles life style. You can go to most WalMarts now and simply download new songs from Country or Rock artists, but not much Christian music.
Somehow, our record labels are going to have to find a way to make singles available again. Somehow they will have to find a way to make money selling single.
Does this mean that all groups are going to have to make their songs available on their websites for fans to be able to download singles? Does this mean that major SG labels are going to have to set up websites so that customers can download singles from their websites.

Are we about to see the end of albums altogether? I don't think so, at least not for a while. First a lot of older fans will never be computer savy, so they will still be interested in CDs. Secondly, some great songs are on CDs that are never released to radio, so the only way to hear them is on the whole CD, so more than just the most popular songs will have to be made available. Lastly, some of still like to see the pictures and read the liner notes, so I'll have to buy the whole CD for that.

The singles lifestyle is NOT here today, but it's certainly coming.

Let’s Talk About Food

Anyone who knows me, knows that I LOVE food. Sadly, food LOVES me too, and literally sticks to my ribs, and my waist, and my chin, and so on and so on.
I'm not really the type of guy who is into trying different types of food. I like certain things and certain restaurants, so I don't venture far from the things I am sure I will like
when I go out to eat. Let me stick close to Olive Garden and Chef Wangs, and I'm pretty happy. You know you really can't go wrong with spaghetti and fried rice. IF I really want to venture I can get fettucini alfredo or chow mein.

Since I don't venture off too much, I saw this little buffet opening up next to my Doctor's office, so I mentioned to Susan one day that we should try the new BUFFET.
I didn't really mean it, and I never dreamed that she would make me try this place, but one day after a Doctor's appointment, we were both hungry, and I couldn't believe I heard these words coming out of my mouth. I said. let's try something different. What was I thinking? Of course we were right across from this BUFFET that I had mentioned to her.
Now I was trapped, I had to take her to the new place. What had I gotten myself into? The name of this place is Mezza Cuisine.

As I walked in this little hole in the wall, the food looked different. It was a BUFFET alright, but the food didn't look like any buffet I had ever seen. It was a Mediterranean buffet.
Well, since I was stuck there, I thought I might as well try it. Susan eats anything, but remember, I'm not good with change. Susan said just get her a little of everything, so I did. I thought that wasn't so bad an idea, so I did the same thing. Much to my surprise, EVERYTHING tasted wonderful. I didn't find one thing that I didn't like. The buffet was great, but then, Sam, that's the owner and chef's name brought us out a platter of Gyros meat, and some Shish-kabobs. Oh, my, I thought I had gone to heaven. The bill brought me back to my senses, but for that moment, I was in heaven. As Sam brought out the Gyros meat (in his special sauce) and some Kabobs, he shared with us a little of what we were eating.
He told us that the meat was all Kosher. Now the conversation gets a little more interesting. He tell us that all of his Kosher meat has been prayed over. No wonder this stuff tastes so good.

As we talk a little longer, we find out that Sam is a Jewish fellow and Kosher means something special to him. Sam was born in Jerusalem, and raised in Kuwait. Of course you could tell by his accent that he wasn't raised here in the USA. I've told you this little story, because the Lord laid Sam on both mine and Susan's hearts at the same time. There was just a kinship there that was hard to explain. The Lord never let the conversation get to asking Sam if he was a Christian, but we felt that the Lord led us there for a purpose.
Is Sam a Christian? I don't know, but maybe God is working on him. I have been telling every Christian I know about Sam and how good his food is, and that they need to visit his restaurant. Just maybe is enough Christians visit his establishment, he will see by our actions, what being a Christian is all about. So the next time you are in Nashville, or if you live in Nashville, make the 25 minute jog to Murfreesboro, TN on I-24. Take the 81A exit and drive down about a mile until you see the Kroger shopping center. Pull on in and visit Sam, taste his great food, and let your light shine for Jesus. Wouldn't it be great to see this little Jewish man come to know the Messiah just by Christians coming by and showing the love that Jesus has to offer.
http://www.mezzacuisine.com

Reflections

While laying here in a hospital bed, I've had lots of time to reflect on things. Going to the ER with chest pains, laying on those uncomfortable gurnies, and waiting for hours for someone to tell you something lets you think about a lot of things. I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that I am saved and bought by the blood of Jesus, and yet I had the urge to make things right with God, just in case. In fact during the three hours laying on that gurnie, I made things right with God several more times. Funny how if you think that you could be in the next bus load going to heaven, you just want to be extra sure.

Well, after that ordeal, and I am in a little more (not much) comfortable bed in the hospital, my mind can roam to other areas of my life that might need attention. My life is pretty boring, so we won't go into any of those areas, but after those thoughts, and watching 4 hours of Ultimate Fight Championship programs, I couldn't help but notice how competitive these guys are. Improving their craft is a lifestyle to these guys. Each one is determined to be the #1 fighter in the sport. Now I've watched a few times when good fighters stepped into the octagon with lessor qualified fighters who were more competitive and dedicated to honing their craft and lost because they just weren't as committed to spending the time to learn all of the aspects of their craft.

With all this time to do nothing but think, I couldn't help but compare the two trades of Ultimate Fighting and Southern Gospel singing. These Ultimate Fighters train themselves, not as a group, daily with rigorous hours of physical preparation. It got my mind to wondering just what would happen if every Gospel singer gave just one hour a day to preparing themselves vocally for the task at hand. What if every singer, and musician for that matter, practiced the fundamentals of their trade for one hour everyday. What if every Gospel singer stretched him or her self in a way to better the way they perform. I remember the stories of how the Statesmen practiced hours a day, not a week with one night of practice, but hours a day. After all that practice they would go sing. No wonder they are the standard bearers of today. No wonder their recordings were of such quality. I hear of recording companies not even giving the artists the music to practice before they get to the studio. I wonder where out genre would be today if we still had the work ethic that our early groups had.

That's just something that I was thinking about while lying in the hospital bed, waiting to find out that I was OK, it wasn't a heart attack, and it was probably bad acid reflux.

Reckon We’re Not The Only Ones

While I was strolling the halls at GMA Week, I came upon a booth with lots of quartet CDs. While I couldn't persuade the man at the booth to give me any CDs to listen to, I did get a magazine called The Harmonier. It's the offical publication of the Barbershop Harmony Society. As I was scanning the magazine, I happened upon an article by the President of the Society, Draylon Justus. The title of his article is what caught my eye, because changing one word , the title and article could have been seen at anytime on SoGospelNews.com.
The title. "Working Toward Meaningful Change: If Barbershop It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It", brought back memories of many vigorous discussion on our message boards about this very subject, except about Southern Gospel Music. Though we are both very small genres, we seem to have several of the same problems.

Mr. Justus talks about two areas of Barbershop Quartets. The first area he calls "trappings and tactics", which he describes as how they organize, dress, and present themselves on stage. Their marketing studies have shown that in these areas there are somethings broken and need fixing. Does this sound familiar? The Barbershoppers call the people who want to hang on to all of the past with no changes, "traditionalists and preservationalists", so those terms should sound familiar to SGM. Some of the "traditionalists" want to keep he Barbershoppers in those loud tuxedos and funny hats, just because that's the way they have always done it. Sound familiar? Suits and ties, suits and ties, matching suits and ties. Yep, different words, but same principle, stick with what we were doing 50 years ago.

The other thing that Mr. Justus addressed is the music style and art form itself. This is where the rest of his title comes into play. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." His article addresses the issue that all music must change to stay alive, but that change should come slowly. That's what the Barbershoppers are doing, and low and behold that's what we are doing also. It appears to me that the Barbershop Quartet Society is facing the same nay sayers that we face, that some of the "traditionalists and presevationalists" want NO changing at all. Mr. Justus goes on to say that they are facing other musical forms "influencing" their music. Again, does this sound familiar? It should, after all that's been the argument for nearly 40 years in our genre. The Country sound started influencing Southern Gospel back in the late 60s, and it is still balked at, so I believe that we can say that change happens very slowly in SGM.

At any rate, I just found it very interesting that Southern Gospel Music is not alone in these very same battles. Maybe these battles are what is keeping us both very small genres. So, I reckon we're not the only ones.

Compassion

Well, it's that time of the year again. Every year we go through GMA Week, and every year I come home with a new appreciation for the people involved in CCM. Now I didn't say their music, I said the people involved in the music. We have sat through many Song Writer Showcases, which are always great, because this is where the song writers tell the story behind the ten Song of the Year nominations and then perform their songs without all the glitz and glitter of their bands. You see the hearts of the songwriters and those who are songwriters as well as singers. When you see their hearts, and hear the words of their songs, you appreciate their music a little more. I still don't listen to it, but I have an appreciation for it.

That brings me to the connection of Compassion International and GMA Week. We were fortunate to be invited to the Compassion Banquet that was put on at GMA Week. Since we are Compassion Artists I thought that it would be good to see a little more of what compassion is about. CCM Artist Bebo Norman was one of the speakers. He spoke his heart to us. He told us of what he saw as he visited one of these poverty stricken countries. It was clear that he was intimately touched by the visit. The one thing that really stuck with me about what he said was that as he was visiting and saw the poverty and dastardly conditions that these people live in, he found himself asking "God where are you, how do you let this happen to these people". Then he seems to get an answer back that said, "Where are God's people". Wow, what an awakening. Who are the arms and legs and hands of God? It's us, the Christians who have the obligation to reach out to these poor people.

Then the President of Compassion spoke a little bit and he brought about several things that struck one of my nerves. He asked if there was a Biblical precedent for doing what Compassion does as far as helping the children and impoverished in these foreign lands. He then related the story of the Samaritan. The Samaritan didn't take the man into his home and nurse him, but instead he took the man to people who were capable of tending tot the needs of the beaten and bruised man. Then what did he do? He gave money to the people who were qualified to tend to the fallen man. That is exactly what the Compassion artists share every time they present Compassion to the congregations where they minister. They offer to let other Christians pay for their care of poor children who are not only fed and clothed, but also presented the Gospel.

Just a few facts were shared about Compassion while we were there. They have seen over 102,000 children saved. A new church is being birthed every day in these poverty stricken lands. Since Compassion has been working in these countries 1,200 kids have gone through their school and went on to graduate from college. 500 of those have returned to their country as ministers to positively effect their nation. Compassion International is transforming children into adults who are changing the world for the cause of Christ. On the front page and on the message boards there is a link that will take you to the Compassion International website where you can see many of these children that you can sponsor and change their lives. I strongly encourage you to go look at these kids, it just may change your life.