Advice on practicing

There is a thread on the Message Boards about practicing with ear monitors and sound systems. I want to talk about this in a little more detail than I could on the Message Boards. There are several areas that practicing effects, so it's not just a time of singing your songs together. It effects how you hear each other, how you hear yourself with the group, and how you hear yourself and the group with the music, be it live or track.

First, let me say that the attitude in which we approach practice effects our attitude on stage. Now don't get me wrong, I believe in having fun at practice, but it can't be all cutting up and having fun. At the same time, practice shouldn't be all work and a drudgery to go to. Practice sets the stage for how your group will perform in every area of your existence. Practice is to be a relaxed place where everyone is free to learn. When you quit learning, it's time to quit. Practice is where you learn not only new songs, but new styles, new techniques. Practice is where you hone the talents that you have and learn to enhance them. Practice, not on the stage is where you experiment.

As I said in my post on the Message Boards, I don't like to practice with a Sound System. I don't really care what you use for monitors (well I do, but that's another topic altogether) when you are on stage singing, but at practice you need to hear the natural voice of everyone around you. Let's remember what Sound Systems are for. The were not designed or purposed for singing in a small room. Sound systems were designed so that many people in large rooms and auditoriums could hear singers from a far away distance. When a sound system is used for it's designed purpose, it is a wonderful thing, but a small read where people are practicing is NOT what it was designed for. So, why not use a sound system for practicing? First when practicing without amplification, you must listen closer to hear each individual. This makes you pay much closer to the detail of what you are doing. It also makes for a much more intimate setting. When you have to be close enough to each other to smell each others breath, you have to let your defenses down and relationships being to happen. When you are standing close to each other practicing, you begin to notice the little movement in each others voices and you begin to follow them causing a brilliant blend that is not accomplished standing ten feet away form each other using a sound system. There is a carry-over of this intamacy from the practice room to the stage, and the audience will see it and hear it. Get rid of that sound system at practice, you'll never regret it.

I've got more to say, but I'll save it for another time.

Finally Quality Wins

I get so frustrated when watching music reality shows and the person with the most talent doesn't win. I just want to pull what little hair I have left out when I'm watching American Idol or Nashville Star and week after week pitchy poor singers stay, while real good talent gets voted off.
Finally, this season's Nashville Star winner was the best talent in the group. Melissa Lawson was a standout vocally from the very beginning. She was a little heavy, but looked really nice, and she was not in her 20s. Overcoming these two flaws, her talent won out.

While watching Nashville Star, a couple of things really stood out to me when comparing Country Music to Gospel Music. Since we like to refer to each other as Cousins, there are some similarities and some big differences. First, there is no comparison in the quality level of the vocals. While Melissa was a stand out vocally, the rest of the crop, for the most part were not near the quality of any of our up and coming artists. When I compare the groups, Southern Gospel artists blew them away. I promise you that you will hear better competition at the Talent Competition at NQC this year than what was on Nashville Star.

Another thing that I noticed was that it seems to be opposite ends of the musical spectrum that exists between our two genres. While the musical stylings are similar, in Country music, soloists seem to have an advantage over groups. Country fans seem to prefer one voice with a guitar standing in from of a microphone. In contrast, Southern Gospel fans seem to prefer groups with great harmony. While Southern Gospel fans seem to shy away from female singers, Country fans adore them. I'm not real sure why that is other than the old "women keep silent in the church" argument that has just carried over into our musical world.

These are just a few things that I noticed while watching Nashville Star this season.

Follow The Times

I love to get into the discussions as to why Southern Gospel Music is struggling so much. Of course we all have our explanations of why our concert attendance is so low. Some say it's poor quality, but I was watching Nashville Star the other night, and after hearing that talent, I am not worried about the talent in SG at all. Some say it's because there is too much entertainment involved and others say there isn't enough entertainment involved. Some say it's because we have let the Country sound infiltrate our "pure" SG sound. Some say it's because we want to stick to close to the "quartet" sounds. Everybody has a reason for why SG isn't growing as fast as we would like.

I have an idea I'd like to throw out for your consideration. Just what if, what if, it's .......... the message. There I said it. Before you stone me here let's think about it for just a minute. Where was the Nation when SG was raging in our fair land. What were we doing? As I look back at the history of our great genre, I see that the Nation was living in hard times. We had just come through the Great Depression, a couple of World Wars, money was tight, the great Industrial Revolution hadn't really gotten a hold on us. We still had to grow a lot of our own food, rely on family for our needs, our fun, and our inspiration. We still had to depend on God as a Nation. There was no thought of taking God out of the classroom, no thought of four letter, offensive words being used in the movies we were watching, and we still had very good attendance at church every Sunday,

Ah, I just hit part of my evaluation, Church attendance was still growing. As a Nation we were still very dependent on our Faith and our God. Today we are much different. We are very independent. We don't seem to need family, we don't seem to need church, and most important we, as a Nation, don't seem to need God. Now to my point. It's our message. It's not that our message isn't still true, or not still important, or that it's not even still needed. The problem is that much of America doesn't realize that they still need the message we have to offer. If you think back to September 11, 2001, for a brief moment in our history, our Nation turned to God in desperation. In fact for a six month period of time, church attendance and even CD sales of all Christian music rose sharply. We, for a brief moment, saw again our need for God, religion, church, family, and a lot of other things we had seemingly forgotten about. Now, as often happens, as a Nation, we have drifted back into that feeling of independence and our need for God, church, etc, has been hidden in the back of our mind again.

So, what has happened to church attendance, Southern Gospel concert attendance and CD sales? They have again plummeted and we have again reverted to our reasoning that SG is failing because of quality or any of those other reasons I discussed earlier. The fact is that it's our message. We have the message that our Nation and the world needs, but they just aren't interested in listening to it.

Not SGM, But I’m Excited

While this blog is on a Southern Gospel Music site, sometimes my subject varies, and this is one of them. I have to admit that I'm not much of a hockey fan, but I've been to a couple of games and I have to admit that I did enjoy the action. Not sure I really knew what was going on all the time, but the action was fast and furious. Now I reckon I have a little more reason to watch the game of hockey. Robbie Czarnik, my grand-nephew, son of my niece and nephew, Rob and Denise Czarnik has just been drafted by the LA Kings. After just graduating from high school this last month, Robbie was drafted as the third pick in the third round of the annual National Hockey League draft.

We'll get back to Southern Gospel shortly, but for now, let me proudly say "CONGRATULATIONS" to Robbie on a giant step in his life ands career. Good going, Robbie.

The Mess We Are In

The Book of Proverbs tells us (Paraphrased), "As a Man thinketh in his heart, so is he". The same can be said for a nation, "As the people of a Country think in their hearts, so is the Country". At a Gospel Concert the other night, as the MC was desperately trying to say our Nation was still great, he said "even with the mess that we are in". I am sick of hearing that phrase. First, it is way over used, and secondly, it's just not true.

It seems that every election year, one party is going to go around the country telling us how bad off our great Nation is. Why are they doing this? Because they want to be elected. It doesn't matter that they are planting negative thoughts in the minds of our citizens, and it doesn't matter that the statements aren't true, if it can get them elected, they will spread the demise of our country.

I am old, but not that old. I still remember when in the 70s interest rates were up to 21%. Right now, they are at 5.8%. Does that sound like the "mess we are in"? I can remember also in the 70s when unemployment was at 12 and 13%, for the month of April, 2008 is was at 5%. Remember in the Depression days, unemployment was at 24%. Does that sound like "the mess we're in"?

We are perhaps the most blessed Nation in the world, and yet all we can see is "the mess we're in". I am sick of it. Just stop and look around you. Even the most impoverished section of our large cities does not live in poverty like they do in foreign countries. I've been on the mission trips and seen the people living in mud houses. I've seen the people who live with dirt floors. I've seen cities of cardboard houses. I've seen the people who have to go to the stream each morning to get their water. I'm looking around to see the "mess we're in". I look around and see the poverty in this great Nation and I see cable TV hooked up in the houses in the ghetto. I see people taking their food stamps to the store to buy food for the entire family. I heard their toilets flush form running water. Drive through any neighborhood in this country and you see cars parked in front of just about every home. I'm STILL looking to see the "mess we're in".

For crying out loud, let's stop bellyaching about "the mess we're in", and start looking around us and thanking God for just how BLESSED we are. Let's try being appreciative for what we have. I see tragedies happening from storms and other natural disasters in other countries where tens of thousands are being killed, and yet I see our Nation blessed with very few fatalities when similar storms and disasters hit here. Go to any Emergency Room in any city and find all of our citizens being treated for things as simple as the common cold.

We are a BLESSED Nation. It's time to stop crying and complaining like a bunch of spoiled brats, and it's time to let the rest of the world know, because they are watching ans listening to us, that the United States of America is the greatest country on this earth, and we love and appreciate all the God has done to protect us and to keep us blessed. So, when all of the politicians and other naysayers start proclaiming just how bad our Country is and what a "mess we are in", stand up and shout it in your loudest voice that we are the most blessed Nation in the world and they need to stop tearing our Country down, go back to Washington and start working TOGETHER, for the good of the people. The next time you hear someone say "with the mess we're in" you tell them just how blessed we are and what a great Nation we live in.

"As the people of a Country think in their hearts, so is the Country". How are you going to think in your heart about our fair Land?

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".