Which groups do you like?

Yep, sure is!

I think, actually, that it is more popular in some areas than others. And among certain groups of people more than others. Some Christian bookstores don't carry very much of it, but others do. There are also some online SGM stations.

 

If I had voted, the only ones I would have voted for were Steven Curtis Chapman and Michael W. Smith. But then, I didn't vote because none of them are my favorites.

I think so many like me didn't vote because we love Southern Gospel and hardly ever listen to CCM. Yes, SGM is still very much around, but those who listen to CCM don't want to admit it. You spend so much time putting SGM down and I'll bet you don't even know what it sounds like. My son listens to CCM, but he also likes some of my SGM. We do tolerate each other's choices and never put either down.

By the way, I know who most of your choices are, so I guess I am more aware of gospel music genres than some here. I also do not like hip-hop, rap or rock gospel.

Just my two cents worth since you obviously didn't mean for any Southern Gospel Music fans to respond to this.

 

Well, the only one I voted for was Third Day. They have a good sound, they lay down a nice groove sometimes, and have a great lead singer, but they desperatly need for someone to teach one of the guitar players how to play a good extended lead guitar solo.

Really, I dont listen to hardly any christian radio. Its waaaay too much "pop" oriented, and waaaay too much "vocal" oriented. To me the main thing with music is instrumental improvisation, not the singing. Of course, the singing is where we sing about Jesus Christ, and thats the main thing. But put some improvised solos in there, too! God will not strike you dead if you do. It wll actually bless Him if you are playing it for Him.

My favorite "contemporary" christian groups are ones that probably most young people have never heard of. Iona. Edens Bridge. Phil Keaggy. Phil Driscoll. Thats probably about it.

I listen to much more Praise and Worship than CCM. To me thats pretty much what the hippies were after when they converted and started singing and playing for Jesus. I love the Vineyard "Winds of Worship" stuff. And the "Cafe" and "Acoustic Worship" recordings they were putting out a few years ago. Some Integrity Praise and Worship is good, but others sound like Pop stuff.

I play guitar and dobro in a gospel bluegrass group and just love gospel bluegrass. There used to be a very talented gospel bluegrass group called New Tradition that were very good...but I think they broke up. I was listening to a recording by the gospel bluegrass group The Cox Family earlier today, and it brought tears to me eyes 3 or 4 times.

I have about a 10 second toleration for any form of Rap ...before I run screaming from the room.

I know kids are "rapping" for Jesus, and I'm glad they are. I hope God blesses and uses each one of them. But I cant be within earshot of it while its going on.

Well, you ask me a question and I write a book!

God bless,

Mike

 

I was scanning around the Baptist Board and found this thread. I've found it amusing at times that one defense mechanism CCM supporters use is a kind of rebuke for those who criticize CCM, and yet don't mind turning around and criticizing other "genres".

Anyway I noticed "you people" who like southern gospel "whining" about this poll, so I created one for fans of southern gospel music. I'm not up on all the newest groups, but consulted Singing News and some posts in the Music Ministry forum for some of the newer popular groups. You may find the new poll here:

SGM - which groups do you like?

 

What is the "criticizm" of Southern Gospel music by CCM folks?

I like some Southern Gospel music, as long as its not "quartet" singing. I am a huge fan of The Isaacs. I like the The Spencers. Some of Walt Mills stuff is really good.

I'm just curious what the criticizm is? Is it that they all sound the same?

Mike

 

Some examples from BB threads in the MM forum
"...SG just irks me!"
"I can't stand what is known as Southern Gospel. It's too akin to C&W music and I am not too keen of that brand either. Now I know that this is not a popular position to hold here in the deep South where I live, but I guess my objections to this type of song comes from the fact that I once attended a church as a guest on Sunday morning and the choir sang all Southern Gospel with gigantic overhead speakers that were turned up so that the windows rattled and my ears hurt with nearly every chord. The choir sang a song about 'look at me I'm a Christian' and it about iked me to go to church to worship the Lord just to find that these people were not looking at Jesus but looking to themselves and considered that a good way to be. Southern Gospel is for secular audiences and not for sacred congregations, imo, and that goes for any C&W (cry in your beer) music as well."
"We keep tearing down the ccm; its not the problem. Old people are [the ones] who want to run the church and torture us with southern gospel."
"My head throbs with southern gospel."
"...the same studio musicians who back up such Southern Gospel favorites as Gold City and Legend 7 (or something like that) also play on albums by mainstream artists like Jimmy Buffett, Shania Twain, Hank Williams, Jr and others."
"What is my generation supposed to listen to? Most of us don't like hymns and southern gospel."

My main point was not about the substance of the criticisms, nor to say that there aren't some legitimate criticisms of southern gospel - but to point out the inconsistency of those who say it's just about liking a certain genre of music, therefore don't criticize mine, then turning around and criticizing someone elses.

 

I'm with RookiePastor and a few others.I like SGM & Bluegrass Gospel, & I love quartets.

 

rlvaughn,

I asked what the criticism of Southern Gospel is, and you posted...

And you then said...

Some of those quotes came across as being posted by someone very young. Maybe 13 or 14, and possibly not very mature in their christian walk. Theres nothing wrong with having personal likes and dislikes of course, but you are right...there is a glaring inconsistency in some of those posts.

The one comment about the singers singing a song about "Look at me, I'm a christian" was just plain silly.

I dont know what song they are referring to, or what the actual lyrics were, but from my experience the lyrics of Southern Gospel songs are generally just fine. Many times the lyrics are absolutly exceptional. And just about everyone I have met in the Southern Gospel community has a good grasp on biblical truth, and is generally walking as consistently as anyone else is in their christian life.

Southern Gospel "Quartet" singing doesnt turn my crank at all, but there are other styles of Southern Gospel...like The Isaacs and The Spencers...that I really enjoy a lot.

God bless,

Mike

 

Mike, thanks for your post. Some of the younger folks have gotten the idea that we (old) folks want to keep them from singing CCM in church and it just ain't true. In my church we give our young people the opportunity to sing whenever they want, but there aren't too many who are willing. We applaud everyone who uses his talents for God and have never put down anyone for their choice of music; even those who can't carry a tune for anything.

My church choir has never sang any Southern Gospel songs during services. We sing songs from the hymnals or more modern songbooks. We also encourage our Youth Choir to sing whatever they choose as long as it is suitable for service.

I really doubt if a secular (beer drinking) audience would be listening to a Southern Gospel concert. Most of the folks I know who go to SGM concerts are dedicated Christians who strive daily to walk in Christ's footsteps. SGM and C and W music are as different as night and day. But, if you never listen to either, I don't suppose you would or could know the difference.

My statement that SGM fans weren't supposed to vote in this poll was made due to the fact that no SGM groups were in the poll. No SGM fan could vote for someone they aren't a fan of, and the post did not distinguish the fact that the poll consisted of CCM artists only.

All I can say is "Young people, when all us (old) folks are gone, you can sing and play any kind of music you like all the time, but, by then you won't care for the kind of music your young people are singing and playing. It is always generational".

 

Amen, Delly!

To me, Southern Gospel is a downer. Oh, I know, a lot of it is upbeat, and all that. But, I gotta be honest with you...I am a big southern guy who despises country music...and Southern Gospel is a tad too close to that for me.

I realize that many in these parts don't care for CCM, and that several of that crowd quickly questions the salvation of anyone who listens to this "worldly" music. Oh well, their loss.

I grew up buried deep within secular music. Music is the language that stirs my soul. To this day I can sing along with almost every song on an '80's station...or late '70's/early '80's heavy metal. Not a fact that I broadcast to those around me, but the truth is the truth.

After I came to know the Lord, I tried to get into the SGM/hymn thing...but it wasn't me. I sung in the choir at church, but listened to my secular music everywhere else. But, finally, a brother in Christ introduced me to some quality CCM (Avalon, Steven Curtis Chapman, Third Day), and I knew I had found my place.

If someone doesn't care for the music I love, that is their preference. If I don't care for someone else's choice of music, then that is my preference. I won't condemn anyone for their choice, and I do not feel that I should be condemned for mine.

In Christ,
Trotter

 

Normally, I would agree with you. But if you listen to Shai Linne's rap songs, they're really very good, theologically.