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Dave's Top Eight
1. Jerry Reed...Revisited by Darrell Toney (reviewed 6/07) (5 Stars) Click title to purchase at CBD.com...click artist name to read Dave's Review. A CD will automatically fall out of the Top Eight after twelve months if no CD surpasses it before then.
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Most Recent Articles
Why blog? (Three years and counting)
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-----------August 16, 2007Why blog? (Three years and counting)The first Musicscribe blog post was written nearly three years ago in late 2004. The subject title..."Why Blog?" In 2005, I attempted to narrow the focus of the blog, avoiding current news and personal opinion articles. What followed was a period of CD reviews and history articles. The history stuff ultimately became an entirely separate website, SGHistory.com, which is growing by leaps and bounds every week. Returning to the original question three years later, I'd say I still blog for the same reasons I gave then. I can probably put a more direct point on it, though. I'll give the short version first, and then the expanded version will follow. In a nutshell, I blog to pass along useful information about Southern Gospel to my readers. Granted, I've gone back to offering more of my personal observations now that the history articles have another home. Sometimes, I'll address a standard news story as well, but I'm more likely to write about my own experiences. If you factor out everything this blog isn't, whatever remains, however illogical, must define what it is. (Apologies to Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle.) The Musicscribe blog isn't, and has never been: 1. a Southern Gospel news site (at least not on a fundamental level...see below for one type of exception). 2. a place I try to get out my "feelings," so I can put them behind me and get on with my life. 3. a diary where I share the mundane or exciting (depending on your perspective) events of my day. 4. a game to try to make famous people look silly. (I try to reserve comment until they look silly on their own.) 5. a duty. I do make a conscious effort to post with enough frequency that people will check back from time to time, but I see no point in hammering out a slew of posts just to fill space when I really have nothing to say. Here one I almost included on the "isn't" list before I realized I honestly couldn't and quite frankly, shouldn't. 1. an attempt to impress my readers that I'm fairly intelligent. (That's not vanity speaking. I well aware that I'm no Solomon, but I can't honestly say I want people to think I'm stupid, now can I?) The Musicscribe blog is: 1. an attempt to positively influence the Southern Gospel industry. I try to affirm as often as I chide...I really do try. 2. a resource readers can use to inform themselves before purchasing specific Southern Gospel CDs (even if they disagree with my conclusion). 3. a collection of fun and cool items I've seen. (By "cool," I do NOT mean chain emails.) 4. an occasional news story that I research and write because I happen to be curious. 5. a place to report on concert events I attend. 6. a place to inform would-be artists on the basics of the music business. 7. a great way for me to get a steady supply of free music. (What can I say? That's probably the main perk to having this site.) Labels: Explanations August 13, 2007Ad Improvement Contest Winner Keith Waggoner of the Liberty Quartet is the winner of the Ad Improvement Contest. Keith will be receiving the Gaither Vocal Band's Give It Away CD as his prize in the next few days. Congratulations Keith! Labels: Contest August 7, 2007Civil War In Four MinutesIn just four minutes, this animated video shows the entire war between the states (rendered at one week per second). This item was created for the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. I know this has nothing to do with Southern Gospel music, but I still like to pass along cool stuff whenever I find out about it. I agree with one person who commented on the video. It would be interesting to see this same sort of animation applied to other great wars in our history. By the way, the haunting music that accompanies the video is Jay Unger's "Ashokan Farewell." It was first heard as the title theme for the Ken Burns special, The Civil War. Labels: Video Clips How Many Ways Can You Avoid Saying "Gold City?"How many ways can you avoid using the words "Gold City" while simultaneously milking the reputation of the organization for every ounce of publicity it's worth? I just got this press release from Daywind Records. AN EVENING OF GOLDEN MOMENTS Artists Gather to Remember A Golden Era Birmingham, AL (August 7, 2007) – Buno Productions presents An Evening Of Golden Moments with three of Gospel music’s leading artists. On August 27, 2007, Daywind Records’ artists, Brian Free and Garry Jones and Horizon Records’ artist, Ivan Parker will take center stage, together, at the Bessemer Civic Center in Bessemer, AL, for an evening of music and memories. “It’s been a long time since Brian, Ivan and I were together on the same stage,” stated Jones. “We’ve shared many wonderful moments and memories together through the years. It was a very special time and I am excited about performing with my friends again.” These three friends toured extensively together throughout the 80’s and early 90’s before venturing into their individual musical careers. Garry Jones currently performs and records with Mercy’s Mark; Brian Free is scheduled to release his latest record with Brian Free and Assurance this fall, while Ivan Parker tours extensively promoting his solo recording. The profound and historical impact their music made on Southern Gospel is still talked about today. Along with a live band, this concert will feature many popular songs from that golden era including “I Think I’ll Read It Again,” “John Saw,” “When I Get Carried Away,” and “Midnight Cry.” With special guest performances by Brian Free and Assurance and Mercy’s Mark, this will be a night of celebration you won’t want to miss. I fully understand why a press release such as this would avoid refering to the event as a "Gold City Reunion." It isn't an official Gold City reunion, obviously...just an event where three former members of the group will be appearing. What I don't get is the tiptoeing around any direct use of the name. "These three friends toured extensively together throughout the 80’s (sic) and early 90’s (sic)" Now, what would be wrong with adding "as members of the award winning group, Gold City" to that sentence? Nothing at all. It's a simple statement of fact. Maybe they're trying to avoid upsetting the current owners of Gold City, but there's little argument to be made with merely stating what we all know to be true. Labels: Observations August 6, 2007Tim Surrett and Balsam Range This past weekend when the Carolina Quartet was in Burnsville, NC performing and providing sound for all the other performers at the Mount Mitchell Crafts Fair, someone mentioned that Tim Surrett is playing bluegrass again. I did a little digging just now and found out the group Tim has joined is called Balsam Range. They have a website. They've already shared the stage with the likes of Rhonda Vincent and Tony Rice. Not shabby! There's some audio clips of the band to be heard. (Click here, here, here, here, and then here.) This stuff was recorded in Rutherford County (where I live) at the studios of radio station, WNCW. The website also has some NTG video. (NTG=not too good=shaky, hard to see, shot from a balcony) The full list of band members includes: Marc Pruett (Banjo), Caleb Smith (Guitar), Darren Nicholson (Mandolin), Tim Surrett (Bass), and Buddy Melton (Fiddle). Some time ago, I caught some flack from Kingsmen fans for saying Surrett's best music was made during his stint with the Isaacs. Sure, he loves Southern Gospel, and Southern Gospel loves him for all the work he did with the Kingsmen. Vocally, however, Southern Gospel, and the Kingsmen's style in particular was killing him. In a bluegrass setting, he excels. I guess I got my wish when I said I hoped he'd find his way back to bluegrass. Labels: audio, Observations CD Rated: Jimmy Dooley (Things Are Looking Different)Artist: Jimmy Dooley Title: Things Are Looking Different RATING: 3 1/2 Stars Nutshell Analysis: Jimmy Dooley writes all ten songs on Things Are Looking Different, sings them, and for good measure, produces the recording. He's a very good songwriter and a decent enough singer when it comes to certain songs. This CD stumbles mostly due to his production and vocal arranging choices...too busy instrumentation, overdone effects, sometimes odd background vocal parts, and sometimes buried lead vocals. As a collection that song-smith Dooley is pitching to other artists, this CD is fine. As a retail ready recording, it really could have used an independent ear in the studio calling some of the shots. Labels: CD Rated Imperials "All That Matters To The Lord"I just read that the Imperials have released "All That Matters To The Lord" as a single for Southern Gospel radio. This is a fun, lighthearted song with a retro, 1960s feel. If you're a DJ reading this, I'd encourage you to give this song some spins. I don't think it's a potential number one or anything like that, but it sounds different enough from most of the current material that it should stand out on your play list. Labels: Observations August 4, 2007Ad Improvement Contest Evel Kneivel... stuntman... daredevil... scooter salesman? I suppose it's the ultimate sad ending to a glorious career. I really thought the Pride Legend company could have done a better job with the photo, though. Whenever Evel is photographed holding a set of handlebars, he ought to be jumping SOMETHING. Even if it's just a Tonka truck. After all, this man broke almost every bone in his body for OUR entertainment. When he's dead and gone, shouldn't he be remembered with a photo that looks at least a LITTLE more menacing than this? This led me to an idea. How about a contest? If you'd like to enter, here's all you need to do: 1. Edit the photo using your favorite photo editing software. 2. Email your entry to me along with your name and mailing address before midnight (EDT), August 11, 2007. I'll pick my favorite and post it here. Oh, yeah...the winner will get a free CD...my choice, and of course, my decision is final. UPDATE (August 6): Hmm...so far the entries ain't exactly pouring in. Maybe I was wrong when I thought some of you would want to have some fun with this. There's five days left...any takers? Labels: Contest July 30, 2007Don't Want No Gospel MusicSome guy with a blog sez: I know that some people like the worship music and the singing before the service, but frankly to me it seems like all fluff. Just get on with it, for crying out loud. I came to here the Word of God preached, not to hear 400 year old hymns and music that makes me think I turned 85 yesterday and forgot my own birthday because I am so old. Now, I don’t think there is anything wrong with this type of music or worship style, it simply isn’t for me. If it works for you, then great. But give me some loud rock-n-roll worship music and see how many more lost people you will reach because they don’t wanna listen to the tired Baptist Hymnal songs, no matter how many times you re-write them over and over again. To which I replied... That's pretty harsh. I believe history would indicate that God uses many various tools to draw people, including music. Music and preaching definitely shouldn't be viewed as being at odds...nor should one style over another. We're on the same side. As long as the message of the Gospel isn't diluted, I applaud the efforts of those with a traditional music background as well as those who take a more up-to-date approach. I'm a stickler for quality in the music I like, but at the same time, I realize it's about more than just my personal taste. It's not a great idea to assume everyone shares your tastes, particularly when you're talking about lost people's tastes and the main topic at hand is music. Besides, I've never been entirely convinced the primary purpose of Christian music is evangelism. We may like to pretend that's the case, but in practice, the primary purpose of Christian music seems to be more about giving praise to God (which is laudable) and entertaining existing Christians (which is worthwhile as well). Labels: Other Blogs July 28, 2007Word Reps' Canaan Comments Shot DownThere's a news story on Reuters that more or less shoots down the info Daniel Mount was given at a trade convention a few weeks ago regarding the immediate future of Canaan Records. On the question of whether or not Canaan's music will be available in digital formats, there's a quote by Dean Hopper: Dean Hopper said he's particularly excited about the label's digital initiatives. "The digital age is here. How are we going to compete? How are we going to move our music into the future? I think Word has got the best handle on that." Granted, there are no details and Daniel's question was regarding back catalog, not the Hoppers. At the very least, though, it appears Canaan will make sure the music of the Hoppers is available via digital distribution channels. Let's hope they consider their old material worthy of digital distribution as well. Another sentence that caught my attention addressed Daniel's question of whether or not Canaan plans to sign artists other than the Hoppers. Rod Riley used to be my telephone rep at Provident back when I worked in Christian retail. Rod followed his father-in-law from Provident to Word, and he's now Word's Senior Vice President of marketing. In this Reuters article, the final sentence quotes Rod: Riley said the label is negotiating with other artists and will announce additional signings soon. This is good news. What artists would you go after if you were making signing decisions for Canaan Records? Leave a comment with your "advice" to the label. Labels: In The News, Observations Carolina Quartet's New CD - Faith Family & Freedom As most of my regular readers probably know already, I play keyboard for the Carolina Quartet whenever my schedule permits. We have a brand spanking new CD releasing very soon. Titled Faith, Family & Freedom, this recording features a number of Country Gospel classics. This project was recorded at Son Sound studios in Gastonia, NC. The excellent David Johnson created the tracks. You can preview a couple of the songs from the CD on our MySpace page. Click HERE. Our lead singer, Scott Whitener, produced Faith, Family, & Freedom. I brought in several ideas for songs to record early in the process, and five of them ended up on the CD. I was very pleased to have that type of input on the recording, and now that the final mixes are done, I'm delighted to see how the final versions of the songs turned out. The Carolina Quartet plays all sorts of venues...malls, outdoor festivals, civic auditoriums, and of course, churches. A couple of our upcoming dates include the Mount Mitchell Arts And Crafts Festival in Burnsville, NC and a women's prison facility, for example. The vast variety of people who hear our music influenced the song selection for Faith, Family, & Freedom significantly. When you're playing music for a town square full of people who come from all walks of life, many of them will more readily identify with a song like "I Saw The Light." Faith, Family, & Freedom is a cover project, but we didn't want it to cover too many of the songs that have been hashed and rehashed to death in the past. The focus of Faith, Family, & Freedom is faith, but it's also a set of snapshots that reflect how a Christian faith impacts our families and our freedom. The first two songs, "Walk On Faith" and "An American Family," define the topical scope of this CD. You may remember the original versions of these songs, recorded by Mike Reid and the Oak Ridge Boys respectively. Other song titles include "Try a Little Kindness," "You're My Best Friend," "'Nuff Said," "The Other Side," "Angels Watching Over Me," "Write Your Name," "I Saw the Light," and "The Home Stretch." (Yes, there's practically an Oak Ridge Boys tribute happening here.) Most of you who read this blog only know me from my writing. I'd enjoy meeting some of you at a concert setting. Check out our schedule page to see if we'll be in your area. As you can see from our schedule, we primarily perform in the Carolinas, but we'll most likely venture into a neighboring state or two before the end of the year. A few more dates for the fall are currently being finalized, so check it again in a couple of weeks if you don't see a nearby date right now. (Our touring is necessarily limited, due to the fact that Scott is a Wesleyan minister, Chris Roberts is a music minister at a large church, and I'm a minister of music as well.) Labels: Announcements July 26, 2007Old Records And Songbooks For SaleThrough SGHistory.com, I frequently get requests for info on where to purchase old records and print music. I don't know if this is a recent addition to SGMA.org or not. I'd never noticed it before. The Southern Gospel Music Association now has old records (and songbooks and old issues of Singing News) for sale via what I assume is a toll telephone number (865 prefix). The titles and prices are listed online. Now THIS is a service SG collectors and fans should embrace wholeheartedly. The SGMA started out strong by selling prints from commissioned Mitchell Tolle paintings that featured famous artists (the Lister print is my favorite). Then their fund-raising efforts became focused on stuffed bears and celebrity baseball games during NQC in Louisville. (This may be the last year for the ball game, by the way. They're tearing down the stadium next year.) In comparison, dealing in old records and other classic products makes a lot of sense. What better way to raise funds for maintaining the SGMA than by selling the very history you're preserving? The prices are great, too, ranging from $2 to $15. I do wish they would include some indication of the quality. Update (8:32 PM, 07/26/07): Daniel Mount sez: This has been up for a year or more. I've purchased from it before, and was very pleased with the records I got. However, the page is hopelessly outdated--there is a record for sale there that I tried to purchase but was told was out of stock several months ago. Well, that stinks. There's not much point in doing something like this if you aren't going to bring it up to date once a month or so. Labels: Announcements Are All Hearts And Minds In Agreement?I just discovered a blog that interests me. The author doesn't give his name, but his byline is "TheGodFearingFiddler." He used to play fiddle in a Southern Gospel group. His favorite musical genres are "sacred/traditional chant (especially Eastern/Byzantine) and southern gospel/bluegrass." It gets more interesting... His uncle is a professional in "one of the most well known Southern Gospel groups." Which one? He's a recent convert to Catholicism. He "can quote the entire gospel of Mark in the NIV from start to finish (takes about 2 hours)." He's translating a Jarai/English dictionary for a people group indigenous to Vietnam. This is not your stereotypical Southern Gospel fan...or is it? I just learned enough about him to realize he's not at all like me, but I'd sure like to know what group he played for and his uncle's name. When you attend a Southern Gospel concert, do you assume the rest of the audience is a lot like you? I do to a certain degree. Sure, I realize there's variations in denominations and probably some "minor issues," but we're all obviously Christians who enjoy the same type of music. At least, those are the first thoughts that pop into my mind. I'm a Southern Baptist, for example. I know various other denominations are represented at any concert I attend, but I naturally assume most of them are Southern Baptists like me...or if the crowd gets lively and someone takes a running fit, I assume most of them are some pentecostal variant. The truth is, they may be 90% Southern Baptist or 10% Southern Baptist regardless of the situation. I really have no way of knowing for sure, short of a poll being taken. I think I'd enjoy finding out how everyone around me compares and contrasts on various issues, but it just isn't possible given the number of people who are randomly in a room on any given night and the limited time I have to speak with each of them. At least, I can never know what they think in the same sense that God does. Come to think of it, maybe it's better if I don't know too many details. Many lengthy and tiresome discussions are probably avoided when we don't realize a disagreement exists. This reminds me of a joke: Two guys meet on a bridge and start comparing their similarities. They discover, to their pleasant surprise, that they are the same faith, the same denomination, the same creed, and the same constitution. However, when one man learns the other subscribes to conclusions of a church council that met in 1879 rather than the council that met in 1856, he exclaims, "Heretic!" and pushes him into the raging river far below. Isn't that the way it is most of the time? People who align themselves with various groups usually don't even agree with everything the group as a whole claims to represent. When we all meet "in one accord," whether it's at a public concert or at a worship service in our own church, I believe most of us tend to project our own religion, values, morality, ethics, and doctrines on to those around us. That is, unless you're rubbed the wrong way, in which case you leap to the opposite conclusion, that everyone there disagrees with you on everything...which is equally wrong. The truth must lie somewhere in between. Labels: Observations, Other Blogs 
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