David Bruce Murray
Jan 11, 2010
Food For Thought|Observations
There’s Blunt And There’s Delicate
Several group changes recently have resulted in reports and press releases that left fans with more questions than answers. Once in a while, though, a good example comes along. I want to point out two reports from the past few days that said all that needed to be said in two completely different ways.
Membership changes in the Blackwood Gospel Quartet are fairly routine and usually come with little fanfare, but when Brad Smith left a few days ago, the report got some attention due to this:
Smith gave no reason for his departure other than, “Because I wanted to.”
The other example I’d like to note came today when the Chuck Wagon Gang announced the return of group owner, Shaye Smith to sing alto and the firing of current alto, Kelly Jennings.
Kelly Jennings, of Kingsport, TN was asked to step down so that Shaye could return. Prior to Kelly, Penny Greene, from Morristown, TN sang for a little over two years. “Penny and Kelly have done a great job and have maintained a great rapport with the fans, and we appreciate their contribution to the Chuck Wagon Gang legacy. We wish them well in their future endeavors,” stated Dave Emery.
These are two very different examples, but both effectively address the natural question of “why” that always follows any member’s departure.
Most reports attempt to sell a membership change to the fans while avoiding mentioning the circumstances that brought about the change. Consider the statement issued by Ernie Haase announcing Ryan Seaton’s departure:
It is with sadness and regret that I announce the departure of Ernie Haase & Signature Sound lead singer, Ryan Seaton.
I thank him from the bottom of my heart for all his contributions. We wish Ryan the very best in his personal and professional pursuits, wherever they may lead him.
While one part of my heart is very heavy, the other half is uplifted by the news that Devin McGlamery, from southern gospel’s Grammy-nominated Karen Peck & New River, is joining EHSS as new lead singer!
“Wherever” makes us assume Seaton has no plans, because up until a few days before he probably thought he still had a job. “Sadness and regret” may mean he’ll be missed, or it may mean Ernie just hated going through the process of telling him he was no longer part of the group. On one hand, the fans don’t need to know every detail, but on the other hand, EH&SS has been after fans to relate to their collective personalities from day one.
Other press releases don’t try to gloss over anything. They just simply announce the new member without acknowledging the former member. Fans tend to give groups a pass when the new member is considered to be an obvious improvement over the member being replaced. In the case of Gold City, there was little question about Josh Cobb’s singing ability, and the announcement was coupled with the confirmation that two other popular members had officially joined the group. Chris who?
And then, there are those that fall somewhere in between. When the Gaither Vocal Band announced their big changes about a year ago, the Penrod half was fairly explanatory, but Marshall Hall got a vague brush-off which raised a lot of questions. Members of Gaither’s press writing staff and other group owners/press writers really ought to file away today’s example from the Chuck Wagon Gang for future reference.
