Will Southern Gospel music be Dead in 20 years. (Full Version)

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mossyoak -> Will Southern Gospel music be Dead in 20 years. (7/22/2008 5:36:03 PM)

Let me start by sharing what we saw at the last concert we went to see. It was the Hoppers, the Greenes, and Tribute Qt at Terrel,TX. (Great Concert) 95% of the people there were senior citizens. Not that I have anything against seniors, but we were the only family there with children. We saw less than 10 other children there, and they were with grandparents. The point is, the children of today, for the majority, are not being brought up to like southern gospel music. So where does that leave the industry in 20 years? It will either have to go into a more contemporary style or die out. It seems that the entire SG industry is geared toward seniors anyway. The QT convention is held during the school year when kids are in school and can't come and SG artist are having "Senior Trips." Boy, I sure wish SG would gear up as a whole and target the youth of today.



GVfan -> RE: Will Southern Gospel music be Dead in 20 years. (7/22/2008 5:39:34 PM)

Southern Gospel will be around as long as Christians need encouragement and as long as willing singers sing the gospel. Every generation sees the predominance of "gray hairs" and worries that SG will disappear. It won't. There will be plenty of "gray hairs" in the future to replace the current ones!



Seaton -> RE: Will Southern Gospel music be Dead in 20 years. (7/22/2008 5:56:36 PM)

Donna,
You're right. Southern Gospel artists were singing to 'gray hairs' 30 and 40 years ago. That has always predominantly been the target audience of Southern Gospel music. Usually as people mature [;)], their musical tastes also seem to change. The same can be said of Christian music. I just happen to be part of the younger generation that likes Southern Gospel music. I didn't need to mature...[:D]



Jeff_from_Kentucky -> RE: Will Southern Gospel music be Dead in 20 years. (7/22/2008 6:01:40 PM)

Southern Gospel has supposedly been dying since it started. It will be around for as long as God wants it to be around!



sogospelfan2 -> RE: Will Southern Gospel music be Dead in 20 years. (7/22/2008 6:09:42 PM)

No, I do not believe that Southern Gospel music will ever die. I have always loved SG music but it was not until I was "older" that I had the time and resources to go to concerts and the NQC.

In today's world, young folks with families are stretched to the limits with their children and school activities, working, and keeping a home with all that is involved. They may listen to SG or watch it on TV but traveling a distance to attend a concert is just not always possible. And let's face it, there are many areas of the country where SG groups do not go, therefore it does require travel.

That's just my 2 cents worth[:)] [:)]



Kerrlaw -> RE: Will Southern Gospel music be Dead in 20 years. (7/22/2008 6:20:05 PM)

It won't be dead, just different.



BillBaileyBFAFan -> RE: Will Southern Gospel music be Dead in 20 years. (7/22/2008 6:40:31 PM)

I really dont see southern gospel going anywhere. I see changes. I mean if you pick up most of the top albums today, they bear little resemblence to the 1950's Statesmen and Stamps type music.
I think the talent level rises constantly, as does the songwriting and arrangements. I absolutely love Gold City's Revival, and BFA's Real Faith, both of which are not "traditional" but still very much southern gospel.
I had a friend at work listen to "Mercy Came Running" asking him if it were a CCM song, thinking I had heard it before. His answer was "Yes, but thats a Southern Gospel group singing it". He, having listened to alot of different Christian music could tell immediately that it was a SG group. I asked how, he said the 4 part harmony with the bass singer.
That's why SG music will last. It can bend and mold itself to the singers and styles, but there is that underlying sound, of a male quartet, that just wont go away, no matter what they are singing. I mean look at the Statlers or Oak Ridge Boys, you listen to thier country stuff even, and you hear Southern Gospel in it.
As far as young folks, My 6 yr old and 4 yr old can both sing "Look Who Just Checked In" almost word for word, and absolutely love "Long as I got King Jesus"....
SG will live on in my house.



vidimide -> RE: Will Southern Gospel music be Dead in 20 years. (7/22/2008 6:55:03 PM)

The 6 of you above posters ...well said and AMEN !!

Diane



Qtman -> RE: Will Southern Gospel music be Dead in 20 years. (7/22/2008 6:55:07 PM)

This same question comes up every few months. The answer is Southern Gospel will be around as long as we support it. It has been going continusously for over 60 years with people saying it was going to end. So far it has not. Everybody out there will be a senior citizen if they live long enough and their taste will change in music as they grow older and Southern Gospel will continue.



Kerrlaw -> RE: Will Southern Gospel music be Dead in 20 years. (7/22/2008 7:01:03 PM)

Alright, who woke up Sam.[sm=cooltilt.gif]



Jeff_from_Kentucky -> RE: Will Southern Gospel music be Dead in 20 years. (7/22/2008 7:14:15 PM)

Have y'all noticed this before? While we often have differing opinions and prefences about SG, and sometimes have some very heated disagreements, every time this topic is brought up, all of that goes away and we close ranks and come together!



lordpraiser -> RE: Will Southern Gospel music be Dead in 20 years. (7/22/2008 8:47:48 PM)

Southern Gospel is alive and well with younger people here in Ohio. This is one reason I believe we should support the young artists, local and well known.



vidimide -> RE: Will Southern Gospel music be Dead in 20 years. (7/23/2008 12:18:13 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jeff_from_Kentucky

Have y'all noticed this before? While we often have differing opinions and prefences about SG, and sometimes have some very heated disagreements, every time this topic is brought up, all of that goes away and we close ranks and come together!


[:)] That's 'cause SG fans are "family" and Jesus' Blood is definetly thicker than water.

Jeff...this might work over in the "You Might Be A SG Fan if..."



DeeAnnBailey -> RE: Will Southern Gospel music be Dead in 20 years. (7/23/2008 8:15:15 AM)

Ever notice how as we age we often see things that our parents or grandparents did or said are dead on when we thought we knew better as we were younger? I think that happens a lot around SGM! Now some folks catch on quick that it's good but many folks have to 'grow into it'.



HigherNote4U -> RE: Will Southern Gospel music be Dead in 20 years. (7/23/2008 11:01:50 AM)

"Southern Gospel will be around as long as we support it".

I couldn't have said it better. But, I still feel like we don't do enough to support the artists. If we want to continue to have the option of going to concerts, buying the artists' CD's, etc. then we ALL need to step up in every way that we support them. This is to include prayer as well as our financial support. I have seen so many groups already have to quit because of the financial burden of supporting four singers on the road. Yes, it is a ministry...yet it is also a business. It is very disheartening to have to watch a group give up because they can't make a living doing what they feel God wants them to do. It should also be a wake-up call to us that as we want young people to get into Southern Gospel that they see groups come and go because they can't make a living at it. I'm not a marketing expert, but to me that isn't the best way to represent southern gospel to young singers or musicians.

The same way that we should be supporting our pastors and evangelists is the way that we should be supporting these artists. They are spreading the same good news of Jesus Christ. They have families to support the same as you and I and they deserve to be able to give their families the same luxeries that we also have and want. With fuel, food, and every other expense at all time highs it is more important than ever for all of us to stepup and do what God wants US to do for these artists.



Kerrlaw -> RE: Will Southern Gospel music be Dead in 20 years. (7/23/2008 11:04:19 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: DeeAnnBailey

Ever notice how as we age we often see things that our parents or grandparents did or said are dead on when we thought we knew better as we were younger? I think that happens a lot around SGM! Now some folks catch on quick that it's good but many folks have to 'grow into it'.


Very true.

But I still don't plan on fox hunting or killing my own chickens.[sm=cooltilt.gif]



HigherNote4U -> RE: Will Southern Gospel music be Dead in 20 years. (7/23/2008 11:05:02 AM)

And this also goes for the posters that constantly say that there are not enough groups with full live bands. There is just no way of supporting this type of band on what they bring in night after night....unless of course you are Bill Gaither. But even he doesn't do this 4-5 nights per week. And he charges a minimum of $40-50 per ticket too.



JDFan -> RE: Will Southern Gospel music be Dead in 20 years. (7/23/2008 4:11:50 PM)

I think Southern Gospel will be dead or near dead in 20 years if the industry continues to try and change Southern Gospel in conscious attempt to "appeal to younger audiences".

A great portion of the groups in SG today are going to contemporary and p&w music in attempt to get in the larger churches. We are already a heavily track-dependent industry as it is. This approach could alienate our older audiences and it won't please the younger ones anyway. The larger churches can simply use the P&W bands they already have, rather than one of our "top industry groups" singing that style of music.

The kind of music that was appealing 30+ years ago is still appealing today. And groups like Gold City, Gaither Vocal Band, Isaacs, the Booth Brothers, and the Talleys have been innovative while remaining true to our roots.

Traditional groups like the Chuck Wagon Gang, Florida Boys, Melody Boys, Dixie Echoes, Dixie Melody Boys, and others are more increasingly getting shut out by the industry promoters, radio stations, recording companies, and businessmen who want to "appeal to the youth", when in fact, several of these groups really don't need our industry support to begin with.

I don't know why people have a problem with seeing a lot of gray-haired people in the audience. They usually bring the most money to the product table. The audience was old 25 years ago, it's old today....it's definitely not the same audience.

If Southern Gospel wants to be dead in 20 years, it can continue to move in the direction it is currently going. If it wants to keep alive, it can return back to basics, remember where it came from, strive for quality, and manage itself as an industry instead of a glorified ministry, and it should do pretty well.



Jeff_from_Kentucky -> RE: Will Southern Gospel music be Dead in 20 years. (7/23/2008 4:53:28 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: JDFan

I think Southern Gospel will be dead or near dead in 20 years if the industry continues to try and change Southern Gospel in conscious attempt to "appeal to younger audiences".


Actually, it is the record companies that are trying to change it. Fortunately, you have folks like Gerald Wolfe and Scott Fowler who are still fairly young and won't go the way the record labels want them to because they know what God wants them to do.

As long as we have people like Gerald and Scott around, and there are many more out there than just those two, SG will continue on.



quaidnewcome -> RE: Will Southern Gospel music be Dead in 20 years. (7/23/2008 5:35:31 PM)

Wow! Praise the Lord, SOMEBODY FINALLY SAID IT! Totally agree with you JDFan.
Really, the truth of the matter is that most of the Southern Gospel groups are struggeling to make it, while the groups that have left the genre are the ones the record lables and some promoters push. Bias? Perhaps. Discrimnation? Who knows?
Qiute simply, Southern Gospel is repeatedly "shooting itself in it's foot'. The more it's 'shot', the less chances it has for survival.
No, I'm in NO way a pessimist in regard to Southern Gospel's future. God will keep it going till he says that it's mission has been accomplished. Let's just hope and pray that God would choose to use it 'till the day we're all gone from here and will be forever in His presence. Amen.

quote:

ORIGINAL: JDFan

I think Southern Gospel will be dead or near dead in 20 years if the industry continues to try and change Southern Gospel in conscious attempt to "appeal to younger audiences".

A great portion of the groups in SG today are going to contemporary and p&w music in attempt to get in the larger churches. We are already a heavily track-dependent industry as it is. This approach could alienate our older audiences and it won't please the younger ones anyway. The larger churches can simply use the P&W bands they already have, rather than one of our "top industry groups" singing that style of music.

The kind of music that was appealing 30+ years ago is still appealing today. And groups like Gold City, Gaither Vocal Band, Isaacs, the Booth Brothers, and the Talleys have been innovative while remaining true to our roots.

Traditional groups like the Chuck Wagon Gang, Florida Boys, Melody Boys, Dixie Echoes, Dixie Melody Boys, and others are more increasingly getting shut out by the industry promoters, radio stations, recording companies, and businessmen who want to "appeal to the youth", when in fact, several of these groups really don't need our industry support to begin with.

I don't know why people have a problem with seeing a lot of gray-haired people in the audience. They usually bring the most money to the product table. The audience was old 25 years ago, it's old today....it's definitely not the same audience.

If Southern Gospel wants to be dead in 20 years, it can continue to move in the direction it is currently going. If it wants to keep alive, it can return back to basics, remember where it came from, strive for quality, and manage itself as an industry instead of a glorified ministry, and it should do pretty well.



quaidnewcome -> RE: Will Southern Gospel music be Dead in 20 years. (7/23/2008 5:39:43 PM)

DOUBLE AMEN, AMEN & AMEN AND AMEN.
quote:

ORIGINAL: Jeff_from_Kentucky

Actually, it is the record companies that are trying to change it.



HigherNote4U -> RE: Will Southern Gospel music be Dead in 20 years. (7/23/2008 8:24:53 PM)

Yeah...let's all pretend like we have no role in this and blame it all on the record companies and big labels. No offense, but the ones under these labels are the ones that are thriving. These labels didn't get where they are by making foolish business decisions like going against their better judgement and driving 8 hours to sing for a love offering that barely pays for their fuel. Ask Bill Gaither to come sing for a love offering and see what he says. The point is that he doesn't lower his standards, which would in time be the downfall of his group/business/ministry. Period.

We have to accept that the burden of keeping these groups on the road is ours for the most part....or we can keep being "blind" and put the blame on others.



utilityfielder -> RE: Will Southern Gospel music be Dead in 20 years. (7/23/2008 8:38:53 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: HigherNote4U

And this also goes for the posters that constantly say that there are not enough groups with full live bands. There is just no way of supporting this type of band on what they bring in night after night....unless of course you are Bill Gaither. But even he doesn't do this 4-5 nights per week. And he charges a minimum of $40-50 per ticket too.



It amazes me how cheap tickets are for SG concerts. No wonder they can't travel with live bands.



hopperfan -> RE: Will Southern Gospel music be Dead in 20 years. (7/23/2008 9:10:35 PM)

To be honest, I agree with the others that have said Southern Gospel music will never die. God's word needs to be proclaimed, and He has called these singers and musicians to "preach" the word through song. So as long as God's word needs to be preached, and He calls on those to sing and play, well Southern Gospel music will never die.



KingsmenQuartetFan -> RE: Will Southern Gospel music be Dead in 20 years. (7/23/2008 11:36:41 PM)

I dont think SG will be dead in 20 years. I like the old time way of singing and thats what is going to keep SG alive. I know the old time way of singing(quartet style)got me started loving SG. We the fans must attend concerts, purchase CDs and other merchandise to support the groups. I know SG has the best fanbase in the world of music because the artists are so humble that they make the fan feel like friends.



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