Southern Gospel Music Online

Music has a universal language and it can express any emotion and feeling. Music says different things for different people, but the universally acknowledged thing is that music can express anything. Gospel music is a kind of music that is traditionally been sung to express faith, devotion and praise to god. The genre of gospel music is characterized by dominant vocals and strong use of harmony of a religious nature. Gospel music is more particular to Christianity. Gospel music was created by the exponents of African American churches during the 1930s. Gospel music is said to have originated during the enslavement of the African. At that time they were not allowed to pray openly and even if they were permitted they had to do it with their masters. It is due to this, that they started to pray secretly, for organizing meetings unknown to others. Here they developed their own hymns and music for the prayers and later this came to be known as Gospel Music.

In Gospel Music, the instrument most commonly used is drum, electric guitar and electric bass guitar. Sister Rosetta Tharpe is one of the most popular gospel singers. She was extremely popular and remained so till the 40s when she drew huge number of fans from all walks of life to see her perform live the gospel songs for them. She performed live across several venues in the United States, so the reach of her music was huge and confined to some particular territories. Though gospel music was started by African Americans, but the hymns spread worldwide. Now you can find this music being played and sung all over the world. Gospel music has several genres which were developed by the lovers of this music in the last few years. The reach of music has always been world wide and Gospel Music is no exception to this.

The first category under gospel music is urban contemporary gospel music and this genre was popularized by the southern slaves who sang the song to praise their gods. In the20s artists like Arizona Danes and other prevailing preachers of Christianity made huge contributions towards making Gospel Music popular. They started making a record of gospel music in a style that molded traditional hymns with blues and boogie woogie style with the inclusion of drums and other musical instruments. Southern gospel is another category under gospel music which is also huge popular. Like all other forms of music Gospel Music has also evolved a lot over the years. Today many new instruments and sounds have been added to this form of music, and the basic idea behind this being to make the music popular.

Some bands like The Mike and Kelly Bowling group, the Crabb family, The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir and the Three Brides have incorporated the new beats and style to this song. They perform regularly and that too to sell out crowds. A number of radio stations also broadcast Gospel Music making this a popular form of music among the younger generation of today.

Jeff and Sheri Easter are perhaps Southern Gospel and Christian Country music’s favorite couple. After 23 years of marriage, millions of miles on the road and numerous albums and awards, Jeff smiles when he talks about their latest Southern Gospel album, “Life Is Great and Getting’ Better”. “I think that it is the best CD that we’ve ever done. We’ve put so much into it.”

“Livin’ In The Rain” is the follow up single from the “Life is Great and Getting’ Better” album. Coming on the heels of Jeff and Sheri Easters number one Southern Gospel song, “Over and Over” it captures the spirit of this wonderful couple. “Livin In The Rain describes how Jeff and Sheri Easter like to record music as far as the feeling of it.” Comments Sheri. “I’m blessed and honest to goodness life is great and getting better! We feel like we are so blessed. We are just soaking up the blessings of the Lord”.

“Livin In The Rain features Sheri Easter backed by the Florida Boys and Vince Gill. “Originally when it started we had Allison Krauss in mind to sing with Sheri as a duet.” Jeff explains. “But she was busy producing Alan Jackson at the time and it didn’t work out. Our producer said what about Vince Gill? I said that would be awesome but I don’t think he knows us. So he called Vince and a couple of weeks later called back.”

One song that really stands out on “Life Is Great and Getting Better”, is entitled “Joshua’s Song”. This song was written by Sheri Easter and was inspired by one of her young fan’s (Joshua Lee Young) battle with cancer. This song will bring a tear to the eye of every Southern Gospel music fan that listens to it.

Jeff and Sheri Easter’s album,” Life Is Great and Getting Better”, contains twelve songs that are sure to please a variety of listeners. Songs such as “I Wouldn’t Change You If I Could”, “Daddy Hung The Moon” and “Old Chuck of Coal” are some of my favorites. It is a wonderful album.

Mark Bishop is Southern Gospel music’s best singer-songwriters. During his time with the Bishops and as a soloist, Mark has been providing Southern Gospel music fans with top-notch music. His latest release, “Abundant Sunshine” out shines even his highly regarded last album, “Everyday” which was nominated for a Dove Award for Country Album of the Year and produced several Southern Gospel hits as well.

Mark Bishop wrote all eleven songs on “Abundant Sunshine”. “As a Southern Gospel song writer, I’ve got to much to say and after 23 years of marriage, I can’t get anybody else to listen.” Mark laughs.

“Abundant Sunshine” is a Southern Gospel album that is centered around the promise of a better day, heaven, that we have in Christ. “In Christian music you hear a lot about when you’re going though trials or hard times about ‘walking in the valley’ or ‘being under the clouds’ or ‘on the stormy seas’”, Mark remarks. “Of course in your Christian walk, as you endeavor through life and you face trials and hardships and worries and concerns, for the Christian there is always the promise that we have abundant sunshine waiting for us on the other side. The promise that we are going to have a dawn after the long dark night.”

A Southern Gospel Album With A Theme

The eleven songs on Mark Bishop’s, “Abundant Sunshine” album are centered around a theme. “As you listen to this album it has a continuity to it.”, Mark states. “ It begins with ‘Abundant Sunshine Part One’, then there are a lot of songs that take you through the journey of being a Christian. Then when you get to the end, there’s kind of a celebration of arriving at that abundant sunshine”.

Some of my favorite songs on “Abundant Sunshine” include the story songs “Written On A Tree” and “This Is Where Needed Things Are Found”. Both songs highlight Mark’s incredible song writing skill. “Put Wings Upon Your Problems” is another song about prayer in the lines of “Jesus Listens” and “Can I Pray For You”. “Put Wings Upon Your Problems” is “just one more song about prayer because prayer is real present and heavy in my heart right now trying to raise my daughters”, Mark laughs.

Mark Bishop has been growing into one of Southern Gospel and Country music’s finest artists. With “Abundant Sunshine” he arrives.

Music is an artistic expression of the mind and feelings of the people who create it. An expression of emotional zeal and praise, as it is being considered nowadays, gospel music is now a successful branch of music to some extent.

It is believed that gospel music refers to the religious music created by the African-American churches during the 1930s. Similarly, it also refers to both this black gospel music as well as pious music composed and sung by white southern Christian artists. Neither of these two styles has been clearly defined; hence, sometimes an artist from one branch of gospel music sings the songs of the other branch.

The separation between black and white American churches has always kept the two branches of gospel music apart. And though the divisions have narrowed in the past 50 years, black gospel and southern or white gospel still have their own distinctions.

During the development of gospel music in the 1930s, Thomas Dorsey created songs combining shouts of praise and emotional fervor with his own contemporary style; hence, he was named the Father of Contemporary Gospel, and the 30s were called the Dorsey Era. During that time, Dorsey?s songs were mostly unwelcome in some U.S. churches.

To date, there are composers and performers of gospel music all over the world.

Gospel music is ever-changing and has evolved over several years. Gospel ensembles and quartets came to life in the 40s while piano or organs were added during the 50s. Gospel music also abounds with noted artists and performers like Mahalia Jackson, The Golden Gate Quartet, Clara Ward, Jordanaires, Al Green, Solomon Burke, The Staple Singers of Chicago, Albertina Walker, Yolanda Adams, and others.

If you are fond of gospel music, there are many record stores and distributors that offer CDs and tapes of gospel music. DVDs of gospel music concerts or performances are also available. If you?re longing for gospel music mp3s, the web has much to offer. There are sites that offer these mp3s as free downloads and streaming while some offer packages for a sum. In case you?re new to gospel music and want to further your learning, many magazines, journals, and online sites are offering information on artists and performers and on the history of gospel music.

Back in the 90’s we had a local Southern Gospel station (I can’t remember the name. You’ll see why if you keep reading). They were known for their motto, “If it doesn’t say it, we won’t play it.” They were determined not to play watered-down Gospel music-even if it was Southern Gospel. And they did a good job.

The same year they made the “If it doesn’t say it” pledge to the fans and the Southern Gospel industry, they were voted the #1 radio station in all of Southern Gospel.

Does that mean they had reached the top?

In worldly terms, yes.

Guess what happened next.

They switched to Contemporary. Less than a year later they switched to secular Pop music! Six months later, they were gone.

Did they reach the top in Kingdom terms?

I think not! God’s at the top of The Kingdom with Jesus right beside Him.

We’ll never be at the top of the Kingdom. After all, it’s God’s Kingdom. But that doesn’t mean we should stop trying to get as close as we can. If we make it to the top of our vocation, God has a reason and it’s not so we can abandon His plan. Go out on your own and everything’ll fall apart.

What happened to the #1 Southern Gospel station in the country?

My guess is that they changed their focus from The Kingdom Of God to the “Kingdom Of The Wallet.”

In worldly terms they were as far as they could go. In Kingdom terms they had a long way to go!

Southern Gospel Music is making a comeback into the mainstream of Christian music. Groups such as Gold City, Brian Free and Assurance, Palmetto State Quartet and Ernie Haase and Signature Sound continue are continuing the in the tradion of Southern Gospel quartets and are reaching a larger audience than ever before. Indeed, Ernie Haase and Signature sound have had several top selling CD’s and DVD’s. Their DVD entitled, “Get Away Jordan” entered the Billboard chart at #3 and remains a fan favorite. The Kingdom Heirs sing to over two million people annually as the resident Southern Gospel group at Dollywood.

Modern Southern Gospel Music

Southern Gospel music, like any form of art, has evolved. In the past ten years a new sound has emerged that combines the best of traditional Southern Gospel with other musical forms such as Bluegrass, modern country, and adult contemporary Christian music. The sound is slightly edgier but still very much Southern Gospel.

Groups such as the Crabb Family, the Mike and Kelly Bowling group, and Three Bridges are examples of this new style. These groups regularly perform to sell out crowds. The Crabb family has recorded with many artists and groups including Donnie McClurkin and The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.

This modern Southern Gospel music is attracting a new and broader audience and has given rise to a new generation of Southern Gospel fans. Southern Gospel record promoter, Rick Hendrix of the Rick Hendrix company chuckles and says, “It is really interesting to see these teenagers getting together on MySpace and forming fan clubs around groups such as Ernie Haase and Signature Sound and the Hoppers. They get excited about new CD’s and about the style of clothes the group wears and everything”.

The re-emergence of Southern Gospel music has lead to an increase in the number of radio stations that broadcast this style of music. Major Southern Gospel music promoters regularly service over a thousand radio stations. There has also been an increase in the number of online Southern Gospel radio stations.

Southern Gospel music has changed since its humble birth almost 100 years ago. One thing that hasn’t changed is Southern Gospel music’s ability to convey the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those that would stop and listen.

You can find out more about Southern Gospel Music and top Southern Gospel Artists and groups by visiting: http://www.southern-gospel-music-lyrics.com

Gospel music is generally believed to have come from African American slaves. It was a way of expressing faith and praises through joyful music so very much distinctive of them. Most gospel music contains some downtrodden themes that can stir different emotions among its listeners; it has a passion that can be traced back to the slave’s willful creation of their own worship hymns in spite of hard times. If you listen to gospel music carefully, you’ll understand the genius in it.

But the whites have also created a gospel music style of their own; the southern gospel music or simply “white gospel.” Southern gospel music is believed to have originated in the late 19th century from the white evangelical Americans. Its style, on the other hand, was believed to come from hymns. Typically, southern gospel music includes sparse instrumentation or none at all.

Contemporary Christian music is a fusion genre of southern gospel music and the bluegrass gospel is its subgenre. The latter’s mainstream popularity is attributed to its secular artists, including Elvis Presley, and evangelists, like Billy Graham and Jimmy Swaggart. But history has it that southern gospel music has been developed from the Holiness churches that arose in the first decade of the 20th century throughout the south. This phenomenon created new kind of music for this new forms of worship—in addition to those traditional hymns that were created in the 18th and 19th century.

Southern gospel music is called such so as to distinguish it from black gospel. Mostly, southern gospel and its roots are attributed to the published works and “normal schools” of Aldine S. Kieffer as well as Ephraim Ruebush. And like black gospel, southern gospel also has numerous notable artists and performers.