“Try A Little Kindness” was written by Curt Sapaugh and Bobby Austin.
At least three gospel groups recorded the song in 1969, and each gave their album the same title as the song. These groups include The Hopper Brothers & Connie, the Kingsmen Quartet, and the Keystone Quartet (with future Oak Ridge Boys members Joe Bonsall and Richard Sterban). In the secular market, the song was also recorded in 1969 by the Wilburn Brothers on Little Johnny From Down the Street and by Wanda Jackson on Country.
All of these recordings followed the original and to date, the most popular version of the song. “Try A Little Kindness” was recorded earlier in 1969 by Glen Campbell, who passed away yesterday. Campbell’s version of “Try A Little Kindness” peaked at number one on the Hot Adult Contemporary chart, number two on the Country chart, and number 23 on Billboard’s Hot 100. Give Campbell’s original version another listen below.
Since 1969, “Try A Little Kindness” has been covered by a variety of secular and gospel artists. Here is a list from our sister website, SGHistory.com:
“Try A Little Kindness” (Curt Sapaugh, Bobby Austin/Airefield Music/Glen Campbell Music/Songs Of Windswept Pacific)
- Blackwood Brothers (1970 My God And I)
- Blackwood Singers (???? I Find No Fault In Him)
- Carroll Roberson (1995 Serious Business; ???? The Masters Call)
- Hoppers (1969 Try A Little Kindness; 1973 Sing For…Impact International; 2006 The Ride; 2007 50 Years…The Song Continues)
- Jerry And The Goffs (1971 The King’s Children Present… Majestic Music)
- Keystone Quartet (1969 Try A Little Kindness)
- King’s Heralds (1986 Try A Little Kindness)
- Kingsmen Quartet (1969 Try A Little Kindness)
- Lewis Family (1971 Lewis Country)
- Oak Ridge Boys (1970 Talk About The Good Times; 1972 I Know; 1974 Super Gospel)
- Orrells (1970 Try A Little Kindness)
- Spencers (1991 Country Gospel Favorites)
- Tim Surrett (2006 Tim Surrett)
- Vicksburg Quartet (1972 God Is Love)
I am no professional singer by a long shot., but I did sing that song back in day when it was released by Glen Campbell i our church services.
The best version to me was the Oak Ridge Boys.
Many times we forget about other people when we do some things we do.
I am not going to preach.. But many time many people are treated unkind in our churches.
We can go to a concert and set by each other and never get acquainted. Just say Hello or how are you the casual things.
As bad as I hate to admit it I am in my golden years. I have been guilty of what I just mention above.
But over the last few months I have made an commitment to be more kind, more courteous, speak to strangers and etc.
Forgive me for using myself as an example. I am not trying to put myself on a pedestal.
I have always been involved in church music and playing in a church band.
I have not attended a mega church regularly. My church attendance has been in the small churches.
But a lot of times I would come in and go straight to the platform and begin to prepare for the service. I would even be there early sometimes the first one. But I would not mingle with the congregation, because my mind was on music.
But about 20 years ago I realize how my actions could be misunderstood even though I felt I had a reason to be concerned about presentation.
But a dear friend of mine pointed this out to me how my actions could be perceived as being stuck up or being better than another. I didn’t feel that way. I didn’t feel I had a pride issue.
But after that conversation I changed.
I try to greet as many people as I can now, especially visitors.
You will be surprised at how many visitors don’t get spoke to in a congregation except by the door greeters.
Let’s take time to not only try a little kindness, but to be kind each other no matter where we are at church, a concert or everyday activities.
Ephesians 4:32
32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.