THE LATEST

News Nuggets: 9-12-25
A special day in Asheville, NC and more in NewsNuggets!
The Inspirations – “The Night Before Easter” (1970)
As a new decade dawned, so did a new version of the Inspirations. With Ronnie’s departure in 1969, this album introduces us to a young Eddie Dietz.
News Nuggets: 6-6-25
A new Facebook page for Triumphant and MORE in NewsNuggets!
The Inspirations – “The Next Step You Take” (1969)
This album marked the Inspirations’ venture into full-time ministry. Additionally, as they prepare to release their 2025 recording which boasts a similar cover as this 1969 release, check out how the original cover came to be!
Concert Report – Carolina Gold GospelFest
Diana Brantley reviews a concert event she attended last week.
REVIEWS

The Kingsmen – “New Life” (1993)
1993 saw the Kingsmen enjoying a “New Life” as they ushered in a new era. Check it out…

The Kingsmen – “Singin’ in the Sun…Live” (1992)
As the golden age of live albums were coming to an end, the Kingsmen recorded one last great live album, “Singin’ in the Sun”. A little different from their previous live albums, it was a great and exuded all things “Kingsmen”! Read all about it…

The Kingsmen – “Wish You Were Here” (1991)
One of the best loved recordings in the Kingsmen’s repertoire is this gem from 1991, featuring the title song, “Wish You Were Here”, which became Tim Surrett’s signature song and one of the Kingsmen’s greatest hits. Check it out…

The Kingsmen – “Live in Dayton” (1990)
In 1990, the Kingsmen added yet another live album in their long live of exciting live recordings. Read all about it…

Concert Report – Carolina Gold GospelFest
Diana Brantley reviews a concert event she attended last week.

The Inspirations – “Jesus is Coming Soon” (1968)
In 1968, the Inspirations released what was probably their most important albums in their entire discography with “Jesus is Coming Soon”. Read all about it…
HISTORY

Record Company Archives
Do SG master recordings still exist, and if so, are they easily found?

The Originals: A Wonderful Time Up There
Who recorded “Gospel Boogie” first?

The Originals: What A Day That Will Be
It’s been recorded hundreds of times, but who did it first?

#NewsNuggets: 12-15-17
Kingsmen, Crossroads, Poets Voices, Wes Hampton, and more!

Libbi Perry’s Fundraiser For SGMA
The Perrys will appear at NQC in these outfits if you give $$$ to the SGMA!

Universal Music Group: Decades of Masters Lost
Last year, I wrote an article detailing how record companies have a checkered past when it comes to properly archiving their master recordings. Among some of the revelations noted (thanks to a brilliant piece by Bill Holland) were: A large number of masters are...
VIEWS AND COMMENTARY

My 2022 SGMA Hall Of Fame Nominees
The Southern Gospel Music Association is currently accepting nominees for the Hall Of Fame. Each member of the SGMA is asked to submit two living and two deceased individuals for consideration. Three of my 2022 nominees are the same as my 2021 nominees. (My other...

#NewsNuggets: 4-1-22 (Too Early Friday Morning Edition)
Lookalikes and limericks highlight this exclusive Too Early Friday Morning Edition of News Nuggets!

Southern Gospel Breakfast Hour (and a missed opportunity?)
With the recent announcement of the Southern Gospel Music Association joining forces with the Biblical Times Theater in Pigeon Forge, TN, the SGMA now has not just a new home for the SGMA Hall of Fame, but also a venue to bring in artists for special events (the...
SONY’S DEVOTIONS

Speak Life
"You are so stupid! How can you be as old as you are and not know how to do simple things? I feel sorry for whoever marries you and has to live with you." Although it's been 30 years since Sandy heard these words, she has never forgotten them. God kept her from...
The Year of Uncertainty
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times. It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness." The opening line from A Tale of Two Cities describes 2020 pretty well. Some may argue that there is no "best of times" about it, but I have seen it bring...
Great Is His Faithfulness
This past week, the song that kept rising up in my heart was "Great Is Thy Faithfulness." Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father God truly is a faithful father. Many of us cannot say that about our earthly fathers, but what a blessing to know that God is faithful...
Music: A Real Blessing
For as long as I can remember, music has been important to me. My mom tells me that, as a baby, I wouldn't sleep unless she put on one of my grandparents' records. When I was around 9 years old, I discovered Southern Gospel music, and when I came across a Southern...
How COVID-19 May Affect Concerts Going Forward
I know that many SG artists are anxiously waiting to get back on the road. What that road will look like when they finally get the opportunity is truly anyone’s guess.
Reading or Skimming?
Are there portions of the Bible that you skip over every time you come to it? Or maybe you read it out of duty but mostly skim since you know that portion isn't going to speak to you anyway and you would rather not waste your time going over it. I confess there are...
Taking Inventory Again
Do you ever wonder what you have accomplished thus far in your life? I do frequently. For some, I expect God blinds them to their achievements so that they do not become proud. For others, they may have these thoughts because they have honestly not done anything...
Redeem the Time
"See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." ~Ephesians 5:15-16 I'm hearing that parts of the country are beginning to open up slowly but surely. I expect it will be a while until things get back to...
Turn Your Burdens to Prayer
I confess that I am guilty of taking way too many burdens upon myself. Family members who don't know the Lord, others making bad decisions, some having financial difficulty ... you name it, I feel it, and it can literally affect my health. In Matthew 11:28-30 Jesus...
Looking Forward
"Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians...
Come Worship the King
Still through the cloven skies they come With peaceful wings unfurled And still their heavenly music floats O'er all the weary world; Above its sad and lowly plains They bend on hovering wing. And ever o'er its Babel sounds The blessed angels sing. ~from It Came Upon...