THE LATEST
NewsNuggets: 5-1-26
Jake Wood departs Mercy’s Well and MORE in NewsNuggets!
The Inspirations – “He Brought Me Out” (1993)
“He Brought Me Out” is my favorite recording by the Inspirations during this time period. It’s a fantastic piece of work that harkened back the “glory days” of the group.
NewsNuggets: 1-23-26
A Carman movie is in the works and MORE in NewsNuggets!
The Inspirations – “Jesus is Coming For Me” (1992)
In 1992, the Inspirations released this recording. It’s an obscure recording during a very transitional time in the group, and one that is very hard to find. Nonetheless, it’s a unique piece of their dynamic history.
Faithful vs. Famous
I was recently talking with a young man whose aspiration at this point in his life is to become famous. His reason stated is so he can reach more people with the Gospel but, while that may be true, I feel like it is as hard for a famous person to enter the Kingdom of...
REVIEWS
The Inspirations – “When I Wake Up (To Sleep No More)” (1973)
Before 1973 was done, the Inspirations released another hit record, “When I Wake Up (To Sleep No More)”, containing the title song which garnered them another #1 song! Read all about it…
The Inspirations – “Touring that City” (1973)
The Inspirations had enjoyed tremendous success prior to 1973, but this album solidified their place as one of the greatest quartets in our genre, and also presented them with their first #1 song! Check it out…
The Inspirations – “We Shall Rise” (1972)
This 1972 album introduced us to the booming bass voice of Mike Holcomb, who remained with the group for over 40 years! “We Shall Rise” features a lot of concert favorites for the Inspirations…check it out!
The Inspirations – “Old Time Singin'” (1972)
1972’s “Old Time Singin'” embodied all things “Inspirations”, and was a perfect sophomore recording for the Inspirations since signing with Canaan the previous year.
The Inspirations – “Silver Anniversary” (1989)
Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas holiday! As we resume our series on the Inspirations, the next album we come to is their 1989 recording, “Silver Anniversary”. Though no songs charted for this album, it was a classy representation of their music at the time. Check it out…
The Inspirations – “Yes, I Will Be There” (1988)
With this latest release, the Inspirations scaled the instrumentation back to just piano, bass and acoustic guitar. The album had a more rustic feel, but was undeniably “Inspirations”.
HISTORY
#NewsNuggets: 12-15-17
Kingsmen, Crossroads, Poets Voices, Wes Hampton, and more!
#NewsNuggets: 12-8-17
Remembering a former Cathedrals baritone…
Memorial Quilts Find Their Permanent Home at SGMA (Pigeon Forge, TN)
First, the background: Once upon a time (sometime during the early 2000's, I think), Singing News maintained a forum/chat board on its web site to promote discussions between its subscribers. When they decided to discontinue it, Daniel Mount picked up the baton and...
Commentary: The Digital Resistance
Why are some prominent SG artists now allowing their music to be made available via digital markets?
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...
Southern Gospel Historical Library
I've covered in the past how southern gospel music has a vast library of music and film/video footage from decades of artists. I've also mentioned how much of this library is not controlled by large record labels or production companies, but in the hands of private...
VIEWS AND COMMENTARY
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...
The Bakkers, PTL, and Southern Gospel Music
Aside from their very public downfall, Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker had a large (and mutual) impact on southern gospel music.
Daywind Streaming No Longer Covered By CCLI
Recent changes in Daywind policy will impact small and mid-sized churches that stream music online.
SONY’S DEVOTIONS
It’s Time to Take a Stand
“Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” ~James 4:4 I bet we all know people who are trying to have the world and Jesus too....
Cold Prayers?
My eyes are dry; my faith is oldMy heart is hard; my prayers are coldAnd I know how I ought to beAlive to You and dead to me I wonder how many Christians can identify with Keith Green when he wrote these lyrics. I expect that most would not admit that this is where...
God Is God … I Am Not (Thankfully!)
I've read stories of emperors and others who have desired to be gods. Personally, I don't understand that desire. There is so much freedom in acknowledging the fact that God is God, and I am not! Sure, there may be times that I would do things differently, but I don't...
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.
Pursue Righteousness
Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. ~2 Timothy 2:22 When you think of lust, the first thing that probably pops into your mind is that of a man lusting after a woman, but lust can...
He Brought Me Through
He brought me through Praise God, He brought me through He's done everything my Lord said He would do Through impossibilities, He's given victory He'll do the same for you; He brought me through. (as sung by Gold City on their Pillars of Faith CD) It didn't come to...
Are You Ready to Go?
Life is moving faster than it ever has before What tomorrow brings us isn't certain any more I grew up listening to this song from Evie, but I will say if this was true back in the 1970s, it's even more true now. Scrolling through Facebook, I caught an old Gaither...