THE LATEST
The Inspirations – “Old Time Religion” (1997)
Featuring a very similar sound and feel as their last recording, 1997’s “Old Time Religion” would be the final recording for this iteration of the Inspirations. Read all about it…
NewsNuggets: 1-2-26
Group changes for Dayton Gay, Brian Alvey, and MORE in NewsNuggets!
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…
NewsNuggets: 12-26-25
A new lead singer for the Perrys and MORE in NewsNuggets!
Merry Christmas!
…and a Happy New Year!
REVIEWS
The Inspirations – “Looking For You” (1978)
“Looking For You” remains one of my all-time favorite studio albums by the Inspirations. Is it one of yours? Read all about it!
The Inspirations – “When I Get Home” (1977)
After releasing 3 iconic albums in 1976, they settled on releasing only 1 album in 1977, titled “When I Get Home”. With its own unique sound and feel, it’s another fantastic album by the Inspirations…
The Inspirations – “On Heaven’s Bright Shore” (1976)
Before 1976 was done, the Inspirations released one more album, “On Heaven’s Bright Shore”, which was one of their most popular studio albums. Read all about it…
The Inspirations – “A Night of Inspiration” (1976)
As the Inspirations continue their 12th anniversary celebration, they released a 2nd live album featuring mostly popular songs they had recorded while with Canaan. The album remains one of their most popular albums ever…read all about it!
The Inspirations – “It’s Still the Blood” (1987)
This would be Ronnie Hutchins’ only mainline release during his brief tenure with the group in the 80’s. It was a great album, with the title song becoming one of the Inspirations’ most loved tunes and one of Archie’s sugar sticks.
The Inspirations – “Tell It To A Friend” (1986)
After about 6 years with the same line-up, Jack Laws left the Inspirations, and though he is on the album, he is not on the cover. This was a unique album for the group and ranks as one of my personal favorites. Check it out…
HISTORY
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...
My 2019 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. After carefully considering the requirements outlined by the SGMA Hall Of...
SGMA Hall Of Fame: Who Will Be In The Class of 2019?
The Southern Gospel Music Hall Of Fame mailed out nomination ballots for the class of 2019 this past week. Voters will submit their nominations by March 15. An SGMA committee will then whittle the list down to determine the final group of 2019 inductees. The 2019...
My 2023 SGMA Hall Of Fame Nominations
DBM’s 2023 nominations for the SGMA Hall Of Fame.
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...
VIEWS AND COMMENTARY
Song Evolution: “I Know What Lies Ahead”
Written in 1983, this song has seen a significant evolution over time.
MTQ Comes to Streaming
One of the last big hold-outs against streaming has joined the digital landscape.
#NewsNuggets EXTRA: 9-30-23
2023 Fan Awards spark controversy, but all is well.
SONY’S DEVOTIONS
He’s Still Alive
If you knew Him like I know HimYou would know that He's aliveIf you felt Him like I feel HimResurrection deep insideYou'd know He's living, and death has died! If you attend a traditional church, there's a good chance that you sang the following words this morning: I...
Press On Anyway
My mom passed away in January. A friend's dad died the next day. In the last couple of weeks, I met some young ladies who lost their mom the same week we did, found out that a friend died last month, and discovered that a man we knew years ago is in jail for murder....
Two Are Better Than One
"Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor.For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.But woe to him who is alone when he falls,For he has no one to help him up." ~Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 In the first line of these verses, I picture...
The Root of Bitterness
"Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice." ~Ephesians 4:31 "Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest...
We Serve A Mighty God
"Go, inspect the city of Jerusalem. Walk around and count the many towers. Take note of the fortified walls, and tour all the citadels, that you may describe them to future generations. For that is what God is like. He is our God forever and ever, and he will be our...
Happy New Year 2022!
My brother and I just returned home after dropping our sister off at the airport. She arrived here on Christmas afternoon, and it was a blessing to have her for so long. Because of her visit, though, I haven't had a lot of time to do my end-of-the-year pondering. I...
So Much to Thank Him For
I saw a Facebook post asking people to share their favorite Thanksgiving song. The first song that popped into my mind was "So Much to Thank Him For" which the Spencers and others have recorded. This is a song I intentionally play this time of year and it's also a...
Are You Growing?
If you've ever commented to a child how much they have grown since you last saw them, you probably saw them beam. Every child wants to get bigger and stronger and, although they don't realize they are growing as they go through their days, they love the realization...
Jesus Is the Resurrection!
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies. ~John 11:25 This morning, I'm thinking of two friends who passed away recently. One was a church greeter who used to greet us on Easter morning with the...
#NewsNuggets: 3-29-24
Using Artificial Intelligence to mimic singers is outlawed in Tennessee and MORE in today’s NewsNuggets!
Deliver Us from Evil
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. ~Matthew 6:13 This past week, a man that we used to attend church with was murdered. This has brought up the age-old discussion of, If God could have stopped it, why didn't He? There are things we will never...