THE LATEST
The Importance of Bible Reading AND Prayer
When considering if it is more important to pray or read the Bible, I would say they are equally important. Although most Christians seem to find one or the other difficult to do, both are vital to maintaining a close walk with God. We live in a fast-paced society...
NewsNuggets: 4-17-26
SGMA finalizes 2026 HOF announcements and MORE in today’s NewsNuggets!
The Bishops – “Blessed” (1987)
The Bishops’ 3rd album with Eddie Crook would yield their most popular acapella song, “Blind Bartimaeus”, which would be a song they would sing for the next 14 years. Read all about that, and the rest of the recording in this weeks’ article…
The Way of Escape
No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. ~1 Corinthians 10:13 A man...
NewsNuggets: 4-10-26
A new label for The Hyssongs and MORE in today’s NewsNuggets!
REVIEWS
The Inspirations – “What’s That I Hear?” (1989)
Before 1989 was out, the Inspirations would release a new recording, and it was a spectacular piece of work. Featuring important elements that made the Inspirations who they were, it’s one of my personal favorite recordings by the group.
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”.
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 Bishops – “One Way” (1985)
Our next group we’ll be covering is the Bishops. They were one of the hottest groups on the circuit during the 90’s and early 2000’s. From humble beginnings in rural Kentucky back in 1984 to the heights of Southern Gospel Music. I hope you enjoy this series as we journey through their music…starting with their first national release, “One Way”. Check it out…
The Inspirations – “Pure Vintage” (2001)
For our final article on the Inspirations, check out my thoughts on this historic recording released in 2001, which garnered the Inspirations their first #1 song in 26 years!
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
Bill Gaither’s enLighten
Does this mean only Gaither-associated artists will be played?
My 2024 SGMA Hall Of Fame Nominations
The nomination period has commenced for the 2024 SGMA Hall Of Fame.
Song Evolution: “I Know What Lies Ahead”
Written in 1983, this song has seen a significant evolution over time.
SONY’S DEVOTIONS
Thankful for Memories
When people list what they're thankful for, the most common responses among Christians are God, salvation, and family, and I would affirm that I am thankful for those things. But I also realized last week that I am thankful for the gift of memories. If you have had a...
Overcoming Fear
In reading through Genesis for the umpteenth time in my life, I slowed down to better focus on the Patriarchs of the faith. Abraham is the one that many look to as the father of faith, but did you know that Abraham also had fears? I find it interesting that this man...
Are You a Hypocrite?
The biggest reason people give for not attending church is that it is filled with hypocrites, but I wonder what they mean by that. Sure, there are people who live one way at home and then go act spiritual on Sunday mornings, but there are also a lot of church...
Sin Is Not in the Struggle
I write a lot on forgiveness, not because it's easy but because it is necessary. This week, God showed me someone else I need to forgive, but I confess that I have a long road ahead. Whenever something comes up that I think I've conquered but apparently have not, it...
Creation Declares God’s Glory
As I write this, I am in North Carolina looking across the ripples of Lake Hickory while I wait for my sister to get ready so that we can take a walk. It's a gorgeous Sunday morning. Having been in some roasting temperatures this past month, it's nice to have a...
Surrender Your Weakness to the Lord
As the congregation sang, "I'm not afraid to show You my weakness," I paused. That is not a line that I can honestly sing. Although God sees my weaknesses more than anyone, I find myself wanting to please Him just like I do my earthly family, and I forget that I am...
Testify of His Mercy
"O give thanks unto the LORD, for He is good; for His mercy endureth forever." ~1 Chronicles 16:34 I am 3/4 of the way through a business trip with my family and then I plan to take some trips to visit friends and family. I left on July 5 and don't know when I will be...
Do You Have a Biblical Worldview?
I am amazed at how often I hear statements from professing Christians that are based on modern thought and not on the Bible. I'm not talking about different interpretations of doctrine but excusing actions which Scripture clearly speaks against. Gone are the days of...
Adding to Kindness
But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love ~2 Peter 1:5-7,...
For the Forgiven
Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” ~Luke 7:47 Several members of our church are involved in jail ministry, and because of them, I have seen firsthand the truth of...
The Kingsmen – “Mississippi Live” (1987)
The final release in the trilogy of live albums is this wonderful live album, where the Kingsmen finally were able to pull-off a recording in Jackson, Mississippi. It’s my personal favorite of the 3 live albums recorded between 1985-1987. Read all about it!