THE LATEST
The Greenes – “Evergreene” (1985)
One of my personal favorite recordings by the Greenes is this early gem from 1985, titled “Evergreene”. Check it out and find out why!
Keeping Focus
This past weekend, I ran book tables at a conference. It had been over a year since I had done that, but since it was a large portion of my life for a number of years, I felt right at home. God has given me the ability to connect with people, and I love doing so. As I...
NewsNuggets: 5-29-26
MORE in NewsNuggets!
The Bishops – “More Than My Voice” (1993)
The Bishops’ 1993 release, “More Than My Voice” ranks as one of absolute favorite recordings by the Bishops. There is so much to love about this recording. Read all about it…
Loving God’s Law
Oh, how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day. ~Psalm 119:97 I wonder how many Christians can honestly say they love God's law, let alone meditate on it. A love for God's law begins with a love for His Word, yet many struggle to read the Bible, as they...
REVIEWS
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.
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.
The Inspirations – “My Anchor Still Holds” / “The Country Needs the Cross” (1991)
The Inspirations did not release any new music in 1990, but in 1991, they released this highly popular recording, that was eventually picked up by Canaan Records and re-released with a new cover and title. Read all about it…
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 Bishops – “Class of ’90” (1990)
After the immense success of “Marching On”, the Bishops follow-up, “Class of ’90” was a huge success as well. Check it out…
The Bishops – “Marching On” (1989)
As the 80’s marched on…so did the Bishops, who closed out the decade with a defining album called “Marching On” that yielded 2 of their biggest hit songs. Read all about it…
HISTORY
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...
#NewsNuggets: 11-10-18
We’re a day late, but we still have News Nuggets!!
A Research Project: How Recent Were the Good Ol’ Days?
How long has it been since the good ol’ days? This is almost impossible to quantify, so let’s ask a more specific question. Now and in the past, how close are Southern Gospel’s leading groups to their own good ol’ days? How close are they to the era that everyone...
Album Covers – a dying art?
Good or bad, album covers used to be a part of the music-buying experience….but not so much anymore.
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...
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.
VIEWS AND COMMENTARY
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.
MTQ Comes to Streaming
One of the last big hold-outs against streaming has joined the digital landscape.
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...
May God Be Glorified
As I sit down to write, I wonder if I have anything of worth to say. It's been over a month since my last post, and part of that is due to life being busy, dealing with stressful situations, and yet making time where I can to draw near to God because He is the One who...
According to Your Word
And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. ~Luke 1:38 I confess that I do not like it when things don't go my way. I may not scream and throw things, but I struggle just the same. I...
A Famine of Knowledge
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me. ~Hosea 4:6 "Behold, the days are coming," says the Lord God, "That I will send a famine on the land, Not a famine of bread, Nor a...