Southern Gospel Music Gives Me Goosebumpilies
by Ray Dudley
Southern G. Does the Web!
If you love Southern Gospel Music then read on! I know, music has been on the web for years. But, lately, my soul seems to be seeking it out more. Especially, the great tunes of the past. Is it just me or does Southern Gospel Music get sweeter as the years go on? I've got a Pentecostal background and have been a born again Christian for over 30 years and I've go to say that my appreciation for Southern Gospel has really grown, especially recently. Maybe it's just my fondness for things from my past, maybe it's just a yearning for things more simplistic and pure. I don't know. But, what ever it is I have to admit I'm loving it. And loving it LARGE! And it's only been enhanced by the internet.
If you're not familiar with streaming music over the internet, well, my friend, come out of that cave!! There are dozens, if not hundreds, of stations that are streaming Southern Gospel music via the web. It's so refreshing to hear groups again like Southern Sound, The Triumphant Quartet, Tallys, etc. and of course anything Gaither! As I write this post I'm listening to The Cathedrals singing "Master Builder". What a treat!
One of wonderful things about getting back to my roots (musically anyway) is listening to the sweeping and moving vocals of so many of the great artists. The trios and quartets just can't be beat by anything given to us in the sterile "worship" music being pumped out today. No wonder so many Christians are shallow. They're missing a huge component of their walks by not being able to be immersed in the tunes of wonderful musicians and singers like The Kingsmen, The Crabb Family, Legacy Five and The Perrys. Groups like these can take my soul places that contemporary music just doesn't seem able to do. Call me old fashioned I guess.
Many of the songs by groups I've already mentioned, as well as the voluminous number I haven't, are very instrumental in my prayer life. They touch me and move me and remind of things I should have my mind on that rarely happens listening to much of what passes for gospel music today. And I'm not slamming the single artists of today as much as I am much of what we're using in our churches. (Legacy Five - Strike Up the Band is now playing)
You know, I'm not sure how I got away from the good old music. Somehow over the years wayyyyyyy too much of the contemporary gospel music seems to have wedged it's way into my life. Unfortunately, for the worse. To me it's too empty. Too vacuous. It's never talking really about Jesus, heaven, the streets of gold, conviction, etc. Now, I don't mean to slam the whole Integrity family and for sure some of it has really blessed me, but, somethings just not the same. It seems to lack the passion of Southern Gospel. Kinda like country music. It just seems more tangible, more like real life. Let me put some kudos for some of my favorite things Southern Gospel:
Tunes4Him.com One of my absolute streaming stations. Probably the number station that rocks my computer (which is an iMac in case you were wondering)
JuniperSquare.com By far one of the great places on the web to purchase Southern Gospel music (as well as much, much more)
CrossOneMinistries Another great streaming site.
And you can't hardly listen to Southern Gospel without some extraordinary southern cooking. So let me plug a good friend of mine: Southern Cooking Recipes
And while I'm tossing rose petals everywhere, please take note of the image in the top right corner of todays blog. SoGospel.com "Southern Gospels First Dot.Com". A wealth of everything you'd want to know about the Southern Gospel industry. Get a cup of joe and prepare to spend a few hours (delightfully)!
About the Author
Want mp3's or more resources for YOUR favorite SoGo artists? How about links for SoGo over the net? How about schedule dates? Or news updates? Browse HERE and get on up to speed!
