I knew about the web stuff already, but the rest of this is very good to
hear, Shane. 'Round here in KC I can say that it's dying or dead, though I
can still see references to shows down southern missouri way. Our only
southern gospel tv show, on cable access, isn't around anymore, and the
southern gospel radio station spends most of its day playing music that I,
uh, wouldn't call REAL southern gospel (That'll make Bob happy! <g>).
Addtionally, it just sounds soulless and over sung, like a lot of other
contemporary christian stuff. Actually, I can't even tell the difference
between what gets southern gospel there and the southern gospel I cut my
teeth on. So maybe the SG tradition has changed into something I don't get
or appreciate. Very possible.
But anyway, what I meant, specifically, when I referred to someone getting
it all down in a book before it's long gone was the quartet tradition of
the Blackwoods, Statesmen, Florida Boys (who I know are still going
strong), LeFevres, rambos, Oak Ridge, Kingsmen, etc. Is that still around
down there? I know when I watch Gaither Gospel Series stuff on TNN, they
usually feature just one or two of the old guys, who just break me up, then
they turn it over to some young guy or gal for half an hour who oversings
soulleslly, like a lot of contemporary christian....
Also: Given what I like, Shane, do you think the annual national quartet
convention would let me down or lift me up? Is it worth checking out?
--david cantwell
