Later this month, February, I have the opportunity to attend two concerts in two days. I’m catching Ernie Haase & Signature Sound on the UK leg of their European Tour. I figured that I may as well hit two concerts in two days. Why not! I will post at least one review of the concerts, possibly two, if they turn out to be vastly different experiences, but you will hopefully get to read at least once. The Belfast concert is a sell-out, which thrilled me to hear. I believe there are still tickets available for Glasgow and London, but book soon to avoid disappointment! This is a great turn-out from the Northern Irish folks, it such contribute to an electric atmosphere. If you wish to glean more details and buy tickets, click the picture below!
In other concert news, Northern Irish folks are going to have a good year of Southern Gospel talent performing live in NI. We have David Phelps in June, Guy Penrod in July and Greater Vision with Allison Durham Speer in October. Not bad, eh?! I will hopefully get to attend as many of these as i can, so hopefully some concert reviews for you.
News
I meant to pick up on this a few days ago, but university commitments curtailed my blogging ability!
Firstly, Daniel Mount has accepted a part-time job developing and cultivating artist community sites for Crossroads. An example of this would be the Talleytree-o.com website. Congratulations to Daniel and it’s great to hear his daily Southern Gospel Blog won’t be going anywhere! Great move Crossroads!
Secondly over at Nate’s Southern Gospel Ponderings, there is a fabulous, in-depth and insightful interview with Glenn Dustin and Tim Parton of Legacy Five. It was such a good read, it covered many topics, had some really genuine glimpses of the people behind the performers, so to speak. Give it a read and let Nate know what you thought.
Thoughts
How good are Gold City starting to sound? I was watching a few videos online, mostly via the ever-present Diana Brantley! They are starting to blend and gel together. It takes time to get used to new blood in any group, with the multiple personnel changes Gold City have experienced in the last few years, it’s great to see a new dawn of stability. Hopefully this will extrapolate into the future and the with the current line – up, begin to rival the legendary groups of the past.
I spotted this clip last night and had to share it with you all. I rather enjoy the song, “There Is A River”, and to have Wes Hampton, a very able and under-rated artist perform it with three-quarters of one of the top quartets in the business, makes for an interesting sound and performance. It makes for a great power finish when Ernie Haase joins in for the finale and gives it the extra edge.
It raises the question of what the Gaither Vocal Band would sound like with Tim Duncan on bass? or any “real” bass, so to speak? Bill blends and can inject some low notes, but there is something that always makes me yearn to hear them with a full bass part.
Guy Penrod backed up by Tim Riley, Talley Trio members, other Gold City members, makes for an impressive sound and performance. It’s good to see and know that Guy’s repertoire ”post-Gaither” also includes the material that made him such an iconic and popular figure as well as his new country themed selection.
For Southern Gospel and Country fans, like me, it’s good to know that if we ever have the chance to catch him live, we will get the best of both worlds!
Over at Southern Gospel Blog, since December 2007, we have been treated to an inspirational devotional written by contributor, Sony Elise. The good news is that Sony has so much to share, she has launched her own site, www.southerngospelworld.com
You will find her weekly devotionals still at Southern Gospel Blog, whilst on her new site you will find lots of reviews, thoughts and perspectives. Be sure to check out her site, there is already some good material and has some interesting thoughts on influence, which can be found here.
Swain’s Musings broke this story earlier and you can read his thoughts here. As the hours rolled by, Wes Hampton posted on Facebook that he has laid down his vocals for the project, which should contain around 14 songs. The album is yet to be christened with a title, but it should be released sometime in the summer. Looking forward to it already and you can expect a review!
Speaking of Gaither Vocal Band material and new material having been released earlier this week, I really think that the Gaither Vocal Band in its current form, is a very powerful and creatively dynamic outfit. The new DVD’s are really special. The production quality is top-notch, what we have come to expect with a Gaither production.
I only have one minor quibble, and it has been covered before by Kyle Boreing very well, but Bill Gaither’s flipping in-ear monitor wire apparently became loose during the taping and nothing was done to rectify the situation. This resulted for me anyway, of having a slight drain on the emotional power and resultant impact of a particular song. An example of what I’m talking about below:
Have any readers watched the DVDs yet? Any thoughts or opinions?
In an email from Singing News, I learned some interesting news concerning Danny Funderburk. I had begun to wonder what had happened to Danny Funderburk, he had, so to speak, dropped off the radar, so this latest CD announcement was great to hear.
“Have you been wondering – where is Danny Funderburk now?
After 6 years Danny is back doing exactly what he feels God wants him to do. After all these years, Danny never gave up and is singing more now than ever.
Order the new and long-awaited project Rise Up And Walk today!
This project features a lot of new songs written by the great songwriter Bill Schell. Danny was so excited about putting together a project featuring many of Bill’s songs. Danny says Bill has to be one of the greatest writers to come along in a long time.
Songs featured on the project are Rise Up And Walk, Cast The First Stone, The Offer Still Stands, The Shepherd, My God Has The Answer, I’ll Go On And Make It. Danny also recorded one of the most touching songs ever written, Lord It Hurts, a song written by another great song writer, Greg Day, as well as many other great songs you are sure to remember and enjoy.
Order your 12 song project today featuring one of gospel music’s legends - Danny Funderburk.
Danny has to be one of my most favoured tenors that has sung with the legendary Cathedrals. I enjoyed his voice, which always seemed to be very powerful and full, as he went up the register. Danny also performed on the newly released “Remember The Music”, a musical tribute to the Cathedral Quartet. Read more about Danny here.
I won’t hide my feelings for this song. It has to be one of my all time favourites. To then have two of my favourite vocalists, David Phelps and Michael English absolutely nail it brought the shivers up and down my spine.
This is from the new Gaither Vocal Band DVD, Better Day. This DVD simply has to be purchased as soon as it hits these irish shores, i have waited a long time for such a product and the time is nearly here!
Former Ernie Haase & Signature Sound lead singer Ryan Seaton has launched his personal website. You can view it here.
You can sign up for a free e-mail newsletter and it also gives a brief outline of his future plans, his departure from EHSS and why, sometimes, change happens!
I thought this was a nice touch,
“I am so thankful for the graciousness of Ernie Haase for giving me that opportunity. His passion breathed life into my own dreams and enhanced my love for music.”
Best wishes Ryan, we hope to see you on stage soon!
Solid Ground are a male trio from Northern Ireland based in Ballee Baptist. They are composed of tenor Ashley Cotton, lead Wully Knowles, baritone Stephen Irons and sound technician David Long. The group has recently celebrated their 7th anniversary. They have a blog, which is updated frequently, often detailing the experiences of the group at the various churches they sing and minister at.
Solid Ground’s repertoire is focused primarily upon covers of great southern gospel tunes and hymnal classics. This works well for audiences in Northern Ireland, who often have little exposure to southern gospel music. Solid Ground are exposing more people to the delights of Southern Gospel music but most importantly they are “only sinners saved by grace who are seeking to be a witness for their Saviour and carry the glorious message of Salvation in song throughout the country. The message presented is one of salvation and hope through the Lord Jesus Christ. Please pray for Solid Ground as they seek to serve the Master.”
Last Sunday our church had the privilege of having Solid Ground to sing in the evening service. I thoroughly enjoyed the pieces they brought in song. They opened up with a fresh interpretation of “Just a Little Talk With Jesus” and closed the service with a beautiful rendition of ”Pass Me Not”. They sang the Ernie Haase & Signature Sound hit, “Reason Enough” which later would tie in with the sermon theme, “‘Reasons why people don’t turn to Jesus”. I believe this is at least the third time that Solid Ground have ministered at our church and each time i feel they have gotten better and better.
This is Solid Ground’s début project. The project is designed to help raise awareness and give financial support to OMS International and their work in Mexico. Specifically it will aid the ministry of Jonny and Julie Pollock. If you would like to purchase a copy of Solid Ground’s album, ‘He Made The Way’ you can find them for sale at the following locations: Faith-mission Bookshops, Gracenotes Music Centre, Ballymena, McAuleys Ballymoney, Newtownards Christian Bookshop. You can also contact Solid Ground for booking and CD’s through Stephen or Linda Irons on 02825639531 or Mobile 07809385410. You can also email Solid Ground at solidgroundtrio@hotmail.com
The CD has a good range of material, fast, slow, a cappella and each piece is well- sung and enjoyable. Notable cuts include, Yes He Can, When I Survey, Damascus Road and Beulah Land. An enjoyable project with something to suit everyone. I would urge anyone out there looking for a musical item in their services, look no further than Solid Ground. A highly dedicated and sincere group of men, looking to honour and serve the Lord.
The last few days have been hectic, trying to do some revision for exams, left annoyingly little time for blogging and injecting my personal perspectives into the stories making the SG headlines. Here is my attempt to catch up.
Guy Penrod signs an exclusive recording deal with Gaither Music Group. After the now infamous departure from the Gaither Vocal, many stories, rumours and murky ideas surfaced perpetrating alleged “bad blood” between Gaither and Penrod. I was not always convinced by these stories, often putting them down to fans, who, understandably, were devastated when Guy left the Vocal Band after becoming such an integral part of its image, sound and legacy. But with the announcement that Guy signed up, it hopefully will put rest these stories. It is good to see Guy with a label that will hopefully result in his début country/gospel album doing really well. I really enjoy this project, hopefully more people will have the opportunity to appreciate it’s goodness.
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound recording a new album. I noticed via a Facebook update from Ernie Haase that , “Hi Friend, Getting read to head out for sometime in the studio. Wking on new Influenced Vol #2 (Hymns, Spirituals & Southern Classics)”.
Throughout the next few days, various status updates seemed to indicate that the new sound was something special. The Influenced Volume Two has a potential release date of March 1st 2010. Which is after their UK tour, so if this project is a table project only, as was Influenced Volume One, i will be unable to get a listen for a good while! It will be interesting to hear the new sound with Devin on board. Apparently they will be performing these new songs on their European tour, which will at least allow me to enjoy some of what the new project will have to offer.
Mark Trammel Trio to expand and become a quartet. This news was long, long overdue. I always feel that SG trios, particularly male trios, always feel incomplete or missing that special edge. Given Mark’s extremely rich heritage within SG music, it was really not a surprise when they announced the decision to add in the fourth part. The man selected to fill the void was, Pat Barker from the Dixie Echoes. What a pick, to get a detailed analysis of this man and his singing style check out Daniel Mount’s blog posting, here. Basically whilst Pat can sing low, he can also carry a tune very well, combining range with the ability to deliver a lead on a song. Mark has stood beside George Younce, Tim Riley and Ray Dean Reese to name but a few legendary bass singers, he knows what qualities to look for and Pat Barker fits the mould.
On a side note: I can’t stop listening to Brian Free & Assurance and their cut of, “Go Tell The World”. Don’t know why, but its just so catchy. Throughout my exam today, all i could hear was the chorus running over and over in my head…..revision does many a thing to a brain!! Any other songs that affect you in this way?!
