www.southerngospelworld.com Launches!

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.

Unnamed Gaither Vocal Band Album In The Works

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?

Danny Funderburk Launches New CD

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.

$12.95 – includes shipping

Click here to order”

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.

YouTube Video: I Believe In A Hill Called Mount Calvary

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!

Ryan Seaton Launches Website

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!

http://www.ryanseaton.com/

Local Artist Spotlight – Solid Ground (NI)

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.

Track Listing

1. He Made The Way
2. Old Rugged Cross
3. He’d Still Have Been God
4. Yes He Can
5. Without The Lord
6. When I Survey
7. Damascus Road
8. I Love To Tell The Story
9. Restore My Soul
10. I Wish You Could See Him Now
11. Beulah Land
12. Take It To The Cross

News Round-up and Thoughts

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?!

Phil on Southern Gospel on Twitter

I’ve now signed up for twitter. A little late to the game I may be, but it seems a good way to connect with folks.

You can “follow” or connect with  me  at http://twitter.com/philonsoutherng

Brad Smith Leaves the Blackwood Gospel Quartet

According to Sogospelnews.com I learned that Brad Smith has departed the Blackwood Gospel Quartet. The BGQ were sounding really good on the videos available online and elsewhere. They appear to have had that special blend that makes a good quartet great. Maybe Brad Smith is moving towards the newly expanded Mark Trammell Quartet?

Here is the article,

Brad Smith, known as “6″ for his six octave range, has recently departed the Blackwood Gospel Quartet where he has been singing the Bass part for the last few years. Smith has sang the Baritone and Lead parts with other groups in the past. Smith gave no reason for his departure other than, “Because I wanted to.”

To read the article in it’s online capacity, it is here.

EHSS To Give Away a Trip to London UK!

In an email that dropped into my inbox this evening I learned the details of the following competition.

I quote:

“Last month I wrote that we’re giving away a trip for two to London, England, to see our February 21, 2010 show. Here’s the full scoop: This EHSS-only concert experience will be the finale to our latest European Tour. The getaway is from Thursday, February 18 to Monday, February 22, 2010 and includes:

• Roundtrip airfare for two to London
• Roundtrip ground transportation between the airport and the hotel
• Hotel accommodations in London
• $700 Euros in spending money (equals approximately $500 USD)
• A half-day bus tour of London
• VIP seats for two at our February 21, 2010 London show
• An EHSS Backstage Pass for before the show
• $100 EHSS merchandise shopping spree
• Recognition at the show as trip winners

This is gonna be SO fun! Check out all the details here! All you have to do to enter is fill out the simple form. You can sign up to win through January 19 @ midnight EST. I cannot wait to draw and contact the winner by phone on January 21!

Wishing you and your family a very blessed New Year! We look forward to a fresh start, and thank you so much for standing by us through the thick and thin of the last six years.

Lots of Love,

Ernie”

What a competition and the complete package is worth a lot more than just money, the memories and experience gained would truly be priceless. I would urge everyone to have a go at entering the competition. You never know, you could be on a plane to London, UK sooner than you think!