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Apr

2005

The Southern Gospel “Screaming” Industry

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Since school is almost over for this year, I thought it might be educational to keep our minds sharp and focused over the summer months. Remember back in grade school when our teacher would require us to learn the spelling and dictionary meaning of a few words? Then we would have to use those words in a sentence? I've chosen three words and I've used them in a sentence. The words and their meanings follow:

Sing – to use the voice to produce words or sounds in a pleasing musical way.

Scream – to utter a loud piercing, high-pitched cry, especially in fear or pain.

Disgusting – tending to repel and sicken people; completely unacceptable or disgraceful.

Using those words in a sentence – I think it's DISGUSTING that so many of our Southern Gospel Artists SCREAM their songs instead of SINGING them.

Welcome to the SGSSWI

We've had discussions in the past about changing the name of this industry we call Southern Gospel Music. It's all been just discussion. But now I sincerely believe it's time to actually do it. In fairness to the consumers and in the interest of abiding by the Federal Full Disclosure Act, we should call ourselves “The Southern Gospel Screaming Industry.” In reality, if we renamed our industry “The Southern Gospel Screaming Soiled and Wrinkled Industry”, it would be a more accurate reflection of the sad state of affairs in the world of SGM.

The catalyst for my campaign toward a name change is that I was able to get out of the office and attend some concerts this month. I must tell you that I owe my ears an apology, and I hope my eyes don't file a lawsuit against me. I apologize to myself for putting myself through it. Much of what I heard was not “Music” and what I saw was not “pleasing to the eye”.

What I heard and saw this month gave me a “pit” in my stomach – group after group screaming at the top of their lungs from beginning to end. I saw red-faced men with veins bulging in their necks, bending over and singing to the floor. I saw ladies with looks of agony on their faces that would certainly rival anything you might see in the labor and delivery section of the maternity ward in your local hospital.

Keeping in mind that our ultimate goal in this endeavor we call Southern Gospel Music is to win the lost; I find it difficult to believe that any unbeliever would be drawn to the foot of the Cross by what I saw.

I left those concerts thinking, “How in the world did we get to this”? Based on what I heard, it is no wonder that our sales and attendance are down, and the Southern Gospel “Screaming” Industry is dead last in every category.

Before you send me your emails of protest I qualify that by saying that it's true that we do have quality artists that are as good at singing as anyone in any genre of music, but sadly, they are fast becoming the minority. Our industry has been overtaken by a new breed of “screamers” that couldn't sing their way out of a wet paper bag, even if you cut a hole in the top.

“IN STYLE” DOESN'T MEAN “INCONSIDERATE”

I was at an awards ceremony recently and saw a SG artist accept an award in an outfit that looked like he just finished changing the oil on the bus. I'm talking about filthy jeans, a wrinkled shirt, and hair that looked like the artist used a hand grenade instead of a comb. I'm not talking from the standpoint of a seasoned old-timer who is criticizing younger styles. I understand that the younger artists dress “young”. There's nothing wrong with being “in style”. I'm talking about artists who are so arrogant about their appearance that they don't feel the need to honor the audience members who took time out of their own busy lives to come to a concert. If I invited you to my home for dinner and when you arrived, I opened the door and hadn't even bothered to clean up and make myself presentable, I'm sure you would feel less than honored as a guest in my home. Artists need to remember that the audience is there because they were INVITED to be there, just like when you invite someone to your home for dinner. They need to be treated as the honored guests they actually are. It scares me that this seems to be the current trend – artists who look like homeless derelicts singing the Gospel of our Saviour. Even to identify them by using the word “artist” is an insult to those who truly are.

WHERE IS OUR PRIDE? WHERE IS OUR DIGNITY?

Our mission is to sing the Gospel in song, to minister and entertain, and through that, win the lost. Philippians 3:14 says, “I press toward the mark for the prize of the HIGH CALLING of God in Christ Jesus”. Ours IS a high calling and I believe we have lost sight of that and taken our eyes off the prize. In last month's column I took the time to answer some of your questions. This month, I've got questions of my own. Maybe you can answer them.

Does it bother you when an artist or group goes on stage in dirty wrinkled clothes? Does it offend you?

Have you attended a concert where the screaming was so bad you could not understand the lyrics?
Do you like it when a singer screams?
Do you think that the words “pride” and “dignity” matter at all anymore?
Do you feel that the SG music industry treats its audience with the respect it should?
As a consumer, do you ever think about complaining to the record companies who are foisting these artists upon us and ruining our industry so they can make a buck? If not, why not?

As always, I welcome your comments.

God Bless You

Nick Bruno

Reader Comments

Wow Nicky! I can see some screaming, vein popping, agony featured people right now. The only thing is that they are not singing they are raging at you! Ha. All I can say is that if the shoe fits, wear it!

There is nothing wrong with putting your (heart and Soul) into a song, but the discription you put on many groups is so right on! As you say, Nick, we are losing ground all the time and no wonder. I wonder sometimes if these groups look at their own televised concerts? They must not, because I am confident that they would be embarassed with themselves. I am embarassed for them.

As for sloppy dressing, it is uncalled for and downgrading to the gospel. If the people who dress like that, went to find a job most anywhere in our country they would be turned down by most companies. Why should they think that the gospel music fans would think any different? The excuse is that they are reaching a different kind of person then normally comes to the concerts. Strange thing is that I see no one coming to concerts dressed that way even after a couple of years of this feeble attempt to look different.

Keep up the good work Nick. Just keep your blood pressure down. Duane Nicholson

Commented by On 05/01/2005

If you really dispise the industry so bad and can find nothing good in it then maybe you need to consider a mid-life changing jobs?

**Edited by the Administration: we do not condone "name-calling"

Commented by On 05/01/2005

Yes, some of the screaming is a little much. Usually this is done when hitting a very high note, on the upper end of the range. I wonder how much of this is due to trying to sing out of range..(?). People that have the natural range can finesse those high notes without struggling, others have to belt it out to hit the note.

As far as dress, I sometimes it seems almost bizarre. I recently saw a well known mixed group. The ladies looked very nice, but the young man had a shirt which was unbuttoned in an attempt to look (I can't think of a better word). . . sexy. My wife who is not a big SG fan was completely turned off, and now I have a hard time convincing her to attend SG concerts. I think so many artist want to look like performers, and nothing wrong with that, I just think it's important to remember they are Christian performers, and shoud maybe at least pray about the appropriate appearence.

Good article.

Commented by Steve Porter On 05/02/2005

Polyester Suit.....seems to me Nick Bruno was just expressing his opinion, just as you did.

Commented by On 05/02/2005

Hey POLYESTER SUIT,
Evidently you are not as ignorant as your comments because you were smart enough to take the time to come up with a non-existent web site and e-mail address. Not only did you take the time to say something unloving, unkind and untrue to someone who was merely expressing his opinion, but you took the time BEFORE HAND to be sure that no one would know who you are.

If you are actually able to read Nick's article you'd be able to see that Nick is someone who LOVES SGM and wants it to improve.

It appears that Rick Hendrix is correct in HIS article this month when he states: "the lack of unity in the industry... that's the worst thing in our business, friends." When a person like Nick states some HONEST opinions and someone like Polyester Suit gets offended by it.

I guess Mr.Polyester that you are saying that you WANT unkempt, untalented singers who scream at the audience to be what SGM turns in to. If you disagreee with Nick's article, what in the world would be the reasons?

Just when I think there's hope for the future of SGM, someone like "Polyester Suit" raises his head.

Keep it coming, Nick! And thanks! Be brave! Don't let them get to you! The sun will shine again on SGM!

**Edited by the Administration: we do not condone "name-calling"

Commented by On 05/02/2005

Nick,
I agree with your article, as usual. I recently invited a co-worker to a concert at my church and the group was so LOUD that we couldn't hear the words. My friend, who had never heard SGM, didn't much like the music. And she said that the singers "can't really sing, can they?".
I couldn't really defend the group. She was right.
Thanks again for your honesty.

Commented by On 05/02/2005

While I think Bruno does go a bit overboard in his description of SGM at times (I think he is trying to be the shock jock or tabloid writer of SGM, LOL!), I have to say I agree on most points. The question is, when does higher ranged powerful and possibly loud singing become screaming? I would say when it is out of control and out of the blend of the group. I catch myself pushing too hard sometimes just to get one more note in my upper range. The problem is that crowds clap for people who scream almost as much as the ones who sing high and powerful. I don't think the general public doesn't know the difference.

As for the clothes...it is always going to be an uphill battle from one generation to the next with one style to the next. Jeans and wrinkled shirts are "in", this means some will like some won't. Personally if someone showed up in a polyester suit and a combover i would be offended, LOL! Unfortunately that is the other end of the spectrum.

Another good article Nick. Just keep pushing those hot buttons and the people will have to read!!

Commented by Zach On 05/02/2005

Nick, I have to say that I have'nt been to a concert where there was too much screaming going on. Bad singing, yes but very little screaming.
Also I have heard many groups have thier PA set WAY too loud.
No I guess I don't like screaming.
Yes, Pride and Dignity mean alot to my group.
When we travel, we travel in slacks and a nice pullover shirt. We set up in the same thing. No tattered jeans or tank tops like I have seen some groups do.
For the most part I do feel that Sg industry guys treat the fans properly. But you do have the bad apples as in any basket.
Even if we as consumers were to complain to the record companies, do you really think they would listen? I think not because it's all about the dollar. Now if we had people by the thousands complaining......Hmmmm, Maybe.
Good article. Keep hammering the issues.

**Edited by the Administration: we do not condone "name-calling"

Commented by Brian Rayburn On 05/02/2005

I agree with Mr. Bruno on most all his points. Recently I attended a concert with a popular mixed family group. The ladies were dressed appropriately, but the guys rolled into the concert and looked as if they simply got out of bed and walked on stage. Granted it was in a gymnasium and it was a benefit concert for a local radio station, but there was no reason for those guys to be dressed in this manner. Funny thing is, I usually like this group and their songs. I didn't appreciate the long-sleeved, untucked, unbuttoned shirts and baggy jeans with holes in the knees. Needless to say, I didn't purchase their latest CD. I wonder what Jake, Hovie, Rex, JD, Howard and Vestal would say if they saw the way some artists dress now? Yes, as artists we have to appeal to our audience, but don't do it at the risk of losing the ministry focus. As for the loudness of the singing--I felt like I was at a country music concert. This same group travels with a full band. I didn't know if I was watching a band play or back-up dancers to the singers. I've always heard that a good musician knows when NOT to play! The same holds true here. A good musician shouldn't have to be showy for people to know he's good.

Commented by On 05/02/2005

I can go back many years on my recordings and hear lots of "screaming". It has been used as an effect, which, by the way, the audiences seem to enjoy, because the "screams" back when the tenor has "screamed" out his last high note indicate their approval.
As to the dress, I have had a real hard time accepting the fact that our society has accepted a lower form of dress. People are not dressing any diffently at concerts than they do at Church. Next time you go to Church, notice how the special singers from the Church are dressed, how the "Praise Team" is dressed. Everyone is "dressed down". Sorry guys, but it's here to stay. It's in the world we live in, and "old" style SGM is not going to change it. Now we can lose a whole lot more of our audience by making a big fuss about the way some of our younger groups, who are making huge success, are dressing than we will ever lose by the old resistant to change crowd leaving simply over not wearing suits.
Another thing that I had to come to realize is that those "dirty" jeans are not dirty. They are sold that way, much the same way that "faded" jeans were bleached out before being sold.
I know it's tough, but some of us "older" generation are going to have to wake up to the fact that clothing styles have left us behind. It's hard I know, but we aren't going to change it, any more than we are going to change many Pastors not wearing a suit and tie on Su8nday or Wednesday nights. Really, this is not the end of our music. I do wonder though, Would you rather see our artists dressed in regular stgreet clothes, or dressed like many of the country singers in outlandish sparkled flashy suits? Of course those guys are out of touch with the country music industry also.

Commented by On 05/02/2005

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