Screaming Singers ...I Love Them
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Written: 10/31/2005 
Author: RickBHendrix
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I have to touch on something that seems to keep circling the drain. I keep hearing, "Would you prefer talent or screaming singers?" Well, I would prefer REAL singers over the over-produced. Who really gives a flip if you've produced the perfect record, and you turned around and forgot the most important elements. Fruit, honesty and reality.
So, what if they scream, growl, use there full voice, or sing unnatural. Its not the artist's fault that production ideas are not being appreciated by the buyers. So, what if you all can hit a note perfectly, or produce a project with all the bells and whistles. A lot of good it does sitting in the closet or garage.
Christians love reality, the energy, the spirit, the flow, not the timing, perfection and egos that are producing big budget projects, big budget salaries and BIG boxes of product not being sold.
Next time you wanna gripe about an artist that's growling, or singing what you think is unnatural maybe you should examine all the boxes or returns retail on those over-produced porjects because more than likely only a handful of people are buying it. Its probably over produced or to0 perfect to be pleasant, fruitful or real.
Knowing the market is important. Knowing boundaries is important. Having a level of expertise is important. But lets not allow the self proclaimed Gospel gurus to dictate what we all need. I am sure the mother that just lost her son to suicide is not listening for a controlled vocal run. The father of two that is losing his battle with cancer is not bothered by whether the vocals are stacked. And I am sure the house wife that is bleeding from a brutal beating her husband just gave her is not wondering why the artist is singing unnatural.
Friend, let me tell you what is unnatural. Removing the Holy Spirit from a record. Taking the artist out of the recording and trying to replace it with years of cookie cutter production or trained vocals is unnatural.
I get spiritually ill at the people in the industry sometimes. It seems the people with the most ideas and criticism have the least place on the food chain. No offense, but, it's easy to criticize, condemn.
Leave the singers alone. If they wanna scream their vocals till their jugular pops, its their juglar. I wonder how many people told Rob Parsley and TD Jakes to tone down, not to scream, not to get loud. I can hear it now. "Oh, that's not Christian to be loud.
What is not Christian is to sit back and listen to everyone else but the Holy Spirit. If I wanna know how it feels to hold the hand of Jesus in a storm, awaken from a dark depression, meet my needs down to the wire, hold me when everyone else has betrayed me, dry the years of disappointment from my eyes - I will take the energetic, excited, vein popping, sweating, running singer or preacher that can't sit still because he knows what it's like to feel the worthlessness removed ................ Yes, give me those screamin' singers!
Rick Hendrix
http://www.rickhendrix.com
Reader Comments
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Oh boy! I can't wait to read the responses to this article! What I like is the best of both worlds. A good example would be the Hillsong praise and worship music. Their CDs are not overly produced, but the musicians and singers are both high quality and filled with the Spirit.
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit
- Galatians 5:25.
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To somehow connect LACK OF TALENT with the presence of the Holy Spirit is a really interesting concept. Especially since the Bible clearly states that God expects His musicians to sing and play "skillfully".
It seems to me that when someone tries to breach this subject in SGM they are instantly accused of being UNSPIRITUAL. How can that position be supported by Scripture?
The HEART of the singer is what brings the presence of the Holy Spirit.
Although I guess I understand, in theory, what you are trying to say, I don't think that just because someone has mentioned all the "screaming" that people are calling "singing" that goes on in SGM....that you can draw the conclusion that they don't want the Holy Spirit's anointing on the music. And in a round about way that is exactly what your article seems to be insinuating.
Maybe you didn't mean it.. but..
And while I wholeheartedly agree that if God can get his message across through a talking donkey, He can use anyone to comfort those who are hurting.... I don't think you have established your point that we should never suggest to someone who is not gifted musically that perhaps God has another place for them to be used in the Body of Christ.
I am, frankly, baffled by the fact that anyone in SGM could argue against anyone who is asking for the caliber of muscianship to be raised.
Finally, there is a reason that SGM is the LEAST purchased form of Christian music anywhere on the planet. Maybe we just don't want to hear it. -
great article rick,, as a nine year sg radio veteran nominated as a top ten dj for the last two yeasr thats they basis i have always programmed music by ,.,weather its smooth well produced vocals are rough countrfied twang the thing that matters is the message ,and the ministry factor ,.,.i found gospel listners can be blesssed by music on our station as smooth as the ruppes with under his wings ,.a song that has truly ministered to our listening audience for nine years ,.,or a song such as so much to thank him for ,.,done by those countrified mountain singers the melodyb trio,..theses song both continue to minister to those becuse the artist relly puts their heart into it ,and i belive the songwriters were trully inspired by god and not just a bunch of staff writers sitting down in a company writing room pumping out commercial songs
weather it is contemp.,bluegrass ,mtn quartet,our an old 1800's era hymn of the church what truly sells is a rela god inspired song ,.many number ones just dont fit that bill and are forgotten whithin a year but those songs that truly minister and are truly inspired are that ones that last in the hearts of those that love gosple music ,.lets keep it real most of all and let us stay focus on the message .......\
james metcalf
wjfj radio
columbus nc -
So, your saying God said make a joyful noise and pleasant noise. Does that mean excited singers are not joyful? or that every word not spoken pleasant is not heard by God?
Please-
DE -
People keep saying The Crabb family are screaming. Jason Crabb is a perfect example of a screaming singer that never leaves a building without the HOLY SPIRIT showing up and leaving the crowds on their feet. So, maybe you guys could learn a bit from that.He can sing a note however and whereever he likes. But, when he gets excited he lets the spirit lead.
Sue -
Who mentioned the Crabb Family??
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i think that people can be out of control and out of the spirit. i find very little comfort in someone screaming JESUS - i would rather see JESUS as the peace and comfort. life screams enough.
Joy -
I really dont see the big deal.I feel every artist has their own style.Its not growling etc , its just their voice. I am glad everyone doesnt sing alike.
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The Happy Goodmans did a lot of screaming. The Hoppers and the Hinsons have done their fair share of screaming. The mighty Kingsmen did a lot of screaming... as Jim Hammill said, "It wouldn't be the Kingsmen without somebody busting your eardrums every night." Screaming can be great! But so can singing "properly." Don't get me started on stacked vocals, though. As far as I'm concerned, if you can't reproduce it live, don't do it. There nothing "new" to stacks, though. I remember hearing a "live" Imperials record in 1972 or so where it sounded like 4 Armonds, 4 Roger Wiles, 4 Terrys. and 7 Jim Murrays. It worked for them... but YOU'RE not the Imperials!!!
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In reading this article I believe Rick is trying to say something different than some have percieved. I don't believe you can relegate the Holy Spirit to any style of music. There is nothing wrong with good techique or perfect harmonies, or the style of doing a little "screaming or growling" as long as which ever it is isn't contrived or fake. The benefits of being led by the Spirit far outweigh the intent of the record producer.
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