"Glad Tidings", for "An Inconvenient Christmas" that will make you "Shout Glory"! No, I'm not the three wise men, but I do bring you three fabulous gifts sure to make any Southern Gospel Music lovers' wish come true this holiday season! Leading the pack for seasonal releases hails from "America's Favorite Family of Southern Gospel Music," The Hoppers. Glad Tidings is an eleven- track masterpiece of familiar and new songs and is a "must-have" for any fan of the best musical vocal blends that this genre has to offer. You will love Dean Hopper's rendition of "O Holy Night" and Connie's beautiful picturesque portrayal of "Hope Has Hands". Kim Hopper shines vocally in the mid tempo "Unspeakable Joy" penned by Bill and Gloria Gaither. Then put your seat belts on for the turbo-charged rendition of "Jingle Bells". If you think this title is familiar, hold on you your hats! You will be looking for the reins to slow that horse down! In all honesty, all members of the Hopper family carry out this peppy arrangement of the beloved Christmas staple to perfection. Several medleys include "It Came Upon A Midnight Clear/Silent Night!/ Holy Night," and "Caroling Caroling/Sleigh Ride/ Winter Wonderland". These traditional will be a welcome and festive addition to your holiday gatherings. This seasonal Hoppers CD, Glad Tidings, is a perfect stocking stuffer for the die-hard Southern Gospel fan. Get your copy today at your favorite Christian bookstore. Not sure what to get that male quartet lover on you list? I HIGHLY recommend the Oak Ridge Boys Christmas CD, An Inconvenient Christmas. I have had the privilege of seeing many of these songs performed live by the guys and I have to tell you friends, The Oaks are on fire! They have not stopped in the three years that I have been part of their team and there is no sign of slowing down on the horizon. This CD is just fantastic. From the title track, "Winter Wonderland" to the "Hallelujah Chorus", this CD is a wonderful journey combining the old with the new, the classic with the standard, spiritual with the seasonal, serious with the fun. You'll find all of the above on this wonderful holiday treat. I have two favorite selections on this CD- "The Most Inconvenient Christmas" and "My Son". Being a story- teller myself, I am drawn to the songs that tell a story. "The Most Inconvenient Christmas" tells a comical story of a family on their way to Grandpa's house but get delayed by a blizzard. After a while, they continue on their way only to find Grandpa's house has burned to the ground. Grandpa is fine but is now displaced so he, along with all of his farm animals must now relocate to the family's home. Sound inconvenient? We can all relate to holiday travels, especially if you have children and pets. But the chorus brings in the reality of the Christmas season:

The most inconvenient Christmas ever was Was the first one, when God came so far To give himself to us So when stress hits each December How it helps me to remember God is with us most when things just can't get worse The most inconvenient Christmas ever was… was the first.

That is a life lesson that we all need reminding of each year. Thank you Kyle Matthews for a wonderfully crafted song! My second favorite is "My Son" (written by John McElroy and Dottie Moore). I have to admit, it's a little hard to listen to because the lyric is so strong. Mary bears her mother's heart as she travels through the life of Jesus from the manger to the cross. She describes the fate of her son as, "so many things to so many people, My Son, My Son …Teacher, Prophet, Messiah and King… My Son, My Son". She brings us into her world, bears her heart, and her pain as the lyrics wrap themselves around a mother's desire to see her son do well, all the while knowing that he will be the one to save the world. It's very moving and worth the price of the CD all by itself. An Inconvenient Christmas from The Oak Ridge Boys is available now wherever great Christian music is sold. Last but surely not least is this years' edition of the finest Southern Gospel Music has to offer. Shout Glory! is the fourth installment of the Spring Hill Shout! series and it contains Southern Gospel Music's best songs from your favorite artists. This 2- disc offering includes chart topping songs from Legacy Five (I Found Grace), The Booth Brothers (Under God), The Gaither Vocal Band (Knowing You'll be There), Karen Peck & New River (That's Why They Call It Grace) Mike Bowling (I Take Him Back) and many more. This is a thirty-song masterpiece and a sure winner to satisfy any Southern Gospel fan on your holiday gift list. As 2003 come to a close, I'd like to say thank you. Thank you to all of the wonderful artists that I represent, and the people that I have the privilege of speaking to through music promotion and my writings for this column. It is my humble prayer that God blesses each of you who have journeyed with me in 2003 each month in the Spring Board as I have brought the offerings of the Spring Hill family into your lives. Many of you have been so kind with your notes and e-mails about how one thing that God has allowed me to share with you has touched or changed your life. For that, I am humbly thankful. I give Him all the glory and I ask that you support this forum by telling others about it. We need to be courageous Christians and spread the word about our beloved Savior. Don't let the business of the world at CHRISTMAS or any other time allow that task to be INCOVENIENT. Because you know Christ, you be the bearer of Glad Tidings of hope and eternity always until the Lord calls you home to meet Him face to face. Now THAT will be a time to Shout Glory! Happy Holidays! Buffi J. Holland National Radio Promotions Coordinator Spring Hill Music Group Psalms 100- Make a JOYFUL noise unto the Lord!

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