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For many years now the Singing News Magazine has run a full page article that is dedicated to the opinion of Roy Pauley. Whether you agree with his opinion or not, you have to give him credit for being consistent.
I was thinking the other day about how fortunate Roy is to be able to speak his mind to a large reading audience, about what he considers quality to be. Then it hit me! I have the same opportunity right here with these articles. So fasten your seat belt, because, like it or lump it, here is my opinion of the best Southern Gospel Songwriters of all time.
G.T. Speer - His songs have endured and past the test of time. I still hear artist recording his songs and releasing them as singles. "Dad" Speer wrote many songs in his career, but my favorites are HEAVEN'S JUBILEE, THE DEAREST FRIEND I EVER HAD, I AM HIS AND HE IS MINE, and I NEVER SHALL FORGET THE DAY.
Mosie Lister: - Like G.T. Speer, so many of his songs still stand up to today's radio standards. They are just simply well written songs. Any aspiring writer would do well to study his work. My personal favorites are: HIS HAND IN MINE, FEELING MIGHTY FINE, STILL FEELING FINE, HE CHOSE ME, 'TIL THE STORM PASSES OVER.
Dottie Rambo - I'm sure this is no surprise to those of you who have read my articles for any period of time. I think Dottie is probably the most prolific writer I've seen in my lifetime. Her body of work includes more than two thousand songs. So many of them have become Southern Gospel Classics. Many of them are now in our hymn books and are quickly becoming American Classics. Here is a partial list of my favorites. BUILD MY MANSION NEXT DOOR TO JESUS, IF THAT ISN'T LOVE, HE LOOKED BEYOND MY FAULT, I'VE NEVER BEEN THIS HOMESICK BEFORE, I WILL GLORY IN THE CROSS, TEARS WILL NEVER STAIN THE STREETS OF THAT CITY, I GO TO THE ROCK, JUST IN TIME, DON'T LIFT THE ANCHOR, TOO MUCH TO GAIN TO LOSE and WE SHALL BEHOLD HIM.
Rusty Goodman - I don't know of another writer in any style of music that could pour any more of their heart into a song. Rusty's songs still pack a punch every time I hear one. If there had been no Happy Goodman Family touring and recording, I still believe that Rusty Goodman's song would have found an audience. Rusty's songs hold up no matter what style the music is. Listen if you can to WAIT 'TIL YOU SEE MY BRAND NEW HOME by Teddy Huffum or by the Statesmen. They changed the rhythm, the chords, and even the melody is some places, and the song is still a great song! My favorites include: WHO AM I, HAD IT NOT BEEN, UNTIL YOU'VE KNOWN THE LOVE OF GOD, I'LL BE ALRIGHT AS SOON AS I TOUCH CALVARY, I WOULDN'T TAKE NOTHIN' FOR MY JOURNEY NOW, and I BELIEVE HE'S COMING BACK.
Kirk Talley - Though he has not been around as long as some of the other writers on my list, he has certainly contributed a large amount of great songs to our industry. He's the youngest Southern Gospel Songwriter I know to have already had his songs make it into the new Hymn Books. Here are my Kirk Talley favorites - TRIUMPHANTLY THE CHURCH WILL RISE, LONELY PEOPLE, STEP INTO THE WATER, THERE'S NO OTHER WORD FOR GRACE BUT AMAZING, IF HE HUNG THE MOON, HOLY SPIRIT FALL ON THIS PLACE, SERENADED BY ANGELS, and HE IS HERE.
Ronnie Hinson - I've known this writer longer than I have any of the others mentioned. He came from my home state of California. That's where we first fell in love with the talents of the Hinson family. Ronnie never ceases to amaze me at how he is able to twist a phrase and pull every emotion possible out of it. My favorite list could run a little bit long on this one. But I will try to keep it small. Here they are - THE LIGHTHOUSE, HE PILOTS MY SHIP, DAY OF MERCY, THAT I COULD STILL GO FREE, THE LITTLE STORE FRONT CHURCH, HALLELUJAH MEETIN' , SOLDIER IN THE ARMY, NOAH, THE ORIGINAL SUPERMAN, MERCY BUILT A BRIDGE, and WHEN HE WAS ON THE CROSS (I WAS ON HIS MIND)
Joel Hemphill - What a wide range of variety exists in this one writer. He'll be the first to tell you that he's Country As Cornbread, but his songs have a much wider reach than just the County Gospel fan. His songs still amaze me. Just last week, some guest singers sang at my home church. They began to sing a song called HE CAN CHANGE THE PICTURE OVERNIGHT. By the time they got to the first Chorus, the power of God was so thick in that room you could almost cut it with a knife. I asked the singer where he found that song. I wasn't surprised to hear that it is one of Joel's new works. Joel may have written his most well known songs over twenty years ago, but I found out that he's still got it. He's still writing incredible songs. Here's my list of favorites. PITY THE MAN, NOT IN A MILLION YEARS, I'LL SOON BE GONE, SING THE GLORY DOWN, CONSIDER THE LILIES, HE'S STILL WORKING ON ME, I'M IN THIS CHURCH, GOD LIKES PEOPLE, LET'S HAVE A REVIVAL, IT WASN'T RAINING (WHEN NOAH BUILT THE ARK) , I CLAIM THE BLOOD, MASTER OF THE WIND and THE ONLY REAL PEACE.
This list of writers is by no means complete. These are just the ones that I thought of first. Did I leave out your favorite?
Until next time, keep on writing!
Reader Comments
Wow, what a great list! Those are some of my favorites as well. Their track records can't be beat.
God is good all the time & all the time God is good.
Elaine Harcourt
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Written: 03/01/2005 
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