Looking throughout the history of pop culture, there has always been those things – whether they be musicians, authors, artists, speakers, inventions, styles, clothes, etc. – that have “it.” Explaining what “it” is is often a grueling task. No one really knows what “it” is – but they know that “it” is hot, popular, and being talked about around the water cooler at work the next day.
Southern Gospel has a current “it” list as well – those artists, songwriters, producers, record labels, etc. that people seem to be talking about. Even Southern Gospel as a genre was listed by CCM Magazine as being the new “ alternative christisn music ” with help from the likes of the Crabb Family and the Gaither Vocal Band .
We at SGN hear a lot of stuff. We hear who is hot, who is doing well in concert, sales, and radio. So, this is our own “It Factor” list. These are 20 things that have that “it” factor – 20 people and/or things that are making a difference in our genre.
So, without further delay, here is SGN's 20 Things in SG That Have “It.”
*in no particular order
(list compiled by Susan Unthank, Deon Unthank & Chris D. Unthank)
The Isaacs – The Isaacs have always been popular, but with their recent stint on the Homecoming Tour and their signing with Gaither Music Group , the group seemed to reach even greater heights of popularity. Most people enjoy the Isaacs' unique approach to songwriting, but it's hard to deny a group with such an amazing live band as well. With fans in every genre of music, the group is bound to get even more popular.
**Rumor has it that at the Nashville stop of the Homecoming Tour, popular country band SHEdaisy attended just to hear the Isaacs.
CrossWay – The biggest problem with this young quartet in the past was their lack of a real unique voice. When Matt McFarland joined the quartet a couple years ago, they added an edge that they had been missing. Many people are already dubbing them as “The Next Oak Ridge Boys” . If you've seen them live lately, you'll know exactly why people are saying such thing.
**This seems to be a great year for the guys of CrossWay, as the group earned 5 SGN Music Award nominations and 2 Dove Award nominations.
Rebecca J. Peck – The 2005 SGN Music Award winner for Songwriter of the Year (Professional) beat out heavy weights like Joel Lindsey , Kevin Stokes , Zane King , and Sue C. Smith for the title. It seems lately that everyone wants a Rebecca Peck song, especially since she wrote or co-wrote two of the biggest hits of 2004 – “Even In the Valley” (Whisnants) & “His Life for Mine” (Talleys).
**This was Peck's second SGN Music Award, as she was awarded 2003 Traditional Southern Song of the Year for co-writing the Carolina Boys' hit “God Sits On High”.
Hope's Call – Very seldom does a new group hit the scene and blow everyone's expectations out of the water. Hope's Call has been able to do just that. The group has laid claim to 3 Top 10 hits on the SGN Top 40 Weekly Chart, and they are following up their critically acclaimed Bright New Day with 2 new projects this year – an a cappella album and a brand new studio project.
**Hope's Call was recently nominated for 6 SGN Music Awards, including Male Vocalist of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Mixed Group of the Year, and Song of the Year, among others.
Internet radio – It seems like just yesterday that there were only a handful of full-time Southern Gospel internet radio stations. Just recently, they've been cropping up all over the place. People seem to be latching on to the concept of listening to great Southern Gospel radio from home, work, or wherever. Fan favorites include sglive365 , SGM Radio , Global Southern Gospel , Southern Spin Radio , and All Quartets Radio . Each station has its own unique flair, focusing on different aspects of the genre.
**sglive365 was recently nominated for a Best of Live365 Radio Award, as well as an SGN Music Award nomination for Best Artist/Industry Website this year. In 2004, the station earned an American Christian Music Award nomination for Favorite Internet Radio Station.
LordSong – They've always had the “it factor”, even when they debuted on the scene more than five years ago. It seems the group has their fingers on the current pulse of music and ride along with it wherever it goes. Whether they are doing country, bluegrass, inspirational, or traditional, LordSong is always on top of their game. Then again, constantly touring with Mark Lowry can't be a bad thing.
**
LordSong recently covered the Darlene Zschech praise and worship classic “Shout to the Lord” on their latest offering Soul Food, produced by fellow “it factor” producer, Kevin Ward.
Booth Brothers – The 2005 SGN Music Award winner for Best Live Performer has been wowing crowds for years with their exuberant stage presence. However, their latest album for Spring Hill Music Group really set the group ahead of the pack. With harmonies reminiscent of the Gatlin Brothers or the Eagles, it's plain to see why everyone seems to adore the Booth Brothers as much as they do.
**The Booth Brothers won four SGN Music Awards in 2004, including Male Group of the Year, Traditional Southern Song of the Year, Traditional Southern Album of the Year, and Best Album Cover.
Kevin Stokes – Though not a strictly Southern Gospel producer, Kevin is most notably known for his work on critically acclaimed albums like the McRaes ' Traveling On , Mike Bowling 's Where I Stand , and Hope's Call 's Bright New Day . Kevin has an ear for all kinds of different styles, as well as being an extremely sought-after songwriter. He has a knack for stretching an artist's style as well as making them feel right at home in their own skin.
**Kevin currently heads up his own production company (Five Stone Productions), but he most recently found a home working at such record labels as Spring Hill Music Group and Daywind Records/Vital Communications.
Crabb Family – You can't have an “it list” in any genre of Christian music without mentioning this popular family. They've recently been seen sharing the stage with not only Southern Gospel favorites, but also other Christian artists such as Jars of Clay , Smokie Norful , and J Moss . Their annual CrabbFest continues to grow, and Crabb Jam Tour (also featuring Mike Bowling , the McRaes , and CrossWa y) is turning heads across the nation.
**The Crabb Family recently swept up four Dove Awards this years, as well as two weeks later staking claim to six SGN Music Awards, including Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Mixed Group of the Year, Progressive Southern Song of the Year, Best Album Cover and Female Vocalist of the Year for Kelly Bowling.
Mercy's Mark Quartet – Gold City alum Garry Jones started Mercy's Mark Quartet less than two years ago, and they have done nothing but blow up bigger than anyone's imagination. The group signed with Daywind Records right off the bat, and their debut album Mercy's Mark Quartet has been a critic and fan favorite. This group became a top tier group in a matter of minutes. Also notable – the group tied for Breakthrough Artist of the Year with Christlike at the 2005 SGN Music Awards.
**Mercy's Mark Quartet is currently slated to perform on Saturday evening of the 6th Annual Gospel Music Fan Festival.
Kevin Ward – Much like the other Kevin on this list, Kevin Ward has slowly but surely been making a name for himself as one of the industry's top producers. His name can be found most recently on LordSong 's Soul Food , Journeymen Quartet 's Great Reward , and Hope's Call 's Christmas album This Night . Ward has been nominated two years in a row for Producer of the Year in the SGN Music Awards.
**Kevin is currently working on new projects for the Florida Boys and Hope's Call, and he owns his own recording studio – Kilowatt Studios.
Blogs – Blogs have been a phenomenon not only in Southern Gospel but all over the internet. In Southern Gospel, bloggers include everyone from industry professionals, artists, fans, those that know it all, and those that think they know it all. Perhaps the fad will die down in the coming months. However, one thing is for sure – blogs are here for now.
**Susan Unthank, editor of this site, owns her own blog. Her children, Amy & Chris, also operate their own blogs.
Jody Brown Indian Family – Sometimes it's difficult to watch such a talented family group like the Jody Brown Indian Family struggle its way to the top. It seems the time was well worth it for this popular family band. They've recently seen a string of hits one after the other on Southern Gospel radio, and their live performances are some of the best in the industry. It won't be long before JBIF are household names.
**The group has several big bookings this year, including mainstage National Quartet Convention, CrabbFest, 6th Annual Gospel Music Fan Festival, and SGM FanFair among others.
The McRaes – Think about it – the McRaes are an anomaly in Southern Gospel. First of all – there are only two of them, and second, they are both girls. It's always been an uphill battle for this talented group, but they've taken it in stride – and it has paid off bountifully. This group took the industry by storm with their latest album, Traveling On . The future only looks brighter for this group.
**The group will be entering the studio with new Daywind Publishing Director Bubba Smith producing in June. The group says that this new record will stretch them even further than their previous album did.
Song Garden Music Group – Founded last year by Nick Bruno and Old Time Gospel Hour 's Robbie Hiner , Song Garden Music Group seems to have that “it factor”, mainly due to the kind of talent that the label is signing – the aforementioned Old Time Gospel Hour Quartet, the Lesters , Paid In Full , and more. The label is also starting sub-labels for developing talent and other genres. They seem off to a good start.
**Nick Bruno is a popular producer, helming projects by Old Time Gospel Hour Quartet, the Booth Brothers and more. Nick was nominated for Producer of the Year at the 2005 SGN Music Awards.
Joel Lindsey – Much like Rebecca J. Peck, Joel Lindsey is one of the hottest writers on the scene today. Penning songs like “I Wish I Could Have Been There” and “I Will Find You Again”, Lindsey has become a household name in Southern Gospel. Joel has managed to have songs recorded in multiple genres like southern, bluegrass, pop, and inspirational.
**Joel is a three time nominee for Songwriter of the Year in the SGN Music Awards (he was awarded Traditional Southern Song of the Year this year). In addition, Joel is a former nominee for Songwriter of the Year at the Dove Awards.
Family Music Group – Family Music Group was originally founded by the Crabb Family and has been home to artists such as the Crabbs, Hoskins Family , Mike Bowling , and the McRaes . Les Butler now leads a strong crew at the label, which is the home of artists like the Dunaways , Christlike , Soul Real , and many more. With a strong vision and steady artist roster, Family Music is currently storming the industry.
**In the last two years, Family Music Group has earned almost 10 nominations for various New Artist of the Year awards for the Dunaways and Christlike.
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound – To some they look like fools on stage, yet to even more, they are one of the most exciting new artists to hit the stage in years. Haase has learned from the best singing with the Cathedrals for so many years, and that experience has paid off graciously. Call them what you want, Ernie Haase & Signature is anything but a flash in the pan artist. They are here to stay.
**Ernie Haase & Signature Sound can currently be found touring the nation with the Gaither Homecoming Concert. However, don't try to get to them at their product table, because they remain one of the busiest at the events.
Mike Bowling – He's been around for years and has still managed to maintain a certain buzz about him. Gaining experience from traveling with the likes of the Hinsons and the Perrys , Mike Bowling owns the stage every time he takes it. Arguably the most popular soloist on the Southern Gospel circuit, Bowling continues to gain fans across the world with his country-tinged Southern style.
**Mike Bowling is a two time nominee for Male Vocalist of the Year at the SGN Music Awards, though this year was his first year to win that specific award. He won his first SGN Music Award in 2004 – Country/Bluegrass Album of the Year for his album It's My Life.
The Perrys – The Perrys have been in the upper echelon of artists in Southern Gospel for many years, however they just recently started to dominate programs around the country. Their energetic stage techniques and undeniable vocal harmonies have impacted audiences all across the world. The Perrys are where Southern Gospel is at.
**The Perrys won their first award for Favorite Mixed Quartet at the 2004 Singing News Fan Awards. When the group took the stage to accept the award, the audience was on their feet and in tears. Their win became the most talked about that year.
Author: Chris D. Unthank
| Author's Website: http://southernspin.com
Written: 04/30/2005
| 
Category: Feature Articles
Comments: 26
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Good Morning,
I read your article and believe everyone has overlooked one of the best trios in the country. They may not have their name on every blog or internet chat room in gospel music but the people who attend singings regularly need to give these gentlemen a chance and they will not be disappointed. They have been together 3 1/2 years and are quickly making their mark in churches and Southern Gospel venues across the country. If you check their schedule on their website will find they are completely booked for 2005 and already have dates for 2006. I am speaking of HisSong consisting of Adam Elrod, Dennis Humphries, and Gary Winningham. Their labor has been rewarded and they have seen over 800 souls saved and that is what it is all about. Please give these new (and I use that word lightly because some have been together several years) groups a shot at becoming a legends in this business. HisSong is growing in popularity and you will want to be a part of this ministry. If they are scheduled to sing in your area go worship with them, get to know them, give them a chance, decide for yourself. HisSong remember that name you will be seeing it more in the years to come. http://www.hissongmusic.com
Funny...a year ago some "employees" of this site seemed very anti-EHSSQ...to the point of ridiculing their stage appearences and even suggesting that they are a "flash in the pan"...My, my! How tunes and times change.
People do need to get to the EHSSQ product table ...for their music and to meet these guys...they are the more genuine out there.
I don't believe you've ever heard Deon, Susan or I ever say those things about EH&SSQ;. However, there are over a dozen staff writers for this site, and they all have opinions of their own.
Just because they have a certain opinion (though I've never heard any of them say such things about EH&SSQ;) - that does not mean that that is the general consensus of this website.
Chris Unthank
tiki,
I guess your memory is failing you, because no one on this staff has ever said such outlandish statements about Signature Sound. Now there have been some old fuddie-duddies on the message boards who have beedn anti- SSQ, but you did not see it from SGN staff or owners. Not sure why you would make such an outlandish statement, but it certainly isn't true.
The first sentence in the paragraph about Signature Sound in your article states:
"To some they look like fools on stage, yet to even more, they are one of the most exciting new artists to hit the stage in years."
In my dictionary, a fool is "One who is deficient in judgment, sense, or understanding". That is a pretty outlandish statement to make. Very disrespectful to SSQ! I dont have a problem if SSQ is not your taste in music but to call them fools is a bad choice of words.
Dear HJ,
We did not call SSQ fools, we stated that "to some they look like fools". 
This is a true statement and has been made my many SG fans, and is not an opinion held by this publication.
SoGospelNews.com
If, in fact, that is a true statement, why didnt you feel the need to say that "to some they look like fools" about every group or person mentioned? Im sure that opinion is held my many fans about many groups. Again, whether you like Signature Sound or not doesnt matter to me. My point is the quote was a bad choice of words.
Dear HJ,
Well, we couldn't say it about the rest of the groups because it didn't apply to the rest of the groups.
Thanks for your opinion.
Whoaaaa Nelly!!!! I'm an innocent by-stander here and I gotta tell ya that after reading the article I didn't think SGN was out of line. I'm a fan of both SGN and EH&SSQ;. I thought SGN was giving EH&SSQ; credit for the great job that they do. They were describing them as having the "IT" factor! Isn't it somewhat of an oxymoron to include them in this article but say they're fools? Come on, we know they meant that they act silly on stage! But hey, if you took it the wrong way then SGN may want to choose their words more carefully. Continue the great job EH&SSQ; & SGN!
Re: EHSSQ, they may not be fools but they look stupid..........
RE: Marvin, God bless you too, Man!
Marvin, SSQ looks stupid to who? They certainly don't look stupid to the yonger crowd. My parents thought I look stupid when I wore my hair over my ears back in the 70s also. In fact, they thought that JD Sumner looked pretty stupid when he wore his hair over his ears too. Oooops, I forgot, this is SGM, let's we don't do anything new or anything that might keep up with the fashions of the day. Now come on, we all know that I am not talking about dressing in a way that is not modest, so don't even start to go there.
Well I just want to brag on the folks who I think have the MOST of the "IT" factor, in my book: The Perrys. They are awesome. I look up to each one of them for different reasons and the statement was so true when you said,"The Perrys are where southern gospel is at." They sure are! I am 21 years old and to find the footsteps in this industry that I'd love to follow, I look no further than Miss Libbi and the rest of the guys!
Yall are the best!
In my opinion, the comment about SSQ appearing "like fools" on stage should have been left out completely. If the writing staff is as competent as they should be, they would have recognized that statement as being derogatory and having no place on a so-called "Christian" website. I suggest you take a look in your Bible and see what it has to say about such comments.
**sigh**
Here's the deal guys. This list is about groups that HOT in the industry right now. This is not a list of our favorites of who we want to be on top. This is a list of people that have a huge buzz about them.
With that said - if there was anything written in this article that was meant derogatory - then they WOULD NOT HAVE MADE THE LIST.
There was nothing derogatory about say "to some they look like fools." That's a fact folks. To some they do (even some comments on this article prove that). Did you people not even finish reading the paragraph?
::"yet to even more, they are one of the most exciting new artists to hit the stage in years. Haase has learned from the best singing with the Cathedrals for so many years, and that experience has paid off graciously. Call them what you want, Ernie Haase & Signature is anything but a flash in the pan artist. They are here to stay."::
I rest my case.
AHHHH Man!!!! I was hoping to hear the explanation for SGN's comments just ONE....more... time!!!!! I feel bad for ya Chris! I bet you didn't think you were going to stir up this much contorversy regarding a "figure of speech" now did ya???? Kelly as far as I'm concerned "acting like" & "being" are two different things! I can walk around barking like a dog but that doesn't make me a dog! I understand I left the door wide open on that comment! Not to mention, SGN wasn't calling them (EH&SSQ;) fools. I did NOT read "EH&SSQ; are fools" anywhere in the article! Seriously people!!!!!! By the way Kelly, the Bible also says that he/she who is without sin cast the first stone! I can tell you got one in your hand but you better think twice before you toss it!
the jody brown family ROCKS i love my steffy
I am so glad to see that The Perrys made the list. In my book they have been "it". They have been singing just about as long as enough group out there today, 30 years I believe. It is about time that someone noticed them. They are awsome, and one of the most spiritual groups around.
To offend noone, say and do nothing.
Better yet, comb your hair, wear your ties right, quit dancing, and sing to hundreds of people on the weekends like you're supposed to instead of...uhm...10,000.
Some SSQ fans are living a sheltered life if they haven't read anything negative about their stage presentation. A look at the SGN message boards will dispell any notion that everyone loves it...and makes what Chris said, factual. Heck, even SSQ would agree with Chris.
I just re-read my post and it seems as if I don't care for SSQ. That's far from reality. I'd rank them tops in artists that I enjoy seeing perform.
The point of my post has clearly been misunderstood. I am merely suggesting that the negative comment including the word "fools" could have been omitted or at least re-worded. The Bible speaks against using the word "fool," even if it is just a quote of someone else's statement. I never said that the staff feels that way. I just think that the comment should have been omitted from the article, especially since the article was meant to be positive. And by the way Jeremy, I never said that I myself am without sin and should cast a stone. Last time I checked, it wasn't a sin to state your own opinion. God bless.
Kelly, the Bible speaks against calling someone a fool, not against using the word. There is a big difference.
Here are a few things the Bible says about a fool and foolishness:
1 Corinthians 3:18
Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
1 Corinthians 1:27
But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;
The Bible even goes so far as to say that the foolishness of preaching was used to save the lost.
1 Corinthians 1:21
For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
If preaching can be called foolishness, I think we can justify the quote in the article that to some they look like fools.
How come Greater Vision didn,t make the list.
They are more"it" than any other group out there.
Nothing against Greater Vision, but what have they done lately? Since their Quartets project, they haven't done a whole lot.
Don't get me wrong, I love GV, but really, how can they have an "it - factor" if they haven't done anything recently?
I appreciate our radio station being included in this list of "ITs".. Thanks. Some people think sglive365.com RADIO is programmed by a bunch of fools.. but I know better. There's just one.
Chuck
http://www.sglive365.com
I would like to get back to the positives of the article. I think that Joel Lindsey is an incredible songwriter. And Kevin Ward does a remarkable job. I'm glad to see both of these on the list.
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