I have had to sit back and laugh lately. There has been much talk of "past" versus "present" on our message boards here at SoGospelNews.com. It all came about when someone mentioned an article they read in magazine. I've come to the conclusion that the saying, "history repeats itself" is true. You see, many comments have been made that the younger generation involved in southern gospel music are compromising the "true, pure" form of Southern Gospel music. It has been mentioned that very few of the younger generation performing today can actually carry a tune, much less even dare to compare with those gone by. They say the younger generation has no knowledge of what real talent is. It has been said they dress sloppy (disrespectful to God), have no good vocal training, are off pitch when they sing, have no class, etc. I think you get my drift. I have to laugh because those that are complaining about this "younger generation" in Southern Gospel music are the very same people who LOVED the Statesmen, Blackwood Brothers, Oak Ridge Boys, Imperials, etc of yesteryear. They believe that "these young people today" have no knowledge of the past. I was raised hearing about the above mentioned groups. I've heard how they came on the scene performing music that many people called "devil music". They performed on television, which back then was another "devilish" thing to do. DJ's refused to play their music because it was too worldly. These same groups were accused of having no class, no idea what Southern Gospel Music was, dressing sloppy, couldn't possibly compare to those gone by, etc. Sound familiar yet? The very people who try to tell me that the younger generation is ruining Southern Gospel Music are the very people who supported groups who did the same thing our young people are doing today. Take a little old, add a little new and try to attract more people our age to enjoy what we enjoy about this thing called Southern Gospel. So my question is, why must you rebuke us (the younger generation) for something you have obviously supported? This is contradicting. I will defend with my dying breath the very thing some of you oppose, and that is change. It is inevitable. No ifs, ands, or buts about it. Change happens. Without change, we would have no new flowers in the spring, no food to feed our bellies, no new babies to kiss, no new clothes to wear, etc. In fact, as I'm writing this and as you're reading this, TIME is changing. Music is in fact going to change and we will have to live with it. In 20 years, my generation will be complaining about a younger generation who has no clue of what Southern Gospel Music is just as those who do today. The great thing about all of this is that though things change, they remain the same; history STILL repeats itself. For instance, I remember as a child, I used to watch Rainbow Brite, Strawberry Shortcake, CareBears, etc. I had all the toys to match. I work in retail and I see all of this stuff coming back. It is like it is haunting me! (**laughing**) But in all seriousness, even my mom says that everything she wore in high school we are wearing now. It all comes back. So, in essence, the old southern gospel style that some insist that we have lost will come back. That same style is still being played and sang today. Listen to the latest recording by Paid In Full, a great YOUNG group who can sing the styles of yesterday while keeping with the flow of change. It is history, it must repeat itself. My point of all of this is that if you really believe young people today do not have the knowledge of the past as we should, do something about it. Teach it to us. We will be all ears. However, if you fail to teach and only criticize, we will most likely turn a deaf ear to you and do what we want. Young people, don't think you get buy so easily. Listen to those who are willing to teach you of the past of this industry. You'll find that they were smart business people with hearts of gold who wanted nothing more than to see this music grow into what it is today! The past is not as lame as you think?it is quite interesting. So see, there is no need to get upset, worry, or complain about this "younger" generation. All is not lost?history is just repeating itself. Amy Marie Southern Spin, Inc
Author: Amy Marie Unthank
| Author's Website: http://southernspin.com
Written: 04/01/2003
| 
Category: Monthly ArticlesFrom The Heart
Comments: 10
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Bravo, Amy Marie! Very well thought out and written. This is basically what you, I, and several others have been trying to say on the message boards, but we none of us presented it half so well.
Well said. I tell my daughters everyday that as much as things change they remain the same.
Good points Amy. Couldn't have said it better myself.
Amy,
Being of the same age as you, I completely agree with you!! As my parents taught me about southern gospel music, so will I teach my children and hopefully pass it down to my grandchildren. As I've heard Bill Gaither say, "Show me someone who doesn't know where they've been, and I'll show you someone who doesn't know where they are going." I think it's possible to have roots and wings! Good job Amy!!
VERY WELL DONE Amy! I was raised on SOUTHERN GOSPEL Music. Kingsmen, Cathedrals, Gold City...All the what we call "good" groups. When I was with the Kingsmen we had young people all the time at the concerts. But I later found out that these young people at the "SOUTHERN GOSPEL" concerts were the same ones that went to Steven Curtis Chapman, Newsboys and 4HIM...(gasp)...could it be that the same God that is in SOUTHERN GOSPEL music is big enough to be in CONTEMPORARY music as well? What a thought, the younger generation ACTUALLY coming and worshiping at the SAME throne of MERCY AND GRACE as theSOUTHERN GOSPEL crowd....what a concept!
Hear Hear now Chris! You go to blending all that stuff together & it just becomes a bunch of Praise! SG & CC loose their identity, the industry loses position, The (form of music) loses its place & people are just involved in Praise no matter what the type of music.......... What a novel idea? Putting the one we are serving above the method we use to worship Him... WOW! What if that caught on? lol..... And Kay, what a statement...roots & wings! That should be song or a sermon or something! Thanks Amy for such a great article!
Good job Amy.
Whenever a new qroup asks me what they should do to improve; they get the same answer; take the song and the music; add your personality and go; make it yours. We have some really outstanding groups now in Texas and a lot of them have teenagers playing and loving their SGM. So do their fans of all ages.
I can think of several great young "new" groups that are representing southern gospel and more importantly, the Lord well. Crossway Quartet, His Guys, OneWay Quartet, and Paid In Full are all young groups who bring their own fresh sound to this music industry.
Bill Gaither was asked "What do you see as the furure of Southern Gospel Music?" he replied, "If you want to describe southern gspel as narrowly as some want to describe it - it has no future!"
Even a plant grows to make changes or dies.
As a relative newcomer to SG music, & along-time participant on the "blues circuit", I am used to hearing the same arguments about blues music. Some of the "blues purists" would rather hear you perform Robert Johnson's mistakes than do a soulful & skillful interpretation of his songs. As technology provides better opportunites for the performing musician...& as more & more musicians learn their craft in different arenas, & at the feet of varied mentors, you will have a sometimes subtle (& sometimes, not so subtle change) in the fabric of the music. I learned my craft at the feet of blues & R&B artists, such as The Drifters, Percy Sledge, Rufus Thomas & others. As the newest member of a wonderful music ministry, called EXODUS, I quite naturally bring a different flavor & feel to the group than some of the other members, who have extensive backgrounds in SG & country music. Our differing pasts & influences are what contribute greatly to our unique sound....as it should. And what is most important, anyway, is the message that is delivered...of the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
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