No Matter How You Slice It…
In perusing some of the Southern Gospel message boards and blogs, I've been noticing that one of the hot topics these days is where Southern Gospel is going, and how to best describe it. There seems to be some disagreement as to what is "traditional", what is "contemporary" or "progressive", or even if those latter two categories should even be considered Southern Gospel at all. I think it can be agreed that a common important element of Southern Gospel music past and present is the expression of faith and God's word.
Though I'll cover an occasional Southern Gospel event in my website blog "Wendy V's Nashville Blend", I'm not nearly as astute on the genre as some of the more esteemed bloggers out there. As I said when I first began writing this series, I'm a relative newbie to Southern Gospel by way of the Gaither Homecoming videos. I grew up as a pop and rock and roll kid in the 60s. I am what I am, and what I am is a fan that knows what I like when I hear it.
Thus, the bottom line for me is: if it sounds good to me, I'll listen, no matter what category it falls in. Gospel music for me adds another qualification: the message needs to ring true and inspiring as well as being musically engaging.
A recent case in point is the multi-night SoGospelNews.com Fan Festival. On a given night, you'd hear acts on the bill that represent more "traditional" Southern Gospel and the newer "progressive/contemporary" style. I think I've been listening long enough to tell which acts were which stylistically, and I found myself smiling, clapping and bobbing along to all of them and being drawn in by the artist's sincere testimonies.
There's nothing wrong with appreciating the past, such as classic, traditional Southern Gospel. Hey, I love my oldies just as much now as I did when I was younger. But in any musical genre, change is inevitable. I encourage you to listen beyond the labels and be open to what's currently going on…you just may find an unexpected blessing waiting for you.
Wendy Vickers
http://www.wendyv.com
http://www.embraceencouragement.com
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Written: 08/07/2008
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Category: Wendy Vickers
Comments: 4
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Loved your article!! Ditto to all you said. AND, like you, I know what I like when I hear it!!
I think you have just settled the great debate in your comments!
I, too, don't get wrapped up in labels. I like SGM in the broad sense. I'm sure some of my favorites aren't necessarily strict SGM but I like them, so what difference does it make?
God is good all the time & all the time God is good.
Elaine Harcourt
Well said I AGREE, 
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