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I can't help but chuckle when I read some of the comments on message boards and blogs when people who either think they know it all, or are self proclaimed critics start talking about how bad the quality of SGM is. Sometimes I'm laughing out loud, and other times I'm screaming at the computer.

Southern Gospel probably has more educated and trained singers than anyone realizes. Though they don't announce it from stage, many of the singers have attended one or more of the music schools available to our industry. Though the three most widely known are the Steve Hurst School of Vocal Performance and Ministry, the Stamps-Baxter School of Music run by Ben Speer, and the Charles Novell Music School, there are many other music school across the nation. All of them offer such subjects as sight reading, ear training, vocal lessons and much more. Why do students attend these schools, because many people throughout the industry impress upon young people the importance of developing the talents that God has given them. Education and training are high priorities in the Southern Gospel genre.

I am really amused when these self-proclaimed critics try to tell us why correct vowel pronunciation is terrible, or why instructing groups to cut off certain consonants is wrong. Anyone who has ever performed in a choir has been told by the director to not sing the last t or d or s in a phrase. Everyone with any common sense knows that this stops a group or choir from ending a phrase with "I've been saved-d-d-d" or "Jesus savess-s-s-s". Give me a break. That's why we have teachers at these schools who actually know what they are talking about.

As a result of this training inertia most of the top tier groups are filled with quality singers who are trained so they can have longevity in their careers as Gospel singers. How else do you explain that SGM is just about the only genre where singers will last well into their 60s and 70s singing 150 to 250 dates a year. How many 50 or 60 or 70 year old singers do you hear in CCM or Christian Rock that still have quality voices. As much as some people would like to think, Southern Gospel Music is not filled with singers who just decided to get up and start singing one day.

Let's touch the delicate subject of what vocal quality is to the average listening ear. The truth is that there is no explaining what quality is. So as not to offend any SG fans or artists, let's use some secular artists for examples. Now I love the voices of Jerry Vales, or Robert Goulet, or Andy Williams, or even Harry Connick, Jr. I know of other people who will swoon at the voice of Willie Nelson, or Conway Twitty, or Johnny Cash. Now I'm wondering, "what in the world do they like about those voices?". As much as I wonder that, I'll never change their minds that Willie Nelson can out sing Andy Williams. Then we have those that think no one can hold a candle to Pavarotti, or Caruso. Go figure.... Opera? Did you know that there are actually some people who like the voice of Michael Jackson? Don't forget some people think that Bill Monroe is top of the line singing, while others think that, get this, Barbra Streisand, and even Mariah Carey are great singers. Can you believe that?

Now here are some surprising Southern Gospel FACTS. There are some people who hate quartets. I can't believe that I just said that, but it's true. Some people don't like the sounds of Gold City. Can you believe that? On the other hand, there are people who LOVE quartet singing and think that Gold City has never put out a bad song. Oh, you may have a hard time believing this, but there are some people who LOVE the McKameys. Yeah, The McKameys. They buy every CD that the McKameys put out, and wouldn't miss a concert by them within 200 miles of their home. One more, Bluegrass music actually has fans. Beats me why, but they do. The point is that quality is different things to different people. You cannot put quality in a box and say, "here it is, like it or leave it". Quality is subjective to the ear of those hearing it.

My wife drives me crazy wanting me to watch mystery and suspense movies with her. I hate them. I love to watch boxing and ultimate fighting, especially on high def. She has absolutely no interest in sharing that experience with me. Why? It's all personal preference. Why do I love orange and she loves green? (Well she loves the green because it's the color of money and she loves to get money, but that's another story) It's just personal preference.

One more point. Is there some questionable music is SGM? Sure, when you get down to the local levels, quality control is an issue, however, when you get to the local levels, every genre, Christian or secular has quality control issues. When I hear these self proclaimed experts talking about all of the pro groups having pitch problems or timing problems I have to think that the only problem is in their hearing or their imagination. Every singer has a bad night from time to time where they can't hear the tracks or the monitors, and every singer has a night or two where their heads are just congested and they miss a pitch or two, but it is not the norm and it is not an every night event.

The next time someone complains about a lack of quality in Southern Gospel music, just go take a look at the current selection of music in any record store and then count your blessings that "your choice of quality" is still available.

Reader Comments

At the risk of being flamed, I will say the following. If my purpose as a musician was to advance my career and fill my bank account - I would work in nearby Branson - not singing Gosepl songs there as I do now several times a month - but singing clean country songs. Or, I would have maybe learned earlier in life to do clean songs in a light rock or pop style.

I do not personally believe that all non-religious music is evil - if it is clean. Extolling the virutes of true love, friendship and commentary on life in general is certainly acceptable forms of music, as they are acceptable forms of literary offerings.

But I have never had any interest in these styles of music. I wnet to Bible College in 1968 to train for the ministry to reach people for Jesus, and have subsequently done everything from teaching in Bible college, pastoring a church, evangelizing, serving as a radio program director and on-air talk show host, producing a major national radio program - and traveling as a Gospel singer.

Most years, we are seeing 100 people or so accepting the Lord in our concerts. I never saw those kind of results as a pastor - or in any other ministry I waa involved in.

So - it's this simple. I am a Gospel singer because I have found, in my 57 years of living, that it is the thing I can do in life to most effectively reach people with the message of the Gospel.

I am sick and tired of those who feel that Gospel singers today should measure up to "American Idol" standards. They don't get it. That's not what we do. That's not what we seek to do. That's not what our Gospel music forfathers did - or sought to do.

There are some "stars" in our Industry - but they are few and far between. The majority of those being won to the Kingdom through Gospel music are being won by groups of less-than "star" status. Many of us are in this Industry to reach people with our music.

And make no mistake - there must be musical excellence. A desire to minister in music should not be allowed to excuse one from learning and perfecting his craft with diligence. Shame on the Gospel musician who shoots for anything less than the very best in his pursuit of excellence in his music and presentation.

But, that being said, groups such as The Blackwood Brothers and The Statesmen once thrilled crowds at a level rarely achieved today - with less-than "American Idol" vocals. But - they were very effective in entertaining the crowds - and telling people about Jesus.

I just received a private recording of a live 1959 Fort Worth Blackwood/Statesmen concert. The crowd appears to be ecstatic. The singing is good - but not "American Idol" perfect. But, the groups totally communicated with their crowd.

And I was amazed at how much Hovie and James preached to the people. That is frowned on today in paid-admission concerts, because it eats time that could be used for singing - and may offend people - but Hovie and James wanted to be sure that night that the people understood that they could have God in their lives.

Gospel music was evangelistic back then, as well as entertaining. It still is evangelistic with us -as with many other groups - with no apologies.

So, I have been amused by the reviews our group has received over the years. The "American Idol" crowd can find plenty of shortcomings - while others really seem to get immediately what we're all about.

And, I have found, some pastors do not want the American Idol types of performers ministering in their churches. They want musical excellence - but necessarily of that degree - if the ministry aspects of the group is not as strong as the performance.

But, some have come to demand a standard of perfection that not even the great groups of yesterday could attain to - while those supposedly achieving this level of performance today may not effectively reach their crowd with the message of the Gospel.

So - what do the fans really want? They want something real. And, Deon's group (Sunday Edition) is among those groups that are very real. We love singing with them. They, like many others, get through to the crowd with excellent and passionate singing - but with equal emphasis on the message of the Gospel that the songs contain. The crowd wants to be stirred by hearing their favorite group present the Gospel effectively to those attending the concert, as well as with good singing.

But, many are calling for musical excellence for musical excellence's sake alone - missing entirely some of the components that have historically made Gospel concerts great.

And, some keep asking why concert attendance is falling rapidly? Why spend money for gas and pay ticket prices to attend a concert when you can watch American Idol at home for free - if that is the ideal we are now striving for?

And to me - some of these concerts are as exciting as spam.

OK - go ahead - your turn - flame away.

Cliff Cerce
The Cerces, PO Box 8525, Springfield, MO 65801
417-863-8440
http://www.thecerces.com

Ken,

Gospel music "bit" me when I was only 11 1/2 years old - when I went to my first Gospel concert in February of 1963 - hearing The Blackwood Brothers and The Couriers that night.

One year later, I joined my first Gospel group - and I haven't stopped singing yet.

I, too, felt the "wonder" of this awesome music. Careful - it's contagious. You might wind up spreading it to your friends, if you're not careful!

Cliff Cerce
The Cerces, PO Box 8525, Springfield, MO 65801
417-863-8440
http://www.thecerces.com

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