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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 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 15 things that have that "it" factor – 15 people and/or things that are making a difference in our genre.
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*in no particular order
Brian Free & Assurance – Brian Free has always been the golden tenor of SG, and his group, Assurance, has been a mainstay in the genre since the very beginning. The group’s latest record, It’s So God, has received a rousing reception from critics and reviewers across the board with its blend of traditional quartet music and progressive sounds. This isn’t the last we’ve heard of this phenomenal group.
**Brian Free has been awarded Favorite Tenor in the Singing News Fan Awards seven times since 1988. The group most recently won a Dove Award this year for "Long As I Got King Jesus".
The Kingsmen – Much like Brian Free & Assurance, the Kingsmen created an album this year that could perhaps be the group’s most defining work yet. Good Good God takes the past sound of the group and mixes it with today’s pop country and progressive sounds. The Kingsmen are back and back in a big way.
**The Kingsmen set the record for the longest running #1 on the SGN Top 40 Weekly Chart with "God Sits On High" (though they were then known as the Carolina Boys). That record was broken by Karen Peck & New River - twice.
The Crabb Family Band – Often times when talking about a group, the band is sorely overlooked. There’s no denying that the Crabb Family has been a staple in SG, and that in part is perhaps due to the fact that their band is one of the tightest and most talented around. Hurry and catch the Crabb Family in concert this year so you can say you saw one of the best bands in any genre of music their last year of touring together.
**The Crabb Family band accepted the award for Best Live Performer earlier this year in the 2006 SGN Music Awards.
Mike Bowling Group – Mike Bowling took a step of faith and started his own group last year. The result? One of the most talked about new artists in Southern Gospel since the inception of Signature Sound. Recalling a mix of old school Crabb Family and The Hinsons – the Mike Bowling Group is already taking the SG world by storm.
**In only their first year, the Mike Bowling Group will make their first appearance on the mainstage of the National Quartet Convention – an honor reserved for only a handful of brand new artists.
Singing News Magazine – One can’t mention Southern Gospel media without mentioning the Singing News Magazine in the same breath. The magazine was purchased by Salem Communications last year, and now it features a new cover look and slightly more content. While already a good magazine before, it appears that Singing News is on its way to even more improvements.
**Salem Communications is also the home to other Christian music magazines such as CCM Magazine and Gaither Homecoming Magazine.
TaRanda Greene – Not since Jessica King has a female soloist made such a big splash at Southern Gospel radio. The difference between TaRanda and Jessica? TaRanda managed to go #1 with "Sky Full of Angels" – the first time in thirty years since Dottie Rambo did it with the hit song "Tiny" (though it was credited in Singing News as the Rambos). Way to go TaRanda!
**Southern Gospel favorite Gold City was featured on background vocals for the song "Sky Full of Angels" that hit #1 on every single chart in Southern Gospel.
Gene McDonald – Gene McDonald has always been a favorite among bass fans in Southern Gospel music. McDonald recently released one of the most anticipated albums in current Southern Gospel memory – his solo record. There aren’t many bass singers who can hold their own on a solo record – but McDonald does.
**Gene McDonald was awarded Favorite Bass Singer in the 2002 Singing News Fan Awards.
Donna Beauvais – There are many artists who also moonlight as producers on the side – but none have moved to the forefront of producing as quickly as Donna Beauvais of Hope’s Call. A talented singer in her own right, Beauvais has coached groups to be better artists all around – including groups like up and comers Mercy’s Well, Amazed, Eddie Lee & Anointed, and Vertical Praise.
**Donna is also an acclaimed vocalist – earning a nomination for Female Vocalist of the Year in the 2005 SGN Music Awards. This year she was nominated for Producer of the Year (Artist).
"The Comeback" – This seems to be the year of comebacks in SG – as artists who have taken time off of the road have come back into the limelight to perform – either full time or on a limited basis. Artists currently making a "comeback" are The Martins, Kenny Bishop, MidSouth, Tony Gore & Majesty, Blackwood Brothers Quartet, and many more.
**"The Comeback" is nothing new in Southern Gospel. Groups like The Happy Goodmans, Poet Voices, Brian Free & Assurance, and others have all exited and re-entered at times.
Gordon Mote – It happens frequently. You know, when the studio musician tries to become a performer – utilizing their talents both behind the scenes and on stage. None in recent memory have done it as seamlessly as popular pianist Gordon Mote. His debut album from last year has been eating up the Southern Gospel airwaves.
**Gordon Mote recently made an appearance at the Hellen Keller Festival in addition to wowing crowds at Karen Peck & New River’s annual festival Christian Music Nights.
Rhonda Thompson Promotions – Rhonda Thompson has won numerous awards for her radio promotions with Daywind Records – helping artists like Greater Vision, Crabb Family, Perrys, and more claim #1 songs. Now, she’s all on her own and not doing too shabby in the process – helping artists like the McRaes, Jeff & Sheri Easter, the Perrys, and more in her own company.
**Rhonda Thompson recently helped push TaRanda Greene’s "Sky Full of Angels" to the #1 spot.
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound Summer Tour – Ernie Haase & Signature Sound are staples on the Gaither Homecoming circuit. Rather than just taking the summer off like most artists on the tour, EH&SSQ hit the road again to packed houses on their summer tour. Hopefully this wasn’t the last we’ve seen of tours for this popular group, as it was one of the hottest tickets this summer.
**Ernie Haase & Signature Sound recently won two SGN Music Awards this past April – one for Progressive Southern Song of the Year for "Do You Want to Be Forgiven" and the other for Traditional Southern Album of the Year for their self-titled album.
Dove Brothers Quartet – Some would say "if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it." However, the Dove Brothers Quartet did just the opposite on their last recording, Anything But Ordinary…Everything But Typical. Rather than sticking to their guns, the group reinvented themselves, and it has proven a hit among fans and industry professionals alike. The popular quartet has two new recordings due out this year – one is an album of classics while the other takes what made Anything But Ordinary so popular and builds on it.
**McCray Dove and his wife Yvonne are expecting twin "Doves" later this year. Let’s all say a brief prayer for this brave man.
"The Duet" – There’s no denying that Southern Gospel has always been about group singing and family harmonies. However, "the duet" has been gaining much more respect in the industry as of late. Popular groups like the McRaes, Young Harmony and Tim & Mary Alice Lovelace have been a staple on SG stages for a while, and now up and coming groups like Amazed, Psalm 101, the Glovers, and Reggie & Ladye Love Smith are helping to make the duet even more prominent.
**Popular duet The McRaes now have two #1 songs to their credit on the Singing News Top 80. The group has earned four #1’s on the SGN Top 40 Weekly Chart.
LeFevre Quartet – Remember "the comeback" mentioned earlier? Yeah, Mike LeFevre has done just that with his "getting even more popular by the second" quartet – LeFevre Quartet. Signed with Song Garden Music Group right out the gate, the LeFevre Quartet is quickly making a name for themselves with their great live performance and dynamic band.
**The LeFevre Quartet has been nominated this year for Horizon Group of the Year in the Singing News Fan Awards. The group will be competing against last year’s "it" group Hope’s Call, along with Crystal River, Monument Quartet, and the Browns.
Reader Comments
Thanks for your kind comments Tim! We do what we do because we love this genre and want to see it grow! These artists mentioned in this article we feel are doing just that as well!Devon - the Collingsworth Family was definitely on the short list before narrowing it down to 15. We love that group, and we know they are on their way to being a huge name in SG!
Chris
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Written: 09/01/2006 
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