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Why do I write the things I do? Why am I continually discussing things that, in my view, are wrong about Southern Gospel Music? This is a good question considering the fact that I am inherently a positive person. The answer is simple. I honestly believe, with all my heart, that I can make a difference. “For evil to triumph, all that is necessary is for good men to do nothing.” I don’t see anyone else stepping up to the plate so I guess it’s my turn to bat again.

With the failure of an entity, whether a business, a nation, a sports franchise, or any of a multitude of enterprises, one can generally look back and see where things went wrong.

I don’t believe that SGM is on the brink of extinction, but it IS failing and most certainly is underachieving, and there are specific things that I believe are responsible. I would like to address 5 of them that are firmly “stuck in my craw.”

MICROPHONES

There was a time when gospel groups actually knew how to use a microphone. There are videos on You Tube of The Blackwood Brothers, Statesmen, Oak Ridge Boys, The Rebels, and others. If you are inclined to get on there you will see the most amazing thing you have ever seen in your life…4 singers singing on 2, yes 2, microphones and sounding fabulous. These groups are actually blending themselves. Blending requires listening to the other singers and matching tones and volume. Today’s groups don’t even know how to spell the word “BLEND.”

You see, someone came up with the bright idea of giving each singer his/her own microphone and now we have an entire generation of singers who sing into their own microphone with little or no regard to what the other singers are doing. Just give them a set of ear buds and turn each singer up in their mix and let’er fly.

VOCAL STACKING

In the early 1950’s Les Paul made a number of revolutionary recordings with his wife, Mary Ford. These recordings were unique for their heavy use of over dubbing. The couple’s hits included “How High The Moon,” “Bye, Bye Blues,” and “Vaya Con Dios.” These songs featured Mary harmonizing with herself, giving the vocals a novel sound. Through the years other artists have used this technique, most notably The Carpenters. Richard and Karen Carpenter used vocal stacking to create a very lush and pleasing sound. When used properly and tastefully, vocal stacking can embellish vocals by adding color and depth at various places throughout an arrangement.

This is not to be confused with SGM’s interpretation of vocal stacking which is used to mask errors and create a pseudo blend because of the artists’ inability to do so. As usual, we have taken something, which is intended to create beauty and found a way to turn it into hogwash. I recently heard a recording by one of our oldest and most notable groups. This group sounded like a choir. If I want to hear a choir I’ll buy a choir CD.

The beauty of SGM is in the purity of harmony and the blending of voices.

ENOUGH WITH THE STACKING!

MODULATIONS

Modulations (key changes) can be effective when used sparingly, but we in SGM don’t seem to have that word in our vocabulary. Instead we do a Verse and a Chorus...up 1/2 step…Verse…up 1/2 step…Chorus…1/2 Chorus...up ½ step…1/2 chorus…tag, on every song…EVERY SONG!

What that does is prove to the world that they are correct when they accuse us of poor musicianship. Most secular songs don’t have key changes because their producers and musicians can actually come up with creative arrangements.

We all need to re-think our position on this. It goes to the heart of how we want to present the greatest music on earth. When we are lax regarding our craft, I believe it displeases our Heavenly Father. We need to get better with the music.

COMPILATIONS

By now you all know my feelings on this. Compilations are necessary to get professional and semi-professional artists’ songs to radio. I personally do not see any benefit in an amateur artist appearing on a compilation with other amateur artists and sending poorly produced songs to radio. It does not help the artist in any appreciable way because these compilations usually land in the trash. It does not “get their name out there.” It does not produce any revenue for the artist. It does not accomplish the true purpose of radio promotion, to drive consumers to retail and concerts. There is, in fact, only one real benefit to it…it makes money for the company sending it out.

THE CHARTS

One day there was someone sitting in an office somewhere who thought, “Billboard Magazine has a “Top 100” chart…our periodicals should have at least a “Top 80.” In my opinion, that person should be tarred and feathered.

That one decision has done more damage to our industry than anything I can think of.

It has opened… no… it has flung wide, the door to mediocrity.

It is the reason we have promoters all over the country conning “newbies.” It is the reason we have companies with 70 or 80 artists, sending out compilations hand over fist. It is the reason radio stations are flooded with an endless stream of bad music.

It is why we have hundreds of artists whose goal in life is to get into the “Top 80.” Now think about that. We have created a new philosophy...reaching for the bottom.

If it weren’t so sad, it would be hilarious… “Yes Johnny, you should be proud of your Mom and me. We have just borrowed from our retirement account to send a song to radio. We are trusting to get a number 78. Someday you’ll be able to tell your children about the time our family group went for broke and….REACHED FOR THE BOTTOM!”

You ask me why I do it…that’s why. I see families struggling to make ends meet just so they can send a song to radio.

I see groups…lots of groups…who don’t know how to use a microphone.

I hear recordings that are simply awful.

And I see bad people misleading these groups, and laughing all the way to the bank.

What I don’t see are industry leaders trying to help these precious “newbies.”

But, trust me folks, things are starting to turn around.

Consider the following quote by Marian Wright Edelman:

“You need to be a flea against injustice. Enough committed fleas biting strategically can make even the biggest dog uncomfortable and transform even the biggest nation.”

So, why do I do it? I do it because lots of little fleas are starting to see things my way and the big dogs are starting to itch.

As always, I welcome your comments.

God Bless You,

Nick Bruno
http://www.nickbruno.com

Reader Comments

I'm sis-in-law. Bravo once again. Thanks to Nick, we know we aren't alone.

Ransomed

Go therefore, and teach all nations,…

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