DO YOU GET TIRED OF PEOPLE TRYING TO DUPLICATE ANYTHING WITH GAITHER MUSIC OR VIDEOS? WE HAVE A CROWD OF INDIVIDUALS IN RUTHERFORD COUNTY NC THAT DO THIS EVERY SINGLE YEAR AND RECORD IT ON VIDEO TAPE. IVE BEEN TO THESE SO CALLED CONCERTS AND IT IS THE SAME OLD BLAH BLAH BLAH EVERY YEAR. THEY GET PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS THING THEY CONSIDER GREAT TALENT AND SOME OF THEM CANT CARRY A TUNE IN A BUCKET. IT IS AN INSULT TO THE GAITHER INDUSTRY AND IS OBVIOUSLY A MOCKERY TO IT ALL.

I’ve read both your first and second posts on sogospelnews - at least on the “new” boards.  I have a question - why are you a SGM fan?  It seems nothing is right , is poorly done, and too many artistsl are sinful.  If it’s that bad, just move on to some other type music where “it” is done correctly and by those without sin.

I and my group have participated in the Rutherford County event five out of the six years it’s been held. 

None of the performers have ever claimed to be professionals or on the level of Gaither. It has always been disclosed that the participants are members of local church choirs in Rutherford County. In fact, a list of churches with members participating is printed in the program books every year.

If you don’t like it, stay home. That will open up seats for people who actually want to be there. Why on earth would you buy a ticket for something you know you’re going to hate?

Anyone else reading this might be interested in this little factoid:
The Foundation auditorium on the campus of Isothermal Community College seats 1367 people. In six years, this event has completely sold out three years, including the most recent event which was held on December 1, 2007.  The first year was a love offering event, and approximately 300 people were turned away. Ever since, it’s been a ticketed event with tickets running $8-10 and special box seats sections going for $200 for eight seats.

See a photo of the auditorium here:
http://www.isothermal.edu/foundation/

Believe me, this event isn’t hurting or insulting to Gaither in the least, and there’s no deception on the part of the promoters to indicate people will be experiencing a Gaither event. Sure, this event was certainly inspired by what Gaither does. When people stop buying videos, I’m sure the group that sponsors this event will stop producing videos.

I have no idea who “sgmgirl” is. She’s entitled to express her opinions without revealing who she is or what has led her to publicly demean the efforts of my good friends who work tirelessly to make this event a success every year. (Evidently, someone drugs her and forces her to attend this event she hates so much.)

It’s obvious that this event doesn’t feature professionals of Gaither caliber, but it’s more than a little unfair to rip the event to shreds for the small amount of success they have had. I don’t see any other local groups, including my own, putting on events with this level of response from the community. (We sponsored a Dove Brothers Quartet in the area last year and had about 350 show up.)

In fact, there has never been a PRO Southern Gospel group that has sold out the Foundation. An evening featuring Doyle Lawson and the Primitives together came close, but they didn’t sell it out completely. I think Loretta Lynn and some other secular acts have sold it out, but that’s it.

For a bunch of wannabes, it’s more than a little amusing that they’re drawing exponentially larger crowds than most of the pro groups (McKameys, Michael Combs, etc.) that have performed there.

sgmgirl - 29 December 2007 03:05 PM

DO YOU GET TIRED OF PEOPLE TRYING TO DUPLICATE ANYTHING WITH GAITHER MUSIC OR VIDEOS? WE HAVE A CROWD OF INDIVIDUALS IN RUTHERFORD COUNTY NC THAT DO THIS EVERY SINGLE YEAR AND RECORD IT ON VIDEO TAPE. IVE BEEN TO THESE SO CALLED CONCERTS AND IT IS THE SAME OLD BLAH BLAH BLAH EVERY YEAR. THEY GET PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS THING THEY CONSIDER GREAT TALENT AND SOME OF THEM CANT CARRY A TUNE IN A BUCKET. IT IS AN INSULT TO THE GAITHER INDUSTRY AND IS OBVIOUSLY A MOCKERY TO IT ALL.

Just a little bit of “netiquette” for you....stop typing in ALL CAPS!  It’s considered yelling and though you may be irritated in regards to the subject, screaming about it does nothing but turn people away! 

So, I, as a reader on the boards, would LOVE for you to turn your CAPS LOCK OFF!!!

Thanks a bunch!

Well said, SallyH, David Bruce Murray and thank you Amy Unthank for asking her to stop yelling!  I don’t think Bill Gaither would ever say any group that isn’t the quality of EHSS, GVB, or any of the groups or individuals on his homecoming tour should stop singing!  It’s not a mockery.  There are different levels of talent, all able to minister to us and make for an enjoyable evening praising God.  Exactly, don’t go if you don’t like it.  Simple enough.

NewGrammy - 30 December 2007 07:57 AM

Well said, SallyH, David Bruce Murray and thank you Amy Unthank for asking her to stop yelling!  I don’t think Bill Gaither would ever say any group that isn’t the quality of EHSS, GVB, or any of the groups or individuals on his homecoming tour should stop singing!  It’s not a mockery.  There are different levels of talent, all able to minister to us and make for an enjoyable evening praising God.  Exactly, don’t go if you don’t like it.  Simple enough.

I really don’t have to write a post on this, I’m going to just agree with Sallyh, David B. Murray, and Ms. Amy Unthank, and NewGrammy too! If you don’t like the Concert, just don’t go !! The complaining is just ‘childish’ and sometimes hurtful to other people discussed in your post and this Thread… IMHO....this is another one that needs to be closed by the SGN Administrators or??  > Jo#2 over & out  

People have always copied successful people.  Lots of promoters do things in their areas that they have seen work in other areas.  I remember that a promoter used to have something similar to gaither homecomings in Jasper, AL.  He used local and regional groups, choirs, and soloists.  Of course it wasn’t as good as gaither gatherings, but tickets were less than $10.  The groups had a blast and the auditorium was usually pretty full.

I would advise if you don’t like this amateur performance, then save your money and wait til Gaither comes to town.

I dont think BillGaither would have any reaction other than good over these christians who get together and try to do something good and possitive. They sing his songs, record his songs,buy his songs..also people like me grow up enjoying the music and I do wanna be or have been a gospel singer. Better than a rock star, better than a drunk in the bar, better than going to hell !!!! I was stirred in heart at a young age with Jubilee and the goodmans,hinsons,inspirations,florida boys,dixie echoes and on and on. Praise the Lord!!! I was influence to become a gospel singer. Have sang part time for 30 years and can hold a tune in a bucket. Train up a child in the way they should go and when they are old they will not depart from it. I am a Jesus wanna be, but maybe a gaither wanna be also.

A POPULAR SCOOTER RETAILER HAS SOME OF THESE “GET-TOGETHERS” AND THEY GIVE AWAY A SCOOTER,,A VERY NICE PROJECT,,LAST YEAR I WAS HONORED TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS,,ALONG WITH BRIAN FREE AND THE HOPPERS,,,ALONG WITH SOME LOCAL GROUPS,,I THINK IT IS A VERY GOOD THING,,,AND IN NO WAY ARE THEY INFRINGING ON THE GAITHER PROJECTS.

IN HIS SERVICE

sorry about the caps!!

sgmgirl - 29 December 2007 03:05 PM

DO YOU GET TIRED OF PEOPLE TRYING TO DUPLICATE ANYTHING WITH GAITHER MUSIC OR VIDEOS? WE HAVE A CROWD OF INDIVIDUALS IN RUTHERFORD COUNTY NC THAT DO THIS EVERY SINGLE YEAR AND RECORD IT ON VIDEO TAPE. IVE BEEN TO THESE SO CALLED CONCERTS AND IT IS THE SAME OLD BLAH BLAH BLAH EVERY YEAR. THEY GET PEOPLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS THING THEY CONSIDER GREAT TALENT AND SOME OF THEM CANT CARRY A TUNE IN A BUCKET. IT IS AN INSULT TO THE GAITHER INDUSTRY AND IS OBVIOUSLY A MOCKERY TO IT ALL.

sounds a little like jealousy to me.  Maybe you weren’t invited to participate?