Several months ago (and maybe more recently) there was discussion of the age of southern gospel fans. First, there was discussion of the fact that it is predominantly the older generations who listen to SG, rather than 20s, 30s, and 40s. Also, there was some concern about the future of SGM, whether the genre will live on when the current generation of older listeners is gone. As I was thinking about that just recently, It occurred to me to relate something that I was involved in recently. Now granted, the story is anecdotal, but the implications really struck me.

Anyway, this past Memorial Day weekend, I worked with my church at a youth camp for middle schoolers and high schoolers. Now before I say more, let me point out that my church is not country at all, by any stretch of the imagination. Neither are the two other churches that were involved in the camp, from what I know about them. At least, those other churches are very contemporary. For the last night of camp, the student leaders and work crew planed what they called a “hoedown”, a sort of country-style get together that was a surprise for the sudents, with country dancing, etc. Anyway, to make a long story short, two of the male leaders dressed in overalls (at least one with no shirt under the overalls), and they stood on the porch of a shack that’s part of the camp facility. The opened up with “she’ll be comin’ round the mountain”, witch they sang in a bluegrass style. (one of the student leaders even had a washboard he was playing.) Somewhat surprisingly, all the kids joined in, and they seemed to really enjoy themselves. Anyway, they had come competitions, a joke-telling session, and some dancing, most of which was more modern, while some was country. The two men who led the show maintained the country atmosphere very well, and the kids seemed to enjoy the whole concept. In fact, I saw two boys trying to continue the country dance, even after the event had moved on to something else. In the end, the leaders concluded that the event was a success overall, even though they had been nervous about how the kids would respond. (They told us workers before hand not to use the word “square dance”, or the kids would “hightail it for the woods”).

My main point is this: this particular event led me to believe that even the most contemporary-minded kids can enjoy country music if its introduced the right way. Moreover, there might be a greater opportunity in reaching adolescents with SG, rather than 20-s through 40s aged folks. To me, the latter might be too far past their formative years to adjust to SG independently in large numbers, while the former age group is right in the middle of formative years, at least through younger high school. From my own experience, even without a country background at all, when I was14/15 years old, I just thought southern gospel was great fun in general, especially the upbeat songs, and certain slow songs in particular ministered to me in a significant way.

For southern gospel today, it seems that the industry needs to launch a campaign to reach adolescents, who perhaps have not been so conditioned to only enjoy CCM.  It might even be good for several groups, like EHSS and the Talley Trio, to put together a large “youth fest”, geared towards this age group. To me this would be a good start, a good feeler experiment. An extensive youth campaign, if successful, would also tell contemporary kids “we really care about you, and we aren’t just washed-up old people who do nothing but sit around dreaming about heaven and the good-old-days all the time”. And as we all know, the SG industry does not fit that caricature in any way. Judging from my experience at the camp, I can now picture a crowd of kids being led by an SG group and joining in enthusiastically, even with a song like “Old Time Religion” or “I’ll Fly Away”. (We don’t want too much “mom and pop” music, but I think in small doses kids could even enjoy some of that). And as for the more serious songs, if youth can listen to serious music by Kutlass or Jeremy Camp, I think they can be ministered to by SG. I don’t think music has to be light-hearted for young people to enjoy it. And if the kids get inerested, they might get their parents interested also, since I believe SGM can minister to just about all age groups.

Anyway, that’s my two cents worth.

The concept you mention is basic seed planting of SGM. That is the best way to go. However, you have to have the compatibility of a field to plant the seed in. In your scenario, the churches were willing to do a fun process. Which was great. Then comes the ongoing care of the seed that is planted. If there is no ongoing care of the seed, it will not germinate and grow.

The first hurdle you have to get past are music directors that feel that SGM has a stigma attached. Too many of them believe Southern is low class and that SGM is not an acceptable style of music for trained ears. Secondly it does not fit into the profile of “singing off the wall and seven eleven concept”.

Having been a member of the Southern Baptist movement for almost 55 years, many of our choirs are moving to anthems and highly arranged choir music. Many of the male parts are unison of the bass cleft and the harmony is left up to the female parts of alto and soprano. 4 part harmony, the basis of SGM is non-existent. There is a move to even remove Southern from the Baptist name. Many SBC are going to generic names that don’t even mention Southern.

20 - 30 years ago, along with every baptist hymnal in a SBC pew, was the old Church of God shaped note red book. Can’t find that song book much less the Baptist hymnal. 4 part harmony seems to be a thing of the past. Even Southern Gospel Groups are becoming more 3 part harmony oriented.

But I do agree that planting SGM seed is the right process. It is a fun style with a heart felt message. When kids fall in love with it, they live by it.

clout - 05 July 2008 05:43 PM

The concept you mention is basic seed planting of SGM. That is the best way to go. However, you have to have the compatibility of a field to plant the seed in. In your scenario, the churches were willing to do a fun process. Which was great. Then comes the ongoing care of the seed that is planted. If there is no ongoing care of the seed, it will not germinate and grow.

The first hurdle you have to get past are music directors that feel that SGM has a stigma attached. Too many of them believe Southern is low class and that SGM is not an acceptable style of music for trained ears. Secondly it does not fit into the profile of “singing off the wall and seven eleven concept”.

Having been a member of the Southern Baptist movement for almost 55 years, many of our choirs are moving to anthems and highly arranged choir music. Many of the male parts are unison of the bass cleft and the harmony is left up to the female parts of alto and soprano. 4 part harmony, the basis of SGM is non-existent. There is a move to even remove Southern from the Baptist name. Many SBC are going to generic names that don’t even mention Southern.

20 - 30 years ago, along with every baptist hymnal in a SBC pew, was the old Church of God shaped note red book. Can’t find that song book much less the Baptist hymnal. 4 part harmony seems to be a thing of the past. Even Southern Gospel Groups are becoming more 3 part harmony oriented.

But I do agree that planting SGM seed is the right process. It is a fun style with a heart felt message. When kids fall in love with it, they live by it.

Thanks for your feedback. I thought I should clarify something, though; the event at the camp had nothing to do with southern gospel (I would be surprised if anyone at my church listens to it much). It was just a fun idea for the students, but the outcome got me to thinking about how SG could reach kids.

subace914 - 05 July 2008 07:35 PM

clout - 05 July 2008 05:43 PM

The concept you mention is basic seed planting of SGM. That is the best way to go. However, you have to have the compatibility of a field to plant the seed in. In your scenario, the churches were willing to do a fun process. Which was great. Then comes the ongoing care of the seed that is planted. If there is no ongoing care of the seed, it will not germinate and grow.

The first hurdle you have to get past are music directors that feel that SGM has a stigma attached. Too many of them believe Southern is low class and that SGM is not an acceptable style of music for trained ears. Secondly it does not fit into the profile of “singing off the wall and seven eleven concept”.

Having been a member of the Southern Baptist movement for almost 55 years, many of our choirs are moving to anthems and highly arranged choir music. Many of the male parts are unison of the bass cleft and the harmony is left up to the female parts of alto and soprano. 4 part harmony, the basis of SGM is non-existent. There is a move to even remove Southern from the Baptist name. Many SBC are going to generic names that don’t even mention Southern.

20 - 30 years ago, along with every baptist hymnal in a SBC pew, was the old Church of God shaped note red book. Can’t find that song book much less the Baptist hymnal. 4 part harmony seems to be a thing of the past. Even Southern Gospel Groups are becoming more 3 part harmony oriented.

But I do agree that planting SGM seed is the right process. It is a fun style with a heart felt message. When kids fall in love with it, they live by it.

Thanks for your feedback. I thought I should clarify something, though; the event at the camp had nothing to do with southern gospel (I would be surprised if anyone at my church listens to it much). It was just a fun idea for the students, but the outcome got me to thinking about how SG could reach kids.

Yes, I understood that. But whatever the message, someone has to get excited enough to pursue the process of watering and caring for. The thing that excited me about your initial comment, was that kids were involved. Sometimes we forget them. Thanks

I agree with much of what you say in that teens could enjoy quality live SG if they were exposed to it.  The problem is that the youth leaders are so conditioned to the idea that our music will never be popular with the younger set.  I grew up in very conservative churches and a few years ago I had a burden to expose this music to teens.  I believed strongly that kids are going to listen to music and our churches were doing a very poor job of giving them an alternative to what they get from the world.  I was promoting a concert in a cool venue and some groups these churches would be familiar with.  I sent out a specific mailing to a number of churches in my area directed to youth pastors and leaders offering an unbelieveably cheap ticket price along with a letter expressing my desire to see teens exposed to some live quality music.  You guessed it, I got zero responses—not even from my own church!  I like your idea but real life has shown me there are many hurdles to overcome.

music minister - 06 July 2008 06:31 AM

I agree with much of what you say in that teens could enjoy quality live SG if they were exposed to it.  The problem is that the youth leaders are so conditioned to the idea that our music will never be popular with the younger set.  I grew up in very conservative churches and a few years ago I had a burden to expose this music to teens.  I believed strongly that kids are going to listen to music and our churches were doing a very poor job of giving them an alternative to what they get from the world.  I was promoting a concert in a cool venue and some groups these churches would be familiar with.  I sent out a specific mailing to a number of churches in my area directed to youth pastors and leaders offering an unbelieveably cheap ticket price along with a letter expressing my desire to see teens exposed to some live quality music.  You guessed it, I got zero responses—not even from my own church!  I like your idea but real life has shown me there are many hurdles to overcome.

Exactly!!! In 2006 I sponsored 4 concerts in our church. Lost money on all 4 and I booked some of the top quartets in the nation. The only folk that made money were the booking agents and I had to send them their fee up front. You would think that with 5,000 members you could get 1,000 to attend. Not so. Your right. Bill Gaither has been a blessing to the SGM Industry, but also to a certain extent a detriment. If it is not a Bill Gaither gathering in our area, the crowds are sparse. But his crowds are even dwindling. So I don’t have an answer.