Reader’s Choice – Other Musical Genres

It is time to answer some more reader email and offer the reader’s choice post for this week.  Brenda in Tennessee asked what other musical genres I listen to and if those other musical genres influence my listening preferences within Southern Gospel music.

Brenda, this is a great question.  I have been thinking about a response to this ever since I read the email.  The more I thought about it the more I realized there is a correlation between musical genre preferences and how that translates to my likes/dislikes within Southern Gospel music.

Outside Southern Gospel, I do listen to some CCM in Christian music.  As far as mainstream musical genres I listen to Country music, some modern rock, some blues and growing up in the 1980′s, XM has a channel devoted to ’80s rock that I listen to frequently.

If I were to narrow it down 99% of my Christian music listening is Southern Gospel while 80% of my mainstream music listening is country music.  I am a sucker for a nice hook, country melody and crying steel guitar.

How does that translate to my Southern Gospel music listening?  Anytime I am listening to a new Southern Gospel album by any artist, my ears ‘perk up’ immediately when the song has a country melody.  Does that translate to that song getting a preference over the other songs on the album?  No, it only means it grabs my initial attention before another song may.

Also, lets not confuse style preference for bad singing.  I know there are many who dislike country music.  That is perfectly fine, but I have talked to individuals (who know I like country music), that wonder how I can enjoy bad music.  A vocal twang doesn’t constitute bad singing (at least from a technical standpoint), just a style preference.

So let me open it up to everyone.  First, what other musical genres do you tend to listen to and enjoy?  Second, do those preferences influence the style you prefer within Southern Gospel music?