David Bruce Murray
Diana Brantley
Kyle Boreing
Phil on Southern Gospel
Steve EatonIt is time for another reader’s choice topic. This week Kevin in Pennsylvania wanted to know my pet peeves within Southern Gospel music. After thinking about it, here is what I came up with as my biggest pet peeves.
1. The concert goer’s lack of respect for an artist’s profession is probably my biggest pet peeve. Southern Gospel concert goers tend to complain about ticket prices or choose not to attend concerts because of the price of the ticket. It also comes in to play when talking about ‘free will’ offering concerts. I know of an instance recently when a prominent artist did a ‘free will’ offering for a Saturday night concert event and walked away with a $350 offering. I don’t think that is going to pay the entire group.
2. The second would be ease of entry, by artists, in Southern Gospel music. Any ‘joe schmo’ with a little money can get an album recorded and then ship a song to radio. The bigger travesty is radio then playing that sub par music. I know this topic has been hashed out before and let me make a few additional points.
First, I have zero problems with ‘joe schmo’ going and recording an album if that is what they want. There are many wonderful weekend warrior groups who are doing a great job of bringing great music to their region.
The problem I have is ‘joe schmo’ believing that now that they have an album recorded that they’ve ‘made it’. That somehow automatically puts them in the same league as the more prominent artists. Work at your craft, excel at what you’re doing and if it is meant to be it will happen.
3. Finally I would have to add the extinction of live music in Southern Gospel. Another topic that has been hashed out before, but from someone who grew up with artists still traveling with live musicians, it is a tough sell to go to a concert and not see them. I understand the economics argument with regards to having to pay additional individuals but that still doesn’t mean it is not an issue. Recently, several artists have started using live musicians again but the days of every artist traveling with live musicians is over.
This could tie right back to pet peeve #1. Could the extinction of ‘live music’ be a contributing factor to the decline in concert attendance or the complaints about ticket prices? Don’t know, just a thought.
I’ll open it up to all of you. What are some of your biggest pet peeves regarding Southern Gospel. As a talking point, there is no reason this discussion can’t remain civil and constructive. Remember if you want to discuss a specific topic as part of a future reader’s choice post drop me an email. You will receive a (2) CD prize pack if your entry is used in a future reader’s choice post.
All very good points that I wholeheartedly agree with. I would like to add two more pet peeves of my own….
#1. Autotuning. Used sparingly to touch up an otherwise flawless performance is fine by me, but I have seen a lot of artists who use it out of laziness. They don’t want to take the time to really nail a part, and let Antares or Melodyne do all the work. Either that, or they simply don’t have the ability….
#2. Overuse of compression. This goes to the mainstream “loudness wars,” with the idea being “louder=better.” Projects are mastered with little to no headroom, and as a result, little to no dynamics. It also causes the voices to sound way too digital and unnatural, and in some cases, distorted, especially when a group wants to stack their vocals.
Great post….
One of my greatest pet peeves is the cheesy, stupid comedy routines some groups try to pull off. If you aren’t Mark Lowry or Tim Lovelace, you probably aren’t going to come off real smooth and in fact, most times take away from your performance.
Another pet peeve of mine is a product pitch of any kind during the concert. Before it starts is fine by me and even after you are finished, but don’t waste my time pitching something to me that I can readily see on your table.
I totally agree with your #1. We’ve actually had churches call and say “We would love to have you come and minister to us but…we don’t pay no sangers.” I am not kidding. When asked why not, they felt that God would take care of the singers. We sheepishly went on to ask if they pay evangelists and preachers, and of course they did. Apparently God wouldn’t take care of them like He does the “sangers”.
We have no problem going to sing for a ‘free-will’ offering, but we do not solely rely on offerings to make a living because we work full-time jobs too. I can’t imagine having to rely on this to pay all of the household bills and keep a ministry on the road.
#2….yep, know yer role!
Just because you made a recording doesn’t mean it is radio ready.
As for post #3….I can see both sides. When we are singing, for me singing with tracks give a freedom to put all effort into singing. But, we have found that tracks are waaaaaay to confining and if God is moving, live music is much, much more flexible for turnarounds and transitions into other songs. So we gave up on tracks completely and just use live music for all we do.
I also agree with Kyle’s #1…I actually prefer a less than perfect performance than the autotuned sound. But, sometimes it is absolutely necessary.
I think stacking is one of my pet peeves. However, I admit that at my most recent SG concert (Ernie Haase & Signature Sound), there were no stacks used that I could tell. But in general I’m very allergic to stacks.
Tracks I don’t mind so much. I mean, yes a live band is cool, and once again Signature Sound is doing great stuff there. But one problem that arises with a live band is the drums. Whenever I’ve been to a concert with live drums, it’s just felt a little overpowering. You don’t run into that issue with a soundtrack.
I guess another pet peeve I have is group turnover. I think it would be nice if groups could stick together better.
I’m a drummer myself, and I can attest that there are ways for drummers to play that don’t overpower. That being said, I’d rather feel the music, drums and all, as it’s being played, not a recording. WAY more energy that way. I’m of the opinion, if you don’t wanna hear live musicians at a concert, then go listen to the CD….but that’s just me.
Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoy live musicians, especially live piano and guitar. It’s just that when you get a real driving, high energy number, naturally the drums may get a little loud.
That being said, it’s fun to watch a drummer go at it.