Reader’s Choice – Pet Peeves

It 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.

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?

Reader’s Choice – Least Favorite Groups

To kick off another week, I thought I would offer you another reader’s choice topic.  This weeks reader’s choice topic comes from Angie in Virginia.  After first read of this email I was reluctant about whether to use this topic.  The reader specifically asked what my least favorite groups were.  When thinking about the question and knowing I wouldn’t post a topic of that nature I thought I could use what the reader asked and offer my thoughts.

Not to blast the reader, I appreciate they stop by and enjoy the blog, but let me turn this around and ask everyone who reads this blog; why does it seem when you talk to the general Southern Gospel fan they tend to be more inclined to offer you opinions on the groups they don’t like and why they don’t like them than the groups they actually enjoy?

In a niche genre like Southern Gospel and with the general perception among fans that they have complete access to the artists performing this music, anytime the general fan feels they are snubbed by a Southern Gospel artist it is automatic grounds to dislike the artist’s music.

Should the two go hand in hand?  Is access to the artist and the perceived friendship by many fans more important in a genre like Southern Gospel than the music?  I know I have touched on this before but it is still worth asking. 

As for the original question, I know this is a personal blog and I could ultimately say anything I want.  I choose not to use the small voice I have, in a niche genre like Southern Gospel, for that kind of topic.  I have been around long enough to know that for every group you enjoy there is someone who doesn’t enjoy them and vice versa.

I don’t know if I have succeeded in every post, but my intent when I started this blog was to focus on the song rather than the artist.  The moment I begin telling the reader about my favorite or least favorite groups, I am alienating the broad spectrum of Southern Gospel fans reached by all the artists that have contributed to this genre.

Remember, if you would like me to discuss a specific Southern Gospel topic as part of a future reader’s choice please email me.

Reader’s Choice – Stacking And Scrubbing

First let me say congratulations to Andrew for winning the quartet configurations poll from last week.  Consider that poll closed and voting over.  It just so happened Andrew was the individual who submitted that reader’s choice topic.

The second reader’s choice topic comes from a reader in Michigan.  They wanted to get my thoughts on one of their pet peeves, vocal stacks and re-dubbing of recorded DVD footage.  Thus the title ‘stacking and scrubbing’.

First, the issue of vocal stacking.  I know this topic has been tossed about on more than one occasion.  Personally my thoughts on the use of vocal stacking in the studio is one of, if it creates a better final product, then why not.  As a consumer of Southern Gospel music, I don’t mind a studio recording that has been produced with the best production value; the vocal quality being a huge part in the overall production value.

On the other hand, one area that I don’t want to hear vocal stacking is in the live setting.  I know this has been a common practice in Southern Gospel music since the exit of the live band and the introduction of tracks.  Adding several layers of ones vocals to add emphasis and effect and also recording several harmony layers for the same effect at times takes away from the live presentation.  Sure it adds a fuller sound to the presentation and also at times helps vocalists hide some vocal mis-steps.

And don’t think this only happens in Southern Gospel.  It is common practice in R&B (at least in the recording process) to use vocal stacking.  For me, Southern Gospel is best served live and live to me means instruments, vocals and harmony singing, no stacks.

Now to the area of re-dubbing or as the reader put it, scrubbing.  My thoughts on vocals that are re-done for a DVD recording of what was supposed to be a live concert can be summed up this way.  I can understand the artist wanting to send the best quality product to the market and with the success of Southern Gospel DVD sales, the practice of re-doing a missed vocal is fine with me.  In all likelihood I was not present when the specific DVD was recorded and therefore as a watcher of the DVD will in all likelihood miss any vocal re-dubs.

So what say ye.  Any thoughts on the matters of ‘stacking and scrubbing.’

Thanks again to the reader in Michigan who presented this week’s reader’s choice topic.  Remember if there is a topic you want me to discuss, simply email me the topic and it may be included in a future reader’s choice post.

Reader’s Choice – Quartet Configurations Poll

All right folks, we had several individuals offer their suggestions for some quartet configurations.  I have selected one choice for each category and threw them in this poll.  Please vote for ONE option that you think is the overall best configuration.  That individual will then receive a prize.  This poll will be open for one week.   Thanks.

Reader’s Choice – Quartet Configurations

This week brings the first ever reader’s choice post.  I asked readers last week to email a topic they would like for me to discuss.  I will be doing a reader’s choice post twice a month.  I have January covered.  If there is a specific topic you want me to discuss, send me an email and your choice could be featured as part of a future reader’s choice post.

The inaugural reader’s choice topic comes from Andrew in Virginia.  He wanted me to speculate on various male quartet configurations, that are both unique and unlikely.  Instead of me spouting off vocal configurations, let me make this interesting.  This will be a contest.  Be as creative as possible, but create a quartet that at least would sound good together.  You can use vocalists from any era in Southern Gospel music (and we’re using the standard tenor/lead/baritone/bass configuration).  I will give you five potential quartets.  You create the configuration.

1.  Quartet made up of vocalists in mixed groups.

2.  Quartet of vocalists from same state; use any state, but make sure all vocalists are from same state.

3.  Quartet of vocalists under the age of 30.

4.  Quartet of vocalists with each member from a different decade.

5.  Quartet of vocalists who were with two or more groups in their career.

Alright folks, what do you think?  Come up with you own configurations.  Please post them directly in the comments.  Once we get a good selection I will pick one configuration from each of the five make-ups.  I will then throw those five configurations in a poll and allow everyone to vote.  There will be a prize for the individual that created the overall winning configuration.

Views from the Back Row – Reader’s Choice

Of the many things I have been pondering concerning features to this blog in 2011, one of them was to offer a reader’s choice post.  So with that I will give it a shot and we’ll see what happens.

The guidelines are as follows:  (1)  You, the reader, will email me a post/topic suggestion and I will write about said topic.  (2)  The topic is whatever you want it to be, as long as it relates to Southern Gospel music. (3)  I will do a reader’s choice post twice a month during 2011.  (4)  The reader whose topic I choose will then receive a two CD prize pack for having their topic selected.

I want to have the first reader’s choice topic posted next week, so get your topic suggestions in now.  Simply email the topic you want me to write about.  Go to the top of the page, click on the ‘about’ and my email address is listed.

I imagine this could get fun.