SWOT Analysis – Kingdom Heirs

This week finds another SWOT analysis feature.  Working in the business world, the SWOT analysis is used to determine the strengths and weaknesses of an organization while also looking at opportunities and threats the organization could face.

This SWOT analysis looks at the strengths and weaknesses of the Kingdom Heirs.  The resident group of Dollywood for nearly 30 years, the Kingdom Heirs have become one of the biggest quartets in Southern Gospel music.

They continue to provide the Southern Gospel listener with a consistent formula of standard quartet music.

STRENGTHS

• Most seen group in Southern Gospel:  By being the resident group of Dollywood and performing several shows a day while the park is open allows the Kingdom Heirs to sing to more people in a year than any other artist in Southern Gospel music.
• Arthur Rice:  Arthur Rice has proven he is one of the best lead singers in the history of this genre.  He rarely ever seems to be recognized for that talent.  Arthur has also proven his producing talents for the Kingdom Heirs over the course of the last decade.
• Dianne Wilkinson:  Songwriter Dianne Wilkinson is as much a part of the Kingdom Heirs as any performing member.  Her songs have dominated Kingdom Heir albums for many years, providing the group with many hit singles (including several #1 songs).
• Still have a band:  The Kingdom Heirs are of the rare breed that still have a band in Southern Gospel music.  Even though they still incorporate tracks with the instruments, it is still nice to have a band backing them up.

WEAKNESSES

• Getting too comfortable in the recording process:  The Kingdom Heirs last two albums (When You Look At Me, We Will Stand Our Ground) have not lived up to the great albums the group was releasing prior (see Forever Changed, Going On With The Song, True To The Call).  Here’s hoping the next new album is a return to form.

OPPORTUNITIES

• Quartets recording:  Wouldn’t it be an interesting concept for the Kingdom Heirs record label (Crossroads) to get a couple of their quartets together to do a quartet recording by mixing members and adding different vocal configurations.  In addition to the Kingdom Heirs, they could use the Down East Boys, Inspirations, Kingsmen and Tribute Quartet.
• Kingdom Heirs reunion recording:  While I understand this is about as likely to happen as Kim Hopper singing bass, it would be nice to see the former members come together to perform some of their biggest songs through the years.

THREATS

• Losing their jobs at Dollywood:  The biggest threat to the Kingdom Heirs would be losing their jobs at Dollywood.  Having to go on the road full-time would be a huge adjustment for the Kingdom Heirs.  It could be one that would cause the group to retire.

***NEXT SWOT ANALYSIS:  McKAMEYS***

SWOT Analysis – Crist Family

This week finds another SWOT analysis feature.  Working in the business world, the SWOT analysis is used to determine the strengths and weaknesses of an organization while also looking at opportunities and threats the organization could face.

This SWOT analysis looks at the strengths and weaknesses of the Crist Family.  The group relocated from the west coast (Washington) in 2004 to make a go of it in Southern Gospel music.  Since that time they have had several hit songs.

The group also picked up horizon group of the year honors in 2009 at the Singing News fan awards.

STRENGTHS

• Versatility:  Being a six member vocal group sets the Crist Family apart from all other vocal configurations in Southern Gospel music.  This allows them versatility in singing as a group or creating smaller vocal units.
• Ensemble Work:  The Crist Family is also a testament to the ‘sum is greater than the individual parts’ motto.  The strength of the group’s sound is heard most when they are all singing together as a unit.
• Tami Starkel:  Tami is one of the strongest performers in the Crist Family.  She has a stage presence when performing that draws the listener in.  She is a great asset to the group.
• Radio Single Choices:  The Crist Family (along with record label Crossroads Music) have made good radio single choices.  The last several to feature Jackie have been the strongest of the group’s career thus far (see “I Love Lovin’ Jesus”, “My Heart Knows” and “Voice Of The Father”).

WEAKNESSES

• Ensemble Work:  While ensemble work is a strength for the Crist Family, it is also a weakness in that there is no stand out vocalist among the six.
• Loss Of Bass Singer:  Being a Southern Gospel artist, it was tough when the Crist Family lost their bass singer.  He added that extra punch to give the Crist Family their Southern Gospel identity.

OPPORTUNITIES

• Another Bass Singer:  Maybe Rich or John should consider singing bass to add that little extra Southern Gospel element to their music.
• Revive Go Out To The Program:  The Oak Ridge Boys and later the Kingsboys performed a song “Go Out To The Program” to mimic different artists of their era.  With six members in their group, it would be great to see the Crist Family revive this tune and mimic some of the best mixed groups in Southern Gospel music history (Downings, Hoppers, Nelons, Perrys, Speer Family).

THREATS

• Irrelevance:  This is a threat for the entire Southern Gospel music industry.  Are we entering a time in the history of this genre where Southern Gospel music (or Gospel music as a whole) is becoming irrelevant in today’s society/culture?  As more and more individuals in our society leave Church, doesn’t that also translate to giving up music that centers around the Christian lifestyle?

***NEXT SWOT ANALYSIS:  KINGDOM HEIRS***

SWOT Analysis – Kingsmen

With the new year here, I am easing back in to regularly scheduled programming.  This week sees the return of one of the most read features of 2012, the SWOT analysis.  Working in the business world, the SWOT analysis is used to determine the strengths and weaknesses of an organization while also looking at opportunities and threats the organization could face.

I thought this would be a good idea to apply to current Southern Gospel touring artists and the feature was born.  This first SWOT analysis of 2013 will take a look at the strengths and weaknesses of the Kingsmen.

Another group in Southern Gospel music with a 50+ year career.  The Kingsmen are best known for their ’3 chords and a cloud of dust’ days of the 1980′s.  How does the current group stack up?  Let’s take a look.

STRENGTHS

• History:  The Kingsmen legacy in Southern Gospel music still garners the group attention.  Many who were around to hear the group in their prime will still hear the group in concert in for nothing else than nostalgia.
• Kingsmen Hits:  Building on the Kingsmen legacy, the group has a catalog of hit songs that they still perform, adding to the nostalgia.  ”The Judgement”, “Old Ship Of Zion”, “Stand Up”, “Traveling Home”, “When My Feet Touch The Streets Of Gold” are a few that come to mind.
• Ray Dean Reese:  Ray has been with the Kingsmen over 45 years.  He’s carried on the Kingsmen tradition with class.
• High tenors:  The Kingsmen have always been known for their high soaring tenors (see Johnny Parrack, Ernie Phillips, Garry Sheppard, Jerry Martin).  They found another one in current tenor Chris Jenkins.

WEAKNESSES

• Personnel turnover:  The Kingsmen aren’t the only group to suffer personnel changes, but they have been hit hard the last several years.  At least the current line-up is working on a year together without a personnel shift.
• Always in the shadows:  Any current line-up of the Kingsmen will always be in the shadow of the 1970′s/1980′s greatness the Kingsmen created.  Even though the group has released some strong albums the last several years, will they be remembered when the final chapter of the Kingsmen is written?  Only time will tell.

OPPORTUNITIES

• Another live album:  The Kingsmen were known for their great live albums.  It is time for the current line-up of the group to record a live album that can stand up to the caliber of some of their most well-known (see Chattanooga Live and Live…Naturally).
• Another reunion video:  I understand Eldridge Fox and Jim Hamill are no longer with us but there are plenty of Kingsmen greats that could be brought together to do another reunion video.

THREATS

• Ray Retiring:  Can there be a Kingsmen if Ray Reese decided to retire?  There is always Brandon to carry on the legacy but it would be a tough sell.

***NEXT SWOT ANALYSIS:  CRIST FAMILY***

SWOT Analysis – Isaacs

This week’s SWOT analysis feature take a look at the strengths and weaknesses of the Isaacs.  This feature takes a tool used in business to look at different factors that can affect that business.  I thought why not use that model in looking at strengths and weaknesses of Southern Gospel’s biggest artists of today.

The Isaacs came to the fore front of Southern Gospel music in the early 1990′s.  The unique part about that is they did it as a bluegrass artist.  While their current style can be label ‘new grass’, the Isaacs are still one of Southern Gospel’s top mixed groups.

STRENGTHS

• Instrumentation:  One selling point the Isaacs have to separate themselves from other artists in Southern Gospel music is live music.  Acoustical instrumentation back up each and every Isaacs performance.
• Unique Harmony Arrangements:  The Isaacs have unique harmony arrangements, especially when Ben, Becky And Sonya are doing a cappella songs.
• Group Member’s Songwriting:  The Isaacs is a group full of some of the best songwriters in the industry.  Becky Bowman, Sonya Isaacs and now Sonya’s husband Jimmy Yeary is adding his talents to the group’s song catalog.  The group’s recent recording, Why Can’t We, is evidence of this fact.
• Homecoming Artists:  It is no secret the group found broader success after becoming regulars on Gaither’s Homecoming tour schedule.  The group still remains a regular on the tour.

WEAKNESSES

• Bluegrass (‘new grass’) Style:  Not every Southern Gospel listener is going to be drawn to the Isaacs style.  Even so, I consider the Isaacs to be the best ever in Southern Gospel music when it comes to offering bluegrass music to a Southern Gospel crowd.
• Success:  Some are probably questioning why I put this as a weakness.  Isn’t success a good thing?  My answer to that question is YES, but there does seem to be a subset of Southern Gospel fans who consider success a dirty word.  Those fans find fault with those groups which they deem to have too much success (see attitudes toward Gaither Vocal Band, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Hoppers, etc).

OPPORTUNITIES

• Recording A Southern Gospel Album:  Wouldn’t it be great to hear the Isaacs lay down the bluegrass instruments for one album and do a ‘straight ahead’ four part harmony Southern Gospel album (they would actually use piano).
• The Early Years:  I would like to hear some modern versions of some of their earlier hits: “Carry Me”, “From The Depths Of My Heart”, “I Have A Father Who Can” and “Unlike Me, Just Like Him”.

THREATS

• Leaving The Southern Gospel Market Behind:  The Isaacs could easily market themselves to only the Bluegrass music market.  I hope that day never comes.  I enjoy their style and hope they continue to offer their music to the Southern Gospel market.

***NEXT SWOT ANALYSIS:  KINGSMEN***

SWOT Analysis – Sisters

I am still in the process of getting back to all my regular features.  This week finds the return of the SWOT analysis feature.  This feature takes a tool used in business to look at different factors that can affect that business.  I thought why not use that model in looking at strengths and weaknesses of Southern Gospel’s biggest artists of today.

This week, the SWOT analysis returns with a look at Sisters.  This female trio is known for their tight harmony and angelic voices.

STRENGTHS

• Vocals:  As I mentioned in the review of their latest album last week, Sisters is one of the finest vocal groups in all Southern Gospel music.  In an industry where sometimes stacks, tracks and theatrics can win over a crowd, I enjoy to hear a group that is built around pure vocal talent.
• Intricate Harmony:  While Sisters don’t have the Southern Gospel market cornered on vocal harmony, they create intricate harmony arrangements that showcase that talent far more than some artists.
• A Cappella Singing:  As their latest album proves, Sisters is at their best when performing a cappella.  Of course, their big vocal numbers “Under His Wings” and “I’m Gonna Make It” are also show stoppers.
• Cross Over Appeal:  The group’s style allows for cross over appeal, as is witnessed by them performing at a Christian music festival in Washington where they were the only artist representing Southern Gospel harmony singing.

WEAKNESSES

• Being An All Female Trio:  Not to start a sexist argument here, but being an all female trio in an industry dominated by all male quartets will never garner them the attention they deserve.  This would be among the listening audience, not the other artists in the industry.
• Cross Over Appeal:  While cross over appeal is a strength, it can also be considered a weakness.  The group’s style may not be considered Southern Gospel enough for the purists and again handicapping Sisters attempt at gaining the attention they deserve.  And all I mean by attention in this case is when Southern Gospel listeners are asked the best groups in the industry, Sisters actually being considered and listed among groups like the Booth Brothers, Triumphant Quartet, Hoppers, Perrys, etc.

OPPORTUNITIES

• Doing A Convention Style Album:  With the group’s harmony ability, I think they may win over more Southern Gospel purists if they would do an album of nothing but Southern Gospel convention style numbers.
• Ruppes reunion video:  I know this would only require bringing Brenda (mom) in, but I would love to hear Brenda and the girls perform “Under His Wings”, “Angels In The Room”, “Redemption Complete” and “Do You Love Me” again.

THREATS

• Coming Off The Road:  The only threat I see with Sisters is them coming off the road because the Southern Gospel listening audience doesn’t embrace them.  Shouldn’t we be championing artists that posses the vocal talent of Sisters?

***NEXT SWOT ANALYSIS:  ISAACS***

SWOT Analysis – Inspirations

This week brings another SWOT analysis feature.   The strengths and weaknesses of one of Southern Gospel’s longest running quartets, the Inspirations, will be examined.  The Inspirations are close to celebrating their 50th year in Southern Gospel music.

The group has been under the leadership of Martin Cook since its inception.  The group has created a mountain style that has defined their quartet music since the early 1970′s.

STRENGTHS

• Consistency:  Fans of the Inspirations appreciate the group’s consistency.  When they go see the group in concert they are not going to be surprised by what they are going to get from the group.
• Current Vocal Line Up:  The Inspirations current vocal line-up is the strongest of the group’s career.
• Easy To Understand Lyrics:  In most instances, the Inspirations choose songs that even children could learn and sing along with (see “I’ll Not Turn My Back On Him Now”, “I’m Not Ashamed”).
• Loyal Fans:  The Inspirations have built a loyal fan base that many group’s would like to replicate.

WEAKNESSES

• Song Encores:  For several years, I intentionally skipped the Inspirations set at NQC because I knew there would be more encores than was needed for “I Have Not Forgotten”.  There is a fine line between encoring a song because of fan response or continuing to encore a song to try to ‘whip’ the crowd in to a frenzy.  If the crowd is not responding to a particular song, maybe that is a sign you should move on to the next song.
• Martin Cook’s Piano Work:  Some group owners over the course of this history’s genre knew when to step back (see JD Sumner (1970s), Les Beasley) and let the younger guys take the reins.  I know Martin has been letting Luke play piano on occasion.  Maybe he should consider a full-time switch.

OPPORTUNITIES

• Modern Recording:  With a vocal line-up to back it up, I would like to see the Inspirations record an album with full instrumentation and a few modern arrangements.  It doesn’t have to be a permanent style change but a unique one time recording to allow the vocal line-up to really show off.

THREATS

• Members Leaving:  This is a threat for any group.  Any change leaves a group wounded, to the point they have to ‘gel’ with new members and rebuild their sound.
• Martin Cook Retiring:  Will the Inspirations continue once Martin Cook decides to come off the road altogether.  Only time will tell.

***NEXT SWOT ANALYSIS:  SISTERS***

SWOT Analysis – Collingsworth Family

This week returns to the SWOT analysis feature.   The strengths and weaknesses of one of Southern Gospel’s biggest mixed groups, the Collingsworth Family, will be examined.  This family unit seems to get stronger every year as the kids continue to mature vocally.

On the brink of becoming the next award winner for mixed group of the year, lets take a look at the Collingsworth Family’s strengths and weaknesses.

STRENGTHS

• The Power Ballad:  The Collingsworth Family are the masters of the Southern Gospel power ballad.  They like to start off and build the power in the song that by the time the song is over the crowd is on their feet.
• Kim Collingsworth:  Kim’s piano work is currently the star of the show in any Collingsworth Family concert appearance.  The fans can’t seem to get enough.
• Harmony:  Southern Gospel is built around harmony singing.  If one can’t sing harmony you might as well forget a career in Southern Gospel music.  The Collingworth Family have superb vocal harmony and flexibility that allow them various vocal configurations on any given song.
• Broad Fan Base:  The Collingsworth Family are the type of group that can appeal to a wide Southern Gospel fan base, not just a specific sub set.  The most successful groups are able to do this (see Gaither Vocal Band, Hoppers, Booth Brothers, Triumphant Quartet, Perrys).

WEAKNESSES

• Signature Song:  While the Collingsworth Family have had some great songs, they have yet to break through with that signature song  (#1, song of the year contender).
• The Children Getting Older:  Will the Collingsworth Family hold the same appeal with fans as the children continue to get older (and are no longer kids).

OPPORTUNITIES

• Kid’s Recording:  To back up the argument the group will only get stronger as the children mature vocally, the four kids (only) need to record an album to show that talent.
• Winning Mixed Group:  The Collingsworth Family are not that far away from claiming their first mixed group award at one of the many awards shows happening this year.

THREATS

• Members Leaving:  As the kids do get older, get married and begin their own lives will the group stay together as a family unit?  Time will tell, but the loss of any one member could change the whole vocal dynamic of the group.

***NEXT SWOT ANALYSIS:  INSPIRATIONS***

SWOT Analysis – Gold City

Another week, another SWOT analysis feature.   This week tackles the strengths and weaknesses of Gold City.  Once a Southern Gospel power house, dominating the quartet world, Gold City continues with Tim Riley and son Daniel Riley.

While they are no longer the premier quartet in the industry, the group is still releasing strong quartet material.

STRENGTHS

• Tim Riley:  Gold City has been under the leadership of Tim Riley for over twenty-five years.  Returning to the quartet a couple of years ago has brought some star power back to the group.
• The Legacy:  The name Gold City has such a rich heritage in Southern Gospel quartet music.  The group saw two periods of domination; the late 1980′s and the late 1990′s.
• Song Selection/Style:  The group has selected many top songs over the course of their career.  Songs that are now identified as Southern Gospel music standards.  ”Midnight Cry” being the biggest song of the group’s career.  Still releasing strong material helps as well (see recent release Somebody’s Coming).
• Stage Presence:  Gold City were masters at commanding a stage.  It was hard to beat the late 1980′s line-up in the live concert setting.

WEAKNESSES

• Personnel Shifts:  The future success of Gold City depends on a sound that is created with some vocal stability in the group.  The group has suffered through countless personnel changes over the course of the last decade that has marred their chances of returning to quartet dominance.
• Current Stage Presence:  The stage presence the current line up exudes does not live up to the command the group held during their dominant years.

OPPORTUNITIES

• Reunion Recording:  I know a few of the big promoters in Southern Gospel music are having Gold City reunion concerts this year.  The group needs to put together a reunion CD/DVD recording covering their 30+ years in Southern Gospel music.
• Continue To Sing The Hits:  Keeping the Gold City legacy alive by continuing to sing Gold City classics in concert.  This is something that group has always done and should never forget doing.

THREATS

• Tim Coming Off The Road Again:  I think when Tim decides to come off the road again, the Gold City name should be retired as a group.

***NEXT SWOT ANALYSIS:  COLLINGSWORTH FAMILY***