Hello loyal readers. I wanted to try something new today. I’ve recently thought about starting a podcast of classic Southern Gospel music. With an extensive Southern Gospel music collection, the music of yesteryear needs to be remembered. I put together an initial thirty minute episode of what you would expect. Let me know if this is something you would be interested in listening to, if I decided to move forward.
Since we are just about to June, lets go in to the vault and look back 33 years at a top ten selection from June 1986.
The Singing Echoes are celebrating 50 years in Southern Gospel music in 2019. It was the Singing Echoes who introduced the, now, classic; “When I Wake Up To Sleep No More”.
They had a string of top ten hits in the 1980’s, including the song that found a home at #7 for the month of June (1986). Group member Gary Epperson penned this top ten classic, “It’s Enough”. The song was recorded on the Singing Echoes 1985 album, Live From Blue Springs Valley.
Other Memorable Moments from June 1986:
Today we go in to the vault and look back 39 years at a top ten selection from February 1980.
The Hemphills had their greatest success during the 1980’s. 1980 started that momentum with a song that would ultimately become their first #1 single; “I’m In This Church”.
Penned by, now songwriting legend, Joel Hemphill, the song was recorded on the group’s 1979 album, Home Cookin’. At #2 on the February 1980 radio singles chart was the Hemphills, “I’m In This Church”.
Other Memorable Moments from February 1980:
Indulge me a minute while I participate in a little shameless self promotion. As an extension of this blog, there are other social media platforms you can find Southern Gospel Views from the Back Row.
First, there is a YouTube channel where I’m attempting to keep Southern Gospel music from the ’60s/’70s/’80s/’90s alive. If there is a particular song from this era you would like to see on the channel, drop me a line.
Also, several weeks ago I started providing weekly playlists on both Apple Music and Spotify. There will be four weekly playlists available at any given time, with a new playlist available every Monday. On Apple Music, search Southern Gospel Back Row and on Spotify, search SGVBR. Drop me a line to let me know you’re listening. Thanks for allowing me to be a small part in preserving Southern Gospel music.
Today we go in to the vault and look back 29 years at a top ten back then selection from August 1989.
Quinton Mills had one of the biggest songs of 1988 with “I Found The Lily In My Valley”. This song would go on to be a signature song for Mills. The song was still sitting in the Southern Gospel top 80 chart in August of ’89, for a 22nd month.
But it was Quinton’s second top ten hit that was sitting at #9 in August of 1989; “I’ve Been To The Potter’s House”. Mills was also the songwriter of this top ten selection.
Other Memorable Moments from August 1989:
Today we go in to the vault and look back 40 years at a top ten back then selection from August 1977.
One of the most popular groups during this era was the Happy Goodman Family. They clicked off top ten hit after top ten hit during the 1970s.
Landing at #6 on the Southern Gospel radio singles chart in August 1977 was “Wait’ll You See My Brand New Home”. The song was penned by songwriting legend and group member, Rusty Goodman.
I was always partial to Teddy Huffam and the Gems version from their 1977 recording, That All May Be One.
Other Memorable Moments from August 1977:
Today we go in to the vault and look at a top ten back then selection from July 1990.
27 years ago this month, the Hoppers were riding high with their first ever #1 song, “Here I Am”. The song spent four months a top the chart (May to August 1990) and went on to win song of the year.
Songwriter Sylvia Green, who spent her singing career with the Bradys, penned this masterpiece.
Other Memorable Moments from July 1990:
I thought today we would go in to the vault and look at a top ten back then selection from May 1982.
35 years ago this month, Heaven Bound had a top ten hit with the Jeff Gibson penned, “Canaanland Is Just In Sight”. From the 1981 recording, Thinkin’ ‘Bout Home, the, now classic, song found a home at #3 on the Southern Gospel radio singles chart.
Other Memorable Moments from May 1982:
Southern Gospel Views From The Back Row 