Due to “real world” time constraints, and the fact that the Southern Gospel world has been relatively quiet, I haven’t been blogging lately, but time is more free now, and what better to start the blogging back up than a news roundup of the past week?

1. The Songfellows Quartet have announced the hire of two new members, and the change and people hired are big enough that this announcement caught my eye immediately. On tenor is a recognizable name from his days with the Singing Americans, Stamps, Kingdom Heirs, etc., Rick Strickland, and bringing the bass part is Brad Smith, whom you may know from his days with Monument Quartet and Blackwood Quartet, among others. Both of these hires possess considerable talent; I have long said Smith is one of the most underrated vocalists out there, and while Rick Strickland sounded a bit shaky at the Singing Americans reunion, time on the road will solve that. While I’m not all that familiar with the Songfellows, this personnel change is very intriguing, and I’m hoping to get to hear them sometime soon.

The rest of my updates are nothing but Youtube videos, so let’s get started!

This video of a young Scott Fowler with The Sound has been making the rounds, and rather than be redundant, I won’t post it, but if you look through that particular user’s channel, he has a veritable gold mine of footage from groups. Here are a couple clips I found, but if you have the time, it’s well worth it to go through his entire channel:

To finish up, here’s the first clips of baritone Jon Epley with The Inspirations:

As the day of Christ’s birth comes closer, I received a couple news items that I didn’t have time to post in the last couple of days, but wanted to get to before posting my last CD review before Christmas:

1. Dixie Melody Boys joins Beyond Measure Marketing –

One of Southern Gospel’s most respected and beloved groups, The Dixie Melody Boys have signed with Beyond Measure Marketing. The legendary group is preparing for an exciting year in 2011. “We have many big events planned and will also be working on a new album shortly. We are excited to partner with Beyond Measure.” said Steven Cooper, baritone for the Dixie Melody Boys. Beyond Measure has established itself as the premier Southern Gospel Marketing company, with a family of artists that include The LeFevre Quartet, Mike Allen, Johnny Minick, The Blackwood Brothers, The Chuckwagon Gang, Perfect Heart, The Gospel Singing Caravan and many others. For more information on the Dixie Melody Boys, go to www.dixiemelodyboys.com or www.beyondmeasuremarketing.com.

I had figured it would only be a matter of time before this move happened when Matt Felts joined on tenor, as he is the owner of that company. The group currently has one of its strongest lineups in recent memory; perhaps joining this marketing company will help get that sound out there.

2. HisSong hires new baritone – Southern Spin Entertainment released this news earlier this week. Best of luck to both Adam Cannon and David Price!

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (December 21, 2010) – Vine Records/Crossroads recording artist and Dove Award nominated artist HisSong has named David Price as the group’s new baritone vocalist. HisSong temporarily hired David for 90 days until they knew for sure that he was a right fit. After the 90-day trial period – David was hired as the full-time baritone vocalist.

Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, David is 22 years old, and he began singing at a young age. David sang with Michigan-based quartet The Calvarymen for two years prior to joining HisSong.

HisSong owner/manager Dennis Humphries states,  “I am proud to have David as a part of HisSong.  David is an awesome singer and brings a lot of energy to the group.  We’re excited to have David as a part of this team.  David is doing an outstanding job, and everywhere we go, people are loving him.”

The group’s previous baritone vocalist, Adam Cannon, sang with HisSong for the last four years. Cannon left the group to pursue a ministry with his wife, Samantha, that will include both singing and preaching.

Dennis added, “I was sad to see Adam go but knew that God had amazing things in store for HisSong.  We all became like brothers, and although we miss Cannon and still have a close friendship with him, our prayers are with Adam, Samantha & Noah.”

HisSong will be entering the studio soon to begin recording their brand new project for Vine/Crossroads Records. Dove Award-winning producer and songwriter Wayne Haun will once again produce this project. Haun has produced HisSong’s last three recordings as well – Watching & Waiting, Dove-nominated On the Way Up, and their current release Journey Through the Sky, which was nominated for Album of the Year in the 2010 SGN Music Awards.

Friends, family, and friends are encouraged to call and request HisSong’s latest single – “When We Talk to the Father.” This is HisSong’s third Top 40 single from their latest release – Journey Through the Sky.

HisSong is booked through the Adoration Agency.  For more information on how to book the popular trio, log on to http://www.adorationagency.com or call (910) 426-1931.

HisSong also has a weekly online newsletter which gives fans of the group information on the ministry and much more.

More information on HisSong can be found at http://www.hissongmusic.com. Fans are encouraged to visit the group’s Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/hissongmusic .

Be looking either late today or early tomorrow for my review of Greater Vision’s Everything Christmas!

1. There were several weddings that occurred this week in the Southern Gospel world. Congratulations to Madison Easter and Brooklyn Collingsworth on their respective marriages!

2. Bruce Taliaferro has resigned from the lead singer position for Gold City. There have been rumblings of this over the past week or so, but Daniel Mount broke the story this morning. The replacement will be named soon, presumably before January. Since a press release is forthcoming, I won’t name the replacement, but I will say this: he hasn’t been with a particularly well-known group yet, but he is a fantastic young singer that has deserved some recognition for a while. I, for one, I’m very excited to see and hear what he will bring to the table.

It’s been a week for lineup changes in Southern Gospel, and yesterday brought the announcement of two additions to groups, and also one group that is searching for a tenor.

1. Brent Mitchell Joins Gold City – The blogs and forums were buzzing earlier this week when it was announced that Josh Cobb was out as Gold City’s tenor, and that the new one would be debuting that night. As it turns out, it is former Mercy’s Mark and N’Harmony tenor, Brent Mitchell:

Gold City has announced that Brent Mitchell has joined the quartet as tenor vocalist, filling the vacancy created by the departure of Josh Cobb.

“No one dislikes change more than I do,” says Gold City’s Daniel Riley. “But that doesn’t change the fact that changes do happen. Often times, people don’t always understand the reason behind the changes—we don’t always understand it ourselves, as change can come quickly for any of a huge number of reasons.

“Josh Cobb is an incredibly talented person and we’ve enjoyed our time with him. We wish him the very best in his future endeavors.

“Brent will officially start his role with Gold City November 11,” continues Riley. “Many Southern Gospel fans will remember Brent from his tenure with Mercy’s Mark. He possesses a very distinct tenor voice, and we’re very excited to welcome him to our group.”

Brent, his wife, Heather, and their 7-year old daughter, Ivy, live in Moulton, Ala., and he’s excited about joining the legendary quartet. “I grew up listening to this music,” says Brent. “It has always been a dream of mine to be part of a legacy like Gold City. I am excited to have an opportunity once again to sing the best music in the world.” (Singing News)

If there is one thing that Gold City needs to keep their legacy strong, it’s a distinctive, solid tenor with a strong stage presence. Josh Cobb brought those factors to the table, and Brent does as well. I enjoyed hearing him with Mercy’s Mark and N’Harmony, and I think he will do just fine with Gold City.

For those wondering how he’ll sound on a Gold City classic, check this out. I’d also like to see him bring his take of this Cathedrals song with him to GC.

(more…)

After several early reports of his passing that were in error earlier today (he was taken off the ventilator but breathing on his own), Tony Greene passed away today at 4:25 PM. From the Singing News:

Anthony Elden Greene, known to most Southern Gospel music fans as “Tony,” passed away today, September 28th just before 4:30pm Eastern Time at the age of 41. Tony had been in Carolina Medical Center in Charlotte, N.C., since September 21 due to several health complications.

Tony is survived by wife, TaRanda, and their children, Isabella (age 6) and Jocelyn (age 2). He is also survived by his brother Tim, sister Kim Greene Hopper, and his mother, Carolyn Greene, and several nieces.

The son of (the late) Everette and Carolyn Greene, Tony was born in Boone, N.C., on October 17, 1968, the youngest of three children. By the early 1980s, Tony and his siblings were singing Southern Gospel music professionally as The Greenes, garnering several No. 1 songs and appearing on the nation’s leading concerts.

In addition to being noted as a gifted lead vocalist, Tony has also been included in the list of leading concert promoters of Southern Gospel music. Throughout the years, Tony’s promotions encompassed dozens of states, while providing Christian music in not only churches and auditoriums, but also aboard cruises, bus tours and more. He was also a key factor of the success of the long-running Gospel Singing Jubilee multi-day concert held in Boone, N.C., for almost 30 years.

Tony married the former TaRanda Kiser on February 13, 2001. Together, they continued the ministry of the Greenes, while also being involved in several other ventures that include work with Abraham Productions (concert promotions featuring the Singing In The Sun in Myrtle Beach, S.C., the Gatlinburg Gathering in Gatlinburg, Tenn., and other locations), and the Good Shepherd Funeral Home in Indian Trail, North Carolina.

On August 25, 2009, Tony underwent a successful kidney transplant, with TaRanda providing the donor kidney. He returned to traveling within a month and though he encountered some minor health difficulties, he continued with the Greenes until additional health issues forced his hospitalization on September 21, 2010.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

In tribute to Tony, here are the Greenes at NQC 2009 singing one of their best-known songs, “Hold On,” soon after Tony’s kidney transplant. Please pray for the family during this difficult time.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPXBnJOSx48

It’s been making the rounds around Southern Gospel blogs, but there is a petition to get a Weatherfords recording, In The Garden, released on CD. The request comes from The Netherlands, and though it may be a long shot, it’s worth signing: http://www.gopetition.com/petition/38572.html

Rating: 4 stars

Producer: Lari Goss
Label: Hopper Music
Website: www.thehoppers.com

Buy Here

Track list: “Victory Shall Be Mine,” “Oh How Amazing Is Amazing Grace,” “Something’s Happening,” “Nobody’s Too Bad Or Too Good,” “I’ve Been To Heaven,” “East of Jerusalem,” “Could It Be I’m Dreaming,” “He Remembers To Forget,” “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow,” “On The Authority,” “Living In The Arms Of Mercy,” “Statement Of Faith”

I’ll admit, I’m a casual fan of The Hoppers. Other than the occasional iTunes purchase of some of their more well-known songs and stuff they’ve done that I heard and enjoyed, I’m not all that familar with their work. I am, however, familiar enough to know that they have maintained a solid sound for the past few years, and this collection of songs is no exception.

The project opens with two upbeat tracks to grab the listeners attention. “Victory Shall Be Mine” has the typical orchestrated, driving sound that the group is known for, and “Oh How Amazing Is Amazing Grace” features a New Orleans big band style. On the other end of the spectrum, the title track is a big ballad that was originally done by male quartet Mercy’s Mark. The Hoppers take a more epic, ponderous approach to it than that group did, featuring the whole group on the first verse, Dean Hopper on the second, and Kim Hopper on the third verse, all the while building to the powerful chorus. What truly separates this version from any other, however, is Connie Hopper’s recitations sprinkled in between the verses, which fit in perfectly with both the lyrics and the sound of this song.

The other covers on the project include another Mercy’s Mark song, “Living In The Arms Of Mercy,” which is given a more traditional treatment this time around, and the GVB hit “On The Authority,” which is considerably jazzier than the Vocal Band rendition. The former features drummer Mike Hopper stepping behind the mic, and the latter, Dean Hopper. A Southern Gospel classic, “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow,” is also redone, and is slightly faster than most versions I’ve heard. That track features Claude Hopper in his only solo of the album.

Some of the other memorable songs from this project are “Nobody’s Too Bad Or Too Good,” which features Dean and Kim Hopper’s daughter Karlye, and is both well sung and well written, and “East of Jerusalem,” a big slow number that features Kim Hopper, and manages to be a great song in its own right without any sort of nod to the group’s hit, “Jerusalem.” The final song, “Statement of Faith,” features all the same vocalists that are on the version found on the Legacy Five project, Just Stand.

Final thoughts: In the world of modern Southern Gospel music, the names Lari Goss and The Hoppers are almost synonymous. Goss is once again behind the producer’s chair for this latest project, and the combination once again turns out a fine body of work. While not exactly exploring groundbreaking material for the group, this project sticks to the tried-and-true sound that The Hoppers have attained over the last few years, while still throwing in a few unique numbers to add flavor. One thing you can say about this group is this: they are consistent in the quality of their material. “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” indeed.

Bottom line: Fans of The Hoppers, or quality Southern Gospel in general, will enjoy Something’s Happening.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Producer: Ben Stewart
Label: Unsigned
Website: www.kingdomboundquartet.com
Samples can be heard here.

Track list: “The News Is Out,” “A Love That Wouldn’t Die,” “Call Jesus,” “That Wonderful Day,” “What On Earth For,” “One Of These Days,” “I Love Living In Grace,” “The Night That Love Was Born,” “Seek and Save,” “That Sounds Like Forgiveness To Me,” ‘Save In The Cross Of Jesus,” “What A Precious Friend Is He”

Often, many Southern Gospel fans don’t pay attention to lesser-known groups. Most of the time,  it’s simply because we have a preconceived notion that the quality will not be on par with the more widely known artists, and therefore won’t be worth our time or money to listen to. And sometimes, that may be the case. I’ll admit, I have that attitude sometimes as well, and even as I was in talks with a group member to do this review and was putting the disc in the player, I still had a little bit of reservation.

The Kingdom Bound Quartet pleasantly surprised me. They have a sound similar to that of the Dove Brothers or the Kingdom Heirs, which is no surprise, since the music tracks were produced at Crossroads Studios by Danny Crawford (who produced the Dove Brothers’ latest outing, Unshakeable.) Though the comparison is very tangible on the project’s more upbeat tracks, the group still has a sound all its own.

The project opens with the driving country sounds of “The News Is Out,” which features lead singer Ross Carter and displays some very smooth harmonies between he and tenor Ben Stewart on the second verse. The project then segues into another heavily country flavored song called “A Love That Wouldn’t Die,” a Dianne Wilkinson tune that has been done by both Triumphant Quartet and Steve Ladd. Bass singer Chad James displays his Jeff Chapman-like bass throughout the song.

The project’s title track, “Call Jesus,” is a slower, lightly orchestrated song that features the lead singer, and is probably one of my favorites on the disc. The group covers an old Soul’d Out tune, “That Wonderful Day,” and the two groups have renditions that are fairly equal in quality. Another cover found later on in the project is “I Love Living In Grace,” which has recently been recorded by both Tribute Quartet and Liberty Quartet. Other than some minor differences in instrumentation and vocals, not much separates this version from the other two, but that can be forgiven since the groups were working on it at relatively the same time, and therefore didn’t know what the others would do with it.

The group’s current radio single, “One Of These Days,” was a good choice for the first single, because it has the sound to hang with other quartets like the Dove Brothers, but is unique enough in sound to give the group some identity. “What On Earth For” is a smooth baritone feature for David Sherrill on the first verse. “The Night That Love Was Born” an acoustically driven Christmas song that is beautifully delivered. “Seek and Save” is another upbeat song that is one of my personal favorites. Of the last three songs, “Save In The Cross Of Jesus,” a powerful ballad featuring the tenor, is probably the most attention-grabbing.

Final Thoughts: I was impressed with my first listen to the Kingdom Bound Quartet. They are a part-time group, and when I heard that, I was surprised. They have a sound better than some of the full-timers out there. This project was two years in the making, and is the first to feature lead singer Ross Carter, whom the group heavily credits in the album insert for making the project the best it could be. The hard work by the group certainly shows; the sound is professionally done, and the song selection is great, and each vocalist does not stray out their range. Other than a couple songs that don’t particularly grab my attention, I thoroughly enjoyed reviewing this project.

Bottom line: The only way this group could be better is if a label picked them up, although I can’t imagine that the change would be all that drastic, as the Kingdom Bound Quartet is already a great sounding group. Call Jesus gets 4.5 stars.

Anyone who frequents the various Southern Gospel forums around the Internet (Southern Gospel Forums, Singing News forums, etc.) most likely would recognize the screen name Seaton. The guy behind that handle, Steve Eaton, has just recently thrown his hat into the Southern Gospel blogger ring with his new blog, Southern Gospel Views From The Back Row. It appears he is getting started the right way; his first post states exactly what he’s bringing to the table and how he will make it so his blog is something truly new. He’s already been known to make positive contributions to discussions on message boards throughout the SG world for quite a while now, so readers will know that his posts will be of the same caliber.

All of that, and his layout is pretty darn impressive as well!

Make sure to head over and welcome him to the blogosphere. (David Bruce Murray just cringed!)

There were several things that took place in the SG world last week that I was unable to cover because my Internet was down. An old pine tree in my neighbor’s yard split down its trunk and caused some problems when it hit the lines around the house. Here’s some of the items I missed:

1. Doug Oldham Passes Away at age 79 Growing up in Bedford, VA, which is a small town outside of Lynchburg, I was very familiar with Oldham’s work at Thomas Road Baptist Church and in other areas as well. Last week, he was awaiting surgery for a broken spine sustained in a serious fall, and passed away peacefully early on the morning of July 21. The funeral is today; a final dose of the reality that another legend has gone home. Here’s one of my favorite clips of Doug from the Gaither Homecoming series:

2. Matt Felts Joins Perfect Heart In a press release from the group:

One of Southern Gospel’s most beloved groups, Perfect Heart, is delighted to announce that Matt Felts has joined the group as their new tenor. “Matt has proven himself to be a premier talent in Southern Gospel but more importantly his deep desire to see God’s kingdom grow line up perfectly with our group’s main goal. Matt is a wonderful addition to our family and we look forward to all that he brings to us.” stated Mike Presnell, Legendary bass for Perfect Heart.

Matt is well known to the fans of Southern Gospel, singing for groups such as Monument Quartet and the Skyline Boys. As a member of Monument, Matt gained fans both in the Gospel and country music world through their numerous live and television appearances.

“It is an incredible honor to join a legendary group like Perfect Heart. They were the very first live concert I ever attended and I’ve always been a fan of Mike’s. Though they have a rich tradition, I am more excited about all that God has in store for us. There are so many great things coming and I can’t wait to see the fans of this group as I hit the road with them.” said matt Felts. Matt has already began touring with Perfect Heart.

Perfect Heart currently can be heard on the radio with their chart hit “Glory Waves”. Fans can see this incredible new lineup at the Showcase Spectacular on Monday at the National Quartet Convention. To learn more about Perfect Heart, fans can go to their official website at www.perfectheartqt.com

I’m interested to hear how Matt will affect their sound. The new Perfect Heart is a good quartet already, and adding a tenor like Felts will only improve them. For those unfamiliar with him, here is a clip of him with Monument Quartet singing the tenor standard, “Hide Thou Me.”

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqSB5REVlls