Last week as I was covering the Katherine Harris campaign for the Senate in Florida, I thought it would be appropriate to the setting to write an article on an internationally-known gospel quartet, The Florida Boys. You can find that article
in the archives section of The Liberty Sphere.
As I mentioned in that article, there is an entire industry that has grown up around this style of music, indicating that the genre has an army of ardent fans who march under the radar screen of the news outlets and the music industry in general. 'Southern Gospel Music,' as it is known, boasts one of the top selling artists in any field of music, the venerable Bill Gaither, whose videos have sold in the millions, according to Billboard and other organizations that track music sales.
At the forefront of this style of music is a growing company called 'Southern Gospel News.' This is the umbrella organization for several companies that record, promote, and play Southern Gospel Music, such as 'Southern Spin,' the company's radio subsidiary. The company owns several labels that produce and distribute the work of Southern Gospel artists. It is also home to a publication and Internet site called 'Southern Gospel News,' where fans can find complete information on their favorite artists. Their web address is:
www.sogospelnews.com
This website is a professionally produced gathering place of artists, writers and bloggers, industry support personnel, and fans. The fans are even provided with a free forum to express their views on various subjects regarding southern gospel music, as well as share the latest news about their favorite groups and artists.
From fairly humble beginnings, the Southern Gospel News has amassed quite a following and has enjoyed a tremendous amount of growth. Today it is a key player in the continued success of this form of music.
The reason I highlight this growing company is that it shows just how deeply Americans feel their spiritual roots. Gospel music has always been around in one form or another for as long as this country has existed. Demographics, styles, and tastes may change, but the one constant is that Americans always find a way to express their deepest spiritual thoughts and feelings through the medium of music. I detect no change in that trend.
Southern Gospel News, in fact, appeals to listeners of a variety of musical tastes, from traditional quartet singing to progressive, contemporary sounds, from country and bluegrass flavored gospel to ensembles, from soloists and duets to trios and quartets. There is something there to appeal to all musical tastes.
The modern popularity of Bill Gaither, the Florida Boys, the Gold City Quartet, the Dove Brothers Quartet, the Isaacs, and new groups such as Crossway and Valor, is evidence of a vast amount of interest in spiritual matters in America today.
Southern Gospel News is an important source where Americans can pursue that interest.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
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2 comments:
Mr. Unthank,
My deepest thanks for your clearing that up for me. I admit as I grow older that the various collaberative efforts and subsidiary relationships of the corporate world are becoming quite confusing. However, your explanation has sufficiently cleared that up in my mind.
Best wishes to you and your family in all of your efforts. You do a fine job.
Sincerely,
D. Martyn Lloyd-Morgan
Mr. Unthank,
It was my pleasure to write an article about The Southern Gospel News. I admit that I have become quite a fan of this form of music, and I am continually interested in news concerning its artists.
Individuals who follow the careers of classically trained vocalists, such as myself, are always impressed by exceptional vocal talent. I have to admit that the form of music you promote contains some of the most outstanding vocal talent one could hear in any form of music.
Once again, best wishes to all of you in your endeavors.
D. Martyn Lloyd-Morgan
The Liberty Sphere
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