In Case You Missed It - February 7 - Gospel News and Tidbits

Here are some news items from this week in Southern Gospel -

• The Erwins released Ready to Sail this week on February 3. They had a release party at Lifeway Christian store in Mesquite, Texas. This was the group's first StowTown Records release.
• Dickie Matthews, long-time gospel music piano player, passed away on February 1. He was awarded with the Gospel Music Piano Roll of Honor and the Living Legend Award of Gospel Music.  
• Former Mark Trammell Quartet member Joel Wood was involved in an accident at work with a chainsaw. It hit him in the face and cut through his bottom lip down to his chin. The CT scan showed no bone damage, so surgery was not required. Doctors gave him stitchers and he is now home, but please pray for him as he heals.  

Anything I've missed?

Fun Clip Friday - Matt Fouch and Josh Singletary - On the Couch with Fouch

Happy Friday to everyone! Matthew Fouch of Legacy Five has been doing video interviews with various Southern Gospel singes for a while now. He releases a new one the first of every month. Be sure to sign up on his website to get on his email list so you can see immediately when the next one releases!

This month, he interviewed Josh Singletary of Tribute Quartet, so they are today's feature for Fun Clip Friday! Enjoy!

Erwins - Ready to Sail - CD Review

The Erwins are one of the best up and coming groups in gospel music today. The three brothers and one sister make up one of the youngest mixed groups in the industry. The group includes Keith (22), Kody (20), Kris (18) and Katie (14). Ready to Sail is their first release with StowTown Records.

“Ready to Sail” is the title track and an easy listening song. It really showcases what a great sound the siblings have collectively.

“Greater” is probably my favorite song on the project. I first heard it when three guys from my home church sang it at the end of a Sunday morning service. I immediately loved it and thought that a southern gospel artist should cover the song. (MercyMe originally recorded the song.) And I’m so glad the Erwins were that group! They bring such a great youthful energy to the song. It’s a must listen!

“Calvary’s One Spotless Lamb” is definitely another highlight. The ballad features Keith on the verses, and the message of the song is timeless. “Believe Him” is another Keith feature. This song lyrically is so reassuring for believers. Keith has really grown as a vocalist, and on this song he really shines.

“Power in Prayer” features Kody and Katie on the verses. However, the song is actually Kris’s testimony song. In 2009, he was run over by an SUV while crossing the street. Doctors said it would be a miracle if he were able to keep his legs. Kris received his miracle. It’s a great song, but when you know what it means personally to the group it makes it that much more powerful! I love the line that says, “it won’t be the same when you speak His name, His presence is there.”

“Take Him at His Word” is stylistically a little different than other songs, a more classic sound with a lot of horns. And the siblings get a little help from Ernie Haase on the song!

Speaking of Ernie Haase, he actually wrote one of the songs on the project. “Well Done” is a toe-tapper that Southern Gospel fans will love! The beginning of the song reminded me of the Cathedrals Family Reunion song “We’ll Work,” which makes sense with Haase’s influence. Definitely another favorite of mine!

“Isn’t He God” is another one of the more progressive sounding songs on the project. I love how each of the siblings get a chance to step out and really show off their vocals. This is one of the songs that you listen to and can’t believe that the Erwins are in their teens and early 20s.

“I Choose to be a Christian” features Katie and is the first radio single from the project. Katie is definitely one to watch vocally in years to come. She’s proving that at a young age, she can vocally match up with her brothers. Great song to really showcase what she can do!

The Erwins are definitely making their mark in Southern Gospel with Ready to Sail. Their partnership with StowTown Records was a great fit, and this project really shows that. This album is a must add to your collection!

Song List -
1. "Ready to Sail"
2. "Greater"
3. "Believe Him"
4. "Well Done"
5. "Calvary's One Spotless Lamb"
6. "Isn't He God"
7. "The Burden of Loving Me"
8. "I Choose to be a Christian"
9. "Will You Go?"
10. "Power in Prayer"
11. "Take Him at His Word"
12. "You Are Welcome Here"

God Wants to Hear You Sing - Greater Vision Concert Recap

Greater Vision is a group that doesn't get to Arkansas very often. In December, I had the chance to go down south to Louisiana to see the Jubilee gang at Christmas, which of course included Greater Vision. It's always a treat though to see them in concert and nearby.

Saturday night, Greater Vision was in Vilonia, Arkansas at Beryl Baptist Church. This church has been getting some great groups in recently. The church's pastor Wade Lentz actually filled in at bass for the Mark Trammell Quartet in May after Pat Barker left. This will definitely come into play later!

I've been to several concerts at this church now and I've never seen the size crowd they had for Greater Vision. The pastor said that there were some people from out of state who came to hear Greater Vision sing. I'm sure they were not disappointed!

Greater Vision - Gerald Wolfe, Rodney Griffin
and Chris Allman

Greater Vision opened the night with "We Are So Blessed." Then, they went into their “Redeeemed” medley. I was glad to hear a few songs from their new project next “Come Unto Me” and “For All He’s Done.” Love hearing Chris Allman sing the title track!

Gerald Wolfe talked about how it was good to be in Arkansas. They had never been at the church before and the GPS got a little confused since a new four-lane highway had opened up. But they made it to the church!

They kicked off the singing again with “When They Ring the Bells of Heaven.” Gerald introduced Chris next and talked about how he had been a pastor of a church when he left Greater Vision and then returned to the group in 2010. Chris then was featured on “Treasures Unseen.” I don’t ever remember hearing this song live. Loved it! And then he sang “I Know a Man Who Can.” Always a favorite!!

Gerald then introduced Rodney and talked about how he has been gospel music’s Songwriter of the Year for more than a decade. And of course, he picked on Rodney a bit! Then, they sang “My Name Is Lazaurs,” another favorite!! He talked the song Rodney had written for preachers and how it was meant to encourage them and then they sang “Preacher Tell Me Like It Is.” I love hearing and seeing this song live. It’s very different from what Greater Vision typically does. Gerald joked that it sounded like a Merle Haggard type song. They closed the first half with “I Know He Heard My Prayer.” Great moment and a highlight of the night!

After the break, Gerald talked about the product they had available after the concert was over. He mentioned his piano hymn CD. A lady from near the front of the audience shouted out if they had sheet music. Gerald, without missing a beat, went to the pew rack in front of her, picked up the hymnal and handed it to her! Haha!

Greater Vision opened the second half with “He’d Still Been God.” Love this song, and the entire audience was clapping along.

Greater Vision with Wade Lentz on bass

Gerald talked about being in the foyer of the church before the concert started. He knew the pastor’s name but didn’t know him. A man came up to him before the concert started and just asked if he was going to sing bass with them tonight. Gerald said he just looked at the man and replied, “I don’t know.” He told Gerald that he knew all the Cathedrals songs. Gerald said that he did too and just went on. Gerald then said he got a text from Mark Trammell telling him that the pastor of the church was a great bass singer and knew all the Cathedrals songs. Gerald texted him back and responded that he was a little late! Gerald called Wade to the stage and asked what he wanted to sing. They sang “Thanks to Calvary,” and then Gerald asked that he sing another one, which was “Wedding Music.” He did a great job with them on both songs!

Chris was then featured on “Like I Wish I’d Lived in the Past.” Gerald then talked about undergoing physical therapy for his neck. He had been in pain one day after therapy and started looking up videos on YouTube. He found one of Tanya Goodman Sykes singing “Until You Know the Love of God.” He talked about how much the lyrics impacted him that day. Absolutely incredible song that featured Gerald! Probably the moment of the night!!

Rodney led the congregation in “He Touched Me.” He said that until we’ve been touched by Jesus that we will never know the love of the Father. He gave the invitation and they ended the night with “God Wants to Hear You Sing.”

It was an incredible night of laughs, great music and most importantly adoration and praise to God.

Poll - How Do You Hear About Concerts?

I've asked this question before, but I wanted to ask it again to see if things had changed in the last year or so.

There are so many ways that you can find out about a concert in your area. Sometimes you just happen to hear about it from a friend or at another local concert. If you're like I am, you check websites frequently searching for your state or area. Or maybe you follow your favorite artists on social media and see their posts. With the emergence of social media, is this becoming the more common way to get the word out about concerts? I'm curious how do you most commonly hear about concerts? Take the poll below!