Gaither and Kevin Williams - Fun Clip Friday

After a long week, it's good to have some comic relief. So today's Fun Clip Friday features Bill Gaither and Kevin Williams from a Gaither video several years ago in Toronto, Canada. Watch what happens as Bill tries to set up a song and Kevin keeps interrupting!

Christian Singers vs. Christian Singers

Several weeks ago I got the chance to see a singer who has been working hard to make it for many years in the music business. This singer has an incredible story of how God has worked in his life, the kind of story you can't help but cheer on. He's a known Christian and has chosen to sing secular music. There's nothing wrong with this choice, but that night and the concert was nothing like I expected it to be.

From the concert that night despite things I had heard, there was nothing to point to his faith from the songs chosen to the atmosphere. It was interesting to hear a Christian sing some of the lyrics he did. I was a little taken aback by his conduct on stage and the message of some of the songs.

The night made me realize how grateful I am for musicians and singers who choose to use their talents to glorify God, singing Christian music. I don't think there is anything wrong with Christians choosing to sing secular music. However, I think singers like any profession should choose to use their talents for God and strive to be a light. That can mean not singing songs with certain lyrics or that promote worldly lifestyles or living differently on stage where fans know you have a higher standard.

I'm sure several gospel artists could just as easily choose to have a career singing secular music, but I'm thankful that's not the path they chose. Thank you for choosing to go down the path less traveled for the glory of God. Thank you for choosing night after night to leave your families to sing music, sharing the gospel and drawing people closer to Jesus.

As I walked away from the concert disappointed in the night, it made me really think about the standard for all Christians. We're called to be in the world but not of the world. While I don't work in a Christian job or for a Christian company, I need to make sure I hold myself to a higher standard in how I conduct myself, the conversations I have at work and how I perform my job. As someone who works in advertising, there are clients that I wouldn't feel comfortable working with because of what they represent. The standard doesn't just apply to singers. As Christians, we need to make sure we're being salt and light. At the end of the day, all Christians should work for the Lord and not man.

In Case You Missed It - News and Tidbits - March 5

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

• Joey Feek, half of the popular duo Joey + Rory, passed away yesterday after a long battle with cancer. Please pray for Rory and their daughter Indiana and the rest of the family.
• Daywind Music Group announced five winners of the Daywind Quartet Talent Contest, The Kings Seven from Kentucky, Justified Quartet from Michigan, the Convention Quartet from Indiana, Redeemed Quartet from Indiana and Evidence of Grace from North Carolina. All five groups will perform on Monday, April 4 at the Daywind Quartet Festival. The winner will receive a 10-song soundtrack recording package from Daywind Studios. 
• Gus Gaches has been named as the director of Song Garden Music Group. The Rick Webb Family have been working with Song Garden  but with the growth in their ministry were unable to continue the day-to-day operations of the company. Owners Dale, Lynn and Marilyn Keffer are thankful for the Webb Family and all they've done and excited about this new time for the label.

Anything I've missed?

Fun Clip Friday - On the Couch With Fouch

Happy Friday to everyone! The On the Couch With Fouch series is something people have started looking forward to each month. Legacy Five's bass singer Matthew Fouch releases a new interview each month with a Southern Gospel artist.

This month he talks to fellow bass singer Paul Harkey who sings with Ernie Haase and Signature Sound. Check it out here, and enjoy for today's Fun Clip Friday!

Gold City Concert Recap - Sherwood, Arkansas

Several Southern Gospel groups have been making stops in Arkansas recently, so I’ve definitely been taking advantage of that. It had been a while since I’d seen Gold City in a full concert by themselves, so I was glad to see a concert in Central Arkansas on the group's schedule.

Gold City - Bryan Elliot, Thomas Nalley, Chip Pullen, Danny Riley
and Chris West

When I first started listening to Southern Gospel, they were one of my favorite quartets. Last Saturday night, I was reminded of why. They have so many great songs, and this lineup is sounding great together!

Here's what they sang -

• "I Cast My Bread Upon the Water" - Always a great song to get the concert going! 
• "God's Still Good" - Loved hearing Chris on this song. He does an incredible job! 
• "Redeemed" - Love their version of this song. Chip had been sick the night before, but showed no signs of illness that night! 
• "I'm Saved, I'm Sure, I'm Ready"
• "Goodbye World Goodbye" - This was Brian's piano solo. I'm not sure why he doesn't get more recognition for his piano playing skills. Such a great talent!
• "Walkin' and Talkin' With my Lord" - It was great hearing them stage this song again.
• "He'll Do It Every Time" - Great hearing this older Gold City song. Right before this song Thomas gave his testimony of the miraculous healing God gave him. He suddenly and unexpectedly lost his hearing one weekend. At that point, he was with the LeFevre Quartet and he tried to resign from the group knowing he couldn't sing like once could. But they kept him on, praying for him and him searching for answers with doctors. He stayed on with the group but not as tenor. One weekend he had several people come up and pray and lay hands on him while he was at the product table. Later that evening, his hearing suddenly came back. Incredible testimony of how God still works miracles and heals people!   
• "Victory in Jesus" 
• "Farther Along" - I love their version of this song! Danny tears this song up. He has to be the most underrated baritone in gospel music. I love how he really brings out the soulful side on this song. He commented before the song about how much he loved the hymns and how good it was to hear his daughters singing the songs after this project. Of course, he said this version of "Farther Along" was nothing like what he grew up with!
• "I'm Not Giving Up" - Thomas nailed the high notes on this song! He is sounding great with these guys.
• "It's Still the Cross" - Such a powerful song, always a favorite.
• "Power of the Cross" - This is probably my favorite modern hymn. Glad they included it on their latest hymns project!
• "Peter James John" 
• "When I Get Carried Away" - It was good hearing this new lineup on this classic Gold City song. They are sounding great together!
• "There Rose a Lamb" - This was the highlight of the night for me! Chip does such an incredible job on this song.
• "Midnight Cry" - Always a favorite!
• "I Surrender All" 

It was so good to see Gold City again. They ended the service with a time of invitation singing "I Surrender All." It was such a blessing to see how God moved and used the group to minister to people that night. It was a night of great music, but more importantly they encouraged and ministered to the people there that night. It was a great service. Be sure to see when Gold City will be in your area, and go see them!