SMGA Hall of Fame 2013 Inductees

The SGMA announced this year's Hall of Fame inductees last week. I was so glad to see Tim Riley honored in this year's class. He's still one of the best bass singers in the business. Also, great to see some of the Lewis Family honored as well. I recognize names of the others, but honestly don't know much about them.

Here's the full release:

Pigeon Forge, TN -- The Southern Gospel Music Association’s (SGMA) Induction Committee Chairman, Dr. Jim Goff, announced the 2013 Inductees to the SGMA Hall of Fame. They are, in the deceased category, John T. Benson, Jr. and Thomas A. Dorsey. In the living category, Polly Lewis Copsey, “Little” Roy Lewis, Duane Nicholson and Tim Riley. 

The 2013 Induction Ceremony and Singing News Fan Awards will be held on October 2 at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Tickets for the event are on sale now at the SGMA office. You may purchase tickets by calling 865-908-4040.

And for fun, here's a clip of the Lewis Family:

Fun Clip Friday - The Whisnants

Happy Friday to everyone! I hope everyone has had a good week.

Today's Fun Clip Friday post features the Whisnants. I love hearing stories about how couples met and fell in love. The Whisnants shared their story during a recent interview and the Singing News posted it online on its YouTube channel. This is one of the cutest couples in southern gospel! Enjoy!

Some People Change - Michael English - CD Review

Michael English released Some People Change on March 26. This is his first solo album that's been released in several years. I've always been a fan of Michael English, and after seeing him sing live a couple of weeks ago, I was even more impressed. Where this CD is great, it's really great!

The highlight of the CD has to be "Stubborn (Psalm 151)." Lyrically, this song is amazing, and Michael has such emotion behind each and every word. You are convinced that he's lived the song, and it's definitely a convicting song for your own life, or at least it was for mine. This is Micahel English at his finest!

The title track "Some People Change" is another standout for me. This song has a strong country flare. Another one of my favorites is "On That Great Day." The Martins provide background vocals on this song.

Michael includes another version of "In Christ Alone" on this project. I love the song, but I'm not sure another version and release was completely necessarily.

Most of the songs on the project have been previously released by another artist, either secular or Christian. And that works in most cases. I really enjoyed his take on "I Ain't Giving Up on Jesus," that was previously recorded by Wilburn & Wilburn. The arrangement is pretty similar, but this song suits Michael's voice and style so well.

One case where I don't think this works so well is "I Knew You Where Waiting for Me." This was a popular pop song in the 1980s. Honestly, this is one I found myself skipping. I'm not generally a huge fan of trying to turn secular songs and make them fit on a gospel project, and this one really didn't work for me.

However, the project also has the Hank Williams classic "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." This was included on the soundtrack of the movie The Last Ride about Hank Williams. I love Michael's version of this song! No, it doesn't exactly fit, but coming after the song "Stubborn" I think they made it work nicely.

Michael also has an interesting take on the Goodman classic, "I Wouldn't Take Nothing for my Journey" that I really enjoyed. Mark Lowry, David Phelps and Wes Hampton lend their vocals to this song.

Album rating - 4 stars - Michael's talent is undeniable, and each song is vocally so strong, but the overall lack of original songs and all the remakes of songs brings it down for me.  I do love all the different styles of music that are all on this project.


Track List:
1. "I Ain't Givin' Up on Jesus" **
2. "Come to the River"
3. "I'd Rather Have Jesus"
4. "Some People Change" **
5. "I Knew You Were Waiting for Me"
6. "On That Great Day" **
7. "In Christ Alone"
8. "I Wouldn't Take Nothing for my Journey" **
9. "Waking up the Dawn" **
10. "Stubborn (Psalm 151)" **
11. "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry"

Cathedrals Family Reunion Event Announced

Buzz had been circulating for a while on a big announcement coming soon. It was postponed a day due to the bombing in Boston. So was the big news worth the wait?

Fans are going to get a glimpse of the Cathedrals again through a Cathedrals Family Reunion Event.

Read the full release below:

April 16, 2013 (Nashville, TN) – IMC Management in association with Showcase Management announced today plans for the Cathedrals Family Reunion event to be held November 8-9, 2013 in Fort Worth, TX at the MacGorman Performing Arts Center. For the first time ever, the event will feature Scott Fowler, Danny Funderburk, Ernie Haase, Mark Trammell and Gerald Wolfe together on one stage singing the classic songs of The Cathedrals. In addition, the weekend will feature appearances by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Legacy Five, Greater Vision, Mark Trammell Quartet and Danny Funderburk.

In a video press conference, Landon Beene, IMC Management President, made the announcement along with Scott Fowler, Danny Funderburk, Ernie Haase, Mark Trammell and Gerald Wolfe. Les Butler (Singing News/Solid Gospel) began the press conference, introduced Beene, and then each individual was asked to share their favorite memory from their time with the legendary quartet.

Ernie Haase, Scott Fowler, Gerald Wolfe, Landon Beene, Danny Funderburk, Mark Trammell and Les Butler pause for a photo during the press conference.

Celebrating the legacy of the iconic Cathedral Quartet, the event will feature music from each of the current artists as well as special once-in-a-lifetime “reunion moments” during every unique session of the event. Several surprises and activities are scheduled including an exhibit of Cathedrals’ memorabilia and a very special chance to see and tour “Silhouette,” the last touring bus George Younce, Glen Payne, Roger Bennett and all The Cathedrals traveled millions of miles in. A Q&A session with The Cathedrals alumni will be a special highlight of the event and is sure to delight fans with a "behind-the-scenes" look into the world of The Cathedrals.

“It has been a personal dream of mine, and countless Cathedral aficionado’s, to see all of these men come together again,” said Landon Beene. “Since the farewell concert in 1999, they have not shared the stage together. Now, this dream will become a reality. You don't want to miss this!”

See the full video press conference.

Tickets for this special weekend will go on sale Monday, June 3, 2013 at 10:00 AM CST. More information can be found online at www.CathedralsFamilyReunion.com

George Beverly Shea Passes Away

George Beverly Shea passed away on April 16, 2013. He was 104 years old. He was best known for the song "I'd Rather Have Jesus."

Earlier this week, he was hospitalized with a stroke, but released a statement early in the day on April 16 that he was resting comfortably.

In 2011, he was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Grammy. He was also  a member of the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Religious Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

He is survived by his wife, Karlene, and his children, Ronald and Elaine.

Read a full release from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association on Shea's death.

Here's a clip from his appearance on Gaither's Tent Revival.