I thought of this when I saw HotShot's comment about the Crabb Revival. Their release says they will be SGM. HotShot says he's heard otherwise.
I haven't heard them, so I can't comment.
There are people who said Crabbs were not SGM, but I would say they were.
A died-in-the-wool Contemp Christian fan would say they are.
An Inspirations/Kingsman/ quartet afficionado would say they weren't.

So...what is SGM?

I think what SGM means today is:

Somewhat Gospel Music :ph43r:

You're just now figuring that out? It's been that way since 1964!

:whistling:

So, for all you purists, define it!

I guess I'm a little slower than most, John, but thanks for pointing it out.

And for that very reason, I probably can't "define" it to anyone's total satisfaction. So lets just name it instead.

Blackwoods
Stamps
Cathedrals
Kingsmen
Goodmans

....just to name a few. Some "purists" would agree.

I can't wait to see John's response........ :unsure:

Oh, I'm not a stranger to John's extensive knowledge of the subject. It's my thoughts on the matter of what I believe SGM is from my perspective.

o me too....
Hotshot, I hope you have some protective armour on.... :)

I must admit that the last thing I expected here was the potential for aggression.

Interesting :huh:

hehehe...
You mentioned the "G" word...

:giggle:

JCB? What do you have to add? :)


So HotShot, until that last group, I would have guessed your definition of SGM was male quartets. Then you add a family group with a more country twang and the addition of the whole "Vestal Influence". Some purists might tell you that paved the way for a lot of the more edgier/progressive/country/dare i say it...groups like the Crabbs ...sound today?

If a person was to spy on my, they may have an occasion to hear me singing a Karen Carpenter song. However, overall my style is traditional Southern Gospel Music. Granted, I didn't listen to as many of the Goodman's songs as much as Male Quartets, and I don't question that during the many years of their singing career they probably sang a few selections that I wouldn't consider true SGM. On the occasions that I did hear them, they sang selections that I did identify as SGM in my opinion.

On the "country twang" thing, I liken that to the relationship between Willie Nelson and Elvis. Willie could sure write some good hum-dingers, but couldn't sing worth a flip in my opinion. He has country twag like nobodies business, by that didn't translate into what Elvis made out of the song. At a much younger age when I first heard Willie sing, "You Were Always on My Mind", I remembered thinking that Elvis must certainly be spinning in his grave. I guess what I am attempting to say is that a country twang does not necessarily negate a SGM song.

But to be more specific, I would narrow the true SGM style down to Male Quartets singing convention style music. Would anyone put forth an argument that the term SGM began with a family group singing contemporary music? It may have indeed evolved into that today, but it did not begin that way. What people call Football is not the same game that it used to be. Things change, sometimes for the better, sometimes not.

My only problem with any of it is that I wish the two could co-exist. In my time singing, it was extremely clear to me that Churches are making a move to do away with traditional music in place of contemporary. It's as if you have to accept one or the other. I still think it's a shame.

Hotshot, I think it's pretty much personal taste.......I am definitely a male quartet first, gospel music lover........but, I love a lot of other groups, too (trios, family groups,etc.).

I am one of those that will not put contemporary into the SGM umbrella. I think it is pretty far away from what I consider southern gospel. It is fine if someone loves it, it just isn't for me, and I don't think it is SG. I liked Vestal, as I know you did, and I think their music fits into the gospel music category........just different from the quartet stuff that I loved first.

I wasn't trying to speak for John, by the way. He has just made it pretty clear that he isn't a Goodman fan.......thus, my attempt to be funny in that earlier post. He usually has a comment when the Goodman's come up.....lol.

Like you, VirginiaJoe, I'm not that big of a Goodman's fan either. I suppose I visualize them along with many others when I think about the older traditional groups.

I also agree that contemporary has it's place, even though it does not touch me in the way that the original sounds of SGM do. To each his own though. I just hate it that the traditional sounds of the older quartet style are only typically appreciated by our older fans. I really think more younger people would enjoy and appreciate it if exposed to it. Not just over the radio or on CD, because you almost have to experience it live to really appreciate it.

Good discussion :)

Funny you should mention that, because two years ago my grandson, who is in his early 20's, went with us to the Grand Ole Gospel Reunion. He loved it!! It wasn't his first exposure to the quartets, because I had taken him to see a group a few years earlier, but it was his first time to a big concert. He was blown away......his church does the praise and worship. He went again last year, and was going back this year, but is getting married instead......lol.

So, I agree with you that the younger crowd would like it if they were exposed to some live concerts.

Getting married instead of going to a sho-nuf live quartet concert?!?!?!

Well, he's just a young feller & don't know no better. :rolleyes: