I thought I was all alone.
The only one.
Just this past weekend, I’m discovered I’m not the only wife whose husband loves southern gospel music.
While in Bakersfield, California, I met Jennifer and Kris. They’ve been married five-years, and he’s a huge southern gospel fan. When I found out Jennifer doesn’t like southern gospel music, I was elated. It turns out they navigate their differing musical palates much like Leif and I do—with phrases like, “Please, turn that off!” and “I just can’t take it!” and “no more!”
Yes, I’ve listened to Gold City, The Happy Goodmans, and other classic southern gospel groups. My father-in-law is a passionate fan. My husband followed in his tracks. They talk about going to Branson together. I plan to stay home.
So if your husband loves southern gospel music and you don’t, you’re welcome to join Jennifer and I as part of our support group (WWHLSGM—or whatever crazytown acronym we can come up with). Leif thought of WOGL – Wives Of Gospel Lovers but I think we can think up something better…
And for all the wives whose husbands can’t stand southern gospel music, sorry, but you’re going to have to form your own club.
What’s your least favorite southern gospel song or artist? (Or your significant others’ favorite?)
*Photo courtesy of here
Not really big on southern gospel music. Except for Johnny Cash. Everything Johnny Cash did was automatically awesome.
I’m obviously not a huge fan either, Travis :).
My least favorite(s) are those that are completely wrong theologically or that have what appears to be two separate endings in order to get applause before the song actually finishes. There are lots of both so i can’t name just one, sorry.
Don, Okay, now that is funny. I’m sharing this with Leif :).
Margaret, I’m trying to be serious not funny, but you’re still welcome to share it with Leif. There is one that does stick out now that I’ve thought of it, just because it is so wrong. Our church quartet calls it “The Dove” though I don’t have a clue it that is the real title. It talks of the dove Noah sent out of the ark that was so pure it couldn’t land until Jesus was baptized in the Jordan and believe me it’s much worse than what I’ve described. See if Leif has heard it and get his opinion, after all he’s the connoisseur.:)
As I was waking this morning, a thought came to mind I feel needs to be shared. The bad theology in music is quite harmful to the church, whether it is Southern Gospel, hymns, praise choruses, etc. Songs tend to be ever present in our minds and so we often come to believe what we hear the most. As a preacher, I often have to correct those ideas about the things of God and get the folks to actually study God’s word instead of man’s words about God. Catchy tunes and words make the preacher’s job more difficult though I often like the challenge.
Hey Don,
I can’t agree with you more that some of the most catchy songs I’ve ever heard (Southern Gospel and not) have horrible theology. I remember memorizing one song in high school that I loved the harmonies of but it wasn’t until college that I actually took the time to think through the words that I’d been singing and realized that it was way off. Needless to say I’ve deleted that song from my playlist.
What I find interesting is how often there are fantastic theological songs right alongside some crazy ones by the same writer on the same album. I’ve decided now that when I buy an album I go through the songs in iTunes and delete the problem songs and keep the ones that are solid to add to my playlists.
Leif
Great idea, now if I could just my church members to do the same. 🙂 I guess the old tried and true hymns, you know the ones with the strange “old” sounding tunes, most written a century or more ago are still on our church “playlist” because their theology has stood the test of time. I currently have two modern song writers that I thoroughly enjoy though- KeithGetty and the Sons of Korah. The first has such powerful words and music and the second sings the Psalms, and you can’t go wrong there. So, how would you get the church folks to actually look at the words of the songs they enjoy? I can use the help of one who has done it.
I don’t know how it works except by doing (and I’ve only done that for myself).
So just spitballing but I wonder if you did a Wednesday night gathering and briefly went over the theology of some of your favorite songs. Then do a second Wednesday night gathering where you had people submit some of their favorite songs and you would go over them. Then I’m thinking you could have a Sunday night dedicated to folks singing their favorite songs – we called them singspirations growing up but I’ve heard all sorts of different names for it and follow that up with a potluck.
What do you think?
Great ideas, plus I can include your original thought of listening with a thought toward what the words actually say and then deciding what to buy and what to leave alone. I’ll begin the process in November, ahead of Thanksgiving and finish before the holidays. I’ll let you know how it goes too, maybe you can write a book on how to select sound Christian music. Thanks Leif and blessings to you both.
I married an author since I love to read but I’m not up for writing myself… Tried it once with Margaret and have decided to leave that to the experts.
Looking forward to hearing about how things go!
Our TV antenna picks up a local access Bluegrass and Southern Gospel channel. I’m sure most of the programming is reruns from prior decades and the audio recoding quality is not good, but by 15 month old son LOVES it. We can be flipping through the channels while he is engaged with a toy, but if he hears it he stops playing and runs to give the TV his full attention. Is there a group for moms like me?
I’m not sure but if I find one I’ll definitely let you know 🙂
Bless their hearts… I’m glad my husband is growing in the Lord, but the Southern Gospel music is like the continual dripping on a rainy day with me. I can’t take much of it.
What gets me irritated most is the tenor that thinks he can sing and holds out that last note for like 85 seconds until the song is FINALLY over.
They are needy performers too. I know they mean well, but I’m not easily amused. I don’t like performers who need the constant applause and clapping along while they sing… I may like it, but don’t make me feel guilty for not clapping along with your song.
One last thing. I listened to heavy metal and all the rest while in rebellion as a teen. While most of the Southern Gospel beat is fairly ok, I can’t help but begin to feel the pull to want to listen to something harder while listening to Southern Gospel. It’s got just enough beat to make me want to go overboard with my music choices. Maybe it’s a weakness still. Maybe I need to be a T-totaler… Don’t know. I just need to be careful how worldly my musical tastes go.
Soul sisters. 🙂
alo789: alo 789 – 789alo
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