You know something I was wondering? I wonder just how many people vote in the Singing News opinion polls. Most opinion polls listed on websites allow you to vote, and then view the current results. For example, take the Solid Gospel website. Now, I know that the Singing News website receives more traffic than Solid Gospel, but they are both websites about southern gospel. The current poll on Solid Gospel is "How many Southern Gospel concerts do you attend a year?" I don't know how long the poll has been running, but so far only 36 people have voted. I have never seen it get much over a couple of hundred, and I believe they leave the polls up there for at least a week. It has gotten up around 1000 total votes maybe two or three times.
Just out of curiosity, I looked at the CNN website. There current poll is "What do you think voter turnout will be in Iraq?". Now, they have had almost 25,000 votes so far, but we are talking about CNN...a MAJOR news website.
Now, something I noticed about both the CNN website and Solid Gospel...you can vote as many times as you like. With Singing News, you are only allowed one vote. Unless of course you clear you Internet Explorer cache and keep voting. Which brings me to my sick, twisted, nothing else left to do with my time point. Last weeks poll was "What direction would you like to see for Souther Gospel Music?" Well, I voted, and voted, and voted, and voted, and voted...you get the point. At home, at work, etc. (I know, pretty sad huh?) Anyway, it just seems strange to me, that with even my "skew" on the voting...only 5% want SG to go "more contemporary" (yes that's what I voted, and voted, and voted...)
hmmm...
December 13:
Just to be fair, and in response to my non-sense of humor quartet lovers out there, here is another top 5 list.
Top 5 reasons to go solo:
5. I don't like to share the spotlight
4. I don't own a suit
3. No other group members to compete with for fans attention afterwards at the table
2. More solo tracks available at the local bookstore
1. I can't sing harmony
December 8:
I bet you're wondering where I went? No? Oh well. That's ok. I have come to realize that I enjoy reading blogs more than writing them. Since I have several to choose from, I only write when I feel like it. (Which isn't very often anymore). I have noticed that there has been some discussion about how to improve SG or 'branch out". All off of this recently from the whole "Mrs. Smith" article thing. Well, while it's not a new subject, and really nothing new has been offered either, here is my take on it (simple version).
1. The groups that want SG to succeed will change it.
2. The groups/fans that don't want it to change will whine about it.
3. If a group changes their approach, style, dress, marketing, promotion, etc, and actually becomes (GASP!!) successful, 90% of the time they are not 'considered' SG anymore. (think about it)
It's a lose / lose situation (well, not for everybody). Think about it, who is the last SG artist to actually be easily recognized and respected outside of SG, while still 'maintaining' the same level of respect in SG. It just doesn't happen. It's either one or the other, I hate it, but thats the way it is.
Top 5 Reasons to join a quartet:
5. I get tired of having all this extra money.
4. To get away from my nagging wife
3. .To put some of those old suits I have from the 80's to use.
2. I love the smell of diesel fuel.
1. I don't sound good by myself.
Come on, laugh...it's just a joke.
November 4:
Well wonders never cease. I agree 110% with Averyfineline's latest blog relating the the SN latest rant on the recent blogs, "Second Verse, Same As the First". Check it out. There is nothing more to be said on that subject.
October 29:
This ought to be interesting. Sir Blog-a-lot questions the identity of the new "Catch All" blog site, only to then complain because they asked him for the same in return. Only problem is now, Chris and Amy Unthank have been unveiled as the "Catch All" bloggers...so, since you took the bait Mr. Avery.....what's it gonna be? or better yet, WHO you gonna be? I was smart enough to not open that can of worms, but I figured Avery would take the bait. Now we'll have to see if this does indeed become a two way blog between Unthank(s) and Avery. Hopefully not, I enjoy both sites, but I can watch the Springer show for childish name calling.
October 28:
My deepest apologies to everyone. But, still holding to my disclaimer above, I don't blog that often, sorry. I have been busy though, honest, I just can't say busy how without possibly giving my identity away. (hee hee)
Since my last blog, we have been overrun with blogs. I'm sure everyone has already seen these two links, but they are worth mentioning again. Blog List One and The "Catch All", which by the way is so far the best I've seen for a one-stop site. I've enjoyed reading the newly born blogs, and feel a little behind on the whole SG BLOG scene. But, SG is a little behind every other genre of music, so I guess it all fits quite well.
One of the "Hot Topics" so far (other than politics), has been the New name, nevermind, back on again new name for Integ..er..I mean...Trium...oh wait....oh who cares? I mean, let's beat a dead horse already. Whats in a name anyway? I mean, they already are clean cut and wear suits, what else is there in the recipe for SG success. They could change their name every week and SN wouldn't care. Heck, they might be up for Horizon group next year with the "New Name" and all....I can see it now...."Your 2005 Horizon Group Winner...Integphant Quartet"
Speaking of wacko SN awards, (I know this is a month behind) but Safe Harbor wins Horizon Group? Nothing against Safe Harbor personally or talent wise, but didn't they sing on the main stage in 2003? And now won the Horizon Group in 2004? Kinda defeats the whole purpose doesn't it? What's next? Inspirations, song of the year? Oh wait...nevermind.
What else is there to write about, that hasn't been covered many times over in other blogs? I agree with half of them, and disagree with the other half. You want me to write about something specifically? let me know...
October 4:
Kudos to David Bruce Murray in having the guts (myself included) to "blog" without a mask. I guess in a way, it takes a little of the fun away, but either way, Kudos David! David blogs are more general topic, which is a nice break away from the "101 ways to slam the Unthanks" type blogs. And goodness knows I'm only a push-back blog anyway, so why even waste time here? But, I can see from the stats that some of you do visit, and visit often. I apologize again for not "keeping up" with current blog-trend.
Chris Unthank wrote an article a few weeks back entitled: Unnoticed, Underappreciated. At an attempt to put a twist onto the story I'd like to present my list of "Overrated VS Underrated". I'll keep this to the 4 male quartet parts for simplicity sake.
Tenor:
Underrated - Matt McFarland (Crossway Qt). Ok, right away everyone is going to notice that Matt is also listed in Unthanks' article. But, this guy can flat go. He's not your traditional quartet Tenor, (Thank goodness). But, vocally, he 'stacks' (no pun intended) up against anyone. Where did this guy come from?
Overrated - Jerry Martin (Dove Bros.). Several months ago, I would have placed Allen Cox (formally of the Florida Boys) at the top of this list, but in all fairness since he has left (and to the best of my knowledge is not singing with anyone else) I pass the torch to Jerry Martin. Now, this is not saying that Jerry is by any means the worst tenor in SG, pick a name out of hat on that one. But, by definition, Martin is overrated.
Lead:
Underrated - Bill Shivers (BF & A). Why was this guy not even nominated for lead singer? Well, there are many possible answers to that. Bottom line is, Bill should have been on that list. Brian Free is not my favorite tenor, but to sing lead 'under' him is a tough task anyway. And Bill pulls it off well.
Overrated - Mcray Dove (Dove Bros). So why do I have two Dove Bros members on my overrated list. Well, as I said above, Jerry just revently made the list. But Mcray had this one wrapped up a long time ago. Take away the jacket twirling, and donkey-kicking and you've got...well, you've got Mcray Dove. Dove, unlike Shivers, is on the list of lead singers every year. I'm convinced that half of the Singing News subscribers wouldn't know a good singer if it came up and pulled the blue hair on their head. Three words for you: "Get Away Jordan".... lyrics anyone?
Baritone:
Underrated - Doug Anderson (SSQ). Alright, in 2003 I chalked up his missing nomination to the "newness" factor of SSQ. But is has been over a year, and he was still missing from the baritone list. Baritones, as a whole, are underrated anyway. So, to be the most underrated of the baritones is saying a lot. Doug is smooth, and blends very well. Not only underrated, I would place Anderson at or near the top of
the baritone list period.
Overrated - Scott Howard (Legacy 5) For the record, I like Legacy 5, as a group. And, there are many lesser baritones out there. But none with as much recogition as Scott Howard. Howard's voice doesn't seem to fit sometimes with the rest of the group. He seems to have more of a country singer type of voice. I like Scott Howard, and hated to put him on this list, but once again, by mere definition, I believe he is overrated.
Bass:
Underrated - Christian Davis (Christian Bros). I know as a group we haven't heard much out of them, yet. But, Christian is underrated, plain and simple. Not many bass singers can actually sing. He can.
Overrated - Mike Holcomb (Inspirations). Basses, unlike baritones, are for the most part overrated in general. And it always seems to be a neverending battle of who can 'top' (or should I say bottom) the other. I think one of the best example of this by Holcomb is on the Greater Vision Quartet's project, "Rocked on the Deep" or whatever the title is. I love a bottom out ending as much as the next person, but singing low, just for the sake of singing low doesn't cut it with me. Plus the fact that he lost almost ALL of his volume when singing that last chorus.
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