Singing Southern Gospel

Music. If ever there was a non-political or a non-religious word to ignite emotion, that word could do it. There are social, political, and religious discussions that can send people over the top, but get someone in a discussion about good or bad music, and watch what happens!

Perhaps the reason for that is, along with those social, political, and religious topics, music tends to define who we are. When we openly discuss these topics, our values suddenly begin to shine. These things will say more about us than we might otherwise verbalize about ourselves.

While I generally consider myself to enjoy a wide variety of music styles, my roots lie in Southern Gospel. Growing up, I remember listening to the Mull Singing Convention on the radio that featured the Chuck Wagon Gang. I remember watching the Singing Jubilee with the Goodmans and Florida Boys. The Bill Gaither Trio were also favorites of mine. Then, as I got into high school, I began working at our local radio station. We played Southern Gospel music every night, and I learned about the Nelons, Cathedrals, Gold City, and the Kingsmen among others.

During my early adult years, the Gaither Vocal Band was begun. I think they took my music appreciation to a completely different level. Gaither began the Homecoming series of videos, and practically gave this genre of music the proverbial shot in the arm to keep it alive. Groups like the Martins and Signature Sound have risen to popularity, largely with the help of Gaither's Homecoming Series.

I enjoy listening to all these groups. I'm very familiar with many of the older songs because of the radio days. There is one group of young men, though, that has really caught my attention recently. The group is called Soul'd Out Quartet. Honesty compels me to say the reason I began to listen to them is a young man who is an alumnus of my alma mater sings baritone for the group. Later, I learned the bass singer is also an alum.

Several things have impressed me about this group of guys. First, if you click on their website (AFTER you finish reading my blog!), you will notice these are a bunch of young kids! Seriously, I dare say their average age would put them in their late 20s. Another thing I appreciate about them is their talent. They have a really incredible sound. They are able to sing a unique blend of old style southern gospel with a newer, more progressive sound that reflects their age. Third, the guys like to have fun! As you are visiting their website, (again, AFTER you read my blog) check out some of the videos they have uploaded. It is obvious they enjoy being together. I've been able to only attend one of their concerts. But from that experience, combined with visiting with them via social media, etc., I really believe they have a genuine walk with God. That is the most important aspect of anyone in ministry.

I sing in a southern gospel quartet myself. (No, our average age isn't in our 20s.) It is a thrill for me to sing in different places and meet lots of people. The most important part, though, is being able to share Christ, and communicate the gospel message. I hope you will take advantage of listening to some good music today. Let it lift your spirits and encourage you. Most of all, allow yourself to meditate on the good news of Jesus Christ. If you are in need of a relationship with Him, or have questions about that, please feel free to send me a message via my blog. I'd love to share with you!

Am I Doing All I Can?

I sang with Trust Quartet at a church yesterday in Indiantown, FL. Since I'm still the 'newbie' in the group, I'm in the process of making my first trips to churches that the group has already visited. Such was the case this week. The group had spoken highly of this church, and the pastor, so I was anxious to see it for myself. I'm not quite sure they spoke highly enough!

Before the worship service, we sat in on a Sunday school class taught by the pastor. I was getting my coffee when Pastor Bruce was catching us up on what the class has been involved in. Three words immediately brought interest: Purpose Driven Life. I've read Rick Warren's book and gone through the study a couple of times already. It really is good stuff. I was impressed with the interaction between this pastor and his people. It was informal, informative, and interesting.

We discussed how important it is to find a place of ministry and DO IT. The opportunities are there. God is equipping His servants to do His work. We need to exercise the willingness of being available to be used. It isn't easy work. It is sometimes thankless work. It can be tiring, but never boring!

The church facilities were beautiful. The church folks were friendly. On this particular Sunday, in addition to hosting Trust Quartet, they were featuring their youth ministry. A group of teens (with their leaders) provided a couple of musical numbers. These young people were so talented! The church is raising money to send these teens to a church camp next month. Sunday for lunch, there was bar-b-cue chicken on the grill with all the fixin's. Simple containers were on the tables for church folks to donate to help the cause. The students stood in a serving line and gave generous portions to us as we held our plates for them. The pastor told us as we were about to leave that they had received just over $2,000!

This church showed me something Sunday. They showed me they love their pastor. They showed me they love their students. They showed me they love their guests who worship with them and lead them in worship. They showed me they want to serve God in whatever opportunity is made available to them. Yes, I was impressed with the church.

Please understand, I've been in some pretty incredible churches. I've been privileged to pastor some as well as lead music and youth in some. I've been able to attend some incredible churches while growing up, and as I've traveled across the southeastern United States. Each one has a couple things in common. First, they are all made up of imperfect human beings. We must realize the humans are not the reason the church is incredible. Second, and most importantly, each of these incredible churches have the common desire to serve Christ in whatever opportunity they have. As you pray for your pastor, your fellow church members / attenders, and your community; do so with this in mind: there is no perfect church, and what can I do to serve God most effectively in this church and community?

Happy Birthday, Dad

Today is a day of remembrance for me. For the better part of the first 25 years of my life, May 24 was a day of celebration in our family. My dad would celebrate his birthday today. As I type this, I'm trying to think of some of the specific celebrations, and honestly, I can't remember any to share. Mom made lots of cakes, I'm sure. Most of them, at least in the later years, were probably known as "thin-layer chocolate cake". Those were his favorite.

If he were still living, he'd be 76 years young today. I say it that way, because I remember him as being a young man. After all, he was only 55 when melanoma cancer took over his body. He was still playing softball regularly until fairly late in his life. Dad enjoyed sports ~ he played golf, softball, and enjoyed fishing. He taught me to be a Braves fan long before the team started winning.

More importantly, dad was a man of integrity and godliness. Perfect? Far from it. Did he get on my nerves? Hey, he was my dad ~ of course, he did. But I'd gladly trade a few frayed nerves to be able to pick his brain again. I'd obviously look beyond some of the imperfections to be able to hear him preach again.

Dad taught me to have a love for music. He sang in his high school FFA quartet, sang in his college choir, and ministered through music in many facets of church ministry. Incidentally, I sang a couple years in my high school literary quartet and sang in the same college's choir when I attended there. I followed many of my dad's footsteps, but if I can be half the man of integrity and godliness he was, I'll be a great man.

Ken Faison (1935-1990), I miss you. I love you, and look forward to the day we'll be reunited in Heaven. Oh, and Happy Birthday, dad.

Have A Good Morning Stretch!

I've been privileged to sing with Trust Quartet since November 2010. Buzz, Spence, Gary and I and the rest of the Trust Family enjoy bringing Southern Gospel music to as many people as possible. This past weekend, we put the finishing touches on the vocal portion of our newest CD recording. Titled Classics Made New, this project will feature many favorites from years gone by.

Songs like When He Was On The Cross (I Was On His Mind); It Is No Secret; Just A Closer Walk With Thee; Because He Lives; and seven others will be featured on the CD. The music was recorded at Shelton Sound Studios in Dade City, FL by George Shelton, Jr. The experience and expertise George brings to the table is nothing short of phenomenal. Many thanks to George and his wife Gail who make us feel so welcomed and at home in their home.

The recording experience with Shelton Sound Studios has taught me that I can do more with the talent God has given me. There are times when it seems our abilities are maxed out. They can probably be stretched just a bit more. Have you allowed God to stretch you further? Are you willing to be stretched just a little bit more than you thought possible? It might take you out of your comfort zone. It might mean that you rely more completely on God, rather than self.

I hope you will consider visiting our quartet's website. I'd love for you to purchase this CD and enjoy the music. It would be great if you would let us come to your church / venue and sing for you. It would be incredible if you would commit to allow God to stretch you to new heights for His honor and glory!

Honest ~ It Was A Great Rehearsal

While singing in Clewiston, FL this weekend, I was reminded of an important lesson. It is foolish to rely on self to get a job done that requires God's involvement.

Arriving at the church on Saturday night for a sound check and rehearsal, things went smoothly. So smoothly, in fact, it was scary. There were two concerts on Sunday morning. The church had worship services at 8:30 and 11:00. Since it was an earlier than normal service time, it was admittedly more difficult to crawl out of the bunk and get ready. After all, the sound check and rehearsal had been so good! Entering the church auditorium about 15-20 minutes before service time, attendees were greeted and pleasantries were exchanged. The folks were so kind and received us well. Some special friends showed up for the concert, and we could sense it was going to be a good day. After all, the sound check and rehearsal had been so good!

As the service began, the host who was presiding at the service used our sound system rather than using the church's. I noticed the sound had a bit of a 'pinched' sound to it, but didn't get overly alarmed, because after all, the sound check and rehearsal had been so good! The host introduced us to sing, and as we took our places, it seemed as though everything went wrong. The monitors were not working properly. As we tried to make that adjustment, pulling one cable from our system caused one of the loudest, most ungodly screeches I have ever heard in sound system lore.

Trying several options, none of them working, one of the guys had a novel idea. Why don't we pray about this thing. Following prayer, almost instantaneouly, the problem was discovered and repaired. The rest of the concert went on as planned. The second service went without a glitch, too. It was actually a great day of service through song. Perhaps the two verses from Proverbs 3:5-6 that our quartet uses so often would be appropriate here. "TRUST in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths." We have no need to lean on our own abilities. Those abilities will most likely fail. Learn to trust and lean on God's unfailing abilities!

A New Role in Ministry

References have been made on Faison Focus of late to Trust Quartet. I began singing with them in November 2010 and have learned so much in a short amount of time. Although I've been singing for as long as I can remember, this is the first opportunity for me to sing professionally in this manner.

I would encourage you to click on the link provided and visit our website. You can find pictures, enjoy both audio and video clips, follow our schedule, as well as learn about Gary, Spence, Buzz, and myself. I will also be writing a newsletter each month to let you know what is going on in our ministry.

If your church would like to schedule Trust Quartet for a concert or event, please contact our booking agent, Pat Daunt. She'll be so glad to help you and guide you every step of the way.

Thank you for your continued prayer support for Trust Quartet and the ministry. We strive to do things professionally but we never want to lose the ministry focus.

Musically Me

I have always loved music. I took piano lessons as a young boy. By the time I arrived at junior high, the piano lessons quickly gave way to band instruments. First it was trombone, although I had always wanted to learn to play the trumpet. So, in my sophomore year, a friend taught me a scale on a trumpet. I bought a used trumpet from a pawn shop and taught myself the rest. When I got to college, the concert band needed a French horn player. I did that for a semester, and gratefully laid it to rest. I also played tuba and found that I really enjoyed it.

But I've always loved to sing. As a really young boy, even before the piano lessons mentioned previously, I sang with the kids at our church. We had an awesome kids group! Singing the songs with all my little buddies set the standard for what I wanted to do with my life. As I grew older, our family relocated ~ seemingly again and again. In the seven years of band while in school, I was in five different school bands with six different band directors. Needless to say, I struggled with any kind of consistency in methods. Through all the relocating, singing was something we did at home around the piano.

My dad, sister, and I sang quite often in church. The 'voice change' year or so was awkward, but otherwise, we continually sang together. Then came college.

Auditioning and singing in the College Choir was something I really wanted to do. I was one of only five freshman to make the traveling choir. My dreams were beginning to come true. I worked hard to do well in choir. In fact, I would tell people I worked harder in choir than I did in English. And it showed. Grades in other classes suffered. After the first year, I had to give up that dream.

The family of a college friend of mine had a quartet. They needed a bass singer, and they offered to let me audition. I did, and they asked me to sing with them. My dream was resurfacing and I was excited about the possibilities. After discussing the opportunities with my parents, the dream was squelched again. I needed to go home and work to save money for college.

Over time, the grades slowly got to the point where I was able to travel with the College Choir again. Other activities and events in college led me down a path of ministry ~ for which I'm thankful. Still, the thought of singing southern gospel music never left my mind. It was always back there, sometimes suppressed by the more urgent, current needs, yet still present.

No matter what ministry I've been involved in, music has played a part. There are parts of music ministry that I like more than others. (Now that's a profound statement!) If I've been pastoring a church, there have been sermons that included songs. While serving on our church denomination's media commission, we produced a music CD / Video to capture some of our music heritage. What an opportunity! I've been able to lead choirs, coach teen quartets in music / arts competitions (they won, too!), and do a few small concerts for various groups.

The diversity of music grew proportionately with the avenues of opportunities. I began to listen to and enjoy some of the milder contemporary and worship style music. Hymns have always played a part of my music heritage, also. Through it all, I have always leaned toward my southern gospel roots.

Music ministry is so varied. I'm not a pianist. I'm not a guitarist. I'm not much of a brass or band instrumentalist anymore. I have the ability to lead a choir, although it isn't at all what I enjoy doing. I have the ability to organize and administer a church's music program, but again, I struggle with being passionate about it.

I do enjoy developing and leading a group of people in worship. I do enjoy leading people to a greater height of joy in their walk with Christ. I crave the opportunity to pass along a sense of urgency in growing a relationship with Christ. If this is done through music, fine. If it is done through sharing from God's Word, super. If it is through writing, fantastic. The format being used is not as important to me as being able to accomplish this calling.

God has been so good to me in blessing me with opportunities to accomplish this task. Not long ago, I was given an opportunity that shifts my focus in where I am able to minister. While I'm still able to have a part in a local church's music ministry, I'm also able to sing in a quartet. I questioned my ability and have wondered if I could do it.

The Trust Quartet family has graciously accepted me and allowed me to fulfill a life-long dream. They are also enabling me to learn still more lessons about music ministry. Each time we sing, we are leading a group of people in worship to our Savior. We are able to encourage those in the service to grow in a relationship with Christ, encouraging them to share their faith.

Where are you in fulfilling God's plan for your life? What are you doing to see to it that God's Kingdom is continually being built? Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.

Trust ~ and obey.

What's In A Story?

Everyone has a story to tell. For some, it may be a story of fame and fortune. For others, one of hardship and difficulty. Still others may have a story of adventure while some may seem, well, less than adventuresome.

I took my high school history class while attending a Christian school. The teacher reminded us that history was simply HIS story; referring to God's story. So, that ancient history class began at Creation.

Fanny J. Crosby, the writer of thousands of hymns, wrote, "This is my story, this is my song. Praising my Savior, all the day long!" Her story was one of praising her Savior. She found a way, although blinded from childhood, to praise God. Her life, her story, was marked by praising the One she loved most.

What's your story? This Christmas season, be encouraged to allow your story to impact those around you with the ultimate story of the Savior. He came to give us a reason to sing. He came to give us life, full and abundant!

He Keeps Me Singing!

One of my favorite hymns begins by saying, "There's within my heart a melody!" One of my favorite Psalms says, "He has put a new song in my mouth..." (40:3). I love to sing! Among my life-long passions has been to sing about the Good News of Jesus.

Several years ago, I had the privilege of singing with a group of friends for a video / audio recording. It was done "Gaither-style", a choir made up of various soloists and groups who would also perform individually. The title of the project was He Keeps Me Singing! What a hymn!

Recently, I began singing with a quartet. One of the songs we have used early in our services has been, "He Keeps Me Singing!" The faces in the congregations where we have sung that song are filled with joyous expressions. Many find themselves singing along and / or clapping to the beat.

Is there a song in your heart? Is there a melody ringing within your soul that needs to be shared with someone? Perhaps you'd like to share your favorite hymn or gospel song with a friend. Allow the melody in your heart to be as a cup overflowing with joy. Let that joy spill over on someone today who may need some encouragement.

Music Matters

The Christmas season is filled with music. While visiting a shopping mall in mid-November, stores were already playing Christmas music. Now that Thanksgiving has passed, we expect to hear more and more 'songs of the season.' In fact, radio stations devote 24 hours a day to Christmas music.

During November, we made ballots available for our church to vote for their favorite Christmas carols. The votes were tabulated and this past Sunday, we began to count down the Top Ten Christmas Carols at Ryanwood Fellowship. A very important truth was mentioned during that service. As we began to sing some of our favorite carols, our pastor reminded us of the tremendous theological truths that can be found in them.

When we hear Christmas music this season, listening to Winter Wonderland and Frosty can be fun and bring out the 'festive' in the season. But as we hear The First Noel and Joy To The World, let's allow that to bring out the 'worship' in the season. Perhaps it will allow us the opportunity to share with a friend or family member the real reason we can celebrate.