Southern Gospel Music, Lyrics, Interviews and More

Southern Gospel Music's Comeback
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Tim_Eutin]Tim Eutin

Southern Gospel Music is making a comeback into the mainstream of Christian music. Groups such as Gold City, Brian Free and Assurance, Palmetto State Quartet and Ernie Haase and Signature Sound continue are continuing the in the tradion of Southern Gospel quartets and are reaching a larger audience than ever before. Indeed, Ernie Haase and Signature sound have had several top selling CD's and DVD's. Their DVD entitled, "Get Away Jordan" entered the Billboard chart at #3 and remains a fan favorite. The Kingdom Heirs sing to over two million people annually as the resident Southern Gospel group at Dollywood.

Modern Southern Gospel Music

Southern Gospel music, like any form of art, has evolved. In the past ten years a new sound has emerged that combines the best of traditional Southern Gospel with other musical forms such as Bluegrass, modern country, and adult contemporary Christian music. The sound is slightly edgier but still very much Southern Gospel.

Groups such as the Crabb Family, the Mike and Kelly Bowling group, and Three Bridges are examples of this new style. These groups regularly perform to sell out crowds. The Crabb family has recorded with many artists and groups including Donnie McClurkin and The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.

This modern Southern Gospel music is attracting a new and broader audience and has given rise to a new generation of Southern Gospel fans. Southern Gospel record promoter, Rick Hendrix of the Rick Hendrix company chuckles and says, "It is really interesting to see these teenagers getting together on MySpace and forming fan clubs around groups such as Ernie Haase and Signature Sound and the Hoppers. They get excited about new CD's and about the style of clothes the group wears and everything".

The re-emergence of Southern Gospel music has lead to an increase in the number of radio stations that broadcast this style of music. Major Southern Gospel music promoters regularly service over a thousand radio stations. There has also been an increase in the number of online Southern Gospel radio stations.

Southern Gospel music has changed since its humble birth almost 100 years ago. One thing that hasn't changed is Southern Gospel music's ability to convey the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ to those that would stop and listen.

You can find out more about Southern Gospel Music and top Southern Gospel Artists and groups by visiting

For Southern Gospel Music's Jeff and Sheri Easter Life Is Great and Gettin' Better
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Tim_Eutin]Tim Eutin

Jeff and Sheri Easter are perhaps Southern Gospel and Christian Country music's favorite couple. After 23 years of marriage, millions of miles on the road and numerous albums and awards, Jeff smiles when he talks about their latest Southern Gospel album, "Life Is Great and Getting' Better". "I think that it is the best CD that we've ever done. We've put so much into it."

"Livin' In The Rain" is the follow up single from the "Life is Great and Getting' Better" album. Coming on the heels of Jeff and Sheri Easters number one Southern Gospel song, "Over and Over" it captures the spirit of this wonderful couple. "Livin In The Rain describes how Jeff and Sheri Easter like to record music as far as the feeling of it." Comments Sheri. "I'm blessed and honest to goodness life is great and getting better! We feel like we are so blessed. We are just soaking up the blessings of the Lord".

"Livin In The Rain features Sheri Easter backed by the Florida Boys and Vince Gill. "Originally when it started we had Allison Krauss in mind to sing with Sheri as a duet." Jeff explains. "But she was busy producing Alan Jackson at the time and it didn't work out. Our producer said what about Vince Gill? I said that would be awesome but I don't think he knows us. So he called Vince and a couple of weeks later called back."

One song that really stands out on "Life Is Great and Getting Better", is entitled "Joshua's Song". This song was written by Sheri Easter and was inspired by one of her young fan's (Joshua Lee Young) battle with cancer. This song will bring a tear to the eye of every Southern Gospel music fan that listens to it.

Jeff and Sheri Easter's album," Life Is Great and Getting Better", contains twelve songs that are sure to please a variety of listeners. Songs such as "I Wouldn't Change You If I Could", "Daddy Hung The Moon" and "Old Chuck of Coal" are some of my favorites. It is a wonderful album.

Tim Eutin has been hosting the Morning Show on the He's Alive Radio Network for almost a decade. He is a long time fan of Southern Gospel Music. Tune in online at http://www.hesalive.net

Tim is also the author of the popular Southern Gospel website, http://www.southern-gospel-music-lyrics.com A site born of his passion for Southern Gospel music. Perhaps you have a passion or hobby that you would enjoy writing about. See http://www.the

It was a hot and humid night under a large canvass tent in Hyndman Pennsylvania when the Crabb Family took the stage, emotional and teary eyed for an important milestone in their lives. They had come to the realization that God was calling them into different ministries.

That was last year. Tonight in the same tent, in the same town, in the same heat and humidity, the Crabb Family was here to mark another milestone in their career. This was their last "official concert" together as a family group. The crowd which began filtering in more than two hours before the start of the concert came from all over the east coast and steadily grew to about 1200 people.

At 7:50 the Crabb Family walked onstage to a hearty response from the crowd. (This was the last performance of the Crabb Family. I expected a deafening roar.) The Crabb Family, each wearing a black t-shirt that read "In It Not Of It", the theme of the camp meeting broke into the first song of the night, "Friend of God".
For more go to http://www.southern-gospel-music-lyrics.com

Austins Bridge - The New Southern Gospel Group Bridging The Generation Gap
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Tim_Eutin]Tim Eutin

Austins Bridge is the latest addition to Southern Gospel music's Daywind Records label. Austins Bridge's self entitled debut project is creating alot of excitement in the Southern Gospel Music world. The group is made up of three young men, Mike Kofahl, Jason Baird and Justin Rivers.

According to Jason, Austins Bridge was chosen as the name because Jason and Mike have their roots in the Austin Texas area. The "Bridge" part expresses their desire to reach across boundaries to attract new listeners to Southern Gospel music. Jason continues, "Austins Bridge's desire is to bridge generational gaps between the young and old and new and to just spread the (Gospel)message to a vast audience. We are just trying to bridge some gaps and do some things out of the box

Austins Bridge's sound is unique in Christian music. When asked to describe the style of Christian music that Austins Bridge does Justin replied, "Kind of a pop-Christian Country-rock-bluegrass-country-blues kind of sound". "It's pretty eclectic", chimes in Mike,"I don't know if you can sum it up in a specific genre category. We'd like to be a kind of pioneering point to kind of branch off into a new form of Christian music in and of itself."

"We put a little bit of everything on there so if you like country music you will find stuff on there that you will like. If you like rock and roll, you'll have some stuff on there....bluegrass, a little bit of everything", comments Jason. "An Austins Bridge concert is like the weather in Chicago, if you don't like something stick around it will change in five minutes." laughs Mike.

One of the unique tracks on the Austins Bridge project is entitled, "Native American prayer" which features Bill Miller playing the Native American Drone Double Flute and a Mohican chant. The effect is tremendous and it sets up the following song, "History Turned The Page", written by Gerald Crabb, very well.

The first single for the project, "He's In Control" was co-written by Justin Rivers and Mike Kofahl. It has a slow country, blues feel to it. It, like all of the songs on this project, are strong lyrically. You will not miss the fact that this is a Christian band that plays Christian music.

Austins Bridge was produced by Bubba Smith and production wise is excellent. The album is strong throughout. It is a perfect CD to give to someone that enjoys