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We think they're great.

In other news, we've been gearing up for a very busy December that will carry us into an even busier new year. We've also been in the studio recently working on two different projects which we're very excited about. There are some big things in the work for this group and I, for one, am thrilled to be a part of it all.

This past weekend we flew into the state of Missouri. I soon realized how big an impact the original Blackwood Brothers had on that area, when they were based out of Shenandoah, Iowa back in the 1940s. There were many in the crowd that remembered listening to the original radio broadcasts. Those very same people that filled the auditorium we sang in had been packing out Blackwood singing events since the early 1950s.

On another, far less Blackwood-ish note, I wanted to warn any of you who have Missouri marked down in the date book... watch out. While driving down HWY 169 in our rental van, we saw quite a site. One that I never imagined I'd see in Missouri of all places. We were nearing our engagement when one of the guys began pointing to something on our left. We all turned to look and standing there, staring back at us, was a camel. That's right. A camel. Now, I actually researched this on the Internet. The camel we saw had one hump and is called a dromedary or Arabian camel... IN MISSOURI. However, I also found out that they are totally extinct in the wild. So don't worry. Most likely you won't have any of these guys running out in front of the bus or anything. It also means that somebody in Missouri is actually raising this creature, which I find even more interesting. We have yet to come up with a name for the camel and are taking suggestions. I'll keep you posted.

Now, back to gospel music. Before I end this I wanted to make note of something. I've been watching some of the other articles on here and want mine to be different. But, just how much is there really to talk about, concerning gospel music, that isn't already being discussed? I cannot give great advice from experience, because I don't have much. I'm only 26 years old. However, because of my age what I have to offer is a view on the industry from a fresh and young perspective. I most recently read Shane Roark's article, which I tend to agree with, and noticed how the very first comment accused him of being bitter. I don't think so. But that's beside the point. My point is that I am relatively young and as far as the industry goes, have not been around long enough to be bitter about anything. So, hopefully there won't be any blanket, automated responses like, "you're just a bitter old man". At least, not for a while.

I agree with, and echo what Shane said concerning the people who listen to our music. They don't care about any of that stuff. In my humble opinion, all it is, is a chance for one group to compare themselves to the status of another group. People decide to like your music when they find they enjoy listening to it, not because they see a good advertisement or a feature in a magazine. Those people are the ones who ultimately pay your bills and like I said, that's if they like your music. Many groups out there have plenty of advertisement, but they still pay their own bills because (and let's be honest here) they're just not all that good. I don't want to see gospel music become an industry full of people who simply sing as a hobby. That tends to produce bad music and nobody wants that. Forget your ego. Save your money. Hire good talent. Make good music. When you start doing that, then you'll have something to be proud of.

Dave Mann and The Blackwood Gospel Quartet

http://www.bgqmusic.com

Reader Comments

Yeah, I got sucked in with the hook and read the whole article LOL.

Deon Unthank
SoGospelNews.com
My Blog

Some people are like Slinkys…  Not really good for anything, but they
still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of stairs -  Author Unknown

It was a good read though.

Too funny Mark...you had me...hook, line and sinker! Merry Christmas Brother and I wish you the very best New Year ever.

In Christ’s Love,

John J. McCall
MySpace @ johnmccallmusic

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