I can't tell you how many times I've been to a service where someone said something like: "We're not here to entertain, we're here to worship." Let's dialogue.Over the course of my life I've had several paradigm shifts regarding gospel music. One of the first was due to the music of Edwin Hawkins. The Hawkins Family took it to a different place for me. It was soulful and jazzy at times. Intricate... Then there was Andre Crouch. The smooth harmonies ... he was another mile marker in my journey. The Winans ... the question is, 'What took them so long to arrive?" They definitely changed the landscape for me.
For my money Fred Hammond was the guy that urbanized praise and worship like it had never been done before. When I first saw him he was playing bass for the Winans. He moved from back-up musician to front and center as a leader in the gospel music "industry." Let's dialogue.
Check out the logo above. Verizon Wireless is having something they call "How Sweet The Sound", the search for the best choirs in America. Persons of all faiths are invited to participate. The prize: $50,000 in cash prizes. Plus, you could claim the Verizon Wireless V Cast People's Choice Award, with a performance of the winning choir featured on V Cast (in addition to taking home a $5,000 prize).
They are not alone. There are numerous such events to choose from. Some will say it's an opportunity to spread the gospel. Some will say it's a competition and as such is counter-productive to what should be the goal of gospel music. What do you say? Let's dialogue.
I've been in services where one person's worship experience was another persons excuse to get up and go the bathroom. "She was really anointed." "I thought she was showing off." Is it live or is it Memorex? Is it worship or entertainment? Perhaps some of it has to with where "we" are. Let's dialouge.
