I was touched by this commentary and wanted to let you know that I know what you mean by it. I was at a concert and overheard a comment between two men from different groups. One of the men said "I could sing until midnight." The other said, "Well, you can, but I will be in church tomorrow." The first said, "Well, I am a Gospel singer - I don't have to go to church."

Well, needless to say, I no longer have any respect for that singer and I will not call him a Gospel singer. The one who said he would be in church was Brian Free and I will always respect him for his being-in-church comment if for no other reason. He will never know the impression he made on me that night when he thought no one was listening. Some times we are the only Bible some people every read or see!

Rose K.

Posting from 6/24 (Another Cathedrals?)

You are so right. We don't need carbon copies of fabulous groups. We just need great unique groups. And yes, Southern Gospel Music is alive and well.

Elaine H.

Posting from 7/1 (Remembering Glen)

Amen brother! Glen was one of a kind and as you said, his voice was a good after 50 years if not better. I loved that man and I will never forget him.

My husband and I have often commented how some of these younger singers are not going to be able to sing after a few years. They sing out of their range, scream, hold endings far too long and exhibit other behaviors to me that are show-offs. And where did they get the idea that you need to make faces and contortions to sing well? I would rather see someone with a smile on their face looking as if they are happy to be singing and know what they are singing about. Getting red-faced and straining to sing does not get any sort of message across except that they look as if they are in pain. Tenor voices seem to decline fastest, but Archie Watkins has been singing 40 years and still has it.

Just wanted you to let you know there are people out here who wholeheartedly agree with you - just wish some of these youngers ones would read your message and take note.

Charlotte M.

Posting from 7/2 (Music To Your Ears?)

I think you are way off, in fact, you are totally off. Please know this - I can sort of understand what you're talking about, but hey, think of it this way: there are some small groups who just want to get the message of Jesus and His love across to the folks who are in the church or place where the singing is taking place. I think you are very unfair and I must add that I play lots of local groups on the air where I work at. I also play the larger groups. In God's eyes, it's all the same and in the most respectable way I know how to say this, stay off the soapbox - you have no right to push the so-called big groups against the smaller ones. Were the Crabbs always a big group? Huh? Get real and write about something that makes sense.

Rex L.

Posting from 7/2 (Music To Your Ears?)

I agree totally with everything you said! As a fan, I've always "felt" for the PRO group I've PAID to see when this happens. There is only so much amateur talent/part-timers I care to see. I don't mind them before the scheduled showtime or during intermission, but I want them OFF the stage when it's time for the paid-for pro-groups to sing.

Another thing that irks me, too, is you usually don't know about amateur talent until you get to the venue for the show. Promoters don't always advertise what else you'll be getting when you purchase a ticket. I also don't want amateur talent time on stage to be more than that of the group I paid to see. I've seen that happen. Once, I drove 2 1/2 hours to see my favorite three groups and the host/promote had his own group sing an hour and the the other three groups I came to see got only 30-40 minutes each.

Thanks for saying what many of us (fans) have felt lots of time.

Dani K.