First of all, let me apologize for me a little slow in updating the diary today. Just too many things to do at once - press deadlines are looming!
However, now that I've sat down for a few minutes, I do have something that I want to share. With all the personnel changes that are going on in Southern Gospel Music (Jay Parrack leaving Gold City, Eric Ollis leaving the Dixie Melody Boys, etc), rumors have once again started flowing. So often I get asked "what is the real reason?" for someone's departure from a group. Granted, not every departure is fully explained, but most are (and, just for the record, what you've read on the Singing News website about Jay and Eric are 100% accurate). However, there is a certain element of people out there who will simply not accept the fact that someone is leaving because of family reasons, wanting to stay home more, and so on.
Have those people ever stopped to think someone might want to spend more time at home? Have they ever stopped to think someone might actually want to see his/her children grow up and not "celebrate" birthdays with a phone call from who-knows-where? Have they ever considered the fact someone might actually put their family first? Or they just not capable of accepting the fact the artist might be going to a better opportunity?
People in the "real world" change jobs every day. What are the reasons then? Better opportunities? Spend more time at home? Better future for their families? Health reasons?
I wonder what would happen if we would pick up the phone every time Joe Smith down the road changed jobs and asked "So, just what is the real reason you're changing? There's got to be more than what you're saying."
The people in Southern Gospel Music are real people, too. They have to pay bills. They have families. They have ambitions. Sometimes they have to make choices that greatly affect them and their families.
Fortunately, most people who follow Southern Gospel Music understand this and are respectful of an artist's decision. But those handful who feel compelled to dig all the way to China - allowing their speculation to generate rumor after rumor that somehow gets translated into "The Gospel" - sure can make life difficult.
I wonder if those people will be that nosy in Heaven.
