I wasn’t introduced to Southern Gospel music.
My mom handcuffed me to it.
That’s a famous line from the famous comedian Grady Nutt, but it captures my childhood perfectly.
I grew up listening to the Happy Goodmans, the Inspirations, the Rambos, and of course, the mighty Kingsmen.
The Kingsmen became my favorite.
These men just weren’t singers; they were the standard.
As a kid, and a teenager, I’d use a hairbrush as a microphone and try to hit every low note that Ray Dean would hit and scream my guts out trying to keep up with Ernie Phillips. I never could.
Dad would come to the bedroom door and say, “Turn that down! And for goodness’ sake, quit screaming. You can’t hit those notes that woman is hitting.”
He wasn’t wrong. I couldn’t. Never could.
The Southern Gospel music of the ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, and the early 2000s became the soundtrack of my life.
These artists sang about faith, heaven, trusting God, and enduring hard times. Their songs often retold Bible stories, which built a foundation for my belief in Christ.
In God’s providence, I was able to serve in Christian radio for over 35 years.
Beyond that, I wrote for Singing News magazine for a few years, often trading jabs with J.D. Sumner, which was always in good fun.
I love this music.
I know this music.
I can rattle off the names of group members from various eras.
It can be embarrassing, the useless knowledge I have regarding this music.
Join me as I relive this music and all those memories.
Every Saturday night on 101.1 The Pulse, I’ll be playing the very best of Southern Gospel from that era.
So come join me.
I’ll share memories, tell stories, and invite you to experience the music that shaped me.
This is going to be fun!
Playing the best in Gospel Gold,
Brian Sanders