Artist Spotlight and a Bit of Music History for a Sunday

Over the last several months I have periodically shone the spotlight on some noteworthy Gospel artists and used the occasion to muse on some music history to boot. We continue with that today.

In my many comments about the famed Cathedral Quartet, retired in 1999, I have noted that Glen Payne and George Younce were responsible for introducing to Southern Gospel Music many top singers and musicians. At least 3 separate, full-time groups that are traveling today came out of the Cathedrals. We have discussed these already--Ernie Haas and the Signature Sound Quartet, Legacy Five, and The Mark Trammell Quartet. Now we will focus on the 4th.

Glen and George knew how to spot good talent, and the fact that all of these top-notch groups had their birth in the Cathedrals organization only emphasizes their influence. This was certainly true when, in the late 1980s, pianist Roger Bennett left the road for a couple of years. Bennett would return in 2 short years and stay with the group until their retirement in 1999.

But during the Bennett hiatus, Glen and George brought to the national stage a young pianist from the hills of East Tennessee who quickly established himself as one of the most amazing artists to come along in the history of Gospel music.

That young man was Gerald Wolfe.

Glen hired Wolfe to be the pianist for the Cathedrals, but it was discovered that this 'little man' (George used to kid Gerald about his small stature) had a powerful, crisp lead voice. Thus, in no time Glen and George were featuring Gerald's voice during their concerts, as well as his piano ability.

Perhaps no one in the history of Southern Gospel Music has ever established himself as a top talent in such a short period of time. In just a few months Christians who followed Gospel music were abuzz about Gerald Wolfe.

In 1986 or so, the Cathedrals traveled to London, England  to record an album with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. It would become one of the landmark recordings in the genre, the first time a southern quartet had ever recorded with such a high-brow, acclaimed orchestra. Cathedrals personnel at the time were Danny Funderburke on tenor, Glen Payne on lead, Mark Trammell on baritone, George Younce on bass, and Gerald Wolfe on piano.

Several major hits came off of that album, but it was one solitary song that featured the voice of Gerald Wolfe that made music history. Glen decided that on this particular song Gerald would take the lead. And he  flat hit it out of the ballpark with the other guys harmonizing in the background, along with the thrilling sounds of the London Philharmonic providing the accompaniment.

That song was entitled, 'Champion of Love,' and from the time it was released until this very day the song has been sung each night whenever Gerald Wolfe performs. It became his 'signature song' and audiences today still insist that he sing it in his concerts.

'Champion of Love' was not only a major hit in Southern Gospel but found itself at the top of the playlists in the Christian Contemporary and Worship & Praise sub-genres.

After only 2 short years Gerald decided he wished to form his own group. On the strength of his mega-hit and the attention his voice was receiving all across the Christian world, Gerald formed a trio that he called 'Greater Vision.' For 22 years Greater Vision has been a staple in the top tier of Southern Gospel Music circles.

When Gerald started the trio he tapped baritone Rodney Griffin to join the group. Griffin was also a young songwriter. In time he would become one of the most prolific songwriters in the field, and Greater Vision has enjoyed a string of hits from the pen of Rodney Griffin to prove it.

When the Cathedrals were on their farewell tour, Mark Trammell reminisced on the influence that Gerald Wolfe had on his life during the short time he was with the Cathedrals. Trammell noted that late at night, as the bus was traveling down the road and he could not sleep, he would often get up and go talk to the bus driver. He would notice that on many nights Gerald was awake in his bunk as well, and as Mark passed by he would see Gerald's overhead light on, and there he would be, said Trammell, "reading his Bible."

Greater Vision under the leadership of Gerald Wolfe has been a shining example of what dedicated Christian men who not only talk the talk but walk the walk can do in this world of darkness and woe.

And now, here is an example of Greater Vision's music. This one is a favorite of mine, and it is from the pen of Rodney Griffin.  It is entitled, 'He's Still Waiting by the Well.' Turn up your volume on this one, folks. Not only is this a foot-tapping barn-burner, but the message is deep and moving. I like it. Hope you will too.

TEN DAYS ABLAZE ENDS AT MIDNIGHT TONIGHT, OCT. 22

TEN DAYS ABLAZE!!
Today is your last day to take advantage of the free gifts offered to those who donate.  


10 Days of Opportunity!


Join me in this ministry through your free-will gifts!


This ministry is totally dependent on the gifts of supporters.  The good news for you is that your donation could qualify you for free gifts from me!


Here's how it works:


BENEFACTOR LEVEL
A one-time donation of $200
You will receive 3 free gifts for your support: a new Bible, one CD of my music entitled 'By Request', and one CD of vintage Gospel Quartet singing by my group from 1972--the Royals Quartet--a collector's item! The Bible is a genuine leather-bound study edition called The Thompson Chain Reference Bible in the King James Version, which retails for $99. But it can be yours for absolutely free, along with the 2 free CDs, for a gift of $200.


SPONSOR LEVEL
A one-time donation of $100
You will receive 2 free gifts for your support--a new Bible and one CD of your choice--my music entitled 'By Request', OR one CD of the Royals Quartet, vintage Gospel music from 1972. The Bible is a leather-bound study edition called the Holman Christian Standard Bible, considered the most accurate of the modern translations. It retails for $56, but it can be yours for absolutely free, along with one free CD, for a gift of $100.

PATRON LEVEL
A one-time donation of $50
You will receive 2 free gifts for your support--YOUR CHOICE OF the CD of my latest music entitled, 'By Request' OR a CD of the Royals Quartet from 1972, AND a pocket New Testament. This pocket New Testament is in genuine leather and comes with the Psalms. It retails for $24.99 but can be yours for absolutely free, along with one free CD, for a gift of $50. .

BOOSTER LEVEL
A one-time donation of $25
You will receive 2 free gifts for your support--the CD of my latest music entitled, 'By Request,' AND a CD of the Royals Quartet from 1972.

Simply click the 'Donation' button at the top of the right column to make your gift.

All gifts, no matter how small, are greatly appreciated, $5, $10, $15, $20--no gift is insignificant.
Your support will keep this ministry going. Thank-you for your generosity.


Notice: Please allow at least 6 weeks for delivery of free gifts to allow time for processing of orders. Thank-you.

T-Minus 36 Hours and Counting

Well, my friends, you have only 36 hours left to take advantage of my free offers in exchange for your donations to this ministry.

At midnight tomorrow night--less than 36 hours from now--these special offers will end.

Go here to find out how you can receive free top of the line study Bibles, along with free music.

After tomorrow, I won't bug you any more about it. I don't like having to do this to begin with. And if it were not necessary, I certainly would not be doing it.

Only 2 Days Left

Heads up, my friends!

There are only 2 days left in my 'Ten Days Ablaze' fundraiser here at Martin Christian Ministries. Click that link for the info.

Have you made your donation yet? You are running out of time.

At midnight on Oct. 22, these special offers will end. This is a golden opportunity for you to receive free top-of-the-line study Bibles and free music in exchange for your donation to this ministry.

I would not ask you if there weren't a dire need.

But I won't bug you about it.

I deeply appreciate all of you who donate and who remember this ministry in your prayers and in your support by reading, even if you cannot give a monetary gift. Some gifts cannot be measured in dollars and cents.

Info About the Free Study Bibles Offered as Gifts from Me

Some have asked about the nature of the study Bibles I am offering for free to those who make donations at the $200 level and the $100 level during my 'Ten Days Ablaze' going on right now, until the 22nd of this month.

At the $200 level you will receive a full, genuine leather-bound Thompson Chain Reference Bible--the most comprehensive and complete study Bible ever put together. This beautiful King James Version Bible adheres to the old adage that the best commentary on scripture is other scripture. In other words, for each phrase, key word, or verse, there is a reference to scores of other places in the Bible where the same subject is mentioned or discussed.

I have used Thompson for years and have benefited more from it in my studies than any other study Bible on the market..

The version I am offering costs $99 dollars if you buy it retail. I am offering it for FREE if you send a gift of $200. You will also receive 2 other gifts--2 CDs, one of my latest music entitled 'By Request,' and the other a vintage Gospel Quartet CD from 1972 of my own group The Royals.

At the $100 level you will receive a leather-bound Holman Study Bible. This is a copy of what is known in conservative/evangelical scholarly circles as the most accurate modern translation ever put together. It is called 'Holman Christian Standard Bible.'  100 scholars from 17 different Christian denominations translated the scriptures from the original Hebrew and Greek texts, and provided complete study notes.

This version retails for $56.00. You will get it absolutely free for a donation of $100. In addition, you will receive your choice of either the 'By Request' CD or the Royals Quartet CD.

At the $50 level you will receive a pocket New Testament plus your choice of one of the CDs being offered. The pocket New Testament is genuine leather and contains the Psalms. Retail price is $24.99. You will get it free along with your choice of either the 'By Request' CD or the Royals Quartet CD.

Hope this helps you to decide whether or not you wish to donate.

A Wandering Minstrel

'Wandering' is an understatement.

Soloists in Christian music by and large do not fare well in the marketplace, especially not in Southern Gospel Music, where the emphasis is on quartets and trios. And while such lone minstrels do much better in 'Contemporary Christian Music,' the field is much harder to break into, and the deck is stacked against more mature artists in order to appeal to the younger set.

Thus, mature, seasoned soloists who are a bit older and who tend to steer toward middle of the road music--a combination of Southern Gospel, hymns, worship and praise, and country gospel--have a much harder time getting bookings, recording deals, and attention. So, we wander around as starving artists, minstrels who are simply looking for a place to sing.

Take Buddy Liles, for example.

Buddy is listed in my list of preferred links in the right column. For over 25 years Buddy was the bass singer for the Florida Boys. Back in the late 1990s he decided to move into the realm of solo work, and while today he keeps a rather full schedule, he can tell you that for years the going was very rough.

As a soloist, and a bass vocalist in a quartet, Buddy has one of those smooth, mellow voices that are rare in Christian music today. He is plenty low enough, but he has a voice that is so melodious that he can take a lead and sing it like a lead vocalist.

Buddy doesn't get much recognition although he deserves it.

And this is my point. Many of us who get out there and sing week by week do it because we love it, not because we get recognition, fame, or fortune. If these singers wanted to be rich and famous, they would sing some other form of music.

This is where you can come into the picture. Struggling artists such as myself are dependent on those who support what we are doing. If you support this ministry and like my singing, consider a donation during my special 10 Days Ablaze.  You can also get free gifts if you donate.

Prayerfully consider making your gift. Thank-you.

Don't Be Misled--I'm at the Bottom Rung

The public at large tends to think that anyone involved in the music business, particularly the artists, live in luxury, make truckloads of money they don't what to do with, and essentially lead a glamorous life that is far removed from that of ordinary people.

That may be true for Mariah Caray, Celine Dion, Toby Keith, Taylor Swift, or Sugarland, but for most nothing could be further from the truth.

Only a tiny percentage of artists make it to the top level. Most operate in the dregs of society, at the bottom rung, attempting to squeeze out a measly living by doing one-night-stands in various small-time venues.

This is even more true in Gospel music.

Take Southern Gospel, for example. Out of the several hundred groups that are out there singing, only about 30 or so manage to make enough money to stay on the road week after week. And some of these in the top 30 must supplement their income by working other jobs. The money is simply not there, not by a long shot.

I remember when Glen Payne and George Younce first launched the Cathedral Quartet in the early 60s. Many assume that the group has always been prosperous, rolling in dough, living the good life. Far from it.

Glen and George struggled for the first 20 years of the Cathedrals' existence.  I remember that Glen, as manager, would have the quartet out on the road for 28 out of 30 days of the month, singing almost every single night at every small church that would agree to have a quartet come in, just in order to scrape together enough money to meet expenses and pay the singers a little money. But times were very hard.

In fact, in 1979 when every member of the group departed except for Glen and George, Glen almost decided to hang it up altogether and put the Cathedrals to an early grave.

But, the group was blessed enough to add 3 newcomers to the field of quartet singing--pianist Roger Bennett, baritone Mark Trammell, and tenor Kirk Talley. By 1981 the group's fortunes began to change. The new sound appealed to a broad cross-section of listeners, and it certainly helped when they were able to get several of their recordings to the top of the radio charts. Soon promoters inundated the group with requests to sing at paid concerts.

Thus, from 1981 or so until 1999, when the group retired, they enjoyed tremendous success that only continued to climb right up until their retirement.  The 18 years of great success was far less than the 20 years that the group spent in small churches night after night barely making enough in love offerings to fill the bus with diesel.

My point in telling you all this is that contrary to the notion of many that Gospel singers are 'only in it for the money' is ridiculous. If that were true, they most certainly would NOT be singing Gospel music! For most, there is NO money in it, just a deep love for the Gospel, an abiding love for this kind of singing, and a desire to be out there spreading the good message of Christ's love.

And as for me, I am at the bottom rung of the faceless scores of good, solid folk out there every week trying to take the Gospel in song to people who need to hear it.

But, as you well know, it is impossible to exist without money. Many lament the 'profit motive' as evil but turn right around and engage in it to the max, because no matter what they tell you outwardly, internally they know that unless they get out there and work in order to make money, they will not eat or pay their bills.

And this is why I ask you, without hesitation, to donate to this ministry. We are over half-way through our '10 Days Ablaze' where you can get some mighty fine free gifts for your donation. Soon this special promotional will end.

I need your support. And if you support what I am trying to do, consider making a donation. Take a look at the various levels of donation and the free gifts you will receive as a result RIGHT HERE.


If you don't support what I am doing, or you hate my singing, or you wish I would go away, then don't donate. I don't want you to feel pressured to support something you don't want or like. But then if you were so dead-set against it, you wouldn't be reading this now, would you?

Thank-you sincerely for what you have done so far. And please, if you have not given, consider making your gift today so you won't miss out on free Bibles and/or free music.