SG History 101

SG History 101 - Stage Appearance

A couple of months ago, we looked at the history of a curious phenomenon in gospel music history…namely, the unusual attraction and attention paid to the genre’s many outstanding bass singers.

This month, we will attempt to shed some light on another aspect of gospel music history that examines one of the most discussed issues among the genre’s fans…namely, the history of the stage appearance and style of those singing gospel music.

Many fans are deeply concerned with the appearance of their favorite gospel singers…and conversely, many other fans think too much is made about the way artists dress and act on the concert stage. Is there a “right” side in this debate? We invite you to decide for yourself based on the historical development of this issue.

As most fans of gospel music know, the southern genre developed because of the songbook publishing industry. Male quartets were formed to advertise the songs in the songbooks, and they were employees of the publishing companies who could sing, and some had additional musical skills as well.

As such, they were expected to dress like professional salespeople of any other business, namely, suits and ties for the men, and attractive and modest dresses for the women. For several decades, this philosophy was carried out unquestioningly by all who sang or played with gospel singing groups.

Along with suits in general, a trend developed when the artists began to tour and make personal appearances. This trend had group members wearing identical apparel, matching suits for men, and matching dresses for women.

The reason behind this had to do with the conscious awareness that the message behind the music was of paramount importance to communicate above all else. If one group member wore something a bit too distinctive, it was felt that it would distract members of the audience from taking in the gospel message described in the song lyrics. Thus, it quickly became the accepted norm for singers to dress in pleasant but otherwise nondistinctive clothing.

For the early decades of professional gospel singing, those standards were the required norm, for the reasons stated above. This began to change after World War II(as did most areas of life), with the change in the gospel singing business from a publisher-driven business to a more recording and entertainment-driven business. As gospel singers became more “professional” from an entertainment standpoint, it became more of a professional entertainment career for most of its’ singers.

Thus, distinctiveness became more important among gospel music artists in an attempt to separate themselves from each other, and become more widely known. One very popular quartet that formed in the 1930s and was perhaps gospel’s leading quartet until the mid 1950s, the Rangers Quartet, was a leader in this movement. Not only were they the first gospel quartet to become popular with no ties to the music publishers (along with the Chuck Wagon Gang), they used distinctive stage wear to reinforce their image.

They began as the Texas Rangers in the 1930s, and they originally combined gospel songs with pop and western hits(as did many other gospel artists of that period). To show their “western” image off, they occasionally wore cowboy hats and western fashions to show their “western” authenticity. They did that for many years before going to a full gospel repertoire. Their appearance and their distinctive style indeed set them apart from the many other quartets of the day. So fashion was an instrument that could be used to establish a group’s reputation in the music business, even the gospel music business.

Another group that used a distinctive personal appearance to establish their identity in gospel music was the Klaudt Indian Family. Truly one of the most distinctive groups musically in the history of the genre, this family of full-blooded American Indians chose to celebrate their heritage right in front of all to see with distinctive Indian regalia they wore on stage.

From the parents to all the children, anyone watching the Klaudts would know that 1. They were great singers and musicians…2. They were God-loving and God-honoring people…and 3. They were of American Indian heritage. Those facts made them one of gospel’s most distinctive and beloved groups.

As American society grew more affluent, some gospel groups became more distinctive in their stage attire. While still wearing matching apparel, groups like the Statesmen, the Crusaders, and the Plainsmen began to appear in more colorful and flamboyant outfits, reflecting their musical styles somewhat.

The 1960s saw many changes in American society, and gospel singers were not immune from occasional “worldly” influences. Musically, this was reflected in a more youth-oriented sound and style in groups like the Imperials, the Oak Ridge Boys, the Downings, and the Stamps…and in those groups and others who patterned themselves after them, more casual stage dress and (gasp)non-matching clothes became more in vogue. The concerns of gospel singers in past years were lost in the translation, not unlike many customs of years gone by.

That brief fad was eclipsed by groups who became more popular during the 1970s, such as the Inspirations, the Cathedral Quartet, and the Kingsmen, who brought a more traditional look and style to the genre. That tradition continued through the 1980s by those groups and others, such as Gold City, who followed faithfully in those traditions.
But in recent years, there has been a more concerted attempt to get away from those older traditions, not out of disregard or disrespect for them, but as a reflection of the more casual professional look of modern times.

Some audiences are insisting that distinctive apparel does not distract from the gospel message of the music, and in fact current popular groups in the genre such as today’s Imperials, the Gaither Vocal Band, and perhaps most notably, Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, are demonstrating that quality gospel quartet singing can be done by groups that don’t always dress alike.

So is there a right or wrong in this never ending discussion? As I said at the outset of this article, you decide. My hope is that this look back at what we did in past generations has been helpful to you in making up your mind on this issue.

I want to thank Dean Adkins for graciously supplying some of the pictures you see in this article.

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Reader Comments

   .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) ~ 09/01/2008

I agree that how distinctively people are dressed does not distract from the music. However, the apostle Paul made the statement that if eating meat offends my brother, I'll eat no meat. My point is that there are many wonderful Christians who are sg fans that have convictions concerning a certain type of dress in a worship service. I believe Gospel singers should be more focused on making everyone comfortable worshipping together than they are on fashion. That does not mean they need matching suits and ties or dresses, but we should be aware of the basics that offend people and try to work with that. Many people are offended by men with bluejeans with holes in them in the sanctuary or leading the worship. Is that really such a big deal? Wear pants without holes. That's a good compromise. You can still wear jeans. They will have to overlook that if they don't like it. Same with women. You don't need to wear ugly sack dresses that match, but we all know a lot of people have views against ladies wearing pants on stage. So wear a skirt of some sort. If they don't like the fact that it is trendy, tough. You have made a good compromise. Most people respect you more for considering their beliefs and trying not to offend. Wear what you want off stage, but it should not be too much to ask that we try and accomodate to a point. You are putting yourself in front of people and asking them to buy tickets and c.d.'s and video's, you should respect them as well and try to be non-controversial. I am saying this as a business management specialist. This is what I do. I am also a Christian and I believe it is important to work together and respect beliefs even if we don't have those convictions or if it infringes on our fashion. These are not unreasonable requests.

   .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) ~ 09/02/2008

Hey Dawn, great comment. I agree you can be fashion forward without being offensive. Most artists know what they can and can't get by with depending on the venue. If it's a place you've been before you can kind of judge what you should wear. If its an unfamiliar crowd/venue then play it safe. Not meaning you have to break out the polyester suit, but atleast jeans with no holes. With most people holes in jeans arent a problem just for the ones on stage. Those people typically don't like holes in jeans on anyone anywhere period. I don't have a problem either way, but definately respect others views. Well maybe I should expain, I dont mind jeans that look roughed up and some snags. However if the hole is large enough to fit a hand thru and there is more leg showing than denim, you might as well be wearing running shorts ha ha! Most fans dont really complain for dressing current, its usually when you're pushing the line of modesty when they get testy. Atleast from my experience.

   .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) ~ 09/02/2008

How well I remember my early years in the 1970s when the groups I helped promote included the Florida Boys in their matching PINK polyester suits, who were on the same bill with the Thrasher Brothers who wore matching FIRE ENGINE RED polyester suits. Hey, at least they all matched! And remember the Russ Taff-era imperials with their white, Saturday Night Fever disco suits complete with open necked black shirts and matching gold medallions? Ahhh ahh ahh ahh Stayin' aliiiiiiivvve!

Chris J. Becker
Cedar Rapids, IA

   .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) ~ 09/03/2008

I'm sitting here relaxing in my tee shirt, cutoffs and bare feet reading your delightful and informative article. And I'm reminded that the Bible says, "Man looketh on the outward appearance but God looketh upon the heart." Thank goodness the concertgoers can't see me now. But if God's not paying any attention to the way I'm dressed anyway, what's the big deal?

So maybe for the next concert I'll just go the way I'm dressed. Perhaps I'll tuck in my tee shirt though.

I'm glad that variety is the spice of life. Let the singers dress how they feel comfortable. My taste in clothing is not good enough to pass judgment on anyone else.

   .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) ~ 09/04/2008

Hey Neil, here's a little exercise for you to see if your convictions hold solid. Go to church this Sunday dressed just as you are. No one is saying that God looks on the outside, people are just saying that there are some places that are appropriate to wear cut offs and a t-shirt and some places that are not. Try going to work in those clothes, do you think you'll get sent home or applauded for your individualism? I dont have a problem with being casual on stage, my only stipulation be that persons are modest whether they be in casual clothes or top of the line ball gowns.

   .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) ~ 09/04/2008

Uh . . . Jackie, I was joking. Sorry you took me seriously. I do try to dress my best for the house of God.

Help me John!

   Cheryl Campbell ~ 09/05/2008

My big beef about Ernie Haas and SS is that they have to don a style that is foreign to everyone and never been done before. I have never seen men wear short ties like they do until I saw them. I had not consistently seen guys with hair all spiked up until I saw them. Of course they wear suits and do look professional, and boy can they sing, but to me it is a distraction to wear something so out of the norm that I sit back and question why they do this. I can only come up with one answer...to draw attention to themselves. There are plenty of groups wearing jeans with holes in them and a suit coat over top, groups who wear matching outfits, groups who dress more in evening wear......my point being that this is not something that most people would think is out of the norm because it's been done before and is being done. But why create a whole new style and draw specific attention to yourself? The attention needs to be placed on one person and Him alone. And that's just my opinion.

   .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) ~ 09/05/2008

Hey Neil, I read that first thing in the morning before I was completely coherent ha ha. My statement was probably worded a little more harsh than it was intended. Honestly not trying to single you out. We need smiley faces or something on these things so we can convey intent Sorry if I jumped at ya.

   Auke ~ 09/06/2008

Cheryl...SSQ use their outfits to draw attention...and that's okay with me.
On a personal note though..i think their clothes are horrific...and screaming we're supposed to be 'hip'.
But people like it, and i truly admire them for their boldness..i was a gamble..could have backfired on them just as easily, but it turns out to be succesful.
Plus that they are responsable for drawing younger folk to SG concerts, as we all know the average age at SG concert was moving to 50+ yrs.
And they can sing...it took me several years to look beyond their outfits...that's telling more about me, then i care for..lol
I salute Ernie and his posse!

Auke

   .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) ~ 09/06/2008

Jackie-

No harm done to me. Actually I agree with you. It was just a bit of attempted humor that apparently fizzled.

The unfortunate truth is that when I dress up to go to church or a concert, I'm in the minority. I would hate to be in the necktie business today.

   buzzie ~ 09/06/2008

I think Southern Gospel, or other Christian singers, should dress appropriately. I like to see guys in suits, and women in decent dresses. If they were working for a lot of other organizations, a dress code would be enforced, should God's workers be any different? I think not.

   .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) ~ 09/06/2008

What!!!? Who cares if there are holes in their jeans? Jesus didn't dress like the High Priests, but his ministry was far more effective (lucky us). If you guys are so distracted by the clothing of an artist, then maybe YOU aren't focused on the real reason these people sing. In your own words, you have said "its about the message"; if you still believe this is true... GET OVER IT!

P.s. I'll be worshiping Jesus in my shorts Sunday morning (at church)... Hallelujah!

   .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) ~ 09/06/2008

Rusty, good for you. It is certainly your right to do whatever you wish to do. My point was not about whether you should wear jeans or suits, but that you know what is expected of you when you enter a venue. If your church is a very relaxed casual dress type of place then great, whatever the artist wants to wear is fine. However if the artist is appearing at a very conservative church that adheres to a more strict dress code then dress accordingly. If an artist wishes to wear shorts and a tank top to sing in then cater to that type of crowd. That same artist should also then stop trying to get booked into a place where they know shorts and tank tops aren't preferred and not get upset when they are turned down. My church is a very either/or type of church some wear jeans and polos to church some look like that just stepped out of a fifth avenue boutique! So my only beef is when clothing becomes a modesty issue, whether it be casual or dressy.

   .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) ~ 09/09/2008

I do, I dont. I do, I dont. I do, I dont... WAFFLE ANYONE?

   .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) ~ 09/16/2008

Let me say this. John The Baptist, looked and lived like a complete bum. If he were to walk in some churches today he would have been thrown out. Yet he was probably the second most powerful man in ithe Bible (Jesus being the first). Now I dont wear "holy" jeans or anything like that. But I do wear regular jeans (blue and black), polo shirts, and comfortable shoes. I've had people tell me over the years that they didn't like the way I dress. I kindly told them to mind their own business. How I dress is between me and God.

Here's the point. You're not going to please everybody, and you shouldn't even try to. We're not out there to get man's approval. I like EHss, and GVB's dress. BECAUSE IT ATTRACTS THE YOUNGER CROWD! And we need to attract more youngsters. Kids today are most likely not going to look at a bunch of guys in 3 piece suits and be attracted to them. But a group like EHSS and GVB, will get their attention.

I know for myself....if God ever allowed me to start a group, we'd be known as The Casuals! Because that's how we would be. NO TIES! I personally hate suits and ties. Too hot and uncomfortable. Especially when plying the drums. I want to feel good when I go on stage, so I can give my best to the Lord and to the congregation.

   .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) ~ 09/18/2008

For myself, it matters not what people wear as long as they are presentable and sincere about their music and message. After all, that is how God would want it.

What I do find odd at a gospel concert is the jumping and acrobatics that goes on. That does not do much for me but then, I am not a woman or a young kid....who might like to see men acting young and dancing and prancing around the stage. It is actually kind of Gay.
Then again, I guess that is "show biz" or what one would term as putting on a Choreographed SHOW.

As for young people being attracted to a clothing style...most of the ones I know are either into the baggy stuff or jeans and tend to think deeper than what someone is wearing on stage.

   Brother Rick ~ 09/21/2008

A lot of these SG groups and singers would dress better if they got saved first! You can't expect the fish to be cleaned before it is caught. When JD and the Stamps were with Elvis, they cursed, smoked, drank, popped pills, you name it. I hope JD got saved before he died. Ernie Haas and his group dress appropriately for the circus they put on.

   AGM ~ 09/21/2008

We do not tolerate judgemental posts concerning someone's salvation. Further comments about such will be removed and posting privileges will be removed. Please review our Comments Policy and Community Guidelines:
http://sogospelnews.com/index/community/guidelines/

   Kyle Boreing ~ 09/22/2008

From a business standpoint, you HAVE to create something original and unique to distinguish yourself from the other products available. Otherwise, you can buy any generic gospel CD and get the same thing.

I quote William Lee Golden - "...you have to realize that this IS a BUSINESS..."

http://southerngospelview.blogspot.com/
http://www.myspace.com/kyleboreing

   thetenor ~ 09/26/2008

Thanx a-ton Neil. Know if I could just get the rest of the Calvarymen to see it our way, I would be in!!!!! LOL

Randy Lewis

Keep looking up! Randy Lewis

   .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) ~ 10/01/2008

Another excellent article John.

Hopefully, I am now back on the email list to receive your excellent articles. Somehow, I was dropped from the notification list so I have missed the last couple of months. But I believe that I am back in the fold now. Keep up the good work!

   .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) ~ 10/04/2008

As long as the artist is neat & clean, I, for one am not that concerned with what he/she wears. I do want the women to be modest -- no plunging necklines or micro-mini skirts. I have no problem, especially at out door concerts with short sleeve shirts & jeans. I'd rather have the guys look comfortable rather than worrying about who will be the 1st to pass out with heat exhaustion from wearing a 3-piece suit & tie in 100 degree heat! That's ridiculous, IMHO.

God is good all the time & all the time God is good. 

Elaine Harcourt



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