Here’s a real nice article from a baptist publication.

http://www.baptiststandard.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=8938&Itemid=53

In 1980, he founded the Gaither Vocal Band. The quartet’s 30 albums feature everything from old-time Southern gospel chestnuts to pop-based contemporary songs.

No one has been more successful than Gaither at bridging the often-contentious divide that separates Christian music’s traditionalists from its harder-rocking contemporary fans.

“Christian music is about a theology and a message and can’t be pinned down by any one style,” he said.

“Over the centuries, that message has been wrapped in a lot of different styles. The wrapper is always changing, but the basic message is always going to stay. I don’t think God really cares about the wrapper, but he cares very much about the content.”

 
This is a quote from that article.  Wow!  Isn’t that what a lot of us on here have been trying to say for years???  Why can’t we all just get along? If it works for Bill Gaither and you see the results, then why can’t we do the same here.  Isn’t it sad that even the author of the article used the term “often-contentious divide that separates” in speaking of SG and CCM.  That doesn’t seem Biblical at all, when the Bible speaks so much about loving each other.  Hmmm…

Let’s all say a big “AMEN”.  Think this attitude is what many of us would love to see - a bridge between all of us supporting music that supports our mission to do what God wants us to do and to do it with “class” and without “jealousy”.  We all have our favorites but must realize that other people have different tendencies.

MY opinion—Gaither has done more to promote what we refer to as southern gospel music than anyone I know of in forever. In spite of all the critics of “what’s wrong with SG”, I still love it! Though I surely cannot say I’m a personal friend of Gaither’s, we have a lot in common, especially in speech and I’m a pastor/singer.  It’s amazing how God uses people with “difficulties” at times. YES! Admit it or not we ALL have “difficulties” of various kinds, that God helps us get through. Bill Gaither is an INSPIRATION to me in a lot of ways. Determining whether he’s the best singer ever is perceptional, but truly he has advanced more SG careers than any other one person I know of. He has also re-launched many careers. I’m sure there will always be critics of SG giants, but we could all learn some lessons by looking in the mirror ocassionally. So much for my 2 cents worth, but I’m impressed by Bill & Gloria Gaither. I hope this couple lives to be 120!

I believe what Mr. Gaither does is GOSPEL MUSIC.

High Fidelity - 17 December 2008 02:50 PM

I believe what Mr. Gaither does is GOSPEL MUSIC.

If we cut him out of the SG circles then we have again slit our own throat.  Remember when we left the GMA in the 70s and started our own.  That really showed them.  30+ years later and they’re selling hundreds of thousands of albums and we’re selling hundreds.

I would hope Mr. Gaither would continue to call his music “Southern Gospel” because he is really the only recognized face of SG to the rest of the world.

FamilyMan - 17 December 2008 03:24 PM

High Fidelity - 17 December 2008 02:50 PM

I believe what Mr. Gaither does is GOSPEL MUSIC.

If we cut him out of the SG circles then we have again slit our own throat.  Remember when we left the GMA in the 70s and started our own.  That really showed them.  30+ years later and they’re selling hundreds of thousands of albums and we’re selling hundreds.

I would hope Mr. Gaither would continue to call his music “Southern Gospel” because he is really the only recognized face of SG to the rest of the world.

You are correct Family Man “SG” really showed everyone! lol
“SG” should cease to exist and embrace GOSPEL MUSIC.
Now for the “SG” only crowd , how about we all look back at every T.V. show,commercials ,recordings,dvd’s,vhs’s, print,POSTERS, etc… of Mr.Gaither, and every time he describes what he does as “SG’ then I’ll give you a dollar, and every time he uses the term ‘GOSPEL MUSIC’ you give me a dollar. Please hurry! Christmas is around the corner and I could use the money.