Southern Gospel Journal

Jonathan Lawson is a member of one of the most exciting young groups in Southern Gospel, The Lawsons. Here’s his story!

Josh Griffin is the man behind the Behind the Music and Behind the Crown podcasts. He’s been previously featured on episode 11, discussing the Kingsmen Quartet’s legacy. This episode focuses more on Josh himself.Episode 11, The History and Legacy of the Kingsmenhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aA8m905bP94Behind the Crownhttps://linktr.ee/behindthecrownpodcasthttps://www.facebook.com/behindthecrownpodcashttps://www.youtube.com/@BehindTheCrownPodcastBehind the Musichttps://www.facebook.com/BehindMusicPodcasthttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5v5BKBXohUgSouthern Gospel Journal:Website: https://southerngospeljournal.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthernGospelJournalFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/southerngospel

A few weeks ago, Peyton Olive appeared on a podcast highlighting Liberty Quartet’s podcast. That episode contains his testimony; this episode tells the rest of his story. We also discuss his heart for reaching his generation with the Gospel.Liberty QuartetWebsite: https://www.libertyquartet.com/ YouTube/Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjJ7c9XJKR6_l0r9mc2PP7A Southern Gospel Journal:Website: https://southerngospeljournal.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthernGospelJournalFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/southerngospelPeyton’s episode on the Liberty Quartet Podcast Mini-series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7fLSvP81jQPeyton’s previous Southern Gospel Journal episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iym9PwhwP5s

The Cathedrals’ retirement and the launch of Legacy Five was one of the most memorable moments in the last fifty years of Southern Gospel. Glenn Dustin was right in the middle of that moment, and he shares what it was like to be there. But he’s also very open about a more challenging part of his story and how God brought him back and used that dark period to help him minister to others today in a discipleship role at a local church in Nampa, Idaho.

Nicholas Wilke shares his story and the story behind his podcast, Southern Gospel Conversations. We also dive deep into his signature question, discussing why the 1950s and 60s is his favorite era of the music.Southern Gospel Conversations:iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/southern-gospel-conversations/id1698435251Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2rRKa3E9ER4Mzn0ktdIDwN Southern Gospel Journal:Website: https://southerngospeljournal.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthernGospelJournalFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/southerngospelNicholas interviewing Daniel: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/southern-gospel-conversations-podcast-season-10-episode/id1698435251?i=1000745874447Nicholas on Southern Gospel Forward: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzwM-_omiys

Will Arasmith and Peyton Olive, the baritone and tenor for Liberty Quartet, share the story of the Liberty Quartet Podcast mini-series and share the first part of their own stories.Liberty QuartetWebsite: https://www.libertyquartet.com/ YouTube/Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCjJ7c9XJKR6_l0r9mc2PP7A Southern Gospel Journal:Website: https://southerngospeljournal.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthernGospelJournalFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/southerngospel

Alan Kendall shares stories behind the songs the new Kingsmen Quartet album, Stlll Jesus.The Kingsmen: https://kingsmenquartet.com/All Kingsmen links, including Still Jesus: https://linktr.ee/KingsmenQuartetSouthern Gospel Journal:https://southerngospeljournal.com/https://www.youtube.com/@SouthernGospelJournalhttps://www.facebook.com/southerngospelBehind the Crown episode discussing “Old Ship of Zion”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SWr03KrO8Po 

Les Butler shares his testimony and life story and the story behind Real Southern Gospel and the Real Life Podcast with Isaac Moore.Show NotesReal Southern Gospel: https://realsoutherngospel.com/Butler Music Group: https://butlermusicgroup.com/Southern Gospel JournalWebsite: https://southerngospeljournal.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southerngospelYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthernGospelJournalSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/17xSuArg8k0eI55XrCXDeb Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/southern-gospel-journal/id1864425435 

Ben Harris shares his story and the story of his group, Southern Sound.Show notes:Learn more about Southern Sound:https://sghistory.com/index.php?n=S.SouthernSoundhttps://southerngospeljournal.com/almost-statesmen-ben-harris/ Keep up with the latest Southern Gospel Journal episodesYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthernGospelJournal Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southerngospelWebsite: https://southerngospeljournal.com/Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/17xSuArg8k0eI55XrCXDebApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/southern-gospel-journal/id1864425435

Riley Wheeler might be the owner of the newest Southern Gospel podcast, The Concert Attender Podcast, but his YouTube channel has been active for over seven years. I really enjoyed his thoughtful and earnest insight in this conversation!Check out The Concert Attender!YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheConcertAttenderFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheConcertAttenderMerch: https://theconcertattender.printify.me/Southern Gospel JournalWebsite: https://southerngospeljournal.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southerngospelYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthernGospelJournalSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/17xSuArg8k0eI55XrCXDeb Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/southern-gospel-journal/id1864425435 

As the Southern Gospel fan base gets younger - which is a wonderful thing! - what stories do we need to make sure are passed along to the next generation? This is a question that legendary songwriter Dave Clark thinks about deeply. And he works to answer it through the episodes of I Love to Tell the Story Podcast.Show notes:I Love 2 Tell the Story: https://www.ilove2tellthestory.com/Dave Clark: https://www.daveclarkwrites.com/Southern Gospel JournalWebsite: https://southerngospeljournal.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southerngospelYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthernGospelJournalSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/17xSuArg8k0eI55XrCXDeb Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/southern-gospel-journal/id1864425435 

Evan Bradford is a co-host of Southern Gospel Forward and the bass guitarist for the the Kingsmen Quartet's Big & Live Band, appearing at select events through the year. His enthusiasm for this music is contagious!Show NotesCheck out Southern Gospel Forward!Website: https://www.southerngospelforward.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthernGospelForward Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SouthernGospelForward/ Southern Gospel JournalWebsite: https://southerngospeljournal.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/southerngospelYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SouthernGospelJournalSpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/17xSuArg8k0eI55XrCXDeb Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/southern-gospel-journal/id1864425435

Mike Franklin sang tenor for the Melody Boys Quartet from 1987-2004 and at several other points since. He offers first-hand insight into the personalities and work ethic that ensured his era of the group preserved its legendary status for a new generation.If you’d like to read this interview: https://southerngospeljournal.com/mike-franklin-interview/Gerald Williams’ autobiography: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1661863590/Melody Boys at NQC 2001: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtxo3UM0apIMelody Boys at Memphis Quartet Show 2018: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ivl9ZQQuZg

Daniel Ball sang lead for The Ball Brothers for eighteen years. Now he represents World Vision on the Collingsworth Family tour and other events, and assists several artists in a behind-the-scenes capacity. He's one of the most innovative people I know!You can also read this interview: https://southerngospeljournal.com/daniel-ball-interview/Show NotesDaniel Ball:WebsiteFacebookTwitterInstagramEarlier text-based interviews:2006 Ball Brothers interview2008 Daniel Ball interview

Chris White is the founder of Sonlite Records and a member of the Southern Gospel Hall of Fame. This conversation wraps up the three-part series where he shares his life story. If you’d like to read this interview:https://southerngospeljournal.com/chris-white-interview-part-3/ Check out the first two episodes: https://southerngospeljournal.com/an-interview-with-chris-white/ https://southerngospeljournal.com/chris-white-interview-part-2/Poet Voices - I Am Redeemed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1iUJRlT0-QKirk Talley - If He Hung the Moon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zTr8e-L5BA Crabb Family - When It’s My Time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7h4174rySQc

Join me in getting to know Randy Shaw, the final baritone singer for Southern Sound.If you’d like to read this interview: https://southerngospeljournal.com/randy-shaw-interview/ 

Melvin Klaudt performed with his family, the Klaudt Indian Family, for decades. They caught listeners' attention by dressing in their traditional Arikara Indian outfits, but they kept their audience coming back with their talent and heart for ministry. Chief Melvin Klaudt is a 2020 inductee to the Southern Gospel Hall of Fame. His story is well worth hearing - and I say hearing in this case because he was most comfortable joining by telephone.You can read this interview on Southern Gospel JournalWATC 57 Live StreamKlaudt Indian Family appearance at the 1996 Grand Ole Gospel Reunion

Caleb Garms, the lead singer for the Garms Family, has been singing on the road most of his life. His passion and enthusiasm for the history and message of Gospel Music comes through in this conversation!Show NotesIf you’d like to read this interview: https://southerngospeljournal.com/caleb-garms-interview/The Garms Family: https://thegarmsfamily.com/ The Gospel Gym: https://thegarmsfamily.com/the-gospel-gym YouTube highlights:Legacy Five and 1500 penniesInterviewing Daniel MountThis World Is Not My HomeOne More ChristmasA Choreography Lesson with Ernie HaaseSome Garms Family songs to check out:I’m Feeling FineAbide With MeJoy In the MorningMountain With His HandUnworthy ServantsTrust His HeartInto His PresenceBeyond the CrossI Am But a Stranger HereWhat God Ordains is Always Good

In his college years, Ray Cragun sang bass for the Celebration Quartet. One Southern Gospel artist called this quartet “the best quartet that most people have never heard.” It's not hard to see why when you consider that the rest of the lineup was Mark Dubbeld (tenor), Dan Coy (lead), Jeff Keaton (baritone), and Kim Keaton - now Kim Collingsworth - on piano. After 25 years of pastoring, he now sings with his family, The Craguns. His story is worth hearing!If you’d like to read this interview: https://southerngospeljournal.com/ray-cragun-interview/The Craguns: https://www.thecraguns.com/  

Greg Bentley discusses his off-stage impact on Southern Gospel, through writing for Singing News and his work at Horizon Records/Crossroads Entertainment. Along the way, we discuss what the song publishing/pitching process looks like, how artist relations work, and what it takes to make it in Southern Gospel.If you'd like to read this interview: https://southerngospeljournal.com/greg-bentley-interview-2/Keep up with the latest from Horizon Records and Sonlite Records.

Liberty Quartet members Royce Mitchell, Paul Ellis, and Doran Ritchey share their stories and the story of Liberty Quartet as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. We also discuss their new album 30th Anniversary - 30 songs, all of which have new vocals, and 19 have new tracks.If you’d like to read this interview: https://southerngospeljournal.com/liberty-quartet-30/ Liberty Quartet: https://www.libertyquartet.com/ 30th Anniversary album: https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_kIU0NtAp6zfd2eGBouYwyDf6OfTifD7qo Liberty Quartet’s Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@LibertyQuartet The Beauty of His Grace - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9cTvpP3DiA I’m His - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=614wS8O8_jM 

Dale Forbes discusses his years with Priority, the Singing Americans, The Anchormen, Port City Quartet, and the Guardians.Show NotesIf you’d like to read this interview: https://southerngospeljournal.com/dale-forbes-interview/ The Guardians: https://guardiansquartet.com/The Singing Americans - Live from Chicago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh4-bADV4Ys The Anchormen - Spirit Live: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UslopW-jj9s The Anchormen - Adoration: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p_FuISqe3wE Port City Quartet - Second Time Around: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CD8xsctdON0 The Guardians - Where Healing Happens: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_koJNhM1_PNdAhlaPz34HGx-SeczuXoekk  

Dusty Wells shares the stories behind We Shall Behold Him: A Tribute to Dottie Rambo. Along the way, he shares his testimony and the influence the Rambos had in it, stories from his many years touring with and supporting Dottie Rambo, and how this tribute album came together. There are also moving stories, like the stories behind “He Looked Beyond My Faults,” “I Will Glory in the Cross,” and “Sheltered in the Arms of God,” and a moving moment when Whitney Houston was excited to meet Dottie Rambo.Show NotesIf you’d like to read this interview: https://southerngospeljournal.com/dusty-wells-dottie-rambo/   Listen to this albumhttps://daywind.com/dottierambo/https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n2iwuwLvFaM2zzsyBskR-Tub7H8bq04CA I Love 2 Tell the Story: https://www.ilove2tellthestory.com/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ILove2TelltheStory-xd9fg Reba Rambo Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AemfLMjbs2A  Some of the deep cuts we discussed:How Graciously Grace Has Covered My Sin - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-51RbSHf5wO Blessed Hope - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M28leKQI3Wc He Sees Me Through the Blood - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjbnCjedFiI Oil and the Wine - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ydgoHwKWCUc He Went Out of His Way - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2yjDswg-qA Breaking Bread - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdwhVOH68p8 Son of Thunder, Daughter of Light - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOeGcP8N2ik It Will Pass - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5qxUhQfpuU Bring All Your Needs to the Altar - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yMUv5i8upQ Stand Still and See His Glory - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9p4V70dwrU Nothing Like Home To Me - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlGe4gfCdiM

An interview with Chris White, founder of Sonlite Records and a member of the Southern Gospel Hall of Fame. If you haven’t already seen part 1 of this interview, check it out! You can also read this interivew on Southern Gospel Journal.

Danny Jones, Vice-President of the Singing News, shares stories behind over 700 issues, and:Some of the most unexpected things Singing News has received in the mailA typo that would have been very embarrassing if the printer hadn’t caught it at the last momentMemorable moments from three decades of the Singing News Fan AwardsLaunching the Memphis Quartet ShowThe vision for Singing News TVYou can read this interview on Southern Gospel Journal.2021 interview on Southern Gospel PodcastSinging News: https://singingnews.com/ Singing News TV: http://singingnewstv.com/

Join me in getting to know new Dixie Echoes tenor Jonathan Rigdon! Or read the transcript.

This is a joint episode with Josh Griffin and Kingsmen alumnus Bryan Hutson. They are co-hosts of the Behind the Crown podcast. So this is a collaboration between both podcasts, honoring the history and legacy of the Kingsmen Quartet.Show notesRead a transcript on Southern Gospel JournalBehind the Crown Facebook, YouTubeThe Kingsmen

Josh Singletary shares stories behind the songs on Tribute Quartet’s new album, Forever.If you’d rather read this interview: https://southerngospeljournal.com/josh-singletary-forever-tribute-quartet/ Tribute Quartet: https://www.tributequartet.com/Forever: https://listen.daywind.com/tq_f

Meet Joshua Tomlin, Joseph Habedank's pianist, in this thoughtful and wide-ranging conversation.You can also read this interview on Southern Gospel Journal.Show Notes:Joshua TomlinCumberland ThunderJoseph HabedankSongs Discussed:Cumberland Thunder - John SawBrian Free & Assurance - Liar LiarThe Hinsons - Beyond the Shadow of a DoubtThe Hinsons - The Journey The Hoppers - The Dove Cumberland Thunder - Good News Joseph Habedank - Begging for ChangeJoseph Habedank - Here He ComesJoseph Habedank - One More Reason11th Hour - Room With a View11th Hour - He Sees What We Don’tHoskins Family - Whenever I Call His NameThe Inspirations - That’s Why I Call It HomeGold City - Footprints On the WaterGold City - Not AnymoreKeep up with the latest Southern Gospel Journal episodes on YouTube, Facebook, the website, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

Sharon Watts Meads sang soprano for The Hoppers from 1983-86. Hear her life story!You can also read this interview on Southern Gospel Journal.

An interview with Chris White, founder of Sonlite Records and a member of the Southern Gospel Hall of Fame.If you'd like to read this interview: https://southerngospeljournal.com/an-interview-with-chris-white/Watch Chris singing a song in the 1970s with The Songmen, “When the Reapers Come.”

Jordan & Elena Cragun of The Craguns share their story and the stories behind their new album, Steadfast Love!Show notes:You can also read this interview on Southern Gospel Journal.Jordan’s 2009 feature interview with Liberty Quartet.The Craguns: Website, Facebook, Steadfast LoveCheck out Jordan and Elena’s recent appearance on Southern Gospel Forward!

Crossroads radio promoter Jim Stover shares his life story, and also the story behind "Wish You Were Here," a song he co-wrote for the Kingsmen Quartet.If you'd like to read this interview: https://southerngospeljournal.com/jim-stover-interview/

Greg Bentley shares stories from his years singing tenor for The Hoppers, the Down East Boys, and the Squire Parsons TrioYou can also read this interview on Southern Gospel Journal.Keep up with the latest from Horizon Records and Sonlite Records on their website.

Joseph Habedank discusses his new album The Great Adventure: A Tribute to Steven Curtis Chapman.You can also read this interview at Southern Gospel Journal.Keep up with Joseph Habedank on his website, Facebook, and Instagram. Listen to The Great Adventure on CD, YouTube, Apple Music, and Spotify. Also check out Joseph’s interviews on I Love to Tell the Story and on Gold City’s Double Take podcast.

Arthur Rice discusses his career with the Kingsmen, Squire Parsons and Redeemed, and the Kingdom Heirs, and his decision to move into church music.Learn more about Trinity Baptist Asheville and the Kingdom Heirs. For more on Arthur Rice's Kingsmen days, catch his recent episode on Behind the Crown. If you'd rather read this interview, check out the transcript on Southern Gospel Journal.

Pat Barker, a beloved Southern Gospel bass singer, discusses Southern Gospel's eras and culture in episode 1 of the Southern Gospel Podcast.A few links we mentioned:My 2009 feature interview with PatThe Mylon Hayes Family's children sing Something More Than Gold Learn more about the Guardians Quartet

A brief teaser announcing the return of Southern Gospel Journal, this time as a podcast.