Southern Gospel Journal

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.