Category Archives: Random Ramblings

For several years, the Perrys fans have longed for the remaining original member, Libbi Stuffle, to record a solo project. After getting the details squared away, Libbi announced via the Perrys’ Official ‘Like’ Page that she’ll be headed to the studio to record her first solo project. This album is set to release on September 12 (NQC) and will be a mixture of new & previously recorded material.

Track List (Not the final order)

1. Did I Mention
2. A Mountaintop for Me
3. The Holy Hills of Heaven Call Me
4. His Grace Will Lead Me Home
5. Still Blessed
6. March around the Throne One Time for Me
7. Jesus, Hold My Hand
8. Now I Have Everything
9. Reunited
10. The Broken Heart Sings the Sweetest Song
11. I Have Failed, but I’m Not a Failure
12. God Walks the Dark Hills

Libbi’s recording will be a nice mixture of her and fans’ favorites through the Daywind years while offering some new material for the listeners. This project is sure to delight the fans simply because it will be a step away from the normal recording for the Perrys. However, because it is ‘out of the box’, Libbi Stuffle asks for special prayer as she journeys in this new endeavor.

Today, the Singing News magazine revealed their August 2011 Top 80 charts. Seated at the top is the McKameys’ latest charting single, “Above and Beyond”, from their 2009 project, The Message. For some time now, people have wondered as to the McKameys’ staying power in the large realms of Southern Gospel. If radio is a good indicator, the group is in the middle of the best with their 18th #1 song. Their past three singles and this new #1 have all captured the top spot. With these #1 hits, the group has cemented their place as having the most #1 songs in the Singing News charting history spanning 41+ years. However, as you’ll see below, the McKameys didn’t have their first #1 song until ’84 nearly 27 years ago.

Here are their #1 songs through the years:

1. Who Put the Tears in the Eyes of the Lamb? (September 1984)

2. Getting Used to the Dark (October-December 1987)

3. God on the Mountain (November-December 1988, January-March 1989)

4. God Will Make This Trial a Blessing (January-February 1991)

5. Do You Know How It Feels? (February-April 1993)

6. A Borrowed Tomb (October 1993)

7. Arise (May-August 1994)

8. Right on Time (November 1997)

9. Roll That Burden on Me (November 1999)

10. I’ve Won (November 2001)

11. He Calms Me (May 2002)

12. The Good News (June 2005)

13. I Am Home (December 2005, January 2006)

14. I Will Trust You, Lord (August 2006)

15. Between 12 and 33 (November 2009)

16. I Keep Praying (June 2010)

17. The Shepherd’s Point of View (December 2010)

18. Above and Beyond (August 2011).

Here is a recent concert video of the song, “Above and Beyond.”

*This will be covered more in my coming series on “Consistency.”

Hi, everyone! This has been a long month already, jam-packed with so many activities that have hindered my daily or nearly daily blogging. This is the longest I’ve gone without posting, and for that I extend my apologies. And, for the record, this will not happen again - I promise. Family & friends and a new job thrown in the mix do not give room for clear thinking to write a quality post whether it be a concert review, album review, or just my usual random ramblings. It seems that every time I try to write a post of a certain type, I have something else glaring at me to be finished.

However, don’t think I’ve left Southern Gospel behind. It’s at the forefront of my hobbies & music interests. The activities of late have caused me to miss internet time - not just blog time. Most of my internet use has been from my phone, reading, yet barely getting to comment on, other bloggers’ posts. I will say that Adam & Brian (Southern Gospel Critique) have an excellent review of Greater Vision’s new project, The Only Way, and Steve & David have an truthful review of the Inspirations’ latest album, God Makes No Mistakes. These, among others, are excellent reads from the first half of June.

Having said these words, watch for some new cd reviews this week as well as additions to features already established here on Southern Gospel Review. Be watching for reviews this week of the following albums:

Joyride- Ivan Parker

God Makes No Mistakes- Inspirations.

Thank you all for reading this blog. When I started blogging a little over a year ago, I had no clue I would still be critiquing and writing a year later! So, thank you for helping keep the drive for writing posts about “hits of the past”, “today’s generation”, “across the horizon”, and the cd & concert reviews. It’s been a blessing, and I look forward to more posts like these as well as new features along the way.

Readers may remember that I started this blog through a blog under a different title, “Spectator on the Sidelines.” While revamping that blog today, I decided to remove my Southern Gospel reviews from there & post them here. This way, all of my reviews are available. So, don’t become concerned if it appears that I’ve reviewed albums from 2009 or so. They’re actually past reviews I’m just transferring.

And, be forewarned! The reviews show where I started– not where I am today.

The Browns (photo courtesy of the Browns)

For the past year or more, Nick & Jessica Brown Trammell have stayed in the Gadsden, AL, region singing in their own group, the Trammells. The majority of their songs were lesser-known covers with a few songs they’d recently recorded before leaving full-time work. According to a press release on the Singing News website, they are joining Jessica’s family, the Browns, later this month.

This move is an exciting one for the Browns because of the stronger male vocals as well as stronger female vocals. Both Michaela Brown & her mom, Shelly, are alto-ranged vocalists, so this allows them to be more comfortable in their ranges. With Nick joining Adam Brown in the baritone/lead vocals, the group will have a stronger foundation. This will make it easier for Adam & Nick to trade off parts in the ensemble as well.

The couple will begin traveling on the road on March 19, 2011, beginning the group’s 10-day Canadian tour. For more information about the Browns & the official press release here are the links below:

The Browns

Official Press Release.

I admit that I was saddened when the Crabb Family announced their retirement from full-time travel. With songs like “Through the Fire”, “The Reason That I’m Standing”, “Please Forgive Me”, and “The Cross”, the Crabb Family won over many hearts during their 10-11 years in the spotlight of Southern Gospel music. The group burst on the scene in 1996 with the hit, “Where We’ll Never Die”, and continued the success with a remarkable 20+ #1 songs in 7 years. On Wednesday, October 20, the family members announced that they would be starting a Celebration Tour of sorts, starting Thanksgiving weekend. A January 13, 2011, date in Nashville, TN, has already been set on the tour list. The full press release is available here on the Singing News website.

When the group decided to retire and travel in their separate ministries, they did say that they would be hosting rare Crabb Family Reunions at different venues. At the 2008 NQC, the group held their first reunion featuring classics from the Crabb Family hymnbook as well as performances from each “break-off” ministry. With the exception of Terah, no member has changed his/her travelling group since the family retired in 2007. Terah transitioned from Crabb Revival with Adam Crabb to Mike & Kelly Bowling, which was renamed as the Bowling Family.

With all of the ministry happenings since August 2007, the Celebration tour is sure to bring back fond memories of the Crabb Family during their days in the 90s and the 2000s. The tour will elicit laughter and tears as each fan is reminded to praise God with the Crabb Family for His hand of provision. Two of the ministries has experienced potentially fatal accidents. Aaron & Amanda Crabb’s daughter, Eva, fell from a one-story hotel window in 2009, requiring care at a local hospital. The Bowling Family endured a tragic bus accident on July 1, which evoked extensive injuries for Mike & Kelly Bowling, Katelanne Bowling, and Terah Penhollow. With each trial, God has brought greater triumph, thus the sole purpose for the Celebration tour.

This announcement is sure to keep listeners ready for a good dosage of the Crabb Family’s songs like they’ve never heard them before. As Adam Crabb stated in the press release, the concerts will be like taking CrabbFest on the road. Considering the success the CrabbFest endured, this Celebration tour is sure to be a winner. In the meantime, Be sure to check the schedules for the Crabb Family Celebration Tour coming to a city near you!

Following Tony Greene’s recent passing, many fans have been wondering as to what his wife, TaRanda Greene, would do. Considering that she is the only Greene left in the group, many people have speculated that she would start a solo ministry. As she offers a sincere appreciation to fans in this ‘Open Letter’ available on the SGN Scoops website, TaRanda answers many of the questions while sharing that more information would come at a later, undisclosed date.

Here is the last paragraph of the letter:

There have been questions and speculation about my future and the future of The Greenes. I can acknowledge that we will have formal announcements at a later date, but for now, my current plans include taking some time to rest. I will honor some singing engagements I committed to in November and December.  These events include some cruises, a West Coast tour, and Christmas with The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. I plan on filling these upcoming dates solo, sharing my music, songs of The Greenes, my memories and my story. John Jeffrey, who played the piano with our ministry for over five years, will continue to accompany me as pianist. Jeff Synder also has plans for his own future, and we are excited for him. We all covet your prayers and your support. I know this will not be easy, but it is what I feel in my heart I must do, and I know the Lord will continue to walk with me every step of the way. I look forward to seeing each one of you along the journey. 

Love,
TaRanda

I’m looking forward to what God has in store for TaRanda Greene, Jeff Snyder, and John Jeffrey. In the meantime, continue to pray for TaRanda and the Greenes during this entire ordeal.