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The Gaithers and Southern Gospel: Homecoming in the Twenty-First Century
In The Gaithers and Southern Gospel , Ryan P. Harper examines songwriters Bill and Gloria Gaither's Homecoming video and concert series--a gospel music franchise that, since its beginning in 1991, has outperformed all Christian and much secular popular music on the American music market.
The Homecomings represent "southern gospel." Typically that means a musical style popular among white evangelical Christians in the American South and Midwest, and it sometimes overlaps in style, theme, and audience with country music. The Homecomings' nostalgic orientation--their celebration of "traditional" kinds of American Christian life--harmonize well with southern gospel music, past and present. But amidst the backward gazes, the Homecomings also portend and manifest change. The Gaithers' deliberate racial integration of their stages, their careful articulation of a relatively inclusive evangelical theology, and their experiments with an array of musical forms demonstrate that the Homecoming is neither simplistically nostalgic, nor solely "southern."
Harper reveals how the Gaithers negotiate a tension between traditional and changing community norms as they seek simultaneously to maintain and expand their audience as well as to initiate and respond to shifts within their fan base. Pulling from his field work at Homecoming concerts, behind the scenes with the Gaithers, and with numerous Homecoming fans, Harper reveals the Homecoming world to be a dynamic, complicated constellation in the formation of American religious identity.
The Homecomings represent "southern gospel." Typically that means a musical style popular among white evangelical Christians in the American South and Midwest, and it sometimes overlaps in style, theme, and audience with country music. The Homecomings' nostalgic orientation--their celebration of "traditional" kinds of American Christian life--harmonize well with southern gospel music, past and present. But amidst the backward gazes, the Homecomings also portend and manifest change. The Gaithers' deliberate racial integration of their stages, their careful articulation of a relatively inclusive evangelical theology, and their experiments with an array of musical forms demonstrate that the Homecoming is neither simplistically nostalgic, nor solely "southern."
Harper reveals how the Gaithers negotiate a tension between traditional and changing community norms as they seek simultaneously to maintain and expand their audience as well as to initiate and respond to shifts within their fan base. Pulling from his field work at Homecoming concerts, behind the scenes with the Gaithers, and with numerous Homecoming fans, Harper reveals the Homecoming world to be a dynamic, complicated constellation in the formation of American religious identity.
328 pages, Hardcover
Published April 26, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
August 11, 2018
About the Gaithers, but about so much more than the Gaithers -- Southernness, evangelicalism, race, theology, place. I could not put this down, and I've recommended it to people like crazy.
Although I grew up in the South, I've never seen a Gaither Homecoming, either live or in person. If you're a fan of Southern Gospel music, you'll want to read this for sure, but even if not, I found this microhistory of culture through the lens of the Gaithers' music fascinating.
Recommended for any and all evangelicals, especially southerners, and for fans of books like When We Were On Fire or Hillbilly Elegy.
Although I grew up in the South, I've never seen a Gaither Homecoming, either live or in person. If you're a fan of Southern Gospel music, you'll want to read this for sure, but even if not, I found this microhistory of culture through the lens of the Gaithers' music fascinating.
Recommended for any and all evangelicals, especially southerners, and for fans of books like When We Were On Fire or Hillbilly Elegy.
July 14, 2017
Title: The Gaithers and Southern Gospel - Homecoming in the Twenty-First Century
Author: Ryan P Harper
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi
Published: 4-26-2017
Pages: 323
Genre: Biographies
Sub-Genre: Christian, Music;
ISBN: 97814968q0908
ASIN: B07171QVJH
Reviewed For NetGalley and University Press of Mississippi
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 5 Stars
In The Gaithers and Southern Gospel, Ryan P. Harper examines songwriters Bill and Gloria Gaither’s Homecoming video and concert series—a gospel music franchise that, since its beginning in 1991, has outperformed all Christian and much secular popular music on the American music market.
The Homecomings represent “southern gospel.” Typically that means a musical style popular among white evangelical Christians in the American South and Midwest, and it sometimes overlaps in style, theme, and audience with country music. The Homecomings’ nostalgic orientation—their celebration of “traditional” kinds of American Christian life—harmonize well with southern gospel music, past and present. But amidst the backward gazes, the Homecomings also portend and manifest change. The Gaithers’ deliberate racial integration of their stages, their careful articulation of a relatively inclusive evangelical theology, and their experiments with an array of musical forms demonstrate that the Homecoming is neither simplistically nostalgic, nor solely “southern.”
Harper reveals how the Gaithers negotiate a tension between traditional and changing community norms as they seek simultaneously to maintain and expand their audience as well as to initiate and respond to shifts within their fan base. Pulling from his field work at Homecoming concerts, behind the scenes with the Gaithers, and with numerous Homecoming fans, Harper reveals the Homecoming world to be a dynamic, complicated constellation in the formation of American religious identity.
Bill and Gloria Gaithers took the old tent revival and definitely jazzed it up. I personally have enjoyed their televised programs for over 2 decades and was sorry I had not known of them sooner. They gathered together some of the greatest talents and brought them into our homes to show the diversity of beliefs, ethnic and economic backgrounds had nothing to do with the praising of God and joining in fellowship with others. They reminded us that humor has a place in our worship as well as music and the sharing or the word or our Lord.
Ryan Harper show us how they brought about the change in Southern Gospel and brought the many different peoples and music style together. Working together, not trying to hog the spotlight to one talent they brought joy and music to the world. So that all could join in and celebrate the love of music, time with friends and out love of God.
My rating of "The Gaithers and Southern Gospel - Homecoming in the Twenty-First Century" is 5 out of 5 stars.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07171QVJH/...
B&N Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-...
GoodReads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
The Reading Room Link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/DelAnne531/status...
Author: Ryan P Harper
Publisher: University Press of Mississippi
Published: 4-26-2017
Pages: 323
Genre: Biographies
Sub-Genre: Christian, Music;
ISBN: 97814968q0908
ASIN: B07171QVJH
Reviewed For NetGalley and University Press of Mississippi
Reviewer: DelAnne
Rating: 5 Stars
In The Gaithers and Southern Gospel, Ryan P. Harper examines songwriters Bill and Gloria Gaither’s Homecoming video and concert series—a gospel music franchise that, since its beginning in 1991, has outperformed all Christian and much secular popular music on the American music market.
The Homecomings represent “southern gospel.” Typically that means a musical style popular among white evangelical Christians in the American South and Midwest, and it sometimes overlaps in style, theme, and audience with country music. The Homecomings’ nostalgic orientation—their celebration of “traditional” kinds of American Christian life—harmonize well with southern gospel music, past and present. But amidst the backward gazes, the Homecomings also portend and manifest change. The Gaithers’ deliberate racial integration of their stages, their careful articulation of a relatively inclusive evangelical theology, and their experiments with an array of musical forms demonstrate that the Homecoming is neither simplistically nostalgic, nor solely “southern.”
Harper reveals how the Gaithers negotiate a tension between traditional and changing community norms as they seek simultaneously to maintain and expand their audience as well as to initiate and respond to shifts within their fan base. Pulling from his field work at Homecoming concerts, behind the scenes with the Gaithers, and with numerous Homecoming fans, Harper reveals the Homecoming world to be a dynamic, complicated constellation in the formation of American religious identity.
Bill and Gloria Gaithers took the old tent revival and definitely jazzed it up. I personally have enjoyed their televised programs for over 2 decades and was sorry I had not known of them sooner. They gathered together some of the greatest talents and brought them into our homes to show the diversity of beliefs, ethnic and economic backgrounds had nothing to do with the praising of God and joining in fellowship with others. They reminded us that humor has a place in our worship as well as music and the sharing or the word or our Lord.
Ryan Harper show us how they brought about the change in Southern Gospel and brought the many different peoples and music style together. Working together, not trying to hog the spotlight to one talent they brought joy and music to the world. So that all could join in and celebrate the love of music, time with friends and out love of God.
My rating of "The Gaithers and Southern Gospel - Homecoming in the Twenty-First Century" is 5 out of 5 stars.
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07171QVJH/...
B&N Link: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-...
GoodReads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
The Reading Room Link: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.ph...
Twitter Link: https://twitter.com/DelAnne531/status...
July 26, 2017
Bill and Gloria Gaither have held a prominent spot in the annals of Gospel music since the 1960s. They have approximately 700 songs to their credit, securing them a spot among the favorites of Christian music fans worldwide. Their accolades include several Grammys, dozens of Dove Awards, and the title of ASCAP Gospel Songwriters of the Century. This is the behind the scenes look at their empire and their Homecoming gatherings.
Ryan P. Harper spent six years on this project, 2006-2012. He attended eleven Homecoming concerts in seven different states, collecting interviews from performers, crew, and fans along the way. He also visited the Gaithers at their home several times to interview them and get a sense of their personal lives. This book is not simply a treasured discussion for Gaither fans to discover facts about or relive cherished moments regarding the Homecoming gatherings. This is an in-depth exposé of the Gaither franchise, including the authenticity and genuineness of the productions and the messages portrayed through their gatherings.
The Gaither Homecoming gatherings are the most lucrative enterprise in Gospel music history. In this monumental book, Harper disects and discusses several key elements and periods of the Homecoming franchise. The first chapter focuses on the first Homecoming and the period 1991-1999. The second chapter focuses on longtime Homecoming performer Guy Penrod and how he was shaped as one of the faces of the group. Chapter three discusses the relationship and influence of politics and the Homecomings. Gloria Gaither is showcased in chapter four - her presence and influence in the franchise. Chapter five picks up where the first chapter leaves off and examines the Homecoming at the turn of the century when the enterprise begins to expand out of the south. Lastly, chapter six is devoted to Lynda Randle, the most prominent African American regular in the Homecoming circle.
The story of the first Homecoming is fascinating. Bill Gaither, sensing the end of his career, wanted to record one last iconic song and video with the Gospel greats of that time. This collaboration turned out to be much bigger than he expected, and the birth of the Homecoming franchise revived the Gaither's passion for performing Gospel music. This book tells the uncensored story of the Gaither's popularity and rise to fame. Harper includes many stories of praise from fans, but also harsh criticism that the Gaithers received from fans, evangelicals, and the music industry. They were often cited for the songs they wrote and sang, the members of the group, and their lavish performances, but through it all the Gaithers have remained at the top of the Southern Gospel scene. This book tells the untold story, and what a fascinating and entertaining one it is.
I would recommend this book to fans of the Gaithers and fans of Gospel music. I received this as a free ARC from University Press of Mississippi on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Ryan P. Harper spent six years on this project, 2006-2012. He attended eleven Homecoming concerts in seven different states, collecting interviews from performers, crew, and fans along the way. He also visited the Gaithers at their home several times to interview them and get a sense of their personal lives. This book is not simply a treasured discussion for Gaither fans to discover facts about or relive cherished moments regarding the Homecoming gatherings. This is an in-depth exposé of the Gaither franchise, including the authenticity and genuineness of the productions and the messages portrayed through their gatherings.
The Gaither Homecoming gatherings are the most lucrative enterprise in Gospel music history. In this monumental book, Harper disects and discusses several key elements and periods of the Homecoming franchise. The first chapter focuses on the first Homecoming and the period 1991-1999. The second chapter focuses on longtime Homecoming performer Guy Penrod and how he was shaped as one of the faces of the group. Chapter three discusses the relationship and influence of politics and the Homecomings. Gloria Gaither is showcased in chapter four - her presence and influence in the franchise. Chapter five picks up where the first chapter leaves off and examines the Homecoming at the turn of the century when the enterprise begins to expand out of the south. Lastly, chapter six is devoted to Lynda Randle, the most prominent African American regular in the Homecoming circle.
The story of the first Homecoming is fascinating. Bill Gaither, sensing the end of his career, wanted to record one last iconic song and video with the Gospel greats of that time. This collaboration turned out to be much bigger than he expected, and the birth of the Homecoming franchise revived the Gaither's passion for performing Gospel music. This book tells the uncensored story of the Gaither's popularity and rise to fame. Harper includes many stories of praise from fans, but also harsh criticism that the Gaithers received from fans, evangelicals, and the music industry. They were often cited for the songs they wrote and sang, the members of the group, and their lavish performances, but through it all the Gaithers have remained at the top of the Southern Gospel scene. This book tells the untold story, and what a fascinating and entertaining one it is.
I would recommend this book to fans of the Gaithers and fans of Gospel music. I received this as a free ARC from University Press of Mississippi on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews