The Evolution of Gospel Music: Traditional vs. Inspirational

     Traditional gospel music has laid a firm foundation for many people in the church. The blues-like sounds of the old songs that got many through tough times set a standard for this genre of music that cannot be duplicated. Singers such as Mahalia Jackson and The Mighty Clouds of Joy brought in a soulful sound through their music that resonated in the hearts of whomever was listening. As the sound of gospel evolved, singers such as Richard Smallwood, Andrae Crouch and many more brought a new sound to this heartfelt music. The traditional blues feel of gospel music was gradually being replaced by a foot stomping and hand clapping more contemporary sound.

     As more choirs were being formed in the churches they seemed to grow larger and larger to the point where it seemed as though it became the new standard of "the larger the choir the better the sound". Gospel music was evolving yet again. John P. Kee, Hezekiah Walker and many more set a new standard for gospel music and gospel choirs with a fresh innovative sound. Now as choirs are being replaced with smaller groups the church likes to call "praise teams" many gospel artists such as Kirk Franklin, James Fortune, and Tye Tribbett are performing with smaller groups and therefore the sound has changed yet again.

   
     Not only do we now have a whole new sound to gospel music but we also have a new genre title to put it under, "Inspirational Music". It seems as though this new genre was created to give a category to artists who don't necessarily want their music to be stuck under the umbrella and/or barriers of gospel music. It gives them the ability to still be able to produce uplifting music but without the stigma of being marked as only producing religious music. I call it the cross over. Generally music that doesn't mention Jesus in it or directly say who they are singing about can fall under this category.

     Artists such as BeBe & CeCe Winans produced music such as this for years with songs such as "I'll Take You There". Many R&B artists also produce "Inspirational Music" such as Jill Scott's Golden and Ledisi's Alright. Gospel music has truly evolved many times over but the question is, where does it stand now?

We Need the Arts in Our Schools!

Music, dance, drama...all of these different forms of expressive arts are what helps round an individual. They tap into the imagination and the creative side and give you an outlet for fear, anger, peace, happiness and many other emotions. The arts are what keep many people going, some from going insane. When a person finds their niche and is able to cultivate and develop their craft it makes them feel liberated when they have the opportunity to say, "I did this" or "I can do this and I'm good at it". It provides a feeling of accomplishment and self-worth when someone is able to display their talent or reach down on the inside of themselves to pull out a talent they never knew they had and show it to the world or at least to a group of non-judgmental parents, staff and their peers.

For many young people the opening curtain to the debut of their talent is on the pulpit of their home church, but for others school is where they may have the only chance to get their start. For a child to be selected in a school play or learn how to play an instrument they would have never picked up had it not been offered to them in music class at school opens up a world that they may not have otherwise been connected to. It gives each child more options for their future and helps them to develop socially, emotionally and best of all creatively.

Why are the arts being taken out of our schools? Some say budget cuts are the culprit while others believe that some school boards just don't believe it is necessary. Well I beg to differ. Some of our children are expected to live up to certain standards academically while maintaining excellent behavior but no one is giving them an outlet to channel themselves emotionally. Because art is a self expression it becomes unique when the author creates it. Therefore it gives a sense of authentication that no one can take away from you. While many children are performing well academically they may be suffering inside waiting in anticipation for a chance to do something new and inspiring. It's how many of us come up with our latest inventions or songs or those expensive art pieces. It's one of the ways we make history.

If we allow the arts to become extinct in our schools we run the risk of our children feeling dried out and undetermined with little to look forward to because no one is taking the time to help them learn themselves and be themselves.We must fight in order to keep the arts alive in our youth and for some parents, keeping it in the schools is the only way they can afford to allow their child to flourish in their element. Keep The Arts ALIVE!

Fathers and Sons

Every boy needs his father. That's a given. How many times have we heard the stories about how a male creates a child and leaves or never bothers to acknowledge that child to begin with. Sadly this is a commonality in our society. There are little boys and young men across the globe who suffer daily because they feel hurt and rejected by the person who was partially responsible for bringing them into this world and abandoning them or not caring enough to give them what they need and what they deserve...the chance to learn how to become a man with guidance and wisdom and a positive role model to pattern themselves after.

Now I am not a man but I do understand to a certain extent the need for a father to be in a boy's life. Many boys tend to hold in fear, hurt and pain. When they do this it can transform into anger and in turn the need to release that anger results in them feeling the need to act out. An angry boy usually is a boy who is really hurting inside. Many times a boy with behavioral issues whose father is absent in their lives is a boy who doesn't know how to channel or express their feelings. No matter how much he is encouraged to do well or told that he is loved by other family members, there may always be that void that only his biological father can fill and he may always carry that question of "Why doesn't my father love me?"

With teenagers having babies it  makes it more difficult to expect positive role models to emerge out of the next generations. Without yet having the experience of what it truly means to be a man themselves, teenage fathers are lost when it comes to parenting with wisdom from experience. How can anyone lead another to a place they have not yet found themselves? That is not to say that all young fathers are incapable of effectively fathering their child. However far too many have given up, walked away, disregarded their responsibility or just don't know how to be a father.

I believe we are all looking for men who are fathers to gain a new mindset. Stop running from responsibility. Stop making excuses. Stop lying to these young boys, giving them false hope and creating disappointments that cause them to be crippled in future relationships. Above all, stop making babies  you are not willing to take care of. For those who will we need men who are willing to fill in the gaps. Good, positive, supportive step-fathers, uncles, brothers, etc. who will vow to become a mentor to a young man and teach them how to become a God-fearing, law-abiding, well-educated man. We can do it, together.

Fathers and Daughters

Daddy's Little Girl...a term of endearment from a daughter to a loving father or from a father to his princess. Every little girl needs her father. She needs a strong man who will love her unconditionally and show her how a male should love her righteously. A good father can help his daughter understand her worth and teach her how to respect herself and demand that other men respect her as well. Girls need love. We are emotional creatures most of whom are pretty clingy at times simply because we need to feel that love that we long for all the time. A nurturing loving mother and father are vital relationships  needed in order for a young lady to have healthy development emotionally and sometimes mentally in her life.

What is the difference in most cases for a young lady who grew up without a father as opposed to the young lady who grew up without her father? Well it varies. A good nurturing mother is a key component as well. However a young lady who grows up without a father is more likely to reach out to other males for that time, attention and love that she desires and has every right to get from her father. Searching for that male who will be her protector, her security (financially and physically), amongst other things leads her to compromise good judgement and her self worth to get what she desires, even if the man or boy she is confiding in is not treating her right.

A male can sense a vulnerable girl a mile away. So an unrighteous boy or man will take advantage of her being naive or vulnerable because she makes it too easy for him. A young lady with a good father in her life has a man who will protect her in every capacity not just physically. He will do everything in his power to shield her from dangers especially those associated with boys or men who will take advantage of her. He knows that having been a boy once before himself, he can effectively warn her about the deception she may encounter and therefore she will be equipped to protect herself when her father is not around.

Our men must step up and step into our daughter's lives. Help them understand that they are loved and should carry themselves with respect. Men warn your daughters that if they go out of the house in that short skirt or revealing dress that they may attract the wrong attention and it could result in rape or death. Tell your daughter that you love her, besides you will be the first man that she ever loves so make it count.