Is it just me, or is gospel the only genre that allows (maybe expects, and even demands) artists’ names to follow the format of “So-And-So” & “Such-And-Such”?

Think about it… Jonathan Nelson & Purpose, Myron Butler & Levi, DeWayne Woods & When Singers Meet…

But it didn’t just start happening… there was Israel & New Breed, Kirk Franklin & The Family, Fred Hammond & Radical For Christ…

And before them, Richard Smallwood & Vision, Walter Hawkins & The Hawkins Family, Andraé Crouch & The Disciples…

And let’s not forget the choirs– Hezekiah Walker & LFC, Ricky Dillard & New G, John P Kee & New Life, Milton Brunson & The Tommies, O’landa Draper & The Associates…

Understand this– my absolute ALL-TIME FAVORITE gospel artists are mentioned above, so I’m not mad at their names at all.  Love you guys and you KNOW it!

I definitely think the the name choices make sense– ours is the only genre with the artist format of frontmen backed by an ensemble or a choir.

But I’d be lying if I said it isn’t refreshing when I hear creative names like Mary Mary, Excelsior, 21:03 and Mali Music.

In short, it’s not a good or bad thing, just… a thing.  A gospel thing.

Anyone noticed???

Is it just me, or wouldn’t you be absolutely and shamelessly ADDICTED to a Kirk Franklin reality TV show?

Like… to respectfully watch (and LEARN from) Kirk’s day-to-day life, from his inspiring marriage to Tammy to his tour dates across the globe.  I can’t think of any artist that I’d be more interested in watching.

Wonder who I have to talk to at Gospel Music Channel…

Is it just me, or aren’t you kinda hoping Carl Thomas will do a gospel album?

Remember that track, ”Angels,” that he did on Donald Lawrence’s I Speak Life album?  Geeeeeeeeez!

Is it just me, or does anybody else wish that Excelsior was still around recordin’?  They had such PROMISE!

Is it just me, or is the theme song from the throwback cartoon, Chip ‘N Dale, just STRAIGHT church?

Listen to it below– from the harmonies to the modulations and hard-hitting, driving bass line… Shooooooot…

*grabbin’ my tambourine*

Is it just me, or could you go for a new gospel album from Aretha Franklin?  If done right, with some great production (maybe Kevin Bond) and awesome songwriting (ummm… Richard Smallwood), some guest spots and a killin’ choir to back her… it could be incredible.

Who would YOU tap for production, songwriting, guest spots?

Holla at me!

Is it just me, or is Jason Nelson like… incredibly underrated in the industry?

I mean, I appreciate the ministry of his brother, Jonathan, just as much as the next dude, but let’s not sleep on Pastor Nelson, people!

A quick video snippet:

Is it just me, or does John P. Kee do some of the most hilarious ad libs in gospel music?

And I’m not just talking about his shout-outs to people, like when he says something to Ike, Lowell, CJ, or LeJuene.  I was listening to “Right Now Praise” (on the Nothing But Worship album), and he tells the audience “c’mon… sing it like you wrote it!”

Is it just me, or is the commercial for the How Sweet The Sound choir competition too DEEP?  “The robes are pressed… the instruments are tuned…”

But… doesn’t it make you REALLY excited to see it???

Is it just me, or is anybody else interested in a solo album from Angel Chisholm, daughter of Jacky Clark-Chisholm?  I kinda wanna hear what she’d do…

Watch this vid from that Urban Soul Cafe event I told y’all about earlier this year.  Angel’s singing a tribute song to her mother, Jacky.