Comments on: BET's blackface gospel show back again

By: gladididntdoit

gladididntdoit — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 19:59:20 +0000

i competed to be on the show this year. i have dealt with ssa in my life. i am just now coming to terms with how the world views the church and gospel music artists — thanks to this site and some youtubes i never knew were out there.

please don’t ever take this site down.

By: elder jimmy

elder jimmy — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 00:01:05 +0000

Yes, Donna, with limited regard to style and form the church MUST return to the concept of sacred music. This CRAP the gospel music industry is churning out is in most cases unfit for a worship service, theologically weak or wrong and tainted with entertainment. The concept of music being an aid to worship GOD or support the theology of the church has to be reinstated. So much of this so-called gospel music is Lucerferian in nature; in my opinnion.
The lust for recognition via awards (DOVE, STELLAR, GRAMMY), etc., is an ungodly popularity contest; as is this BET contest. Of course the judges will critique the contestants based on their marketability as entertainers. The LORD told His people Israel that they should make a difference between the clean and the unclean the holy and the unholy. This command needs to be replaced today. I ama responsible for the music ministry in my church and I refuse to teach or sing a song simply because it is poular on Top 40 Gospel Radio. A song MUST glorify GOD, support Biblical Theology or give a clear testimony of His greatness or I will not use it. Those in the “industry” have to consider whether or not a song will sell. Fact is, its about the money first and perhaps some “inspiration” may result. A crossover hit with out the clear message of the cross can never bring glory to GOD or save ultimately. What a raggedy hot garbagey mess.

By: donna

donna — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 19:06:04 +0000

E Craige Lewis (sp) latest podcast is on the BET’s in celebration of Gospel or as he calls it in celebration of garbage. It was actually quite informative. Several years ago I stopped listening to gospel and ccm. But I couldn’t put a finger on why. Then I bought Handel’s “Messiah Oratorio”. I’m am not saying that the best music is string music or baroque or written 300 years ago. But the one thing the “Messiah Oratorio” can’t be accused of is scriptural deficiency. It is scripture saturated. And that is when I realized that most music today is so lacking in scripture or they twist it. They don’t sing about the nature of God– instead they sing about what they think of God or about how it is their time to get what is their’s, their wealth, inheritance, etc. Perhaps the problem is alot of Christian singers are bibically ignorant/illiterate.

By: JJ

JJ — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 18:58:04 +0000

GCM,
Ya, they’d bring the Mounties out for sure! ha ha

Honestly Pastor Foster, how are the sincere aspiring gospel artists supposed to learn how to be in the industry while doing it God’s way?

By: Ken

Ken — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 15:20:25 +0000

I think the worst thing that happened to gospel music was when it was “discovered” by the mainstream recording industry. Soundscan gave record companies the ability to accuratelty track sales and they discovered that all those mom and pop record companies that produced most of the gospel music were moving a lot more product than anybody thought. Add to that Kirk Franklin’s meteoric rise in popularity and you had in essence the recipe for the perfect storm. It’s so bad now that I don’t listen to very much gospel radio anymore. The straw that broke the camel’s back? When I heard the Clear Channel gospel affiliate playing Jill Scott’s “Living My Life Like It’s Golden”! And this descent into madness continues full steam ahead with the proliferation of “praise teams”, that ironically enough don’t lead “praise” they merely perform while the congregation watches their gyrations and endless singing of “7-11″ songs. As in, the same words over and over again until the people are bludgeoned into submission. Whew!! Rant over…..great post GCM, keep up the good work!

By: gcmwatch

gcmwatch — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:28:40 +0000

JJ, maybe we can get some good Canadian bloggers to start speaking out up there. Do you think they would send the Royal Mounties after you if you had a blog like this?

By: JJ

JJ — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 06:03:52 +0000

There is a similar effort in Canada, don’t know if its still going on.

Some Fitzroy guy in Toronto was trying to emulate the BET gospel format and put on his own Gospel-Idol type of contest.

I didn’t attend the show, but from the advertising it looked like the same tacky mess.

Of course black folks lined up to participate.

My questions are these: where do gospel singers go for proper training?

Who gives them a biblical foundation in how to be a proessional gospel artist?

Who are the respectable role models that are worthy of being mentors?

Honestly…who is teaching a healthy, Godly approach to music ministry at the professional level?

By: Admired1

Admired1 — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 13:33:02 +0000

Let me add the new show, BET’s “106 and Gospel” for the young people. If you muted the TV, there would be NO WAY you could tell that they were “lifting up Jesus.”

By: GNP22

GNP22 — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 05:32:14 +0000

BeBe “out of the closet?” Is someone implying something here? Some have even been suspicious of his appearance, healthwise. He’s in my prayers.

If I recall, I read on the Web a few years ago that Kirk Franklin was sued by God’s Property and several members of “The Family;” which probably explains why there is no more “Family.” The articles may be archived somewhere on the Web still.

By: hiscrivener

hiscrivener — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 04:55:30 +0000

What’s worse is for all the giants – sheer icons – in this musical realm (e.g. Mahalia, John P. Kee, Timothy Wright, Mighty Clouds and Albertina, just to name a few) are now relegated to cheap parlor tricks by failed R&B acts who want to resurrect a career.

Ever seen someone stop doing CDs and then mysteriously appear on Gospel radio and “Dr.” Bobby Jones love fest?

Or what about the opposite scenario?

BeBe and CeCe quit finding success, so they rocked it mainstream. Kirk Franklin dumped his “family” and began the art of spoken word (which by the way, still isn’t singing).

Gospel music is a mere shadow of what it used to be, and BET reminds us every time this poo is hurled against the wall.

Thanks BET, for reminded the entire Gospel and Christian community why belief in God has become so lukewarm.

Much respect.