Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?

Subject: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 12:43 PM

If I planned a weekend (or longer) for gospel-singing Mudcatters, how many would come, and what time of year would it be? Like, how about awful February????????

Sing & play.... play records & soundfiles (I have 2,000 sound files now)... swap songhseets.... and so forth....

In north central PA an hour north of Williamsport PA. An hour from Elmira airport in NY state.

???????????

I'd have to REALLY KNOW how many were coming. Have guest space for up to 20, and cheap motels around too. Could probably put people up in other houses around here too.

First call is for Mudcatters, then I may ask a mail list I belong to.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: Burke
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 05:35 PM

I'm game, but can't make it the last weekend in Feb. The 3rd is iffy.

You know my priorities ;-)

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: mousethief
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 05:51 PM

I'm not sure a Gospel swap would work. Everybody wants to give away their Gospel, but few want to receive anybody else's.

Alex

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 05:58 PM

Oh that's a GOOD one, Alex!

~S~

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: mousethief
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 05:59 PM

Shucks.

Alex

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 06:04 PM

Do I hear a bid of two Marks for a Matthew ? *BG* Oh, sorry, the Mark's been replaced by the Euro!!

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: GUEST,Rick
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 06:09 PM

Apologies if this is thread drift, but how do you define 'gospel'

Is it anything sung about Jesus, or is it the stereotypical 'Black Choir'?

I honestly don't know what you mean by the term

Rick

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 06:13 PM

Presumably anything sung about Jesus or the desciples. (originally god spel i.e God (or good)story)

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: GUEST,Rick
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 06:18 PM

Possibly, Nigel

But 'Gospel' is also seen (at least here in the UK) as being a specific musical genre - a (probably Black)choir singing "Oh Happy Day" etc

Rick

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 06:25 PM

Yes Rick, I'm 'here in the UK' as well.

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 06:30 PM

In which case you've probably heard of artists such as Aretha Franklin being referred to as 'Gospel' even when the songs don't have anyting to do with God/Jesus etc.

Hence my question

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: Nigel Parsons
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 06:32 PM

All a case of people wishing to label or pigeonhole things; whether accurately or not. A perennial problem!

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: mousethief
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 06:56 PM

Yes I hate it when people use nouns.

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 07:23 PM

Nononononooooooooo....... we already WENT around and around on "what is gospel?"!

If you know what YOU think is gospel music, AND you want to come for a gospel sing/swap, THAT's what I mean! *G*

~Susan

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 07:28 PM

Sorry, WYSIWIG if I'm asking a 'what is folk' type question - has there been a 'what is gospel' thread here?

However, I think there is a possible distinction here:

Is gospel:

a) Songs about God?

b) A musical style?

Apologies if I'm being stupid - but a few pointers would help.

Thanks

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: GUEST,Different guest
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 07:30 PM

...oh no you don't Wizzy; first post all the rules!! And I mean ALL of them! DG

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: mousethief
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 07:33 PM

No! No! There are already too many rules in religion, and judgments as to who is "saved" and who isn't and stuff like that. Just what we DON'T need are a bunch of rules saying whose songs are Gospel and whose aren't.

Alex

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 07:51 PM

Alex,

I'd have thought it was up to God to decide who is 'saved'?

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 07:52 PM

OK, pals, I'll cough up a link to an older discussion when I get a chance, but it's a real busy week and it's not at the top of my list of to-do's. You hijacked my thread! *G*

~Susan

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: mousethief
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 07:52 PM

I see you haven't talked to any Jack Hiles Baptists...

Alex

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: mousethief
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 07:53 PM

Sorry not you, Sue, but the guest.

Unfortunately, Guest, there are quite a few people who are more than willing to take over God's job for her.

alex

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 08:05 PM

So, can anyone give me a rough idea as to what 'gospel music' is?

A bad definition would be better than nothing...

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: mousethief
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 08:09 PM

Okay here's a stab (open to amendments and such as it's just a stab): religious music from the late 19th/early 20th century American south, or music sounding like thereunto.

Probably wrong as all hell, but it gives you something to chew on. Now I'm going home. See y'all tomorrow.

Alex

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 08:10 PM

Thanks, Mousethief

I'm chewing now!

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 08:21 PM

The term "gospel" music was coined by Thomas A Dorsey. The All-Music Guide talks about gospel music like this:

"Gospel music was born out of the blood, sweat and tears of African slaves working on southern plantations and in cotton fields. Over time, Blacks combined the Southern folk music, Protestant hymns and European elements of the worship service with their African traditions and Negro spirituals (which were not religious songs but songs of vexation, e.g. "Nobody Knows The Trouble I've seen." In those early years, gospel was segregated along racial lines; Southern gospel became a catchword for White Gospel when Black Gospel was equally southern."

They go on to give their definitions of several associated styles of music: Black Gospel, Contemporary Christian Music, Hevaen's Metal, Inspirational, Jesus Rock, Quartet Singing, Southern Gospel, Spiritual and Street Poetry. My own defining characteristic of gospel music is if you can sing without moving, it ain't gospel.

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 08:25 PM

Thanks, Jerry

I think that I understand what it is now (better anyhow)

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 08:26 PM

Just put the word GOSPEL in the filter search box, set the age as far back as you are willing to read, and look around. I have a fuller set of definitions I need to post but it needs formatting that I don't have time to do.... a lengthy, multi-page discussion, from scholars, of ALL the forms of gospel that are usually meant by the word. The thing is, everyone has a different idea what is MUST be, and thinks their version of the definition is gospel. (*G*) But in reality it all depends what you were exposed to, culturally, and in truth it's ALL gospel.

But look, each time you guys post I have to come see if anyone is coming to the party I proposed. Could you please quit hijacking my thread?

Better yet-- screw the thread. Do whatever YOU want to do with it. If anyone wants to come, PM me, because as far as I'm concerned I'm outta this thread.

~Susan

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 08:39 PM

And you've never 'hijacked' anyone else's thread?

Judge not and you won't be judged come to mind...

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: GUEST
Date: 12 Jun 02 - 09:26 PM

Jeez, Susan!

You ask about a 'Gospel' weekend. Someone (quite reasonably) asks what that means.

You're firstly 'too busy' and then 'outta here'

What gives?

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: GUEST
Date: 13 Jun 02 - 08:40 AM

This thread may help with your question, guest.

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: Burke
Date: 13 Jun 02 - 02:30 PM

Gospel has been used for the music that in the UK is often called Sankey singing since the late 19th century. That's at least in part because Sankey called his books Gospel songs or Gospel hymns. Sometimes it gets modified to southern gospel or white gospel, but neither is accurate. Old time gospel might be best, think Carter Family's religious music. For more see those old threads.

I won't be surprised to have some Black Gospel or even some CCM at the weekend, but not the main course.

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 15 Jun 02 - 02:34 AM

I guess you'd have to know me pretty well to know how seldom I get really crabby. I'm sorry I got pissy.

Here's another try at articulating what I have in mind. For additional information or discussion, CLICK HERE.

~S~

==============================================

This thread is for exploring what might work for a weekend-long houseparty in late winter or very early spring 2003, devoted to sharing gospel music.

For the purposes of this discussion, "Gospel" music means any Christian music you want to pass along or hear.
For example:

Old-time (Carter type) gospel
Mountain gospel
Bluegrass gospel
Negro spirituals
White spirituals
Blues gospel
Black gospel
Southern gospel
Sankey-singing
Traditional hymns
Denominational hymns
Sacred harp
Christian contemporary (acoustic)
Your own compositions
??????????

I'd like the weekend to include an informal concert at our church on the Saturday evening or Sunday afternoon-- sort of a songcircle in front of others, with a planned song order, but everyone would play along and sing along. We have indoor accommodations for at least 20, with varying degrees of comfort including a non-allergenic dorm room. There are also affordable motels nearby. We would do some activites at our home and some at church, if we had enough people that it felt crowded at home. I plan to ask a modest donation for attending, per adult, on a sliding scale, and varying according to what people choose for accommodations. I think we can expect participants to bring food to share, and that we can all pitch in on kitchen chores. We could bring in a workshop presenter, too, or run less formal ones ourselves. ~Susan

====================================================

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: GUEST,Dani
Date: 15 Jun 02 - 08:42 AM

I think it sounds wonderful. The Getaway in October is a weekend is the one music escape I commit to, but you ARE darn close to my sister, who would need a visit in the dark, cold NY winter.

I'd try like anything to get there!

Dani

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 16 Sep 02 - 03:31 PM

UPDATE:

Due to the schedule availability of the Well Tempered Sting Band (our own Pete Peterson plus Kellie Allen and Eileen Kotzloff), who will visit us coinciding with our third-Friday jam in February, I am setting the weekend of Feb. 21, 2003 for the Gospel Swap. Their music is oldtime, oldtime-inspired, and oldtime gospel. WTSB will jam with us, is prepared to lead a topical or instrument-oriented workshop or two if asked ahead of time by registered participants, and will present a brief CD-release concert following our Sat. nite service (with a dessert reception afterwards).

Use this thread is your wish list. Watch this space for links to more details, links to sound clips from their CD, and links to registration information.

If not now, when? Decide now! Make a PLAN!

~Susan

Subject: RE: Gospel Swap Weekend-- Good Idea?
From: wysiwyg
Date: 17 Sep 02 - 03:01 PM

refresh