The World's Greatest Southern Gospel Songs - 50 Southern Gospel Classics


	FOREWORD This book was made possible through an amazing group of talented folks with strong opinions on which 50 songs qualify for this collection. Over and over, the same songs and composers showed up on each list: Bill and Gloria Gaither, Mosie Lister, Ira Stanphill, Stuart Hamblen, Doris Akers and Squire Parsons along with other composers’ songs were requested. These names and their hundreds of songs would make a best-selling songbook any day. How Great Thou Art and He Touched Me, two of the greatest songs in gospel music are heard not only at southern gospel concerts but at almost any church or concert genre as well. What makes a great song is that most singers in any genre of music can perform it. In the publishing world there is a saying: “When a good singer sings a good song, it is a good song. When a bad singer sings a good song, it is still a good song. When a bad singer sings a bad song, it is really a bad song. And when a good singer sings a bad song, it is still a bad song.” Well, the songs in this book have been proven again and again to be worthy of most any voice or instrument. You have heard these favorite songs over the years. Now here in one collection, these 50 songgs are for everyone to enjoy. We hear about “career songs” and there are those in this collection. Many artists continue to search for their “career song.” Even with the best voice, without the right song the world might never hear that singer. There are new artists who start with known standard songs, as the recording companies realize the buyers of music seem to appreciate hearing songs they already know. Sometimes popular singers have challenges introducing a new song. New songs must be well written to stand the test against the standards already loved and appreciated. According to sales reports, Elvis Presley is the world’s most popular singer. Elvis grew up in Memphis, regularly attending church and listening to southern gospel music, which made a significant impact on his style. After his concerts, he often invited the back-up singers on his tours to sing with him for hours his favorite gospel songs (not the new ones, but the ones he had always known). One could therefore say southern gospel songs influenced the music heard around the world. Much appreciation goes to those that contributed to the success of this book and especially Mark Cabaniss and Wayne Yankie, and all the team at Shawnee Press. Their support and enthusiasm for these songs made this a great pleasure!

FOREWORD

This book was made possible through an amazing group of talented folks with strong opinions on which 50 songs qualify for this collection. Over and over, the same songs and composers showed up on each list: Bill and Gloria Gaither, Mosie Lister, Ira Stanphill, Stuart Hamblen, Doris Akers and Squire Parsons along with other composers’ songs were requested. These names and their hundreds of songs would make a best-selling songbook any day.

How Great Thou Art and He Touched Me, two of the greatest songs in gospel music are heard not only at southern gospel concerts but at almost any church or concert genre as well. What makes a great song is that most singers in any genre of music can perform it. In the publishing world there is a saying: “When a good singer sings a good song, it is a good song. When a bad singer sings a good song, it is still a good song. When a bad singer sings a bad song, it is really a bad song. And when a good singer sings a bad song, it is still a bad song.” Well, the songs in this book have been proven again and again to be worthy of most any voice or instrument. You have heard these favorite songs over the years. Now here in one collection, these 50 songgs are for everyone to enjoy.

We hear about “career songs” and there are those in this collection. Many artists continue to search for their “career song.” Even with the best voice, without the right song the world might never hear that singer. There are new artists who start with known standard songs, as the recording companies realize the buyers of music seem to appreciate hearing songs they already know. Sometimes popular singers have challenges introducing a new song. New songs must be well written to stand the test against the standards already loved and appreciated.

According to sales reports, Elvis Presley is the world’s most popular singer. Elvis grew up in Memphis, regularly attending church and listening to southern gospel music, which made a significant impact on his style. After his concerts, he often invited the back-up singers on his tours to sing with him for hours his favorite gospel songs (not the new ones, but the ones he had always known). One could therefore say southern gospel songs influenced the music heard around the world.

Much appreciation goes to those that contributed to the success of this book and especially Mark Cabaniss and Wayne Yankie, and all the team at Shawnee Press. Their support and enthusiasm for these songs made this a great pleasure!