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


	FOREWORD It’s easy to compile the best of the world’s greatest southern gospel songs by including the compositions of the all-time most successful songwriters in gospel music. You could safely close your eyes, point, and any of the songs included here by these composers would make a “best of” any day. All agree that Bill and Gloria Gaither would be at the top with over 700 great songs to their credit. The American Society of Composers, Artists, and Publishers (ASCAP) recognized the Gaithers as “Christian Songwriters of the Century” in 2000. The Smithsonian Institute honored Doris Akers for her multiple talents by labeling her songs and recordings “National Treasures.” A special moment on a Gaither Homecoming video saw Bill playing the piano for Doris Akers to sing her composition “Sweet Jesus.” With humor, Doris nudged Bill off the piano bench declaring she could play it better her way. Of course, Bill laughed the hardest as he always supports other writers. Legendary bass singer and writer J.D. Sumner was a talented character who made audiences laugh years before Mark Lowry was born. Mark realized that if he could make people laugh, they would listen to him. And listen they did! Mark (who has made a career of telling how he drove his parents to distraction with questions) would later add to his success by composing his classic “question” song, “Mary, Did You Know?” Dottie Rambo wrote her first song at the age of eight and was recently honored with the ASCAP Lifetime Achievement Award. Andrae’ Crouch was fifteen when he wrote his first song and thinking it no good, threw it into the wastebasket. It was retrieved by his twin sister, Sandra. We are glad she did…as he has proven to be one of the most remarkable composers in gospel music. For years, many of the best gospel groups have enjoyed success in part due to great singing - but having some incredible songwriters in the group didn’t hurt either! It helped a lot with not only the Gaithers, Rambos and Andrae’ but also with Rusty Goodman, Ronny Hinson, Joel Hemphill, Rodney Griffin, Gerald Crabb and the list goes on. In my opinion, a great collection would not be complete without the songs of Stuart Hamblen, Ira Stanphill and Albert Brumley to name a few. “His Hand In Mine” composer Mosie Lister (still writing in his eighties today) quotes early teacher Adger Pace’s words of wisdom about writing music: “Be sure the tune can be whistled. Use a title people can remember. Start well and end well with something meaningful in the middle.” This songbook is filled with such songs that will touch hearts and be fun to listen to. We honor the writers for their faith and excellence. We celebrate their accomplishments along with their awards, including their #1 Hits, Grammys and Dove Awards. Here are 50 more songs to add to your collection in More of the World’s Greatest Southern Gospel Songs. My thanks to Mark Cabaniss, Wayne Yankie and the entire Shawnee Press team for their passion to publish songbooks with the world’s greatest songs for the whole world to enjoy. -Judy Spencer Nelon Compiler

FOREWORD

It’s easy to compile the best of the world’s greatest southern gospel songs by including the compositions of the all-time most successful songwriters in gospel music. You could safely close your eyes, point, and any of the songs included here by these composers would make a “best of” any day. All agree that Bill and Gloria Gaither would be at the top with over 700 great songs to their credit. The American Society of Composers, Artists, and Publishers (ASCAP) recognized the Gaithers as “Christian Songwriters of the Century” in 2000. The Smithsonian Institute honored Doris Akers for her multiple talents by labeling her songs and recordings “National Treasures.” A special moment on a Gaither Homecoming video saw Bill playing the piano for Doris Akers to sing her composition “Sweet Jesus.” With humor, Doris nudged Bill off the piano bench declaring she could play it better her way. Of course, Bill laughed the hardest as he always supports other writers.

Legendary bass singer and writer J.D. Sumner was a talented character who made audiences laugh years before Mark Lowry was born. Mark realized that if he could make people laugh, they would listen to him. And listen they did! Mark (who has made a career of telling how he drove his parents to distraction with questions) would later add to his success by composing his classic “question” song, “Mary, Did You Know?”

Dottie Rambo wrote her first song at the age of eight and was recently honored with the ASCAP Lifetime Achievement Award. Andrae’ Crouch was fifteen when he wrote his first song and thinking it no good, threw it into the wastebasket. It was retrieved by his twin sister, Sandra. We are glad she did…as he has proven to be one of the most remarkable composers in gospel music.

For years, many of the best gospel groups have enjoyed success in part due to great singing - but having some incredible songwriters in the group didn’t hurt either! It helped a lot with not only the Gaithers, Rambos and Andrae’ but also with Rusty Goodman, Ronny Hinson, Joel Hemphill, Rodney Griffin, Gerald Crabb and the list goes on. In my opinion, a great collection would not be complete without the songs of Stuart Hamblen, Ira Stanphill and Albert Brumley to name a few.

“His Hand In Mine” composer Mosie Lister (still writing in his eighties today) quotes early teacher Adger Pace’s words of wisdom about writing music: “Be sure the tune can be whistled. Use a title people can remember. Start well and end well with something meaningful in the middle.”

This songbook is filled with such songs that will touch hearts and be fun to listen to. We honor the writers for their faith and excellence. We celebrate their accomplishments along with their awards, including their #1 Hits, Grammys and Dove Awards. Here are 50 more songs to add to your collection in More of the World’s Greatest Southern Gospel Songs. My thanks to Mark Cabaniss, Wayne Yankie and the entire Shawnee Press team for their passion to publish songbooks with the world’s greatest songs for the whole world to enjoy.

-Judy Spencer Nelon
Compiler