Sounding Off...
by Deborah Evans Price
Let me begin by saying that a conversation with Gospel Music Channel president/CEO Charley Humbard can be both exhilarating and frightening. At least that’s how I felt when Charley offered me the opportunity to write a new column for GMC’s web site. It’s not that writing a column is new territory for me. I’ve lived in Nashville for more than 20 years and have written a Gospel music column for Billboard magazine for 13 years. I’ve also written about country, gospel and rock music for numerous other publications, including Country Weekly, CCM, Christian Single, US Weekly, BMI Music World and American Songwriter.
However, Charley offered me a chance to do something different, not just space to cover the latest and greatest in Christian music, but to have a forum to discuss things I’m passionate about. That opportunity is both exciting and a little scary. I consider myself a reporter and as such, have conducted interviews with a variety of great subjects over the years from Green Bay Packers quarterback Brett Favre to rock music legend Don Henley to Third Day’s Mac Powell. I’ve always viewed my role as somewhat of an interpreter – a conduit responsible for relaying their thoughts and feelings in print to those anxious to read about them, and I’ve always tried to do that in such a way that the reader feels like they’ve been in that room engaging in that conversation. With this column, I’ll have the opportunity to not just report on others, but share my observations and opinions. I’m grateful to Charley for the opportunity. It’s a privilege and responsibility I’ll be approaching prayerfully every time I sit down in front of my computer.
In considering a topic for this first column, I’ll have to admit my thoughts turned to one of the obvious things running through my head this time of year – Christmas music! Of course, we all have our favorite CDs we pull out each holiday season – some that we’ve listened to since childhood, and some that are relatively new additions to our collection.
When the new releases come out, it’s always interesting to see how an artist approaches covering a classic tune. And we all have to admit; sometimes the results can be tragic. At the risk of really dating myself, I confess that the first time I remember thinking someone had slaughtered one of my favorite tunes was when I heard Frosty the Snowman on the Partridge Family Christmas album. (I know, I know – everyone under 40 that reads this will be saying “who?”) My Dad was in the military and we were stationed in Japan. I was a kid and had saved my allowance to buy it at the Air Force Post Exchange. The Partridge Family’s David Cassidy had turned that happy childhood anthem into a slow, tedious ballad that bordered on a dirge. I was disappointed. How could anyone mess up Frosty?
Therefore anytime there’s a new version of a Christmas classic, I generally approach with a wary ear. Recreating a song that has already been imprinted on people’s hearts and minds is a tricky proposition. For those brave enough to try something different, they risk offending listeners who have preconceived expectations. So it’s always great to hear a singer or a band reinvent a song and make it seem new again. One of the best examples I’ve heard in recent years is MercyMe’s country flavored take on Silent Night on The Christmas Sessions. Amy Grant joins them on the tune and I just think it’s an amazingly fresh, creative take on a beloved classic. That same project features Christmas Time Here (from Charlie Brown) and I love the way Bart Millard’s voice soulfully glides through that song. When the CD first came out, I remember taking it with me to Christmas parties and telling friends "You’ve got to hear this!"
One of my favorite new releases this year is Bethlehem Skyline, a compilation from Centricity Records that feature Jamie Jamgochian, downhere, Daniel Kirkley, Circleslide and Jason Gray. It’s a gem of a record that mixes great new songs and terrific covers of classics. Daniel’s rendition of What Child Is This? gives me chills and I love Jamie’s version of Oh Come Oh Come Emmanuel.
There are so many great new Christmas releases this year, among them Diamond Rio’s The Star Still Shines, the veteran country band’s first release on Word Records. Michael W. Smith’s It’s a Wonderful Christmas is an amazing collection that really showcases his gifts as a composer. David Phelps new holiday release is One Wintry Night. David has one of the best voices in any genre of music and he really shines on Christmas songs. One of my all-time favorite musical moments is hearing David sing Oh Holy Night live in Nashville’s arena during a Bill Gaither concert. I still get chills just thinking about it.
It’s hard to start naming favorite Christmas albums because I’m afraid I’ll leave some out, but I have to mention Third Day’s Christmas Songs. What an amazing record! And in the country music world, the Oak Ridge Boys have released two great Christmas projects in recent years and Brad Paisley issued a Christmas CD last year that is one of my favorites. There are also Christmas collections by Alabama, Randy Travis, Charley Pride and the Forester Sisters that have long been part of my family’s Christmas celebrations. And I must confess, the Motown Christmas compilation stays in my mini-van all year long. And yes, I even have that Partridge Family album on CD. Despite the Frosty cover that left me cold, that album is a childhood favorite that is part of the soundtrack of my life.
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About the Writer
Deborah Evans Price is a Nashville-based journalist who has spent the past 11 years covering country and Christian music for Billboard magazine, and has contributed stories on everyone from Alan Jackson to Bon Jovi to Avril Lavigne.
Deborah has received the "Outstanding Mainstream Contribution to Gospel Music" award from the Gospel Music Association. Considered a key analyst in the music field, Deborah has been interviewed by MSNBC, CNN, CMT, New York Times, Today Show, and ABC Primetime, among other outlets. She's served three years as judge on TBN's "Exalting Him Christian Artist Talent Search," where some say she's become the "Paula Abdul" of the Christian competition.
A Virginia native, Deborah grew up on Air Force bases in New Jersey, Georgia, Arkansas, and Japan. She and husband Gary have been married 21 years and have a 16-year-old son Trey. They reside outside Nashville and attend Mill Creek Baptist Church.
