Gospel music, moving like a magnet

- Contributed

Ryan Daley and Racquel Osbourne, performing their Jamaica Cultural Development Commission Gospel Contest entry 'Calvary'.

AFTER years of being somewhat of an outcast in the entertainment industry, gospel music has grown in popularity.

The genre, once thought to be boring, has undergone changes in recent years. It has borrowed rhythms and patterns from the more popular genres such as reggae, hip hop, R&B, rock and the ever popular country and western.

The fusion of gospel music with other forms of music has had a stunning effect. It has captured the hearts and souls of young and old alike with its new sound.

Now, where there was so-called boredom, there is excitement as gospel concerts and groups have being drawing huge crowds at their concerts.

"It has grown more popular in recent times. Everybody is now playing gospel. There is a resurgence of the music, look at George Nooks' rendition of God Is Standing By. People are now trying to get in touch with their spirituality," said Danny Browne, a producer.

He isn't the only producer who has acknowledged that the genre's popularity has grown. Most of the other producers echo similar sentiments. The increase in popularity of the music may be attributed in part to the success of Kirk Franklyn, BeBe and CeCe Winans, Point of Grace and others on the international scene.

The conversion of local secular artistes Papa San, Lt. Stitchie, Junior Tucker and Chevelle Franklyn has also pushed the music's presence on the local entertainment scene.

"The former secular artistes have added to the popularity. It (gospel) was always popular, but the secular artistes have helped because they have helped to improve the quality," said Jon Williams, who is also producer.

There are those however, who believe that the popularity never dwindled.

"Gospel has always been popular. If you look at it, gospel artistes have a longer life. A message for salvation is always there in the music, so it never dies," explained Grub Cooper, a gospel producer.

"Sandra Brooks, Grace Thrillers, have been pirated. The artistes also sell a lot of albums at concerts, a practice which prevails in America," he said.

The record shops however say the music has been getting more popular.

"We get a lot of requests for CD's, a lot of people buy them as gifts. the new style of gospel attracts a lot of young people," said Roger Robinson of El Paso Record Shop.

"It's doing well, old and young are buying the music. Some of the artistes outsell secular artistes as well," said Pauline Dunkley of Aquarius Records.

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