During the early 1970s when I was attending the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, I would often turn on the television in the early morning before leaving for classes and watch the Golden Gospel Hour. I particularly enjoyed the videos of the Oak Ridge Boys. They hadn't gone commercial yet and were still singing Southern Gospel.
I especially would look forward to a clip that sometimes played where the Oak Ridge Boys performed a song called "I Wish We'd All Been Ready". It wasn't until several years later that I discovered the writer of this song, Larry Norman. I also discovered that he had been a member of the group People! which had a hit song that was a favorite of mine.
Larry Norman is sometimes called the "Father of Christian Rock". He was definitely a huge influence early on.
The nearest we ever had to a Gospel Hour in the UK was the Epilogue which was a short prayer read in a solemn voice by a very serious looking vicar. It lasted for about five minutes every night before the television transmission closed down for the night.
ReplyDeleteThanks again for mentioning my blog. A to Z of Nostalgia
I've not heard of Larry Norman, but then I don't listen to much Christian rock, but not because I don't like it - there's no radio station with that format. I'm one of the lazy ones (or cheap) who don't make their own CD's.
ReplyDeleteI have not heard of Larry Norman but I did enjoy your post.
ReplyDeleteYvonne.
Larry Norman...oh yes...he too died a couple of years ago...I never really got into his music, one summer at camp we listened to a lot of him...the first time I heard him was around 1980 in one of those old, "Jesus is coming" movies...can't remember the title but it was frightening and I'm sure cheesy now if I were to see it.
ReplyDeleteRosalind -- I too remember seeing similar short meditative spots on television.
ReplyDeleteEm -- Though there are more of them now, the stations that broadcast CCM have always been few and far between.
Yvonne -- You might be more familiar with Larry Norman's original group People!.
Ron -- Larry Norman is a rather acquired taste. His voice is unique and he has a rather eclectic body of work. I think he tends to be more one of those musicians' musicians or one emulated by songcrafters than a mainstream artist. Definitely a product of the late 60s / early 70s music scene.
Lee
Larry Norman is new to me as well but I like his voice. Also, I love the A-Z buttons! They are addictive. :D
ReplyDeleteThank you for introducing Larry Norman. I also just noticed your A-Z buttons. :-)
ReplyDeletei too have heard this song--but not larry---wonderful singer--so touching
ReplyDeleteI'd never heard of the Golden Gospel Hour or Larry Norman, but I enjoyed your post.
ReplyDeleteSusanne
PUTTING WORDS DOWN ON PAPER
I really enjoyed Larry Norman's music in the late 70's. I even had the pleasure of seeing him and Randy Stonehill in concert in Vancouver, BC once. Great blog here!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the latter comments that I did not yet acknowledge.
ReplyDeleteSusanne -- the Golden Gospel Hour was a local show in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Neta -- Nice line-up. I used to listen to a lot of Randy Stonehill's music too.
Lee