Hello,

Ok, it is that time of year. It is time to name the years Top Songs on GSG Radio. You will not only find that on this post, but my personal Top 10 favorite songs and some special awards (in name only) that I will be handing out.

2004 has been a great year for Southern Gospel Music. Crossway released the high-energy song; “It Looks Like Love To Me”. Jonathan White told us about “The Passion Of The Christ”. The Crabb Family reminded us that “He Came Looking For Me”. “One Way” is the only way according to the Browns. “Lead Me To The Rock” said Mencer, White and Cheney. Lauren Talley said “He Gave His Life For Mine”, and Hopes Call let us know that God doesn’t do anything “Halfway”. There were so many great songs released that some are bound to become classics.

With a drum roll, here are the Top 20 Ranked Songs on GSG Radio for 2004, as decided by you, our listeners.

1 IT LOOKS LIKE LOVE TO ME-CROSSWAY
2 THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST-JONATHAN WHITE
3 COOLING WATER-THREE BRIDGES
4 KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK-PALMETTO STATE
5 HE CAME LOOKING FOR ME-CRABB FAMILY
6 HIS LIFE FOR MINE-LAUREN TALLEY
7 HALFWAY-HOPES CALL
8 LEAD ME TO THE ROCK-MENCER, WHITE AND CHENEY
9 STAND BY ME-SIGNATURE SOUND QT.
10 HE GAVE ME WATER-MIKE BOWLING
11 LORD IT HURTS BUT YOU'RE STILL GOD-RUPPES
12 HEROES-ISAACS
13 I GOT HERE AS FAST AS I COULD-MARK BISHOP
14 STANDING WHERE MERCY FLOWS-BLAIR FAMILY
15 WHEN YOU'RE DOWN ON YOUR KNEES-BETTY TILLEY
16 ONE WAY-BROWNS
17 NO BLUES IN HEAVEN-CALVARY CONSTRUCTION CO.
18 SHINE ON-TESTIFY
19 THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT GRACE-KAREN PECK & NEW RIVER
20 GOD'S CEMETARY-STEELES

Now I would like to post some of my personal favorites of 2004. Unlike the above list I have no tabulations to do, no spreadsheet I need to refer to, or anything like that. These are just some personal favorites that Blessed me.

1 IT LOOKS LIKE LOVE TO ME-CROSSWAY
2 MY LORD HE LOVE THE DEVIL OUT OF ME-SPOKESMEN
3 STANDING WHERE MERCY FLOWS-BLAIR FAMILY
4 THE PASSION OF THE CHRIST-JONATHAN WHITE
5 TAKE ME TO JESUS-SHILOH QT
6 WE'RE NOT ALONE-JOURNEYMEN QT
7 JUMP OUT OF THE BOAT-JODY BROWN INDIAN FAMILY
8 AS THE OLD FELLOW USED TO SAY-REGGIE SADLER FAMILY
9 WHEN YOU'RE DOWN ON YOUR KNEES-BETTY TILLEY
10 PLACES I'VE BEEN-BARRETS

Now it is time to pass out the GSG Radio Awards. This is in name only as I do not have the funds or the fame to pass out an actual award.

The Top Artist Award Goes To:
Crossway

The Top Song of the Year Award Goes To:
It Looks Like Love To Me by Crossway

The Top Trio Of The Year Award Goes To:
Mencer, White and Cheney

The Top Duet Of The Year Award Goes To:
The McRaes

The Top Soloist Of The Year Award Goes To:
Jonathan White

The Came Out Of Nowhere And Hit The Charts Award Goes To:
Jonathan White (Seven Little Angels and The Passion Of The Christ)

The Most Under Rated Artist of the Year Award Goes To:
The Sons Family

The Top Independent Artist Award Goes To:
The Gladds for Jesus, He’s My Friend (Written and Sang by The Gladds)

The Most Distinctive Voice In SG Music Award Goes To:
Lauren Talley

The Top Online SG Magazine Award Goes To:
Sogospelnew.com

The Top Syndicated Program Award Goes To:
The SGUSA Countdown Show with Gary Wilson

The Most Over Rated Artist of the Year Award Goes To:
The Gaither Vocal Band (You know it is actually a trio)

The Three Most Under Rated Groups On GSG Radio Award Goes To:
Mercys Mark, Perrys, McCraes (Their Record Label Failed To Do Their Job)

The Easiest Message To Understand In A Song Award Goes To:
You Gotta Keep On Going by Carroll Roberson

The I’m Glad To Hear This Artist Again Award Goes To:
Kevin Spencer

The Record Label Service Award Goes To:
Crossroads, Sonrise, Dj Man, Eddie Crook, and Lo

The Record Label Disservice Award Goes To:
Daywind, Family Music, and Son Sound

The Online Station I Listen To (other than mine) Award Goes To:
Sglive365.com

Well, that about wraps up my look back on 2004. Except I did not mention how Southern Gospel Blogs have exploded all over cyberspace. I have found the SG blogs to be informative as well as entertaining. There are blogs by SG pundits, SG fans, as well as SG Artists. If you haven’t looked into reading blogs concerning Southern Gospel Music, I encourage you to do so. As I mentioned above it is informative and entertaining, but I didn’t mention the fun involved or the excitement you feel when you post your opinions on a topic. Southern Gospel Music is growing in popularity and that is good. While this is happening, due to the blogs, the Southern Gospel Community is growing tighter, and this is good too. A good place to start blogging is http://www.ardnesdesign.com/blogs.html

Have A Great 2005,
Randy