Affirmative Action as it Relates to Gospel Music

As many of you know, about a year ago I joined my church choir and have happily been singing with the group ever since. In the short time that I’ve been a part of the group, I have been exposed to some unique opportunities. World-renowned gospel singer Cynthia Wilson joined us one Sunday to sing an incredible gospel mass. Our group performed at the Meyerson Symphony Center—seriously amazing! And last Good Friday, this incredible artist painted scenes of Easter and the resurrection on huge canvasses while the choir provided the live soundtrack. These are but a few of our recent experiences, and they are all highlights in my book!

Let me remind you, that I belong to a large Methodist church the midst of the “Bible belt.” While diversity is something that we obviously encourage, I must admit that on the surface our congregation appears to be quite uniform. That being said, let me describe our choir’s latest venture—participation in a Gospel Jubilee. Yes, I said gospel. I don’t know about you, but when I think gospel, I think soul. “Gospel choir” surely evokes an image, and our choir probably isn’t what springs to mind.

One of my favorite aspects of gospel music is the movement and emotion. The more the music moves you, the more encouraged you are to express those feelings and MOVE. On occasion, our choir has attempted to introduce claps or swaying into various selections. Let me just say, some of the white-haired population have some difficulty with the syncopation and/or the process of both singing and moving. Honestly, such aspirations are just not in the cards for this group. Unless of course, a dance segment is introduced to rehearsal… I digress.

This Gospel Jubilee is an annual event sponsored by a local television station. Each week viewers are introduced to three choirs and are then encouraged to vote for their favorite group. At the end of the Jubilee, the choirs with the most votes will be featured on an hour-long special celebrating the area’s local music. Apparently this Jubilee is a much-anticipated event for some area choirs. After all we are in the south, and great gospel music is rampant in the vicinity. We have been assured over and over that this Jubilee is not a contest, so thankfully we made the “cut” and were allowed to participate. However, I’d imagine we are definitely the token Methodists in the event.

Now mind you, our little protestant group is definitely not a gospel choir. We are just a choir singing some gospel tunes and enjoying the music. If you feel so inclined, visit the website this week to catch us singing. And then, perhaps you would even be so kind as to vote for us and continue to support the Jubilee’s affirmative action efforts.

http://www.wfaa.com/gospel/

Happy day!

Blevins Luck - An Explanation

Welcome to my world!

Blogging is definitely a new venture for me, but what better excuse to unite two of my favorites—writing and connecting with family and friends??

First off, I had better explain the URL. Soon after I met my wonderful husband, he warned me of this strange force his family refers to as “Blevins luck.” After I explain, I’m sure many of you will recall your own such brushes with this karmic power. However, when I initially brushed it off as “life,” the Blevins clan warned me that the most important thing to remember about Blevins luck is that it seems to resurface much more regularly if you are part of the tribe.

For example, have you ever ordered concert tickets a month in advance, waited for them to be delivered, called the emergency line to reissue tickets 24 hours before the show (when the release clearly states it must be done at least 72 hours in advance)—only to discover the tickets placidly waiting in your mailbox with the daily haul only an hour before you plan to leave for the show? That, my friends, is Blevins luck.

Or have you ever been so excited to complete a two-month living room overhaul—during which you had no relaxing living room, user-friendly kitchen or DVR capabilities? Then the room finally comes together, and all you have left before the decorating fun can begin is to put together three bookshelves. The first is a training exercise in which you learn the names of all the included parts and where they fit together. The second shelf is the shorter misfit, but putting it together is still a smooth process. Finally, you are down to the third bookshelf. All is included and put together with the exception of the final middle foot support. At this point, why would the remaining screw work? As you probably guessed, Blevins luck dictates that this screw would be part of the 0.01% of faulty machine-manufactured screws.

And then in an effort to overcome this set-back, you travel to Home Depot. On your third trip of the weekend, you are finally told by the delightful store staff that information from previous delightful staff members was actually inaccurate. The store does not carry what you need—despite being sent home with hardware on your previous trips. Now you are directed to a local hardware store. Because you feel good about the store being open on a Sunday afternoon—hey, the HD staff confirmed it!—you are shocked to find the establishment closed. And then you remember Blevins luck. Of course the store is closed on Sundays!

Now that you are familiar with the force and consequences of Blevins luck. But, hey…good or bad, Blevins luck is what it is…life. And what you make of it determines so much. As my Grandma Ellie Mae taught me:

The world is like a mirror, reflecting what you do.
And if you face it smiling, it smiles right back at you.

Happy day to all!