Family connections

Southern Raised a welcome addition to the gospel landscape

The Booth Brothers have been creating southern gospel music constantly since 1990, though the group actually began in the 1950’s and disbanded for some time through the 1960’s, ’70’s and ’80’s.

The most recent project from the Booth Brothers trio is “Booth Brothers: Gospel Favorites Live from the Gaither Gospel Series”. Produced by Michael and Ronnie Booth and Kim Ryan White, this is a comprehensive 18-track collection of Booth Brothers’ repertoire. The album by Michael and Ronnie Booth along with their third vocalist, Paul Lancaster, opens with a gentle rendition of “In the Sweet By and By.” It swiftly transitions into “Welcome to the Family” and contains such memorable favourites as “I’m Free”, “Happy Rhythm”, “Because He Lives” and “I Must Tell Jesus.”

The album also features the musical version of the poem, “Touch of the Master’s Hand” along with a dozen other impeccably arranged and produced titles.

Fans of southern gospel music will truly enjoy this lovely collection from the Booth Brothers. As I’ve come to expect from Southern Gospel singers, the harmonies are smooth and tight, and the message is pure and clear.

Another family group I just discovered is Southern Raised, a family group made up of three sisters and a brother who just released their sophomore album, “Another World,” from

StowTown Records. Produced by Landon Beene, Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun and Southern Raised, “Another World” contains a selection of 12 tracks from this young bluegrass quartet.

Southern Raised has already received numerous awards and nominations for their talented instrumentation, songwriting and vocals.

Four-part family harmony rarely fails to please, and this young group is no exception. The blend of voices is true and pure, accompanied by truly gifted fiddle and guitar playing.

Lindsay, Sarah, Emily Grace and Matthew bring their youth and energy to each song they play. Classically trained musicians, their bluegrass rendition of Beethoven’s Fifth is quite lovely, while the southern gospel favourite “I’d Rather Have Jesus” is poignant and heartfelt.

The name of their group speaks to their style of music, and their themes are consistent to the Southern Gospel style - the beauty of creation and the miracle of salvation ( “The Miracle in Me”), the hope of Heaven (“Another World”) and family heritage (“Like My Mother Does”).

Each of the tracks on this album is beautifully performed, and lets the listener hear that this group believes their motto: They are “committed to the Lord, each other and bringing their music to the people.”

Southern Raised will be a welcome addition to the southern gospel musical landscape.