Culture Shock: Southern Gospel Music

Last Saturday I took Nicole to her favorite yearly concert event - Bill Gaither and His Homecoming Friends Southern Gospel Music Explosion (I'm the only one who calls it an "Explosion"). It was at the Honda Center in Anaheim, formerly the Anaheim Pond.

Okay! I went with an opened mind, and my mind is still open. I can't say this event didn't boast a lot of energy. The crowd roared like a lion. And the music was LOUD.

The merchandising wasn't obnoxious, but the food prices were. I ordered two sodas and a pretzel for us and I thought the lady said it cost $4.50. I handed her a $5 and she gave me a funny look. I misheard, it was $12.50. Later I noticed that if I had wanted a Rubios chicken burrito it would have cost me $7.25. I don't go to a lot of arena events and I was surprised.

Nicole has about twenty or thirty Southern Gospel music DVDs and in addition she often finds Southern Gospel concerts on cable t.v. I thought I was pretty well prepared for this show. I know that I don't have a natural connection with Southern Gospel music, but this show was as alien to me as Arapaho folk dancing. However, it was equally American.

Besides the Gaither Vocal Band, the concert featured a blind pianist who cut up with the sighted performers and a family of Apalachian bluegrass musicians. In addition, there was a quartet of young male vocalists (lead singer, tenor singer, bass singer and baritone singer) called Signature Sound who are very popular with the young and vital among Southern Gospel music enthusiasts, none of which were in the audience at this concert besides Nicole.

Did I mention that it was four hours long? For the first hour I was interested. After two hours I was still patient. After three hours my eyes were drooping heavily and my bottom hurt. After four hours I was fried. During that fourth hour I was startled when Nicole made a comment to me about a performer and I realized that she was still totally into it. Indeed, the senior citizens surrounding us were all very much into the show even at that point.

Just after the intermission I got a good shot of some nearby spectators. My favorite is the guy in the top left corner with his head on the lady's shoulder.

After the concert I noticed that Nicole seemed a little sad. She said that she was concerned that I didn't have a good time. I told her that I didn't have a good time, but I didn't have a bad time either, I was just tired. It's good to expose oneself to alien environments. She said that she often goes to these things alone because she thinks no one would be willing to go with her. I know what it's like to have to go to unusual events by myself because I can't find anyone to go with me. I told her that I will go back with her next year and keep her company. And I will be prepared, I'm going to download a book onto my faux ipod.