New TV Show Overturns Traditional Views of Gospel Music
"Diane and Mildred's Gospel Music Arts" show made its television debut this month. Showcasing various country, bluegrass, and southern gospel music artists, the show has audiences rethinking what gospel music is all about.
"Most People think that gospel music is just a dynamic choir singing in the church," said Diane McKoy.
Recording artist and songwriter McKoy is best known for her bluegrass gospel music artistry. She founded the first and only bluegrass gospel music group, The Singing Conquers, of New York in the 1960s. They were nationally recognized and performed at the White House during President Clinton's term.
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After their demise she established a second bluegrass gospel music group, Diane McKoy and the Small Few, which is still recording today. Dr. Ralph Stanley, reigning patriarch of bluegrass gospel music describes McKoy as the Queen of New York bluegrass gospel. McKoy's second solo album, Bluegrass and Country Gospel Roots Sprouting, was released earlier this month.
"It's a marriage between bluegrass and country music," she said.
Alongside McKoy is Mildred Statzer, a singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, specializing in the harmonica. She has been a part of the recording group Gospel Melodies for over 18 years. Statzer's 4th album, entitled Through the Years , is currently in stores.
McKoy described her as a "prayer warrior" and "a woman of faith."
With such dynamic talents working behind the show, it's no wonder that ratings have been high. The ratings have been a blessing and so have the testimonies, McKoy commented.
"This program is a mandate from the Lord," Mckoy exclaimed. "God is our co-partner, therefore our ratings are the highest possible. Our ratings are all heavenly, not earthly!"
Those who appear on the telecast are largely local artists but some of the best kept secrets in gospel music today. The groups are chosen by McKoy and Statzer themselves, and no auditions are required.
"They are groups we are familiar with and have seen performed and deeply enjoy," McKoy explained. "We choose according to that."
As the show introduces the various sub-genres in gospel music, McKoy stressed, "It's not the tune that makes it gospel, it's the words – words of faith, hope, love, words of testimony."
"Diane & Mildred's Gospel Music Arts" can be viewed on the National Religious Broadcast Network (NRBTV) as well as Living Faith Television (WLFG) Wednesdays at 9 p.m. (EST).
On the Web: http://www.gospelmusicarts.org/
