Somebody asked Arthur Smith a very talented and knowledgeable musician what makes Southern Gospel what it is. He answered two things: 1. It has the highest highs and the lowest lows; and 2.
It is theologically correct. I prefer well-written, effectively proven time-tested , theologically correct gospel. Newer gospel songs have not had an overpowering effect impressing me as to their value either musically or theologically. As to being a religious man, I think God gives each person a canoe to drive down the river of life. I see folks with their canoe turned backward, some in their canoe without a paddle, some going up the proverbial creek, some with their canoe turned over.
Some want to come over and give me advice about how to row my canoe. At the end of the river is a dam which we all go over and must give our canoe to the next born. It was an adventure of getting back to the recording studio to see if it would work for me. Not that they, nor I, am so good, but rather they have some enduring qualities about them.
My family had some great story tellers in it, and I come by it honestly. My heroes in songwriting from early on have been Tom T. Hall and Merle Haggard. They are the real deal to my way of thinking. Every person has to make decisions, and some decisions have no good alternatives. Most decisions are not fatal nor are they as important as we think they are. Some decisions leave scars both outside to see, and inside, which are much harder to deal with.
The hardest part of dealing with a decision is making it! You can see what I did with these thoughts at jimavett. You write songs to affect the lives of others. Born in March of in central North Carolina Jim Avett learned early the educational and entertainment value of storytelling.
Surrounded and encouraged by parents, relatives, neighbors who were supportive in all things musical…and keenly aware of some very enthusiastic liars and storytellers, it came naturally for me to play musical instruments and write stories all my life.
My early life included several college years U of N Carolina-Greensboro and U of N Colorado which produced 2 degrees, but not a very smart man! Attending night classes at Guilford Technical College which taught me to weld and ultimately produced a 40 year profession in the construction industry.
People are way too anxious to judge on limited knowledge. JA: I come from a great line of storytellers — my dad, my uncles, my aunts, my neighbors. I sort of felt like I was a spectator in my young life — I did not spend a lot of time talking, I spent a lot of time watching and listening. SMN: At 72, what does it mean to you to still have music such a big part of your life? JA: It never was my dream to get onstage. I would just assume to sing in your backyard. There is a place for older musicians.
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