When did SG artists Jump The Shark?
David Bruce Murray
that triggers a decline in popularity. This term refers to the Happy Days
episode where Fonzie overcomes his fear of sharks by jumping over one while
wearing water skis.
I thought it would be fun to apply this phrase to some SG acts. For example
. . .
1. J.D. Sumner And The Stamps jumped the shark the first time they appeared
on a show with an Elvis impersonator.
2. The Kingsmen jumped the shark after the last departure of Jim Hamill from
the group.
3. Karen Peck and New River jumped the shark when they quit touring with a
live band.
4. Jeff Easter jumped the shark when he recorded "Goin' Away Party."
5. Peg McKamey jumped the shark around the 50th time her shoes came off at
the same point in a song.
I'll stop with those five! Maybe some of you have others to add . . .
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John & Carol Crenshaw
They jumped it again when Gaither reorganized them with a "utility person".
Masters V jumped the shark when they first used a soundtrack
Blackwood Brothers jumped the shark when they make James and "added
attraction"
Speer Family jumped the shark when they sang at Expo '72. However, they
rebounded several times afterwards.
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David Stuart
think i like Jeff and Sheri Easter doing Going away Party, that song
rocks the house!
also, i still love to see ole Peg kick those shoes off, it gives me a
thrill!!!!!!!
David
David Stuart
solo,
-Blackwood Brothers jumped the shark after James retired and turned it
over to Cecil,
-Carolina Boys jumped the shark with the departure of Parker Jonathan
and Jerry martin,
-I was gonna say Signature Sound jumped the shark after Taco and Shane
left, but , not really, i just them , and they are just as good, if not
better!
David
David Bruce Murray
"David Stuart" <Blig...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:2229-407...@storefull-3276.bay.webtv.net...
> -Tony Gore jumped the shark after he disbanded Majesty and decided to go
> solo,
Tony Gore does very little jumping of any kind!
> -Blackwood Brothers jumped the shark after James retired and turned it
> over to Cecil,
I was going to say they jumped after the Dove Awards fiasco in the early
1970s.
Clarence Grigsby Jr.
> that triggers a decline in popularity. This term refers to the Happy Days
> episode where Fonzie overcomes his fear of sharks by jumping over one while
> wearing water skis.
>
> I thought it would be fun to apply this phrase to some SG acts. For example
> . . .
>
> 1. J.D. Sumner And The Stamps jumped the shark the first time they appeared
> on a show with an Elvis impersonator.
> 2. The Kingsmen jumped the shark after the last departure of Jim Hamill from
> the group.
Well, yeah. They still did great stuff, but it just didn't seem like
the Kingsmen .
> 3. Karen Peck and New River jumped the shark when they quit touring with a
> live band.
> 4. Jeff Easter jumped the shark when he recorded "Goin' Away Party."
LOL...as long as Charlotte and Sheri are around, who pays attention to
Jeff? ;-) jk
> 5. Peg McKamey jumped the shark around the 50th time her shoes came off at
> the same point in a song.
>
Or maybe when people realized that it takes absolutely no talent
whatsoever to do that? :) Actually, I think it was when country star
Deana Carter stole the shoe shedding act. :) Of course, Don DeGrate is
probably the most entertaining with that routine. At one concert, I
saw him take his dress shoes off and use them for percussion
instruments.
> I'll stop with those five! Maybe some of you have others to add . . .
THe Cathedrals-1990 Dove Awards broadcast. They rebounded quickly.
Heaven Bound- When they became a quartet.
Dixie Melody Boys-When they went from being a quartet with a country
sound to a full blown country band.
Clarence Grigsby Jr.
> Statesmen jumped the shark the first time when Willie Wynn joined the group.
didn't fit with the group? I never heard Willie as a Statesman.
> They jumped it again when Gaither reorganized them with a "utility person".
>
LOL...utility person. I know what you're talking about, but I always
thought it sounded like Hovie was traveling with a guy that hit .237
and played all four infield positions. When they reorganized, I had
just bought "The Common Man" and had started listening to "The OLd
GOspel Ship" radio program. I was expecting THAT sound.
> Masters V jumped the shark when they first used a soundtrack
>
I'm glad I wasn't there for that.
Clarence Grigsby Jr.
> also, i still love to see ole Peg kick those shoes off, it gives me a
> thrill!!!!!!!
>
>
>
>
> David
I know several women who can do the same thing and they won't charge
twelve bucks to see it!
BigUn
oh never mind.
<g>
"Clarence Grigsby Jr." <Clarence...@webtv.net> wrote in message
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Dr. Lovable
"David Bruce Murray" <dbmu...@NOSPAM.mailblocks.com> wrote in message
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> that triggers a decline in popularity. This term refers to the Happy Days
> episode where Fonzie overcomes his fear of sharks by jumping over one
while
> wearing water skis.
>
> I thought it would be fun to apply this phrase to some SG acts. For
example
> . . .
> 2. The Kingsmen jumped the shark after the last departure of Jim Hamill
from
> the group.
King David, may I humbly disagree with you on that one? To me, the Kingsmen
had been gradually working their way over the shark for 15 years before
Hamill left. If there was a defining moment when their popularity dropped
and they never regained their same stature, it was when little Ernie
Phillips left. Their sound with Squire, Ernie and Anthony Burger was the
most popular they ever had, as evidenced by their sweeping the fan awards,
and their headlining all the major events, over the Cathedrals, Gold City or
anybody else. They never really got back to their popularity of the mid
80's after Squire and Ernie left. They had a series of personnel moves over
15 years, many of which had a replacement that came in that never really
equalled what had gone before. Hamill had hardly sung with them at all in
his last 2 or 3 years, having spent most nites watching tv in a hotel room,
while Parker and the guys carried on just fine without him. By the time
Hamill finally left, the group wasn't dependant on him anymore. Hamill
leaving when he did may have been the final straw, but I think it was a long
road that had its first major pothole when Ernie left. Having said that, I
thought the final incarnation of the Kingsmen with Jerry Martin, Randy
Crawford, Parker, Ray and Andrew Ishee was the best they had sounded since
the days of Squire and Ernie. I thought they were finally on the comeback
trail again, just in time for the wheels to completely fall off so they
could morph into the Carolina Boys. Speaking of which, I hope the CBQ
didn't jump the shark when Jerry Martin left for the Dove Bros. I hope they
can carry on bigger and better than ever. Has anybody heard their new tenor
yet? How's are they sounding?
> 5. Peg McKamey jumped the shark around the 50th time her shoes came off at
> the same point in a song.
>
But David, surely you realize those rabidly-loyal McKamey's fans don't care!
She's just as popular as ever, and even after the 5,000th time neither she
nor the group will have jumped the shark.
> I'll stop with those five! Maybe some of you have others to add . . .
>
Unfortunately, Legacy 5 jumped the shark when they sang their first note.
They had so much hype leading up to their debut that they could never live
up to expectations. Don't get me wrong .... I like them just fine! It's
just that when you start at the very top, you've got no place to go but
down, and Legacy 5's popularity has never been so great as it was before
they hit the stage on night one.
The Nelons never really replaced Karen Peck. I'd say that was when they
jumped the shark.
The Singing Americans certainly jumped the shark at some point. I'm not
sure if it was when Michael English left, or maybe when Clayton left the
second time.
Gold City jumped the shark when Mike Lefevre left, followed by everybody
else except Tim & Doug Riley. It took them a few years, but they seem to be
riding the waves again, thankfully.
I know Greater Vision is the hottest thing in the industry, but to me, they
were never as good as they were with Mark Trammell and Chris Alman. It's
just my opinion, but they jumped the shark when Mark Trammell left.
To a lot of people, Gaither Vocal Band jumped the shark when Mark Lowry left
and the homecoming tour jumped the shark when Howard Goodman died.
It's all just my opinion of course
Doc
email drlo...@YOURPANTSrogers.com
but you'll have to drop YOURPANTS
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"Clarence Grigsby Jr." <Clarence...@webtv.net> wrote in message
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> "David Bruce Murray" <dbmu...@NOSPAM.mailblocks.com> wrote in message
news:<XqydnejsSbU...@pghconnect.com>...
<snip>
>
> > 4. Jeff Easter jumped the shark when he recorded "Goin' Away Party."
> LOL...as long as Charlotte and Sheri are around, who pays attention to
> Jeff? ;-) jk
>
<snip some more>
Agreed.
TommyDale
Actually, I think Jeff & Sheri became a much better sound when they
added Charlotte. Without her in the group, they sounded horrible.
Paul Slopak, Jr.
> > > > 4. Jeff Easter jumped the shark when he recorded "Goin' Away Party."
I am not sure it is the song as much as it is the presentation.
The thought of the song to me is great. It is the presentation that stinks.
I hope that when I die, the people around me have a great going away party.
They will have two reasons (I thought I would say this before Doc and Dave
did)
1. I will be celebrating and worshipping in heaven
2. They will be glad to see me go!
DanLemke
news:bf14c408.0404...@posting.google.com...
The sound wasn't the point, though.
TommyDale
Oh, I know -- and I agree! One of my favorite pictures is one where I
am hugging Miss C.
David Bruce Murray
"Dr. Lovable" <drlo...@YOURPANTSrogers.com> wrote in message
news:Ui7fc.8157$T_8...@news04.bloor.is.net.cable.rogers.com...
> King David, may I humbly disagree with you on that one? To me, the
Kingsmen
> had been gradually working their way over the shark for 15 years before
> Hamill left.
I agree it gradually declined until Hamill left, but "jump the shark" is for
the defining moment of when you knew for sure it was over. You neglected to
mention the KingsGold recordings they did in Hamill's last years. Those were
insanely popular. Also, I couldn't help but notice that any time Hamill hit
the stage at NQC in their last few years, the energy level immediately went
up about three notches. To me, Hamill WAS the Kingsmen. (I do think the last
lineup had potential, though.)
> Unfortunately, Legacy 5 jumped the shark when they sang their first note.
Or was it when Cobb left?
> The Nelons never really replaced Karen Peck. I'd say that was when they
> jumped the shark.
I absolutely agree. I just looked at the recording _We Shall Behold The
King_, probably the best Nelon recording ever. It contained THREE defining
Nelons classics in "When I Receive My Robe And Crown," "Oh For A Thousand
Tongues," and "Walk Right Out Of This Valley." (BTW, that's not "You Shall
Wear A Robe And Crown" I'm talking about. This song was slower and less
spastic.)
> The Singing Americans certainly jumped the shark at some point. I'm not
> sure if it was when Michael English left, or maybe when Clayton left the
> second time.
It was when English left, IMO. They were never close to the same level of
popularity after that, and a subsequent revolving door of singers spelled
doom for them in the long term.
> Gold City jumped the shark when Mike Lefevre left, followed by everybody
> else except Tim & Doug Riley. It took them a few years, but they seem to
be
> riding the waves again, thankfully.
The way I understand the term, any act that is currently as popular as
they've ever been can't be said to have jumped the shark. Jumping the shark
is the moment where an act stumbles never to again recover.
Therefore, Gold City has never jumped the shark. They've had transitions
that could be considered their low points, but they've always rebounded and
either regained the fans they lost or replaced them with new fans.
> To a lot of people, Gaither Vocal Band jumped the shark when Mark Lowry
left
Yep . . . unless Marsh Hall brings in a bunch of new fans. Penrod and Phelps
are still there, so it's possible they could "come back." Clearly, they're
still very popular, but not like when Lowry was singing with them.
> and the homecoming tour jumped the shark when Howard Goodman died.
That's difficult to measure. The homecoming tour has always been in a
constant state of flux, and continues to be pretty popular. It does seem to
have peaked, though. There have been many losses to the Homecoming tour, but
people still buy tickets. The recent addition of Signature Sound to the tour
might bring part of the SG base back, too, so it's difficult to say. I do
think the loss of Jake Hess and Vestal Goodman was the most significant blow
to the tour in a while.
David Bruce Murray
"Clarence Grigsby Jr." <Clarence...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:9a88805b.04041...@posting.google.com...
They didn't jump the shark if they rebounded. They hired Ernie and went on
to mop up loads of awards.
John & Carol Crenshaw
for
> the defining moment of when you knew for sure it was over. You neglected
to
> mention the KingsGold recordings they did in Hamill's last years. Those
were
> insanely popular. Also, I couldn't help but notice that any time Hamill
hit
> the stage at NQC in their last few years, the energy level immediately
went
> up about three notches. To me, Hamill WAS the Kingsmen. (I do think the
last
> lineup had potential, though.)
I thought Hamill jumped the shark when he left the Rebels and joined the
Kingsmen.
Clarence Grigsby Jr.
> "Clarence Grigsby Jr." <Clarence...@webtv.net> wrote in message
> news:9a88805b.04041...@posting.google.com...
> > THe Cathedrals-1990 Dove Awards broadcast. They rebounded quickly.
>
> They didn't jump the shark if they rebounded.
Hmmm, that's not the impression I get from reading various entries on
the Jump The Shark website.
But, it's your thread. In that case, the Cats jumped the shark in 1996
when they went water skiing before a concert in Daytona Beach. Well,
Ernie and Scott were actually the only two that jumped! :)
David Bruce Murray
"Clarence Grigsby Jr." <Clarence...@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:9a88805b.04041...@posting.google.com...
> "David Bruce Murray" <dbmu...@NOSPAM.mailblocks.com> wrote in message
news:<6aOdneMyoqZ...@pghconnect.com>...
> > "Clarence Grigsby Jr." <Clarence...@webtv.net> wrote in message
> > news:9a88805b.04041...@posting.google.com...
> > > THe Cathedrals-1990 Dove Awards broadcast. They rebounded quickly.
> >
> > They didn't jump the shark if they rebounded.
>
> Hmmm, that's not the impression I get from reading various entries on
> the Jump The Shark website.
>
> But, it's your thread.
I'm just basing it on the definitions I've read.
From www.jumptheshark.com . . .
"It's a moment. A defining moment when you know your favorite television
show has reached its peak. That instant you know from now on . . . it's all
downhill. Some call it the climax. We call it jumping the shark."
> In that case, the Cats jumped the shark in 1996
> when they went water skiing before a concert in Daytona Beach. Well,
> Ernie and Scott were actually the only two that jumped! :)
How about when George rode Mark Lowry's moped? :o)
Greg Taylor
their style, that is) back when Rabbit was with them adding his harmony
and steel guitar work.
I saw them at a Gaither concert last year when Charlotte wasn't with
them because she was having a baby. Their daughter (pre-teen?) sang
with them, but I noticed off in the artist's seating area by the sound
equipment that Kim Hopper had a live mic too, so I guess she was
'helping' her out.
TommyDale wrote:
...
Dr. Lovable
>
> I agree it gradually declined until Hamill left, but "jump the shark" is
for
> the defining moment of when you knew for sure it was over. You neglected
to
> mention the KingsGold recordings they did in Hamill's last years. Those
were
> insanely popular. Also, I couldn't help but notice that any time Hamill
hit
> the stage at NQC in their last few years, the energy level immediately
went
> up about three notches. To me, Hamill WAS the Kingsmen. (I do think the
last
> lineup had potential, though.)
>
We can agree to disagree. The defining moment was when you'd ask anybody,
"what's their new tenor like", and the reply was, "well, he's no Ernie
Phillips." The Kingsmen were never the Kingsmen of Squire and Ernie after
those 2 guys left. The Kings-Gold thing took TWO groups to do and still
wasn't as popular as the Kingsmen alone were in their heyday! I realize
people feel Hamill WAS the Kingsmen, but they were never so popular, and
were never the definition of what a SG quartet should sound like again,
after Ernie left. Other groups like the Cathedrals, Gold City and GVB rose
to the pinacle, while Hamill trotted out with his wanna-bees trying to
recapture the glory days. Yes, the energy level could go up when Hamill hit
the stage, but it wasn't nearly the same as when the mighty Kingsmen as a
group hit the stage.
> > Unfortunately, Legacy 5 jumped the shark when they sang their first
note.
>
> Or was it when Cobb left?
I think as soon as people realized that L5 was NOT going to be "The New
Cathedrals" as all the pre-release hype had built them up to be ....
*shakes head sadly*
>
> > The Singing Americans ...
>
> It was when English left, IMO. They were never close to the same level of
> popularity after that, and a subsequent revolving door of singers spelled
> doom for them in the long term.
>
Ya, you're correct.
> > To a lot of people, Gaither Vocal Band jumped the shark when Mark Lowry
> left
>
> Yep . . . unless Marsh Hall brings in a bunch of new fans.
Has anybody heard GVB with Marsh Hall yet? What's happening? Any word on
when they'll have a new recording out?
Doc
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David Bruce Murray
"Dr. Lovable" <drlo...@YOURPANTSrogers.com> wrote in message
>
> We can agree to disagree. The defining moment was when you'd ask anybody,
> "what's their new tenor like", and the reply was, "well, he's no Ernie
> Phillips." The Kingsmen were never the Kingsmen of Squire and Ernie after
> those 2 guys left.
Well, I'll defer to you on that one because I'm sure you followed them a lot
closer than I did. I always liked the Kingsmen and rated them highly on the
list of groups I liked to see, but I didn't buy every recording they
released or anything like that. I maintained an interest in SG during the
1980s, but mainly it was stuff like the Masters V and Gold City. I really
got pulled back into it to the point that I started keeping up with things
when I went to work in Christian retail in 1992. That was the same year I
started playing piano for a local SG group. Now I spend more time involved
with SG than any other style other than church choral music.
> > Yep . . . unless Marsh Hall brings in a bunch of new fans.
>
> Has anybody heard GVB with Marsh Hall yet? What's happening? Any word on
> when they'll have a new recording out?
The word is that the GVB will release a greatest hits collection this year
with something like 28 formerly released songs on two CDs. They will also
include two new songs featuring Hall. Personally, I think they should have
recorded a new full length recording with Hall first. You can put out a
Greatest Hits recording any time.