Many different kinds of music can be inspirational from rock & roll to country and southern gospel. The reason is, music in general can have an inspirational message that you can relate to or it can be linked to a particular time in your life that has meaning. Whatever it is, we all use music as an integral part of our spiritual lives to find that inspiration that drives us.
Inspirational music has a very inherent effect in the way it is written, performed, and, interpreted. It is a way of lifting up your spirit when you listen to it or empowering you to great things. Have you ever gotten chill bumps when you listen to a particular song? Everyone has, that is the inherent ability of an inspirational song to move you. In southern gospel it can traced all the way back to its core roots where slaves sang "spirituals" to keep themselves in an inspired state of mind while in a horrific situation. It also kept the others inspired in these desperate times.
When the traveling preachers adopted it in the early 1900's it was different as they added instruments but still had the inspirational element that moved so many. It was now beginning to inspire the mainstream through tent revivals and church groups. As it made its way into the white and black churches of the south, it became more of an eclectic form of southern gospel with groups singing black gospel inspired songs a capella. This was the birth of the Baptist revival inspired churches that were very full of music and energy. If you have ever been to a true southern Baptist church, you know what I am referring to. You would find it hard not to be inspired with that kind of energy all around you.
As it moved into the 1920's, 30's and 40's, it began to inspire a whole new generation. Even though the 20's 30's and 40's were mostly depressed as the Great Depression and World War II hit them, it could not have been a better time for inspirational music. At a time when our country was at its lowest and with Americans desperation at an all-time high inspirational southern gospel music found its biggest need. People relied on the church to keep them motivated, get them through the tough times, and music was a large part of that.
Even today in 21st century, we still rely heavily on inspirational music to keep us on track inspired and motivated. When the economy is on a downturn and many friends and family are seeing tough times, it is not only important to be able to rely on each other but just as important to have external outlets to inspire us as well. They also say in a down economy one of the most profitable businesses is the entertainment business, the reason is people are looking for a sense of inspiration, and there is no better place to find that than in music.
Inspirational music has a very inherent effect in the way it is written, performed, and, interpreted. It is a way of lifting up your spirit when you listen to it or empowering you to great things. Have you ever gotten chill bumps when you listen to a particular song? Everyone has, that is the inherent ability of an inspirational song to move you. In southern gospel it can traced all the way back to its core roots where slaves sang "spirituals" to keep themselves in an inspired state of mind while in a horrific situation. It also kept the others inspired in these desperate times.
When the traveling preachers adopted it in the early 1900's it was different as they added instruments but still had the inspirational element that moved so many. It was now beginning to inspire the mainstream through tent revivals and church groups. As it made its way into the white and black churches of the south, it became more of an eclectic form of southern gospel with groups singing black gospel inspired songs a capella. This was the birth of the Baptist revival inspired churches that were very full of music and energy. If you have ever been to a true southern Baptist church, you know what I am referring to. You would find it hard not to be inspired with that kind of energy all around you.
As it moved into the 1920's, 30's and 40's, it began to inspire a whole new generation. Even though the 20's 30's and 40's were mostly depressed as the Great Depression and World War II hit them, it could not have been a better time for inspirational music. At a time when our country was at its lowest and with Americans desperation at an all-time high inspirational southern gospel music found its biggest need. People relied on the church to keep them motivated, get them through the tough times, and music was a large part of that.
Even today in 21st century, we still rely heavily on inspirational music to keep us on track inspired and motivated. When the economy is on a downturn and many friends and family are seeing tough times, it is not only important to be able to rely on each other but just as important to have external outlets to inspire us as well. They also say in a down economy one of the most profitable businesses is the entertainment business, the reason is people are looking for a sense of inspiration, and there is no better place to find that than in music.