There’s an old saying, “The only sure way to avoid criticism is to do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.”

Thanks, Tori, for commenting on my blog earlier about my appreciation for Russ’ ministry…and the rest of the “Gaitherites.” (What a fun new name…I must remember to use it. It has a bit of a ring to it.) What I appreciated about Russ the other night was that not only has he blessed me with his anointed singing but he took the time to talk and hang out at his table. My husband is all preacher and can be a talker…and Russ stood and listened so patiently when I know he must have been tired. I must admit that I have met other ministers who were looking for the next person to talk to while you were trying to speak to them…Russ didn’t behave that way. You must have raised him up right!

The only negative thing I’ve ever heard about Russ was when my dad was squinting at the small picture on my “Heed the Call” 8-track and said, “Gee…that one in the white is one ugly woman.” “Umm…Dad, that’s a guy.” “Oh, well, if he were a woman he’d be ugly.”

I suppose we’re all glad that he’s a man…of God.

When i made a commitment to the Lord about 10 years ago these ‘Gaitherites’ (I prefer to call them brothers and sisters) were the ones that encouraged me to keep traveling on. these were the ones that taught me about God’s grace and mercy.

My aunt is 56 years old with the mind of an 11 year old. She was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. It is a great comfort to her to listen to Russ sing or Gloria say a prayer.

My family still sits and cries as we watch Vestal Goodman and Michael English embrace. We cry when we realize that the same Spirit that touched them has made his way into our living room and is now touching us.

Tell them ‘thank you’ from me they are greatly appreciated.

Thanks for chiming in… it is funny how much back peddling HAPPENED QUCIKLY!! LoL:-)) I wish ppl in the biz would chime in more. There have been a few show up and answer and I have respected them more for it. I do not understand why the person that has done the most for gospel music is the one banged on the most??

They have been brutal to especially Wes…please educate him to ANYBODY that is successful he will be beat on… it just amazes me what some ppl there allow and what they just go nutz over…makes me shake my head much!!

In fact the MORE successful you are the MORE they beat on ya… I always took it as a badge of honor. Tell Wes as long as Bill & Gloria are happy little else matters.

Prepare the Kids for it cause it has always been that way and will never change.

It is good though in some way to have those sites cause until a few years ago that Singing News was really all there was… don’t get me started on them.

I have a few black lady friends that often refer to their rants as going BLACK WOMAN on somebody…me thinks… they don’t have nothing on you!!! LoL;-))

Russ & The Kids should be proud they have someone that loves them so much!!!

Peace!!!

My! My! My! I’m so clueless as to where this is all coming from and frankly I don’t even want to pay this jerk any of my time to research his site… But Tori, what an awesome letter.

I am learning and don’t understand it – but people either really love Gaither music (southern gospel music) or they really hate it. To me, it just gives me such joy and such peace. It ministers to me. It teaches me about looking forward to reaching the ultimate goal in life and that is “going home” and knowing without a doubt there is such a place. I have always loved singing and hearing the old hymns from the time I was a little girl, going to church with my grandma. And I love, love the gospel quartets… the harmonies just melt me.

For close to a year now I have been running a “Gaither Video nite” at my church – once a month on a friday night and the attendance has been so – so. Sometimes a good crowd but most times a sparce crowd. And definitely not a young crowd. Our church has a hymnal with a third of the hymns printed in it being Gaither hymns. I think its all about old vs. new because we hardly open that book anymore. Mostly — anymore it is all the new age “praise and worship” singing. The young people want to hear this new style rather than SG hymns. I’m sure that is where the anger and hatred come from… the music industry has always been like that. The rockers beat up on (critisize) the country and western “hicks”. (I just saw Marty Stuart and Travis Tritt tonight)

But quoting from Gloria’s book SB she discribes Bill as “an old teacher that uses a negative situation as an opportunity to teach, still believing that human resources are the most valuable creation of God and they should not be wasted”.

This angry individual (Doug??) is a product of God and God isn’t finished with him yet. Although it’s challaging through his hatred right now – like that old run down, rusted out junker sedan – the mechanic (Jesus Christ) is seeing a Porsche!

What a shame he can’t turn his energies of hurt into a blessing of healing, as you and Russ have suceeded in doing.

I’m a fan of Russ and the whole Gaither family and even though I’ve never met them I would welcome any of them into my home in a heartbeat. The message that they bring forth has been a blessing to me and to my family.

But you, Tori, have been an inspiration. I am constantly amazed and inspired by your courage, honesty and openness. Thank you.

“From Tori Taff, the Gaitherite wife of Gaitherite Russ Taff”

(*sigh*)

Alex, I know how you feel. I listen to my DVDs and CDs daily to keep me going and to give me the strength to carry on in this stressful world. God uses these men and women in powerful ways and I appreciate all they do for His glory. My best friend used to play the piano for one of the top southern gospel groups so I have a little better understanding of what these men and women face when they are off the stage. I’ve seen him get up there and play the piano when he was physically sick and needed rest but he did it – why? Because he knew that someone in that audience would be blessed or needed hope. Then he was attacked by someone similar to this person and it almost broke his heart and destroyed his family – all because of a pack of lies. We need to pray for the artists because, every time they go onstage to sing and witness, Satan is going to attack them and do whatever he can to ruin their ministry for God.

In regards to the music business/industry, I have some questions I’d like to ask you off the blog. If you would be willing to answer, could you e-mail me at michelle.becker@imalooga.com. Thank you very much.

We know some of those Homecoming Artists and they are real people who give a lot of time away from their families to give us the music a lot of us love! They make a lot of sacrifices to do what they love and are called to do. I will never understand how some can criticize them like they do. It just does not make any sense to me. If they don’t like this kind of music or the artists then go find the music and artist they like but leave these alone. I will never understand why people have to be so hurtful. We love all of the homecoming artists and pray for them on a daily basis. Some are very dear friends who we thank God for bringing them into our lives. I get very defensive when they are hurt because they do not deserve it. I loved what you said there at the last Tori and hope and pray that somebody will read it and every time they start to make a nasty comment they think about that and back off. Way to go Tori!

You know the Homecoming family personally, we know them from afar and love each and everyone of them and keep them in prayer daily. Again Thanks for Sharing.

Love, Prayers and Smiles

I don’t know any of the Gaither Homecoming gang but I want to say here that the music and ministry from the DVDs and cds has been a life saver to us as a family, particularly after my father died very suddenly 4 years ago. In fact it was he that discovered Homecoming for us. He was a hard headed businessman and found it difficult to show love and affection. Listening to Homecoming he became softer and I think one of the reasons was because he was reintroduced to the old hymns and songs of his youth. We could also see that behind the performances of many of the artists were the struggles that we all go through and could identify with.

For every one person who tries to destroy there are a thousand who would build up. Unfortunately, the destroyers manage to do more damage more than the builders manage to build. We musn’t let them.

My words are inadequate, but hope you get the drift.

BTW I’ve just read your open letter to my mother, who I now live with, and she burst into tears. She has been so uplifted by GH and the precious words and music. Those “trolls” are just jealous, sad, talentless wannabees and the little red fellow with horns and a trident is using them to try and upset this wonderful work of the Lord. In a way Homecomers should be glad about that. They must be doing something right. xxx