It’s okay, I’m Baptist!
Today, I decided to buy two CDs of gospel quartets, one from Gaither Vocal Band and one of Ernie Haase and Signature Sound. To me, nothing struck me as unusual about this. But, I got another perspective on it, and while I don’t think it’s weird, I can understand why someone might think so.
Y’see, I just worked the last year at Christian Supply and the only CDs I bought were general pop/rock or hard/alternative. My staff doesn’t know that I’ve ever listened to southern gospel, and having never been to my church, they also wouldn’t understand it if I had. But regardless, end of my shift I picked up a copy of “Give it Away” and “Get Away Jordan” and dropped them on the counter. The incident went a little something like this:
Danielle: What?
Me: I’m off.
Danielle: What do you want done with those CDs?
Me: Ring them up.
{Danielle pauses, staring blankly at me. Kristi starts giggling}
Danielle: You’re joking, right?
Me: No…
Danielle: Are you crazy?
Me: What?
Danielle: You don’t even listen to that stuff!
Me: Don’t I?
Danielle: You do?!
Me: {Nods}
Danielle: Why?!
Me: I’m Baptist.
Danielle: I used to go to a baptist church, I never listened to them!
{Kristi’s giggling to the point where she’s almost not breathing at this point}
Me: {turns to Melody} My staff thinks I’ve lost my mind.
Melody: Why?
Me: {Holds up the CDs}
Melody: Are you insane?
Me: WHAT?! Is there something wrong with liking gospel quartets?!
Yeah… The humor in the little things, I suppose.
Melody! Wow…it’s been ages.
I like your staff’s reactions. I suspect they’d have fun looking at your iPod or similar device. I know mine has all kinds of incongruities from classical music to video game music to anime music to rap to Christian gansta rap (oxymoronic sounding, isn’t it?) to rock and screaming rock of both the Christian and secular variety. Oh yeah, and some Bob Dylan. In the end, while I understand their surprise, the truth is that good music is good music regardless of whether it’s rap, ska, rock, or even Gospel Quartets. Only wannabe losers listen to just one genre of music.