We used a very "top dog" engineer to master the 8 CDs, who did a beautiful job with the new "Great Jim Reeves" set. His name is Scott Barnett. He does a lot of work for major Southern Gospel single artists and groups like The Inspirations, the Talleys, the Kingdom Heirs, Mark Bishop, The McKameys, et al -- who have all had chart-topping recordings.

Scott commented good-naturedly to me about today's S.G. music: "we call it country until the words go on." Meaning that the melodies, the construction, the instrumentation, the feel of today's Southern Gospel music -- which is hugely popular, especially in the Bible Belt -- is very reminiscent of the "countrypolitan" sound to which you allude, Gary. Except the lyrics have a religious meaning.

You should find a station (or tune in XM/Sirius satellite radio to the "Enlighten" channel) and sample some of today's Southern Gospel music with its fine singers and musicians. It is really beautiful. And there are some VERY good vocalists associated with this musical idiom.