The Herald Bulletin

Morning Update

Entertainment

Related Photos

  • Jim Bailey

    Jim Bailey

Discussion

March 13, 2013

Jim Bailey: Doug Anderson has best of both worlds

By Jim Bailey For The Herald Bulletin

It was something of a short-notice gig practically in his backyard. And Doug Anderson was glad he was on the right boat at the right time — and back home to fulfill it.

The Lapel-based gospel singer, who travels the world as a member of Ernie Haase & Signature Sound and does some dates on his own as well, spent the eve of Valentine’s Day as the primary entertainment for Gaither Family Resources’ annual sweetheart dinner. A heavy natural tan exposed the fact he had spent the previous week lounging around on a cruise ship hosted by Signature Sound. Fortunately it was not the Carnival cruise liner disabled by a fire and stranded at sea for several days, though the two ships’ paths crossed during their respective voyages.

Michele Anderson ran the sound for her husband. Their daughters, however, opted for their regular gymnastics sessions instead of accompanying Dad to still another concert. Priorities.

Anderson and the rest of Ernie Haase & Signature Sound will be singing in Anderson Saturday, July 20, at Madison Park Church of God. Tickets are now on sale.

The EHSS baritone and soloist was glad to be back home. It offered a perfect opportunity to introduce his new CD, aptly titled “Feeling at Home: The Back Porch Sessions.”

Like Doug’s Dove Award-winning debut album, “Dreamin’ Wide Awake,” his newest project has a flavor all his own, heavy on country and branching out from traditional gospel. He and Benjy Gaither collaborated on it with the help of guest musicians ranging from Bill and Gloria Gaither and Ladye Love Smith to Buddy Greene and Ben Isaacs.

A couple of songs are immediately recognizable, such as the Gaithers’ “Feeling at Home” (albeit in an altogether different tempo) and “Gentle Shepherd” with Gloria Gaither doing the recitation. Added to them are all-new material by Benjy Gaither and Anderson: “Home,” “The Man She Thinks I Am,” “It’s All Right” and “Back Porch Perfect.”

Rounding out the CD are some songs you might not expect on a gospel album: Billy Joel’s “She’s Got a Way,” Carole King’s “You’ve Got a Friend” as a duet with Ladye Love, and Hank Williams’ “Cold Cold Heart.” Capping the list is Neil Diamond’s “Song Sung Blue,” in which Doug is joined by Bill Gaither, Woody Wright, Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, Gene McDonald, Nick Thalls and Doug’s daughters Isabel and Emma. That gives the project a real back-porch family feel, Anderson explained.

“Woody Wright told me, ‘Doug, you’re the only one who could bring Billy Joel and Carole King into a gospel album and pull it off,’” he cracked.

The CD’s back cover features a view from Doug and Michele Anderson’s back porch in the town where they grew up and where they relish spending their time when he’s off the road.

“We want our backyard to be the place where our girls’ friends want to come,” Doug observed.

Jim Bailey’s column appears on Wednesday. He can be reached by email at jameshenrybailey@earthlink.net.

Text Only
Entertainment
  • FEA-HB0524-Idol-All-In-Casey-James-submitted-crop.jpg Singers vie for Idol All-In prize

    Indiana’s got talent. There was no doubt about that on May 16 when Hoosier Park hosted the semifinal competition of its Idol All-In contest. Nine people made it to the semifinals, all vying for a $2,500 cash prize, plus a studio recording session and a gig at Hoosier Park. Three are now left to battle it out Saturday.

    May 23, 2013 1 Photo

  • Live music: May 24

    The following listings for live music are published in the Friday edition of The Herald Bulletin.

    May 23, 2013

  • Weekend Calendar: May 24

    Entertainment activities at area venues for May 24-26.

    May 23, 2013

  • FEA - HB0522 - Jacob Brown - SM.JPG Pendleton singer debuts CD at Falls Park show

    Jacob Brown was 7 years old when his grandfather taught him to play “Jesus Loves Me” on the guitar. Since then, the Pendleton Heights senior has become an accomplished singer, songwriter and musician.

    May 21, 2013 1 Photo

  • Anderson Powerball players tend to go for the big payouts

    Someone in Florida has the winning numbers to the highest Powerball jackpot in history — a whopping estimated $590.5 million. But before those numbers were drawn Saturday, multiple people right here in Anderson gave it a go. On Sunday, The Herald Bulletin stopped by Mounds Mall to interview several Powerball players.

    May 20, 2013

  • Mellencamp-King musical to debut in Bloomington

    A musical by John Mellencamp, writer Stephen King and T Bone Burnett will debut in Bloomington this fall before embarking on a tour of 20 U.S. cities.

    May 20, 2013

  • NWS - HB0520 - Diaper Derby Winner - DP.jpg Diapers rather than helmets

    You hear the word derby and you may think of kids in soap box cars racing down a steep hill. But for Sunday’s Baby Derby at Applewood’s Pay Less Super Market, helmets were replaced by diapers as tiny humans crawled their way to victory.

    May 20, 2013 2 Photos

  • Taylor Swift wins 8 trophies at Billboard Awards

    Another day, another domination for Taylor Swift: She was the red hot winner at the Billboard Music Awards.

    May 19, 2013

  • FEA - HB0517 - a5 Little Mermaid - JC 1 - Copy.jpg Highland Middle School performs the ‘Little Mermaid’

    Looking for some musical entertainment this weekend? You could always take a trip under the sea with Highland Middle School.

    May 16, 2013 1 Photo

  • Candice Glover wins ‘American Idol’

    Candice Glover was crowned the new “American Idol” on Thursday after defeating country singer Kree Harrison.

    May 16, 2013