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Group Name: Dixie Echoes
Website: www.dixieechoes.com
Album Title: “So Many Reasons”
Song Titles:

1. I’ll Be Ready To Go With Him
2. So Many Reasons
3. Miracles Will Happen On That Day
4. Until You Find The Lord
5. Not In A Million Years
6. Walk With Me
7. On The Other Side Of Jordan
8. How Big Is God
9. I’m Gonna Move To The Sky
10. Little Is Much

The Dixie Echoes are one of Southern Gospel’s longest-running groups.  They have been singing for almost 50 years, and during that time span they have recorded over 60 albums and won numerous awards.  Current group members are Wesley Smith (tenor), Randy Shelnut, Sr. (lead), Randy “Scoot” Shelnut, Jr. (baritone), Pat Barker (bass), and Stewart Varnado (piano).

“So Many Reasons” is the group’s latest album, and it is done in true Dixie Echoes style.  The group records many Southern Gospel favorites from years gone by, and they do so without the use of stacks in their vocals.  The album cover features a clear picture of the group members, but I was a bit disappointed that there was nothing inside of the cover. 

Now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for: THE SONGS!

The album starts out with the up-tempo “I’ll Be Ready To Go With Him”.  Each vocalist gets a small feature throughout the song, and it’s a very smooth rendition overall.  Next up is the album’s title track, a medium-tempo song called “So Many Reasons”.  This a very smoothly-done song with nicely-blending vocals.  The tempo picks up again for the third song, “Miracles Will Happen On That Day”.  Tenor vocalist Wesley Smith takes the lead on the chorus and does a fine job with it.  I liked Wesley when I first heard him with the Palmetto State Quartet, and my opinion hasn’t changed a bit.  I think his vocals fit a group like the Dixie Echoes very well.  Baritone vocalist “Scoot” Shelnut is featured on Song #4, the medium-tempo “Until You Find The Lord”.  His vocals don’t have the “big” sound that his father’s vocals often exhibit, but they are as smooth as any good baritone in the business.   

Bass vocalist Pat Barker is featured on the fifth song, an up-tempo number entitled “Not In A Million Years”.  Barker has a nice higher range for a bass, which is something that I always like to hear.  In fact, he sounds like he could handle the baritone part as well as the bass part.  The tempo then slows down as tenor vocalist Wesley Smith is featured on “Walk With Me”.  Smith doesn’t seem to strain as he hits his higher notes, but the power in his voice becomes more evident the higher he sings.  Song #7 is an up-tempo number called “On The Other Side Of Jordan”. 

Song #8 is the classic “How Big Is God”, featuring bass vocalist Pat Barker.  Here we get  a taste of his lower tones, which are smooth and rich.  Barker can project a big sound even though he is not an extremely low bass.  The ninth song is the up-tempo “I’m Gonna Move To The Sky”.  This is a toe-tapper that many listeners will enjoy.  The album ends with another Southern Gospel classic, “Little Is Much”.  Lead vocalist Randy Shelnut, Sr. is featured here, and this is a big-sounding power ballad that fits Shelnut’s vocals nicely. 

If you are a fan of tradional-style Southern Gospel music, look no further than the Dixie Echoes.  After hearing so many albums with big orchestrations and vocal stacks (No, I’m NOT against these things!), listening to this album was a different- and enjoyable experience.  It’s obvious that this group has put a lot of work and effort into their music, and I would recommend this album to be a part of any Southern Gospel lover’s library.  Overall, I would give this album a rating of 9 out of 10 microphones!

Favorites: “Not In A Million Years”, “Walk With Me”, and “How Big Is God”