This week starts a 40 week series looking at the most influential artists in the history of Southern Gospel music. I want this feature to be interactive, so offer your input and insights (agree/disagree) as I countdown the artists. I want everyone to attempt to put their objective thinking caps on when looking at this series. I went back and forth on over 80 different artists to end up on this list of 40. This is not a list of what I consider to be the 40 most popular artists in the history of the genre, but 40 artists that have shaped and influenced the music we all enjoy today.

To kick of the countdown at #40 is the Mid South Boys. Based in Arkansas, the Mid South Boys started in 1970 as a quartet. It was the Mid South Boys of the mid to late 1980’s that allowed them to make this list.

The group became a country-style artist during this time period that helped shape and cement this style as part of the Southern Gospel umbrella where artists of this style are still accepted today.

INFLUENCE METER:

There were country-style groups that came before them (Mercy River Boys, Brush Arbor, DMB Band), the Mid South Boys success of the mid to late 1980’s made it more accessible for later country-style artists to find success.

Their influence allowed success for country-style artists that came after: Akins, Austins Bridge, Crawford Crossing, Jeff & Sheri Easter, Fox Brothers, Manuel Family Band, McRaes, Red Roots, White River.

Hit Songs: “City Lights”, “Down To Earth”, “He Didn’t Carry Me This Far”, “I Want To Make A Difference”, “Resting Place”, “Sin Met Grace” and “Tabernacle”.

Best Album: Down To Earth (1989) Read more on Last.fm. User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License; additional terms may apply.