Remembering: Rusty Goodman (originally posted 03/18/05)

Being the nostalgic person that I am, and being one who loves the history and respect the people who paved the way in Southern Gospel Music, I enjoy doing articles remembering certain people, places and aspects of this music I love so much. Daryl Williams kind of started my thought process on this with his article this month in “The Songwriter”, with which I had left my own comments concerning the late Rusty Goodman.

Rusty Goodman is probably my all time favorite songwriter, with Dottie Rambo following closely behind him. Rusty wasn't a quantity songwriter, but he was a quality songwriter. As far as I am concerned, He didn't write a bad song. He could write a song as simple as "I Wouldn't Take Nothing for my Journey Now" or “I’m Gonna Go Higher” and then turn right around and write something as complex and different as "The Mystery of it All" or "The Woodsman". He could write a lighthearted, novelty tune like “Handshakes and Smiles”, “Family Band” or “Let Your Finers Do the Walking” and then write a song as powerful and profound as “Had it not Been”, “Who am I”, “Until You’ve Known the Love of God”, “Don’t Let me See” or “Leavin’ on my Mind”. His song, "How Much More" is probably one of the most poignant songs ever written portraying the love of Christ.

I was visiting a church one time and a trio in the church broke out and sang "I'll Be Alright as soon as I touch Calvary" and they sung that song for over 15-20 minutes. The power of God was so strong in that place that the church just exploded with praise. Who would have thought that a simple song Rusty wrote about 30 years ago would still be used and sung with such conviction and power today?

Not only was Rusty the consumate songwriter, but he was the perfect singer. Rusty exuded class. I don’t hide the fact that I am a huge Vestal fan, but there was a certain quality to Rusty’s voice the drew me in as well. He had a certain warmth and a charisma in his performance that just made me watch and listen. It wasn’t just in action, but his charisma came out in his voice as well. Some of the best songs that portrayed his charisma were songs like “Jesus Knows All About it”, “This Man”, “I’m Taking Back What the Devil Stole”, “I Wasn’t There” and “Poor, Rich Man”.

Rusty also had a wonderful range. An exellent example of his range is found in a song he recorded on his first solo album, “The Singer” called “Let Your Fingers Do the Walking”. On this song, he sings all 4 parts and performs them flawlessly. Also, to hear him do all the vocal flip flops he use to do when the family would sing “The Eastern Gate” is something to behold as well. Rusty could sing the high notes with ease and tackle the low notes with such beauty and grace.

Rusty could also interpret a song like no other. He sang with such great feeling and emotion. It was never overdone and but done with great finesse and class. He was an artist laureate who could paint beautiful masterpieces with his singing. Some of Rusty’s finest performaces include, but not limited to…“It Must Have Rained in Heaven on Crucifixion Day”, “Leavin’ on my Mind”, “Heartbeat”, “Small, Lonely Hill”, “Had it not Been”, “The Lighthouse” and “Life Evermore.” You can take any one of those songs and study them and learn the art of being an artist through your music. Even before Rusty hit his prime, he could evermore croon a tune with the Plainsmen back in the late 1950’s on the song, “Someone’s Watching Over You.” Now THAT was pure singing. It’s like a good piece of carmel, melting in your mouth. Mmm…mmm…good!

Rusty Goodman was a rare jewel. I believe he left this world way too soon. He was everything I ever wanted to be as a gospel singer. I don’t think I have a single drop of his talent, but I sure wish I did. But I love to just sit and admire the great man he was and study his music and learn how it should be done!