Ernie Haase & Signature Sound ‘Live In Memphis’

Written by: Celita Diaz-Perillo 11/04/2024

They are back! Ernie Haase & Signature Sound released their newest album, Live in Memphis on October 4, 2024.

Vocalists Ernie Haase, Dustin Doyle, Doug Anderson, and newest member, Christopher Taylor raise their voices in the sweetest harmonies, and they sure seem to be having loads of fun along the way.

With a mixture of southern gospel classics and some less-old ones, the album presents songs that make the foot pound a beat, or hands clap in time or just raise in praise to the Lord above.

After reviewing other albums for Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, I have to say that reviewing an album of carefully organized and recorded songs in a sound booth is much different than an album of a concert. With that in mind, here are some of the songs that I was particularly drawn to.

RETURN is a gentle call to those who have wandered off and away from the Lord. It pulled at my heart strings, as I am praying for the “return” of various people in my life. LYRICS: “Return to the Savior who cares… to the One who loves you… He gives perfect peace, Your burdens He bears. Return to the Savior who cares.”

HE MADE A CHANGE is an upbeat song that is all about the transforming love of the Lord. It features Scott Fowler and Paul Harvey. LYRICS: “He definitely made a change. He made a change in the way that I walk. He made a change in the way that I talk. Old things passed away, behold everything’s new. He made a change in the life that I live. I’m born again, set free, finally forgiven. If He can change me, He can make a change in you.”

YOU’LL FIND HIM THERE is based on 1 Kings 19:11-13 when Elijah is commanded to “stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord”. The Lord was not in the wind, nor the earthquake, nor the fire. But He came in a gentle whisper. It is a really fun reminder of this powerful Biblical account.

HE DID IT ALL FOR ME features Duane Allen. It was a moving experience. Duane Allen put his heart on his sleeve for all of us to hear and feel. Wow. Life and history and all that goes with it could be felt fully through the words and tone of this song, but it felt like Mr. Allen’s soul was proclaiming the goodness of the Lord, no matter the good, the bad, and the ugly of this life. It was ALL about Jesus and His sacrifice for us.

GOD IS SO GOOD was the shortest song on the album, but oh how sweet. Taking this classic hymn and including the entire crowd in praising Jesus… it felt like a few minutes of heaven.

The banter, jokes, introductions, charity information, and such have a whole new meaning and significance in person or in a video, but, for me, they are not as enjoyable just being listened to.

Not all songs were exclusively “Christian” songs, some were just for fun. And, it seemed to be more like a “show” than a concert honoring Jesus. Don’t get me wrong, plenty of the songs were about faith, Christian living, and how we can trust Jesus, but not all of them. Some of the songs and such were more about engaging with the audience.

I happen to love the songs that are ALL OUT about Jesus, His works and touch on our lives, and reminders of who we are in Him, more than the ones that touch lightly on it, or don’t speak of Him at all.

Overall, dedicated fans of Ernie Haase & Signature Sound will still enjoy Live In Memphis, I think. It is still chock full of the rich sounds and harmonies for which Southern Gospel Quartets are known. I don’t think it is exactly like all other albums mostly because it is a live presentation, and it goes without saying that things are handled and recorded differently than in a private studio. Blessings! If you get to listen to the album, let us know what you think!

3/5