Gospel harmonies
Many readers will remember the rise, and in many cases the fall, of the televangelists of the 1980s. Big hair, big theatrics and big money were often the hallmarks of these programs. Bowling Green author Tammy Oberhausen bases her novel, The Evolution of the Gospelettes, in this world.
Set in the 1970s and forward, the story follows siblings Jeannie, Junior, Debbie and Patty Holliman, whose father, Garland, after hearing them sing perfectly blended harmonies, proclaims the family is going to become a gospel singing group.
Twins Jeannie and Junior had just graduated high school; though Jeannie had been awarded a generous music scholarship, Garland ordered her to return the check, forbidding her to attend college. Heartbroken, Jeannie had no idea what to do with her life until Garland’s proclamation took root. As the book notes, “Jeannie wanted to do something great, something that would please God and Garland. She wanted a gift. And now she had it. She was the lead singer of the Gospelettes, and she decided it was her job—her calling—to make them gospel stars.”
Garland pushes the family hard toward eventual success with Jeannie’s gifted voice and rock-solid faith leading the group. As their popularity grows, a televangelist expresses interest in featuring the Gospelettes on his television show. Jeannie readily accepts, believing wholeheartedly that it’s God’s will for the group to reach more people. As the family finds itself more and more swept up in the recognition, fame and fake promises of their pastor-on-a-pedestal, Jeannie’s faith, and that of her family, is put to the test.
Oberhausen grew up listening to Southern gospel music, especially enjoying the harmonies that she writes into the Holliman family. Her novel was driven by the changes she witnessed in the gospel music industry between the ’70s and today, making her wonder, “How does a family of Southern gospel singers adapt to the changes in the culture they live in?” She notes the shift over the decades from gospel music to today’s popular contemporary Christian music, which doesn’t hold the same appeal for her. Perhaps this influenced her inclusion of a Southern gospel playlist for the book on her website, www. tammyoberhausen.com.
Despite being about a gospel music singing family, Oberhausen’s debut novel isn’t solely for the Christian fiction reader. By exploring the themes of faith and doubt, hope and hypocrisy, rebellion and rebirth, many readers can identify with the growth and struggles of this family.
Years in the making
Tammy Oberhausen grew up in Russellville, then earned degrees from both Western Kentucky and Spalding universities. Oberhausen wrote The Evolution of the Gospelettes over three decades. Balancing full-time teaching with raising two daughters didn’t leave much time for creativity, and “the writing usually got what little was left of me after everything else had been taken care of,” she explains. To that effect, she offers workshops to encourage and inspire other aspiring writers.
The Evolution of the Gospelettes, $30, is available at www.kentucky press.com, www.tammyoberhausen.com and all major online book retailers.
