|  Southern Gospel is based on harmony being as important to the music as instruments. So to compare it to any other kind of music is difficult. Groups such as the Cathedrals, Gold City, The Kingsmen, Florida Boys, Gaither Vocal Band, Dixie Melody Boys, and many, many others have perfected what groups such as J.D. Sumner and the stamps, the Oakridge Boys, and the Blackwood Brothers, the Goodmans, the Hinsons, and Chuckwagon Gang started. It does get compared to country often, because of it's characters often have a country flair, but the sound disattatches itself from Country by putting an emphasis on the harmony of parts singing together. The four parts, the Bass, Tenor, Baritone, and the lead join together to form a sound that is rivaled by none. Very pure. That is the quartet part. However, the music and style has took on a flavor of it's own, and you are seeing groups such as Greater Vision, Brian Free and Assurance, and Three Bridges singing together without one or more of the traditional three parts. The sound of harmony is still there, which only goes to show how talented the singers (and the song writers) really are. The Quartet division of southern Gospel may be male dominated, but often Trio's and family groups feature females. Ladies such as Karen Peck, Janet Paschel, The Greenes, The Perry's, The McKamey's, and The Talley's, have proven that they can handle the harmony of southern Gospel. Although there are soloist who have been successful, (such as Walt Mills, Ivan Parker, Mike Bowling, Larnell Harris, and others,) even these soloist often find themselves singing with some sort of group singing with them, to create the harmony of good ole southern Gospel. I hope this answers your question.
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