Southern Plainsmen Quartet Partners with World Vision
Written by admin on February 8, 2010 – 1:52 pm -
HORNBECK, La. – West-Central Louisiana’s Southern Plainsmen Quartet are excited to announce their recent partnership with humanitarian organization World Vision. The Southern Plainsmen Quartet are now artist advocates for the organization – spreading the word at concerts, churches, and various other dates that the quartet may perform at.
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian charity organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. The organization serves close to 100 million people in nearly 100 countries around the world. World Vision serves all people, regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. World Vision is a global organization with offices in approximately 100 countries. These interdependent national offices are bound together by a Covenant of Partnership, a biblically based agreement that enables them to work together in a unified and complementary way as they walk alongside those we serve.
Marcelle Slaughter of the Southern Plainsmen said, “We are very excited to join forces with World Vision, the world’s largest Christian Humanitarian organization! As a traveling ministry, we may reach concerned individuals who have a desire to help children and communities around the world, but have never taken the time to make the commitment. It is our prayer that one day, one of the children we present for sponsorship may make a significant difference in their community or even in the world because of the opportunities they were given through World Vision!”
To find out more information on World Vision, visit http://www.worldvision.org .
For more information on the Southern Plainsmen Quartet, visit their website at http://www.southernplainsmen.com/ . You can also visit the group on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Southern-Plainsmen/273186055053 .
Tags: causes, southern plainsmen, world vision
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Melissa Morris Featured on GospelMusicTimes.net
Written by admin on February 8, 2010 – 1:51 pm -
MORGANTOWN, W.V. – Christian music soloist Melissa Morris is currently featured on the popular Southern Gospel website GospelMusicTimes.net. Morris is the featured interview on the much read “And Now, Introducing…” article.
“And Now, Introducing…” is a series of articles designed to introduce upcoming or emerging artists in the Southern Gospel community to a new batch of fans. The article on Melissa focuses on her history as a performer and minister, his biggest spiritual and musical influences, the future of her ministry, and much more.
“I am so honored that such a great website would think to feature me,” mentioned Melissa. “I sang with my family for many years, but I had to step out on faith when I pursued a solo career. I’m so excited that people will get a chance to hear about me through this article! God has been so good!”
To read the article on Melissa, visit the Gospel Music Times website at http://www.gospelmusictimes.net .
Melissa also has recently seen a resounding amount of fan support for her current single. The song – titled “Wonderful” – has become a fixture on the popular fan-based chart at GospelMusicTimes.net
“Wonderful” – which can be found on Morris’ Cedar Hill Records release Above & Beyond – recently cracked the Top 5 on the popular chart. The song has remained on the Top 40 for multiple weeks as well.
“Wonderful” was shipped and promoted to Southern Gospel radio by the Eddie Crook Company’s Cedar Hill Records.
Melissa’s newly designed website is still under construction, until then, more information on Melissa’s song or her ministry can be found on her MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/melissamorriswv .
Tags: gospel music times, melissa morris
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Praise Incorporated Signs Publicity & Web Publishing Deal with Southern Spin Entertainment
Written by admin on February 8, 2010 – 1:50 pm -
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Amy Marie Unthank and Chris D. Unthank of SSE Group, Inc. are proud to announce the addition of the Praise Incorporated to the group’s growing roster. Praise Incorporated has reached an exclusive publicity and internet promotions agreement with SSE Group, Inc.’s Southern Spin Entertainment. Through this agreement, the talented group has gained access to all media outlets serviced by Southern Spin Entertainment, in addition to advertising and marketing possibilites. SSE will also build the group a new, full-updated website.
With a focus on musical excellence and integrity in ministry, Praise Incorporated has devoted their lives to reaching the lost and encouraging the Christian, through music and spoken word. Building on combined decades of music experience, Steve Sam, Ron Higgins, Greg Bares have hearts for the Lord and that gives Praise Incorporated the musical excellence it strives for.
“We’ve gotten to know the fine folks in Praise Incorporated over the last couple of months, and we’ve already fallen in love with their sweet spirits,” mentioned Amy Marie Unthank of SSE Group, Inc. “We can’t wait to see what this year has in store for such a fine group of Christian men!”
Praise Incorporated just released their latest recording – It’s All About Him. More information on that will be available shortly.
Southern Spin Entertainment is one of three divisions of the 501c non-profit organization SSE Group, Inc. The company is operated by siblings Amy Marie Unthank and Chris D. Unthank. The company currently represents artists, companies, and organizations in all genres of Gospel music – including the Dove Brothers, The Freemans, The Nelons, SoGospelNews.com, Misty Freeman, Driven Quartet, the Diamond Awards, Branson Gospel Music Convention, Eighth Day, the Men of Music, Sharron Kay King, HisSong, Wendy Word + forgiven, David Hill Trio, The Pathfinders, 2nd Generation, Brothers Forever, and many more.
For more information on Praise Incorporated, visit their website at http://www.praiseinc.com .
Tags: praise inc., sse
Posted in industry news | 2 Comments »
February 2010 Issue now available!
Written by admin on February 8, 2010 – 3:16 am -
The February 2010 issue of SGN Scoops is now available for download. Click on the cover to read your issue in .PDF format.
In a month known for love, we celebrate some of the ladies of Southern Gospel Music – legends like Debra & Lauren Talley and LeBreeska Hemphill, shining stars like Wendy Word, and lovely gospel wives like Tori Taff and Esther Liles. We also bring you the latest Scoops on Hinson Revival, love songs that lie, forgiveness, and Generation ‘Whine.’
THIS MONTH, VOTING CONTINUES FOR THE 2010 DIAMOND AWARDS. CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR TOP 10 FAVORITES IN EACH OF OUR CATEGORIES. 1st round write-in nominations end FEBRUARY 28!
Click here or on the cover preview to download.
Click here to subscribe – be notified when a new issue is published or news is announced.
Reader tips: SGN Scoops is interactive. Most web links in the magazine are live – click on them to follow to the listed website. All ads and many photos are clickable as well. You can also use our Table of Contents – page 4 – interactively. Click on the article title you want to read and you will be taken there. We think you should read them all!
Tags: 2010, february 2010, scoops
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Resting Place Music signs Great Day
Written by admin on February 5, 2010 – 10:53 pm -ylvester, GA.
Resting Place Music is pleased to announce the signing of GREAT DAYof Tavares,FL. Ricky Atkinson, President of RPM states, “Great Day is a very talented family group, blessed with a humble attitude,awesome singing talent and ministers with great songs. We are excited to have this family aboard and expect great things from them in the future!”
The debut single for Great Day will be on RPM Vol.9, which will be at radio March,2010
Based in Central Florida, this group travels all over the southeast and is available for booking. Great Day provides a wide range of music,from old quartet standards, to fresh new arrangements from some of gospel music’s most prolific writers.
For more information on Great Day: www.greatdaygospel.com, also Resting Place Music: www.restingplacemusic.com
Tags: record label signings, resting place music
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2010 Brumley MusicFest™ Ticket Giveaway Contest
Written by admin on February 5, 2010 – 10:39 pm -The Brumley MusicFest team — along with our friends at SGM Radio and SGN Scoops and the Clarion Hotel are giving away two 2-night general admission tickets and 2-night hotel accommodations to the winner of the “What I’ll Fly Away Means to Me “essay contest.
All you have to do is tell us a favorite memory related to the song I’ll Fly Away (or any of the 800+ Albert E. Brumley songs), and provide us with a way to contact you — and you will automatically be entered into the contest. We will read all of the stories that are submitted, and select the one that moves our family the most! Very cool, right? Click here for all of the official rules and details.
Tags: brumley, giveaways, scoops preview
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New Children’s CD Will Benefit Charity for Teen Mothers
Written by admin on February 3, 2010 – 1:31 pm -
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Teen Mother Choices International (www.TMCINT.org) is a unique charity that utilizes volunteers from local area churches to help provide teen mothers with a support system. The program offers things such as childcare so the young mothers can return to school, caring mentors who provide emotional support, and Life Skills Workshops which equip teenage mothers with resources and information to help them become independent, functioning members of society. Weyerhaeuser served as a past board member of the organization and has witnessed first-hand the impact the program has had on teen mothers. One of the goals of Teen Mothers Choices is to keep all the girls off of welfare and to date, 100% of the girls who have participated in the program have graduated from school and found jobs to support themselves. “Teen Mothers Choices has truly made an impact in the lives of young women who desperately need it,” say Weyerhaeuser. “I have personally seen their dedication and the successes they have had, and I wanted to continue to help their efforts with this new CD.” Big Green Alligator is Weyerhaeuser’s first foray into kid’s music, but her nickname was earned a long time ago. “I started singing at youth camps when I was 16,” she says. “And to this day, I have 30-somethings come up to me in the grocery store and ask, ‘Aren’t you La-La Lisa?’ That name has stuck even after all these years.” Weyerhaeuser’s accomplishments as a worship leader, licensed counselor, Professor of Adolescent Psychology with Master Degrees in both Religion and Counseling Psychology, and a pastor’s wife, have given her ample knowledge and experience to create a kids music project. But probably the defining experience that gave Weyerhaeuser the most confidence to take the plunge into children’s music was being the mother of three growing boys, now aged 6 to 15. “I was tuned into a kid’s music station on XM radio in the car with the boys one day,” she recalls, “and the music was so interesting and engaging. Even after I dropped the kids off at school, I found myself listening to that station. I really started thinking about writing some children’s songs at that point. I wanted to make them fun, but I also wanted to make sure they were meaningful.” Weyerhaeuser has released four solo acoustic folk/pop recordings and toured various venues in the U.S. and in Europe. She and her band have performed at the Cornerstone festival, Lifest, Joyful Noise Festival, Fisherman’s Fest, Rocketown, Cup of Joy, and shared the stage with a variety of artists including Phil Keaggy, Cheri Keaggy, Larry Norman, Tammy Trent, Whitecross and Glenn Kaiser, among others. Plans are in the works for the Big Green Alligator and another song character named Silly Bob to come to life – in costume-form – and join Weyerhaeuser in her upcoming concerts. And there will be an interactive website and Facebook page for kids to ask the Big Green Alligator anything they like and receive responses that can be trusted by parents. “I put a lot of questions into the lyrics of Big Green Alligator – ‘Where did we come from, Where are we going, and How did you find your way to me?’- because I wanted kids to feel like they could ask this character anything,” says Weyerhaeuser. “I believe it is essential for kids to learn to express their feelings at early ages. I want them to know that if they are shy, it’s ok. If they feel sad about something, it’s ok. There is a freedom in learning to correctly express emotions. If kids can learn how to do that when they are young, it will be more natural for them to do as they get older.” For more information, visit www.bluemyrtlekids.com. |
(Nashville, TN) – Blue Myrtle Kids Records, a division of StrongTree Productions, is releasing its first children’s CD entitled Big Green Alligator by La-La Lisa.Tags: benefit, cd release
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CRACKER BARREL AND DAILEY & VINCENT HONOR STATLER BROTHERS WITH EXCLUSIVE NEW RELEASE
Written by admin on February 3, 2010 – 1:20 pm -
Bluegrass Entertainers of the Year Will Perform Statler Brothers Classics in 2010 Tour
LEBANON, Tenn. – Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent, the reigning International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Entertainers of the Year, will take another step in honoring the legendary Statler Brothers as they perform several Statler Brothers songs during their 2010 tour. Many of these classic songs are featured on the duo’s new release: Dailey and Vincent Sing The Statler Brothers. This twelve-song CD, now available exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® and online at crackerbarrel.com, features new recordings of classic Statler Brothers songs and showcases the incredible musical talents of Dailey & Vincent.
“Dailey & Vincent Sing The Statler Brothers features one of the country’s top bluegrass acts performing music that is authentic and loved,” says Cracker Barrel’s Vice President of Marketing, Peter Keiser. “Jamie and Darrin have years of performing and recording experience, and they have earned a great deal of notice as well as a number of significant awards in the short time they have been recording together. This CD honors the Statlers, and gives us all a good idea of what’s to come with Dailey & Vincent.”
With more than 100 performances planned for 2010, Dailey & Vincent will add a special Statler Brothers segment to their concert song list. The songs featured on this exclusive CD are exciting and authentic bluegrass interpretations of 12 Statler Brothers classics. The Statler Brothers, one of country music’s most popular groups until they retired in 2002, are pleased that Dailey & Vincent are bringing new sounds to these beloved songs by recording and performing them with such care and dedication.
“Jamie and Darrin have used their magic touch to honor us and our music,” says Statler Don Reid. “This CD is one great tribute from two great friends. Dailey and Vincent – they are what good music and friendship is about today.” The Statler Brothers made an indelible contribution to the American music landscape, from the day they hit the road with Johnny Cash in 1964 until their retirement in 2002. They are one of only six acts to be inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, writing and recording iconic songs about small-town life, love, faith, and days gone by.
For years, Dailey & Vincent have admired the Statler Brothers. In 2008, they were honored to perform at the medallion ceremony marking the Statlers’ official induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame®. On their two previous releases, Dailey & Vincent performed Statler hits like “More Than a Name on a Wall,” “Years Ago” and “There is You.”
Dailey & Vincent are pleased to have this new CD at Cracker Barrel because they, themselves are at Cracker Barrel on a regular basis. Jamie says, “We’re delighted to work with Cracker Barrel on this project because we pull our bus into a Cracker Barrel every weekend; that’s where we have breakfast and lunch.” And Darrin adds, “Bluegrass music is the roots of America, and we think Cracker Barrel is the roots of America, and combining the two is just a perfect match.” And Jamie adds, “From the very first time we started including some Statler Brothers songs in our shows, the audience response was overwhelming. All it took was the first few bars of ‘Elizabeth’ or ‘Do You Know You Are My Sunshine?’ and the crowd was out of their seats and singing along. That is a testament to the timeless quality of the Statlers’ songs, which is why we’re so honored to do this album, and why we think the folks at our shows will love the new Cracker Barrel segment.”
Dailey & Vincent have taken the bluegrass world by storm since they launched their career as a duo in 2007. Jamie Dailey was formerly the lead singer and guitarist for Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver; until the end of 2007, Darrin Vincent was guitar and mandolin player and harmony vocalist with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. In addition to being named Entertainer of the Year, Dailey & Vincent received 2009 IBMA awards for Vocal Group of the Year and Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year, for “On the Other Side.” Their latest success follows an incredible run in 2008 when they took home seven IBMA awards, becoming the first act in the history of the IBMA awards to be named Entertainer of the Year and Emerging Artist in the same year.
Tags: cd release, dailey & vincent, statler brothers
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The Power of One Makes Three for Israel Houghton
Written by admin on February 3, 2010 – 1:14 pm -
Acclaimed Worship Artist/Songwriter Wins 3rd GRAMMY Award
LOS ANGELES, Calif. –Multi-talented worship leader, songwriter and recording artist Israel Houghton won his third consecutive GRAMMY® last night during the 52nd Annual GRAMMY® Awards ceremony in Los Angeles. Houghton took home the award for “Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album” for his critically-acclaimed CD The Power Of One and also was honored as a nominee for “Best Gospel Song” for “Every Prayer” from The Power of One.
Previously, Houghton and his powerhouse musical ensemble New Breed won two GRAMMYS in 2008 for A Deeper Level and in 2007 for Alive in South Africa. This year’s win marks his first GRAMMY as a “solo” artist.
“It’s really an honor to be nominated for such a prestigious award,” says Houghton. “And to win is such a surreal experience…I’m so moved that the message in the music was embraced and appreciated.”
The “message” of the genre-blending album is one of hope, redemption and revelation, especially the title track, which expresses Houghton’s passion for social justice.
“I strongly believe that those of us who consider ourselves worshippers need to have a heart for social justice,” says Houghton who will be in Toronto for a Haiti benefit concert on Feb. 12.
In addition to his career as a recording artist, Israel Houghton is a worship leader at Houston’s Lakewood Church and a spokesman for international relief agency World Vision. He is the recipient of six Dove Awards, two Stellar Awards, a Soul Train Award and three GRAMMY Awards. Additional information is available at www.israelhoughton.net and www.integritymusic.com.
Tags: ccm, grammy, israel houghton
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Song from New CD to be Featured at National Conference and as part of Special Project
Written by admin on January 26, 2010 – 9:13 pm -
First Radio Single Makes Early Impact
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Additionally, LifeWay Christian Resources, one of the world’s largest providers of Christian products and services, will be using the song “God Loved the World” as part of their 2010 Christmas musical entitled The Journey. Shaw’s producer, Paul Marino, is a long-time LifeWay songwriter and producer. “I’m very excited about how ‘God Loved the World’ is already making an impact,” says Shaw. “I’m so proud of this song because it shares the completeness of the Gospel. It has become an instant favorite in our concerts.” Shaw began her music career as an opera singer after graduating with a Master’s degree in Vocal Performance from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music. She performed in over forty shows in the theater, from Shakespeare to Puccini operas. Shaw later became a Professor of Music for Cedarville University and performed with the Columbus Symphony. After her father was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease, Shaw decided to record a CD of self-penned, contemporary Christian songs and give it to her dad as a Christmas gift. “Dad always supported my opera career, but it wasn’t really his cup of tea,” says Shaw. Though it was meant for her father’s personal enjoyment and encouragement, her first foray into the Christian genre was eventually featured on over 300 radio stations around the world, including South Africa and Australia. LOVE BROKE THROUGH is Shaw’s first national project, with six of the CD’s ten songs either written or co-written by Shaw. The CD also includes a classical benediction that Shaw uses in all her concerts, “E’en So Lord Jesus Quickly Come,” a song that Shaw says gives her a chance to “dust off” her operatic vocals. Shaw, who is the parent of a special needs child, also writes children’s musicals featuring Scripture-memory songs that are used for Vacation Bible Schools and home school groups. In addition to her touring schedule, Shaw serves as worship leader for a church in Ohio. To promote the release of LOVE BROKE THROUGH, Shaw will appear on several national television programs in the coming weeks including various shows on the Christian Television Network, 100 Huntley Street, and Atlanta Live, among others. LOVE BROKE THROUGH is being distributed to over 650 Christian retail stores via Integra Interactive, Inc. For more information, visit: Jennifer Shaw |
Two songs from the new CD LOVE BROKE THROUGH by singer/songwriter Jennifer Shaw have already received national attention.Tags: ccm, cd release
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