SGN Scoops Digital

Press conference being held to announce Branson Gospel Music Convention 2010

Branson, MO – YMR Music Productions, LLC. invites the local media to a press conference on Friday, November 6,2009 to announce the 2010 Branson Gospel Music Convention.

The press conference will be held at the Boxcar Willie Inn. 360 Schaefer Drive in Branson MO, from 10:00 am until 11:00am and will be facilitated by Rod Burton, co-owner of the convention, along with headliner and Branson business owner Dino Kartsonakis, convention board member and gospel music legend Ron Blackwood, and convention sponsor Rob Patz of Coastal Media Group. Community leaders are expected to be in attendance as well.

For more information regarding the press conference, please contact Kelly Burton at 708-362-8360.

More information about YMR Music Productions, LLC. can be found at www.ymrmp.com

More information about the Branson Gospel Music Convention can be at www.bransongmc.com

The Nelons’ “He Found Me” Gains Major Momentum at Southern Gospel Radio

JACKSONVILLE, Fl. – Legendary Gospel music group The Nelons have seen their latest single gain major momentum at Southern Gospel radio.  The song, titled “He Found Me,” is already charting on many of the major Southern Gospel charts and has become a fan favorite as well.

“He Found Me” was one of the most added songs at Southern Gospel radio for the Singing News Magazine Top 80 chart‘s November 2009 report – making it one of the most added songs at Southern Gospel radio this month.  In addition, the song recently broke the Top 10 on the SoGospelNews.com Top 40 Weekly Chart after only weeks on the chart.  The song is currently ranked at #6 after only six weeks on the chart.

For the past three weeks, “He Found Me” has been the #1 fan favorite song – according to the SoGospelNews.com Top 40 Weekly Chart – giving it a major edge over older songs on the chart.

“The fans have really come out to support this awesome family,” mentioned Deon Unthank of SoGospelNews.com.  “Being the fan favorite for one week is an awesome feat – but for a group to hold on to that title for multiple weeks is really something.  The Nelons really have a hit song on their hands with ‘He Found Me’.”

In addition, “He Found Me” has been consistently charting on the GospelMusicTimes.com Top 100 Fan Chart – the only chart in Southern Gospel music that is purely based on the votes of the fans.

“He Found Me” was written by Dove Award-winning songwriters Wayne Haun and Joel Lindsey and group member Jason Clark and is being promoted to Southern Gospel radio by Jim Stover and Crossroads Music.  The song is the debut single from The Nelons’ upcoming Vine Records release – Beside Still Waters.

Beside Still Waters has an early 2010 release date.  More information on that release will be forthcoming.

The Nelons are booked exclusively through the Dominion Agency.  To find out how you can have The Nelons in your church or at your event – visit the Dominion Agency’s website at http://www.dominionagency.com or call (910) 484-6996.

For more information on The Nelons, visit their website at http://www.thenelons.com .

Melissa Morris’ “Wonderful” Proves to Be a Hit with Southern Gospel Fans

MORGANTOWN, W.V. – Christian music soloist Melissa Mooris 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.com.

“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 and currently sits at #21 this week.

Melissa Morris said, “When I found out that my song was doing so well on this chart, I was completely shocked!  God has continued to show me blessing after blessing – and having a Top 5 single on Southern Gospel’s only pure fan based chart is so awesome!  I am truly humbled by the response that my family, friends, and fans have bestowed on me with this.”

“Wonderful” was shipped and promoted to Southern Gospel radio by the Eddie Crook Company’s Cedar Hill Records.

For more information on Melissa’s song or to hear a streaming sample of it, visit her MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/melissamorriswv .

Melissa recently signed a publicity and web publishing agreement with SSE Group, Inc.  Her newly designed website will be unveiled shortly.  Until then, you can keep up with Melissa at her MySpace.

Indie Connect To Launch Christian Musicians Club

Love Song Agency Signs Brothers Forever

GOSPEL TRIO JOINS PHIL CROSS AT NEW AGENCY

Raleigh, North Carolina: Brothers Forever a dynamic and anointed Gospel Group, has signed with Love Song — a new and upcoming agency based in North Carolina. Owner-Manager Ruth O’Dell is happy to announce the association with Brothers Forever and is excited about this opportunity. “These three young men are about ministering in song and winning lost souls for Christ. I admire them and I love their close harmony and dedication. I promise you will not be disappointed when you book this anointed group for your next church service or concert.”

For booking information, please call Ruth O’Dell at 919-562-0784 or email ruthodell@nc.rr.com or contact her at Facebook.com/ruth.odell.

Love Song Agency Signs Phil Cross, Crossing

Award Winning Southern Gospel Singer and Songwriter signs with new agency

Raleigh, North Carolina: Phil Cross, an award winning composer of songs and an anointed passionate singer, has signed with Love Song — a new and upcoming agency based in North Carolina. Owner-Manager Ruth O’Dell is happy to announce the association with Phil Cross and is excited about this opportunity, and looks forward to working with other artists in the very near future. “I have followed Phil Cross for years and have admired his talents and sincerity of proclaiming the Gospel. I promise you will not be disappointed when you book this anointed man of God for your next church service or concert.”

Also, Phil Cross and Crossing, an incredible new group, has signed with Love Song. Owner-Manager Ruth O’Dell is happy to announce the association with Phil Crossing and Crossing and the opportunity to work with such an amazingly talented group. “This group consists of two composers, two pianists and four very close friends who blend their voices in perfect harmony, and work with choirs and music ministry for your church. BOOK this group and watch your congregation be blessed!“

For booking information, please call Ruth O’Dell at 919-562-0784 or email ruthodell@nc.rr.com or contact her at Facebook.com/ruth.odell.

Integrity Music Signs Worship Artist and RagumuffinSoul.com Blogger Carlos Whittaker

MOBILE, Alabama  – Carlos Whittaker has described himself in many ways: worshipper, pastor, thinker, experience architect, Web 2.0 junkie. Now, he adds recording artist to his life story after being signed to the Integrity Music Label.

Integrity Music plans to introduce Whittaker, who has been a worship leader for more than a decade, through a digital EP scheduled for release in early 2010 with a full album slated to release later in the year.

Whittaker’s day job since 2007 has been as worship leader for Buckhead Church, a satellite campus of Atlanta’s North Point Church, one of the biggest and fastest growing churches in America led by Rev. Andy Stanley. He sits on the creative sermon planning team for Andy Stanley and is one of the key planners and teachers for the Catalyst Conference for more than 12,000 worship leaders and team members held in Atlanta this month. He has also advised on programming for the Saddleback Conference and other churches and events in the U.S.

Whittaker has earned a reputation as one of the most transparent and authentic worship leaders in the Church. With more than 20,000 followers on his RagamuffinSoul.com blog and Twitter, Whittaker has harnessed the power of technology and social media to build and nurture community. His fondness for knocking down Christian stereotypes was on full display in his appearance on The Learning Channel’s popular reality show “L.A. Ink,” during which Whittaker commissioned a tattoo of Saul’s conversion for his entire right arm.

“Unquestionably, Carlos has the ability to become one of the most respected and relevant voices in the every-changing landscape of worship music,” said Jay King, Vice President of Artist Development/A&R for Integrity. “Along with leading worship at one of the biggest churches in the United States, Carlos is a born communicator and his unique and uninhibited style connects with a broad audience whether he’s leading from the platform of a church or writing for a constantly growing blog community, all of whom are eagerly awaiting his first worship record.”

Whittaker, who counts Keith Green, Rich Mullins, Hillsong and Jack Johnson among his music influences, is working with Jason Ingram, who will produce his debut recordings. He is also co-writing with Mia Fieldes and Philip LaRue.

“My life goal is to inspire a movement of authenticity among all generations of Christians that morphs the face of the evangelical church into a place of being real with yourself, others, and God,” says Whittaker.

Whittaker and his wife Heather Whittaker make up a blogging power couple in Ragamuffinsoul.com and Whittakerwoman.typepad.com. They have 3 children – - Seanna and Sohalia and son Losiah, adopted from Seoul, Korea in 2006.

Southern Sound Signs Recording Agreement with Homeland Entertainment Group

Nashville, TN- Homeland Entertainment Group is excited to announce another new addition to the Homeland Roster of Artists with that group being Southern Sound from Nashville, TN.

Southern Sound delivers a polished character of traditional quartet music. Southern Sound feels called of God as their mission to revive a core form of Southern Gospel Music that oftentimes seems to be forgotten by many of embraced styles that are evolving today.

Southern Sound continues to wow audiences in every area they perform and minister in and as well as making new friends at each venue. Some of their more well know singles have been “Headin Home”, “Heaven Is Better Than
This”, “If Everybody Prayed” and “Jordan’s Swelling Tide”. Southern Sound will also be appearing in several new areas this coming year as their touring schedule has increased by over twenty percent from prior years.

Homeland Entertainment Group President and CEO Bob Jones states “We believe in the ministry of Ben Harris and Southern Sound and we feel that the roots of Gospel Music has been revived with the approach that this group is
offering fans everywhere”.

Group manager Ben Harris says “We are thrilled to be a part of Homeland Entertainment. The storied history within this company is amazing. Southern Sound is excited to be working with our old friend Nick Bruno, Bob Jones and the entire staff of Homeland. The creativity within this group of individuals is without question exactly what we have been looking for. ”

Southern Sound will begin working on the yet to be titled Homeland Recording during the holiday season with a release date to the public on Tuesday March 2nd 2010. For more information you can go to www.southernsoundquartet.com
or www.homelandentertainmentgroup.com

Pictured Left to Right: Homeland Label Chief Producer Nick Bruno, Homeland General Manager Scott Godsey, Southern Sound Lead Vocalist and Manager Ben Harris and Homeland CEO Bob Jones

Karen Peck featured in November SGN Scoops

Karen Peck Gooch, new and first female president of the Southern Gospel Music Association talks to Scoops for November.. along with Ron Blackwood on Farm aid, SGMA Hall of Fame Inductions, Disciples Quartet, memories with The Wilburns, Chuck Day, Louisville attractions, Deep South Regional Quartet Convention, Christian artists in Hollywood, and a whole lot more. Watch this space for an all new issue next Monday, 11/2.

Ladd Family Announces New Arrival

Rock Hill, SC (October 24, 2009) The Ladd Family of Rock Hill, SC are pleased to announce the arrival of their newest family member.