SGN Scoops Digital

New Gaither Gospel Series Release: The Best Of The Hoppers Rockets Up Billboard Charts

NASHVILLE, TENN. (August 10, 2010) – Just one week after its long-awaited release, The Gaither Gospel Series: The Best of The Hoppers made an impressive debut, with the DVD soaring all the way to #2 on Billboard’s video chart while the CD entered the Billboard Heatseeker chart at #4. Additionally, the CD entered the Nielsen SoundScan Southern Gospel chart at #1 and the Contemporary Christian chart at #10.

One of the most awarded and respected groups in southern Gospel music, The Hoppers have spent more than 50 years recording Gospel music and traveling worldwide, performing fan favorites like “Jerusalem,” “Yes I Am,” “Shoutin’ Time” and “Yahweh,” to name a few of the 18 tracks found on this new collection.

The Best of the Hoppers, hosted by Bill Gaither, highlights many of the group’s unforgettable and heartwarming performances from the Homecoming Series over the past two decades. Claude, Connie, Dean, Kim and Mike Hopper crack open the family scrapbook with never-been-seen-before family insights as they re-trace their extraordinary musical journey.

“For 50 years, we’ve put our heart and soul into the messages of our songs,” recalls group member Connie Hopper, “and we’ve worked to make those lyrics translate onto our videos.” Dean Hopper, a second generation member added: “As I looked back over this list of songs and the memories they bring to mind, I experienced a ‘chills-up-your-spine moment’ as I considered all of the opportunities we have had. We couldn’t be more grateful.”

The Best of The Hoppers aired as a part of a television feature on Great American Country (GAC), the RFD Network, TBN, Daystar, FamilyNet, Gospel Music Television, Gospel Music Channel, Liberty, CTN, Total Living Network (TLN) and Crossroads & Vision Television in Canada among other outlets.

The Best of the Hoppers (Gaither Music Group), distributed by EMI CMG Distribution, is available online and everywhere Christian music is sold. For further information, visit www.thehoppers.com.

Collingsworth Family at Gaither Studios

(New Richmond, OH)  The Collingsworth Family are spending the week, working at Gaither Studios in Alexandria, IN, filming B-Roll and editing both the video and audio portions of their two brand new Video projects along with the coordinating Audio CDs.  Filmed in High Definition in Flint, MI, all production work on these projects is being directed and coordinated by Gaither Productions of Alexandria, IN.  Produced and directed under the skilled hand of one of Nashville’s finest, Wayne Haun, the project includes The Collingsworth Family performing with a live band on stage consisting of Stan Whitmire on piano, Jeremy Medkiff on bass, and Mark Rout on drums.  Also joining them in the production was a full live orchestra consisting of members of the Flint, Ann Arbor, and Detroit Symphony orchestras.  Included in the two projects are two brand new piano/orchestra arrangements of THE HOLY CITY and MY TRIBUTE, personally arranged by Kim Collingsworth and famed Disney orchestrator, David Clydesdale.  Titled FEAR NOT TOMORROW and A DECADE OF MEMORIES, both High Def DVDs will release on September 1. / www.TheCollingsworthFamily.com

EMI CMG DISTRIBUTION AND GAITHER MUSIC GROUP EXTEND RELATIONSHIP WITH LONG-TERM AGREEMENT

Two New Gaither Vocal Band DVDs Just Released

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. – February 10, 2010 – EMI CMG Distribution and Gaither Music Group have agreed to extend their 16-year relationship that has already generated sales of more than 22 million albums and videos.  The  new, long-term agreement extends

EMI CMG’s distribution rights in all markets worldwide for all Gaither Music Group audio and video products, including the popular Homecoming series and music from artists such as The Gaither Vocal Band, Bill & Gloria Gaither, Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, Lynda Randle, The Isaacs, Mark Lowry and more.

The deal also encompasses distribution for Gaither Music Group labels: Spring Hill Music, Coming Home, Slanted Records and Green Hill Music, whose rosters include Jason Crabb who just won his first GRAMMY Award for Best Southern/Country/Bluegrass Gospel Album for his solo debut CD. Other artists featured on the labels are DecembeRadio, Beegie Adair, John Tesh, Jim Brickman, Jaimee Paul, The Oak Ridge Boys, Jeff & Sheri Easter and The Martins.

Gaither and EMI CMG have launched the newest chapter of their partnership with the release of two new projects from Gaither Vocal Band – the DVD releases “Reunited” and “Better Day.”

“EMI CMG and Gaither Music Group have enjoyed a rewarding relationship for more than a decade.  We are grateful for the confidence Barry Jennings and the Gaither team have expressed with this distribution agreement extension and look forward to many more years of success together,” said Bill Hearn, President and CEO of EMI Christian Music Group (EMI CMG).

“We do not take for granted the value of the long-standing business relationship we enjoy with EMI CMG.  It is exciting to begin another season working together with Bill Hearn and his talented staff,” said Barry Jennings, president of Gaither Music Group and Spring Hill Music.

Gaither Music Group and EMI CMG have enjoyed one of the longest and most prolific distribution relationships in Christian music.  Together they have sold more than 15 million albums and 6.8 million videos since the two companies partnered in 1994.  The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has awarded 112 gold and 70 platinum certifications for Homecoming videos, including multi-platinum certifications for “Billy Graham Homecoming, Vol. 1,” “Precious Memories,” “Old Friends,” “Ryman Gospel Reunion,” “Cathedrals Farewell” and “Turn Your Radio On.”