SGN Scoops Digital

Branson Gospel Music Convention Named 2010 Pacesetter

BRANSON, Mo. – The SGN Music Awards were handed out this month in Smyrna, TN, and after its first year as a major concert event in the Southern Gospel Community, the Branson Gospel Music Convention was named the 2010 Pacesetter.

The Pacesetter Award honors individuals, companies, artists, events, and the like who raise the standard in the industry during the previous year.  Past winners have included such names as the Crabb Family, Daywind Records, Booth Brothers, artist manager Kathy Hannah and last year’s winner the National Quartet Convention (in addition to many others).  It is the most prestigious award handed out at the awards program.

Rod Burton, co-owner of YMR Productions, LLC said, “We are beyond thrilled to have received this recognition from peers and fans after our first year. Branson GMC is a labor of love and a work of friends and family. We are proud, excited, humbled, but mostly blessed to know it is making a difference to people.”

“The SGN Music Awards show was a beautiful night celebrating what gospel music is all about,” mentioned Kelly Burton, Program Director for the Branson Gospel Music Convention. “It was an honor for us to be there and to share this award with each other and with all the people who believe in Branson GMC.”

The Branson Gospel Music Convention was honored to be mentioned in the same category and stand along side such names like Crossroads Music Group, Chuck Peters and the SGShowPrep, SGN Scoops Digital, and Vine Records.

The SGN Music Award nominees were chosen by the staff of SoGospelNews.com (now known as AbsolutelyGospel.com) and select members of the Southern Gospel media and community. Voting was then open to fans to choose the winners.

The 2010 SGN Music Awards Celebration took place on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at River of Life Church in Smyrna, Tennessee to a standing room only crowd.

The Branson Gospel Music Convention is put on by YMR Music Productions, LLC.   The company announced that the 2nd Annual Branson Gospel Music Convention is to take place beginning Monday evening, June 28, through Friday, July 2, 2010 at the Branson Convention Center across from Branson Landing.

Artists already scheduled for the 2010 event include the Chuck Wagon Gang, Blackwood Quartet, HisSong, Dino, Kenny Bishop, The Melody Boys Quartet, Young Harmony, McMillan & Life, Sunday Edition, Beyond the Ashes, Hinson Revival, 2nd Generation, Rod Burton, and many more!

More information about the Branson Gospel Music Convention can be found at http://www.bransongmc.com or by calling (708) 960-0111.

More information about YMR Music Productions, LLC. can be found at http://www.ymrmp.com or by calling 708-960-0111.

2010 SGN Music Awards Handed Out

Karen Peck & New River, Booth Brothers, The Isaacs, and songwriter Rusty Golden Named Big Winners

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – The 2010 SGN Music Awards were handed out last night at a special concert celebration in Smyrna, Tennessee to a standing room only crowd. The award winners were spread evenly throughout the course of the evening as three artists and one songwriter walked away with four awards apiece.

Karen Peck & New River, who tied with the most nominations this year, walked away with Song of the Year and Country Song of the Year (for “I Want to Thank You”), Progressive Southern Album of the Year (for No Worries), and Fan Favorite Artist of the Year.

The Booth Brothers won their sixth Male Group of the Year award this year, as well as Progressive Southern Song of the Year (for “What Salvation’s Done For Me”), Best Live Performer, and Special Event Project of the Year (for Jubilee!).

The Isaacs only won one award as a group – Mixed Group of the Year. Otherwise, group members Becky & Sonya Isaacs won their second consecutive Songwriter of the Year (Artist) award, while Ben Isaacs took home his first Producer of the Year (Artist) award. Sonya Isaacs Yeary also won Female Vocalist of the Year.

Hit songwriter Rusty Golden was the most awarded individual of the night – taking home four SGN Music Awards for his songwriting contributions. He won Song of the Year and Country Song of the Year (for co-writing “I Want to Thank You”) as well as Progressive Southern Song of the Year (for co-writing “What Salvation’s Done For Me”). Rusty also won the coveted Songwriter of the Year (Professional) award.

The other most nominated artist of the evening, The Perrys, did not go home empty-handed. The popular mixed quartet walked away with three awards – including the overall Album of the Year for their critically acclaimed release Almost Morning.

The biggest award of the evening – 2010 Pacesetter Award – was handed to the Branson Gospel Music Convention – one of the Southern Gospel industry’s newest and most impressive multi-day events.

Jerry Salley and Wayne Haun both won two awards apiece for songwriting and producing respectively.

The event was hosted by Mike Bowling and Sonya Isaacs Yeary with additional emcee work by Madison Easter. The evening featured resounding performances from Jason Crabb, the Booth Brothers, Karen Peck & New River, The Perrys, Jeff & Sheri Easter, the Bowling Family, HisSong, The Freemans, Beyond the Ashes, McMillan & Life, Soul’d Out Quartet, and sponsors the Mystery Men Quartet.

The event also hosted a multi-artist tribute to the longevity and leadership of Southern Gospel veterans the Singing Cookes. That performance – which featured The Isaacs, The Whites, Jeff & Sheri Easter, The Perrys, and The Freemans – closed out the evening and was a highlight of the awards program.

“We can not believe just how amazing a night it was,” mentioned Deon Unthank, administrator for SoGospelNews.com. “We feel like these awards just keep getting better and better! We already can’t wait for next year’s Celebration!”

The SGN Music Awards are an annual award handed out each year by the staff at SoGospelNews.com and AbsolutelyGospel.com. Each January, the staff decides upon the nominees in over twenty categories. In February of that year, the readers of the site are then allowed to vote for their favorites. This is the ninth year the awards have been in existence.

The official sponsors for the 2010 SGN Music Awards Celebration were The Mystery Men Quartet.

2010 SGN Music Award Winners:

SONG OF THE YEAR:
“I Want to Thank You” – Karen Peck & New River (written by Rusty Golden & Jerry Salley)

ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Almost Morning – The Perrys (produced by Wayne Haun)

PACESETTER:
Branson Gospel Music Convention

BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Soul’d Out Quartet

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:
Michael English (Gaither Vocal Band)

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR:
Sonya Isaacs Yeary (The Isaacs)

MALE GROUP OF THE YEAR:
Booth Brothers

FEMALE GROUP OF THE YEAR:
Perry Sisters

MIXED GROUP OF THE YEAR:
The Isaacs

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (Artist):
Becky & Sonya Isaacs (The Isaacs)

SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (Professional):
Rusty Golden

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR (Artist):
Ben Isaacs (The Isaacs)

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR (Professional):
Michael Sykes

ENGINEER OF THE YEAR:
Steve Allen

MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR:
Madison Easter (Jeff & Sheri Easter)

BEST LIVE PERFORMER:
Booth Brothers

TRADITIONAL SOUTHERN SONG OF THE YEAR:
“If You Knew Him” – The Perrys (written by Rodney Griffin & Joseph Habedank)

TRADITIONAL SOUTHERN ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Almost Morning – The Perrys (produced by Wayne Haun)

PROGRESSIVE SOUTHERN SONG OF THE YEAR:
“What Salvation’s Done For Me” – Booth Brothers (written by Rusty Golden & Dianne Wilkinson)

PROGRESSIVE SOUTHERN ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
No Worries – Karen Peck & New River (produced by Mark Fain)

COUNTRY SONG OF THE YEAR:
“I Want to Thank You” – Karen Peck & New River (written by Rusty Golden & Jerry Salley)

COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Jason Crabb – Jason Crabb (produced by Jason Crabb, Otto Price, and Norro Wilson)

SPECIAL EVENT PROJECT OF THE YEAR:
Jubilee! – Booth Brothers, Greater Vision, and Legacy Five (produced by Gerald Wolfe)

FAN FAVORITE ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Karen Peck & New River

More information on the SGN Music Awards and past winners can be found at http://southerngospelnews.com .

Hosts Announced for 2010 SGN Music Awards Celebration

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Deon and Susan Unthank, administrators of SoGospelNews.com, are proud to announce the hosts for this year’s SGN Music Awards Celebration.

Hosting the Awards Celebration this year are Mike Bowling and Sonya Isaacs Yeary.  Madison Easter will also be doing additional emcee work for the event.

Mike Bowling is a celebrated vocalist, producer and songwriter.  He is a 2-time winner of Male Vocalist of the Year in the SGN Music Awards (2005, 2007). Mike has won 9 SGN Music Awards over the course of his career as a vocalist and producer.  Last year, his group won three awards – including Song of the Year (for “Your Cries Have Awoken the Master”).  His family group, The Bowling Family, just released their new recording Shine.

Sonya Isaacs Yeary is no stranger to fans of Southern Gospel music. Her family group, The Isaacs, is a regular fixture on the Gaither Homecoming Tour as well as prominent figures in both the Bluegrass and Southern Gospel music communities.  Sonya has won eight individual awards in the SGN Music Awards as a musician, vocalist, and songwriter.  Sonya is currently the reigning Songwriter of the Year (Artist) – an award she shared with her sister, Becky, last year.

Madison Easter is the youngest individual to ever co-host the SGN Music Awards program. Easter is a beloved musician who travels with his family group – Jeff & Sheri Easter. Easter’s brand of humor has made him a popular individual on social networks and within the Southern Gospel community. Madison scored his first nomination this year for Musician of the Year.

“We are absolutely thrilled with our hosts this year,” mentioned Deon Unthank of SoGospelNews.com.  “We’ve got a lot of really neat things planned for this year – including a different kind of set up for our hosts. You aren’t going to want to miss the event this year! It’s destined to be our biggest and best yet!”

In addition, HisSong and Beyond the Ashes have been added as featured performers for the Celebration.  They will join previously announced performers The Isaacs, Booth Brothers, Karen Peck & New River, The Perrys, Jeff & Sheri Easter, The Freemans, The Bowling Family (formerly Mike & Kelly Bowling), Soul’d Out Quartet, and McMillan & Life.

The evening will also feature a mutli-artist collaboration that will honor the Southern Gospel veterans the Singing Cookes and the legacy that they have left and continue to leave today.

Additional performers and sponsors are still being confirmed and will be announced at a later date.

The date for this year’s SGN Music Awards Celebration is Tuesday, April 13, 2010.  The event will again take place at the River of Life Church in Smyrna, Tennesse and is free to the public.  The awards program will start at 7:00 p.m.  Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

As far as nominations go, two artists tied for the most nominations among performers this year.  Both The Perrys and Karen Peck & New River landed a stellar nine nominations apiece – more than any other artist this year. 2008’s Pacesetter the Dove Brothers earned eight nods. Following behind those artists were Legacy Five, The Isaacs, and Booth Brothers with seven nominations apiece.  Triumphant Quartet and Brian Free & Assurance both landed six nominations.  Two artists received five nominations – the Bowling Family (formerly Mike & Kelly Bowling) and Talley Trio.

Songwriter and producer Wayne Haun earned the most individual nominations for his work during 2009. Rodney Griffin earned six individual nominations for his songwriting work.  Earning five individual nominations were songwriters Marty Funderburk (2009’s Songwriter of the Year winner) and Rusty Golden. Gospel legend Bill Gaither, songwriter Joel Lindsey, and The Perrys’ lead singer Joseph Habedank all earned four individual nominations.

The Pacesetter Award is awarded to any artist, individual, or organization which has shown great strides in the industry and has raised the bar for others. This year’s nominees for the 2010 Pacesetter are new Gospel music celebration Branson Gospel Music Convention, Crossroads Music Group, SGShowPrep’s Chuck Peters, digital news outlet SGN Scoops Digital, and Vine Records.

For a full list of nominees, visit SoGospelNews.com.

First List of Performers Announced for 2010 SGN Music Awards Celebration

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Deon and Susan Unthank, administrators of SoGospelNews.com, are proud to announce the first list of performers for the 2010 SGN Music Awards Celebration.

Performers for this year’s SGN Music Awards Celebration include The Isaacs, Booth Brothers, Karen Peck & New River, The Perrys, Jeff & Sheri Easter, The Freemans, The Bowling Family (formerly Mike & Kelly Bowling), Soul’d Out Quartet, and McMillan & Life.

Additional performers and hosts are still being confirmed and will be announced at a later date.

“We have so much planned for this year’s awards program,” mentioned Deon Unthank of SoGospelNews.com.  “We will be making a big announcement at the event, so we hope that everyone who can join us, will.”

In addition, the evening will feature a mutli-artist collaboration that will honor the Southern Gospel veterans the Singing Cookes and the legacy that they have left and continue to leave today.

The date for this year’s SGN Music Awards Celebration is Tuesday, April 13, 2010.  The event will again take place at the River of Life Church in Smyrna, Tennesse and is free to the public.  The awards program will start at 7:00 p.m.  Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

As far as nominations go, two artists tied for the most nominations among performers this year.  Both The Perrys and Karen Peck & New River landed a stellar nine nominations apiece – more than any other artist this year. 2008’s Pacesetter the Dove Brothers earned eight nods. Following behind those artists were Legacy Five, The Isaacs, and Booth Brothers with seven nominations apiece.  Triumphant Quartet and Brian Free & Assurance both landed six nominations.  Two artists received five nominations – the Bowling Family (formerly Mike & Kelly Bowling) and Talley Trio.

Songwriter and producer Wayne Haun earned the most individual nominations for his work during 2009. Rodney Griffin earned six individual nominations for his songwriting work.  Earning five individual nominations were songwriters Marty Funderburk (2009’s Songwriter of the Year winner) and Rusty Golden. Gospel legend Bill Gaither, songwriter Joel Lindsey, and The Perrys’ lead singer Joseph Habedank all earned four individual nominations.

The Pacesetter Award is awarded to any artist, individual, or organization which has shown great strides in the industry and has raised the bar for others. This year’s nominees for the 2010 Pacesetter are new Gospel music celebration Branson Gospel Music Convention, Crossroads Music Group, SGShowPrep’s Chuck Peters, digital news outlet SGN Scoops Digital, and Vine Records.

For a full list of nominees, visit SoGospelNews.com.

More information on the 2010 SGN Music Awards Celebration will be forthcoming, including hosts, additional performers, and sponsors, etc.

Branson Gospel Music Convention Named a 2010 Pacesetter Nominee in SGN Music Awards

BRANSON, Mo. – After its first year as a major concert event in the Southern Gospel Community, the Branson Gospel Music Convention was honored as one of five nominees for the 2010 Pacesetter in the SGN Music Awards.

The Pacesetter Award honors individuals, companies, artists, events, and the like who raise the standard in the industry during the previous year.  Past winners have included such names as the Crabb Family, Daywind Records, Booth Brothers, artist manager Kathy Hannah and last year’s winner the National Quartet Convention (in addition to many others).  It is the most prestigious award handed out at the awards program.

Kelly Burton, Program Director for the Branson Gospel Music Convention, said, “For this event to be recognized after its first year is the icing on the cake for us. We’re especially excited because it was an effort of our family and close friends, and we share the acknowledgment with them.”

“The reward of Branson GMC has been the continual testimony of artists and audience members who were blessed and challenged by the spirit of it,” mentioned Rod Burton, co-owner of YMR Productions, LLC.  “We are happy to be answering God’s call and happy others have appreciated how He used Branson GMC to stir people.”

The Branson Gospel Music Convention is honored to be mentioned in the same category and stand along side such names like Crossroads Music Group, Chuck Peters and the SGShowPrep, SGN Scoops Digital, and Vine Records.

The SGN Music Award nominees are chosen by the staff of SoGospelNews.com and select members of the Southern Gospel media and community. To see a complete list of nominees – visit http://www.sogospelnews.com .

The 2010 SGN Music Awards Celebration will take place on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at River of Life Church in Smyrna, Tennessee. The event is free to the public.

The Branson Gospel Music Convention is put on by YMR Music Productions, LLC.   The company announced that the 2nd Annual Branson Gospel Music Convention is to take place beginning Monday evening, June 28, through Friday, July 2, 2010 at the Branson Convention Center across from Branson Landing.

Artists already scheduled for the 2010 event include the Chuck Wagon Gang, Blackwood Quartet, HisSong, Dino, Kenny Bishop, The Melody Boys Quartet, Young Harmony, McMillan & Life, Sunday Edition, Beyond the Ashes, Hinson Revival, Stutzman Family, 2nd Generation, Rod Burton, and many more!

More information about the Branson Gospel Music Convention can be found at http://www.bransongmc.com or by calling (708) 960-0111.

More information about YMR Music Productions, LLC. can be found at http://www.ymrmp.com or by calling 708-960-0111.

The Freemans Honored with 4 SGN Music Award Nominations

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Popular Southern Gospel artist The Freemans were honored last week to receive four nominations in the 2010 SGN Music Awards.  Nominees were announced last Thursday on SoGospelNews.com – host of the popular awards program.

The Freemans received nominations in a variety of categories.  The group’s Top 10 hit – “Three Rugged Crosses” – earned the family their third consecutive nomination for Country Song of the Year (the group won the award in 2008 for the record-breaking #1 hit “He Chose Me”).  Group patriarch Darrell Freeman also landed his third consecutive nomination for Producer of the Year (Artist).  The group’s Christmas release – Christmas Memories – received a nomination for Special Event Project of the Year. (Darrell Freeman also received another nomination for producing that project.) Collectively, the group received their first Best Live Performer nomination – an award that is highly respected among other performers and fans.

Deon Unthank of SoGospelNews.com said, “Most of what makes The Freemans so beloved in this industry is their live shows.  They have an infectious energy that fans have come to love.  They are most deserving of this nomination – especially after utilizing more of the family in their vocals and arrangements.”

“We have to say ‘Thank You’ to the Unthanks and staff at SoGospelNews.com,” mentioned Chris Freeman of The Freemans.  “We are blessed to have such great group of people so devoted to Southern Gospel music.”

The SGN Music Award nominees are chosen by the staff of SoGospelNews.com and select members of the Southern Gospel media and community.  Starting on February 1, 2010 – fans will get the chance to vote for their favorite songs, albums, and artists in Southern Gospel music.  To see a complete list of nominees – visit http://www.sogospelnews.com .

The 2010 SGN Music Awards Celebration will take place on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at River of Life Church in Smyrna, Tennessee.  The event is free to the public.

The Freemans will be entering the studio this month to begin work on the follow-up to the award-winning Eyes On the Prize album.  More information will be released on that at a later date.

To visit the newly designed website of The Freemans, visit http://www.the-freemans.com.

HisSong Garners 3 SGN Music Award Nominations

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The staff of SoGospelNews.com announced their nominees for the 2010 SGN Music Awards last Thursday, and Southern Gospel trio HisSong was among those nominated in the popular awards program.

HisSong was honored to be nominated for three awards.  The group received their second consecutive nominations for Male Group of the Year and Traditional Southern Song of the Year (this year for “I Believe In Prayer”).  In addition, the trio landed their first ever nomination in the respected Album of the Year category for last fall’s Vine Records release Journey Through the Sky.

“We are so honored to be nominated for these awards,” mentioned Dennis Humphries of HisSong.  “The SGN Music Awards have quickly become one of the Southern Gospel’s most prized awards programs.  We appreciate them noticing our ministry. It means a lot to the group.”

The SGN Music Award nominees are chosen by the staff of SoGospelNews.com and select members of the Southern Gospel media and community.  Starting on February 1, 2010 – fans will get the chance to vote for their favorite songs, albums, and artists in Southern Gospel music.  To see a complete list of nominees – visit http://www.sogospelnews.com .

The 2010 SGN Music Awards Celebration will take place on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at River of Life Church in Smyrna, Tennessee.  The event is free to the public.

HisSong released their sophomore recording for Vine Records/Crossroads Music this past September.  The new album, Journey Through the Sky, was produced by Dove Award-winning songwriter/producer Wayne Haun.

The album has already had a strong impact at Southern Gospel radio.  The debut single, “I Believe In Prayer,” is currently charting in the Top 10 on the Singing News Top 80 Chart and recently spent three weeks at #1 on the SoGospelNews.com Top 40 Weekly Chart.

To order HisSong’s new project, Journey Through the Sky, visit their website at http://www.hissongmusic.com .  More information on ordering the disc can be found at their website.

HisSong is booked through the Dominion Agency.  For more information on how to book the popular trio, log on to http://www.thedominionagency.com or call (910) 484-6996.

HisSong also has a weekly online newsletter which gives fans of the group information on the ministry and much more.

More information on HisSong can be found at http://www.hissongmusic.com.  Fans are encouraged to visit the group’s MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/hissongministries.

It’s A BIG 56 for Daywind Music Group In The 2010 SGN Music Award Nominations

Hendersonville, TN (January 22 2010) – Nominations were just released for the 2010 SoGospelNews.com’s SGN Music Awards. Daywind Music Group led the field with a huge number of nominations; 56 in all. The SGN Music Awards Celebration will be held on Tuesday, April 13, 2010. The event will take place at the River of Life Church in Smyrna, Tennessee. It is free to the public. Fans can be a part of the process of choosing the winners by going to SoGospelNews.com and casting their votes beginning on February 1, 2010.

Karen Peck & New River and the Perrys led artist nominees with a stunning nine nominations each in this year’s awards. They were nominated for Song of the Year (“I Want To Thank You”- Karen Peck & New River and “If You Knew Him” – Perrys) and for Album of the Year (No Worries and Almost Morning). Both received nominations for Mixed Group of the Year and Fan Favorite, as well as several other nominations. Legacy Five and the Booth Brothers received seven nominations. Brian Free & Assurance and Triumphant Quartet were close behind with six nominations each. Greater Vision garnered four and the newest group to the Daywind roster, Sisters, received two nominations, one of which includes Breakthrough Artist of The Year. Daywind Music Publishing songwriters Kyla Rowland, Dianne Wilkinson, and Marty Funderburk were among the nominees in the Songwriter of the Year categories and had several nominations for Song of the Year. Ronnie Hinson also had two Song of the Year nominations.

Norman Holland, (A&R Director and Vice President of Daywind Records, expressed his honor on behalf of the artists and writers at Daywind. “It is so evident that combining wonderful talent with heartfelt ministry and incredible songs brings about tremendous success. What an overwhelming list and number of nominations we are celebrating today! We are honored that each of these artists and songwriters are a part of our lives and family here at Daywind.”

The detailed listings of Daywind Music Group nominations are as follows: Read more »