SGN Scoops Digital

“Simply Charlotte” (Feature Story on Charlotte Ritchie)

“Simply Charlotte”

Published in 2012 August Edition’

by Jennifer Campbell

Some people are born with an innate love of music.  Others are blessed with the talent to be able to share their musical talent with thousands of people.  A select few have the gift of being able to also balance the responsibilities of being a wife and mother, all the while maintaining a busy schedule of traveling across the country.  This artist is no stranger to Southern Gospel Music, having traveled with the Nelons for five years and then Jeff and Sheri Easter for 12 years.  Now, she enjoys her third year traveling as a soloist.  This special individual is none other than Charlotte Ritchie.

Charlotte says of her solo career, “I’m really enjoying the solo thing.  It is different, but I am enjoying it!”  She said you don’t really realize how much planning goes into everything, since you are the only one planning your set, talking on stage, and seeming as if you have done all of this for years.  She said, “It’s a LOT!  You can’t turn to anyone else for help; you just have to do it.”

Even so, she has definitely risen to the challenge.  People are embracing her with open arms and she is grateful for their support.  “It’s really been amazing because even though I’ve been in the industry for a long time, when you start something new, you’re starting over,” said Charlotte.  “People have been so kind.   We have just been busy since day one and that’s a huge blessing!  We’ve been very thankful for that.”

If you ever have the opportunity to sit down and chat with Charlotte, you’ll find out that her heart is as a big as the state of Texas.  Not only that, but her love for God is greater still.  She gives God all of the credit concerning her solo ministry.  “God has opened a lot of doors for us,” Charlotte stated.  “That has been our prayer from the beginning.  God, You open the doors for us and we will go!  And He has, so that’s what we’re doing.”  Read more »

ANNIE MOSES BAND ANNOUNCES NEW DATE FOR WORLD PREMIERE

VIDEO FOR “BLUSH,” NOVEMBER 25^th ON

GREAT AMERICAN COUNTRY TELEVISION (GAC)

Critically Acclaimed Band Launches Online Pledge to Encourage “Blush Beliefs”

Los Angeles, Calif. (Nov. 20, 2012) – On November 25^th, Billboard charting Annie Moses Band will debut the music video for their first radio single “Blush” on Great American Country television (GAC). Great American Country is the leader in country music entertainment, and delivers to viewers the widest variety of country music, its artists and the lifestyles they influence.  To coincide with the music video debut, Annie Moses Band has launched a pledge titled “Blush Beliefs,” where listeners can show their support for the values behind the song. “Blush” was originally released on the band’s album, Pilgrims & Prodigals, which hit stores this past September.

The music video was directed by award-winning filmmaker, David Kiern, inside of Tennessee’s glamorous Rippavilla Plantation. Though Rippavilla is a historic mansion infamous for its ghosts, the band saw it as a perfect backdrop for the radio single which marries a nostalgic message to a modern edge.

“Blush” is a song that aims to question our culture’s cynicism and to speak a timeless truth with powerful relevance. The band recognizes that almost everyone in our society has been hurt by broken relationships, and that individuals turn to cynicism rather than a belief in values that create and nurture loving and long-lasting relationships. The song’s message communicates the group’s desire to return to a time when a wounded heart was not an inevitable experience.

“I hope ‘Blush’ reminds people of a time when faithfulness and kindness, dignity and innocence were not the stuff of fairytales, but the values that bring love to everyday life,” says Annie Wolaver, lead vocalist and violinist of the band.

To launch its “Blush Beliefs” campaign, Annie Moses Band is calling likeminded “Blush” listeners to act through www.blushbeliefs.com.  On the site, visitors will find the music video and a corresponding pledge. From there, viewers can log in through Facebook and align with the campaign which promotes messages of truth, faithfulness, kindness and more.

Pilgrims & Prodigals is a two-disc CD/DVD package that is a collection of songs that explore the timeless theme of roaming and redemption. The album is centered on the idea that everyone in the world is going somewhere and features 13 diverse tracks, eight of which were written or co-written by members of the group. When sampling the project listeners can expect to find a blend of classical, jazz, folk, and Celtic stylings.

For more information on Annie Moses Band and “Blush” please visit: http://www.anniemosesband.com/. To view the music video and align with the “Blush Beliefs” campaign, please go to www.blushbeliefs.com. 

Brenda Whitlock Releases New Project Next Month

{EHA-Nashville, TN} Popular soloist, Brenda Whitlock releases a new project entitled, “Who Is She” and it will be available late November. With ten new original songs all written by Brenda and the single, “Aint Gonna Let Nobody Take My Crown,” her radio promoter, Pauline Patterson, feels positive about the future of the project. She notes, “

The Brand New Burress Family Double Disc CD

New Carlisle, OH – The much anticipated new CD by The Burress Family titled “Putting the Tree into Country” is now finished and available. This project was produced by the award-winning Robb Tripp in Nashville, TN and the very best pickers that Nashville has to offer. Pickers such as Brent Mason, Kelly Back, Aubrey Haynie, Dirk Johnson just to name a few. This double disc project has 24 original songs written by group member Tom Burress and is already receiving great reviews. The group consists of Tom Burress, his wife Vonda Burress and their daughter Amber Burress-Applegate. For more information on this amazing double disc CD and to find out more about The Burress Family, go to their website at www.theburressfamily.com as well as their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/The-Burress-Family/109644245720032

New Children’s Album Records a “First”

Nashville, TN -Cedarmont Kids® has announced the release of the 46^th album in their multi-million-selling series.   The new CD, Gospel Sunday School Songs, features 15 Gospel classics and spirituals, including Free At Last , a song made famous in the iconic Martin Luther King, Jr. speech in 1963.  According to the label, this album marks the first time Free At Last has been featured on any children’s recording project.  Since its founding nearly 20 years ago, Cedarmont Kids has sold over 21 million albums and garnered numerous Platinum and Gold certifications for both its audio and video titles.  Mike and Sue Gay, owners of the Cedarmont label, say this new project was of special significance.

“We spent several years researching songs for this new release, looking for special ‘jewels’ from the African-American church,” says Sue. “We fell in love with songs like My Soul Is a Witness For My Lord, Guide My Feet, and The Welcome Table.  Then one day, we came across Free At Last and were so moved.  Immediately, we knew that it needed to be on the CD so that kids could learn this wonderful song.”

Gospel Sunday School Songs was recorded in Cedarmont’s state-of-the-art studio, using some of the most sought-after musicians in Nashville. “I think this is the best CD we’ve ever done,” says Mike. “The players were fantastic, and Sue directed the kids in the choir to sing with authenticity and energy. To top it off, we were blessed to work with some talented young soloists like MaKenzie McGuire and Quintavious Johnson.” Johnson, age 10 (pictured above), is a frequent soloist in his hometown of Franklin, Tennessee and recently won first place in the Fourth Annual Demi Lobo national talent contest held in Chicago. Johnson won first place in the Most Talented Under 12 competition, beating out 25 other finalists from nine states. “He blew us away with his talent and spirit,” Mike adds.  

Cedarmont has built a broad customer base by focusing on well-known classic songs and selling their products at affordable prices. Their diversified catalog now features 46 CDs on five labels:
Cedamont Kids^® Classics
Cedarmont Kids Gospel^®
Cedarmont Niños^®
Cedarmont Baby^®
Cedarmont Worship for Kids^®

Fifteen of these titles were Spanish releases. They have also developed a series of eleven DVDs, which are live-action, sing-along versions of the audio recordings.  

During the production of Gospel Sunday School Songs, Mike shared a story his grandfather told him about growing up in rural southern Georgia where the family traveled to church in a horse-drawn wagon. During bad weather, they would often worship at an African-American church that was much closer to their home. They were always made to feel welcome, even during the tense years of segregation.

“It was not uncommon back then,” explains Mike, “for white families to visit African-American churches, even though it was a segregated society.  As a result of their fellowship, many wonderful spirituals were transplanted and became well-known in churches of all denominations.  We hope this new CD will enable people to share these special songs with today’s children so that there will be a renewed spirit of sharing and fellowship to a whole new generation.”

ANNIE MOSES BAND ANNOUNCES WORLD PREMIERE VIDEO FOR “BLUSH,” NOVEMBER 18th ON GREAT AMERICAN COUNTRY TELEVISION (GAC)

Los Angeles, Calif. (Nov. 13, 2012) – On November 18^th, Billboard charting Annie Moses Band will debut the music video for their first radio single “Blush” on Great American Country television (GAC). Great American Country is the leader in country music entertainment, and delivers to viewers the widest variety of country music, its artists and the lifestyles they influence.  To coincide with the music video debut, Annie Moses Band has launched a pledge titled “Blush Beliefs,” where listeners can show their support for the values behind the song. “Blush” was originally released on the band’s album, Pilgrims & Prodigals, which hit stores this past September.

The music video was directed by award-winning filmmaker, David Kiern, inside of Tennessee’s glamorous Rippavilla Plantation. Though Rippavilla is a historic mansion infamous for its ghosts, the band saw it as a perfect backdrop for the radio single which marries a nostalgic message to a modern edge.

“Blush” is a song that aims to question our culture’s cynicism and to speak a timeless truth with powerful relevance. The band recognizes that almost everyone in our society has been hurt by broken relationships, and that individuals turn to cynicism rather than a belief in values that create and nurture loving and long-lasting relationships. The song’s message communicates the group’s desire to return to a time when a wounded heart was not an inevitable experience.

“I hope ‘Blush’ reminds people of a time when faithfulness and kindness, dignity and innocence were not the stuff of fairytales, but the values that bring love to everyday life,” says Annie Wolaver, lead vocalist and violinist of the band.

To launch its “Blush Beliefs” campaign, Annie Moses Band is calling likeminded “Blush” listeners to act through www.blushbeliefs.com.  On the site, visitors will find the music video and a corresponding pledge. From there, viewers can log in through Facebook and align with the campaign which promotes messages of truth, faithfulness, kindness and more.

Pilgrims & Prodigals is a two-disc CD/DVD package that is a collection of songs that explore the timeless theme of roaming and redemption. The album is centered on the idea that everyone in the world is going somewhere and features 13 diverse tracks, eight of which were written or co-written by members of the group. When sampling the project listeners can expect to find a blend of classical, jazz, folk, and Celtic stylings.

For more information on Annie Moses Band and “Blush” please visit: http://www.anniemosesband.com/. To view the music video and align with the “Blush Beliefs” campaign, please go to www.blushbeliefs.com. 

THE ANNIE MOSES BAND CELEBRATES THE SEASON WITH LATEST MULTI-MEDIA PROJECT, ULTIMATE CHRISTMAS COLLECTION AVAILABLE NOVEMBER 27

 Los Angeles, Calif. (Oct.30, 2012)— The Annie Moses Band celebrates the season with its latest multi-media project, Ultimate Christmas Collection. Releasing nationwide on November 27, the collection fuses timeless carols with new original arrangements. The five-disc package is comprised of an instrumental project, the band’s chart topping studio album and the record breaking PBS CD/DVD special, providing fans with the complete Annie Moses Band holiday experience.

The album highlights three classic holiday projects from the Annie Moses Band that include, Christmas Bright & Beautiful, This Glorious Christmas and Christmas with the Annie Moses Band live CD/DVD. The project also features a brand new digital release of the band’s latest seasonal album, Christmas Comes Softly - an instrumental album comprised of original arrangements of holiday favorites. Some of the traditional songs include “Ave Maria,” “Angels We Have Heard on High,” “Joy to the World,” and “Lo! How A Rose ‘Ere Blooming.”

Christmas Bright & Beautiful (2008), expertly crafted by Annie Moses Band’s jazz pianist and arranger, Bill Wolaver, is an instrumental album that features a collection of beautiful Christmas carols that range from gentle impressionism to avant-garde excitement. Performed by the classically-trained musicians of the band, the arrangements reflect the acoustic Annie Moses style of string quartet, harp, guitar, piano and mandolin.

This Glorious Christmas (2008) is the Top 10 Classical Crossover project that introduced the style and sound of Annie Moses Band to the world. This album features studio recordings of fan favorites like “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” and “When the Christmas Baby Cries.”

Christmas with Annie Moses Band live CD/DVD (2011) allows fans to enjoy the record-breaking PBS Special in the comfort of their own home. The band’s live performances showcase classical and jazzy arrangements of carols alongside breathtaking original songs.

To coincide with the release of the Ultimate Christmas Collection, Annie Moses Band will perform an array of songs from the new project on its holiday tour.  Opening on November 29 in Belleville, Ill., the band will tour in a total of 17 performances throughout the season in markets such as Nashville, Tenn., Ft. Worth, Texas and New Orleans, La. The Christmas tour will be sponsored by Holt International, a non-profit organization that supports special needs children in countries overseas who are awaiting adoption.

After Thanksgiving, PBS will re-air the critically acclaimed Holiday Special that attracted audiences nationwide in 2009. To date, Annie Moses Band has garnered the highest debut for any new artist on the network.  Check your local listings, or call your PBS station for airtimes.

For more information on the Annie Moses Band Ultimate Christmas Collection, please go to www.anniemosesband.com.

Pathway Record’s, Dennise Dittman To Release New Recording And First Radio Single With Pathway Entertainment.

Franklin, TN-10/25/2012: Pathway Records is pleased to announce the new Pathway Recording and the first single release from Dennise Dittman, “Power Of His Love” produced by Bill Dykes, which will be released to 750 radio stations countrywide.

Bill Traylor, President of Pathway Records says, “Dennise’s voice is extraordinary! In all my years of producing gospel music, I can only recall one time hearing such talent, and that was Sandy Patti.  You will hear many great things from Dennise in the future”.

The new single was shipped to radio stations last month on Mansion Radio Hits Volume 6. Dennise is very excited to join in on this journey with her friends at Pathway Entertainment and Pathway Records.  Dennise comments, “It’s truly a blessing!”

For more information on Dennise Dittman and her upcoming album and performances, visit her website: http://dennisenicholedittman.net/

Fans ‘Count On’ an All-new Dynamic Release from The Hoppers

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—October 22nd, 2012— One of Gospel music’s most awarded and acclaimed family groups The Hoppers have just completed an all-new studio recording entitled Count Me In (Spring Hill Music/Gaither Gospel Series®), scheduled to hit the streets on October 23rd.  Family members Kim, Dean, Connie, Claude and Michael Hopper joined hands with industry veteran producer Michael Sykes, along with co-production from Kim and Mike, to bring this collection of songs to life.

Dalton Harmon Releases Single to Radio Via Patterson Promotions Dalton

{EHA-Nashville, TN} North Carolina native and Southern Gospel recording artist, Dalton Harmon, signed on with Patterson Promotions for his latest single, “Don’t Close the Door.” Pauline Patterson of Patterson Promotions notes, “It is such a pleasure to work with Dalton and I’m so excited he is going out on our latest comp! We are just so honored to have this great voice on our roster and we love his mission! The song is on P.P. Vol. 9. For a free press kit: Evie@EHA-Nashville.com More info: Daltonharmon@northstate.net or 336-861-5086