SGN Scoops Digital

Elbert Southall of Georgians Has Passed Away

From Lamp Music Group: We received word in our office a few minutes ago that Elbert Southall formerly of the Georgians quartet has passed away due to injuries that he sustained from a fall while jogging on Friday.

UPDATE: Prayer Request: Spoken 4 Involved in Major AccidentATE

We just received word from group co-manager Jon Charles Taggart that bass singer Cecil Stringer and baritone singer, Jeremy Wilkerson have been hospitalized for injuries sustained in the horrible crash that has totaled their touring van and merchandise trailer.

Jon Charles says, “Cecil has a broken hand and frostbite, Jeremy appears to have broken his foot.”

We will get any more information as it becomes available. The guys are thanking the Lord for His hand of protection. As you can imagine it will be a difficult physical and financial road for them in the immediate future. Their van and trailer, which held their equipment and product was totaled. Please continue to remember them in your prayers.

From Lamp Music Group: We just received word from members of Spoken 4 Quartet that they were involved in a massive 30+ car pileup on I-70 near Casey, IL.

Susan Unthank Hospitalized with Collapsed Lung

Prayers are appreciated for Susan Unthank of AbsolutelyGospel.com (formerly SoGospelNews.com) and wife of Deon Unthank (Sunday Edition). Susan was rushed to the hospital late Saturday evening (November 6, 2010) due to complaints of severe stomach pains. It was revealed after several X-rays that she was suffering from a semi-collapsed lung in addition to the stomach pains. The doctors are inserting a tube to drain any fluid and air that may be trapped in the pneumothorax today.

Please remember Susan and the entire Unthank family in your prayers. Susan has suffered many health issues over the last few years due to her increasing struggles with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (a very common form of Muscular Dystrophy).

For more information – stay tuned to AbsolutelyGospel.com or you can get frequent updates on Twitter by following her children’s accounts (@amymarie1001, @chrisunthank, and @scottbandy).

NELONS INVOLVED IN MAJESTIC THEATRE FIRE

NASHVILLE, Tenn – Friday, November 5, 2010 – The Nelons, one of gospel music legendary families were beginning to sing the first song of their set “Beside Still Waters” at the historic Majestic Theatre in Chillicothe, Ohio when the group they had followed began yelling and sounding off the fire alarm to alert everyone the stage was on fire. Kelly Nelon Clark, husband Jason Clark and daughter Amber Nelon Thompson credit the quick action of Beyond The Ashes members Anthony Facello, Casey Rivers, and Kellan Monroe for saving their lives. Seven group members transported to a local hospital were treated for smoke inhalation and released. 
Kelly Nelon Clark commented, “We’re thankful everyone got out of the building safely, and for the amazing heros at the Chillicothe Volunteer Fire Department, and the kind staff at Adena Regional Medical Center in Chillicothe, Ohio.” 
 
According to The Chillicothe Gazette, a curtain caught fire around 8:30 PM and the Chillicothe Fire Department put the blaze out within the hour.
The Majestic Theater has been the premier stage site in Chillicothe since it was built on E. 2nd Street in 1853. Laurel and Hardy, Milton Berle and Sophie Tucker are among the legendary entertainers who have performed at the venue.
ABOUT THE NELONS
In 1957, Rex Nelon (Kelly’s father) joined the LeFevres one of gospel music’s legendary families. In 1973, he assumed direction of the The LeFevres, which eventually became known as the Rex Nelon Singers, now called the Nelons.  Rex mentored his daughter Kelly Nelon who continues to carry on the family traditions by heading the group.

Rex Nelon died in 2000 in London while recording a Bill Gaither and Homecoming Friends video.

Accolades include: six GMA Dove awards, three Grammy nominations, multiple Singing News awards, New York Film Festival award for concept video “Famine In Their Land” among others.  Television appearances include: Grand Ole Opry, TNN, 700 Club and many others.

Kelly Nelon now leads the group with her husband Jason and daughter Amber.  Their newest release, Beside Still Waters, is available where Christian music is sold and online at www.TheNelons.com

Tony Dykes of the Greesons Passes Away.

Lead singer, Tony Dykes of the family group- “The Greesons” passed away earlier on Thursday morning at age 48.  Survivors include his wife Lisa, daughter Emily, son Jacob and parents.  Tony will be greatly missed by many family members and friends.

Arrangements are as follows:  Viewing and visitation will be at 1:00 pm starting Friday and the Home-Going Celebration Service will be held on Saturday at 1:00 pm at Wilson and Sons Funeral Home. The funeral home is located at 555 West Cloud Springs Road Fort Oglethorpe, GA.

Our thoughts and prayers are with Lisa, the children and the entire family during this difficult time.  Your prayers and encouragement to the family is greatly appreciated.  Notes and cards can be sent to the family at 350 Diamond Drive, Chickamauga GA 30707.

Eighth Day Set To Take the Gospel to the Cayman Islands

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – (October 21, 2010) – Popular Southern Gospel trio Eighth Day will be taking the Gospel to the Cayman Islands this month. The trio will visit Cayman Brac (one of the three islands that comprise the Cayman Islands) from October 28-November 1, 2010 and will be ministering several times over the weekend including a fall festival on the Saturday evening of the weekend.

Scott Robinson of Eighth Day said, “This is such an exciting experience for us! We can’t wait to share our music and the message of the Gospel to the people of Cayman Brac. We serve a God of hope and healing, and we can’t wait to relay His message to those people.”

The trip was arranged by Pastor Thomas French of Cotton Tree Bay Church of God on Cayman Brac.

“Eighth Day has always counted it a joy to carry the good news of the Gospel,” mentioned Joni Robinson of Eighth Day. “Whenever we get a chance to minister in another country like this really means so much to us. We have been looking forward to this trip for a very long time!”

More information on the trip as well as pictures after Eighth Day returns can be found at their website at http://www.eighthdaymusic.com .

Eighth Day’s new single has been doing well at radio. “Heaven’s Mine” is a fresh, upbeat Country-based tune that features the writing talents of Robert Arthur and Monty Lane Allen. The song was released to Southern Gospel radio through Spin-N-Motion Radio Promotions. The song can be found on the company’s June 2010 comp, cut #3.

The song has already ranked in the Top 20 on the AbsolutelyGospel.com (formerly SoGospelNews.com) Top 40 Weekly Chart (#11) and Top 40 on the Singing News Top 80 Chart (#34).

“Heaven’s Mine” is the fourth single from Eighth Day’s SGN Music Award nominated project – Everything Holy. That album has already spawned off three previous Top 20 hits with “Everything Holy to Me,” “The Veil Was Torn,” and most recently “Trust His Heart.” It is also the group’s ninth consecutive Top 40 single.

More information on Eighth Day can be found at http://www.eighthdaymusic.com. 

About Eighth Day
Eighth Day is a popular trio based out of Spartanburg, South Carolina.  The group has quickly established itself as one of the top new talents in Gospel music today.  Their fresh and progressive sound has been described as a little bit country, a touch of bluegrass, and a whole lot of Gospel!

AN OPEN LETTER FROM TARANDA GREENE

Dear Friends,

I want to say a very special “Thank You” to each and every one for all of your love, prayers, encouragement and support during this very difficult time in my life. It’s during a time like this that one finds who your true friends are, and I have been blessed with so many of you. It has been a few weeks of overwhelming emotions, but through it all, the Lord has been wonderful! Tony’s home-going Celebration was truly that…a celebration of his life and ministry. Tony was my husband and my companion in life, and I loved him with all my heart. Saying goodbye has been the hardest thing I have ever had to face. Yet, I can truthfully say that over the last few years I have felt the Lord preparing my heart for this upcoming heartbreak. Honestly, our life was not always easy or perfect. As everyone does, we went through our trials and storms of life, but as we sang and encouraged night after night…we held on! The Lord has been faithful to walk through each and every trial. I am still holding on, and I’m still trusting in His plan.

Tony was my biggest encourager and always pushed me to sing. I have been very blessed over the last few years with amazing opportunities. I look back on all of it as a time of preparation for this new day. The very best way I can remember Tony is to do what I know he would want me to do: I will sing! I will hurt, and I will grieve. I will share with our precious girls every memory of their wonderful father who loved them. I will take each day one step at a time. I will look forward to what life has ahead for me. I will cling and hold on to the relationships and friendships that have carried me through. And, I will sing.

There have been questions and speculation about my future and the future of The Greenes. I can acknowledge that we will have formal announcements at a later date, but for now, my current plans include taking some time to rest. I will honor some singing engagements I committed to in November and December.  These events include some cruises, a West Coast tour, and Christmas with The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. I plan on filling these upcoming dates solo, sharing my music, songs of The Greenes, my memories and my story. John Jeffrey, who played the piano with our ministry for over five years, will continue to accompany me as pianist. Jeff Synder also has plans for his own future, and we are excited for him. We all covet your prayers and your support. I know this will not be easy, but it is what I feel in my heart I must do, and I know the Lord will continue to walk with me every step of the way. I look forward to seeing each one of you along the journey. 

Love,
TaRanda

Father of Brian Free Passes Away

Father of Brian Free Passes Away

(Hendersonville, TN) October 3, 2010 – James Thomas Free, father of Daywind Records artist, Brian Free, went home to be the Lord on Sunday, October 3, 2010 at 12:40 am.
Visitation will be from 4:00-9:00 pm on Monday, October 4, 2010 at the Jeff Eberhart Funeral Home in Dallas, GA.  Services will take place on Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 11:00 am at the same location. 
Please contact the Jeff Eberhart Funeral Home at (770) 445-4496, and located at 123 Watson Drive in Dallas, GA, for more information. 
The family would appreciate your prayers during this difficult time.

Funeral Arrangements for Tony Greene

The funeral arrangements for Tony Greene have been made and are as follows:

Monday, October 4 visitation will be from 4pm to 7pm with funeral service at 7:00 pm.  The location will be First Baptist Church- Indian Trail, North Carolina.  The Graveside service will be on Tuesday, October 5 at 1:00 pm at  Westview Baptist Church- Boone, North Carolina.

In lieu of flowers, that family has requested donations to be made to the Tony Greene Medical Fund.

On the passing of Tony Greene

NORTH CAROLINA – Beloved gospel singer Tony Greene has passed away today, confirmed by a report from his brother-in-law, Dean Hopper.

Tony was hospitalized last week and has been battling aggressive infections ever since. He was 41.

He leaves behind his loving wife TaRanda, young daughters Isabella and Jocelyn, his mother Carolyn, his brother Tim, his sister Kim [Hopper], his nieces, and many friends and fans.

We celebrate his life today as we pray for and mourn with his family.