SGN Scoops Digital

January 2012 SGNScoops Magazine

We’re kicking the New Year off right at SGNScoops Magazine! We are so pleased to announce….DIAMOND AWARDS NOMINATIONS are underway! Check out Laura Kennedy’s article for a little background on the Diamond Awards and follow the voting instructions. We’re anticipating a great awards show this year as well as voting to top last year’s record breaking participation. Help us spread the word about the Diamond Awards by posting our link to your website and all social media outlets.

Are you ready for some New Ernie Haase and Signature Sound music?!?! Check out our cover story and see what all Ernie Haase has to say about their new album and new tour! Features this month include Donna Beauvais, The Issacs, The Lesters, and Brian Free & Assurance. We have new music reviews, Voices Won Anniversary coverage and a concert story covering the Gaither’s Jubilate 2011. As always, we provide inspiration and encouragement and the latest in Southern Gospel and Christian Country News. You’ll also see what songs are topping the charts as well as find some great soup recipes! Thank you for reading and pass along to your friends! Happy New Year! Download The Magazine Here

Guy Penrod Brings “More Power To Ya” To Fans At Grand Ole Opry On Friday, November 11

November 2, 2011 – Guy Penrod brings his brand new Country single, “More Power To Ya” directly to Country fans at the Grand Ole Opry on Friday, November 11.  The Veteran’s Day performance is his debut appearance at the Opry as a solo artist; he will be accompanied by musicians Jason Ahlbrandt and Jonathan Crone along with the Opry Band.  The show kicks off at 7 p.m. (CT), and will be held at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, known worldwide as “The Mother Church of CountryMusic.” Fans can also listen online at www.wsmonline.com.  The evening is an important one for Guy, who shares the bill with one of his Country music heroes, Charley Pride.  “I’ve got his GREATEST HITS CD playing in my truck right now,” Penrod says. It is also Veteran’s Day, and Guy understands what an important day that is for those who have served our nation.  “My Dad was an Air Force veteran who served in Korea,” Penrod states.  “He has a military marker at his grave, and I have the flag from his funeral hanging in my home.  We need to salute not only those who have served, but those who continue to protect and defend the United States of America.”  Penrod, who rose to fame as the powerhouse lead vocalist for The Gaither Vocal Band, was raised in West Texas and, while his local radio station didn’t carry the Opry, there was plenty of good Country music to be heard.  “I grew up listening to some great artists,” Guy says.  “Pride, Ray Price, Marty Robbins, George Jones and Tammy Wynette ruled the airwaves then, and their music is just as impactful today. I am proud to follow in their footsteps at The Ryman.” Guy’s debut solo CD, BREATHE DEEP, was released worldwide in 2010. The best-selling disc generated critical acclaim and earned Guy a Dove Award nomination, chart success and recognition as a stand-alone artist. BREATHE DEEP was the biggest-selling New Southern Gospel album of 2010. He recently entertained the sold-out crowd at the 17th Annual ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards Show where he was nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year.  Penrod has performed over 170 shows on his “Breathe Deep Tour” in 2010-2011, including three days as part of  Dollywood’s Gospel Celebration and various stages around the world. In November, Guy returns to the studio to begin work on a new CD.  The upcoming HYMNS disc has generated an early buzz within the industry and among his fans. He will continue to record through December, and in January heads out on the First Annual Snowbird Tour of Florida.   ABOUT GUY PENRODDuring his 14-year tenure with The Gaither Vocal Band, Guy logged over 3,000 hours of television airtime and generated CD/DVD sales of over 20,000,000 units.  With The GVB, Guy won four Dove Awards and one Grammy; performed at legendary venues, including: Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center; Sydney Opera House and more.  Penrod has performed in front of more than six million fans and appeared onstage in Germany, Norway, England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, Denmark, Israel, South Africa and Australia. He was inducted in to the Texas Gospel Hall of Fame in 2011. Guy and his wife Angie have eight children and they live just south of Nashville, TN.

Catch The Roys’ Impromptu Appearance On RFD-TV’s Larry’s Country Diner

Nashville, TN (October 26, 2011) — Lee and Elaine Roy were spotted on the set during an August taping of Larry’s Country Diner, and show host Larry Black invited them to perform. “It was totally unexpected,” laughs Elaine Roy.  “We were really lucky our fiddle player Clint White happened to be with us.” Leona Williams was the show’s featured guest that day, but the grand lady of Country graciously made way for the Bluegrass/Roots duo. The Roys rose to the occasion with a rousing rendition of “Give A Ride To The Devil” from their current Rural Rhythm Records’ CD, LONESOME WHISTLE.  “And we didn’t leave until we’d gotten our fill of the Diner’s awesome cheeseburgers and chocolate pie,” adds Lee Roy.  This is The Roys’ second appearance on the popular RFD-TV show this year.

 AIR DATES/TIMES (more info at www.larryscountrydiner.com ):Thursday, October 27th at 7:00 p.m. CDTFriday, October 28th at 9:00 a.m. CDTSaturday, October 29th at 10:00 p.m. CDTLee and Elaine are the reigning Inspirational Country Music Duo of the Year, and are in the running for three additional ICM awards this year: Vocal Duo of the Year, Inspirational Bluegrass Artist and Inspirational Country Song (“I Wonder What God’s Thinking”).  The Roys will perform on this year’s show, which will be held in Nashville on Friday, October 28at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center.  The duo heads back out on the road on October 29 for shows in Alabama, Minnesota, Kentucky, Florida and Virginia.  These dates follow a hectic summer of high-profile performances at Country Thunder Festival USA (where they opened for Lady Antebellum), Dollywood, Dogwood Park Concert Series, and numerous other festivals and events.  The Roys have appeared on several Fox Television Network shows, Daily Buzz, ABC-TV’s What’s The Buzz, Daytime, GAC-TV, and other national programs. Fans can catch up with all the news and The Roys’ complete itinerary by going to theroysonline.com .

Jim Sheldon Scores First Charting Hit at Christian Country Radio

DANVILLE, Ky. – (October 5, 2011) – Homeland Inspiration Group recording artist Jim Sheldon has earned his first ever charting single this month. His first single to Christian Country radio – “God Is Looking At My Heart” – will debut at #88 on the PowerSource Magazine Inspirational Country Top 100 Chart this month. “I am overwhelmed at how God is using my ministry at this present time,” mentioned Jim. “He is using me and my music in ways that I never would have dreamed. Thank you to everyone at Christian radio who has played my music!” “God Is Looking at My Heart” is the debut single from Jim’s recording His Grace. The single was released and promoted to Christian Country radio through HMG Nashville. Fans of Christian country and Southern Gospel music can hear the single by visiting Jim’s website at www.puttinggodfirstministry.com  . You can also sample Jim’s music by visiting his Reverb Nation site at http://www.reverbnation.com/jimsheldon  . Jim recently released his debut recording for Homeland Inspirational Group’s Christian country label Mont Eagle Records. The album – I Belong to Jesus – released last month during the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.  More information on that release will be forthcoming. Jim’s debut single at Southern Gospel radio will be released soon from Homeland Inspiration Group/Mont Eagle Records. Jim recently signed an exclusive publicity agreement with Southern Spin Entertainment. Through this agreement, Jim will have unlimited access to all media outlets serviced by Southern Spin Entertainment, as well as potential marketing and media campaigns through the organization. For more information about Jim, visit his website at www.puttinggodfirstministry.com .  About Jim SheldonJim is based out of Danville, Kentucky where he spearheads his personal ministry – Putting God First Ministries. Jim was most recently seen traveling and singing baritone for the The Keetons. Jim recently signed a recording contract with Homeland Inspiration Group’s Mont Eagle Records. His debut album with Mont Eagle Records – I Belong to Jesus – is now available!

Red Roots Talks With Rob Patz of SGNScoops

The Roys In Running For Three Inspirational Country Music Awards

Nashville, TN (September 1, 2011) — The reigning Inspirational Country Music Duo of the Year, The Roys, are in the running for three more ICM awards this year: Vocal Duo of The Year, Inspirational Bluegrass Artist and Inspirational Country Song (“I Wonder What God’s Thinking”).  Winners will be announced during the 2011 ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards show, held in Nashville on Friday, October 28 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The Roys will perform “That’s What Makes It Love” that night with special guests Ricky Skaggs and The Whites. Both songs are from The Roys’ current CD, LONESOME WHISTLE, which was recorded at Skaggs Place Studio and released March 22 this year on Rural Rhythm Records. The disc debuted at #7 on BILLBOARD’s Bluegrass Albums Chart, and is currently #6 on Bluegrass Unlimited’s Top 15 Albums Chart, #7 on Cashbox Magazine’s Top 20 Bluegrass Albums Chart and #16 on The Alternate Root’s Top 66 Bluegrass Album Chart.”We’re overjoyed to be nominated again this year,” says Elaine Roy. “And it will be amazing to perform on stage with legends like Ricky Skaggs and The Whites,” adds her brother, Lee.  “They were amazing to work with in the studio.”  Ricky and The Whites appear on the recorded version of “That’s What Makes It Love.” The brother/sister duo has enjoyed numerous high-profile performances this year, kicking off Country Thunder Festival USA (where they opened for Lady Antebellum), Dollywood (Pigeon Forge, TN), Dogwood Park Concert Series (Greenville, TN), and more. They’ve appeared on several Fox Television Network shows, Daily Buzz, ABC-TV’s What’s The Buzz, Daytime, GAC-TV, and numerous other popular programs. Upcoming shows include dates with country legend Janie Fricke, and performances at the Kentucky Renaissance Fair, Heroes Music Festival at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Rocky River Fall Bluegrass Festival and dates in Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee. Fans can catch up with all the news and complete itinerary on The Roys by clicking on www.theroysonline.com For further information on the 2011 ICM Week in Nashville, click on: www.ICM-awards.com.

Music Icon Ricky Skaggs Nominated For Five ICM Awards, Including Entertainer and Legend/Pioneer Award

Nashville, TN (September 1, 2011) — The ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards Top 5 finalists were announced yesterday, and Ricky Skaggs secured nominations in five categories: Legend/Pioneer Award, Entertainer, Inspirational Country Song (“Someday Soon”), Musician and Inspirational Bluegrass Artist. For Skaggs, who has previously won several ICM Awards, this year’s nominations are particularly sweet. “I’m very grateful to the ICM for all the nominations,” says Skaggs. “When I started playin’ and singin’, they didn’t have award shows like they do now, so I’ve never been driven to win them. I just love the music and I love the fact that God uses music to speak to people’s hearts. That’s what I’m in it for, to be a messenger of His Love.” The 17th Annual Inspirational Country Music Awards will be held on Friday, October 28 at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Ricky has been honored with the following ICM Awards: Musician of the Year, Christian Country Music Association – 1994, 1995, Musician of the Year – 2008, Inspirational Bluegrass Artist (with The Whites) – 2008, Mainstream Country Artist (with The Whites) – 2008, Mainstream Country Artist – 2009 and Inspirational Bluegrass Artist – 2010. A 14-time Grammy® winner, Skaggs should have no problem garnering additional nominations in the future, as he continues to record and produce peerless music that appeals to an ever-growing fan base that crosses multiple genres. He released COUNTRY HITS BLUEGRASS STYLE in July, and the 14-song disc is a mix of Skaggs’ Country and Bluegrass roots; a compilation of numerous Skaggs’ #1 Country hits and fan favorites, played in a Bluegrass style. Ricky’s been sharing his music with fans around the country during his current Treasure Chest Tour. The tour continues with shows in Copper Mountain, CO (Villages at Copper Mountain), Stephenville, TX (Birdsong Amphitheater), Bloomington, IL (Bloomington Performing Arts Center) and Hiawassee, GA (Georgia Mountain Fall Festival) in addition to a host of bluegrass dates. In August, Skaggs Family Records announced the issue of another 2011 CD: A SKAGGS FAMILY CHRISTMAS VOLUME TWO. The 10-song disc hits stores nationwide on September 27, and features both studio and live recordings. A bonus DVD filled with 26 performances of traditional seasonal favorites and new compositions that are sure to become holiday treasures is included with the CD. Skaggs and The Whites have taken their live holiday show on the road for the last eight years, entertaining crowds in venues ranging from churches to symphony halls, to the National Tree Lighting Ceremony in Washington D.C., where they sang for President George W. Bush. They continue the tradition this year with bookings at a variety of outlets throughout the holiday season. A Skaggs Family Christmas Tour concludes with a special evening at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center on December 22. For more news on this music icon and a complete itinerary, log on to: www.rickyskaggs.com.For information on the 2011 ICM Week in Nashville, click on: www.ICM-awards.com.

Red Roots Concert Review

Red Roots made their Michigan debut in Dowagiac Wednesday evening.
The 20-year-old triplets from Hurley, Miss., packed Michiana Church of Christ, whose pastor, Justin Shepard, commended “these gals and their parents,” Mark and Sherry Taylor.
“They weren’t here 30 seconds and they said ’y’awl,’ ” said the balding Shepard, joking about the transition from “Red Roots” to “no roots. They do more than sing, they minister. Today, they came from Louisville, Ky.,” and were too busy trying to learn to say Cheboygan to attempt Doe-Wah-Jack.
“The name Red Roots does come from our red hair,” said Natalie, who played violin, mandolin and keyboard.
She began taking piano lessons at 9.
“More importantly, it comes from the fact that we’re rooted in the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Just to let y’awl know you aren’t crazy, we are triplets. I’m the middle child of us three girls (they have a 4-year-older brother, Mark Jr.). My way, way, older sister, Nicole, by one whole minute, she plays bass, banjo and guitar. Then our little baby sister, Nika, is our lead singer. She also plays guitar.”
The Christian country trio’s video, also called “Red Roots,” about a father and daughter hunting sassafras roots to make red tea, can be viewed on YouTube or on their Web site, www.theredroots.com, where a photo of the women with fans who came to the concert wearing the group’s T-shirts will be posted.
Nicole stays in the background the most, but delivers the most powerful testimonial introducing “Red Roots”:
“I didn’t get my true red roots until I was 15 years old,” she said. “I was supposedly doing everything — going to church, playing in a Christian band, reading my Bible, praying — but I never came to a point in my life where I really realized how wicked and evil my heart was and what a sinner I was. Nothing really clicked with me. One night at church the Holy Spirit just began to use the scripture to pierce my heart. God began to reveal to me how wicked and evil my heart was. When the invitation came, I felt so much guilt. I’m so thankful God broke down my barrier of pride that day. Pride blinded me all those years. Once I repented my sins, God took all that away.”
Shepard’s favorite tune, “God Says No,” was introduced with, “When we first started out, our band was taken advantage of. We wondered why God would let that happen to us. We wondered if it was a sign we should just quit, but we kept praying and time passed by” and eventually, “God opened some doors for us.”
“This is a God thing because they haven’t been in our church, unless they were mice in the last three weeks or a month,” Shepard said. “I love guitar picking and fiddle, violin and banjo, but when they sang ‘God Says No’ and they haven’t been here, God knew what we needed. That’s my favorite tonight because it ministered to me.”
Shepard related that a few weeks ago while he was home and his wife was at work, an elderly woman and a 13-year-old girl knocked on the door.
“They invited me to church,” he said. “I don’t know if it was the devil or what got into me, but when they said, ‘Do you go to church?’ I said, ‘Yes, I do.’  They said, ‘Do you go to church a lot?’ I still played my dumb game with them. Then I couldn’t take the dishonesty anymore” and confessed he was the Michiana Church of Christ minister.
“The 13-year-old said, ‘That doesn’t matter. Do you know Jesus?’ She’s to be commended. The last two sermons here have been about don’t ever quit. Don’t ever give up your faith. You’re 20. I see God doing great things with you and through you. Don’t ever give that up.
“I see you on the rise. Stay humble. God gives grace to the humble. And it’s never to be assumed that because someone goes to church they know Jesus. Never assume that.”
The Red Roots closed with a reprise of the “hillbilly guitar song” they performed earlier.

SGNScoops would like to thank Red Roots for a great concert and John Eby for the great concert review and picture.

Sharron Kay King’s “A Little Hope” Lands In Top 20

BYRON, Ga. – (July 29, 2011) – Singing News Fan Award nominee Sharron Kay has landed another single on the AbsolutelyGospel.com Top 40 Weeky Chart – the industry’s most watched weekly radio report in Southern Gospel music.
 
Her latest single, “A Little Hope,” has charted consistently for the last 14 weeks on the Top 40 chart – peaking recently at #16.
 
“’A Little Hope’ is a song about the power of prayer in our lives,” mentioned Sharron. “This song has touched many lives since I started singing it, and I know it is simply because of the message of hope that it provides. There is power in prayer, and my prayer is that this song will minister to those who need that hope in their lives.”
 
“A Little Hope” is the fourth consecutive Top 20 hit for Sharron on the AbsolutelyGospel.com Top 40 Chart from her current release Don’t Stop Believing. The previous songs from that recording to chart on the report include “God’s Been Good” (#6), “Don’t Stop Believing” (#17), and “I Was On His Mind” (#17).
 
“I’m so grateful that radio has gotten behind my music,” mentioned Sharron Kay King. “I believe God put these songs in my hands for a reason, and I’m so thankful that people are getting to hear about God’s life-changing power.”
 
“A Little Hope” was released to Southern Gospel and Christian Country radio earlier this year through her new partnership with Crown Music Group.
 
Fans can listen to “A Little Hope” by visiting Sharron’s website at http://www.sharronkayking.com .
 
Sharron recently recorded her first-ever live DVD. The popular soloist recorded footage for the DVD at the Leesburg Church of God in Leesburg, Georgia on Saturday, August 21, 2010.  The Kenny Croft Band was the house band for the recording. The band hails from Vienna, Georgia.
 
More information as well as booking information on Sharron Kay King can be found at http://sharronkayking.com.  Fans are encouraged to visit Sharron’s MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/sharronkayking. Fans can visit Sharron on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sharron-Kay-King-Official-Fan-Page/102290253148210 .
 
About Sharron Kay King
Sharron Kay King is a talented singer/songwriter based out of Byron, Georgia.  Sharron’s last release, Don’t Stop Believing, spawned off the #1 fan favorite “God’s Been Good.”  King was a 2008 Top 5 finalist in the Singing News Fan Awards for Favorite Horizon Individual and a 2009 Top 10 finalist for Favorite Soloist.

Southern Heritage In The Studio

Rose Gilley and daughter Deana Brown, better known as Southern Heritage from Atmore, AL have been in Nashville recording their brand new recording.  The mother / daughter duo’s sound is very unique.  While the music is unmistakably Southern Gospel, their harmony is reminiscent of Country Music superstars, The Judds.    Southern Heritage records for Garden Creek Records, a division of Song Garden Music Group.  The new project will be released at NQC, 2011 in Louisville, KY.