SGN Scoops Digital

MICHAEL ENGLISH SOME PEOPLE CHANGE HITS STREETS MARCH 26

Nashville, Tenn. (March 22, 2013) – The wait is over! Acclaimed vocalist, Michael English, is set to release his new release, Some People Change, on March 26, 2013. The highly anticipated project is Michael’s first studio recording in six years and is being released by CURB Records.

Although this is his first solo recording in several years, the gifted singer has hardly been resting. Michael has kept an extremely busy touring and recording schedule as a member of the Grammy® award-winning Gaither Vocal Band.

Michael’s penetrating, power-packed vocals are at the forefront on this new release as he is featured on brand new songs, “That Great Day,” “Waking Up The Dawn,” the current single “Stubborn,” time-tested classics such as “I’d Rather Have Jesus,” and a brand-new version of Michael’s hit song, “In Christ Alone.” A bonus track, “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” is included from the film “The Last Ride,” about the life of Hank Williams.

You might hear a few familiar voices on some of the tunes. Russ Taff is featured on “Come To The River,” a cover of the pop classic, “I Knew You Were Waiting,” finds Crystal Lewis lending her vocals, The Martins bring their family harmony to “On That Great Day,” and Michael’s musical brothers – Mark Lowry, David Phelps and Wes Hampton – are featured on the Happy Goodmans’ tune, “I Wouldn’t Take Nothin’ For My Journey Now.”

Some People Change features tunes from hit songwriters Neil Thrasher, Don Koch, Ben Hayslip, Jimmy Yeary, George Beverly Shea, Hank Williams, Jason Sellers, Jonny Lang, Jenny Lee Riddle, Rusty Goodman among others. “It all begins with a song,” says Michael. “I was blessed to get some of the best songs I’ve ever heard – some old and some new – on this CD! I had a blast singing the words of these writers.”

Masterfully produced by long-time friend, Jay DeMarcus, Michael knew Jay was the perfect fit for this recording. “No one knows my voice better than Jay,” Michael affirms. The two had previously worked together on Gospel (1998), and even a hint of Michael’s native North Carolina comes to the fore with subtle, yet distinct country flair.

Some People Change is currently available for pre-orders on MichaelEnglishMusic.com and all orders from the website will be autographed by Michael. Some People Change releases March 26 and will be available on iTunes, Amazon, all digital retailers as well as physical retail outlets such as Lifeway, Walmart and others.

Red Roots To Appear On The American Bible Challenge On GSN

Hendersonville, TN (February 25, 2013) – Red Hen recording artist, RED ROOTS will appear on Season 2 of the hugely successful GSN television series THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE.  Jeff Foxworthy hosts this one-hour game show in which contestants compete based on their knowledge of the Bible.  THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE, will premiere Thursday, March 21 at 9 pm ET/PT on GSN, and the Red Roots will appear in one of the first six episodes.TEAM RED ROOTS will be competing for Home of Grace, an addiction recovery program founded by their pastor—and the first place the Red Roots performed. These 21-year-old triplets formed the Christian-pop-country band “Red Roots,” named in honor of their red hair and their renewal in the blood of Christ.  These sweet Southern girls are also passionate, tough competitors! Along with showcasing their knowledge of the Bible, this season’s new crop of 18 teams of contenders will vie for the title of THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE champions by competing in brand new games that put their spiritual AND physical talents to the test.  Each team will be competing for their favorite charity.  The second season of THE AMERICAN BIBLE CHALLENGE will feature GRAMMY® winner and multi-platinum-selling musician and producer Kirk Franklin joining as musical co-host. Red Hen just released the second single from the group’sMiddle of Nowhere CD called “Christian Country Girl.”  The video from the single can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mToUDBEsYs.  For more information on Red Roots, please visit theredroots.com. Red Hen Records is a division of Daywind Records.  Based in Hendersonville, TN, the label is also home to Christian artists Zach and Rodney and Michael Lee.  Red Hen is exclusively distributed by New Day Christian Distributors (www.newdaychristian.com).

For more information regarding this press release, please contact:
publicity@daywind.com.

GUY PENROD’S HYMNS TOP SOUTHERN GOSPEL ALBUM OF 2012

NASHVILLE, Tenn.— Hymns, the acclaimed Servant Records/Gaither Music Group sophomore release from Christian music’s premier country recording artist, Guy Penrod, is the top-selling Southern Gospel album of 2012, according to Nielsen Christian SoundScan’s year-end chart. The project is also last year’s best-selling Gospel recording in Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores® nationwide.

One of the most in-demand touring artists in Christian music, Penrod traveled throughout the US and abroad last year, highlighted by a performance at Southern Gospel’s premier gathering, September’s National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.

In 2012, he was also featured on the cover of top industry publication Singing News and made multiple media appearances, including radio’s “The Mike Huckabee Show,” RFD TV’s top-rated “Larry’s Country Diner,” and one of North America’s most popular Christian television programs, “100 Huntley Street.” Additionally, Penrod hosts DayStar Television’s weekly “Gospel Music Showcase,” and capped the year by hosting the network’s Christmas special from Branson, Missouri.

Produced by Penrod and Pete Greene, Hymns debuted at #1 on Nielsen SoundScan’s Southern Gospel retail chart last year. Showcasing 13 of the award-winning artist’s favorite selections, the project includes “Does Jesus Care?,” a duet with the legendary George Beverly Shea, as well as “The Old Rugged Cross,” “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” “Amazing Grace,” “Count Your Blessings” and “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms,” among others.

Penrod’s 2010 Dove Award-nominated Servant Records/Gaither Music Group solo debut, Breathe Deep, continues to be a benchmark for country recordings within the Christian marketplace, featuring successful mainstream country and Southern Gospel radio singles. A 2011 Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee, Penrod has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry, among other noteworthy platforms, and spent 14 years with the legendary GRAMMY® and Dove Award-winning Gaither Vocal Band.

Hymns is distributed by EMI CMG Distribution and is available at retail and digital outlets worldwide, as well as Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores®.

For further information, visit www.guypenrod.com or www.turningpointpr.com.

Sharron Kay King Set to Embark On Annual Christmas Tour

BYRON, Ga. – (November 26, 2012) – 2012 Absolutely Gospel Music Award nominee Sharron Kay King is set to embark on her annual Christmas tour in support of her Christmas recording Ribbons & Bows and brand new mainline project This Story of My Life.

Kicking things off this Sunday in Fayetteville, Georgia, Sharron will highlight songs from her critically acclaimed Christmas recording Ribbons & Bows. Sharron will visit 12 stops on her much-anticipated tour where she will also debut material from her new recording This Story of My Life.

“My Christmas tour is always one of my favorite things about being on the road,” mentioned Sharron. “These songs mean so much to me, and people have always enjoyed hearing my stories about Christmas. It’s such a wonderful time of year, and I’m just so happy to be able to touch people with my music and my story.”

The dates and venues for Sharron’s tour are listed below:

12/01/12 – The Summit Church – Fayetteville, GA

12/02/12 – Impact Church – Atlanta, GA

12/03/12 – Biven’s Chapel United Methodist Church – Brookside, AL

12/04/12 – New Zion United Pentecostal Church – Philadelphia, MS

12/07/12 – Emeritus at Trillium Park – Conway, AR

12/09/12 – Living Word Chruch – Greenville, TX

12/09/12 – Church of the Nazarene – Pittsburg, TX

12/16/12 – Means Memorial United Methodist Church – Andrews, TX

12/20/12 – Coronado Baptist Church – El Paso, TX

12/21/12 – First Baptist Church – Wimberely, TX

12/23/12 – Cowboys For Jesus Christian Fellowship – Fichers, TX

12/30/12 – First United Methodist Church – Lawton, TX

12/31/12 – First Baptist Church of Ardmore – Ardmore, TX

For more information on the tour and how to purchase Sharron’s Christmas recording, visit http://www.sharronkayking.com.

Sharron recently scored another Top 40 single from her critically acclaimed release Don’t Stop Believing. The song, titled “Look Up,” became the fifth consecutive single from the album to debut on the AbsolutelyGospel.com Top 40 Weekly Chart – the Southern Gospel industry’s most watched and longest running weekly radio report.

“Look Up” was written by Eric Horner and was just released to Southern Gospel radio through Eddie King & Crown Communications. “Look Up” is the final single from Don’t Stop Believing as Sharron recently put the finishing touches on her new record titled This Story of My Life. This Story of My Life is Sharron’s first studio-recording in over five years. This Story of My Life was produced by Mike Pillow (Ricky Atkinson & Compassion, Naomi Sego, Ann Downing).

Sharron wrote or co-wrote 10 of the 12 tracks including the title cut. Other writers and co-writers included award-winning writers Steve & Annie Chapman, John Robinson, Becky Wright, Chris Binion, and Sharron’s son-in-law Sean Anderson.

Sharron has been singing and speaking at ladies retreats and recovery groups more frequently this year due to her amazing testimony of God’s redeeming power and grace. For information on how you can book Sharron at your church or event, visit http://www.sharronkayking.com.

Sharron was honored earlier this year to see her name among the 10 nominees for Fan Favorite Artist of the Year in the highly-respected Absolutely Gospel (SGN) Music Awards. This is the second time in her career that Sharronhas been nominated for an Absolutely Gospel Music Award. She was previously nominated in 2007 in the Country Album of the Year category for her The Road I Know project.

More information as well as booking information on Sharron Kay King can be found at http://sharronkayking.com. 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 NewsFan Awards for Favorite Horizon Individual and a 2009 Top 10 finalist for Favorite Soloist.

Hobson’s Sign Contract with Perry Edge & Double E Promotions

{EHA-Nashville, TN} The popular, Hobsons signed on with Perry Edge and Double E Promotions to continue to promote their latest single, “You Saw the Best in Me”, written by Brian and Angela Monehan and recorded by John Mathis, Jr./Pathway Records. The song will be featured on their Christian Country Gospel comp. #167 and the Southern Gospel comp. #261 and was nationally released Nov. 1st according to Norma Beene of Double E.  John Hobson notes, “We’re really excited to be on the radio comp with wonderful artists like Marty Raybon, Jimmy Fortune, Gerald Crabb, The Parrish Family, Tim Livingston and many more. We’re just honored to be in their company. On Dec.8th we’ll travel out to greater Booneville, Miss. to attend the Double E Christmas party, sing a few songs, and celebrate the ‘reason for the season’..the birth of our Lord, Jesus Christ. We’re really looking forward to meeting all the folks at Double E.”

THE ANNIE MOSES BAND SOARS TO NEW HEIGHTS WITH SEPTEMBER 25th RELEASE OF, PILGRIMS & PRODIGALS

Los Angeles, Calif. (September 25, 2012) – The universally acclaimed Annie Moses Band soars to new heights with today’s release of Pilgrims & Prodigals. With more than 1000 hours of airings on PBS stations across the country, garnering the highest debut for any artist on public television thus far, the chart-topping band continues to build momentum with its latest release.  The two-disc CD/DVD package is a collection of songs that explores the timeless theme of roaming and redemption. To celebrate the album launch, AOL.com is hosting a week-long exclusive listening party of this diverse record that blends the captivating styles of classical, jazz, folk, and even a frission of Celtic. To participate in the AOL listening party, please visit: http://music.aol.com/new-releases-full-cds#/10.  “Pilgrims & Prodigals is based on the idea that everyone in the world is going somewhere,” observes Alex Wolaver, who for the first time shares lead vocalist duties with his sister Annie.  “We’re all on a personal journey.  We are all either someone who’s finding our way back home or we’re someone who’s running away from home.  Every song on this album tells one of those two stories.” Eight songs on the album were written or co-written by members of the group.  Five other tunes receive inventive re-imaginings that bring fresh new seasonings to familiar standards like “Poor Wayfaring Pilgrim” and “Girl of Constant Sorrow” while the project’s two pop cover songs – “Love Song” (Elton John) and “I Got a Name” (Jim Croce) take on unexpected new life.   Recorded in the heart of Music City, Nashville, TN., Alex teamed up with award-winning producer Michael Omartian (Christopher Cross, Michael Bolton, Amy Grant,) to produce the new project that was originally imagined nearly a decade ago.   Pilgrims & Prodigals is marketed and distributed in partnership with Dream Journey, the television production company behind the many highly-popular Public Television Specials. The album is packaged as a double-disc set, containing the CD plus a companion DVD showcasing the Annie Moses Band performing the entire album in concert. “Video is very important to us, because what we do as the Annie Moses Band is very visual,” explains Annie.  “By including the live concert DVD with the album, people can see us performing and playing each song on the album.” Known for their breathtaking instrumental virtuosity and shimmering layered vocals, the Annie Moses Band accolades include a Billboard top-ten Classical Crossover album, an extensive tour schedule of over 80 concerts a year, performing before 100,000+ people and high profile media appearances in print and on television. The family act is made up of six siblings, with their parents Bill and Robin spearheading the lyrics and arrangements.  Annie Wolaver serves as the lead vocalist and violin player, Alex Wolaver accompanies on vocals and violin, Benjamin Wolaver on the cello, Camille Wolaver plays the harp and keyboard, Gretchen Wolaver performs the violin and mandolin and Jeremiah Wolaver handles the Classical and electric guitar.  In support of the new release, the Annie Moses Band will be seen on PBS stations around the U.S. starting in October for their brand new Pilgrims & Prodigals Public Television concert that will air throughout the fall. For more information on Annie Moses Band, Pilgrims & Prodigals, and their Public Television Special please visit www.anniemosesband.com.

GRAMMY®-Nominated Family Group Jeff & Sheri Easter Release New Music with Eyes Wide Open

NASHVILLE, Tenn.–September 21, 2012—Multiple award-winning and GRAMMY®-nominated Jeff & Sheri Easter, of Lincolnton, GA, have just released an all-new studio recording.  Eyes Wide Open (Spring Hill Music Group) was produced by Jeff and Sheri Easter, veteran producer Greg Cole and Jeff & Sheri’s son, Madison Easter, who made his debut as a co-producer with the new release.

Jim Sheldon Honored with 2 Diamond Award Nominations

DANVILLE, Ky. – (September 3, 2012) – Homeland Inspiration Group recording artist Jim Sheldon received news earlier that he has made the final ballot for the upcoming 2012 Diamond Awards in two separate categories.

 Jim received first time nominations this year. His nominations are in the following categories:

 Favorite Christian Country Album – I Belong to Jesus (Mont Eagle Records)
Favorite Christian Country Male Artist

 “I was completely shocked to see my name on the Top 10 ballot for such a great and prestigious awards program,” mentioned Jim. ”Now to bein the Top 5 is an even greater blessing! Thank you to everyone who voted for me in the this awards program!”

 Voting on the final ballot for the 2012 Diamond Awards is currently taking place at http://www.sgnscoops.com.  The Diamond Awards will take place this year at the inaugural Creekside Gospel Music Convention in Pigeon Forge, TN on October 30, 2012.

 Jim also was recently greeted with news that he has scored his second consecutive #1 hit at Christian Country radio. The trend-setting recording artist has taken the #1 spot for a second time this year on the popular syndicated internet radio show “JB’s Indie Gospel Top 10 Chart” with his new single “Extreme Makeover.” “Extreme Makeover” follows in the footsteps of “God Is Looking at My Heart” which earned the #1 spot on the countdown this past April.
 In addition, Jim’s debut music video for his Southern Gospel single “I Belong to Jesus” has received an overwhelming response on YouTube and is garnering much media attention for the Christian Country singer. The video has already amassed over 107,000 views and counting since its debut on the web. You can view the video by visiting YouTube at http://youtu.be/t43KwQMYKcg Jim will be releasing his sophomore album for Homeland Inspiration Group’s Mont Eagle Records next week at the National Quartet Convention. More information on Still Putting God First will be released later. For more information about Jim, visit his website at www.jimsheldonmusic.com.

 About Jim Sheldon
Jim 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!

Jim Sheldon Scores Second Consecutive #1 on JB’s Indie Gospel Top 10

DANVILLE, Ky. – (June 29, 2012) – Homeland Inspiration Group recording artist Jim Sheldonwas recently greeted with news that he has scored his second consecutive #1 hit at Christian Country radio.

The trend-setting recording artist has taken the #1 spot for a second time this year on the popular syndicated internet radio show “JB’s Indie Gospel Top 10 Chart” this week with his new single “Extreme Makeover.”

“God continues to absolutely amaze me,” mentioned Jim. “I can’t do the things I’ve been able to do this year without His favor in my life. I’m extremely grateful for the success at radio and on the internet this year. I do not take any of this lightly.”

“Extreme Makeover” follows in the footsteps of “God Is Looking at My Heart” which earned the #1 spot on the countdown this past April. Read more »

GUY PENROD BRINGS BELOVED HYMNS TO TBN’S ALL-STAR ‘PRAISE THE LORD’

NASHVILLE, Tenn.— Gaither Music Group/Servant Records artist Guy Penrod was among an all-star line-up on TBN’s “Praise The Lord” last week.  Hosted by GMA Artist of the Year Jason Crabb, the Nashville-based broadcast also featured acclaimed bluegrass singer/songwriter Rhonda Vincent, former American Idol finalist Danny Gokey, and gospel singer/songwriter Jasmine Christmas Brady.

During the program Penrod presented selections from his best-selling new recording, Hymns.  The project debuted at #1 on Nielsen Soundscan’s Southern Gospel retail chart and at #5 on the Current Contemporary Christian chart following its release in March.  Distributed by EMI CMG Distribution, Hymns is available at retail and digital outlets worldwide, as well as Cracker Barrel Old Country Stores®.

For further information, visit www.guypenrod.com or www.turningpointpr.com

Photo L-R: Guy Penrod, Rhonda Vincenet, Jason Crabb