SGN Scoops Digital

Dixie Melody Boys Claim Numerous Top Honors At SGM Fan Awards

SongGardn Music artists, The Dixie Melody Boys solidified their rise back to the top of Southern Gospel at last nights Southern Gospel Fan Awards held in Pigeon Forge, TN. The SGM Fan Awards are presented by the Christian Voice Magazine and honor the best in Southern Gospel music as chosen by the fans. The night was filled with great performances by the Dixie Melody Boys, Palmetto State Quartet, the Hemphills, Phil Cross, the Diplomats and many more.
The Dixie Melody Boys received the most Top 5 Nominations of any group with eleven nominations including Favorite Album, Song and Video. Hall of fame member Ed O’Neal took home the Favorite Bass Singer award for the second year in a row. Steven Cooper won the Favorite Baritone award. “We are so happy for Steven. As many know, he will be stepping down soon so to have the fans honor him and his five years with us this way is wonderful.” said Ed O’Neal. Mike Rogers, who has been with the group just under a year was also honored by being nominated in the Top 5 for Favorite Lead Singer and Young Excelling Artist. Matt Felts won the Favorite Tenor Award having made the Top 5 two years in a row. “Just to be on the list with men like Michael Booth, David Phelps, Brian Free and Jeff Hawes is a huge honor. These men are my heroes. I am so grateful that God has allowed me to sing for him.” said Matt Felts. Ending the night on a high note, the Dixie Melody Boys won Favorite Male Quartet for the second year in a row.
The last two years have shown the Dixie Melody Boys are riding high again with no signs of slowing down. To learn more check them out at http://www.dixiemelodyboys.com/

Premier Tenor DAVID PHELPS Records All-NEW Classic CD and LIVE Concert DVD

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—September 6, 2012—Gaither Music Group’s acclaimed vocalist David Phelps has just recorded an all-new studio CD as well as a concert DVD, scheduled to release on October 9th.  The new audio recording, Classic, produced by Phelps and Bill Gaither, finds him showcasing the seemingly endless breadth of his vocal range and a depth, vocally and lyrically, unprecedented by a man already considered a premier tenor.

New Solo Project From Karen Peck Coming This Fall

Hendersonville, TN (May 29, 2012) – Barely taking time to celebrate winning two 2012 GMA Dove Awards and the release of her first movie, Joyful Noise, Karen Peck is back in the studio working on her first solo album in several years. The project, entitled How You Walk The Miles, is produced by Ben Isaacs and features several special guests.

The Oak Ridge Boys join Karen on “Stand By The River”, while the Dove Award Artist Of The Year, Jason Crabb, lends his vocals on “Extra Mile.” Award winning musician, Gordon Mote, is also featured on the song “Pray.” The CD, which releases this fall, also includes appearances from Karen Peck & New River members, Susan Jackson and Jeff Hawes, as well as David Phelps, The Isaacs, and more.

“Karen Peck has always been one of my favorite female singers. Not only is she an excellent vocalist, but her heart portrays true beauty on the inside,” shares Norman Holland, Vice President and A&R Director at Daywind Records. “This new project includes many guest appearances by many of Karen’s favorite vocalists and is sure to become a favorite of yours and mine.”

Daywind Records is based in Hendersonville, TN, and is distributed worldwide through New Day Christian Distributors. In addition to Karen Peck And New River, Daywind is home to such great artists as Greater Vision and Brian Free & Assurance, among others. For more information on Daywind Records, visit daywindrecords.com. For more information on Karen Peck, visit www.karenpeckandnewriver.com.

Pictured: Karen Peck Gooch (center) with Producer Ben Isaacs, Daywind Records A&R Director, Norman Holland, and Jason Crabb.

GAITHER VOCAL BAND REUNION HIGHLIGHTS

Louisville, KY – Gaither Vocal Band members past and present will come together for a Reunion concert during this year’s National Quartet Convention. This special Reunion event will take place on Thursday afternoon, September 15, beginning at 1:15pm in Freedom Hall on the grounds of the Kentucky Fair & Expo Center. The event will pair current and former members of the prestigious Gaither Vocal Band, led by multi- Grammy Award winning Bill Gaither (pictured in attached jpg).

Little could anyone have known the impact this multi-talented group would have upon the contemporary and Southern Gospel Music world when the group was originally organized back in the early 1980s, on the spur of the moment backstage at a Bill Gaither Trio concert. Since that impromptu performance, the popular group has enjoyed numerous hit songs, several Grammy Awards and more than a dozen Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association.

In addition to the much loved current Vocal Band members, who include Mark Lowry, Michael English, David Phelps and Wes Hampton, former Vocal Band members joining Gaither for this special musical event at this year’s Convention in Louisville will include Marshall Hall, Larnelle Harris, Jon Mohr, Buddy Mullins, Jim Murray, Russ Taff and original members, Steve Green, Gary McSpadden and Lee Young.

The Thursday afternoon Gaither Vocal Band Reunion Showcase Spectacular is sure to be one of the highlights of NQC Week. The Gaither Vocal Band Reunion Volume 1 & 2 CDs, recorded in the summer of 2008 and released in 2009, debuted in the top two positions on Billboard Magazine’s Contemporary Christian album chart. The DVDs of the same title debuted in the Number 1 and Number 2 positions on the Music Video charts, as well. Gaither will bring those recordings to life duriing the Reunion Showcase in Louisville.

In addition, to Thursday afternoon’s Vocal Band Reunion event, Gaither will also host the popular Homecoming Sing-Along concert on Friday, September 16th beginning at 12:00 noon. The Gaither Vocal Band will also be featured on Friday evening’s concert line-up.

A complete schedule of events set to take place during the 2011 National Quartet Convention may be obtained online at www.nqconline.com.

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About the 2011 National Quartet Convention: This year marks the 54th Annual National Quartet Convention. The Convention has made its home in the city of Louisville since 1994. Approximately 40,000 people will attend the 2011 event, which takes place September 11-17, with at least 40 states and a half dozen foreign countries represented. The Convention is Christian music’s largest marketplace and largest annual event with more than 500 exhibitors and nearly 300 Southern Gospel recording artists in attendance. Tickets for daily and evening performances may be purchased at the NQC office, online at www.nqconline.com or on site during the week of the Convention in the North Wing lobby at the Kentucky Fair & Expo Center.

Gaithers Film Homecoming Tent Revival Special at Billy Graham Library

CHARLOTTE, N.C., — Southern gospel music legends Bill and Gloria Gaither, along with the “Homecoming” friends – more than 100 gospel artists – were in Charlotte last week to film the Gaither Homecoming Tent Revival special at the Billy Graham Library.

“It’s a perfect place for us,” said Bill Gaither about the Billy Graham Library.

The Gaither Homecoming Tent Revival special is reminiscent of early tent revival meetings, much like the “Canvas Cathedral” in Los Angeles where Billy Graham gained worldwide recognition in 1949. In fact, the Gaither event aimed to recreate the atmosphere of that historic crusade, with its large tent and standing-room only crowd.

Photo: The taping of the Gaither Homecoming Tent Revival special at the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, N.C. High-resolution images and video b-roll are available upon request.“A lot of our folks grew up singing in tent meetings,” Gaither continued. “Going through the Library and seeing one of the exhibitions is that of the old tent in Los Angeles brought back those memories for us.”

“Music has always been a very important part of the Billy Graham Crusades. In fact, the Vocal Band has sung at the last 10 or 12 Crusades, including the last one in New York City,” said Gaither. “And, so to have an entire evening, singing songs about Jesus, singing songs about the cross, singing songs about invitation, I think is a great thing.”

Before the event, private tours were given of the Billy Graham Library to the participating artists. The group was able to see depictions of various scenes from Billy and Ruth Graham’s life, including a replica of the “Canvas Cathedral” from the 1949 Los Angeles Crusade.

Bill and Gloria Gaither were joined by legendary gospel music artists The Crabb Family, Michael English, David Phelps, Guy Penrod, Mark Lowry, The Gatlin Brothers, Buddy Greene, Larnelle Harris, The Nelons, The Martins, The Isaacs, longtime Billy Graham Crusade soloist George Beverly Shea and musical director Cliff Barrows, plus many more.

During the program, Bill Gaither presented 102-year-old George Beverly Shea with a commemorative copy of Billboard magazine, which has listed a Gaither Homecoming special with George Beverly Shea as #3 on its chart of best-selling music videos.

December 2010 SGN Scoops: Christmas & the Gift of Love, featuring Jason Crabb!

The December 2010 issue of SGN Scoops is now available for download. Click on the cover to read your issue in user-friendly .PDF format.

Jason Crabb, once of the most celebrated talents in gospel music today, discusses gifts, family, and hunting with us! Meanwhile, artitsts share stories of how love has touched their lives in unique ways: read testimonies from The Quicks, Amy Unthank, Dale and Cheryl Golden, Madison Easter and Shannon Norman, Jerry and Jan Goff, Christy Sutherland, and many more! Also, our new writer Sandi Duncan-Clark reviews new Christmas CDs by The Isaacs and David Phelps!

Last December, we celebrated The Gift of a Second Chance ~ return to the heart of Christmas with The Gift of LOVE!

Click here or on the cover preview to download.

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