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GMA DOVE AWARDS RETURN TO NASHVILLE, TN

NASHVILLE, TN (March 22, 2013) – The Gospel Music Association (GMA) recently announced the return of the legendary GMA Dove Awards to Music City for its 44th year of honors. For the first time in GMA Dove Awards history, Gospel music’s biggest night will take place in the fall. This year’s show is on Tuesday, October 15, 2013, at 8 p.m. EDT, at Allen Arena on the campus of Nashville’s historic Lipscomb University and will be nationally televised on GMC TV.

The bold move from spring to fall was an intentional shift by the Gospel Music Association to make this year’s esteemed event an unforgettable celebration of the message and artistry that defines the Gospel/Christian genre leading into the industry’s most significant retail sales season. “The GMA Dove Awards has a tradition of bringing our music community together to celebrate God’s goodness as a family and raising awareness for Christian and Gospel music,” says GMA Executive Director Jackie Patillo. The memorable evening will celebrate the impact Gospel music is making in the lives of countless listeners around the world through story and song. “This year we will not only pay tribute to the music and its makers, but we will shine a light on those who have experienced the music as a lifeline,” says Patillo.

In addition to once-in-a-lifetime performances, the show will also highlight the efforts of the industry’s artists who are using their platforms to champion causes greater than themselves. Food for the Hungry, which provides emergency relief and long-term development programs to help the world’s most vulnerable people, will be this year’s GMA Dove Awards ministry partner. The organization will help celebrate the efforts of the industry to communicate its message of hope and service.

GMC TV will telecast the ceremony to its more than 60 million households nationwide. “As America’s leader for uplifting entertainment, we are proud to be the exclusive home of the 44th Annual GMA Dove Awards as they celebrate two of our most successful genres of programming – music and movies,” said Charles Humbard, president and CEO, GMC TV.

The city of Nashville is thrilled to see the prestigious awards show return to Music City, the hub of Gospel/Christian music. “The Christian and Gospel music industry plays an important role in the energy of our city’s music scene, and, as Music City, we are proud to welcome the Dove Awards back to Nashville,” Mayor Karl Dean says.

The GMA also revealed that it will add a feature film category in response to the rise in prominence and impact of inspirational films within the entertainment community. GMA has invited The Dove Foundation, known for its Dove Seal of approval for filmed entertainment, to participate in the development of the category and to ensure the creditability of this award.

“I am delighted that such a highly-respected organization as the GMA is recognizing Christian films,” says Dick Rolfe, Dove Foundation co-founder and CEO. “GMA has been a big part of my life ever since my years in Christian radio and television.”

Final nominees are scheduled to be announced on Tuesday, August 22, 2013. Hosts and performers, along with ancillary Dove-related events, will be unveiled in the coming months. Only GMA members are eligible to vote in the 44th Annual GMA Dove Awards. To vote and further support this community, membership by March 30, 2013, is required. Visit www.gospelmusic.org to learn more about the GMA’s mission, along with details on member benefits and application information.

Tickets for the 44th Annual GMA Dove Awards will go on-sale to the public June 7, 2013. To view eligibility period and entry details, visit www.doveawardsvoting.com. For all other GMA Dove Awards information, visit www.doveawards.com.

Aaron Wilburn Signs An Exclusive Booking Agreement With The Dominion Agency

Waynesville, NC (February 26, 2013) –Christian music’s premiere booking agency, the Dominion Agency, is thrilled to announce the addition of the award-winning solo artist and comedian, Aaron Wilburn, to their tremendous roster of dynamic artists.

Michael Davis, Owner and President of the Dominion Agency expresses the company’s excitement over their exclusive agreement with the gifted Aaron Wilburn, “What a delight to work with Aaron Wilburn! He is the total package – Christian Comedian, singer, songwriter and deeply committed Christian husband, father, grandfather and friend. We are very fortunate to have him join our family of Christian artists”.

A feature on the Gaither Homecoming Tour and videos, Aaron Wilburn has endeared himself to thousands of laughter-loving fans with his own down-home brand of humor, as he talks about his southern roots, his family, children and his faith. It’s common to see a grandfather laughing along with his teen-agers and children. As Aaron says, “There is no generation gap with laughter.”

Little would one expect that the same guy that brings people to tears with laughter also has written songs that have touched the lives of so many. His gift of songwriting has brought with it Dove Awards as well as Grammy nominations. In 2005 Aaron was honored by his home state as the Alabama Music Hall of Fame put an exhibit of his life and music on display in it’s honored halls in the company of such notables as gospel singer Jake Hess and, the queen of Gospel music, Vestal Goodman. They are surrounded by the likes of Tammy Wynette, Lionel Richie and Percy Sledge just to name a few.

Aaron Wilburn expresses, “At this point in my career, I am so thankful to put my booking/scheduling into the hands of Michael Davis and the Dominion Agency. Michael is a man of integrity with an honest heart. I am blessed to be represented by him.”

The Dominion Agency is part of a family of stellar talent agencies including-
* Dominion Agency
* Mountain Top Talent
* Blue Ridge Artist Agency

To learn more about all of the artists who call the Dominion Agency home, visit dominionagency.com. To schedule Aaron Wilburn or other wonderful artists with the agency, call 828-454-5900 or email scheduling@thedominionagency.com.

What a Mighty Sound at the Republican National Convention

Hendersonville, TN (August 30, 2012) – Nashville songwriter and producer, Marty Funderburk, received news last week that his composition, “What a Mighty Sound”, will be performed live at the Republican National Convention in Tampa, FL following Governor Mitt Romney’s address. To mark the close of the event, the vocal group Seven will present this stirring anthem that speaks to freedom and liberty.

“This is an unexpected honor! I want to thank the group Seven for taking this song to places I never could have imagined!” shares Marty Funderburk.

A seven time Dove Award nominee, Marty Funderburk has produced nearly 500 albums and achieved two national number one singles. He has been a staff songwriter with Daywind Music Publishing since 1997.

To learn more about Marty Funderburk or Daywind Music Publishing go to www.daywindpublishing.com.

Rambo McGuire Wins Dove Award; Dottie Rambo Honored for Best Song

Nashville, TN – And the winner is…. Rambo McGuire for Best Bluegrass Album of the Year. The 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards took place at the Fox Theater in Atlanta on April 19th with Rambo McGuire capturing top honors for Grassroots Rambos on Gospel Music’s biggest night.

Produced by Dony McGuire for Rambo McGuire Records, the album celebrates the early mountain style of The Rambos and the timeless songs of Dottie Rambo. Featuring Dony, Reba, Destiny and Israel with special guest and founding member, Buck Rambo, the album is the first in a series of “Remembering the Rambos.”

“We are thrilled to receive this recognition as artists,” says Reba. “Grassroots Rambos is a project so near and dear to our hearts as it reflects our family’s rich musical heritage and carries on the legacy. Singing this music is even sweeter the second time around.”

Four years after her home-going, The Dove Award for Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year was awarded to Dottie Rambo for her classic song, “Mama’s Teaching Angels How to Sing.” A Dove also went to The Isaacs who performed the song on their project Naturally (Gaither Music Group).

Rambo McGuire is already at work on their next project, Classics, which will feature signature family harmonies and the Dottie Rambo compositions that were the foundation of their monumental success.

Rambo McGuire (L-R: Dony McGuire, Reba Rambo-McGuire, Destiny McGuire, Israel McGuire)
Photo by Naomi Richard

CHRISTIAN MUSIC MAINSTAY JASON CRABB TAKES HOME TOP HONORS AT 2012 GMA DOVE AWARDS

CHRISTIAN MUSIC MAINSTAY JASON CRABB TAKES HOME TOP HONORS AT 2012 GMA DOVE AWARDS

Crabb Part of Multi-Artist Tribute to the Legendary Russ Taff; Closes Show with Dove Nominated Song “I Saw the Light”

Jason Crabb poses with his Dove Awards for Male Vocalist of the Year and Artist of the Year / photo: Aaron Crisler / The Judy Nelon Group

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—April 24th, 2012—This year’s Gospel Music Association (GMA) DOVE Awards proved quite memorable for Christian music mainstay Jason Crabb.  With eight nominations, making him the leading artist nominee for this year’s awards, Crabb took home two—Artist of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year. This marks the first wins in each of those categories for this musically diverse artist.

Jason Crabb receives the Dove Award for Artist of the Year from Kirk Franklin and Natalie Grant photo: Aaron Crisler / The Judy Nelon Group

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Year-Old StowTown Records Honored with Two GMA Dove Awards

STOW, OHIO – StowTown Records may be the new kid on the block, but winning two GMA Dove Awards — just one year after the founding of the label — looks like an exciting start to a great future.
“Dreamin’ Wide Awake” earned the Country Album of the Year award for artist Doug Anderson (solo artist and current member of Ernie Haase & Signature Sound), and producer Wayne Haun, at the 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards on Thursday, April 19, 2012, at the historic Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia. “Fear Not Tomorrow” was the top vote-getter in the Long Form Video of the Year category, and StowTown artist The Collingsworth Family, as well as Jim Hammond and Curt Casassa, received their awards as a result.
StowTown co-founder Ernie Haase was understandably encouraged by the news. “Being a new company, we weren’t sure how we’d fare. There were really great artists in those categories, and we were overjoyed just to be nominated among them. We couldn’t be more proud and grateful.” Wayne Haun, musical director for Ernie Haase & Signature Sound and co-founder of StowTown Records, was thankful to be kept busy during the evening; he visited the platform five times and walked away with GMA Dove Awards in multiple genres for producing and songwriting.
The awards ceremony will be nationally televised on GMC on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at 8 PM and 10 PM EST. The GMA Dove Awards is Christian/Gospel music’s biggest night of the year, where top artists, producers, and songwriters from every style of gospel music come together for a night of celebration as the GMA bestows the industry’s highest honors. For more information, please visit www.doveawards.com or www.gospelmusic.org.
About StowTown Records
Founded in 2011, StowTown Records reflects the musical vision of Ernie Haase and Wayne Haun, and is home to Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Doug Anderson, The Collingsworth Family and the legendary master recordings of the late great George Younce of The Cathedral Quartet. Distributed worldwide through Provident/Sony Distribution, this independent label has quickly garnered industry attention with chart-topping releases from their highly respected artist roster. For more information on StowTown Records, visit www.StowTownRecords.com.

DENVER & THE MILE HIGH ORCHESTRA’S GROOVY GARNERS DOVE AWARD FOR CHILDREN’S MUSIC ALBUM OF THE YEAR

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Groovy, the first children’s recording by Denver & The Mile High Orchestra, Christian music’s premier Big Band, received the Dove Award for Children’s Music Album of the Year at the 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards, presented in Atlanta last Thursday.  Produced by Denver Bierman, Jamie Statema, and Darren Rust, Groovy marks the first Dove win for GFK Records.

“I am delighted and excited about Groovy’s Dove win,” said Denver Bierman, Denver & The Mile High Orchestra founder and bandleader.  “We had a lot of fun working on this record and collaborating with Jamie Statema and Go Fish, who are the very best at making music for kids.  From the start we were dedicated to recording a project that had both musical integrity and lyrics kids could relate to—and that families would want to share.  Receiving this award is one more expression of confirmation that we are headed in the right direction—we will continue to create music that glorifies God and edifies families.”

“As a record label, our goal is to make great music for kids that won’t drive parents bonkers,” said Jamie Statema, Groovy producer, GFK Records president, and founding member of Go Fish.  “To be able to work with a band as musically and artistically gifted as Denver & The Mile High Orchestra is an honor. We are proud of their first kids album, Groovy, and are extremely excited to see this incredible work honored with a Dove Award.  There has never been another children’s album like it and we are thrilled at how families everywhere are responding to it.”

Delivering Denver & The Mile High Orchestra’s signature high-energy horns and crooning vocals, Groovy includes the Gaither classic “I Am A Promise,” the Bob Dylan-penned “Man Gave Names To All The Animals (featuring Go Fish),” “Sunday School Swing,” “Groovy ABCs,” and such original selections as “All of My Heart” and “Brand New Day,” among others.  Selections from the project are also featured on this summer’s Praise VBS curriculum from Go Fish Resources.

Denver & The Mile High Orchestra have performed extensively around the world, including at events in conjunction with two Olympic Games.  In 2007, the group was a finalist on the FOX TV series “The Next Great American Band.”  Formed by Denver Bierman at Nashville’s Belmont University in 1999, Denver & The Mile High Orchestra’s previous recordings include Good To Go, Timeless Christmas, Stand, and the band’s 2000 debut, Act The Scat.

About GFK Records:
Created in 2003, GFK Records is the label home of Go Fish, one of the leading providers of family entertainment and children’s ministry resources.  Beginning with Splash, Go Fish has recorded seven successful recordings for children and families, Superstar, Snooze, Snazzy, Party Like A Preschooler, Kickin’ It Old School and Christmas With A Capital ‘C’, along with the DVDs Showtime, Let’s Sing, Kickin’ It Old School and Praise.  Go Fish concert appearances have drawn capacity crowds to churches and theatres across the country, while their VBS curriculum series has been utilized by more than 6,000 churches around the world.

For further information, visit www.denvermho.com, www.gofishguys.com or www.turningpointpr.com.

Jeff Hawes Talks About SGNScoops Magazine

Rob Patz And Rhonda Frye Of SGNScoops Talk About The Dove Awards

Daywind Artists Shine At The 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards

Hendersonville, TN (April 20, 2012) – The 43rd annual GMA Dove Awards celebrated another great year in Gospel music last night, April 19^th, at the historic Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia.   Hosted by David Mann & Chonda Pierce, the crowd enjoyed performances by some of the top artists in the industry, including Kari Jobe, Lecrae, and Natalie Grant.  Daywind artist, Karen Peck, lit up the stage with a moving rendition of “I Go To The Rock,” alongside Yolanda Adams, Angie Stone, and Crystal Lewis.  Jason Crabb, Donnie McClurkin, and Wess Morgan also combined their talents to pay tribute to the legendary career of Russ Taff.

 Daywind artists brought home a total of three Dove Awards, with Karen Peck & New River receiving Southern Gospel Album of the Year for their 2011 project, Reach Out, and Country Song of the Year for “Good Things Are Happening.”  The Perrys received Southern Gospel Song of the Year for their #1 hit, “Celebrate Me Home.”  Although nominated several times, this marks the first Dove Award for both groups.

The 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards will be televised on the Gospel Music Channel, Tuesday, April 24th, at 8:00 p.m & 10:00 p.m. ET.

Daywind Music Group is based in Hendersonville, TN and is distributed worldwide through New Day Christian Distribution.  Daywind is home to such great artists as Marshall Hall and Wilburn & Wilburn, and writers such as Kenna West and Caleb Collins, among others.  For more information on Daywind Records, visit daywindrecords.com.