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MICHAEL ENGLISH GARNERS DOUBLE HONORS AT ABSOLUTELY GOSPEL MUSIC AWARDS

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—April 15, 2013—The Absolutely Gospel Music Awards were awarded last week on April 9, 2013 in a ceremony in Smyrna, TN and it proved to be a big night for CURB Records’ artist,Michael English. The legendary, critically acclaimed vocalist received double honors being named Producer of the Year and Fan Favorite Artist of the Year for 2013.

he Absolutely Gospel Music Awards are voted by fan nominations and the fans decide the winners. This makes the awards even more special. “I love to sing and I love to produce Gospel music,” said English. “So, to be honored for both parts – on stage and off – by the fans of gospel music, makes these awards extremely special. I am grateful and honored. Thank you!”

In addition to the awards, Michael performed his first single, “Stubborn,” from the project, Some People Change, recently released by CURB Records. The single is already a hit and is gaining even more momentum as the song’s message of having “a molecule of faith” reaches the listener right where they are. The capacity crowd responded to the song with tears and a standing ovation, visibly touching Michael as he left the stage.

Currently, Michael is on tour with the Gaither Vocal Band and making select solo appearances. You can stay connect with Michael at www.MichaelEnglishMusic.com, Facebook.com/MichaelEnglishMusic andTwitter.com/MEnglish001.

Absolutelygospel.com  features daily devotionals, editorials, CD reviews, artist interviews and anything related to Gospel music. The awards are determined by online voting by the fans at www.absolutelygospel.com.

Some People Change, the latest release from Michael English, is current available atwww.MichaelEnglushMusic.com, LifeWay, Walmart, and all other retail outlets and digital retailers iTunes, Amazon and more. For bookings, please contact the Beckie Simmons Agency at 615-595-7500.

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.

Gaither Vocal Band Kicks Off 2013 Tour with Three Sold-Out Concerts

(Alexandria, IND – February 12, 2013)  The 2013 Gaither Concert Tour kicked off this weekend with three sold out Gaither Vocal Band concerts in Lafayette, LA, Houston, TX, and Longview, TX.

2013 Absolutely Gospel Music Award Nominees Announced

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – (January 21, 2013) – The administrators and staff of AbsolutelyGospel.com are proud to announce the nominees for the 2013 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards. As in years past, the nominees were chosen by the staff of AbsolutelyGospel.com and select media representatives. Starting on February 1, 2013, the fans will get a chance to vote for their favorites in certain categories.

“We are so excited about this year’s awards program,” mentioned Deon Unthank, President/CEO of AbsolutelyGospel.com. “Our site has seen such tremendous growth over the last two years, and we cannot wait to produce another awards show. Each year, things just get bigger and better, and this year’s show will be no different!”

Chris D. Unthank, Editor-In-Chief of AbsolutelyGospel.com said, “We applaud our staff and those other media representatives who voted for thinking outside of the box this year and really embracing what our awards program is all about. These nominations really represent the best of last year, and we can tell that our staff and the other voters really took this year’s nominations process seriously.”

As far as nominations go, Southern Gospel favorites The Perrys landed a stellar nine nominations this year, more than any other artist. The group earned nods for Song of the Year and Traditional Song of the Year (for “Blue Skies Coming”), Album of the Year and Traditional Album of the Year (for Through the Night), Mixed Group of the Year, and Special Event Project of the Year (for the Celebrate Me Home DVD release). In addition, reigning Female Vocalist of the Year Libbi Stuffle earned her third consecutive Female Vocalist of the Year nomination. Speaking of consecutive nominations, The Perrys’ lead vocalist/songwriter Joseph Habedank claimed his fifth consecutive nomination for Male Vocalist of the Year and sixth nod for Songwriter of the Year (Artist) (after winning the award in 2011).

Last year’s big winner The Isaacs and reigning Female Group of the Year Sisters followed behind The Perrys with an impressive eight nominations each. Sisters earned their very first nod for 2013
Pacesetter, the awards’ most prestigious honor, this year. The Isaacs’ Ben Isaacs also landed a 2013 Pacesetter nomination for his production work in 2012.

Following behind those artists was Karen Peck & New River with seven nods. In addition, Karen Peck’s solo record How You Walk the Miles earned an Album of the Year mention. Brian Free & Assurance, Mark Trammell Quartet, and the Booth Brothers all landed six nominations. Three artists received five nominations – Tribute Quartet, Collingsworth Family, and Jeff & Sheri Easter.

Triumphant Quartet and Three Bridges both earned four nominations, while several artists received triple mentions, including The Talleys, Canton Junction, Gaither Vocal Band, The Hoppers, Michael English, and The Nelons. Soul’d Out Quartet, Greater Vision, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Beyond the Ashes, the Bowling Family, The Browders, The Williamsons, and Guy Penrod were each nominated for two awards. Read more »

Gospel Music Today On SGNScoops.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.

GUY PENROD SLATED TO APPEAR THIS FRIDAY ON ‘THE MIKE HUCKABEE SHOW’

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Acclaimed Gaither Music Group/Servant Records artist Guy Penrod is slated to appear this Friday, June 8, at approximately 2:30 pm ET on “The Mike Huckabee Show.”  In addition to chatting with former Governor Huckabee, Penrod is scheduled to perform on the nationally-syndicated radio broadcast.

“The Mike Huckabee Show” is a daily three-hour radio program that debuted in April on more than 180 stations.  Huckabee covers a broad array of topics and provides listeners with news, insight and personality.  “The Mike Huckabee Show” airs weekdays from noon to 3 pm ET.

Penrod’s latest recording, Hymns, 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.  The album 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.

Southern Gospel Gardener – Gaither Vocal Band On SGNScoops.com

The Oak Ridge Boys Go “Back Home Again” for an All-NEW Release

Legendary Group Joins Producer Ben Isaacs to Capture Gospel Music Roots

NASHVILLE, Tenn.–The Oak Ridge Boys recently released an all-new Gospel recording entitled Back Home Again (Gaither Music Group).  The 12-song release, produced by Ben Isaacs (Gaither Vocal Band, The Isaacs), features an organic, “rootsy” approach to Gospel favorites new and old and finds this multi-award winning quartet back where it all began for them with faith-based lyrics and rich, four-part harmonies.

“It is a natural part of our career to continue with the music of our first love—Gospel music, which is the foundation of our harmonies,” describes Oaks’ member Duane Allen.  “We tried to find great songs and record them in the way they affected us when we first heard them.  We poured our hearts and souls into these songs and ‘let them happen’ with a natural approach.”

Part of that process included the group’s teaming up with Isaacs who stated, “The mere fact that I was able to work with legends like The Oak Ridge Boys was an honor.  Falling in love with their different personalities and learning what makes them click was a blast for me.  I wanted to capture the stage energy and close harmonies that they have during their live appearances on this recording.  I tried to keep that ‘live buzz’ with a ton of energy in the vocals.”

Those raw, heartfelt vocals can be heard on classics such as “Why Me”; “Coat of Many Colors,” the classic Dolly Parton hit; “River of Jordan”; “Standing in the Need of Prayer”; “In That Great Gettin’ Up Mornin’”; the title cut, “Back Home Again,” originally recorded by John Denver; and the first radio single “Lead Me to That Rock.” 

Back Home Again, which has an acoustic, raw feel that accentuates the group distinctive blends, has been featured in recent weeks on networks including GAC, RFD-TV, Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), GRACE TV, Vision Television, Family Friendly Entertainment and CTS.  The Oak Ridge Boys plan to feature songs from the release during their upcoming performance on The Grand Ole Opry, and they will be highlighting it during their upcoming appearance during CMA Fest at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville, TN.   

Back Home Again is curently available online and at retailers everywhere and is distribued by EMI CMG Distribution. For further information, visit www.oakridgeboys.com or Twitter.com/OakRidgeBoys or www.facebook.com/oakridgeboys.

ABOUT THE OAK RIDGE BOYS

The Oak Ridge Boys, who have sold over 30 million units, are a name that has become synonomous with “America, apple pie, baseball and Gospel music.”  In addition to their awards and accolades in the country and pop music field, they have garned four Gospel GRAMMY Awards and nine GMA DOVE Award as well as the Mainstream Artist of the Year Award at the ICM Awards.  They are members of the GMA Hall of Fame as well as The Grand Ole Opry, and they are recipients of the President’s Award from the Southern Gospel Music Guild.  The group is featured regularly on the Gaither HOMECOMING Series and are legendary pioneers in the worlds of country and Gospel music.

May 2012 SGNScoops Magazine

We are excited about the May issue of Scoops Magazine! We are featuring Guy Penrod as our cover story. Also in this issues we are highlighting Union Street, The Amundruds, Paul Harkey, Ken & Jean Grady and more. We have several special interest stories this month! Sheri Easter shares thoughts on Motherhood, Sheila Walsh talks about Women of Faith, Rhonda Frye shares SGNScoop’s Experience at the 43 Annual Dove Awards and Sandi tells of an Easter Weekend filled with Gospel Music! As always, this issue includes Sandi Duncan Clark’s New Music Reviews and this month Rhonda reviews Gaither Vocal Band’s I AM A PROMISE Children’s album complete with a video of kids in action. Tucked between the covers, there are articles of inspiration as well as what songs are topping the charts… Plus a whole lot more! We’re proud of our staff for another issue well done! Please share with your family, fans and friends!

Find This Months Magazine Here