Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Marshall Hall Releases New Christmas Project

Marshall Hall Releases New Christmas Project

Without a doubt, most would agree that the sweet melodies of Christmas have a unique way of warming hearts. Christmas is a time for celebration and fellowship with loved ones and reflecting on the birth of the Christ-child. This holiday, no one does Christmas quite like Marshall Hall. The world-renowned singer/songwriter is no stranger to Christian music: formerly a member of the Gaither Vocal Band, lead worship pastor for Mountain Park Community Church (Phoenix, AZ), Shadow Mountain Community Church (El Cajon, CA) and currently at Willow Creek Community Church (Chicago, IL), Marshall’s solo career continues to thrive. All will agree that his phenomenal vocal ability, gift of communication and passion to serve has a way of touching the hearts of everyone he meets.

A recently released project entitled “Christmas” by Marshall Hall has quickly become a classic favorite that will last for years to come. This Christmas compilation contains reverent anthems and carols such as “Away In A Manger”, “Silent Night”, “The First Noel”, “Joy To The World”, “O Come All Ye Faithful”, “Angels We Have Heard On High” (featuring Wes Hampton) and modern day favorites, “All Is Well” and “Bethlehem Town”; Also included are the heartwarming classics “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” and “Christmastime Is Here”. This beautifully produced project is one that each listener will easily fall in love with and cherish.

To purchase “Christmas” by Marshall Hall, visit www.MarshallHallMusic.com

Christmas Music Review: A Look Back

Last year, Sandi Duncan Clark reviewed new music for December, including two new Christmas releases. If you still have not picked up these CDs to add to your collection, we urge you to visit these artists’ websites.

Luke 2:11 “For unto you is born this day in city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (KJV)
What a wondrous announcement the angels made to the shepherds so many years ago, giving all of us the reason to rejoice and celebrate a precious birth! God’s plan of salvation for the redemption from sin was being fulfilled. I’m so grateful for His birth, death and resurrection for our opportunity to become His child! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
We wish you all a very blessed Holiday, and thank you for your love and support throughout this year. We are so blessed to have each of you read and enjoy our magazine.
We have new music this month, which will encourage you and entertain you throughout the holidays. Some of the albums are Christmas while others are just great Gospel music. We hope that once you read our comments, you’ll look for these at your local Christian music store. These recording will make wonderful Christmas gifts.
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas from the Clark household and prayers for a blessed New Year.

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GRAMMY® Award-winning Gaither Vocal Band Tops Sales Chart with New Christmas Collection Release

Gospel Music Hall of Famers Begin the Christmas Season
with Timeless Recording

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—October 26th, 2015—The GRAMMY® Award-winning Gaither Vocal Band has just released a special Christmas Collection (Gaither Music Group) recording, which debuted at No. 1 on the Southern Gospel chart according to Nielsen Soundscan.
Currently available at retail and online stores everywhere, this holiday treasure, produced by Bill Gaither, Ben Isaacs (Oak Ridge Boys, Jimmy Fortune) and tenor David Phelps, features nostalgic favorites from group members past and present in addition to six all-new recordings by the group’s current lineup–Bill Gaither, David Phelps, Wes Hampton, Todd Suttles and Adam Crabb.
Suttles and Crabb take the leads on the mid-tempo opener “Changed by a Baby Boy,” penned by Gloria Gaither and Benjamin Gaither; and the group’s signature, complex harmonies round out the classic “Little Drummer Boy.” The quintet recorded “Reaching,” a song written in the mid-70s by Bill and Gloria [Gaither] that describes how the birth of the Savior went far beyond this special season and changed eternity.
Crabb’s rasp-tinged voice and Suttles’ warm, round tones come back into the spotlight with “Hand of Sweet Release,” and the group puts a soulful stamp on its new arrangement of the popular tune “Go Tell It on the Mountain.” Hampton shines on the easygoing “I’ll Be Home for Christmas,” and listeners will enjoy the familiar voices of Guy Penrod and Marshall Hall featured on “Carol Medley.”
Christmas Collection also includes Mark Lowry’s spine-chilling, LIVE rendition of “Mary, Did You Know?” a modern-day, seasonal classic written by Lowry and singer/songwriter/musician Buddy Greene. Phelps’ classic tenor voice highlights a rich version of “The Christmas Song,” and he brings the recording to a close with his soaring, crowd-pleasing rendition of the standard “O Holy Night.”
This group of Gospel Music Hall of Fame members were just awarded Southern Gospel Artist of the Year at the 2015 GMA DOVE Awards. Nominated for Best Roots Gospel Album at the 2015 GRAMMY® Awards, the Gaither Vocal Band continues to headline one of the largest tours in the Christian music industry.
Christmas Collection will be featured throughout the holiday season on a TV special airing on Dish TV, GaitherTV, TBN, FamilyNet, CTN, GMTN, Guardian, Liberty, RFD, TCT and TLN. The campaign will also air in Canada on Vision TV, The Miracle Channel, Grace TV and CTS. The recording is featured in the latest Homecoming Magazine and on the Gaither YouTube channel, which garners over 10 million views monthly. Read more »

2016 Gaither Tour Dates Unveiled

Alexandria, IN – Gaither Music Group is thrilled to 2016 Gaither Tour Dates Unveiledannounce dates for the next season of 2016 concerts!  The Gaither Vocal Band will crisscross North America in all directions bringing some of gospel music’s most-loved songs to audiences in 12 states, beginning in Texas this January.  

 

“We can’t wait to get back out there after the Christmas season and start another year of singing songs our audiences are hungry to hear,” Bill [Gaither] states. “We’ve built something very special during the past two years with these five voices, and I’m so thrilled at how this group has settled in and found its way into the hearts of people, even skeptics. The response has been overwhelming.”

 

All tour dates will feature the Gaither Vocal Band & Friends.  Multi-concert events throughout the year will also feature the Homecoming family, including the Caribbean Cruise, Prestonwood Texas Homecoming Spectacular and Family Fest.    

 

September 2015 SGNScoops Magazine

The 2016 Spring Tour will take legendary singer/songwriter Bill Gaither and his multi-Grammy award winning Gaither Vocal Band to 20 cities throughout the US, including Amarillo, Houston, San Antonio, Ft Lauderdale, Orlando, Jacksonville, Akron, Grand Rapids and Charlotte. A complete schedule, as well as complete ticket information is available at www.gaither.com.

 

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About the Bill Gaither & the Gaither Vocal Band: The Gaither Vocal Band, featuring David Phelps, Wes Hampton, Adam Crabb and Todd Suttles, was honored with the 2014 Grammy nomination for Best Roots Gospel Album for their Hymns recording. Since 1992, when Bill Gaither began recording the celebrated Homecoming series of DVDs and CDs, most every volume has been certified gold or platinum with sales reaching approximately 100 million volumes. Gaither has brought the Homecoming Tour into cities worldwide, with collective attendance figures exceeding 1.1 million people. The Tour has consistently been ranked among the top concerts for tickets sold worldwide in any music genre during the past decade. Named ASCAP’s Songwriters of the Century, Bill & Gloria Gaither have written more than 700 popular Gospel songs throughout their career. Bill and Gloria Gaither have collectively received eight Grammy Awards and more than a dozen nomination, as well as more than two dozen Dove Awards from the Gospel Music Association.

Gaither Vocal Band: Gaither clan relies on teammates

Gaither Vocal Band: Gaither clan relies on teammates

Latest additions to the Vocal Band are having “the time of their lives”

Todd Suttles has a background in athletics. In fact, the Gaither Vocal Band baritone singer has been around athletes his entire life. Therefore, it’s not surprising that he has a unique way of referring to Bill Gaither. To Suttles, Gaither is “Coach.”

“I’m part of a team now,” Suttles says. “I was a coach so long. I miss the coaching aspect of having someone you know who has the best interest for you and best interest of what is going on.

“Bill coaches us. He coaches me through every song I sing. We put ourselves in all of these songs.”

Suttles worked at Vanderbilt University for 21 years, serving as the strength and conditioning coordinator for all of the university’s athletic programs for nine years.“I coached for a while,” Suttles points out. “Being in the organization I was in at Vanderbilt, you see a lot people.

“This is beyond … it’s a God thing. I have a brotherhood, a trustworthy aspect. It’s amazing that these people are real. Bill is grounded. I know grounded people, how they treat people, how they think, how they make decisions. When he said, ‘Todd, I would want you on my team even if you couldn’t hit the ball’ … that was something. Adam is from Kentucky. I’m from Georgia. David is from Texas. Wes is really from Tennessee. We talk about everyday stuff. Heartfelt listening is what we do. How do we treat people? That’s one of the songs on the project … ‘Sow Mercy.’ It’s life-changing. It’s a positive aspect. Bill is teaching us on stage. He loves the people out there. Bill is an everyday person. He’s the same person on stage and off stage.”

Gaither does have some athletic interests.“Bill loves basketball … the Pacers (Indiana’s National Basketball Association franchise),” Suttles notes. “We talk basketball.”

Though he remained on staff at Vanderbilt after joining the Gaither Vocal Band, Suttles recently decided to step away from that chapter of his life and devote himself fully to the group.“It was a little bit of a tough decision,” Suttles admits. “You go through and look at stuff in life. It’s choosing what to hold on to and what to let go of. I’ve been there 21 years. I have a thing called Camp Vandy (a youth program for children age 4-13). It’s great. It’s flourishing.

“God is taking care of me. I wanted to choose this day who I’m going to serve. I’ve served Vanderbilt for a while. Now, I just feel like He’s leading me in one direction. I want to give everything I can to God. I’m giving my life.”

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Gaither Music Group Celebrates Three 2015 GMA DOVE Award Wins

Gaither Vocal Band

Label’s Artists Take Home 2015 Honors for Southern Gospel Artist of the Year, Country Song of the Year and Bluegrass/Country Album of the Year

Label Line-up Gives Stirring Show Performances
NASHVILLE, Tenn–October 15th, 2015—The Gaither Music Group roster of artists took home three 2015 GMA DOVE Awards during Tuesday night’s ceremony held at Allen Arena at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee.
Gospel Music Hall of Fame members and GRAMMY® Award winners the Gaither Vocal Band were awarded Southern Gospel Artist of the Year. Group member Adam Crabb, who accepted the award on behalf of the group, stated, “What an honor to accept this! To be here receiving this as a part of this group is unreal to me. I am living the dream I had as a child, singing with one of my all-time favorite groups—the Gaither Vocal Band. I am grateful to Bill [Gaither] for giving me the opportunity to join this group, and we appreciate the GMA honoring us in this way.”

Bill Gaither

The group’s founder and bass singer, gospel music legend Bill Gaither joined Christian music artist Matt Maher for the awards program to perform “Because He Lives (Amen).” Penned by Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Ed Cash, Gloria Gaither, Jason Ingram, Matt Maher and Bill Gaither, the song was awarded Praise and Worship Song of the Year.
Also nominated for a 2015 GRAMMY® Award, the Gaither Vocal Band has garnered five GRAMMY® nominations, two GRAMMY® Awards and 18 GMA DOVE Awards to date.
Country music icons and Gospel Music Hall of Famers The Oak Ridge Boys took home the award for Country Song of the Year for their recent country single, “Sweet Jesus,” an original song penned for them by country music star Merle Haggard, who joined the group for the recording of the song. The award-winning tune is a part of the group’s Rock of Ages, Hymns and Gospel Favorites recording, a 15-song project produced by Ben Isaacs and group member Duane Allen.

Gospel and Country Music Icons The Oak Ridge Boys

“To win a coveted DOVE Award is a chilling experience,” stated Allen. “However, to share this with Merle Haggard is beyond words. Thank you, Gospel Music Association, for choosing ‘Sweet Jesus’ as the Country Song of the Year!”
“It as an honor to be a small part of this legendary performance,” stated Isaacs. “I have been a fan of both The Oak Ridge Boys and Merle Haggard for years. I knew it was special when we recorded it. Now I know I’m not the only one who feels that way.”
The Oak Ridge Boys were inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2000, and they have garnered ten GMA DOVE Awards and five GRAMMY® Awards.
Country music legends Alabama received the 2015 DOVE Award for Bluegrass/Country Album of the Year for Angels Among Us, Hymns & Gospel Favorites, produced by group members Jeff Cook, Teddy Gentry and Randy Owen. This marked the band’s first DOVE Award and 178th career award.
“I am so happy for these country music icons, who are still breaking new ground,” stated Bill Gaither. “May their first DOVE Award for Angels Among Us be just the beginning of more exciting days ahead for Alabama.”
The release, along with its DVD companion featuring behind-the-scenes interviews with Gaither, have been seen on 15 TV networks including PBS, RFD, TBN, DirecTV, DISH TV and AT&T U-verse. These two-time GRAMMY® Award winners have sold more than 73 million albums and singles and achieved 43 No. 1 songs, and they are members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
GRAMMY®-nominated and multi-DOVE Award-winning family trio The Martins (Joyce Martin Sanders, Jonathan Martin and Judy Martin Hess) performed a cappella alongside singer/songwriter/comedian Mark Lowry. The packed audience rose to its feet following their unique rendition of “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” found on Lowry’s new solo recording How We Love (Spring Hill Music).
The Martins have garnered four number one singles and four top ten singles in multiple Christian music formats in addition to eight GMA DOVE Awards. A GRAMMY® and GMA DOVE Award winner, Lowry was inducted this year into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.

Isaacs

The award-winning Isaacs (Sonya Isaacs Yeary, Rebecca Isaacs Bowman, Ben Isaacs and Lily Isaacs) gave a special performance alongside contemporary Gospel singer Erica Campbell, who co-hosted this year’s ceremony. The family formed an acoustic band around Campbell and added background vocals to her hit “A Little More Jesus,” creating a riveting performance that ignited the crowd.
Gaither Music Group projects are exclusively distributed by Capitol Christian Distribution and Universal Music.

Award-winning Tenor DAVID PHELPS Takes His All-NEW Recording FREEDOM to the Stage for a LIVE DVD

New Performance DVD Features Guest Appearances from the Gaither Vocal Band and Charlotte Ritchie

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—September 14th, 2015–GRAMMY®-nominated, classically-trained tenor David Phelps has just released an all-new DVD entitled Freedom (Gaither Music Group) featuring the songs from his latest recording, Freedom.

Recorded in The Phelps’ barn just south of Nashville, Tennessee, and produced by Phelps, the LIVE concert DVD captures the powerhouse vocals one might expect from this three-octave, “who’s who of vocalists,” who was backed by a nine-piece band in addition to background vocals from acclaimed recording artist Charlotte Ritchie and his daughters, Callie and Maggie Beth.

Phelps also brought to the stage reverent, acoustic moments portraying some of the down-home musical styles found on the companion Freedom audio recording. Whether sitting at the piano singing a vulnerable lyric such as “What I Need Is You,” penned by him, or energizing the crowd with the driving, country-flavored “Little White Church” or performing his own rendition of the gospel music classic “We Shall Behold Him,” he poured himself into the evening, invigorated by an enthusiastic crowd of friends and longtime fans.

Those audience members were delighted to hear “Water,” a new song penned by Gloria Gaither and Phelps, sung as a duet of David and daughter Maggie Beth; and the room cheered as the rest of the Gaither Vocal Band–Bill Gaither, Wes Hampton, Adam Crabb and Todd Suttles–took the stage to join Phelps for the toe-tapper “When We All Get Together with the Lord.”

Phelps’ vibrato rang out on the title cut of the new video, Freedom, as well as the stirring ballad written by Phelps for his daughter’s graduation ceremony, “Your Time Will Come,” which featured the Bethel University Drum Corps from McKenzie, Tennessee. Vocal Authority, also from Bethel University, was on hand to join Phelps throughout the evening, lending their poignant sound to the project’s arrangements.

The evening ended in celebration as the entire audience followed Phelps, his band, choir and drum corps down the aisle and out the front door, singing and clapping to his soulful, Cajun-based adaptation of the gospel music standard “When the Saints Go Marching In.”

Phelps, one of the most recognized artists on the Gaither HOMECOMING Series, sat down with longtime friend and mentor Bill Gaither for a behind-the-scenes interview for the video which will be positioned heavily at retail, via catalog placements and through a direct TV campaign, beginning this month on networks including Dish TV, DIRECTV, AT&T Uverse, PBS, GaitherTV, TBN, FamilyNet, CTN, GMTN, Guardian, Liberty, RFD, TCT and TLN. The campaign will also air in Canada on Vision TV, The Miracle Channel, Grace TV and CTS.

Freedom is distributed through Capitol Christian Distribution and is now available throughout general market stores and the Christian marketplace in addition to online retailers including iTunes, Amazon and www.gaither.com.

For a preview of the new DVD visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9bE-FEiVEA.

For further information regarding David Phelps, please visit www.davidphelps.com, www.facebook.com/davidphelps or @DPhelpsMusic.

Freedom DVD Song List:
01. I’m Coming Home
02. Who Do You Say That I Am
03. Rain
04. Ghost Town (Freedom)
05. Little White Church
06. Ain’t No Grave
07. Heaven’s Shore
08. Doxology (Featuring the Phelps’ children)
09. The Lily
10. Holy (Sanctus)
11. Revelation Song (Featuring Charlotte Ritchie)
12. If You See My Savior (Featuring Charlotte Ritchie w/ Maggie Beth and Callie Phelps)
13. Water (Duet with Maggie Beth Phelps)
14. When We All Get Together With The Lord (Featuring the Gaither Vocal Band)
15. Your Time Will Come
16. What I Need Is You
17. We Shall Behold Him
18. When The Saints Go Marching In

ABOUT DAVID PHELPS
David Phelps is blessed with a vocal instrument unlike any other. The multi-platinum artist first entered the national spotlight when he joined the Gaither Vocal Band and has since performed at Carnegie Hall, the White House and many other halls and churches around the world. Phelps has won two GRAMMY® Awards and four GMA DOVE Awards. His latest work, Freedom, showcases his talents as a singer, songwriter, arranger and producer. Phelps lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Lori, and four children: Callie, Maggie Beth, David Grant and Coby.

September 2015 SGNScoops Magazine

September 2015 SGNScoops Magazine

Welcome to the first issue of the seventh year of SGNScoops Magazine! We are happy that you have joined us along this journey and we hope you will keep reading our pages! This September edition brings us stories about the Gaither Vocal Band, the New Dove Brothers, Ken and Jean Grady, Sharron Kay King, Maria Kramer, Exodus, Joshua Horrell, Chris Hester, and Sunday Drive.

SGN Scoops Wacky Wednesday Poll: What Album Should Every Gospel Fan Own?

Thanks for joining us for another SGN Scoops Wacky Wednesday! Today’s question for our fearless panel of artists: “What is the one album every Gospel fan should have in their collection?” As you might expect, some of the answers are a little less than scientifically proven.

Nevertheless, SGN Scoops polled about 18 or so artists about various things and tabulated their answers. We have used this (not so great) scientific process to create today’s Wacky Wednesday Top Ten. Our panel of expert artists gave us the following answers.

The artists whose albums should be owned by every Southern Gospel aficionado are the incomparable Cathedrals.

All of the Booth Brothers were united in their response, giving three votes to Live in Atlanta by the Cathedrals. Donna King says, “Anything by the Hinsons or Cathedrals (can’t pick one!)” And no, Donna you didn’t fail that one! Michaela Brown also voted for any of the Cathedral albums.

The Singing Americans, a quartet ahead of its time, and the 24-karat Gold City were tied for second place. Gary Casto, Scotty Inman and Greg Bentley chose Black and White by the Singing Americans. Chris Jenkins and Joseph Habedank put their votes in for Pillars of Faith by Gold City. David Sutton’s choice is Gold City’s Double Take.

In third place was Bill Gaither, with two of his groups each earning a vote. Phil Collingsworth Sr. said, “HYMN CLASSICS – THE BILL GAITHER TRIO (1990 – only Gaither Trio Album produced by Lari Goss – last Trio Album released.)”
Karen Peck’s choice was, “Anything from Gaither Vocal Band!”

Other top picks included:
Speer Family: Heritage Series. “Little is much when God is in it! The best!” – Hannah Webb
“A Triumphant one!” – Clayton Inman
Blackwood Brothers Quartet latest project. “Our new one, Forever.” – Billy Blackwood
The Talleys latest project. “This would probably be a bad time to admit that I don’t listen to much music, so I’ll say whatever the Talleys’ newest is!” – Lauren Talley Alvey
The Three Bridges’ newest album. “The latest Three Bridges album, of course!” – Shannon Smith

So now you know! There may be more than one answer that is a little suspect, but that is how we roll on the SGN Scoops Wacky Wednesday!

Thanks again to all of our participants. Be watching SGN Scoops mainpage for more Wacky Wednesdays in the weeks to come. Do you want to suggest a subject or an artist? Email us at sgnscoops@gmail.com

SGN Scoops Wacky Wednesday Top Ten

For more on the artists who have subjected themselves to our poll questions, visit them at their group websites:

Chris Jenkins http://kingsmenquartet.musiccitynetworks.com/
Joseph Habedank http://www.josephhabedank.com/
Clayton Inman http://www.triumphantquartet.com/
Lauren Talley Alvey http://thetalleys.com/
Phil Collingsworth Sr. http://www.thecollingsworthfamily.com/
David Sutton http://www.triumphantquartet.com/
Greg Bentley http://crossroadslabelgroup.com/
Gary Casto http://tributequartet.com/
Billy Blackwood http://www.blackwoodbrothers.com/
Shannon Smith http://threebridgesgospel.com/
Michaela Brown http://thebrownsmusic.com/
Booth Brothers http://boothbrothers.com/
Scott Inman http://www.triumphantquartet.com/
Karen Peck http://www.karenpeckandnewriver.com/
Donna King http://www.zaneanddonnaking.com/
Hannah Webb http://rickwebbfamilymusic.com/

Gaither Vocal Band Lands Top 2 Spots on This Week’s Music Video Sales Chart

Gaither Vocal Band

Legendary Group Celebrates Big Week for Sometimes It Takes a Mountain and Happy Rhythm Releases