SGN Scoops Digital

2012 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards To Be Broadcast on Sirius XM’s enLighten Radio

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – (April 3, 2012) – The internet’s largest e-zine for all things Gospel Music, AbsolutelyGospel.com and Sirius XM’s enLighten Radio are partnering together to bring the 2012 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Celebrationto the satellite radio community.

In addition to the live internet stream set for the evening of the awards, Sirius XM’s enLighten will be recording the event and broadcasting the awards celebration the following weekend on its station.

“This is something that we have talked about for years but have never really been able to flesh out until this year,” mentioned Deon Unthank, President of AbsolutelyGospel.com. “We are very excited about reaching thousands of more listeners through this arrangement!” Read more »

The Watkins Family gains new chart song and adds a new musician

The Watkins Family adds talents of a full-time musician to their ministry as their latest song climbs the charts.
The group which includes matriarch Judy Watkins and two of her adult children Todd and Lorie. They continue a path sharing their love of Jesus through acoustic music touring across the United States and Canada since 1982.
Josh Blankenship, 26, of Floyd County, Va., who plays guitar and mandolin, recently joined the group.
Blankenship was previously part of the bluegrass gospel band – Statement with his sister Ashlee Blankenship.
“We often meet talented musicians but Josh is more than that, he also has the heart for ministry it takes to make a difference in the lives of others,” said Judy Watkins.
Blankenship who began playing just six years ago said his focus is to reach the lost and encourage people through the music.
“The reason I wanted to play with the Watkins Family is I could tell they really believe what they are singing about,” he said.
Lorie and Todd agree that his talents add wonderfully to what they share musically.
“Josh and his wife Brooke, who also lends her support to our work, are wonderful additions to our ministry,” Lorie said. “He ably adds to what we do musically and vocally and brings a wonderful songwriting talent to the mix of our material as well.”
The group’s latest project “Heaven’s Worth Waiting For” including their new chart single “What a Wonderful Name.” Gerald Crabb penned the song.
“We are excited to have our third Singing News chart recording from this CD,” Lorie said. “It is a wonderful song that we have seen touch those that attend our concerts.”
Grammy winner Mark Fain, Grammy nominated Karen Peck Gooch, and Danny Jones, produced the CD.
For more information, visit www.watkinsfamilymusic.com.

The Watkins Family adds a new musician

The Watkins Family of Toccoa, Ga. adds to its stage show by bringing another full-time musician to their ministry.

The group which includes matriarch Judy Watkins and her adult children – Todd and Lorie continue a path sharing their love of Jesus through acoustic music touring across the United States and Canada since 1982.

Daniel Holt, 22, of Savannah, Tenn. joined the group full-time playing a variety of instruments. Holt began performing with his family – The Holt Family at the age of 9.

“I grew up playing most weekends at churches and festivals around Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi,” he said.

He recently graduated from the University of North Alabama with a Bachelor in Business Administration with an emphasis in Entertainment Management.

“In order to graduate, I had to do an internship,” he said.

His internship was with the Singing News Magazine and its parent company Salem Communications in Nashville.

“The internship gave me an opportunity to learn a great deal about the Southern gospel music industry first hand and meet some wonderful people including the Watkins Family,”he said. “I am very thankful for this job with the Watkins Family.”

Multi-award nominee Lorie Watkins said that Daniel is a wonderful addition to the group as he share his talents on a several instruments.

“Daniel has a wonderful personality that our audience connects with,” she said. “He also is tremendously talented in what he does musically and with all the support he provides off stage. We are honored to have him as part of the group.”

The group’s latest project “Heaven’s Worth Waiting For” is promoted by the Rick Hendrix Company. Grammy winner Mark Fain, Grammy nominated Karen Peck Gooch, and Danny Jones, produced the CD.
For more information, visit www.watkinsfamilymusic.com.