NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (April 3, 2012) – Gospel music mainstays Mark209proudly announces that they have reached a management 
agreement with Billy Coren.
Billy Coren is a North Carolina native who began working with music legend Ronnie Milsap in February of 1976 and has been associated with him ever since. Billy started his career as a sound engineer and then moved into show production as well as public relations and creative consulting. In 1977, Billy became the first person to utilize pyrotechnics in mainstream as part of the Ronnie Milsap Show. Billy also utilized these effects with J.D. Sumner and The Stamps in 1979.
In the late 70’s and early 80’s, Billy was involved with the musical group Memphis and managed and produced Dixie Road. He has also produced many country and gospel projects over the past 35 years.
In his biography It Was Almost Like A Song, Ronnie Milsap said, “I’d be hard pressed to name a closer friend. Billy’s presence simply calms me. I love to have him around before I go onstage. That kind of closeness, coupled with his obvious creative talents, makes him and invaluable asset to my show and life.â€
Jym Howe states, “Billy has been an intricate part of Mark209 over the years, including helping us choose our new name.  We are thrilled to have him part of our team and sharing with us his wealth of knowledge.â€Â
Billy produced first two CD offerings from the newly renamed Nashville based gospel group Mark209, and it was Billy who had the vision for the blend of the southern-country gospel sound that they are developing for the group. Billy has now been named Personal Manager / Producer for the groupMark209 also has television appearances as well as several unique recording projects that will be finished in the very near future.
2012 has started with a bang for the popular quartet. In addition to doing select dates with Ronnie Milsap, Mark209 has already been scheduled for several television appearances and large festivals.
The group recently landed two Absolutely Gospel Music Award nominations. The group landed nods in the Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Fan Favorite Artist of the Year categories. The popular quartet will be a featured performer on the Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Celebration next week. The event will be streamed live and is free to the public. For more information, visit www.absolutelygospel.com.
The group also scored a nomination for Favorite New Excelling Artist in the 2012 SGM FanFair Awards.
The brand new Mark209 website was recently launched. You can visit them online at www.mark209.com. You can also find the group on Facebook by visiting www.facebook.com/mark209.
About Mark209
Mark209 is one of the most exciting Gospel quartets touring the country today. The intricate harmonies, detailed arrangements, energy, and versatility place this group in a league of its own. In a time when mediocrity is widely accepted, this group has raised the bar and exceeds everyone’s expectations. The group consists of Jym Howe, Nathaniel Justice, Joe Armstrong, and Jimmy Reno.
