Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Surrendered Blessed With Diamond Award, Talent Contest Win

Surrendered Blessed With Diamond Award, Talent Contest Win

Gadsden, Alabama –  Surrendered, a progressive Southern Gospel trio from Gadsden, Alabama has been blessed with tremendous growth in their first year of ministry. While they have earned multiple honors recently, they are not resting on their laurels as they work to improve their impact in the gospel music field, improving their ability to reach the lost and encourage the church.

Recently, Surrendered was honored with a Diamond Award as Sunrise Trio of the Year in a ceremony in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Surrendered was also the grand prize winner of the talent contest at Sing Atlanta.  As the winner of this prestigious event, the group received a recording package from Daywind Records. The project will be produced by Jason Clark of the Nelons. The Nelons will also make a guest appearance on one of the songs. Russell Wise, of Surrendered said, ” We are thankful for this fantastic opportunity.  The group not only have the opportunity to work with Jason, but also Kelly Nelon as a vocal coach, as we record with Daywind Records.”

The trio is scheduled to be a featured guest on an upcoming episode of the nationally televised Southern Gospel program, Harmony Road TV, as part of an episode hosted by award winning songwriter, Kenna Turner West.

Another important step in the development of Surrendered Ministries had them recently working with Joyce Martin Sanders, of the Martins. They spent a day with Joyce, working on stage presence, transitions and overall vocal unity.

The group will participate in about 130 dates during the calendar year of 2016. This includes large concerts, revivals, church services and more. This number speaks volumes about their dedication and conviction, as well as the popularity of their fresh, exciting sound.

Gospel music veteran Russell Wise is the group’s leader.  Known for his powerful baritone voice, Wise was a longtime member of Wendy Bagwell and the Sunliters, playing bass and singing backup vocals. Singing lead and tenor for the group is Terry “Bubba” LaTaste who brings his powerful voice, engaging sense of humor and inspiring testimony to a Surrendered concert. Known as the “rose between the thorns,” 17 year old Sadie Renae sings both lead and harmony. In a few short months, Renae’s powerful voice has captured the hearts of listeners. She is one of the young, shining stars of gospel music today.

A few months ago, the group added Kendall Teague on drums. Only 20 years old, Teague was called to preach at the age of 18. He also performs a variety of duties for Surrendered, including maintaining their website. Renae and Teague are examples of young, dedicated and talented singers and musicians that are the future of Southern Gospel.

The mixture of the long time experience of Wise and LaTaste, along with the young talent of Renae, and Teague, provide Surrendered with a unique chemistry, giving them a sound that is resonating with Southern Gospel concert goers and radio listeners across the country.

More information on Surrendered can be found at www.surrendered.biz.  To host Surrendered at your church or event, contact Michael Davis at the Dominion Agency at 828-454-5900.  Jan Puryear Promotions represents Surrendered Ministries to radio, including their current single “I’ve Been to the Well,” which is quickly climbing the Southern Gospel charts.

AG Publicity Artists Shine at 2016 SGNScoops Diamond Awards

Karen Peck and New River Win at 2016 Diamond Awards

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (November 3, 2016) AG Publicity artists received some of the top honors last evening at the 2016 SGN Scoops Diamond Awards. The Annual Awards were held November 1, as a part of the Creekside Gospel Music Convention at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Williamsons at 2016 Diamond Awards

Dove Award-winning family group Karen Peck & New River took home two awards last night for Trio of the Year and Mixed Group of the Year. The Williamsons also were awarded two trophies for Favorite Song of the Year and Favorite Album of the Year (for “Shout” and Tell Somebody respectively).

Karen Peck of New River stated, “We are very honored to receive these amazing Diamond Awards. We want to thank all of you who voted for us. You all have been such a blessing to us over the past 25 years as KPNR. We work very hard to keep our ministry moving forward for the Lord. Your prayers and support are greatly appreciated. We also want to thank Rob Patz and his awesome team for their tireless efforts in keeping Southern Gospel Music in the forefront of the music world.”

“Such an honor to be awarded with Album of the Year and Song of the Year at the 2016 Diamond Awards! Thank you Lord for this honor and thank you all for voting for us.” an excited Donnie Williamson exclaimed.

Sarah Davison of HighRoad at 2016 Diamond Awards

Country/Bluegrass hybrid group HIGHROAD won the Diamond Award for Christian Country Group of the Year, while Jeff Stice won Instrumentalist of the Year.

Sarah Davison of HIGHROAD commented, “It was really inspiring to be surrounded last night by friends and artists who love Gospel music so much. We couldn’t do it without the folks who voted for us and have prayed for us while we go out and travel and sing all the time. We are humbled by this honor and it’s to God we give the Glory. I’m just thankful He gives us the songs to write and let’s us do what we love to do.”

Jeff Stice said, “The Bible says if we delight in the Lord , He will give us the desires of our hearts…. but it amazes me that when we delight in the Lord those desires change. My desire? I just want to finish well, and be a vessel that glorifies God… I truly am speechless over this Diamond Award… I am honored that the voters have chosen me as Instrumentalist of the Year. My thanks to The Beckie Simmons agency for booking me, Daywind Records for signing me as an artist, AGP for being my publicist , my family for praying for me, the Nelons for believing in me and my wife, Stacey ( my gift from God)for loving and supporting me… Psalm 130:7 says: “Hope in the Lord , for in the Lord there is mercy, and with Him there is ABUNDANT REDEMPTION ”

AGP President, Deon Unthank, stated, “We at AG Publicity are proud to represent some of the most talented artists in the Gospel Music industry. Congratulations to Karen Peck and New River, The Williamsons, HIGHROAD, and Jeff Stice. Your hard work is appreciated as indicated by these awards.”

AG Publicity represents an award-winning roster of artists including Karen Peck & New River, The Williamsons, HIGHROAD, Jeff Stice, Michael English, The Browders, Wilburn & Wilburn, Johnny Minick with Goodman Revival, 11th HOUR, Steve Ladd, The Freemans, and more.

For more of the 2016 Diamond Award winners click here. 

2016 Diamond Award winners Announced

Dr. Jerry and Jan Goff at 2016 Diamond Awards

Pigeon Forge, TN (November 2, 2016) – Creekside Gospel Music Convention was the site for the 2016 Diamond Awards presentation on Tuesday,  November 1st. Among the winners present in the Smoky Mountain Resorts auditorium were Ronnie Hinson, Gold City Quartet, Freedom Quartet, The Williamsons, Jeff Stice and more. The gala evening was emceed by Dr. Jerry and Jan Goff and attended by a large enthusiastic crowd.

Ronnie Hinson and Rob Patz

The 2016 Diamond Award winners are:

The J.D. Sumner Living Legend: Ronny Hinson

Mixed Group: Karen Peck and New River

Quartet of the Year: Gold City

Trio of the Year: Karen Peck and New River

Duet of the Year: Josh and Ashley Franks

Eagle’s Wings

John Rulapaugh of Freedom Quartet

Female Vocalist of the Year: Sheri Easter

Male Vocalist of the Year: Jason Crabb

Sunrise Award: The Chandlers

Sunrise Trio of the Year: Surrendered

Sunrise Quartet of the Year: Freedom Quartet

Song of the Year: The Williamsons – “Shout”

Album of the Year: The Williamsons – “Tell Somebody”

Williamsons

Christian Country Group of the Year: HighRoad

Anthony Burger Instrumentalist of the Year: Jeff Stice

Dottie Rambo Songwriter of the Year: Gerald Crabb

Bluegrass Gospel Album of the Year: Canaan’s Crossing – “Words”

Rob Patz

Bluegrass Gospel Song of the Year: Eagles’ Wings – “When I Wake Up To Sleep No More”

Bluegrass Gospel Male Artist of the Year: Tim Maze

Bluegrass Gospel Female Artist of the Year: Debra Wilson

Bluegrass Gospel Group of the Year: Eagles’ Wings

Mark209

Gospel Music Today Video/DVD of the Year: The Bates Family – “Louder Than Nails”

Favorite Industry Website: WATC Channel 57

Paul Heil Award for Broadcasting: Vonda Easley – WPIL FM

Publishers Choice Award: The Pine Ridge Boys

Lou Hildreth Award: JP Miller

Creekside Gospel Music Convention continues until Thursday November 3rd at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center in Pigeon Forge.  Tickets are free and everyone is invited to the last day of the event. For more information and to see pictures of the event, visit the Creekside Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Creeksidegospelmusicconvention/

2016 Diamond Awards Top 10

The 2016 Diamond Award Top 10 ballot  is  open on the SGN Scoops website. Everyone is invited to visit the website to enter the Nominations area and list their top 3 favorite picks for each Diamond Award category. Vote HERE

The Diamond Awards are completely voter-driven, starting with nominations from which the Top Ten lists are posted.  This allows voters to select their three favorites in each category.

That will bring us to the Top Five lists which will allow voters to select their three favorite choices. From these three, one winner of the 2016 Diamond Award in each category will be selected.

Artists and industry personnel are also invited to vote and to encourage their friends and fans to vote as well!

Vote today HERE

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Get Your Nominations In TODAY

Get Your Nominations In TODAY

It’s time to get excited about the 2016 Diamond Awards! Nominations are happening now at SGNScoops.com. Make sure your voice is heard and your favorites are recognized by fans, peers and industry personnel alike. Nominate the artist that you would like to see onstage at Creekside Gospel Music Convention 2016, receiving the coveted Diamond Award. Vote today! HERE