Southern Gospel News SGNScoops 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 »

Nominees for 2012 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Announced

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – (January 16, 2012) – The administrators and staff of AbsolutelyGospel.com (formerly SoGospelNews.com) are proud to announce the nominees for the 2012 Absolutely Gospel (SGN) Music Awards.  As in year’s past, the nominees were chosen by the staff of AbsolutelyGospel.com and select media representatives.  Starting on February 1, 2012, the fans will get a chance to vote for their favorites in certain categories.

“Despite the major changes in our editorial staff this year, the site has seen very impressive growth this year, and we know part of that is because of our talented writing staff,” mentioned Deon Unthank, Presidnet/CEO of AbsolutelyGospel.com. “Our staff did such a great job with nominations this year, and we are so proud of the work that they did.”
 
Chris D. Unthank, Editor-In-Chief of AbsolutelyGospel.com said, “This year’s awards represent impressive record breaking and a lot of ‘first-times’ for our awards program, and we couldn’t be more thrilled! 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.” Read more »

Sunday Edition Welcomes Christina Dallas Jones to Group

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (December 6, 2011) – Sunday Edition, one of Nashville’s favorite groups, is excited to announce the addition of Christina Dallas Jones to the group. Christina joins the group immediately and made her debut appearance with Sunday Edition on November 18, 2011 as a part of the USAGEM Convention and Awards Show.
 “We are very excited to be adding such a seasoned and talented vocalist to our group,” mentioned Deon Unthank of Sunday Edition. “Christina is a class act, and we know that people are going to love the sound that she brings to our group.”
 Deon continued, “Due to changes in our family over the last year with the passing of my wife and my subsequent remarriage, Amy’s move to the St. Louis area, and Chris’ recent marriage, the dynamic of our group was in for a major shift. No one is leaving the group, but adding Christina to our ministry will help us relieve some of the stress that having all three of us living in separate areas can create.”
 Christina Dallas Jones is the wife of Mark209’s Jym Howe. She has a strong background in musical theater and opera.
 Christina said, “I first began meeting the Unthank family shortly after my arrival to Nashville four years ago.  I soon found that they were not only charming and warm, but well respected people in the community.  I have since developed a personal friendship with them all.  After being exposed to Gospel music through my now husband, I grew an appreciation for their ministry.  I had quietly prayed and searched for a group to join with whom I felt I would fit.  With my musical background in opera, theatre, jazz, and pop, I would not fit with just any Gospel group.  When Deon called, it thrilled me.  I have always enjoyed the styling of Sunday Edition and I love Chris’ vocal technique.  It is a privilege to sing with such a wonderful Christian family.”
 With the addition of Christina, Sunday Edition is open to expanding their boundaries into new territories and ministry events. The group is currently booking for all time periods in 2012 and beyond. For more information on booking the group, call (615) 545-5315 or visit www.sundayedition.net  .
 Sunday Edition has had a stellar year. The group was recently honored with three nominations in the United States Associated of Gospel Entertainers & Musicians (USAGEM) Annual Awards Show. Sunday Edition received two nominations as a group – New Artist of the Year and Gospel Entertainer of the Year. In addition, the group’s lead vocalist Chris Unthank was named in the Male Vocalist of the Year category.
 The group also earned two nominations in the 2011 SGM Fan Awards – including Favorite Album for Sunday Worship and Favorite Baritone for group patriarch Deon Unthank. The About.com readers also nominated the group for Best Southern Gospel Group in the 2011 Readers’ Choice Awards. The group was nominated alongside industry mainstays Gaither Vocal Band, The Isaacs, The Hoppers, and Ernie Haase & Signature Sound. Sunday Edition’s new single, “Lift Up Your Eyes” (written by group member Amy Marie Unthank with Rebecca J. Peck), will ship Southern Gospel and Christian country radio at the first of the year. The group is currently writing material and choosing songs for their highly anticipated new mainline release. More information on that will be released at a later date.
 Sunday Edition’s website is currently under renovation, and until the new site is unveiled, you can find out more information on the group by visiting www.sundayedition.net . Facebook members can find Sunday Edition at www.facebook.com/sundayedition  . You can follow Sunday Edition on Twitter by logging in at www.twitter.com/thesunedition  .
 About Sunday Edition
Sunday Edition was formed back in the early 70’s as an all-male quartet.  Now, 30 years later, the group has reformed as the family trio consisting of Deon Unthank, Amy Marie Unthank, and Chris Unthank.  The group has a rich sound with a wide variety of influences which range from traditional southern to country and progressive southern to black gospel.

Sunday Edition Honored with 3 USAGEM Award Nominations

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – (September 26, 2011) – Sunday Edition, one of Nashville’s favorite groups, was recently honored with three nominations in the upcoming United States Associated of Gospel Entertainers & Musicians (USAGEM) Annual Awards Show.
 
Sunday Edition received two nominations as a group – New Artist of the Year and Gospel Entertainer of the Year. In addition, the group’s lead vocalist Chris Unthank was named in the Male Vocalist of the Year category.
 
“We are new to USAGEM, but we are so grateful for their support of our ministry this year,” mentioned group member Deon Unthank. “We believe in the work that this organization is doing, and we are proud to be a member of USAGEM.”
 
The USAGEM Awards will be handed out as a part of the 8th Annual USAGEM Convention and Awards Show. The even will be held at the Texas Troubadour Theater in Nashville, Tennessee on November 18 and 19, 2011. More information on the organization and event can be found at www.usagem.org  .
 
Sunday Edition recently released their highly anticipated follow-up single to the group’s debut singles with BSA World Records. The group has again partnered with BSA World Records for this release – which was produced by Glen Bates (Crystal River, Tribute Quartet).  Bates produced the critically acclaimed “Mercy Walks a Road” and smash hit “He Bore a Cross” for the group as well. The song, titled “Bring Back the Cross,” was written by Glen Bates was sent to radio earlier this summer.
 
“He Bore a Cross” became the group’s biggest hit to date in 2009  – giving them their highest charting position on the Singing News Top 80 (#44) and earning the group its first Top 10 New Release.  In addition, the song landed Sunday Edition its second #1 hit on the SouthernGospelTimes.com Top 40 Fan Chart. The second single, “Mercy Walks a Road” also charted on major Southern Gospel charts – AbsolutelyGospel.com Top 40 Weekly Chart, Christian Voice Magazine Top 100 Southern Gospel Chart, and PowerSource Magazine Top 100 Southern Gospel chart.
 
The trio recently released their highly anticipated new recording – Sunday Worship.  Sunday Worship is a conceptual recording that not only pays tribute to the group’s history singing in the church, but it also takes a look at the current landscape of church music. Sunday Worship consists of six cherished hymns and five modern worship songs set to an acoustic, piano only accompaniment.
 
Sunday Edition’s website is currently under renovation, and until the new site is unveiled, you can find out more information on the trio by visiting many social networking sites. Facebook members can find Sunday Edition at www.facebook.com/sundayedition  .  Sunday Edition’s MySpace can be found at www.myspace.com/thesundayedition/ .  Fans can visit Sunday Edition’s Shoutlife at www.shoutlife.com/sundayedition/ . You can follow Sunday Edition on Twitter by logging in at www.twitter.com/thesunedition  .
 
About Sunday Edition
Sunday Edition was formed back in the early 70’s as an all-male quartet.  Now, 30 years later, the group has reformed as the family trio consisting of Deon Unthank, Amy Marie Unthank, and Chris Unthank.  The group has a rich sound with a wide variety of influences which range from traditional southern to country and progressive southern to black gospel.

An Open Letter From Deon Unthank – God’s Still Good

Dear friends –
Life has a way of not turning out the way we plan. Almost 34 years ago, I married a beautiful young lady with whom I thought I would spend the rest of my life. Susan and I were inseparable. When you saw one of us, you saw both of us. We formed AbsolutelyGospel.com together as a team. Unfortunately, January 5th of this year, the terrible disease that she battled for most of her life overtook her, and she left me to take her place in Heaven.
Susan has gone to a place we all long to go. She’s not struggling to breathe anymore, and she’s able to walk again. She has attained her goal. The problem has been that I was left here alone. I couldn’t go to her, and she couldn’t come to me ever again. Life seemed to come to a halt. I was going nowhere. I was miserable. For the past five years, I had been Susan’s caregiver. For the last two years, it was pretty much 24/7 taking care of her. I grieved for her for two years as she went steadily downhill in her health. I knew that God was still there, but it just didn’t feel like He was anywhere close.

About 5 months ago I met a very lovely lady, Pamela Cooper Lewis, who lives in Cleveland, Tennessee. She has owned her own business for 15 years. She was raised as a Church of God pastor’s daughter, and God has been instrumental in everything that has been happening lately. Pamela and I started communicating  and from there developed a relationship. Soon, I was going to Cleveland to visit her. As I visited her, the emptiness in my life began fading away.

Let me shorten this story just a little.  On September 3, 2011, we were married in the Prayer Garden at the Church of God International offices in Cleveland. I know the first thing on everybody’s mind is, How do your kids feel about this?
Amy said, “We are thrilled that Dad has been able to find someone to spend this next part of his life with. We adore Pam, but most of all, we adore that she has been able to make our Dad happy once again. They are happy together – and for that reason alone – we are happy for them both!”
Chris said, “We’ve already grown to love Pam and see her as a part of this family. We know that there is no one that will be able to replace our mother, but we are excited that God has brought Pam into our lives.”
Pamela is joining me at the National Quartet Convention, so come on by our booth and meet her.
You may be wondering what role Pamela is going to have in AbsolutelyGospel. She is not a singer or musician, but she is an astute business lady and will continue to operate her business, but she will also be helping us in the business area of the website. It’s kind of cool, because she is quickly becoming a fan of Southern Gospel Music.

We want to thank all of our family and friends for their support, love, prayer and well wishes as we embark on this new life together.
God bless you,
Deon Unthank
President/CEO
AbsolutelyGospel.com

Sunday Edition Releases Third Single with BSA World Records This Month

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – (March 7, 2011) – Sunday Edition, one of Nashville’s favorite groups, was recently in the studio recording vocals for the highly anticipated follow-up single to the group’s debut singles with BSA World Records.

The group is partnering once more with BSA World Records for this release – which was produced by Glen Bates (Crystal River, Tribute Quartet).  Bates produced the critically acclaimed “Mercy Walks a Road” and smash hit “He Bore a Cross” for the group as well.

The song, titled “Bring Back the Cross,” was written by Glen Bates is set to hit radio later this month.

“It is an easy decision for us to keep partnering with Glen and BSA World Records,” mentioned Deon Unthank of Sunday Edition. “Our first single with the company became our biggest hit to date, and the last single, ‘Mercy Walks a Road,’ has been a great ministry tool for us.”

“He Bore a Cross” became the group’s biggest hit to date earlier this year – giving them their highest charting position on the Singing News Top 80 (#44) and earning the group its first Top 10 New Release.  In addition, the song landed Sunday Edition its second #1 hit on the SouthernGospelTimes.com Top 40 Fan Chart. The second single, “Mercy Walks a Road” also charted on major Southern Gospel charts – AbsolutelyGospel.com Top 40 Weekly Chart, Christian Voice Magazine Top 100 Southern Gospel Chart, and PowerSource Magazine Top 100 Southern Gospel chart.

“Bring Back the Cross” hits radio programmers’ desks this month and is being distributed and promoted to radio exclusively through the Rick Hendrix Company.

Rick Hendrix of the Rick Hendrix Company said, “This is a powerful song, and we are so excited to be a part of it. We know that it is going to be a big song for the group, and we can’t wait to see where it takes them.”

For more information on the single, visit the Rick Hendrix Company at www.rickhendrix.com .

Sunday Edition was recently greeted with news that they were nominated in the About Christian Music Reader’s Choice Awards. The trio was nominated for “Best Southern Gospel Group” alongside some of the industry’s most visible and respected artists such as Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, The Hoppers, The Isaacs, and Gaither Vocal Band. The readers of About Christian Music chose the nominees in a dozen categories that included every genre of music form Southern Gospel to Rock and Urban to Indie categories.

For more information on the About Christian Music Reader’s Awards, visit http://christianmusic.about.com . About Christian Music is one of the most read sites on Christian and Gospel music. The site covers all forms of Gospel music, including Southern Gospel.

The trio recently released their highly anticipated new recording – Sunday Worship.  Sunday Worship is a conceptual recording that not only pays tribute to the group’s history singing in the church, but it also takes a look at the current landscape of church music. Sunday Worship consists of six cherished hymns and five modern worship songs set to an acoustic, piano only accompaniment.

Sunday Edition’s website is currently under renovation, and until the new site is unveiled, you can find out more information on the trio by visiting many social networking sites. Facebook members can find Sunday Edition at www.facebook.com/sundayedition .  Sunday Edition’s MySpace can be found at www.myspace.com/thesundayedition/.  Fans can visit Sunday Edition’s Shoutlife at www.shoutlife.com/sundayedition/. You can follow Sunday Edition on Twitter by logging in at www.twitter.com/thesunedition .

Susan Unthank Hospitalized with Collapsed Lung

Prayers are appreciated for Susan Unthank of AbsolutelyGospel.com (formerly SoGospelNews.com) and wife of Deon Unthank (Sunday Edition). Susan was rushed to the hospital late Saturday evening (November 6, 2010) due to complaints of severe stomach pains. It was revealed after several X-rays that she was suffering from a semi-collapsed lung in addition to the stomach pains. The doctors are inserting a tube to drain any fluid and air that may be trapped in the pneumothorax today.

Please remember Susan and the entire Unthank family in your prayers. Susan has suffered many health issues over the last few years due to her increasing struggles with Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease (a very common form of Muscular Dystrophy).

For more information – stay tuned to AbsolutelyGospel.com or you can get frequent updates on Twitter by following her children’s accounts (@amymarie1001, @chrisunthank, and @scottbandy).

Sunday Edition Will Debut New Project Next Month

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – (August 14, 2010) – Sunday Edition, one of Nashville’s favorite groups, is excited about the release of the trio’s highly anticipated new recording – Sunday Worship.  Sunday Worship is a conceptual recording that not only pays tribute to the group’s history singing in the church, but it also takes a look at the current landscape of church music.

Deon Unthank of Sunday Edition said, “All three of us have fond memories of going to our grandparents’ old country churches and singing along in worship with nothing more than our voices an old, out-of-tune piano. So, that inspired us when recording this record to strip it down to the way it used to be and just sing these songs from the bottom of our soul with nothing but a piano and the voices God gave us.”

Sunday Worship consists of six cherished hymns and five modern worship songs set to an acoustic, piano only accompaniment.

Deon Unthank, who also co-produced the record, said, “Everywhere we go, people ask us to sing one of two things – either worship songs or hymns.  Well, this release focuses on both those aspects of church music.”

“We are so excited about this release, because we really feel like you can sense the heart and emotion behind these songs,” mentioned Amy Marie Unthank of Sunday Edition. “We picked these songs, because they mean something to each of us.”

Sunday Worship was recorded with the concept of “less-is-more” in mind. Very little digital enhancements and processing was used on the vocals, and the group opted out of using vocal stacks and vocal alignment for this album.

“More than anything, we wanted this recording to feel authentic. We didn’t want it to sound over-produced and over-processed. What’s great is that you do get to hear blemishes in our voices and moments where we could have sang it better – but we wanted to make it sound like we were in an old country church singing these songs – just like we remember. We hope we accomplished that,” mentioned co-producer and Sunday Edition member Chris D. Unthank.

Sunday Worship features an equal share of modern and classic worship tunes like “Blessed Assurance,” “Precious Lord,” “The Old Rugged Cross,” “Indescribable,” “Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone),” and “Friend of God,” in addition to many more songs.

Vocals for the new album were recorded at Square One Studio in Franklin, Tennessee.  The project was produced by group members Chris and Deon Unthank, and all vocals were arranged by Sunday Edition. Jeff Duffield mixed and mastered the recording, while tracks for the album were performed and recorded by Bobby McAllister (for Salem-Sound in Winston-Salem, NC). The group enlisted the help of Deon’s pastor Johnny Minick for the piano on “Feeling Mighty Fine.” Steve Allen and Aaron Minick also assisted in engineering for the project.

Sunday Worship will debut and be available to purchase for the first time during the week of the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky from September 13-18, 2010. Sunday Edition will be performing on Monday afternoon’s Featured Artist Showcase from 3:00-4:00 p.m. and will be singing selections from the new release at the showcase.

Sunday Edition recently released their follow-up to the smash-hit “He Bore a Cross.”  The new single, titled “Mercy Walks a Road,” was once again produced by Glen Bates and written by Bates and Glen Ashworth.  The new song is another special single release with BSA World Records.

The song is currently available for radio stations to download via Chuck Peters’ SG Show Prep and was released to radio through DJ Man Promotions and BSA World Records. In addition, the song is also being promoted to radio by TS Promotions, the Rick Hendrix Company, and Music City Media Group.

For more information on Sunday Edition, visit http://www.sundayedition.net .

Facebook members can find Sunday Edition on the popular social networking site at http://www.facebook.com/sundayedition .  Sunday Edition’s MySpace can be found at http://myspace.com/thesundayedition/.  Fans can visit Sunday Edition’s Shoutlife at http://www.shoutlife.com/sundayedition/.

About Sunday Edition
Sunday Edition was formed back in the early 70’s as an all-male quartet.  Now, 30 years later, the group has reformed as the family trio consisting of Deon Unthank, Amy Marie Unthank, and Chris Unthank.  The group has a rich sound with a wide variety of influences which range from traditional southern to country and progressive southern to black gospel.

Father of Deon Unthank Passes Away

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Charles William Unthank, father of Deon Unthank (SoGospelNews.com, Sunday Edition) passed away on Friday, December 4, 2009 at 6:10 p.m. EST. Charles (known as Bill to all who know him) peacefully passed into the arms of Jesus at the age of 88.

Deon Unthank said, “While my heart is very heavy right now with the loss of my Dad this weekend, I am evermore rejoicing. He has his mind back, he’s no longer old and ailing, and most of all he has already met the Savior of his life face to face.”

Bill was an Army Ranger who fought bravely in World War II. He worked for 52 years as a master painter and paper-hanger. He was a member of the Church of God (Cleveland) where he faithfully served his Savior.

Bill is survived by his wife, Evadean and three children, Brenda (Harold) Downing, Deon (Susan) Unthank, and Chery (Gene) Gray. Bill led a blessed and devoted life to his family and faith. In addition to his three children, Bill was blessed with 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren through the course of his life.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 10, 2009 at Lakeview Memorial Funeral Home in Fairview Heights, Illinois from 4:00-8:00 p.m. The funeral will be on Friday, December 11, 2009 at the same funeral home at 10:00 a.m. Bill’s son-in-law, Bishop Harold Downing, will be officiating the service.

Cards and flowers are welcome and appreciated. The Unthank family appreciates your thoughts and prayers during this time.