Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Just a little talk with Tonja Rose

It was a pleasure to have Tonja Rose featured in this article, as she has an impressive message to share.  This lovely lady talks to SGNScoops writer, Jantina Baksteen.

Jantina Baksteen: Could you please introduce yourself to the SGNScoops readers?

Tonja Rose: My name is Tonja Rose, I am a country girl from Eastern North Carolina. Pinetown, specifically, with a population of 155. I grew up on Free Union Church Road, where I lived between corn and tobacco, and had a pig farm across the road from my house. You don’t get much more country than that unless you’re driving a tractor. All in all, I’m as country as cornbread and I am a sinner saved by grace who dies daily.

JB: You have had a long, rich career in music, starting from a young age. Can you share something about that?

TR: When I came along, or shortly there after, my dad was part of a gospel quartet called The Coachmen Quartet, so I grew up singing. From the age of two, the stage just became a natural fit for me. Throughout school, I was in the band and ensemble and would sing anytime I could. After high school, I got married and moved to Virginia, was in a country band and had the opportunity to open for many country artists that all told me, “You need to move to Nashville.” I moved to Nashville to pursue country music where I had charting success with an Independent record label before the label decided to shut its doors. In 2012, some friends were starting an Christian group and asked if I would be interested in joining them; that group ended up being named Crosby Lane. While with Crosby Lane, we had charting success with our song “Crucified,” and we traveled all across the country. Shortly after this charting success, my husband, Ward, had a stroke in 2016. During his, recovery I tried to convince myself how I could continue with Crosby Lane, but found myself struggling to leave him at home alone. So in early 2017, I stepped away from Crosby Lane and and decided my music days were over. As therapy for myself, I continued to write music and would write a song that changed the whole trajectory of my life, (and) our lives. My co writer, John Mathis, suggested we release the song to radio to see what happens. That song, “When the Mountain Can’t Be Moved” would be the first of four top ten singles from my album, “Me, Jesus, and the Highway,” and would garner five Diamond Award nominations.

Tonja and Ward Rose

JB: You have a new song out to radio, “I’m Not Who I Used To Be.” How did this song come together?

TJ: All the songs off of “Me, Jesus, and the Highway,” have some kind of connection to my husband’s stroke and recovery. The co-writer of “I’m Not Who I Used To Be,” Erin Johnston, brought the idea for this song for a completely different reason but I thought it fit perfectly with our story as I knew both Ward and I were not the same people we were before the stroke. I have learned so much from this song. The idea of that song meant one thing to Erin when she brought it to the table, which we both embraced when we wrote it, but in the end God used it in a  completely different way. And  whenI say “the end,” I mean it. The song truly became what it was intended to be when we decided to release it as the last single from the album and talked about ideas for a video. Here is how God  turnedthis song into so much more: The gentleman in the video is not an actor, but my co-writers’ uncle, John Williams. At the time we wrote the song, Erin’s family did not know if John was alive or dead. They did know this: he had struggled for years and was addicted to drugs, alcohol, gambling and was living on the streets. About the time “Me, Jesus, and the Highway,” was released in July of 2018, John reached out to his family for help and they were able to help him get in a recovery program at John 316 Mission in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There he found the love of Christ and has completely turned his life around and is now a mentor to others in the program. He uses this video to share with others his story of how God has changed who he is.

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Gateway Artist, GloryWay Quartet, Tells The World That They Are A “Nobody”

GloryWay Quartet

Nashville, TN (May 26, 2020) –GloryWay Quartet has released a new single to radio, “Nobody,” that shares an incredible message. “I’m just a nobody trying to tell everybody about somebody who saved my soul,” proclaims the lyrics to what is sure to be a hit song for the breakout group.

“If we had one song that tells why we do what we do, this is it. You might forget our names. That’s o.k. as long as you remember who we sang about,” stated Justin Crank.

GloryWay has been on the road for almost two decades but the current lineup has thrust them into the national spotlight.

“These four guys are as good as any group on the road. They have had the honor to share the stage with many top groups and each time they have their fellow artists blown away,’ stated Matt Felts, Gateway Management.

The group has won the Diamond Award for Favorite New Quartet and have appeared at major events such as Dollywood, the National Quartet Convention and John Hagee’s American Gospel Celebration.

Their new single, “Nobody,” will be included on a new project the group is currently working on. “We have been going through tons of incredible songs and feel like we have some special music to record. These songs are full of incredible messages and are sure to bless people,” added Justin Crank. “

“Nobody” is available on the Joy Unspeakable Music Promotions (J.U.M.P. Vol 12) Compilation, which is being sent to radio stations mid -June. For more information, go to GloryWayQuartet.com.

Tonja Rose Begins a New Chapter

Franklin, TN (April 30, 2020) The launch of the new single, “Little Talk With Jesus” by Tonja Rose, signifies the beginning of a new chapter for the singer/songwriter. Tonja scored four Bluegrass Gospel Top 10 chart songs from her debut album, ‘Me, Jesus & The Highway’, produced by Tonja and John Mathis Jr. She also secured five Diamond Award Nominations with two Diamond Award wins for Gospel Music Today Video of the Year (“When The Mountain Can’t Be Moved”) and Country Christian Song of the Year (“Hide Me Behind The Cross”). The notoriety the album brought saw Tonja featured on the legendary 650 AM WSM in Nashville and nods from such outlets like CCM Magazine and sharing the stage with artists such as Selah.

“Little Talk With Jesus” is the first single release from Tonja’s second album with Mansion Entertainment/BlueGrass Valley Records and it marks a step into a new chapter of music. The new single has already been delivered to Christian radio and will be available on all digital streaming platforms May 1st. While the current COVID-19 pandemic has slowed the progress of the completion of the new album, listeners will get a taste of what is to come. The new album is being targeted for completion during the summer. The single is being promoted by Vonda Armstrong and Hey Ya’ll Media.

Josh and Ashley Franks are Building the Kingdom

Josh and Ashley Franks

As Vonda Armstrong walked out of Sunday school class, the choir director informed her that her daughter, Ashley, would be singing that morning for the service. Ashley Franks was just four years old at the time. She sang, “Jesus Loves Me,” during the invitational, and it was apparent to those in attendance that her voice touched people that day.

“I knew God had a special purpose for her life,” recalls Vonda.

After that morning, Ashley knew singing was what she wanted to do with her life. Some things are by divine design and Ashley’s talents are no exception. She comes from a musically gifted family. Her grandparents played and sang bluegrass and her mother sings gospel music. Ashley’s soaring soprano is supremely showcased in the couple’s music, meshing well with her husband’s powerful range.

Josh Franks was born in Florence, Alabama, and he can’t remember life without music. Having musical talent on both sides of his family, it was something that was a part of him from the beginning. He would gather his stuffed animals as a boy and they served as his audience while he sang and preached to them. What he didn’t realize at the time was that he was being prepared for his ministry.

In 2006, Ashley attended the National Quartet Convention with her family to sing, and Josh Franks appeared on the same showcase.

“I remember thinking he had such a big voice inside such a small person,” she muses.

After they both returned to their homes, Josh and Ashley reconnected, and by the following February they were engaged. That December, they were married.

God had a purpose for their lives and it began unfolding. Just eight days after their wedding, Ashley and Josh recorded their first gospel album together. God began weaving together their ministry, guiding them like a tapestry where every thread was carefully laid in place. He has used their love of music to help reach others that were lost and hurting.

When reflecting on the songs they have recorded, Ashley says, “Oh my, it’s hard to pick a favorite. I don’t think I have a favorite, per se. Right now, a song from our latest album that has really been ministering to me is called, ‘Just As Blessed.’ It talks about how we are just as blessed in the bad seasons of our life as we are in the good ones. Such a great reminder that I think we all need.”

Josh began feeling led to minister on a deeper level and accepted the position of senior pastor at his home church.

Ashley and Josh Franks, with their children, Priscilla and Eli

“Josh and I, both at separate times, heard God say that he wanted us to go home and work there. When we finally had the conversation, we knew that was our next step. We did not know how it would even happen. Josh has never been affiliated with any denomination. But all the pieces just sort of fell into place,” Ashley recalls.

“We started with around 12 people for our church attendance. It’s grown now into around 125 per service,” states the blonde beauty.

The couple continues to travel and sing in addition to their duties serving as senior pastor for Peoples Tabernacle Church in Savannah, Tennessee.

When Josh and Ashley reflect back on their ministry, there is something they desire for others to see.

January 2020 SGNScoops Magazine

Ashley shares, “For me, I would just want people to say that we were real. That we did not hide the ugly to keep up a good image…but that we gave Jesus even through tough times and that we gave everything we had, every time we had a chance.”

The calling on the lives of Josh and Ashley Franks is to assist in building the kingdom of Heaven. Like that carefully threaded tapestry, where each thread was divinely placed and held together by hundreds of other threads, their singing and preaching has touched others and brought them into the family of the Almighty. They are helping to build God’s kingdom, one soul at a time.

By Jimmy Reno

Find out more about Josh and Ashley Franks HERE

First published by SGNScoops Magazine in January 2020

One Day Closer to the 2020 Diamond Award Nominations

The 2020 Diamond Award Nominations open tomorrow, Monday, February 3, on SGNScoops.com. So come join us as we continue to travel down the Road to the Diamond Awards.

Jessica Horton at 2019 Diamond Awards

Today we look at several more categories, all under the heading of “Sunrise,” which can be awarded to any new or developing full-time artist who has seen major growth in their career, as evidenced in airplay or personal appearances during the past year. Nominees in this category must have released their debut single only two years prior to the eligibility date of January 1, 2020. This award is also a once-in-a-lifetime honor and can be given to any artist in the Southern,

Jordan Family Band at Diamond Awards 2018

Country or Bluegrass Christian music genres. These categories include the Sunrise Award (any artists), Sunrise Duet of the Year, Trio of the Year, and Quartet of the Year. Some past winners have included: Jessica Horton, Chronicle, Day 3, Justified Quartet, Jordan Family Band, Old Time Preachers Quartet, the Chandlers, Morgan Easter, 11th Hour, and others.

The Diamond Awards also celebrate Christian Country artists with Christian Country Group of the Year and Song of the Year. The nominees must be full-time Christian Country artists. Some past winners have included:

Sarah Davison of HighRoad at 2016 Diamond Awards

CHRISTIAN COUNTRY GROUP OF THE YEAR: Some winners have been HighRoad, the Freemans, The Isaacs, Jeff and Sheri Easter, the Drummond Family, and Crossfire Gospel Band. And the 2019 winners were Mark209.

CHRISTIAN COUNTRY SONG OF THE YEAR : The 2016 winner was “One Step Closer”- Arkin Terrell; and the 2019 winner was: “Hide Me Behind The Cross” by Tonja Rose.

Who will you nominate? Stay tuned to this site as we continue the countdown to the 2020 Diamond Award Nominations!

More about Creekside Gospel Music Convention:

Road to the 2020 Diamond Awards

We are thrilled to announce the opening of the nominations for the 2020 Diamond Awards on Monday, February 3. Anyone, anywhere, can vote on their favorite gospel music artists. The Diamond Awards will be presented on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 during the Creekside Gospel Music Convention held at Pigeon Forge, Tennessee Oct. 25 – 30, 2020.

Rob Patz and Jan Goff at 2019 Diamond Awards

What are the Diamond Awards?

The prestigious Diamond Awards have a history of almost 30 years, recognizing the best in Gospel Music from coast to coast. The Awards began in 1991, hosted by Allen Smith and the Gospel Voice Magazine. Today, that same publication is known as SGN Scoops Digital Magazine, and both SGNScoops and the Diamond Awards are owned by Coastal Media Group and Rob Patz.

What are some of the categories?

Gerald Crabb at 2019 Diamond Awards

J.D. SUMNER LIVING LEGEND AWARD
This is a once-in-a-lifetime honor to recognize the living performer whom the fans feel has made the greatest contribution to Southern Gospel  music over a career spanning 25 years or more. Previous winners are not eligible to be nominated. Anyone from artists to industry professionals

Gerald Williams and Vonda Armstrong

can be considered.
Some of the past winners were:
2011: Gloria Gaither
2012: Ann Downing
2013: Squire Parsons
2014: Ed O’Neal
2015: Gerald Crabb
2016: Ronny Hinson
2017: Brian Free
2018: Gerald Williams
The 2019 winner was Eddie Crook.

Williamsons at the Diamond Awards 2019

MIXED GROUP OF THE YEAR
A group of any number with male and female vocalists. Must be full-time Southern gospel artists. Consider duets, trios, quartets, and families. As long as there is a mix of men and women (or boys and girls).
Some of the past winners were:
2014, 2015, and 2016: Karen Peck and New River

Karen Peck and New River at Diamond Awards 2014

The 2017, 2018, and 2019 winners were The Williamsons.

Triumphant Quartet accept 2017 Diamond Award

QUARTET OF THE YEAR 
A traditional group with four vocalists, featuring four-part harmony. Most often considered the male quartet category, broad ranges of styles can be seen in the list of past winners, but no Bluegrass or Christian Country. Must be full-time Southern gospel artists.

Gold City at 2016 Diamond Awards

Some of the past winners were:
2011 and 2012: The Gaither Vocal Band
2013: Ernie Haase and Signature Sound
2014 and 2015: Brian Free and Assurance
2016: Gold City
2018: The Kingsmen Quartet
The 2017 and 2019 winners were The Triumphant Quartet.

Who will you nominate? Stay tuned to this site as we continue the countdown to the 2020 Diamond Award Nominations!

For more Gospel Music news Read the latest issue of the SGNScoops Magazine HERE.

Diamond Awards 2019 to be aired December 27, 2019

Williamsons at Diamond Awards 2019

Atlanta, GA. (December 24, 2019) – WATC Television out of Atlanta, Georgia, will be airing the SGNScoops 2019 Diamond Awards celebration on Friday, December 27, from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. The ceremony was held at Creekside Gospel Music Convention on Tues. Oct. 29, 2019, at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. This year’s awards honored industry veterans Eddie Crook, Jan Goff, Kenna Turner West, and Gerald Crabb, as well as newcomers Jessica Horton, Chronicle, Day 3, and Justified. “King Jesus” singers, Eagle’s Wings, swept the Bluegrass awards, winning all four categories.

Ken and Jean Grady of Gospel Music Today produced the 2019 Diamond Awards op

Patricia Mathis and her crew of WATC TV, Atlanta’s TV 57, recorded the 2019 Diamond Awards. Those outside of the Atlanta, Georgia viewing area can view it online at www.watc.tv.

Rob Patz and Jan Goff at the 2019 Diamond Awards

The Williamsons, The Dodrill Family, Mark209, Cami Shrock, The Pine Ridge Boys, and Josh and Ashley Franks, were a few of the artists on the Diamond Awards schedule. The program will re-air again in 2020 on the WATC network.

About WATC TV: WATC TV provides Atlanta with a mix of family, Christian and educational programming. It is known to viewers as the home of Atlanta Live and is seen over the air throughout the metro Atlanta market and also in over one million cable and satellite homes. WATC is the home of many original series and has been honored with numerous Angel and Telly Awards, as well as receiving its first EMMY in 2010. The station’s programming can be seen around the world via video streaming located on the WATC website at  http://www.watc.tv/

About SGNScoops: SGNScoops Digital is a fully-downloadable monthly magazine that exists to promote the gospel by unveiling what is intriguing and real about Southern Gospel and Christian Country music. SGNScoops offers music news and views as well as concert and book reviews, inspirational articles and features reaching beyond our gospel music world. SGNScoops is the home of the Diamond Awards, a fan-based annual awards program recognizing the best in Southern, Bluegrass, and Country Gospel music. For more information: http://www.sgnscoops.com/

Three Days Left to Vote for the 2019 Diamond Awards

Have you voted for your favorite nominee in the 2019 Diamond Awards? If not, click HERE and do so today!

September 15 is the final day to vote on the 2019 Diamond Awards so you need to visit the site today. Make sure your voice is heard!

The 2019 Diamond Awards are open to all fans, artists and industry personnel. Anyone may vote, but they must do so by September 15 for their ballot to be tabulated for the 2019 Awards presentation. Vote TODAY.

Three Days Left to vote on the 2019 Diamond Awards

The 2019 Diamond Awards will be held on Tuesday, October 29, at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., during the 8th Annual Creekside Gospel Music Convention. Creekside runs from Oct. 27 – 31. Tickets are FREE but must be reserved. For more information, click HERE or HERE for the Facebook site.

Gospel music artists appearing at Creekside Gospel Music Convention include Hyssongs, Down East Boys, 11th Hour, Gerald Crabb, Eagle’s Wings, Bibletones, Sue Dodge, the Browders, Josh and Ashley Franks, and many more. Daily showcases, workshops, surprise guests and Midnight Prayer are also among the Creekside happenings.

Special events include Creekside Honors on Monday, the 2019 Diamond Awards on Tuesday, Christian Country at the Creek, and Creekside Bluegrass. New daily event, Singing on the Square, will be a live presentation of Creekside artists outside the facility, open to all. Josh Franks, Bill Bailey, and Burl Cain will be the special preachers for the event.

Once again, we are offering a commemorative T-shirt, available in sizes small to 5x. If you are a VIP pass holder you can preorder your T-shirt for a special rate. To order your commemorative T-shirt or to get your VIP pass, email Rob Patz at rob@sgnscoops.com

For more information on Creekside 2019, including the Diamond Awards and free ticket reservations, visit www.sgnscoops.com or www.facebook.com/Creeksidegospelmusicconvention. For a $25 VIP pass, tickets and accommodations, contact Rob Patz by calling 360-933-0741.

Read the full SGNScoops August  Magazine Here.
Download the PDF of SGNScoops Magazine HERE

Find SGNScoops On Facebook HERE
Listen To Today’s Gospel Music Online HERE

SGNScoops announces 2019 Diamond Awards Top 10 Nominees

Oxford, Ala. (March 23, 2019) — In a live Facebook broadcast from the Oxford Civic Center in Oxford, Alabama, Jean Grady, of Gospel Music Today and Rob Patz, of Coastal Media, announced the top ten nominees for the 2019 Diamond Awards. To vote for your favorites, click HERE.

Rob Patz with Diamond Award winner Kenna West

“We are thrilled to present the list of nominees for this year’s Diamond Awards,” says Patz. “There are well-deserving artists in each category and I encourage every fan and industry member to vote for their favorites. It’s going to be a great year for the awards!”

To see the list of nominees and vote for your favorites, click HERE.

Kelly Nelon Clark with 2017 Diamond Award

Fans will now vote in each category and a list of the Top Five nominees will be announced this summer. Voters will then choose their favorites, with the final winners to be announced in a gala presentation at the 2019 Diamond Awards, held in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, on October 29, 2019. Vote today.

Creekside Gospel Music Convention 2019

The 2019 Diamond Awards ceremony will be held during the Creekside Gospel Music Convention, October 27 – 31, 2019, at the Smoky Mountains Convention Center, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The Convention features daily showcases, evening concerts, midnight prayer, and several special events during the week. General admission is free.

The voting site for the top ten Diamond Award nominees can be found on the SGNScoops website here. Vote today.

For more information on the Creekside Gospel Music Convention and the 2019 Diamond Awards ceremony, as accommodations and VIP tickets, contact Rob Patz at 360-933-0741. More information can also be found on the Creekside Gospel Music Convention Facebook page.

Top 10 Diamond Award Nominees announced tomorrow

The Top 10 nominees in the 2019 Diamond Awards will be announced live at a Finalist Reveal Party during the Southern Gospel Weekend event in Oxford, Alabama. Jean Grady of Gospel Music Today will be announcing the top ten finalists in each gospel music category on a Facebook Live Event, Saturday, March 23 at 2:00 p.m. (CST).

Southern Gospel Weekend will once again host the Reveal Party during the full schedule of events planned for the last day and evening of the festival.

Rob Patz and Jean Grady discuss the 2019 Diamond Awards.

Rob Patz, CEO of Coastal Media and owner of SGNScoops and the Diamond Awards, is thrilled to present the unveiling of nominees. “I’m excited to be able to unveil the names of these artists along with Jean. This is always one of my favorite parts of the voting process, to find out who our readers think are the very best in gospel music,” says Patz. “I hope everyone will be glued to SGNScoops’ Facebook page for the great reveal!”

All those in the Oxford, Ala., area are invited to come to the Oxford Civic Center for more great music tomorrow. General admission is free. Artists include Eagle’s Wings, the Connells, the Williamsons, the McKay Project, Jessica Horton, Day Three, Mercy Fell, Hope’s Journey, the Bibletones, Mark209, and the Diplomats. This great lineup starts at 5:00 pm following the 2:00 p.m. Finalist Reveal Party.

For more information, call 256-310-7892.