Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Southern Gospel Weekend in Oxford Alabama Returns!

It’s back! Southern Gospel Weekend, Oxford, Alabama presented by Donnie Williamson, Vonda Armstrong, and Rob Patz, cancelled this spring due to the Corona virus, is returning this fall.

Originally scheduled for March 19 – 21, 2020, Southern Gospel Weekend in Oxford Alabama has been rescheduled to September 3 –  5, 2020. Thursday night, September 3rd, is Veterans’ Night, saluting all first responders and veterans, and will begin at 6:30 p.m. Friday night and Saturday night concerts will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Southern Gospel Weekend will present Southern Country Grass, a combination of Southern gospel, Christian Country, and Bluegrass gospel music. A great mix of quartets, live bands, soloists and wonderful music, fellowship, and fun will be enjoyed at daytime showcases beginning at 9:00 a.m., and evening concerts.

On Saturday, the daytime showcase will take place in the number eight pavilion, the largest pavilion in the park area. It will be a Picnic/ Showcase beginning at 9:00 a.m. The park will be open all day on Saturday, offering a chance for good family fun in the outdoors, complete with fishing.

Rob Patz and Vonda Armstrong

Josh and Ashley Franks, Hope’s Journey, The Williamsons, Jessica Horton, New Ground, The Bibletones, ClearVision Quartet, MARK209, Eagle’s Wings,  and The Connells are just a few of the artists that will be appearing at Southern Gospel Weekend. Doors open at 5:00 p.m. for each evening concert and parking is free. You don’t want to miss this weekend packed with some of the best in gospel music with over 30 artists on the schedule. 

SGW will be held at the Oxford Civic Center. Accommodations are available at the host hotel, the Sleep Inn Oxford. Please call 256-770-4804 and mention that you are a guest of SGW for a special event rate.

 For more information, or VIP tickets, call 256-310-7892 or email vonda@sgnscoops.com. Visit the SGW Facebook page HERE. 

For more Gospel Music News, read the latest issue of the SGNScoops Magazine HERE.

Cancellation of Southern Gospel Weekend

Oxford, Alabama (March 16, 2020) — As the COVID-19 virus continues to spread in communities across Alabama and the United States, we have made the difficult but important decision to cancel the upcoming Southern Gospel Weekend, to be held in Oxford, Alabama, March 19-21, 2020.

Donnie Williamson, Vonda Armstrong, and Rob Patz, the SGW board, know the importance of having a faith-filled and encouraging family event at this time. However, the health and well-being of attendees and artists are paramount during this pandemic.

The Southern Gospel Weekend board will reschedule this event at the first opportunity when it is safe to do so. We hope and pray that each and every one of you remain safe and healthy during this unprecedented time of sickness and trial.

“Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.”Psalms 91:1 NIVUK

We pray you find peace and strength I  knowing that Jesus Christ is your rock and your salvation.

Thank you for your continued support.

For more information call Vonda Armstrong at (256) 310-7892 or visit HERE or email events@sgnscoops.com

Hey Donnie Williamson, What is The Message for 2019?

Donnie Williamson

We asked Donnie Williamson (The Williamsons), What is  The Message for 2019 ?

Here’s what he had to say.

WLOSGMH CONVENTION SPEER TRIBUTE IS TUESDAY NIGHT

SPEER TRIBUTE

We Love Our Southern Gospel Music History, (WLOSGMH) is one of Facebook’s most unique groups. The page features a host of exclusive videos, audio clips, photos, stories and memorabilia being shared on a daily basis. Those exclusive tid-bits are what really allows the group to share the history of southern gospel music came to be one of the most faithful and popular Christian music forms.

In the many years since the Franks Stamps Quartet, there have been some true iconic performing artists. The Blackwood Brothers, Statesmen, Sunshine Boys, Stamps Quartet, Weatherfords, Cathedrals, LeFevres, Sego Brothers and Naomi, Goss Brothers and the list could go on and on.

Yet one family group really stood out for many years as a true leader in the field, The Speer Family. The family had several resurgent periods of popularity that marked gospel music. When the group disbanded in 1998, seventy six years of history were logged in the annals of gospel music.

With the recent deaths of Ben Speer and Rosa Nell Speer Powell, the last original performing family members, there has been a void in gospel music. Yet their impact lives in the lives of those adopted family members who are still singing and ministering.

This year, the WLOSGMH Convention runs March 26 and 27, 2018 to the Murfreesboro, TN Clarion Hotel Ballrooms.

On Tuesday evening the WLOSGMH Convention will feature a special SPEER FAMILY TRIBUTE.  This special tribute to the legendary Speer Family is planned to highlight some history of the legendary family. Some vintage footage of the Speer Family through the years will be shown. Former Speer Family members will grace the stage including Joyce West Black, Ann Downing, Jeanne Johnson, Sue Dodge, Linda Robinson Sholar, Karen Apple Young, and Daryl Williams, They will be singing some of your favorite songs. Doug Young and Gene McDonald will join this all-star lineup of talent to create that unique Speer Family sound. Tom Powell, Rosa Nell Speer Powell’s son, will be conducting a choir featuring many of the great songs written by Dad Speer. Several Speer Family members are expected to be in attendance. You don’t want to miss this once-in-a-lifetime treat!

SPEER TRIBUTE

Convention notes for the two day event. Monday 5:30/Dinner – 6:45/Concert

Tuesday Morning activities, followed by lunch, afternoon activities, you are on your own for supper. Tuesday Evening Concert at 6:00 PM. Daytime activities include funny stories, show and tell, gospel music movies, etc. Times subject to change.

TALENT for the one of a king music history convention includes the who’s who in southern gospel music. Chuck Wagon Gang (Monday night only), Mercy’s Well (Monday night only), Sherman Andrus, Ann Downing, The Sheltons (Monday night only), Jeanne Johnson, Sue Dodge, Charlie Griffin, Michael Stanton, Jordan’s Bridge, Eddie Crook, John Wyrick, Joyce Black West (of the Speer Family), Jonathan Wilburn, Ellen Marsh, Ed Hill, Brad Smith, Donnie Williamson, Songfellows Quartet (Monday night only), Administrators Quartet, The Collectors Quartet, John Crenshaw, Hannah Kennedy, Harold Timmons, Rita Spillers, Bill Kelley, Doug Young, Karen Apple Young and Gene McDonald. (Talent subject to change.)

Speers

For more information contact Harold Timmons via Facebook with a private Facebook message or email h.t@comcast.net, or call 615-885-8000 and leave a message.

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The Williamsons: Breaking Through

Williamsons at Creekside 2015

What a joy it is for me to write on a group that is quickly growing in popularity, the Williamsons. I met them a little over a year ago and right off became a fan of their music. 11th Hour has had the opportunity to share the stage with Donnie, Lisa, Karl and Darin on several occasions. Not only have they become one of my favorite groups, they are truly some of my favorite people to be around as well. You can tell exactly where their hearts are, which is definitely on Christ.

The Williamsons started singing in the Midwest around 1969, later to reorganize in 1998. The current group consists of Donnie Williamson and wife, Lisa, Darin Hebert and Karl Rice. The quartet has been nominated for the Breakthrough Artist of the Year and the Fan Favorite awards for Absolutely Gospel Music, as well as the top ten Favorite New Mixed Group for Singing News.

Based out of Wetumka, OK, the Williamsons sing roughly 185 dates per year, but that number is sure to increase with their popularity on the rise. The group just celebrated their first number one song, “Shout”, on the Singing News charts for the month of December. The song was the October top spot winner on the SGN Scoops charts.

January 2016 SGNScoops Magazine

“We have been so excited and encouraged by all the wonderful things that have happened with our latest project, Tell Somebody,” Donnie tells us. “Our first single, ‘It Was the Word,’ written by Lisa, was our first top five song on the Singing News charts. The song also went to number two on the SGN Scoops charts. Now, ‘Shout,’ which was written by Lee Black and Gina Boe, has done really well for us. We are truly blessed as the first Southern Gospel group from Oklahoma to achieve this honor.” Read more »

Williamsons featured on SGN Scoops’ Fast Five

The Williamsons receive plaque for Number One song, “Shout”

The Williamsons, a mixed Southern Gospel group from Oklahoma, recently celebrated their first number-one song, both in the SGN Scoops Top 100 for October and in the Singing News Top 80 for December. “Shout” is being played regularly by radio stations across the country and has garnered many new fans for the Williamsons.

The Williamsons at Creekside 2015

Jaquita Lindsey of the group 11th Hour, recently wrote a feature on The Williamsons for the January 2016 edition of SGN Scoops digital magazine, which will be released shortly. Jaquita tells us:

“The Williamsons started singing in the Midwest around 1969, later to reorganize in 1998. The current group consists of Donnie Williamson and wife,

Donnie Williamson

Lisa; Darin Hebert and Karl Rice. The quartet has been nominated for the Breakthrough Artist of the Year and the Fan Favorite awards for Absolutely Gospel Music, as well as the top ten Favorite New Mixed Group for Singing News. Based out of Wetumka, OK, the Williamsons sing roughly 185 dates per year, but that number is sure to increase with their popularity on the rise.”

SGN Scoops recently invited the Williamsons to participate in their Fast Five. Here are the responses from Donny and Lisa Williamson:

SGN: Wow, a national number-one song!  So what do you think about that?

Lisa Williamson

Donnie Williamson:   Of course we think it’s great! But to be honest, having a number-one song isn’t going to change what we do very much. We will continue looking for great songs and try to make great recordings, and we will continue sharing the Gospel message everywhere we can. Our mission statement has been “The Williamsons will spread the Gospel through music in order that we may see the lost come to Christ, the Christian uplifted, and provide quality entertainment in a way that honors God.” We don’t plan to change that focus. Hopefully having a number-one song will help us continue our mission and maybe even help us do it in a greater way.

SGN: Why did you choose the song, “Monday,” as a

Karl Rice of the Williamsons

follow up to “Shout?”

Donnie: We chose to release “Monday,” following the success of “Shout,” primarily for strategic reasons. We felt like after having our first number-one song, deejays might be a little more interested in what’s coming next. We have always believed in the song and feel it has a message that if heard, can change lives. We know that to be true because we have witnessed it when we perform it live. However, it’s not a feel good song. It’s one that challenges us to reflect on our life and really look deep to find what our children and grandchildren see in us on Monday. Knowing that a slow start in radio was possible we wanted to do everything we could for the song to succeed and felt

Darin Hebert of the Williamsons

that now is the best time. We previously produced a music video to the song that we hope people will watch and share. There is a Youtube link on our website at williamsonsmusic.com.

SGN: Lisa, what prompted the writing of, “Monday?”

Lisa: The only answer I can come up with, is that I looked in the mirror and realized that I needed to do more for our girls. Our girls are not in Sunday school every Sunday like a lot of kids. They travel with us and as a result are at a different church just about every weekend. One day I realized how very insignificant that is in the grand scheme of things. That’s not the only place they can learn about Jesus.

Darin and Karl of the Williamsons

Donnie and I can be their best example of how to live like a Christian. That’s the most important thing we can teach our babies: how to live like Jesus! It’s not hard. Just do it. They will follow us as we follow Christ. Then one day before we even realize it they will be standing on their own spiritual feet. Okay, now I’m just preaching!

SGN: What do you attribute the meteoric rise in your ministry to, in the past year or so?

Donnie: “All things working together for good.” (Romans 8:28). First, we’ve been doing this for quite some time and have made good recordings in the past. However, we felt it was time to pull out all the stops and make the best recording we could make. We were able to bring Donna King on board to produce the project and that was good move number one. Not only is she a great producer, but also she is a great writer and has contact with numerous other writers. Great production doesn’t matter much if you don’t have the songs to go along with it. She was able to help us secure some great material like “Shout.” About the time we were finishing the project we became involved with Les Butler and the Butler Music Group. (That was) good

The Williamsons

move number two. Having a great project is wonderful but it might have gone nowhere without the proper management to help promote it. Otherwise, the only ones to hear it might have been the ones we sang to. It’s always good to be part of something bigger that yourself. All these moves that God ordained were also helped by the fact that we feel our friends in radio are anxious for new talent to rise up and share quality songs and recordings. We are thankful and humbled that radio has received this project so well. All these things working together have allowed a few more folks to be exposed to the ministry of The Williamsons. Michael Davis at the Dominion Agency has been presenting us for quite some time. Now a few people who call actually know who we are!

SGN: Where do you see the Williamsons in five years?

Williamsons

Donnie: 5. In five years it’s very possible that we are all singing around the throne of God! However, if He chooses not to return by 2020 we hope to be doing what we are doing, but hopefully in a little bigger way. Not to bring any recognition or glory to The Williamsons, but we strongly feel that the more opportunities we have to perform and being able to share with more people, the greater chance we have to see results. We also feel there could be some difficult times ahead in this world and during times of difficulty people often move toward the message of the Gospel. We feel there may even be a time in the near future that we might see more Gospel music return to our churches. If so we want to be positioned and ready to fill that need. Also, within the next five years we hope to have two or three more projects stronger than “Tell Somebody!” That may be a difficult task!

Thank you so much to The Williamsons and to Les Butler of Butler Music Group/Family Music Group for facilitating the SGN Scoops’ Fast Five. At SGN Scoops, we really appreciate all of the members of the Williamsons and their friendship with us, as well as their annual participation in Creekside Gospel Music Convention. Look for the soon-to-be-released SGN Scoops digital magazine and newspaper for January 2016 for a full feature on The Williamsons by Jaquita Lindsey!

For more information on the Williamsons, click here.

For more news, visit the SGN Scoops Facebook page.

The Williamsons Achieve First Number One Song

Weleetka, Oklahoma (October 16, 2015) Excitement is the best description for the Williamsons today as they have earned their first #1 on the Singing News Magazine Monthly Chart for the month of December 2015. [Editor’s note: The Williamsons also acheived Number One with “Shout” on the SGN Scoops Top 100 Chart for October 2015.]

Penned by Lee Black and Gina Boe, and sent to radio by Family Music Group,”Shout” is a joyous song taking you through history from Joshua to Gideon and on to the our King coming again. Something special happens when God’s people “Shout”.

The Williamsons at Creekside 2014

The Williamsons have become one of the most polished mixed quartets in the entire Southern Gospel Music genre. Coming from their latest album Tell Somebody, this may not be the only #1 song you will see and hear from this dynamic young group.

Group manager Donnie Williamson stated, “What a blessing we have received with our first #1 song. This is certainly a group effort. I believe we have the greatest singers in the Gospel Music world with Karl Rice, Darin Hebert, and my wife Lisa. It’s also the hard work of Donna King who produced this song and Les Butler who did so well with radio promotions. Also a big thank you to the radio DJs who helped by playing this song. This is truly a blessing from the God we serve and sing about each week.”

If you would like to interview the Williamsons contact AG Publicity at info@agpublicity.com .

You can learn more about the Williamsons by going to http://www.williamsonsmusic.com or https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Williamsons .

To book the Williamsons contact scheduling@thedominionagency.com .

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About The Williamsons

The Williamsons began sharing the Gospel through music in 1998 as The Homesteaders Quartet. The dream of Donnie Williamson was to form a group to sing classic Gospel music on a limited basis. What he wanted to do never occurred. From the group’s onset their demand was overwhelming. Soon they were performing more than 100 dates a year. For the past several years The Williamsons have been in full time Christian ministry and entertainment and have traveled across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Their music has been in national charts and were they honored to be nominated to the Gospel Music Association for a Dove Award.

Their high energy musical style appeals to people of all ages. The versatility of The Williamsons is evident through the wide variety of musical styles they perform. There is always something for everyone. The marketing of their performances targets families and not just fans of any particular type of music. Spending an evening with The Williamsons is sure to be one that will lift you up, bless you, and entertain you all at the same time. Their primary desire is to share the Gospel in such a way that those in attendance who do not know Jesus Christ will come to know him before the program is over.

The Williamsons will be appearing at the 2015 Creekside Gospel Music Convention, November 2-5, Pigeon Forge TN at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center. Read more here and on the Facebook page. Get your free tickets HERE.

For more artist news and information, read the SGN Scoops Facebook page and LIKE us today.

The Williamsons: The Music Continues

Williamsons

In 1969, The Williamsons Gospel music group had its beginning when Woody Williamson, a Baptist pastor, brought his wife Eula Mae – nicknamed Pinky because her hair was red, his son Donnie and his daughter, Tennie to the platform to sing. They sang for their church and began singing at other churches in the area and this was the root that helped to grow into the current group.

The Williamsons continued with the occasional singing dates until about 1979 at which time Donnie joined the Antone Indian Family, a Native American group from Canada singing Southern Gospel music. He traveled with them for a couple of years and came back home to go to college. After returning to college however, he was always singing or playing with various groups. Donnie states, “You kinda get the Gospel music bug and you can’t get rid of it.”

In 1998, Donnie organized The Homesteaders Quartet, not intending to do much traveling; but Donnie was surprised at how popular they became and before long they were doing over 100 dates a year.

In late 1999, Donnie’s sister felt she needed to stay home because her husband had recently been saved and she was also having some health issues. Although Lisa was singing with another group, Donnie asked her to fill in for his sister and she accepted the position. On New Year’s Eve 1999 Donnie asked Lisa to join the group permanently. Lisa says, “We decided we liked each other so much we would stay together forever,” and they were married in 2003. They traveled as The Homesteaders Quartet until 2010 at which time Donnie returned to his roots by renaming the group The Williamsons. Now the music of The Williamsons continues.

Read more »

Creekside Monday Night Bash

Creekside Gospel Music Convention held its first concert for the 2014 Convention on Monday, November 3rd at 5:30pm. Creekside and SGN Scoops staff present and on stage for the event included Donnie Williamson, Ava Kasich, Vonda Easley, Rob Patz and Jonathan Edwards.

Groups performing on stage included the Shannon’s, The Steeles with special guests Tony Gore and

The Steeles with John Lanier and Tony Gore

Pine Ridge Boys

Faith’s Journey

Willie Wynn Bash

John Lanier, Sacred Harmony, Jericho Junction, Crimson Ridge, Faiths Journey, Jason Runnels, Williamsons, Pine Ridge Boys.

Following this, the Lou Wills Hildreth Honors Award was presented to Willie Wynn. Woody Wright saluted Willie by gathering some of his friends from The Kramers, Sweetwater and the Tennesseans.

For more details of the evening’s events, click on to http://www.sgnscoops.net/

For more information on Creekside visit http://www.creeksidegospelmusicconvention.com/

Be sure to catch the November issue of SGN Scoops for all the Creekside details! Coming soon! www.sgnscoops.com

Special thanks to Robert York and Michelle Drummond for photographs.

Williamsons Release New Album – Tell Somebody

williamsons

Weleetka, OK (October 24, 2014) Talented mixed quartet, The Williamsons, have just released another great album titled Tell Somebody. The album consists of material that is written by some of the most talented songwriters available today, including four songs penned by Lisa Williamson, group member and featured soloist on many of the songs. Closing the CD out is a great classic written by Mosie Lister.
To make a great album you must have great songs and that task wasn’t taken lightly. No less than 200 songs were listened to in the deciding process. Choosing 50 would have been difficult, but narrowing it down to eleven was nearly impossible.

The project was produced by award winning producer, Donna King, known for stretching artists and pulling things out of them they didn’t think possible. Donna was present in every step of the process down to the final mix. She was going for the best ever from the Williamsons. One thing about making a great record, besides great songs and well-recorded vocals, is making the little details matter too, from every background vocal, to every note played, and every overdub, and all the mix sounds, the Williamsons covered all the bases to produce the best album of their career.

Donna King commented “Every album I produce is as important to me as my own (if not more important).  To have the opportunity to produce music that affects God’s kingdom, because of the ministry that will come from the songs, is not something I take lightly.  Working with the Williamsons was an amazing experience.  They were FULLY engaged and willing to go places no man “or woman” had gone before  (as far as things they had done in the past).  They understood the importance of great songs and they worked with me diligently on those choices.  They gave me 110% from day one (and there were many days).  That is a producer’s dream.  They are so talented, but they are also pliable and that is a GREAT attribute to ending up with a superb album.  And, most importantly, their hearts are in this for ALL the right reasons!  I LOVE this group and I am SO excited about this album and honored to have been blessed to produce it.”

Donnie Williamson. Baritone singer and group manager stated “I believe this is the most powerful music we have ever recorded. The music is filled with the message of Christ that will uplift those who listen and touch them no matter where they are in life.”

Lisa Williamson also said “Some of the best songwriters in Gospel Music are represented on this project and I am honored to have four of my songs included.”

The first song released to radio is “It Was The Word” written by Lisa, and it is already being accepted well by DJs across the country.

Songs include:
It Was The Word
That’s What I’m Talking About
All Our Hope
Shout
Monday
He Lived To Tell It
No Umbrellas
I Laid It All Down
Healing For The Hurting
I’ve Got To Tell Somebody
While the Ages Roll

You can learn more about the Williamsons by going to http://www.williamsonsmusic.com or https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Williamsons .

To book the Williamsons contact scheduling@thedominionagency.com .