Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Inner Views of Doyle Lawson: Saved by Grace

Written by Staff on February 21, 2019 – 11:27 am -

While every single interview I have conducted for Inner Views has been distinctive and personally memorable to me, I must tell you that the Inner Views I am sharing with you today will forever hold an extraordinarily special place in my heart. Doyle Lawson, a humble man of God, is a legendary giant in the world of bluegrass music and is one of my biggest musical heroes, hands down.

Cheryl Smith:  Could you share with us about your childhood?  What are some of your favorite memories to recall from your time growing up?
Doyle Lawson:  As far back as I can remember I have loved the sound of music. Radio was the vehicle of entertainment in those days and there was an abundance of local, regional and national programs to listen to. The ones I remember vividly are of course the Grand Ole Opry on WSM in Nashville and the Farm and Fun Time show heard daily on WCYB in Bristol, Tenn./Va.. In the early 1950’s, my dad and mother, along with one of his nephews, started singing in churches locally, and I loved to watch them work out the harmony parts, and I absorbed everything I heard them do.After hearing Bill Monroe and the Blue Grass Boys on the Opry, I was knocked out by Bill’s voice and mandolin playing, and decided that I was gonna be a picker and singer…When I was 11 years old, we were living in Hancock County, Tenn., and Dad was singing lead with the Clinch River Quartet, and I discovered that one of the men in the quartet (Willis Byrd) had a mandolin. I asked Dad to ask Willis if I could borrow it to learn to play.

In 1958, I got to meet the man who became my first professional boss in music. Jimmy Martin was from Hancock County, Tenn. and had gone to work for Bill Monroe in 1949. He went on to front his own band, the Sunny Mountain Boys in 1954, first teaming up with the Osborne Brothers. On the 3rd day of Feb. 1963, I went to Nashville and auditioned for (Jimmy) to pick the banjo, and that started my 55 years and country music career.

 

Smith:  Were you raised in a Christian home?
Lawson:  Yes, I was brought up in a Christian home after my dad rededicated his life in 1950. He and Mom along with one of his nephews started singing in church as a trio and later added a bass singer. At the age of eight during a revival service, I realized that I was lost, and I went to the altar and accepted Jesus as my Savior…

The music business can be full of worldly trappings and it can be easy to lose your way. And I did for a good while. But on the 1st Sunday of May in 1985, I humbled myself and asked God to take control of my life because I had made a mess of it.

On the outside things looked – and were – going great, but inside me I was miserable. I didn’t have the one thing I needed most of all and that was God. He never ever left me, I left him, but he was there when I truly asked for forgiveness. That was the best decision I have ever made as an adult.

Smith:  Who has most influenced you, musically?
Lawson:  Bill Monroe was my first musical hero and then came the first generation of what was to become known as Bluegrass music: Flatt and Scruggs, Mac Wiseman, Jimmy Martin, the Stanley Brothers, Reno and Smiley, and the Osborne Brothers and more.
Gospel music (influencers) would be: the Chuck Wagon Gang, the Statesmen Quartet, the Blackwood Brothers, the Masters Family, the Browns Ferry Four, and local and regional groups.

Smith:  Can you share with us about a special highlight in your career?
Lawson:  Oh my, there are many to draw from, but I suppose the first-time appearance at the Opry with Jimmy Martin was one of the standouts. I had always wanted to go see the Grand Ole Opry and as it turned out, the first time I saw it was from the stage. I was so nervous you could literally see my pants legs shaking. The National Endowment of the Arts Fellowship award is another treasured memory as well as being inducted into the IBMA Hall of Fame in 2012.
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Tags: bluegrass, Bluegrass Gospel, Doyle Lawson, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, SGNScoops Magazine
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LIFE IS A STORY Sweetly Sung On New DOYLE LAWSON & QUICKSILVER Album

Written by Staff on July 5, 2017 – 5:16 am -

Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver Compelling Collection Available August 25

Nashville, TN (June 26, 2017) – Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver bring unparalleled storytelling to fans on August 25 with the 12-track wonder LIFE IS A STORY. Described by Lawson as a mix of Bluegrass styles “from the middle of the road to the very traditional,” the album never strays from the heart of the genre. “So much of what makes good Bluegrass and Country music compelling comes down to great songwriters – and the stories told in their songs,” Lawson observes. “Life itself is really a continuous story that embraces the beginning, the middle and inevitable ending.” LIFE IS A STORY, and here it is sweetly sung. Fans can pre-order the digital release HERE.

Produced by Lawson and recorded in Sparta, Tennessee for Mountain Home Music Company, the new album features patriarch Doyle’s signature Lead and Baritone vocals, Mandolin and Mandola, and includes members: Josh Swift (Resophonic Guitar, Acoustic Lead Guitar and Percussion); Joe Dean (Banjo and Guitar); Dustin Pyrtle (Lead and Tenor vocals, Guitar); Eli Johnston (Lead and Baritone vocals, Bass) and Stephen Burwell (Fiddles). It is a massive array of talent that forms a powerful – and immediately identifiable musical force.

TRACK LISTING
“Kids These Days” (Alex Dooley, Tom Botkin, Kevin Denny)
“Little Girl” (Harley Lee Allen)
“Life Of A Hard Workin’ Man” (Joe Dean, Eli Johnston, Dustin Pyrtle)
“Life To My Days” (Jerry Salley, Lee Black, Devin McGlamery)
“I See A Heartbreak Comin'” (Doyle Lawson, Paul M. Humphrey)
“Guitar Case” (Donna Ulisse, Marc Rossi)
“What Am I Living For” (Fred Jay, Art Harris)
“Bluegrass Blues” (Kieran Francis Kane, James Paul O’Hara)
“Derailed” (Paula Breedlove, Brad Davis)
“Love Lives Again” (George Richey, Carmol Taylor, Norris D. Wilson)
“Cry Across Kansas” (Dale Pyatt, Mike Evans)
“Drivin’ It Home” (Jerry Salley, Kerry Kurt Phillips)

The circular nature of life is highlighted in the lead off track, “Kids These Days,” which Dustin Pyrtle sings in a nuanced tone that reflects on innocence, lyrically invoking the perfect memories of childhood. “Little Girl,” a #1 Country hit for John Michael Montgomery written by the late Harley Allen, was a crew favorite that made the project because Doyle heard it sung so often at sound check. “They love that song,” recalls Lawson. “And the more I listened, the more I loved it too.” The inspiring “Life To My Days,” the offering’s first “grat-track,” was written by friend and fellow hit songwriter Jerry Salley.

Band members Joe Dean, Eli Johnston and Dustin Pyrtle co-wrote “Life Of A Hardworking Man” while the group was in the studio recording the new project. “We already had the album title,” Lawson notes. “The guys wanted to create a character within the narrative – and so they crafted this hammer-banging, big machine thumping tale of a typical working man.” No life story would be considered complete without a bit of heartache, so Doyle and frequent co-writer Paul Humphrey sat down to write a song acknowledging that reality. The result is the fiddle-laced traditional Bluegrass “I See A Heartbreak Comin’.”

ABOUT DOYLE LAWSON & QUICKSILVER
With nearly 40 albums to their credit, the group has won numerous major awards, including seven International Bluegrass Music Association Vocal Group of the Year honors. For his contributions to cultural heritage as a musical trailblazer, Doyle received the National Endowment for the Arts National Heritage Fellowship award in 2006, and was inducted into the Bluegrass Hall of Fame in 2012. DLQ is an influential force in today’s Bluegrass world, and their last two releases (IN SESSION, BURDEN BEARER) received back-to-back Grammy nominations in 2016 and 2017, respectively.

Stay social:

Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
FB: https://www.facebook.com/doylelawsonofficial/
Twitter: @DLQuicksilver https://twitter.com/DLQuicksilver
Website: http://www.DoyleLawson.com

Mountain Home Music Company
Website: http://mountainhomemusiccompany.com/

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Tags: bluegrass, Doyle Lawson, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, gospel music
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Blue Highway presents Bluegrass Gospel Artist of the Year Award to Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver at 23rd Annual Diamond Awards

Written by Staff on November 11, 2014 – 2:20 pm -

PIGEON FORGE, TN (November 6, 2014) — Powerhouse bluegrass band Blue Highway appeared as special guests at Tuesday evening’s 23rd Annual Diamond Awards held at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center in Pigeon Forge, TN. 

In addition to presenting the Bluegrass Gospel Artist of the Year Award, they also performed two songs:  the a cappella fan-favorite Some Day, and Wicked Path of Sin (I Can Hear the Angels Singing) from their Dove and IBMA-winning and Grammy nominated all-gospel release,Wondrous Love.

It marked Blue Highway’s first appearance on the Awards Show, and they were honored to present the Bluegrass Gospel Artist of the Year Award to Eli Johnston representing Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, who took home their second consecutive Bluegrass Gospel Artist of the Year honor at the fan-voted Diamond Awards.

The Diamond Awards were presented as part of the Creekside Gospel Music Convention, andsponsored by SGN Scoops Magazine, the vibrant all-digital source of Southern Gospel news and current #1-visited Southern Gospel website.

For more information on Blue Highway, please go to:  www.BlueHighwayBand.com orwww.Facebook.com/BlueHighway

For more information on Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, please go to: www.DoyleLawson.com or www.Facebook.com/DoyleLawsonOfficial

For more information on SGN Scoops Magazine and the Diamond Awards, please go to www.sgnscoops.com.

Attachment:  (1)
Photo by Sherri George

Blue Highway presenting the Bluegrass Gospel Artist of the Year Award to Eli Johnston who accepted in behalf of Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver.
L to R:  Wayne Taylor, Jason Burleson, Eli Johnston, Shawn Lane, and Tim Stafford. (Rob Ickes was unable to attend due to prior commitments.)

Tags: Blue HIghway, bluegrass, Creekside Gospel Music Convention, diamond awards, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, sgn scoops
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2014 Diamond Award Winners Announced At Creekside Gospel Music Convention

Written by Staff on November 5, 2014 – 8:31 am -

Pigeon Forge, TN.(November 5, 2014) – SGN Scoops and Creekside Gospel Music Convention was proud to present the 2014 Diamond Awards on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The gala celebration was hosted by Tim Lovelace and included appearances by The Blackwoods, Karen Peck and New River, the Dixie Melody Boys, the Freemans and many others. The evening was also filmed by WATC, Channel 57 of Atlanta, Georgia, to be aired/streamed at a later date.

The big winners of the night were Karen Peck and New River, who were honored with Song Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Mixed Group Of The Year and Trio Of The Year. Karen Peck Gooch was the 2014 Female Artist Of The Year.

Ken and Jean Grady of Gospel Music Today were award winners and Jean also contributed to the planning of the program. “It was a Southern Gospel star-studded night in Pigeon Forge at the Creekside Gospel Music Convention Diamond Awards. What a blessing to see so many artists and friends for the annual Awards show.  Although it was a lot of work, it was well worth it as the artists sang and the artists and industry professionals received their awards.”

Rob Patz, CEO of Coastal Media Group and publisher of SGNScoops, commented, “The Diamond Awards are always a special time of honoring the Gospel artists that fill our world with the music we love,” said Patz. “It’s great to take this opportunity to thank them and to be able to share the ceremony with fans across the nation and the world by internet. We are grateful to Tim Lovelace, our special musical guests and t

o WATC for recording the Diamond Awards. We had a great time at the ceremony and we hope everyone will tune in and watch!”

“What an awesome night at the Diamond Awards at Creekside Gospel Music Convention 2014. What a blessing to be a part of such a great event!” said Vonda Easley, from Strictly Southern With Vonda Easley. Vonda is also a vocalist with Hope’s Journey and part of the SGN Scoops staff. “The music was amazing and the winners were deserving. I loved it!”

Jonathan Edwards, from Faith’s Journey, is part of the Creekside crew and the voice of SGN Scoops Radio. He stated, “I am always thrilled at the amount of talent that is featured on the Diamond Award program and this year was no different. I am thankful for the opportunity to be a small part of this special event.”

Lorraine Walker, acting editor of SGN Scoops digital magazine, was unable to be present but noted that a lot of work goes into the planning and execution of the Diamond Awards. “Many people have contributed to this year’s Diamond Awards event and I am thrilled that it was such a beautiful night. My thanks to the volunteers and staff of Creekside and SGN Scoops for making the Diamond Awards an exceptional evening. Congratulations to each of the very deserving winners!”

The 2014 Diamond Award Winners Are:

J.D. SUMNER LIVING LEGEND AWARD: Ed O’Neal

MIXED GROUP OF THE YEAR: Karen Peck and New River

QUARTET OF THE YEAR: Brian Free and Assurance

TRIO OF THE YEAR: Karen Peck and New River

DUET OF THE YEAR: Aaron and Amanda Crabb

FEMALE SOLOIST OF THE YEAR: Karen Peck Gooch

MALE SOLOIST OF THE YEAR: Jason Crabb

SUNRISE AWARD: 11^th Hour

SONG OF THE YEAR: Revival – Karen Peck and New River

ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Revival – Karen Peck and New River

CHRISTIAN COUNTRY GROUP OF THE YEAR: The Freemans

CHRISTIAN COUNTRY FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Christy Sutherland

CHRISTIAN COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR: James and Jeff Easter – Like Father, Like Son

ANTHONY BURGER INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR: Gordon Mote

DOTTIE RAMBO SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR: Jeff Steele

BLUEGRASS GOSPEL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Doyle Lawson & Quick Silver

VIDEO/DVD OF THE YEAR: Lead Me Home – The Freemans

FAVORITE ARTIST WEBSITE: LeFevre Quartet

FAVORITE INDUSTRY WEBSITE: Gospel Music Today

PAUL HEIL AWARD (Broadcasting): Ken and Jean Grady- Gospel Music Today

CHRISTIAN COUNTRY MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Jason Crabb

LOU HILDRETH AWARD: Tim Lovelace

PUBLISHER’S CHOICE AWARD: Donna Blackwood

 

The  Creekside Gospel Music Convention is being held now at the Smokey Mountain Convention Center, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee from November 3^rd through 6^th, 2014. The CGMC is presented by SGN Scoops and Coastal Media Group at Pigeon Forge and is the home of The Diamond Awards and other special events. For more information on Creekside Gospel Music Convention visit http://www.creeksidegospelmusicconvention.com/

Thanks to Robert York for the Diamond Awards pictures.

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 Gospel and Christian Country music.   SGN Scoops is always digital, always free. For more information: https://www.sgnscoops.com/

 

Tags: 11th Hour, 2014 Creekside Gospel music Convention, 2014 Diamond Awards, Aaron and Amanda Crabb, brian free and assurance, christy sutherland, Donna Blackwood, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Ed O'Neal, gordon mote, Gospel Music Today, James and Jeff Easter, Jason Crabb, Jeff Steele, karen peck and new river, Ken and Jean Grady, KPNR, lefevre quartet, Pigeon Forge, rob patz, sgn scoops, the freemans, Tim Lovelance
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John Bowman Has Come to Worship Him

Written by SGN Scoops Staff on June 2, 2014 – 12:22 pm -

Arden, NC — There is a sweetness and purity in a single vocal and guitar together. John Bowman’s voice reflects true worship in this new all-acoustic, solo release.

Bowman, who is recognized in the traditional Gospel world first as a member of the legendary Bluegrass outfit Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver and later as a standout member of The Isaacs, shines all on his own on this stripped-down release entitled WORSHIP HIM.

The songs move from the quick-rolling cross picking of “God’s Not Dead” to the soothing lullaby style of “In My Father’s Eyes” to the story ballad “I Love My Friends.” Each track is delivered with sincerity and unwavering faith. It gives the feel of simple worship, of solitude and joy. Through these ten songs, their message and delivery, Bowman invites you to join and Worship Him.

John R. Bowman has a long and impressive list of credentials as a musician, singer and preacher. John started his career as a singer and guitarist with bluegrass legend, Doyle Lawson. CMA female vocalist of the year Alison Krauss later hired John as guitarist for Union Station. In 1994 Bowman joined The Isaacs and spent 12 years traveling all over the world with the gospel legends. Bowman answered the call to preach and earned an exhorter’s license through the Church of God in Cleveland, Tennessee.

In 2006 Bowman left the road to teach at a local Christian School in La Follette, Tennessee. He taught there for 5 years. During this period, 2007-2009, Bowman worked with banjo great, J.D. Crowe, as his bass player and vocalist. John worked with Crowe and the New South for nearly two years.

In November of 2009, Bowman along with Adam Steffey, Ronnie Stewart, Harold Nixon, and Keith Garrett formed the Grammy-nominated, IBMA award winning group, The Boxcars.

In 2010, Bowman released a tribute album to his father-in-law, Joe Isaacs. The project entitled, “Family Chain: The Songs of Joe Isaacs,” was nominated for a Dove award, and remains one of the most played on Sirius XM Radio.

Another highlight of 2010, was when Bowman earned a degree in Christian ministries through Oakland City University in Oakland City, Indiana through the Hopper Foundation.

Bowman has recorded 4 solo projects over the span of 18 years and preached many special services and revivals.

After 22 years of traveling with some of the world’s greatest bluegrass and bluegrass gospel artists, Bowman is embarking on a new journey with a greater focus on ministry. WORSHIP HIM is available June17 and is a fine platform for the launch of John’s new adventure.

Tags: Church of God in Cleveland, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, Hopper Foundation, John Bowman, Southern Gospel News
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