Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

SGMA HALL OF FAME 2019 INDUCTEES ANNOUNCED

SMGA ANNOUNCES 2019 SGMA HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

Pigeon Forge, TN (May 16, 2019) — The Southern Gospel Music Association (SGMA) is pleased to announce the Class of 2019 SGMA HALL OF FAME Inductees: Ruben Bean, Ernie Phillips, Jackie Wilburn and Gerald Wolfe. Each year, members of the SGMA nominate individuals to be inducted into the Hall of Fame that is located at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Arthur Rice

SGMA President Arthur Rice stated, “We were so excited with the response of the SGMA members nominating their choices for the newest inductees into the Hall of Fame. The official induction ceremony will take place during the 2019 National Quartet Convention during a fundraising concert held at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge.”

Individuals are nominated and selected for their contribution to the industry of Southern Gospel music. After their induction, a bronze plaque will be displayed in the Hall of Fame with a hand carved portrait and a biography of their life devoted to our music.

For more information on the SGMA, log onto the website at www.sgma.org, or visit them on Facebook at @thesgma.

Lorraine Walker: Becoming mindfully aware of your world this Christmas and New Year

Lorraine Walker: Becoming mindfully aware of your world this Christmas and New Year

Editor’s Last Word for December 2018 SGNScoops Magazine – by Lorraine Walker

Merry Christmas! I love this season and the way people seem happier and more open to talking about spiritual things. Yes, I’m that person who wears the shirts and sweaters and socks with all things Christmas on them. People have said that I even have reindeer antlers on my car…but that, of course, is just a rumor.

Our cover artist, Jason Crabb, also loves Christmas, and I hope you enjoyed his feature this month. I had such a good time talking with him recently when he sang at my church. We are both equally intense people and I so enjoyed digging into his thoughts on various subjects. What a terrific communicator, both on and off stage.

Jason Crabb was interviewed by Lorraine Walker for December 2018 issue of SGNScoops Magazine

We featured other artists of course that I have also enjoyed, like Les Beasley, who recently passed. We were unable to feature a tribute to Ernie Phillips as it was too close to press time, but I know of his contribution to gospel music and that he has many family, friends and fans that mourned his passing. I became a Kingsmen fan after Ernie’s tenure, mainly because of knowing Parker Jonathan, who joined when Garry Sheppard was the group’s tenor. Ernie, however, was an incredible talent and will be greatly missed.

I was also thinking of the passing of seasons when I read Rob’s Publisher’s Point. I hope you have read it and gleaned the knowledge that this season of your life is God’s way of preparing you for the next. I want to add to that with another piece that I am trying to learn and develop in my own life.

One of the buzzwords lately seems to be “mindfulness.” I know that can be used and misused in so many ways, and also taken to the extreme. I think some uses are not spiritually healthy for Christians. However, the literal meaning is great for all of us.

Mindfulness to me is living in the moment; not dwelling in the past or future, not thinking about what we should do or should have done. If we are being mindful or

Jason Crabb was interviewed by Lorraine Walker for December 2018 issue of SGNScoops Magazine

paying attention to each day, each moment, of each season we are in, both spiritually and physically,  maybe we would be more relaxed as well as appreciating each other more.

Perhaps paying attention to each moment and more attention to those around us will make this season even more special. Maybe we will even notice others more, share more smiles, hold our loved ones closer, and be more aware of the special gift of Jesus this Christmas. God bless you this holy season!

Read the latest issue of the SGNScoops Magazine HERE.

SGNScoops Magazine Editor Lorraine Walker

Remembering the Little Giant – Bigger than Life – Ernie Phillips

Kingsmen with Ernie Phillips and Squire Parsons

Ernie Phillips was the son of the late Vernon and Pauline Phillips of Cool Ridge, West Virginia. A 1968 graduate of Shady Spring High School, he received the “Citizen of the Year” award. He also received a scholarship to Beckley College, where he received an A. B. A. Degree in Business Administration. Phillips later attended the Electronic Computer Programming Institute in Charleston, West Virginia, where he received a Certificate of Achievement.

Ernie Phillips accepted Christ at an early age and he loved the Lord. His love of family, church, and Southern gospel music ministry, was only matched by his love and dedication to country. He was one of the good guys. You could tell by his walk and talk he knew his daily path was ordered and rooted in his faith.

Ernie Phillips

Phillips served in the military from 1970 to 1973 in the United States Army. He was stationed in South Carolina, Georgia, and Baumholder, Germany. While in Germany, he worked as a Missile Repair Parts Specialist and Radio Relay Technician, which resulted in an Army Commendation Medal for working two jobs at the same time. After military service, Phillips worked at the V.A. Medical Center in Beckley, West Virginia, as a Supply Specialist and Warehouseman.

Kingsmen on stage with Ernie Phillips

Upon his return from military service, this tenor’s love of Southern gospel quartet music began to grow even more. Phillips sang with several local church groups from Beckley for a period of five years. He joined a popular gospel quartet, The Crossmen, from Beckley, in 1975, and sang tenor with them on weekends for two years.

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Little Ernie Phillips passes away

Kingsmen with Ernie Phillips

Little Ernie Phillips, tenor for many years with the Kingsmen, man who helped to create their iconic quartet sound, has passed away.

Ernie Phillips

Mark Trammell, part of the Kingsmen Quartet during Phillips’ tenure, had this to say on his Facebook page this morning:

Mark Trammell. Photo by Jessica Trammell Photography

Woke up to a message from Eric Dean Phillips that his Dad, Ernie Phillips had slipped thru the pearly gates early this morning. SO much I could say about Ernie. He was one of the greatest encouragers in my life. 40 years ago last month, I joined the Kingsmen. He allowed me to live with he and his family the first month until my wedding. Ernie was my friend and protector. ..Couldn’t help but think of the song Ernie, Wayne Maynard, myself, and Ray Dean Reese recorded years ago. “At Sunrise, I’m Going Home.” Glad you made it home Ernie! We’ll see you soon! (Read Mark’s entire post here.)

All of our sympathies and prayers go to the family and friends of Ernie Phillips.