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Guy Penrod celebrates Fatherhood

Sing People Happy: A Conversation with Guy Penrod

By Justin Gilmore

Fatherhood is an important responsibility. A father, along with a mother, is tasked with raising up their children to be loving, God-fearing citizens. Legendary Southern gospel vocalist, Guy Penrod, has been blessed with eight children of his own and knows the importance of being a faithful and loving father. Over the course of his career, Penrod has also experienced the faithfulness of our Heavenly Father. With the current global pandemic essentially shutting down much of the music industry, Southern gospel groups and artists have been struggling to make ends meet. In addition, both fans and artists alike miss the concert experience.

Penrod, in partnership with Thrive Media Streaming, is bringing his classic live concert experience to viewers all over the world on June 21st. “Concert On The Couch: A Father’s Day Celebration,” features Penrod and his band performing beloved hymns and worship songs in a night of praise. I recently had the honor of speaking with Mr. Penrod about this event as well as his storied career.

Justin Gilmore: First off, let me start this whole thing by saying I am a huge fan of yours. I’ve been a fan for a number of years, especially your work with the Gaither Vocal Band. So, it is an honor for me to speak with you today.

Guy Penrod: Well thank you buddy. Thank you for your kind encouragement. 

Gilmore: For those who don’t know or are not familiar with you, how did you get your start in Southern Gospel Music?

Guy Penrod with the Gaither Vocal Band

Penrod: You know, the start of that for me would probably be with the Vocal Band. I didn’t travel and sing in any groups prior to being with the Vocal Band, just because of the way life went, you know. I grew up singing, enjoyed it all the way through high school and college. 

Gilmore: Who are your musical influences?

GUY PENROD Blessed Assurance

Penrod: That’s a broad question. A real influence for me not just vocally but character wise was George Beverly Shea. I grew up listening to him and fell in love with his rich baritone voice.  I loved the way you could understand what he sang. I’m a big lover of voices: Nat King Cole, Marty Robbins, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson. I lived out west so we listened to a lot of country music. Those voices meant a lot to me as I grew up. On the Gospel side of things, Jake Hess and the Blackwood Brothers were favorites of mine. My grandmother had an 8-track and I’d listen to the Blackwood Brothers in the carport and sing along at the top of my lungs.

Gilmore: Speaking of music, let’s talk about your latest album.

Penrod: The latest thing we have is ‘Blessed Assurance,” which is around one or two years old now. It is a compilation of hymns and worship songs like “ I Surrender All,” “The Love Of God,”and more. We wanted to pick songs that lend themselves to sing along. 

Gilmore: Any meaningful fan encounters over the course of your career?

Penrod: Many, many, many wonderful people that have been encouraging and supportive all along the way. Many names pass through my mind: a little lady named Sue Johnson from Atlanta used to show up at just about every concert that I did east of the Mississippi. Eventually, bad health, now she’s singing up in Heaven. Through the years so many people like that. I think of a little boy, he had a difficult disease and it hit him out of the blue. He ended up at twelve years old; he passed away from that, but that concert likewise, his folks brought him. I was one of the only things he responded to. He was completely wheelchair bound, quadrapeligic, couldn’t speak, but just a precious little dude with a wonderful spirit. He would come alive during those concerts, hearing music like that. Fought a hard battle and the Lord just went ahead and took him on to Heaven. But wonderful, wonderful people that are still here and encouraging us and showing up for concerts and supporting what we’re doing.

Gilmore: What is the most memorable experience you’ve had in your career?

Penrod: Oh my! I’m not good with singling out things like that for the most part. You know, there have been so many it’s hard to just zone in on one. It’s different things based on the different aspects of my life. Getting married to the most beautiful woman on the earth, the greatest wife, was obviously right at the top of that list. Having kids: seven boys and one little girl. Now, they’re all growing up and  starting to have kids themselves. Now, I’m a grandparent of a beautiful four month old girl and two more on the way! Both girls, one in September and one in October so in the course of about ten or eleven months we will have three brand new grandbabies on the ground. All girls. 

Gilmore: Congratulations! 

Penrod: Thank you! So, that’s hard to beat that. Jump over into the professional world and what I’ve done through the years, it’s just a dream come true, to get to sing on so many wonderful records. Through the Sandy Patty years, and Steve Green, Larnelle Harris, and Wayne Watson, 4Him, Point Of Grace. We could just go on and on with people that have allowed me the privilege of singing on their records. It just amazes me. Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith and you know, it’s fabulous. Then to scratch the itch of those R&B things, getting to sing on James Ingram’s record, who was a real big influence in my vocal, musical life, too. Loved his voice and the way he communicates. You know, it just goes hand in hand with the other experiences musically. In the Vocal Band years, getting to travel the world and sing at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, Red Rocks, London, John Wesley’s Church, the Sydney Opera House, my goodness! And I’m just a little hayseed from Aberline, Texas. If God gave me the magic to write down whatever I wanted to happen and that’s what would happen, I would have never dreamed that stuff. Just a thankful man. Just like when you called and asked how I was doing: better than I deserve. That’s a real true statement. From one perspective it is. 

Gilmore: Right. My next question is: what illustrations or analogies do you use in presenting the Gospel in a concert setting?

Penrod: Oh goodness. That’s a loaded question. I have found that the most effective place to be is, you obviously hide the Word in your heart, memorize it, internalize it, and stay read up, as our minds forget, and pour over it. So, with that hidden away, then when you go out, I tend to try to empty myself and ask the Spirit of the Lord to just calm my mind. Obviously not to remove it, but to empty it of me, and I kind of lay my thoughts or plans for the evening at His feet and say: just speak through me I pray, Holy Spirit. Minister to what these people here tonight need. I find that it’s an effective place to be because when you step out there, He responds in real time. He usually doesn’t show up until He is needed, but stays as long as He is needed, in certain circumstances. Obviously we walk with Him all the time and need Him all the time, but when it comes to the application of sharing the Word or teaching or singing or preaching or exhorting or encouraging or listening or counseling, it’s a certain aspect of Him that fills you up in that moment. I found that He will just fill your mouth if you are bold and courageous enough to step out in front of a crowd or into a room with just one person and minister, that He will use you, recall in you the things he has planted there through the years. Sharing a perfect message is a challenge for us as imperfect humans, you know. So I find leaning on the Spirit of the Lord and being bold, not trying to sneak Jesus into anybody, but just straight up looking folks in the eyeball and saying: God loves you, He’s for you, He’s with you. He’s here tonight and wants to minister. The key is you just gotta let Him in…He said I will draw all men to me. 

Gilmore: My next question is simply: How has singing Gospel music impacted your life and your family?

Penrod: Well, it’s immeasurable really. All encompassing. It’s a vehicle by which the Lord’s blessed us with every good thing. I mean, like anyone, if you follow the Spirit of the Lord’s promptings and new heart He’s given each one of us, in Christ, He says He has removed the old heart of stone, then you yield it to Him. Acknowledge Him in all your ways He will direct your paths. Therein lies the secret to happiness. It’s that right there. I think just resting and waiting on Him for doors. Don’t push. I have done that as a young man and as a middle aged man probably still will push on a few out of hard headedness, but usually it’s a matter of waiting on the Lord, who will open the doors. We walk through them. But I would say the building of family, the relationships, the influence and all those things are gifts from the Lord. So I just pray for His wisdom and strength to walk in that honorably. 

Gilmore: Since Father’s Day is coming up soon, what does fatherhood mean to you?

Guy Penrod and Band. Photo: Russ Harrington

Penrod: Well, I had a good example of a father. I know a lot of folks don’t, but I know a lot of folks do. It’s a heavy responsibility. It is interesting how God made things so organic really. A man grows up and becomes attracted to the opposite sex and before long, one catches his eye and they end up married and rather ignorant at what life holds and to go about handling it. The Lord looks down and says it is good. If you are right in the middle of that, He is a part of the equation. His plan for you is to just trust Him day by day. As new and ignorant as I was when I got married, the Lord led us along, and then when our first baby came, I didn’t know how to deal with a baby, but that’s the beauty of the power of the Lord. He’s so capable that He gives babies to young kids like me and my wife, not that old, but here we are with a baby you know. Then after that, another and another and another, and I just find that if you have enough faith to keep going, He has enough supply to keep supplying. I don’t know that it is a matter of any certain thing, one thing or the other, that as fathers we do. It’s a compilation of all of the small decisions, but the big one being: center your worldview in the Word of God, the Holy Bible, and then acknowledge the Lord in all your ways and He will direct your path. Then be transparent and we’re gonna make good decisions and have wonderful successes as fathers. But we are also gonna make bad decisions and have failures as well. For the most part, it is something we should do out in front of the family so everyone sees how the Lord works through the ups and the downs. I think at the end of the day, if we trust Him and live openly for Him in front of those we love, that’s the best example of a father, mother, sister, brother, friend, or whatever relationship you want to put on there.

Gilmore: How are you and the family holding up during this quarantine?

Penrod: Everybody’s had a challenging time here, haven’t they. Well, we are just grateful for the Lord’s protection which He said He gives to all His children. No evil shall befall you. No plague shall come near your door. I just read that this morning in the devotional we read. Such is the case here. Just have believed it, proclaimed it, we’ve been blessed with no cases in our family and just a couple in any friend groups around the entire nation. But specifically, the little area where we live, I don’t think we’ve even had a case in our county. We have such a large family so we just kinda came out here to our farm and compound during that time and did a whole bunch of barbequing. So I’ve put on some pandemic quarantine weight that I gotta get rid of. We are happy as we could be and thankful for God’s protection and pray for those who have been affected by this that they will trust in the Lord for His touch and His healing. The Word says: “By His stripes we are healed.” Go ahead and claim it and kick that disease out! 

Gilmore: Amen! Lastly, talk about your upcoming Father’s Celebration Concert.

Penrod: We are really excited. It’s been a challenging time for our industry. We were kind of the first bunch of workers in the marketplace that got shut down because of the restrictions on the sizes of our gatherings, and probably the last ones who will go back to work as they start lifting these restrictions. In that timeframe, we’ve been praying for how the Lord would have us move forward. He has supplied, through a friend of mine and new acquaintances, technology by which we can do live streaming on a very highly technical platform that enables the highest quality sound and highest quality pictures and video content to roll and very capable worldwide bandwidth so that we can produce quality concerts and events out and around the world. We’re just the first in our field to get to use this platform and really excited. We are gonna be from the Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tennessee and my band will be with me. We’re playing in an empty auditorium, but in front of a whole lot of people as the cameras go. Gonna lift up Jesus with hymns, worship songs, and live music that ‘sings people happy,’ like much of my buddies have said before. We wanna sing people happy, full of the joy of the Lord and strength and boldness for the days ahead. Encourage them that there’s a wonderful harvest to go reap, we just have to get out there and get after it. So, it’s gonna be on June 21st, Father’s Day. The virtual doors open at 5:00 p.m. and the concert starts at 6:00 p.m. Central Standard Time. Go to guypenrod.com and click on “Concert On The Couch,” that’s what we’re calling our series and kicking it off with me. They’ll be directed to the home page and a video invitation with instructions on how to reserve an online viewing pass. That pass will get you into the concert on the 21st. There is no fee required. No ticket price. Just register and your in. But we do ask that if you’re capable of making a donation that you do so. We have a button set up for donations, but for those who have had a tough time during this quarantine and they’re low on cash, we don’t want you to miss this. So you’re free to come on in. Invite your friends and loved ones to jump down on their couch and be encouraged. And those who don’t know the Lord and you want to share the Gospel with, we’re gonna share it real plainly that night, so invite to go sign up, get a pass and plop down on the couch for some popcorn and have a good night singing and listening to a good concert. 

Gilmore: Thank you so much for talking with me today. It has been an honor.

Penrod: My pleasure. Thank you for such a good interview. God’s blessing on what you’ve got going there. 

More information:

“Concert On The Couch—A Father’s Day Celebration From Franklin Theatre” premiers for one-time online viewing at 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Virtual doors will open at 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time with special pre-show content. Filmed recently at the historic Franklin Theatre outside Nashville, Guy Penrod’s “Concert On The Couch” is being made available in partnership with Thrive Media Streaming. Exclusive online viewing passes, available for a suggested donation of $5, can be reserved by registering at guypenrod.com.

Colet Selwyn: UK Bass Singer is Gaither-Approved

Colet Selwyn

Every gospel quartet fan loves a great bass singer. If you were to stop an ordinary gospel concert attendee, most will mention the lows of George Younce, and J.D Sumner, to modern day bass singers such as Matt Fouch of Legacy Five and Paul Harkey of Ernie Haase and Signature Sound.

Recently, I had the chance to sit down with Colet Selwyn, whom many of you will be familiar with from the Gaither Homecoming Videos, to talk about his career in Gospel music.

“It all began for me at a young age, from listening to the Psalty, the singing songbook, as a toddler hiding under the covers, or watching my first ever quartet on a DVD performance (while I was living) in India– I can’t remember a time when this music hasn’t been enveloping my growth as a person, and for that I’m so thankful for my parents for that environment.” Selwyn was raised in India and now lives in Scotland.

“As a child, my parents called me the ‘absent-minded professor’ while I grew up. I had a scientist lab coat on and played my air guitar while singing along. As I mouthed along to the music I started unconsciously memorising aspects of the gospel, that Jesus died for my sins and then rose again! What else could help me as a teen when I was confronted by the world and my own failures? Thank God for music that reminded me! My desire, if God permits, is to help make music that helps us remember God’s grace to us in creative and harmonious. ” Selwyn shares.

“At the age of 17, I had just done a local talent show for a church family out of Scotland. Ernie Haase saw it and invited me to sing during Signature Sound’s European tour– and honestly if he hadn’t done that, I’m not sure what my music would have looked like today.” Selwyn adds, “Thank God for Ernie!” 

Bill Gaither and Colet Selwyn

This young bass singer cites several influences that helped shape his rich and resonant voice: “There are three of them: Bill Gaither, George Younce, and Tim Duncan for different reasons. Bill Gaither influenced me through his videos that introduced me to the variety of personalities, and enthusiasm of the gospel music world. George Younce influenced me as he was in the first Gaither DVD I ever saw at a young age, with Old Friends Quartet; he makes old age look good! And lastly, as a teenager I saw Tim Duncan with Signature Sound, and it was then I knew that this music was for young people as well.”

Selwyn has had many opportunities to share the stage with national Southern gospel acts such as Gaither Vocal Band, Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, along with many others. Recalling this awesome experience, Selwyn shares: “While actually singing with them– I was sort of in a daze, my body in auto-pilot, and my brain freaking out. In retrospect, I was just blown away by the love and the team-focused nature of the guys, they were so encouraging to me, and that’s the type of heart I aspire to nurture.”

When asked about the memorable moments in Selwyn’s career in Gospel music so far, he shared: “Hearing Bill Gaither’s heartfelt laugh and Gloria Gaither’s wise words as we listened, learned, and worshipped together during the Gaither Songwriting Intensive. That was a very special memorable moment for me.”

Funny moments come for everyone, whether it’s a stage mishap or just a good ole road story. “A funny story that I would love to share with you is a number of us from the U.K. had come near the end of a long string of concerts abroad. We had experienced the thrill of singing before a vast audience and were still on a buzz after meeting some celebrities. During the opening song, the roar of the crowd turned into a cacophony of wingbeats as an enormous swarm of mosquitoes decided to envelope the stage. Well, the show must go on! We sang our hearts out while being bitten all over – the officials also came and doused the stage with some sort of insecticide. I’m sure the audience thought it was a new fog machine or something! 

Selwyn says that if there was one message that he would want fans to convey from listening to his music or seeing him in concert, it would be this: “I hope the music encourages, excites, and provides great words of wisdom for people to remember the great words of Christ.”

The next time you see that Colet Selwyn may be featured in a Gaither Homecoming Tour in your area, whether you’re in the grand state of South Carolina, or in the country of Scotland, be sure to go and listen to this awesome talent. You can find out more about him by going to his website (www.coletselwyn.com) or by following him on Instagram @coletselwyn.

By Andrew Brunet
Andrew Brunet is a gospel music social media figure who has a live radio program, as well as being a booking agent and concert promoter. He is currently on the management team at WOTG radio. Andrew can be reached at

andrew@andrewbrunetshow.com

Pray for the family of Jonathan Pierce

Jonathan Pierce, former member of the Gaither Vocal Band, has passed away in his 50th year from possible complications following heart surgery. Kelly Nelon Clark posted this sad news several hours ago HERE.

Pierce was a member of the GVB prior to David Phelps. He was a member of the Imperials as well for two years. He also released several solo albums.

Please pray for the family and friends of Jonathan Pierce.

It Must Be Christmas when David Phelps sings in December

It Must Be Christmas when David Phelps sings in December. Photo by John Herndon

If the calendar says “December” and David Phelps is ready to sing, it can only mean one thing: It Must Be Christmas!

Phelps, the powerful tenor who is one of gospel music’s most recognizable voices, has been bringing the message of hope through Jesus Christ across the country in his annual “It Must Be Christmas” tour.

We caught up with David after he performed to an enthusiastic crowd at Shelby Christian Church in Shelbyville, Ky. It had been a night of dynamic worship, fun and a challenge to help others.

“It has been great,” Phelps said of his 20th Christmas tour. “We have just been blown away.”

And if the night in Shelbyville was indicative, that reaction goes both ways. The energy flowing from Phelps and his backup band of six musicians and

David Phelps sings with his daughters, Maggie Beth, left, and Callie during a performance at Shelbyville, Ky.
Photo by John Herndon

two vocalists — Phelps’ daughters, Callie, and Maggie Beth — charged a crowd of about 1,000 slightly more than two weeks before Christmas Day.

The tour is sponsored by the KORE Foundation, which promotes the work it does in Haiti, helping farmers become self-sufficient in the poultry business. Midway through the program, Phelps paused so that concert-goers could see a

video of the foundation’s work and be challenged to contribute.

It’s about giving for the One who gave his life. And Phelps makes sure the concert focuses on the season that celebrates God becoming man.

“We drop our non-seasonal music and just do completely Christmas for the month of December,” Phelps says. “It’s a lot of fun.”

Early in the concert, he sang the theme song of the tour, “It Must Be Christmas” and soon after covered Jackie DeShannon’s big 60s hit, “What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love.” Phelps tied the message of the pop song to loving Christ and loving others.

During his Christmas concert, David Phelps called children from the audience to read his humorous book, “Santa Claus Get Well Soon.”
Photo by John Herndon

He says the message reaches people who are searching and he says it’s not uncommon for an attendee to share how the concert has affected him. “We are always humbled and honored when that happens that our music can reach someone on such a personal level,” he says. “It’s always just amazing. We hope that we are honorable vessels to deliver the message of hope that is in the songs.”

Phelps says the Christmas season presents an opportunity to share the message of Christ through song. “Definitely. It’s a great time to come together and celebrate renewal,” he says. “It’s the end of the year and it’s starting over again and that’s what Jesus represents too on many levels. I think it’s a great time of the year for everybody, no matter where they are. They may have not stepped in a church all year long, but they love to come together to listen to Christmas music and to celebrate.”

Phelps became a household name in Christian music during his 15 years as a member of the Gaither Vocal Band. He’s coming up on two years of touring strictly as a soloist and says 2018 has been a blessing.

David Phelps in Shelbyville, Ky. Photo by John Herndon.

“To this point, it’s been very, very busy, but we’re good,” he laughed.

Phelps says his decision to leave the Gaither Vocal Band has presented an opportunity to expand his creativity. “For Bill, it was a job. I would do what he asked me to do. If he wanted me to sing a certain line, I would do that,” Phelps explains, “and that was wonderful! I enjoyed it and stayed there for a long time. He is a great mentor to me.

“But out here, we get to express ourselves a little more as a soloist.”

Phelps closed his concert with what might be his signature song, “Oh, Holy Night” and a rousing version of “Feliz Navidad.”

But even though the It Must Be Christmas Tour continues through Dec. 21, Phelps says 2019 promises to be another big year. “We have a new video coming out just before Easter. It’s called The Hymnal Project,” he says. “We have been working on that and we will be

David Phelps performs his signature song, “Oh Holy Night.” Photo by John Herndon

touring nationally and internationally. We will be recording, too.”

And come December, 2019, David Phelps will be traveling the country to celebrate Christ’s birth once again.

By John Herndon

John Herndon writes regularly for SGNScoops Magazine, and has his own blog here as well.

Gaither Vocal Band and Braidley Walker Celebrate 2018 GMA DOVE Award Wins

Gaither Vocal Band. Photo by Craig Harris

Gospel Music Hall of Famers the Gaither Vocal Band and Rising Country Music Singer Bradley Walker Enjoy a Rewarding Evening at This Year’s DOVE Awards

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—October 18th, 2018—GRAMMY®-winning recording artists and Gospel Music Hall of Fame members the Gaither Vocal Band were awarded Southern Gospel Artist of the Year honors last night at this year’s GMA DOVE Award ceremonies, held at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN.

“The great thing that we get to do is travel as a band of brothers,” stated group member Reggie Smith during his acceptance speech, “these guys are like family, and we get to travel with the oldest ‘teenager’ on the planet–Bill Gaither! We are grateful for this award and for what we get to do.”

Bradley Walker

The quintet, which headlines one of Christian music’s biggest tours annually, also received nods for Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year for “Hallelujah Band”; Southern Gospel Album of the Year for We Have This Moment (Gaither Music Group); Bluegrass/Country/Roots Song of the Year for “Chain Breaker”; Long Form Video of the Year for Country Roots and Gospel Favorites, featuring Gaither Vocal Band, The Gatlin Brothers and The Oak Ridge Boys; and Christmas/Special Event Album of the Year for Country Roots and Gospel Favorites (Live).

Label-mate and rising country gospel singer Bradley Walker took home his first GMA DOVE Award for best Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album of the Year (Gaither Music Group) for Blessed, Hymns and Songs of Faith, produced by Ben Isaacs (The Oak Ridge Boys, Jimmy Fortune).

“Growing up singing these songs in church, you don’t think you are going to receive an award one day,” said a surprised and elated Walker. “It’s just hard to believe. I want to thank Bill Gaither for giving me the opportunity to record this album, and I want to dedicate this award to Joey Feek. Without her love and support and were it not for my getting to sing at her home-going, this would never have happened. I am, as the album title says, ‘blessed.’”

A well-loved performer for years among classic country and bluegrass music circles, Walker was also nominated for Southern Gospel Artist of the Year and for Bluegrass/Country/Roots Song of the Year for “I Will Someday” (featuring The Isaacs), written by Chris Stapleton, Garnet Bowman, Morgane Hayes and Ronnie Bowman.

Gaither Vocal Band. Photo by Craig Harris

“We were delighted to see a legendary group like the Gaither Vocal Band honored last evening while also seeing a rising newcomer win his first award,” stated Paul Sizelove, president of Gaither Music Group. “Our roster of artists encompasses a broad array of talent, including performers who are household names among their formats as well as newcomers like Bradley Walker. We are proud to represent these artists and pleased to see these performers achieve these recognitions at this year’s awards.”

The Gaither Music Group artists are seen regularly on over 15 TV networks that carry the “Gaither Gospel Hour” weekly including PBS, TBN, RFD-TV, CTN, DIRECTV, The Heartland Network, Dish TV, FamilyNet, GMTN, Guardian, Liberty, TCT, TLN and GaitherTV. The programming is seen in Canada on Vision TV, The Miracle Channel, Grace TV and CTS.

Gaither Music Group’s recordings are exclusively distributed by Capitol Christian Distribution and Universal Music and are available throughout general market stores and the Christian marketplace in addition to online retailers including iTunes, Amazon and Gaither.com.

October 2018 SGNScoops Magazine

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NQC RECAP: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 2018

Gaither Vocal Band at NQC. Photo by Chip Woods

Bill Gaither at NQC. Photo by Chip Woods

Next up was Bill Gaither and his Homecoming Friends, filling the LeConte Center with classic songs made popular on the Gaither videos.

C.T. Townsend at NQC. Photo by Chip Woods. C.T. Townsend will also be appearing at Creekside Gospel Music Convention Oct. 28-Nov.1

NQC – the National Quartet Convention – continues until Saturday, September 29, 2018, at the LeConte Center in Pigeon Forge, TN. Over 40,000 people are expected to enjoy the concerts and festivities planned.

• Chapel with Jim Brady Trio and the First Baptist Church Indian Trail Choir and message by Dr. Mike Whitson
• Blazing Pianos
• Dr. David Jeremiah
• Matinee Extravaganza
• Evening Concerts featuring: Erwins, Dixie Echoes, Nelons, LeFevre Quartet, Taylors, Mark Trammell Quartet, McKameys, Lynda Randle, Perrys, Jeff & Sheri Easter, Isaacs, Joseph Habedank, Hoppers, Triumphant, Karen Peck & New River and Ernie Haase & Signature Sound

Bill Gaither and Homecoming Friends at NQC. Photo by Chip Woods

For more information, visit www.NQConline.com.

Sherry Anne appears with Bill Gaither during Deaf Awareness Month

Sherry Anne with the Gaither Vocal Band #deafawarenessmonth

Recently, gospel music artist Sherry Anne appeared with the Gaither Vocal Band at the beautiful Landmark Theater in Syracuse, New York.

Sherry Anne

Sherry Anne is an accomplished vocalist, chiropractor, and author, having been a part of the SGNScoops Magazine team in the past. On September 15, she shared the stage with Bill Gaither and the Gaither Vocal Band.

“Always such a joy and honor to sing with Bill Gaither and the Gaither Vocal Band,” says Sherry Anne. Not only did she grace the stage with the popular group,  she was also invited to share her story, hoping to inspire the audience to keep working toward their dreams.

Overcoming the great hurdles of hearing and speech impairment at birth, Sherry Anne was able to pursue and achieve many goals, obtaining her Doctor of Chiropractic and honing her special vocal talent. She has first-hand experience in the challenges of hearing loss and was thrilled to appear at the GVB concert, able to share her story during #deafawarenessmonth.

A videotaping of the beautiful vocalist’s appearance was obtained and is shown below.

For more information on Sherry Anne’s ministry, click here.

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GRAMMY® Award-winning GAITHER VOCAL BAND Releases Special Anniversary Collection in Conjunction with Fall Reunion Event

GRAMMY® Award-winning GAITHER VOCAL BAND Releases Special Anniversary Collection in Conjunction with Fall Reunion Event

NASHVILLE, Tenn. –Gospel Music Hall of Fame members and GRAMMY® Award winners the Gaither Vocal Band will release a new audio compilation today, in celebration of this year’s Gaither Vocal Band Reunion LIVE! concert event, scheduled to take place on October 19 and 20.  Special Anniversary Collection (Gaither Music Group) features some of the group’s most-requested hits and most-popular songs since the group recorded its signature two-disc set of hits in 2005.  Fans will enjoy classic renditions of “He Touched Me,” “I Believe in a Hill Called Mt. Calvary,” “The Love of God,” “The Baptism of Jesse Taylor,” “Let Freedom Ring,” “Mary, Did You Know?” and more.

“I am so grateful to have had the opportunity of working with some of the greatest male vocalists ever in the field of gospel music,” stated group founder and vocalist Bill Gaither.  “I take a lot of pride when I look at the pictures and see all of that talent.  What can I say?  I am blessed!”

Many of those talented group alumni featured on the anniversary compilation will join together on one stage for the two-day, once-in-a-lifetime Reunion LIVE! concert experience to be held in Greenville, SC, at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.  The weekend will feature the current Gaither Vocal Band line-up—Gaither, Wes Hampton, Todd Suttles, Adam Crabb and Reggie Smith–along with former members Gary McSpadden, Mark Lowry, Russ Taff, Larnelle Harris, David Phelps, Jim Murray, Guy Penrod, Jon Mohr, Michael English, Buddy Mullins, Lee Young and Marshall Hall.

This reunion, featuring special guest appearances from Gloria Gaither, Gene McDonald, Wesley Pritchard and Kevin Williams, offers attendees gold, silver and bronze ticket packages in addition to individual evening concert tickets.  Group packages for 10 or more people are also available.  More information is available here.

The lauded quintet just received six nominations for the 2018 GMA DOVE Awards including Southern Gospel Artist of the Year, Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year–“Hallelujah Band” (writers: Becca Mizell, Sam Mizell), Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year–“Chain Breaker” (writers:  Jonathan Smith, Mia Fieldes, Zach Williams), Southern Gospel Album of the Year–We Have This Moment (producers:  Bill Gaither, Gordon Mote), Long Form Video of the Year–Country Roots and Gospel Favorites – Gaither Vocal Band/The Gatlin Brothers/The Oak Ridge Boys (director:  Doug Stuckey) (producer:  Bill Gaither) and Christmas/Special Event Album of the Year—Country Roots and Gospel Favorites – Gaither Vocal Band/The Gatlin Brothers/The Oak Ridge Boys (producer:  Bill Gaither).

Produced by famed country and gospel music performer and studio musician Gordon Mote, the We Have This Moment (Gaither Music Group) CD recording debuted at #1 on the Southern Gospel chart and at #4 on the CCM chart, according to Nielsen SoundScan.  Its companion DVD, which released in October of last year, captures stage performances of 14 of the group’s recorded songs, including Gaither classics and some of today’s most popular worship songs of the church such as “Chain Breaker” and the group’s current top-charting radio single, “Jesus Messiah.”

The first radio single from the release, “Hallelujah Band,” which landed in the Top 5 on the national radio chart, highlights how these five unique voices and personalities have come together to create something special.  Written by Becca Mizell and Sam Mizell, the up-tempo number was featured via social media as a performance video that has garnered over one million views on Facebook.  The group’s follow-up video of “Chain Breaker” has received nearly three million Facebook views.

Special Anniversary Collection will be featured as part of a TV special airing on over 15 networks that carry the “Gaither Gospel Hour” weekly, including RFD-TV, DIRECTV, TBN, The Heartland Network, Dish TV, FamilyNet, CTN, GMTN, Guardian, Liberty, TCT, TLN and GaitherTV.  It will air in Canada on Vision TV, The Miracle Channel, Grace TV and CTS.  The recording is featured on www.gaither.com, in the Gaither Fall Catalog Collection, via the company’s social media properties and on the Gaither YouTube channel, which garners over 30 million views monthly.

Special Anniversary Collection is exclusively distributed by Capitol Christian Distribution and Universal Music and is available throughout general market stores and the Christian marketplace in addition to online retailers including iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon, CBD.com and Gaither.com.

For further information regarding the Gaither Vocal Band, please visit www.gaither.com or connect on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gaithermusic or on Twitter: @gaithermusic

Larnelle Harris: The notes that shaped his life

Larnelle Harris

Larnelle Harris has a different perspective now than he once did.

“As I’ve gotten older … I saw a picture in a magazine,” Harris shares. “It was a picture of a turtle on a fence post. When I first saw it, I didn’t think much about it. Then, I started to think about the people in Danville, Ky., and how they’ve spoke things into my life. Then, when I saw it again, I started thinking about it. The turtle doesn’t get on the fence post on his own. I started thinking about the people over the years and those who are still speaking, people who spoke a dream into my heart as a little kid. I didn’t see it as a kid. As I got older, I began to see that.”

Now, Harris is speaking … well, he’s letting his words do the talking anyway.

He released his first book on Feb. 6, “Shaped Notes: How Ordinary People with Extraordinary Gifts Influenced My Life and Career.” He wrote the book along with Christine Schaub.

“People who are close to me, who should be in the book, have talked about that for years,” Harris says of writing a book. “What am I going to tell them? ‘My name is Larnelle Harris. I grew up in Danville, Kent. My parents’ names were’ … there’s nothing to see here.

“I was at the Governor’s Mansion (in Frankfort, Kent.). I had been given an award. One of the ladies from Danville said, ‘Whatcha got coming up?’ I said, ‘I’m thinking about writing a book.’

She said, ‘You haven’t lived long enough to write a book.’ I said, ‘I know, but I want to take this opportunity to just say thank you to them, to those people who have spoke into my life.’”

One of those individuals who spoke into his life came along early on.

“Mrs. Georgia Donehy … Mrs. Georgie played the piano and organ for the church choir,” Harris explains. “She taught piano lessons to every kid in town, whether they wanted them or not. I didn’t want them at first.

“She found out there was a little hidden boy soprano in here, and she started taking me around different places to sing. I did a concert in our church when I was nine years old, and she played the piano. She didn’t want anything. Then, she passed on, and somebody else came along. It’s a wonderful exercise for everybody. We’ve all had those people.”

Larnelle summarizes the purpose of the book in two words.

“There are two little words we don’t use enough,” Harris points out. “It seems like as we go up in generation, we use it less and less. Thank you … that’s what it’s about.

“Mrs. Georgie used to get on my last nerve. She said to my mom one time, ‘you should not let Larnelle play any sports out in the dust, because the dust will hurt his voice.’ But, now, I hope that every town, city, parish has a Mrs. Georgie in it.”

Harris attempts to honor Mrs. Georgie during his concerts.

“I do a package of songs in concert to Mrs. Georgie,” Harris notes. “I wanted to do some songs that I did in that first concert with Mrs. Georgie in the First Baptist Church in Danville, Ky.

“This book is very little about Larnelle, but it is about the process of God putting people in your life, to take you to the next plateau. It’s about those people who guide you who don’t want a thing. Mrs. Georgie had no idea what the future would be for me.”

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GAITHER VOCAL BAND to Release New DVD Recording

GAITHER VOCAL BAND

NASHVILLE, Tenn. –Gospel Music Hall of Fame members and GRAMMY® Award winners the Gaither Vocal Band will release an all-new performance video on Friday, May 18th.  We Have This Moment (Gaither Music Group) captures stage performances of 14 of the group’s recorded songs, most of which can be found on the companion We Have This Moment CD, which released in October of last year.  Produced by famed country and gospel music performer and studio musician Gordon Mote, the CD recording debuted at #1 on the Southern Gospel chart and at #4 on the Contemporary Christian Music chart, according to Nielsen Soundscan.

“The longer I live the more I learn to appreciate here and now,” stated group founder and bass singerBill Gaither, “this moment…this place in life… this group of people with whom I am privileged to collaborate on these songs.  I am blessed beyond measure by these men and by the way our collective contributions have brought something very special to this collection of songs.  I hope you are as blessed by this recording as we have been to create it.”

That creation, recorded by group members Gaither, Wes Hampton, Adam Crabb, Todd Suttles andReggie Smith, includes performances of several harmony-based tunes, Gaither classics and some of today’s most popular worship songs of the church, including the worship anthems “Chain Breaker”and “Jesus Messiah.”

“For me, ‘Jesus Messiah’ is a great song of perspective that Jesus came not to be served. He came to serve,” stated Hampton.  “It’s a great reminder to me of why we are here. I’m not here for you to do something for me. I’m here to serve you because that’s exactly what Jesus did for us.  He came for one purpose, and that was to rescue sinners.”

“I’ll Worship Only at the Feet of Jesus,” penned by Gloria Gaither, Bill Gaither and J.D. Miller, is a beloved favorite that longtime fans of the group will recognize.  “I like the line in this song that says, ‘There’ll be no other gods before Him,’” stated Suttles.  “Sometimes we have to sit back and look at what’s really important–at what really matters. What’s the purpose of what we’re doing? What do we want the final result to be? I think sometimes we get hung up on things that won’t really matter in the end.  We focus on what looks good right now and what feels good right now, and a lot of times we don’t think of others enough.”

The first radio single from the release, “Hallelujah Band,” which landed in the Top 5 on the national radio chart, highlights how these five unique voices and personalities have come together to create something special.  Written by Becca Mizell and Sam Mizell, the up-tempo number was featured via social media as a performance video that has garnered over one million views on Facebook.  The group’s follow-up video of “Chain Breaker” has received nearly three million Facebook views.

Both of these performance videos are found on the new We Have This Moment 90-minute DVD release, which includes behind-the-scenes interviews with the group members and Gloria Gaither, who penned new words to a classic melody for the recording with the song “Hymn of Praise.”

We Have This Moment will be part of a TV special airing on over 15 networks that carry the “Gaither Gospel Hour” weekly including RFD-TV, DIRECTV, TBN, The Heartland Network, Dish TV, FamilyNet, CTN, GMTN, Guardian, Liberty, TCT, TLN and GaitherTV.  It will air in Canada on Vision TV, The Miracle Channel, Grace TV and CTS.  The recording is featured onwww.gaither.com, in the Gaither Catalog Collection, via the company’s social media properties and on the Gaither YouTube channel, which garners over 22 million views monthly.

The release comes on the heels of three 2017 GMA DOVE Award nominations for the group in addition to a 2017 GRAMMY® Award nomination for Best Roots Gospel Album.  Their Better Together recording debuted at #1 on the Southern Gospel chart and at #9 on the Contemporary Christian Music chart, according to Nielsen SoundScan.  The group has garnered six GRAMMY® nominations, two GRAMMY® Awards and 18 GMA DOVE Awards to date.

We Have This Moment is exclusively distributed by Capitol Christian Distribution and Universal Music and will be available throughout general market stores and the Christian marketplace in addition to online retailers including iTunes, Amazon and Gaither.com.  It is available now for pre-order at Gaither.com, Amazon.com and CBD.com.

For further information regarding the Gaither Vocal Band, please visit Gaither.com or connect on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gaithermusic or on Twitter: @gaithermusic

For a video teaser of the new We Have This Moment DVD, visit:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=igWjfmXxdi8