Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Gordon Mote Nominated for 2015 GMA Dove Award

As Three New Videos from Celebrated CD Hit “YouTube”

Franklin, TN (August 26, 2015) The impact of Gordon Mote’s most recent New Haven Records CD, All Things New, recently increased as a hit single from the album received a Dove Award nomination for “Country Song of the Year” and as three more videos from the project were released to YouTube.

On Wednesday, August 12, 2015, the Gospel Music Association included Mote’s song, “Ain’t It Just Like the Lord,” among the finalists for the 46th Annual Dove Awards. The industry’s flagship award show will take place at Allen Arena in Nashville on October 13 and will be broadcast nationally via the Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) on Sunday, October 18.

New Haven Records also announced the release of three new video clips from the multiple Academy of Country Music award-winner: “Meanwhile Back at the Cross,” “The Sound A Dream Makes,” and “Down By the River,” Mote’s current radio single. These clips join more than 200 other performances that have been viewed more than 3.3 million times on YouTube, the world’s largest music and video platform with over one billion registered users.

Ken Harding, president of New Haven Records comments, “There are probably no more loyal music fans in the world than those in Southern Gospel and Country—and probably no more loyal Southern and Country fans than those who love Gordon Mote. We are honored to give them some new videos from this great project while Gordon is finishing up his next one.”

Co-produced by Mote, legendary Country producer Frank Rogers and 8-time Dove-Award winner Wayne Haun, All Things New features a Who’s Who of Gospel and mainstream artists (Trace Adkins, Sheryl Crow, The Gaither Vocal Band, Scotty McCreery, Darius Rucker, Josh Turner, and Matthew West). The CD garnered a Dove Ward nomination for Best Country Gospel Album and produced the popular singles, “Faith Like That,” “Meanwhile Back at the Cross,” “Ain’t It Just Like the Lord,” and “The Other Side.”

GORDON MOTE SHOOTS NEW VIDEOS AT HISTORIC FRANKLIN THEATRE

Pictured L to R: Ken Harding, president, New Haven Records; Bob Rodgers, president RSI/Mote management; Gordon Mote; Dan Hayes, executive director, Franklin Theatre.
Mote is currently putting the finishing touches on a new studio project entitled, Hymns and Songs of Inspiration, scheduled for release later in 2015.

Jim Murray of the Imperials

By Philip Foster

I doubt there are many people in Gospel music who will not recognize the name Jim Murray.   Every once in a while, it seems that someone will come along in Gospel Music who stands out from all the rest. Such a person, in my opinion, is Jim Murray.

I have wanted to interview Jim for some time now, but the opportunity never presented itself. Recently, I had the good fortune of connecting with Jim and asked if he would be willing to have an interview. To my great surprise and pleasure, he agreed.

The first time I heard Jim was while attending a Gospel concert at PCVS School in Peterborough, Ontario. The mighty Imperials were in the city playing at the high school. The Imperials were the crème de la crème back in the day. I have mentioned before, that in these early years, groups like the Imperials, the Blackwood Brothers, the Speer family, the Cathedrals and so many more, were a major influence on this young Christian man. I was literally mesmerized listening to the Imperials, but especially a young tenor named Jim Murray.   Jim was hitting what seemed like impossible notes and doing it with such ease and a gentle power, with songs such as “Even The Praise Comes From You,” or “Behold The Man,” or “I’ll Meet You in the Morning.” I didn’t know much about four-part harmony in those days and didn’t know a tenor from a baritone, but I did know what was good!

Every time I came out of these concerts, I knew beyond a doubt what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to be involved in some capacity with Southern Gospel Music. Never in a million years did I ever once think that I would be talking to men like Jim Murray and having the pleasure of conducting an interview with him. What a gracious and gentle man of God.

Jim was born in March of 1944. His hometown is Lansing, Michigan and he now resides in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, where he is the Minister of Music and Senior Adults. (what church??) I asked Jim how old he was when he first started to sing. “I remember singing in the little children’s choir in Lansing, Michigan. I would have been about five years old. My first solo singing engagement was for our Sunday School program when I was about six or seven years old. I can’t remember the song, but I’m sure it was a short solo.”

Murray shares that his parents were very supportive of his career. “Even though I never got a degree from university, I have gathered some wisdom from my 50-plus years on the road. “They came to concerts as long as they could and were always there to encourage me in my efforts for the Lord, through music.” I asked Jim if he took vocal training.   “Yes, I studied voice for two years at Michigan State University with Dr. Gene Greenwell who at one time had been with the Metropolitan Opera Company.” Dr. Greenwell gave Jim what he says was the best advice he’s ever received. “Dr. Greenwell told me, “If you don’t take care of your voice, no one else will.”

“Even though I’ve had three throat surgeries on my vocal chords, I have been able to sing with God’s help,” says Murray. “I’m not as high as I once was, but as I have always said, it’s not how high you sing, but how well you sing up high. Most people don’t know if you are singing a high C or a high D. They just know if it sounds good or not!”

Murray had already gained much experience by the time he joined the Imperials. “The first group I sang with was a gospel group called the Melodaires. We were in high school together and that’s when I was introduced to Southern Gospel Music. After that, I sang with the Orrell Quartet out of Detroit Michigan. Then in 1964, I got married and moved to Dallas, Texas, where I sang with the Stamps trio. From there I moved to Arlington, Texas, and sang for a short while with Bob Wills and the Inspirations. It was in 1966, that I joined Jake Hess and the Imperials. I sang with the Imperials for 20 years from 1966 to 1986.”

Jim Murray and Family

While he was with the Imperials, Jim would back up such singers as Jimmy Dean, Elvis, Pat Boone and Carol Channing. During that 20-year span, Jim was part of over 50 albums, five Grammys and 15 Dove Awards. Eventually, the Imperials started to drift from their trademark four-part harmony, into a more aggressive pop style and Jim decided to move on to other things. In 1998, the Imperials were inducted into the Gospel Music Association’s Gospel Music Hall of fame. (1)

I asked Jim if he enjoyed any other genre of music. “Yes, my father was a real jazz, big band buff and so I was raised on Stan Kenton, Glen Miller, the Dorsey Brothers, Dave Brubeck along with the Ray Coniff singers and so many more I can’t name here.” Other family members were also blessed with vocal talent. “My mother was a very good alto singer. My older son Brent sings very well and my wife Loretta had a very nice alto voice; in fact, we did an album together several years ago and traveled and sang together for over 12 years.”

When asked if he had a favorite singer or group, he answered, “Over the years there have been, so many groups that have been so spectacular in our industry. I really enjoyed the Blackwood Brothers and the Statesmen back in the day. Now I enjoy the Booth Brothers, of course the Gaither Vocal Band and Legacy Five along with the Mark Trammell Quartet and Ernie Haase and Signature Sound and……as you can see, I have a lot of favorites.”

Of course, Jim sang with the Gaither Vocal Band and is on the Gaither Vocal Band Reunion DVD. My final question to Jim was, “What do you want people to remember about you?”He replied, “I hope they look beyond the gift that God has given me and remember that I loved my family and that I wanted to be in the center of the Lord’s will for my life. My life verse is Psalm 27:1. “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (KJV)

Since my initial conversation with Jim and his willingness to do this interview, I learned the tragic news that his beautiful wife Loretta had passed away and was promoted to Heaven. Quite honestly, I didn’t know what to do. Of course, I most certainly did not want to bother Jim during this sorrowful time. After a few weeks passed by, I nervously touched base with him again. I offered Jim my sincere condolences and he was very gracious, thanking me for my sensitivity and informed me that he still wanted to do the interview.

Jim and Loretta were married 50 years and had raised two sons, James Brent and Christopher Michael. Jim said to me, “I would love for you to pay tribute to Loretta as she was the one who was so supportive and encouraged me throughout the years.” He explained that Loretta had been ill, and expressed how empty he now feels with the sudden change that has been forced upon him. As we chatted on the phone, it was such a joy to know that beautiful Loretta is cheering Jim on and anxiously waiting for that glorious day, when all God’s children will be forever reunited!

As I write these articles and I know I have mentioned this before, the hardest thing for me is trying to sum up a career that spans well over 50 years, into a few paragraphs. It’s impossible to do. I would encourage the reader to contact Jim and thank him for all the years he has ministered and all the amazing songs he has recorded. Thank him by ordering some of his anointed music. You will be glad and blessed that you did! You can contact Jim at one of the numbers or email below.

(1) WIKIPEDIA in 1998, The Imperials were inducted into the Gospel Music Association‘s Gospel Music Hall of Fame. All five original members, Jake, Armond, Gary, Sherrill, and Henry; as well as Terry Blackwood, Sherman Andrus, Joe Moscheo, Jim Murray, and Russ Taff were there to accept the induction.

Even the praise comes from you     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9mJfY8Qomk

Behold the Man                                 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIKrUPk4keo

I’ll Meet You in the Morning           https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEiVahHmVeEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEiVahHmVeE

Contact Jim Murray at: Minister of Music and Senior Adults, Victory Baptist Church, 1777 Tate Lane, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

Email Jim Murray at: jimmurray@vbcmtj.org         mailto:jimmurray@vbcmtj.org

Questions? Comments? You can email Phil Foster at prossfoster@gmail.com

Written by Philip Foster, first published by SGM Radio in July 2014.

For more artist features on SGM Radio website, please visit http://www.sgmradio.com/

Fans ‘Count On’ an All-new Dynamic Release from The Hoppers

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—October 22nd, 2012— One of Gospel music’s most awarded and acclaimed family groups The Hoppers have just completed an all-new studio recording entitled Count Me In (Spring Hill Music/Gaither Gospel Series®), scheduled to hit the streets on October 23rd.  Family members Kim, Dean, Connie, Claude and Michael Hopper joined hands with industry veteran producer Michael Sykes, along with co-production from Kim and Mike, to bring this collection of songs to life.

GOSPEL MUSIC ASSOCIATION’S 43RD ANNUAL GMA DOVE AWARDS ANNOUNCE NOMINATED ARTISTS YOLANDA ADAMS, THE TENORS & TEDASHII JOIN STELLAR LINE UP OF TALENT TO PERFORM LIVE ON AWARDS SHOW

Atlanta, GA- (April 3, 2012) -The Gospel Music Association (GMA) today announced that music legend Yolanda Adams, nominated for Contemporary Gospel Album of the Year for Becoming, will perform, along with nominated artists The Tenors and Tedashii, at the 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards.

These accomplished artists will join the powerhouse talent already announced as performers for the awards show, including: Lecrae, Natalie Grant, Donnie McClurkin, Jason Crabb, Jamie-Grace, Kim Burrell, Kari Jobe, Danny Gokey, Ruben Studdard, Mandisa and The Isaacs .

The GMA released the news today that the presenters for the event will include GRAMMY nominated R&B artist and Worship Leader Montell Jordan.  He is known to millions for his iconic songs This is How We Do It and Let’s Ride and the soundtracks to The Nutty Professor, 8 Mile, Save the Last Dance and The Fighting Temptations.  Montell Jordan has served as the Worship Leader at Victory World Church in Atlanta since 2010.

Actress and music artist Tamela Mann, of Meet the Browns and Madea fame, is set to present at the ceremony.  She is acclaimed for her soulful soundtracks on Meet the Browns and Diary of a Mad Black Woman.

Aaron Lindsey is the Gospel music industry’s top-selling producer.  His most recent work Love God, Love People which he co-produced with longtime collaborator Israel Houghton and industry legend Tommy Sims was awarded a GRAMMY for Best Pop/Contemporary Album.  He produced the RIAA Gold-Certified Thirsty for Pastor Marvin Sapp which charted in the Billboard Top 10 for an unprecedented 105 weeks. Lindsey also produced Pastor Sapp’s Here I Am which set a record for Highest Charting Gospel Album in Billboard history.

The 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards will take place on April 19 at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta.  The award show is produced by the Gospel Music Association (GMA) to offer the most comprehensive platform celebrating Christian and Gospel music.  The awards ceremony will be nationally televised on GMC TV on April 24 at 8:00PM and 10:00PM ET.

The public is invited to purchase tickets to see and experience all of the performances and awards ceremony live at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta on April 19 at www.ticketmaster.com.  Last year, the popular event sold-out and was one of the hottest tickets in Atlanta.

For more information and the complete list of nominated artists, please visit www.doveawards.com

***Credential requests for publicists and media outlets for the 43rd Annual GMA Dove Awards can be submitted to aarnold@rogersandcowan.com

About GMA:

Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the Gospel/Christian music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the Gospel through music of all styles including Pop, Rock, Praise & Worship, Urban Gospel, R&B, Hip Hop, Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, Country and more. The GMA community membership consists of agents, artists, church leaders, managers, promoters, radio personnel, record company executives, retailers, songwriters and other industry visionaries. The GMA produces the GMA Dove Awards and IMMERSE. For more on supporting the GMA or becoming a member, please visit www.gospelmusic.org or contact the GMA directly at 615.277.1376. www.facebook.com/gospelmusicassociation

About the Fox Theatre:

The historic Fox Theatre is one of Atlanta’s premiere venues for live entertainment. The Fox’s 4,678 seat theatre is booked more than 300 performances a year ranging from Broadway to rock to comedy to movies. In December 2009, Billboard Magazine ranked the Fox Theatre in Atlanta as “The #1 non-residency venue worldwide for the decade (5,000 seats or less).” The Fox Theatre is located on Peachtree Street in the middle of the city. Not only is it on the National Historic Register, but it is one of the most beloved landmarks in the city because it is a real memory maker for the citizens of Atlanta. They may have come here to see their first performance or Broadway show; they had their first date here, and maybe even had their first kiss in the balcony. Our ballrooms are spectacular and have hosted everything from Sweet 16s to weddings and corporate events.

About GMC:

GMC (www.watchGMCtv.com) is America’s favorite television channel for uplifting music and family entertainment. The Parents Television Council™ has twice awarded its Entertainment Seal of Approval™ to GMC for being “an authentic family-friendly cable network.” GMC is the only television network brand to be so honored.  In 2011, GMC was the second fastest growing ad supported cable network in total day households and A18-49. GMC can be seen in more than 51 million homes on various cable systems around the country, as well as DISH Network on channel 188, DIRECTV on channel 338 and Verizon FiOS on channel 224. Follow GMC TV on Facebook and Twitter at http://facebook.com/gmctv and http://twitter.com/gmctv.

BEYOND THE ASHES NOMINATED FOR TWO GMA DOVE AWARDS (GROUP RECEIVES NODS FOR NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR & CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL SONG OF THE YEAR)

 Nashville, TN (Feb 22, 2012) –Powerful vocal trio, Beyond The Ashes (BTA), is overwhelmed with gratitude with news of two prestigious DOVE AWARD nominations.  The Gospel Music Association (GMA) announced the nominees at a press conference held in Atlanta, GA this morning. The announcements were hosted by comedienne extraordinaire, Chonda Pierce.

Coming up on a multi-part series of Daniel Britt & Friends, the weeks of 06/13/11, 06/20/11, & 06/27/1: THE MUSIC INDUSTRY FOR DUMMIES

Winston-Salem, NC (06/10/2011) –  If you’re a fan of music – any kind of music – you are probably keenly aware that the music industry has changed, and continues to change at a rapid pace. For music lovers, this means having digital access to the latest hits, the oldest classics, & the ability to bypass traditional gatekeepers to discover up & coming artists and talents. You’ve heard terms like “YouTube sensation,” “illegal music downloads,” & unlimited access to music from “the cloud.” So, what does all of this mean to you, the fan, versus your favorite artists & their ability to maintain quality, creativity, & their ultimate calling to spread the Gospel? To answer these questions & explore the process of making music in the 21st Century, Daniel sits down with President of Daywind, President & Chairman Gospel Music Association, & Vice Chairman of Christian Booksellers Association Ed Leonard, Director of Daywind Publishing, Rick Shelton, & Producer & Radio Promoter, Donna Beauvais. The Music Industry for Dummies, a multi-part series, coming up on Daniel Britt & Friends!

42nd ANNUAL GMA DOVE AWARDS’ NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED TODAY

ATLANTA, GA (February 16, 2011) – The Gospel Music Association (GMA) announced today from the Grand Salon of the historic Fox Theatre in Atlanta that TobyMac and Chris Tomlin lead the diverse group of artist nominees with six nominations each, while Jason Crabb nabs five, and Francesca Battistelli pulls in four nods from the 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards. This is the first time the awards have been held outside of Memphis or Nashville. The awards show will take place on Wednesday, April 20, 2011 at the Fox Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia at 8:00 p.m. EST. The awards will be broadcast on GMC, America’s favorite network for uplifting music and entertainment, on Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011 at 7:00 p.m. EST.

In addition to the Artist and New Artist of the Year nominees; Song of the Year, Album of the Year in each category and Short Video of the Year nominees were announced live.

Ed Leonard, Chairman and President of the GMA board stated, “Congratulations to all the nominees of the 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards. Your immense talents and heart for ministry are cause for honor and celebration. The excitement and energy of the Dove Awards at the Fox Theatre is something we are all looking forward to.”

Out of 43 categories, nominees in 18 categories of the Dove Awards were announced at a press conference today in Atlanta, Georgia at the Fox Theatre; where this year’s award show will be held. The press conference was hosted by a formidable list of Dove and GRAMMY nominees and winners including Francesca Battistelli, Bishop Paul S. Morton, Lecrae, Mandisa, Sisters, Third Day and Carlos Whittaker. The GMA Dove Awards, Gospel music’s biggest night of the year, will feature artists from every style of Gospel/Christian music coming together for an exciting evening of music and celebration.

The 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards will be held on Wednesday, April 20, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. EST at Atlanta’s historic Fox Theatre and will be televised nationwide on GMC ( www.watchgmctv.com), on Easter Sunday, April 24, 2011 from 7-9p.m. EST. The evening will be full of rare and exciting performances showcasing the genre’s hottest and most diverse artists.

Dove Awards will be handed out in 43 categories. The Dove Awards nominations go to recordings released during the eligibility year from November 1, 2009 through October 31, 2010 and voted on by the members of the GMA. The complete list of nominations is available at www.gospelmusic.org. This year’s press conference was streamed live on www.hearitfirst.com and www.watchgmctv.com.

Tickets to the 42nd Annual GMA Dove Awards are now on sale at the Fox Theatre box office in Atlanta or at www.ticketmaster.com. Ticket prices range from $25.00 – $200.00. The phone number for Ticketmaster is (800) 745-3000.

About GMA:
Founded in 1964, the Gospel Music Association serves as the face and voice for the Gospel/Christian music community and is dedicated to exposing, promoting and celebrating the Gospel through music of all styles including Pop, Rock, Praise & Worship, Urban Gospel, R&B, Hip Hop, Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, Country and more. The GMA community consists of members including agents, artists, church leaders, managers, promoters, radio personnel, record company executives, retailers, songwriters and other industry visionaries. The GMA produces the GMA Dove Awards, GMA Dove Week and IMMERSE. For more on supporting the GMA or becoming a member, please visit www.gospelmusic.org or contact the GMA directly at 615.277.1376.

About GMC:
GMC ( www.watchgmctv.com), the fastest-growing network in television and the number one digital network in perceived value (source: BETA Research), is America’s favorite channel for uplifting music and family entertainment. In 2010, The Parents Television Council™ awarded its Entertainment Seal of Approval™ to GMC for being “an authentic family-friendly cable network.” GMC was the only television network to receive the highly coveted honor last year.

GMC can be seen in nearly 48 million homes on various cable systems around the country, on DIRECTV on channel 338 and on Verizon FiOS on channel 224.

About the Fox Theatre:
The historic Fox Theatre is one of Atlanta’s premiere venues for live entertainment. The Fox’s 4,678 seat theatre is booked more than 300 performances a year ranging from Broadway to rock to comedy to movies. In December 2009, Billboard Magazine ranked the Fox Theatre in Atlanta as “The #1 non-residency venue worldwide for the decade (5,000 seats or less).”

The Fox Theatre is located on Peachtree Street in the middle of the city. Not only is it on the National Historic Register, but it is one of the most beloved landmarks in the city because it is a real memory maker for the citizens of Atlanta. They may have come here to see their first performance or Broadway show; they had their first date here, and maybe even had their first kiss in the balcony. Our ballrooms are spectacular and have hosted everything from Sweet 16s to weddings and corporate events.

GMA DOVE AWARDS NOMINATIONS FULL LIST

(click for full listing) Read more »