Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

TIM MENZIES WARMS HEARTS WITH “THAT LITTLE CROWDED ROOM”

Tim Menzies

Single From Grammy Nominated Project Hits Top 40 at Radio, Strikes Chord with Listeners, Impacts Radio

Happy Birthday to Bill Gaither

Bill Gaither and the Gaither Vocal Band

Bill Gaither needs no introduction to thousands of people. In case you need a recap, here are some of his accomplishments:

William James Gaither was born on March 28, 1936, in Alexandria, Indiana.

Gloria Gaither

He formed the Bill Gaither Trio in 1956, with his brother Danny and sister Mary Ann.

Bill Gaither

He married Gloria Sickal in 1962. She later joined the Bill Gaither Trio, replacing Mary Ann.

He recorded “He Touched Me” in 1964. He has since written over 700 songs, most of the time with his wife Gloria.

Bill Gaither graduated in 1959 with a major in English and a minor in Music. He worked as an English teacher until 1967, when he began to work full time in Christian music.

Gaither Vocal Band

In 1981, he formed the New Gaither Vocal Band. (Later became just the Gaither Vocal Band.) So many great voices, so many great instrumentalists, were brought to many fans of Southern Gospel Music, Contemporary Christian Music, Christian Country, Bluegrass Gospel…so many careers were born or revived through his leadership.

In 1991, the Gaither Vocal Band recorded “Homecoming” with some of gospel music’s older stars. Thus, the phenomenon that is the “Gaither Homecoming” videos, concerts and books, was born. Many great gospel icons were immortalized on tape before they left on their heavenly journey.

Grammy Awards: 6 – not sure if this number is current.

GMA Dove Awards: 35+

Inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 1983.

We could go on. But you can google him as well as well can. Do. Gaither.com

So many accolades…

November 2017 SGNScoops Magazine

In an article by Craig Harris, featured in the SGNScoops Magazine in November, 2017, Bill said :

“I’m having the most fun I’ve ever had in my whole life, not only on stage but coming home and eating with the sweet lady (his wife Gloria) I’ve lived with for more than 54 years,” Gaither shares. “I’m singing with some of the greatest guys I’ve ever sung with. I love life.

“I encourage young artists all the time … I say, ‘if the lights shine brighter on stage than they do at home, you’re in bad trouble’ … but these are great days.”

Happy birthday Bill Gaither. We hope you have many more great days!!

SGNScoops

For more Gospel Music news, read the latest SGNScoops Magazine HERE

Gaither Music Group Recording Artists THE ISAACS and THE MARTINS Celebrate 2019 GRAMMY® Nods for Best Roots Gospel Album

The Martin’s nominated for a Grammy Gaither Music Group Recording Artists The Isaacs and The Martins Celebrate 2019 GRAMMY® Nods for Best Roots Gospel Album Label’s Award-winning Family Groups Rise to the Top of This Year’s Best Roots Gospel Category

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—December 12th, 2018—Award-winning Gaither Music Group recording artists The Martins and The Isaacs each garnered a 2019 GRAMMY® nod last week forBest Roots Gospel Album, according to Friday’s announcement of nominations by The Recording Academy. Two of the most recognized groups on the Gaither HOMECOMING Video Series, these two families’ impeccable harmonies have transcended musical stylings and graced platforms around the world for decades. Siblings Judy Martin Hess, Joyce Martin Sanders and Jonathan Martin–collectively known as The Martins–were honored for their 2018 recording Still Standing.  Produced by award-winning singer/musician/producer and fellow 2019 nominee Gordon Mote, the 11-song release finds the group continuing to explore musically while maintaining the unmistakable, three-part harmonies that have taken them from the stages of Carnegie Hall to the White House.  The trio’s unprecedented blends have defied musical boundaries and garnered two previous GRAMMY® nominations and eight GMA DOVE Awards and made them a household name among Christian music enthusiasts. GRAMMY-NOMINATED VOCAL GROUP THE MARTINS “We are beyond excited about this nomination,” stated Joyce.  “We have been singing and recording all of our lives, and we are still creating music that we love.  To still be able to record new music and be proud of it is exciting. To have the Academy members receive it in this way is simply incredible.  We love singing together, and we are grateful for this honor.” Singing together runs in the family at the home of The Isaacs, one of gospel music’s most respected and awarded artists.  Siblings Sonya Isaacs Yeary, Becky Isaacs Bowman and Ben Isaacs, along with their mother, Lily Isaacs, have been honored for their current recording Favorites: Revisited by Request, a re-recording of some of their classic hits and most-requested songs.  The release features the intricate, family harmonies that have made them a fan favorite among gospel, bluegrass, folk and country music lovers and led them to performances on some of the world’s most-celebrated stages.  In addition to their own accolades, they have performed and recorded with such legends as Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Trace Adkins, Brad Paisley, Paul Simon, Vince Gill, Merle Haggard, Randy Owen, Trisha Yearwood, Ralph Stanley, Mark Lowry and many more. “We are overjoyed to learn of the 2019 GRAMMY® nomination for our latest album in the Roots Gospel Album category!”  said Sonya Isaacs Yeary.  “After performing this collection of songs for over 20 years, we went back into the studio and re-recorded them the way we sound today.  Songs develop the more you sing them, and we enjoyed revisiting these songs that were some of the first ever heard by The Isaacs.   This nomination confirms our feeling that some older songs deserve to be heard by new generations.   Our heartfelt thanks to the voters and to the Recording Academy!” Isaacs The Isaacs and The Martins are seen regularly on numerous TV networks including Dish TV, DIRECTV, AT&T U-verse, PBS, GaitherTV, TBN, FamilyNet, CTN, GMTN, Guardian, Liberty, RFD, TCT and TLN.  The campaign will also air in Canada on Vision TV, The Miracle Channel, Grace TV and CTS. For a sample of The Martins’ Still Standingvisit:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR_MoWkTUOY   To hear the opening a cappella song from The Isaacs’ Favorites: Revisited by Request visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfeSl1m5MZw&list=PLod2LsGiNtV8v2MZw5DT2a5P0TtI2RS6M Favorites:  Revisited by Request and Still Standing are distributed through 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 andwww.gaither.com. To keep up with the latest happenings with The Martins, visitwww.martinsonline.com, connect with them at facebook.com/martinsonline or follow them on Twitter: @martinsonline. For further information regarding The Isaacs, visit www.theisaacs.com orhttps://www.facebook.com/TheIsaacs/. For further information, please visit www.gaither.com or connect on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gaithermusic or on Twitter: @gaithermusic. The 61st Annual GRAMMY® Awards ceremony will be held on February 10, 2019, at Staples Center, Los Angeles. The ceremony will recognize the best recordings, compositions, and artists of the eligibility year, which ran from October 1, 2017, to September 30, 2018. ABOUT THE MARTINS THE MARTINS, who grew up in Hamburg, AR, began singing when their mother gathered them around the piano in their rural home and taught them to sing a cappella.  With four number one singles and four top ten singles in multiple Christian music formats, eight GMA DOVE Awards and three GRAMMY® nominations, the trio of siblings has come a long way from that family living room having made appearances at The White House, “The Grand Ole Opry,” the Ryman Auditorium, Dollywood, “The 700 Club,” TBN, the National Religious Broadcasters Convention, the Southern Baptist Convention and the National Quartet Convention.  They are seen regularly on the Gaither HOMECOMING Video Series and concerts and have toured worldwide alongside some of Christian music’s most respected artists. ABOUT THE ISAACS The Isaacs is a multi-award-winning family group that blends tight, family harmony with contemporary acoustic instrumentation, winning the praise of critics and the loyalty of audiences all over the world. The group, known for their hair-raising blends, perform frequently at The Grand Ole Opry and are favorites on the Gaither Homecoming Video and Concert Series. The group has received honors and nominations from organizations ranging from the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) and the Inspirational Country Music Awards (ICMAs) to The Singing News Fan Awards and the GMA DOVE Awards. They have performed with legendary performers such as Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, Trace Adkins, Brad Paisley, Paul Simon, Vince Gill, Merle Haggard, Randy Owen, Trisha Yearwood, Ralph Stanley, Mark Lowry and many more. Read November SGNScoops Magazine Online Version HERE November SGNScoops Magazine PDF Version HERE SGNScoops Magazine On Facebook HERE Listen To Todays Gospel Music Online HERE

Joseph Habedank Receives First GRAMMY® Nomination

Joseph Habedank Receives First GRAMMY® Nomination

Nashville, TN (December 1, 2017) – Singer/songwriter Joseph Habedank is capping off a stellar year with his first-ever GRAMMY® nomination. Nominees for the 60th GRAMMY® Awards were announced earlier this week, with Habedank’s 2017 release, Resurrection, appearing in the Best Gospel Roots Album category.

Resurrection, produced by Wayne Haun, is Habedank’s sophmore studio release on Daywind Records, and received the 2017 GMA Dove Award for Southern Gospel Album of the Year earlier this year. The project features the chart-topping single, ‘Here He Comes,’ as well as nine other new songs co-written by Habedank with acclaimed songwriters such as Michael Farren, Tony Wood, Jimmy Yeary, and Lee Black, among others.

Joseph Habedank Receives First GRAMMY® Nomination

Named by Singing News as the 2017 Soloist of the Year, Joseph Habedank has appeared on stage this year alongside the legendary Reba McEntire at the GMA Dove Awards, as well as on the Ryman and Grand Ole Opry stage with Opry members Dailey & Vincent.

“I am so overwhelmed with gratitude for everyone who had a part in this record,” says Joseph Habedank. “Thank you to Daywind Records, my producer, Wayne Haun, all of my co-writers; Tony Wood, Chris Cron, Michael Farren, Wayne Haun, Lee Black, Megan Mulnix, Joel Lindsey, Jimmy Yeary, Kenna West, Benji Cowart and Krissy Nordhoff. The studio musicians, Mark Hill, Jonathan Brown, Dave Cleveland, Scott Williamson, Joel Key and the Nashville String Machine. I am so incredibly thankful for this amazing honor.”

The 60th annual GRAMMY® Awards will be held at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday, January 28th, 2018. The award show will be aired at 7:30 PM ET on CBS Television Network.

Resurrection is Habedank’s second studio project on Daywind Records, following the highly anticipated debut, Welcome Home. While the lyrics of Welcome Home speak of redemption and second chances, Resurrection triumphantly sings victory over sin, death and the devil through Christ. Acclaimed songwriters such as Lee Black, Tony Wood, Chris Cron, Gerald Crabb, Jimmy Yeary, Michael Farren, Wayne Haun and Joel Lindsey, among others, teamed up with Habedank to craft ten brand new songs, including the first radio single, ‘Here He Comes.’ Much like Welcome Home, Resurrection covers a range of musical styles, from the current radio single ‘Just When You Thought,’ to the southern rock-infused ‘Jailbreak’ and gospel inspired ‘I Believe In The Resurrection.’

Resurrection is available to through New Day Christian. Mainstream and digital distribution are provided by Sony RED.

For more information on Joseph Habedank, visit josephhabedank.com

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Joey Feek’s Solo Debut, If Not For You, Offers Insight Into Country Singer’s Life

Joey Feek’s Solo Debut, If Not For You, Offers Insight Into Country Singer’s Life

Recorded in 2005, the Rory Feek-co-produced album includes memories and stories from the singer and her family
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – April 7, 2017 — Recorded in 2005 and produced by her husband, Rory Feek, and Bill McDermott, GRAMMY®-winner Joey Feek’s solo debut, If Not For You, is out today through Gaither Music Group/Farmhouse Recordings. The 12-song collection is also available in a special edition featuring a 48-page booklet of photos, memories and stories penned by Rory.

Joey Feek is widely known as one-half of country music duo Joey+Rory, who most recently won a GRAMMY® for their Hymns album in February. The couple captured the hearts of millions over the past few years as Rory chronicled their love story and Joey’s cancer battle on his blog, This Life I Live, as well as their preparation for her passing in March 2016. But there’s much more to the story: the couple met in the early 2000s, when Joey was still an aspiring country singer. They eventually fell in love, married and recorded Joey’s debut album. The collection was released independently in 2005 and was made available at the duo’s shows and on their website, years before they appeared on CMT’s “Can You Duet” and began recording as a duo. This marks the first time the album will be widely available.

Joey Feek

“When this album was recorded in 2005, Joey and I were still newlyweds, or at least we felt like we were. Though we had hopes for the record at the time, it wasn’t meant to be, and so this collection of music set quietly on a shelf for the last ten years or so, waiting for the right time to come along, when maybe somehow, someone would care. A time like now,” Rory said. “It is one of the great joys of my life to dust these songs off and bring life to them again. Not just the songs, but also the stories and the life of the special woman that these songs represent.”

The songs on If Not For You and the lyrics speak volumes about the woman whose life touched the hearts of millions. As Rory explains in the booklet, the album is filled with songs that showcase the things that were most important to Joey. Starting with “Have I Told You Lately That I Love You,” the song that brought Joey and Rory together, the album begins with a cameo from Joey’s mother and father and closes with Joey and Rory’s oldest daughter, Heidi, singing harmony on “Old Paint,” which Roughstock featured earlier this week. Rolling Stone Country premiered “Nothing To Remember,” the first song Joey and Rory wrote together in an early songwriting session in 2001, telling the story of a couple only able to be together in the short-term but thankful for the fleeting time they had. Originally called Strong Enough to Cry in 2005, the former title track, which premiered with The Boot, expresses Joey and Rory’s views on how to make it through difficult times. Also making an appearance on the album is the original recording of “That’s Important to Me,” which would later be a charting single for Joey+Rory; “See You There,” a tribute to her late brother, Justin, that premiered with Yahoo Music; and “Southern Girl,” focusing on Joey’s love for the South, which premiered with Taste of Country.

Country Music Couple Joey+Rory

“This recording is, of course, a significant one for us,” said Paul Sizelove, vice president of Gaither Music Group. “I grew up in the same hometown with Joey and watched she and her family love each other and the people along their paths. We all watched her move to Nashville to pursue her dreams. Things seemed to come full circle when, years later, our label was able to join hands with Joey and Rory along their recording journey. What a blessing it has been to be a part of their inspiring story. It is an honor to release this recording that captures so much of her heart and heritage and represents a dream of hers coming true.”

After gaining attention as finalists on CMT’s “Can You Duet” in 2008, Joey+Rory went on to release eight albums, winning a GRAMMY® Award for Best Roots Gospel Album for Hymns (Gaither Music Group/Farmhouse Recordings) in February. Recorded in hotel rooms as Joey received treatment, the album features songs of faith and was released in February 2016, a month before Joey passed away at age 40.

If Not For You is exclusively distributed by Capitol Christian Distribution and Universal Music. It will be available throughout general market stores and the Christian marketplace and through online retailers including iTunes, Amazon, Target, Walmart.com, crackerbarrel.com and gaither.com. The recording will also be available at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®.

For a music preview of If Not For You, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Arwg0AYtbfU For further information regarding Joey+Rory, visit www.thislifeilive.com or follow www.facebook.com/joeyandrory or Twitter @joeyandrory.

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If Not For You Track Listing:
1. Intro (Have I Told You Lately That I Love You)
2. Strong Enough to Cry
3. That’s Important to Me
4. When the Needle Hit the Vinyl
5. Nothing to Remember
6. The Cowboy’s Mine
7. If Not for You
8. Southern Girl
9. Red
10. Like a Rodeo
11. See You There
12. Old Paint
(Produced by Rory Feek and Bill McDermott)

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GRAMMY® Award-winning Tenor DAVID PHELPS Inspired by the HYMNAL for New Chart-topping Recording

GRAMMY® Award-winning Tenor DAVID PHELPS Inspired by the HYMNAL for New Chart-topping Recording

Christian Music Favorite Produces, Arranges and Composes New Release Featuring Some of the Most Celebrated Songs of the Church
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—April 7th, 2017–GRAMMY® Award-winning, classically-trained tenor David Phelps has just released an all-new studio recording entitled Hymnal (Gaither Music Group), featuring all-new arrangements of some of the most revered songs in the church today. The recording debuted this week at #1 on the Southern Gospel chart and at #5 on the CCM chart according to Nielsen Soundscan. In addition, The Best of David Phelps DVD recording landed back at #1 on the Billboard Music Video chart.
“I’m passionate about making music and the message of hope that it carries,” stated Phelps. “To do something you love and have it resonate with listeners is exponentially rewarding. I find myself increasingly grateful to be one of the many voices of my generation dedicated to filling ears with joy and music. For the outpouring of love and support from friends around the world, I humbly thank you.”
Produced, arranged and composed by Phelps, Hymnal finds this three-octave “who’s who of vocalists” creating his own lush arrangements of these Christian household staples, many of which were handed down to him from his family.
Orchestrated by Phelps and Danny O’Lannerghty, the recording features “Victory in Jesus” as a duet with Phelps’ daughter Callie. He showcases his timeless “crooner” side with his piano/jazz rendition of the gospel favorite “Goodbye World, Goodbye”; and he pulls back the instrumentation with a unique, stirring arrangement of “It Is Well with My Soul,” accompanied only by band member Jack Daniels on dobro.
The Bill and Gloria Gaither-penned “Something Beautiful,” the debut radio single from the release, features a piano-based arrangement reminiscent of the era in which the song was written. Longtime fans of Phelps will recognize many of the background and choir vocalists on the release including Charlotte Ritchie, Jack Daniels, Kari Lee, Maggie Beth Phelps, Callie Phelps, Angela Primm, Gale Mayes and Samson White.
Phelps, one of the most recognized artists on the Gaither HOMECOMING Series and known as a member of the Gaither Vocal Band for over 15 years, has won two GRAMMY® Awards and four GMA DOVE Awards. Hymnal is currently positioned heavily at retail and online stores, via catalog placements and through a direct TV campaign on networks including Dish TV, DIRECTV, PBS, RFD-TV, GaitherTV, TBN, FamilyNet, CTN, GMTN, Guardian, Liberty, TCT and TLN. The campaign will also air in Canada on Vision TV, The Miracle Channel, Grace TV and CTS.
Hymnal is distributed through Capitol Christian Distribution and Universal Music and is now available throughout general market stores and the Christian marketplace in addition to online retailers including iTunes, Amazon and gaither.com. The release is also available at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®.
For a preview of the new CD CLICK HERE
For further information regarding David Phelps, please visit his website, facebook page or twitter feed. ,

HYMNAL CD Song List:
1. Prelude: Come Worship
2. Brethren, We Have Met to Worship
3. In the Garden
4. He Lives
5. How Great Thou Art
6. Only Trust Him
7. Interlude: Wrestling with God
8. I Surrender All
9. It Is Well with My Soul
10. Something Beautiful
11. Goodbye World, Goodbye
12. Battle Hymn of the Republic
13. As the Deer
14. Victory in Jesus
15. Invention: The Crown I Wear
16. Matchless Grace
17. Amazing Grace
18. Until Then

ABOUT DAVID PHELPS
David Phelps, a multi-platinum artist, first entered the national spotlight when he joined the Gaither Vocal Band and has since performed at Carnegie Hall, the White House and many other halls and churches around the world. Phelps has won two GRAMMY® Awards and four GMA DOVE Awards. His latest work, Hymnal, showcases his talents as a singer, composer, arranger and producer. Phelps lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife, Lori, and four children: Callie, Maggie Beth, David Grant and Coby.

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Country Music Couple JOEY+RORY Are Honored with 2017 GRAMMY® Nomination

Country Music Couple JOEY+RORY Are Honored with 2017 GRAMMY® Nomination

Award-winning Sweetheart Couple’s Final Recording Together Earns Nod for Best Roots Gospel Album
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—December 7th, 2016–Award-winning, husband-and-wife, country music duo Joey+Rory received a GRAMMY® nomination yesterday for Best Roots Gospel Album. According to the announcement from The Recording Academy, the couple have been honored for their top-selling Hymns recording (Gaither Music Group/Farmhouse Recordings), the first recording in nearly a decade to top both the Top Country and Top Christian Albums charts, according to Nielsen Soundscan.
“I can’t begin to tell you how much this means to me and how much it would mean to Joey if she were here,” stated Rory Feek. “She was so proud of getting to make this record and living long enough to see it be released, and I’m so proud to see the hearts it’s touched and the heights to which it’s taken my wife and her sweet voice…even after she’s gone. God is so good.”
Hymns, the #2 top-selling country album for the first half of 2016 according to mid-year reports, was among the Top 10 on the Country Music sales chart for 20 weeks and was in the Top 10 on the Billboard Top 200 for six weeks. As of this summer, the recording, produced by Rory and Joe West (“When I’m Gone,” produced by Gary Paczosa), was the 13th top-selling album for the year across all music genres. In addition, the Hymns video landed in the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Music Video chart and also on the Christian Music Video chart for months.

Joey and Rory

For the past few years, Rory has poetically chronicled the couple’s journey through highs and lows–from the birth of their daughter, Indiana, to Joey’s battle with cancer, during which time they recorded Hymns. Countless people from around the world have followed their lives through that blog at www.thislifeilive.com, where Rory has taken readers from the spotlight of the stage to the sunlight across Joey’s vegetable garden, revealing their greatest joys and biggest disappointments. Their love story and walk of faith together have impacted countless people.
The Hymns CD and DVD have been featured regularly on TV networks including RFD, PBS, DISH TV, DIRECTV, AT&T U-verse, TBN, Family Net, CTN, The Walk TV (formerly Legacy), TCT and TLN and also in Canada on Vision TV, CTS, Grace TV and the Miracle Channel. The DVD has also been featured on Gaither TV (available on DISH TV, Roku, Google and the Internet).
Hymns is exclusively distributed by Capitol Christian Distribution and is available throughout general market stores and the Christian marketplace in addition to online retailers including iTunes, Amazon, Walmart.com, crackerbarrel.com and www.gaither.com. The audio recording is available at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store®.
The 59th Annual GRAMMY® Awards will be held on Sunday, February 12, 2017, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, CA.
For further information regarding Joey+Rory, visit www.thislifeilive.com or follow www.facebook.com/joeyandrory or Twitter @joeyandrory.

Joey And Rory

ABOUT JOEY+RORY
Joey+Rory, a country music duo featuring husband-and-wife vocalists Rory Feek and Joey Martin Feek, spent years focusing on their individual careers; but they both realized they were stronger together which laid the groundwork for a collaborative songwriting and performing career. The new formation resulted in their debut on the CMT series “Can You Duet” in 2008, where they placed third and released their debut album, The Life of a Song, which won the 2010 Academy of Country Music Award for Top New Vocal Duo.

The GRAMMY®-nominated duo completed four seasons of their RFD-TV series, “The Joey+Rory Show,” filmed in their community on their own soundstage built in the barn on their farm. Known for their simple, authentic, country lifestyle of homegrown food, family and faith in Jesus, they were nominated for a 2016 ACM Award. Kansas-born Rory Feek and the late Alexandria, Indiana-born Joey Martin Feek held a Farmhouse Concert Series on their soundstage for fans who traveled to see them from across the country. The couple received their first GRAMMY® nomination and first GMA DOVE Award in 2016.

CD Song List: Hymns (That Are Important to Us)
1. Take My Hand, Precious Lord
2. I Surrender All
3. He Touched Me
4. Softly and Tenderly
5. Jesus Loves Me
6. It Is Well with My Soul
7. The Old Rugged Cross
8. I Need Thee Every Hour
9. How Great Thou Art
10. I’ll Fly Away
11. Jesus Paid It All
12. Suppertime
13. When I’m Gone

Produced by Rory Feek and Joe West
“When I’m Gone” produced by Gary Paczosa

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Cindy Hughlett Awarded 2015 Album Of Year Honor

Cindy Hughlett Awarded 2015 Album Of Year Honor

Franklin, TN (Mansion Entertainment)  – Award winning singer-songwriter Cindy Hughlett recently added another accolade to her list of credits as her ‘Something Old/Something New’ album (produced by Mark Carman) received the Artists Music Guild Heritage Award for 2015 Album Of The Year.
The award comes on the heels of what already has been a banner year as Cindy’s latest single, “The Way”, sits at Number 6 on the Cashbox Christian Country Charts. Her ‘Trust Me’ album released through Mansion Entertainment/Sony RED landed on the ballot for the 58th Grammy “Consideration List” for Best Gospel Roots Album, the second year in a row for an album release to be considered for nomination.

Cindy is currently in the studio finishing her 8th studio album with

Nominated producer Mark Carman. The new recording will be a 6 song EP slated for release in 2016 and will include another writing collaboration with award winning musician, songwriter and arranger Ron Oates.

Speaking of Grammys…..

Joey and Rory

Speaking of Grammys….

We at SGN SCOOPS would like to say a big Congratulations to Joey and Rory for their nomination.

Here’s what Rory had to say:

Visit SGN SCOOPS  for news about  other artists receiving Grammy Nominations……

Friends Remember Lari Goss

Lari Goss, Gerald Wolfe

Lari Goss, native of Cartersville, Georgia, passed away on January 10, 2015 at the age of 69. Most recently residing in Brentwood, Tennessee, Goss is survived by his wife Carolyn, sons Benjamin (B.J.) (Julie) Goss, Nicholas (RaeAnna) Goss, Jonathan Goss and Cameron Goss; brother, Roni (Linda) Goss; grandchildren, Samantha, Joseph, Alexandria, Christian and Eva Mae Goss.

Funeral services for Goss were held on Thursday, January 15 at Brentwood Baptist Church. Many of his friends from the music industry and across the country were there to give tribute, along with officiating Pastors Jim Cymbala and Stan Mitchell.

Goss was well known as arranger, producer, writer, orchestrator, keyboardist and musical genius in all areas of the Christian and secular music world. He began his career in the Goss Brothers and continued in music for over 60 years. Multi-award winner, including  a Grammy award, several Doves and an induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, this gentleman’s resume includes the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Christ Church Choir, many symphonies, orchestras, and artists world-wide. Goss was also an ordained minister.

Lari Goss will be mourned by many throughout the music industry and by all whose lives have been touched by the music that Lari Goss molded into artistry. Many of Lari’s friends have already expressed their condolences and memories on social media, but some have shared them with SGN Scoops:

Rodney Griffin and Lari Goss

Rodney Griffin: 

How do I sum up in one paragraph the influence Lari had on our music?  It’s impossible.  Looking back at all the “hits” he arranged over the years..70’s, 80’s, 90’s ’til today, it’s hard to see where his influence starts…and ends.  I look at it this way…if you remember a song that you fell in love with, he probably produced it.  Way beyond his years, even as a young teenager, he was writing orchestrations.  He was not just filling in the parts, but mapping out those lush chords of transition that revealed the “heart” of the song.  If you met him, you’d understand.  His soft spoken demeanor, and friendliness to all reflected his heart.  My greatest memory will be watching him create a “mood” with one of my songs on the piano…knowing he was hearing the full orchestration in his mind.  His eyes would leak as he’d say, “I think this is going to be good.”  What an understatement!  We’re blessed every night as we sing along with tracks he created.  Genius.  Just enough power in the track, and just enough melodic calmness…kinda like God…always including His power, yet always reminding us of His quiet assurance.  Lari listened to God…obviously.  Let’s pray for the Lord to fill the huge void left with Lari’s home going with another creator who will closely listen to God every time he sits down at the piano…and live for Him every time he stands up.

Kelly Nelon Clark:

Judy Nelon, Ed O’Neal, Lari Goss, Norman Holland, Kelly Nelon Clark

Words can’t express the hurt and sadness over the loss of our friend Lari Goss. I have spent a lifetime with him, from The LeFevres till now and love him like family. The very first time I went into the studio at LeFevre Sound I was terrified but Lari and the Goss brothers made me feel so at home. It was always my dream to have him work with us so Amber could work with him and be a part of that genius mind of his. He did that on The A Capella Sessions. He is irreplaceable! I always said if you can’t sing with Lari you can’t sing! Heaven is singing loudly now!