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Greater Vision Releases Special Album Commemorating Its 30th Anniversary

Greater Vision Releases Special Album
Commemorating Its 30th Anniversary

NASHVILLE, TN  — Daywind Records is honored to release a very special album commemorating 30 years of Greater Vision’s ministry. The Journey features Chris Allman, Rodney Griffin, Jon Epley, and Gerald Wolfe on 8 re-imagined versions of Greater Vision classics, including “My Name is Lazarus,”  “Just One More Soul,” “I Could Never Praise Him Enough,” It Pays to Pray,” “Faces,” “With All the Many Miracles,” and more, along with 5 brand new songs.  “The re-recorded versions are updated and refreshed from the original recordings of these hit songs.” says Gerald Wolfe, “The album kicks off with an elaborate fanfare and features completely new orchestrations and arrangements on each classic with vocals styled by the group’s current singers.”

Many of the new songs were written by Greater Vision’s resident songwriters Chris Allman and perennial Singing News Fan Award Songwriter of the Year, Rodney Griffin. Newcomer Jon Epley has his very first writing credit on the album, as well. Produced by Trey Ivey and Gerald Wolfe, this album is a fitting tribute to an amazing 30-year career. Greater Vision fans must not miss this recording!

“I love Greater Vision and the heart-music they make,” says Dusty Wells, Director of Artist and Label Services for Daywind Records. “Great songs never die, and this project is a fresh reminder of how great their music is. Gerald, Rodney, Chris and Jon have a passion for ministry and sharing Jesus. We at Daywind are thrilled to play a small part in helping get that message out. Be on the lookout for special events throughout 2021 celebrating Greater Vision’s 30 years!”

UPDATED!! NQC Spring Break To Be Held April 23 & 24, 2020

NQC – The National Quartet Convention

SEVIERVILLE, Tenn. (March 24, 2020) – NQC (the National Quartet Convention) has announced that NQC’s Spring Break festival will now be held on April 23 & 24, 2020. The fourth annual event will once again be held at First Baptist Church in Sevierville, TN. Produced by NQC – Gospel Music’s Largest annual event drawing nearly 40,000 from 40 states and half dozen foreign countries to its annual fall festival at the end of September – NQC Spring Break is designed to give gospel music fans a taste of the big fall convention and give gospel music fans an opportunity to enjoy the Smoky Mountains in the Spring as well as the fall.

Featured on the event this year will be last year’s biggest winners at the annual Singing New Fan Awards, the Triumphant Quartet as well as Dollywood’s host group, the Kingdom Heirs, both of whom reside in Sevier County. Also featured will be many artists often featured on the popular Gaither Homecoming series such as the Hoppers, Greater Vision, Mark Trammell Quartet, Jim & Melissa Brady along with the very popular Primitive Quartet and Singing News Fan Awards two-time Soloist of the Year, Joseph Habedank.

In addition to these popular Gospel Music artists, the event will also feature an appearance by the East Tennessee Mass Choir featuring the choir members of First Baptist Sevierville, and several other area choirs. Being lead by First Baptist Sevierville Worship Pastor, Scott Andrews, the choirs will be performing a special to open the second half as well as singing with several of the featured artists.

A packed house at 2019’s NQC Spring Break in Sevierville, TN. Photo by Chip Woods

NQC organizers are set to make an exciting announcement about the future of the Spring event during both the Thursday night and Friday night performances.

The event takes place April 23 & 24, 2020 at First Baptist Sevierville.  Door open at 4:00 and the concerts start at 6:00 p.m. each night.  Additional information can be found at www.nqconline.com

HOPE SINGS Introduced by Godsey Media Management

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Thursday, March 19, 2020) – Godsey Media Management is proud to present a chance for all of us – fans and artists alike – to come together and unite while practicing social distancing. Thousands of concerts have been postponed for Christian artists and we don’t want you to miss a moment of the music. Godsey Media Management is set to present a new online concert series, “HOPE SINGS,” featuring your favorite artists live in concert from our TV studio in Nashville, Tennessee, directly to you, wherever you are.

The process is easy: a “Family Pass” to each concert is one low price of $20.00 per concert. Click the concert link below, fill in your email address, create a password, choose your method of payment – that’s it! You can enjoy the concert at the scheduled time and it will be available for 24 hours after the live broadcast. You can watch easily on your Smart TV, computer, tablet or phone. (one pass per household)

We as artists, creators, listeners, and as a community can continue to share the light, love, and hope of Christ in this troubled time. For many artists this low ticket price to their online concert will be there main source of revenue while touring continues to be limited. We know many friends and fans need encouragement and want to support the artists they love.

Scott Godsey says, “You can buy multiple tickets and gift them to your friends and family. This is truly a time for us to come together and give the world access to personal, interactive concerts that will bring hope and encouragement in a time of crisis. The artists need your support more now than ever and they are putting together some unique ideas to make these online concerts even more special for those who are willing to purchase a pass! We will be producing a high quality production with staging, lighting and multiple cameras to give the consumer a real experience like never before.”

Greater Vision

The initial schedule of concerts will feature Greater Vision, Ivan Parker, Legacy Five, Perrys, Gold City, Brian Free and Assurance, 11^thHour, Aaron Wilburn and friends, Jim and Melissa Brady, Tribute, Freemans, Nelons, Jeff Stice, LeFevre Quartet, The Old Paths, and more to be announced.

Godsey Media Management is known for the nationally syndicated Music City Show as well as producing and broadcasting live events through TV networks and streaming platforms for many years.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR HOPE SINGS

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Beyond the Song with Rodney Griffin of Greater Vision

Beyond the Song with Rodney Griffin of Greater Vision

For this edition of Beyond the Song, I  caught up with Rodney Griffin and talked about his writing career. Rodney has been selected as “Best Songwriter” many times, by many award programs.

Jantina Baksteen: What was your first song that you wrote? At what age?

Rodney Griffin: It was a non-recorded song, not very good: “When Will We  Care,” written in 1989 at 23 years old.

JB: When did you feel the calling to be a songwriter?

RG:1989, I was working at Newport News Shipbuilding in Newport News, Virginia.  Song ideas would come to me during the day and I would write them down during lunch break.

JB: Is there a song you wish you had written?

RG: Oh yes, several…but I really don’t think about that.  I’m just grateful for the ones God has allowed me to write. Anytime I hear a congregation sing a hymn, I think about how meaningful that would be to those songwriters if they were still living.

Rodney Griffin

JB: Which song, of all you have written, do you think has the most important message for people to hear?

RG: I wrote “Faces” to encourage those who never get credit for their Christian work while here on earth. What I didn’t know is how many people would come to me and tell me that the song put them under conviction for not doing enough for the Lord.  That is the most important message I could write about…encouraging people to witness for the Lord.

JB: What works for you, writing the lyrics first or the melody first, or both at the same time?

RG: The initial idea usually lends itself to a musical meter..fast or slow. Then, I work them both at the same time until I feel the song is the best it can be. The best advice for young writers is to concentrate more on the structure of great songs that have stood the test of time, over studying your songs. Ask yourself: ”Why is this song great and why do people love singing this song?”  I usually find that it’s a simple, but profound, lyric that sings well. Those are the songs that seem to stick.

JB: Who do you wish you had written a song with that is no longer here?

RG: I would love to have had the chance to have written with Dottie Rambo…unbelievably gifted writer, for sure!

JB: What’s your favorite song you have written?

RG: I used to say “The Spirit Of Brokenness,“ because of its message of humility, but these days, I say “Faces” is my favorite. Seems it’s being used by a special “pastor appreciation” or “missionary appreciation” service every week somewhere.  I believe it will be around for a long time. 

Greater Vision

JB: What is the fastest you wrote an entire song?

RG: I remember my first cut was with the Dixie Melody Boys, “I Have A New Song To Sing,” back when I sang with them in 1992. I wrote that song in my pickup truck in about 10 minutes. When you hear the song, it’s obvious (as it is) really simple.

JB: Do others ask you for advice for songs they have written?

RG: Always. Yes, I receive songs every week from songwriters who are asking for advice. I’m honored and certainly don’t feel like the “go to” writer or anything like that. I’m just like them, trying to hone my craft and be the best I’m capable of.

JB: What if you were were not able to be a singer or a songwriter, what would you have done?

RG: My degree is in Biology with a lot of horticulture classes. I enjoy landscape design and installation as well as forestry. I guess that’s why I enjoy four-wheeling through the woods when I get a chance to on a day off.

Thank you, Rodney, for your time sharing your gift to the readers of SGNScoops. Your songs will touch many ‘Faces’ you might never meet.

Beyond the Song: Greater Vision sings “You’ve Arrived”

Beyond the Song: Greater Vision sings “You’ve Arrived,” interview by Jantina Baksteen

I caught up with Gerald Wolfe of Greater Vision for this interview for Beyond The Song.

Group members of Greater Vision include: Gerald Wolfe, Rodney Griffin, Chris Allman, and Jon Epley.

Jantina Baksteen: December of this year, you celebrate 29 years of Greater Vision! What was your greater vision when the group was formed in 1990?

Gerald Wolfe: I wouldn’t say we had some sort of epiphany, but I would say we had a strong desire to put a group together that would focus on strong lyrics that would convey a clear message, good arrangements that would be interesting to listen to, and that would convey the message of the lyric to the listener.  We also wanted to have a group that would compliment a church service, as well as be entertaining enough to be effective on a concert platform. Looking back, it’s easy to see how the Lord guided those early steps that set us on the right course.

JB: To me, you are my Southern gospel music hero. What exactly is your definition of Southern gospel music?

GW: Thank you so much! You’re very kind. Your question is one I’ve been seriously asking for a couple of years now. I was listening to gospel music, and going to concerts, before “Southern Gospel” existed, as a term or genre label. To me, what we do has always been “Gospel Music.”  If an unchurched person asks me what I do, I tell them I’m involved in Christian music. Usually, they will have some sort of concept about what that is, but I’m not certain “Southern Gospel” has ever been an effective term to describe the kind of music we do, to someone who has never been exposed to it. These days, our genre of music encompasses such a wide variety of musical styles, I’m really not sure “Southern Gospel” is an adequately descriptive term anymore, even among people who might have an idea of what they think it is. The definition seems to depend on the personal tastes of the person describing it. So… the short answer to your question is, I don’t really know what Southern Gospel is. I just know what I like, personally, and I call it Gospel.

JB: How would you describe the music Greater Vision is singing now?

GW: I’ve always called it “Gospel Music,” “Christian Music,” or “Church Music.”  Overall, our basic style and sound hasn’t changed over the last 29 years. However, we’ve never been afraid to stretch and challenge ourselves, musically. So, in that respect, we do a lot of different varieties of musical styles, within the confines of keeping the “Greater Vision sound” we’ve become known for, and that our listeners expect. People will usually go with you on a little musical journey, as long as you bring them back “home.”

JB: You had to step down from singing and Jon Epley has taken your position. Has this changed the dynamic?

GW: I actually think bringing Jon onboard has actually broadened our dynamic, and allowed us to do some things we hadn’t been able to do before, especially in our concerts. Jon’s voice is easy to blend with, and he has a great ear, so he quickly adapted to our sound; and on recordings, most people can’t tell the difference between the old Greater Vision, and the new GV.  He’s been a great addition.

JB: Do you miss singing? If the crowd asks you, will you step up and sing?

GW: I can’t say I miss singing, since I still do sing when I feel good, or when someone makes a special request for something I can still do.

JB: I enjoy the radio release of the same titled album, “You’ve Arrived.” How did this song come together?

GW: “You’ve Arrived” was sent to us by Rick Shelton, at Daywind Publishing. It was written by Kenna Turner West, Sue Smith, and Marcia Henry. The first time we heard it, we knew it would make a great opener for the album, but a couple of lines needed to be changed to make it work. The writers graciously agreed to make the changes we suggested, and now we sing it every time we walk onto the platform.

JB: Who orchestrates your music since your long-time friend is home with the Greatest Orchestrator?

GW: Since my long-time friend, Lari Goss, passed away, we’ve worked with two young arrangers: Trey Ivey and Cody McVey, and well-known arranger, Steve Mauldin. It’s been an interesting journey, having worked with Lari for so long. I first worked with him in the studio in 1981, and there are still days I cry when I listen to some of beautiful work he did for so long. He was a friend and a hero, and there’ll never be another Lari Goss. Thankfully, The Lord is still raising up gifted people to help create arrangements that will lift the songs from paper and deliver them to the heart of the listener.  On our new CD, Trey Ivey did all the arrangements.

JB: Even before summer time starts, you start talking about Christmas. For you, what makes the best Christmas?

GW: There’s nothing better than listening to Christmas music when it’s 90F degrees outside! For me, there’s never a wrong time to talk about Christmas. Since we call it “the most wonderful time of the year,” why should we limit it to four weeks, between Thanksgiving and December 25? I prefer having “the most wonderful time of the year” all year long!  Seriously, when we think about the real gift of Christmas, and what it really meant for God to come to earth as a baby, we should be overwhelmed, whether it’s in July, September, December, or February.  So, the best Christmas for me, is whenever I think about it!  Merry CHRISTmas!

JB: Who has the most jokes /funny stories when you are on the road?

GW: I’d say it’s a close tie. When we get on the bus for a trip, everybody usually has at least one funny story about something that happened while we were at home. Anybody who’s traveled with us for a weekend will tell you the laughs start when we get up in the morning, and usually continue until the last light is turned out at night.

JB: I know you like to drive. Do you make the most miles behind the wheel?

GW: All of us share the driving responsibilities on the road. Everybody on the bus has a Commercial Driver License (CDL) and we have to remain in compliance with current DOT regulations for buses. We drive 250-mile shifts, and driving is something I really enjoy, unless I happen to end up with the 2:00 p.m. ’til 6:00 am shift, when we have an all-night drive on the schedule. I don’t think anyone enjoys that!

JB: What is your favorite quote to share?

GW: I love good quotes. One of my favorite is,  “Obey God, and leave all the consequences to Him.” (Dr. Charles Stanley).

JB: Thank you, Gerald, for giving us a little insight into Greater Vision. May God continue to bless your ministry, that wherever the bus stops to share your music, the words sung and the words spoken won’t return empty. 

Please enjoy this video preview of Greater Vision singing the songs from “You’ve Arrived!”

Read more Gospel Music News in the latest SGNScoops Magazine Online HERE.

Bill Bailey’s 2020 Winter Gospel Music Convention

Bill Bailey’s 2020 Winter Gospel Music Convention will be held Monday-Saturday, February 3-8, 2020 in Palmetto, Florida at the Bradenton Area Convention Center.  Over 40 of gospel music’s top artists will be appearing throughout the week – including special guest artist, Larry, Steve, & Rudy – the GATLIN BROTHERS, along with the BOOTH BROTHERS, HOPPERS, GREATER VISION, ISAACS, TRIUMPHANT QUARTET, LYNDA RANDLE, LEGACY FIVE, PERRYS, GOLD CITY, KINGSMEN, JOSEPH HABEDANK, KAREN PECK & NEW RIVER, INSPIRATIONS, and many others!

Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers

This event is recognized as the largest southern gospel concert event in the nation during the winter.  This year’s event also marks Bill Bailey’s 34^th anniversary promoting southern gospel concerts throughout the United States.

IMC CONCERTS ANNOUNCES GOSPEL MUSIC CELEBRATION CRUISE SAILING TO CANADA & NEW ENGLAND IN 2020

Johnson City, TN – Southern Gospel Music lovers will have another option for cruising on the high seas in 2020. IMC Concerts has announced plans for the Gospel Music Celebration to set sail  through New England and into Canada. This new destination for Gospel Music Celebration is to commemorate its 10-year anniversary.

IMC offered its first cruise option to Southern Gospel Music lovers in 2010. Over the past 10 years, Gospel Music Celebration cruises presented by IMC and Inspiration Cruises have historically sold out as Southern Gospel Music lovers have enjoyed trips to such picturesque destinations as the Caribbean, the Mexican Riviera, Alaska and Hawaii.

Booth Brothers

“For many years we have enjoyed a wonderful relationship with Steve Dick and the great staff at Inspiration Cruises,” states IMC Concerts and GMC President, Landon Beene. “We have partnered with Inspiration to provide the best experience for our passengers from the point of reservation until our passengers walk of the ship. We are delighted to offer this trip to a new destination.”

The Gospel Music Celebration Canada New England Cruise will set sail aboard Holland America’s MS Amsterdam from historic Boston, MA, on September 5 and will return to Quebec City, Canada on September 12 with stops in Bar Harbor, ME, Halifax Nova Scotia, Sydney, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

“Boston and the New England area have such a rich history,” Beene states. “Additionally, it is a beautiful area, especially in the fall of the year. We are delighted to offer this option as a new destination. In fact, it is something our passengers have asked us to offer. We always listen to our passengers and take their requests into consideration when planning trips. There was such an overwhelming success to our first cruise we planned 10 years ago to the Mexican Riviera, then our travelers wanted to go to Alaska, then the Caribbean, then Hawaii. Trips to those destinations have been so successful so we felt it was time to take our friends on a journey of a lifetime to the beautiful New England region. We are looking forward to another sold out Gospel Music Celebration.”

As Beene states, limited cabins are available for this exciting Gospel Music Celebration. “Space is limited to only 650 passengers, so we expect this cruise to sell out very quickly. We encourage Southern Gospel Music lovers to book their reservations very soon,” Been says.

The 2020 Canada New England Gospel Music Celebration  will feature many of the most popular groups in Southern Gospel Music, including the Booth Brothers, The Collingsworth Family, Greater Vision, Legacy Five and Triumphant Quartet, as well as fan favorite, renown speaker, Dennis Swanberg.

Collingsworth Family

Make plans now to be a part of the 2020 Canada New England Gospel Music Celebration, which sails September 5-12.  Reservations will be accepted beginning at 10:00am (Central) on Monday, September 9. To obtain complete information call 888-245-4284 or visit www.GospelMusicCelebration.com.

IMC CONCERTS ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR PRAISEFEST BRANSON FALL RETREAT

IMC CONCERTS ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR PRAISEFEST BRANSON FALL RETREAT

Johnson City, Tennessee – Prominent concert promotions company, IMC has announced plans to present a new Praisefest event in Branson, MO, in the fall of 2020. Eight years ago the successful promotions team conceived the idea of presenting an exciting weekend of Gospel music in the Ozark Mountains town of Branson, Missouri, a city that is famously known for its diverse entertainment theaters. That first year the event took place at the state-of-the-art Mansion Theatre.

The 2020 Praisefest Branson Fall Retreat will include performances by such popular recording artists as Greater Vision, The Triumphant Quartet, The Hoppers, The Isaacs, The Whisnants, The Perrys, Brian Free & Assurance, The Nelons, The Ball Brothers, Joseph Habedank and The Erwins. Renowned speaker, Jim Cymbala, Pastor of The Brooklyn Tabernacle in Brooklyn, N.Y., will also be featured, as well as popular singer/songwriter and Christian comedian, Mark Lowry. “We’re really excited to be able to provide another opportunity for people to get together for a few days to enjoy some great Gospel music, lots of laughs, great fellowship and wonderful worship experiences in a unique atmosphere,” states Greater Vision’s Gerald Wolfe.

The Torchmen celebrate 50 years with guests, Greater Vision

The Torchmen Quartet from Ontario, Canada, are celebrating 50 years in gospel music this year. Over the years they have made many friends and fans. Among these are gospel music artists, Greater Vision.

Greater Vision

Greater Vision will be appearing with the Torchmen Quartet on Sunday September 8th, 2019, for the Torchmen’s 50th Anniversary celebration concert.

Torchmen appeared recently at NQC.Photo by Paul Marker

This event will be held at Glenridge Bible Chapel, St. Catharines, Ontario, at 6:30 pm. The concert is free. An offering will be received during the evening.

Everyone is invited to help the Torchmen celebrate this incredible achievement. This event is being held as part of the Henley Christian Music Festival concert series.

For more information and directions go HERE.

About the Torchmen:

For 50 years the Torchmen have been celebrated as Canada’s Gospel Quartet. Members include Mike Moran, Jon Hisey, Sandy McGregor, and Jeff Tritton. They regularly travel across Canada and the United States, and have many awards and accolades to their credit. To visit them online go here.

About Greater Vision:

This male trio, consisting of Gerald Wolfe, Rodney Griffin, Chris Allman, and Jon Epley, is the most awarded trio in the United States. From Morristown, Tenn., Greater Vision was formed in 1990 and continues to perform over 160 concerts every year across America, Canada, and abroad. For more information go HERE.

More About the Henley Christian Music Festival:

The Henley Christian Music Festival is a ministry of GBC, and is a year-round festival that brings the best in Southern Gospel music, and various genres of music to St. Catharines. The feature event is the Summer Series. This event runs from the last Sunday is June to the first Sunday in September and features a concert every Sunday night.  We will be serving BBQ at 5:30 on each night as well.  Every concert throughout the year starts at 6:30pm. There is no admission fee or tickets required for every event.  A free will offering is accepted. (From henleycmf.ca, July 6, 2019) For more information go HERE.

Read the June SGNScoops Magazine Online HERE

ANDREW BRUNET AND FRIENDS BECOMES NATIONALLY SYNDICATED

ANDREW BRUNET AND FRIENDS BECOMES NATIONALLY SYNDICATED

Rock Hill, S.C. (JANUARY 30, 2019) – Andrew Brunet and Friends is celebrating recent growth as the radio show now is a nationally syndicated show, reaching millions of listeners across the nation with the sound of Southern gospel music.

“Our goal is to reach the lost and dying souls in the world with the message of hope and encouragement, to share that no matter what trial they face, Christ is with them and will supply their needs according to His riches in glory,” shared Andrew Brunet.

It all began in 2014 with a vision to share encouragement and to carry the light of Jesus in a lost and dying world.

Andrew said, “I started listening to gospel music by the Inspirations and the Gaither Homecoming Hour, among others, when I was 14 years old. I knew that this was the industry I wanted to become a part of. God put me in touch with a special friend in Alabama over at WZCT, Rejeana Leeth, who was willing to give this boy a shot at trying to spin the best of gospel music and the rest is history.”

Major artists such as Gordon Mote, Rodney Griffin of Greater Vision, Les Butler, Charlotte Ritchie, Bradley Walker and Buddy Liles have made appearances on the show, and there is a strong lineup of artists on the calendar for 2019.

Andrew Brunet and Karen Peck

Artists wishing to schedule an appearance can call Andrew Brunet directly at (803) 374-4069 or send an email to abrunetandfriends@gmail.com

Listeners can tune in Monday through Friday from 10am to Noon on www.bikertv.org to watch the broadcast live online or can tune in to the radio broadcasts listed below:

Saturdays: 7:00 a.m. (PST) – RacMan Christian Radio

Sundays: 10:00 a.m. (CST) – WLDX – The River; 1:00 p.m. (EST) – AM 760 WCIS; 4:00 p.m. (EST) – Notespire Radio; 7:00 p.m. (EST) – Star99 Radio

Mondays: 4:00 p.m. (EST) – Appalachian Gospel Radio

Wednesdays: 6:00 p.m. (EST) – RacMan Christian Radio; 8:00 p.m. (EST) – WBNI Radio

For more Gospel Music news Read the latest issue of the SGNScoops Magazine HERE.