Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Congratulations To The Guardians and The Top 100 Southern Gospel-April 2020

Congratulations To The Guardians on Their Number 1 Song, “Name Above All Names” !

Here is a list of the Top 100.

April 2020

1 Name Above All Names Guardians/StowTown
2 Sometimes It’s The Radio Joseph Habedank/Daywind
3 When God Says Wait Browders/Dream Big Music
4 The Healer Hasn’t Lost His Touch Tribute Quartet/Daywind
5 Can I Get A Witness The Sound/Daywind
6 The God I Serve Karen Peck & New River/Daywind
7 Keep Me Close Whisnants/UIA
8 Ready To Know Lore Family/Crossroads
9 Follow Me To The Cross Jim & Melissa Brady/Daywind
10 It Never Gets Old Perrys/StowTown
11 33 Wilburn & Wilburn/Daywind
12 Go Ask Moses Mark Trammell Quartet/Crimson Road
13 I See Revival Crabb Family/ Daywind
14 Walking Through Fire Ernie Haase & Signature Sound/StowTown
15 If God Pulled Back The Curtain Nelons/ Daywind
16 Glorious God Lauren Talley/ Crossroads
17 Go Down Again Wisecarvers/Crossroads
18 It’s A Beautiful Day Mark Bishop/Crossroads
19 I Believe The Book Legacy Five/Daywind
20 When I Turn To You Jason Crabb/ Daywind
21 I’ve Ever Been Glad Kingsmen/Crossroads
22 A Lot With A Little 11th Hour/Crossraods
23 You Are Loved Jeff & Sheri Easter/Gaither Music
24 Table Of The King Tim Livingston/Independent
25 Awesome Power Of Prayer Collingsworth Family/StowTown
26 Just As Blessed Josh and Ashley Franks/Independent
27 Love Still Flows Taylors/StowTown
28 Blank Page Dunaways/Independent
29 One More Reason Old Time Preachers Qt/Butler Music Group
30 A Song To Remind You Steeles/StowTown
31 What Can Change The World Sunday Drive/Crossroads
32 Get Me There Talleys/Crossroads
33 He’s Already On His Way Littles/Independent
34 Let’s Carry On New Ground/Independent
35 Yes Triumphant/StowTown/Sony
36 I Got The Grace, He Gets The Glory The Old Paths/Crossroads
37 Days Like These Martins/Gaither Music
38 By The Blood Of The Lamb Willbanks/Patterson Music Group
39 Let It Be The Cross Carolina Boys Qt/Crossroads
40 Come To The Well Kingdom Heirs/Crossroads
41 For Your Glory Battle Cry/Independent
42 More Than Enough Bibletones/Independent
43 This Storm Brian Free & Assurance/Daywind
44 I Want To Say Thank You Troy Burns Family/Chapel Valley
45 Like Jesus Did Three Bridges/Crossroads
46 Grace Became Amazing Gordon Mote/New Haven/Provident/Sony
47 Sing The Blues Away Exodus/Independent
48 Well Done My Child Adam Crabb/Daywind
49 Nothing At All High Road/Billy Blue Records
50 Reason For The Rain Jay Stone Singers/Crossroads
51 He’s Coming Back Master’s Voice/Crossroads
52 My Last Day Here MARK209/Independent
53 Children Go Where I Send Thee Down East Boys/Crossroads
54 Robes Of Pure White Williamsons/Family Music Group
55 Calvary’s Touch Barry Rowland & Deliverance/Crossroads
56 That Little Crowded Room Tim Menzies/Daywind
57 We All Need A Savior McKameys/Crossroads
58 Three Beating Hearts Steve Hess & Southern Salvation/Mansion
59 Come Lord Jesus Justified/Independent
60 Heaven Soul’d Out Quartet/Crossroads
61 God Says You Can Hyssongs/Chapel Valley
62 Hallelujah For The Cross River’s Edge/Independent
63 Hallelujah March Heart 2 Heart/Family Music Group
64 Forever Settled Inspirations/Crossroads
65 Just A Closer Walk Hazel Parker Stanley/ Patterson Music Group
66 This Is The Place Gaither Vocal Band/Gaither Music
67 The People That God Gives You Bowling Family/River Hill Music
68 One In The Number Sacred Harmony/Patterson Music Group
69 You Don’t Wanna Miss This Cana’s Voice/StowTown
70 There Is A God Hyssongs/Chapel Valley
71 The Power Of An Empty Tomb Erwins/StowTown
72 Countless Endless Highway/Crossroads
73 Over The Next Hill Pauline Patterson/ Patterson Music Group
74 A Brighter Day Primitive Quartet/Independent
75 I’m Going To Heaven Doyle Lawson Quicksilver/Billy Blue Records
76 The Grave Could Not Hold Him GloryWay Quartet/Independent
77 Movin On Jordan Family Band/Crossroads
78 It Took The Cross Griffith Family/Independent
79 Praise The Lord Carroll Roberson/Independent
80 Water Walker Kramers/StowTown
81 Singing My Song Isbell Family/ Chapel Valley
82 Always Gonna Be Selah/Integrity
83 What Only God Can Do Michael Booth/Daywind
84 I Will Glory In The Story Austin & Ethan Whisnant/UIA
85 What He’s Done Lately Millers/Family Music Group
86 I Got Saved Diplomats/Independent
87 Alabama Mud Gold City/Sony
88 You’ve Arrived Greater Vision/Daywind
89 Great Home Awaitin Sweetwater Revival/Independent
90 Satan Hates Sundays Family Legacy/Independent
91 All About Love Eternal Vision/Chapel Valley
92 Lord, Send Me A Mountain Porter Family/Chapel Valley
93 Redemption McNeils/Independent
94 Jesus Proved His Love For Me Chronicle/Independent
95 Oh Heavenly Day Bakers/Independent
96 Build One For Me Ed Meadows/ Independent
97 I Remember The Fish Greater Vision/Daywind
98 Smell Of Smoke 3 Heath Brothers/Crossroads
99 Even If Dysart Family/ Independent
100 Look Who’s Holding Them Now Perry Sisters/Chapel Valley

The Guardians Announce the Retirement of Founding Member Neil Uhrig

The Guardians

Nashville, TN (March 11, 2020) – As you may know, Neil Uhrig, one of the founding members and baritone for The Guardians Quartet, recently underwent aortic valve replacement and bypass surgery.  He was subsequently forced to undergo a second surgery to repair one of the bypasses that was leaking, and further complicating his recovery was an untimely bout with fluid around his lung.  We are pleased to report, however, that he is now well on the road to recovery.  After spending the past few months evaluating his medical condition, Neil has made the difficult decision to step back from the rigorous schedule of touring with The Guardians.  This has been one of the hardest decisions of Neil’s life, in that he loves his singing ministry, his travels with the other Guardians members, and meeting and fellowshipping with other southern gospel music fans across the country.  He has, after all, been doing this for over 50 years.

Neil Uhrig

Neil’s decision to retire has been difficult not only for him, but for his Guardians Quartet family as well, as they will have to say good-bye to one of their beloved founding members.  Neil has brought so much to The Guardians—his emcee style and humor, his character and unwavering love for God, and all the logistical work he did behind the scenes to ensure The Guardians’ success.  His presence will be sorely missed by his fellow members and many fans.

Wayne Haun, co-founder of StowTown Records, has had the privilege of producing a couple of The Guardians’ recent projects. Wayne shares, “Neil is probably one of the smartest guys I know. He’s also one of the nicest guys I know. As an industry, we have no greater advocate than Neil Uhrig. He has always pushed the limelight off himself and into the paths of other singers, writers and musicians. While he greatly deserves some time to put his feet up and relax, I’m sure he’s dreaming up ways to help us grow. He’s that kind of guy.”

Neil will perform his last concert with The Guardians Quartet on Sunday, May 17, 2020, at 6:00 pm at the Capital City Church, 464 Rathmell Road, Columbus, OH.  Please plan to attend for your last opportunity to hear Neil sing with his buddies.

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ABOUT THE GUARDIANS:
The Guardians had claimed their stake in Southern Gospel Music as one of America’s favorite Southern Gospel trios. They’ve had many hit songs since their formation in 1988. In 2018, this remarkable group became a quartet. Guardians Quartet members include Dean Hickman, Neil Uhrig, John Darin Rowsey and Pat Barker. The Guardians’ music impacts listeners with their sincerity and commitment to glorifying the Savior they sing about. Their collective mission is to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and sing songs that minister to people’s hearts and touch their lives. In collaboration with Rev. Terry Toler, The Guardians have been a part of the Revive America Tour, in which thousands of people have heard the message of the Gospel through music and preaching since its beginnings in 2016.

LINKS:
http://www.guardiansquartet.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TheGuardiansOnline/
https://www.instagram.com/theguardiansmusic/
https://twitter.com/GuardiansQT
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9lYL9cX14nijnmg7Rkzp-Q

ABOUT STOWTOWN RECORDS:
StowTown Records was founded in 2011 by Ernie Haase and Wayne Haun and then expanded in 2014 with the addition of partners Landon Beene and Nate Goble. With each person bringing their individual expertise, StowTown has become a powerhouse independent Gospel Music label. As the creative home for many of today’s top artists, the StowTown family of artists includes Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Doug Anderson, Charles Billingsley, The Browns, Cana’s Voice, Tiffany Coburn, The Collingsworth Family, The Erwins, TaRanda Greene, The Guardians, Trey Ivey, The Little Roy & Lizzy Show, Tim Lovelace, Jody McBrayer, Devin McGlamery, The Perrys, Southern Raised, The Steeles, The Taylors and Triumphant Quartet. Distributed worldwide through Provident/Sony Distribution, StowTown Records has garnered industry attention with multiple GMA Dove Awards and chart-topping releases from their highly respected roster of artists.

Favorite Christmas Memory- Pat Barker, Guardians

Favorite Christmas Memory

This will be an unusual Christmas memory but, stay with me. I was 15 years old. For as long as I could remember, there were 3 places we got our clothes.  Our family shopped at Sky City, Kmart, and the occasional yard sale. Don’t get me wrong.  We weren’t poor by most standards but, mom had to be careful when doing a lot of the Christmas shopping. If you shopped at Kmart, you may remember that their brand of jeans was called Rustler.  That’s what I wore almost every day. There was that one day I accidentally wore my sister’s Sunset Blues to school, but I don’t won’t to talk about that. Rustlers were not known for being fashionable or sturdy but, they were certainly affordable.

When I turned 15, Levis 501 blues were “the jeans” to own. It seemed like everyone had a pair but me. Much like Ralphie and his Red Rider Bee Bee Gun, I dropped some pretty obvious hints. I knew we probably couldn’t afford them but, I had to ask. Well, Christmas morning rolled around. Although mom couldn’t spend a fortune at Christmas, she made sure there were plenty of gifts to open. Opening presents would last for hours. The last box I opened was exactly what I wanted but never thought I would get.  31 years later, I remember the sacrifice it took for me to get that pair of jeans. It made that Christmas very special. This year, I’m asking Santa if he could help me fit into them just one more time. Merry Christmas!

Pat Barker

Enjoy this great song by The Guardians featuring Pat!

Happy Birthday Dean

Help us wish Dean Hickman (The Guardians) a Happy Birthday!

We love and appreciate your ministry at SGN Scoops.

God bless you as you celebrate your special day!

SGNScoops’ Wacky Wednesday talks about Facebook, hobbies and writers

It’s Wacky Wednesday time!

SGNScoops’ Wacky Wednesday with gospel artists returns this month with some interesting questions for our panel. Special thanks to our friend Jantina de Haan for collecting all of these great answers.

Clayton Inman of Triumphant

As you know, Wacky Wednesday features questions that you might not find in regular artist interviews and answers that you might not see printed anywhere else…

Today we hear responses from Josh Jordan of the Jordan Family Band, Gerald Wolfe of Greater Vision, Wendy Hayes of the Mylon Hayes family, Corey Pearson of the Diplomats, Bob Sellers of the Old Time Preachers Quartet (formerly of the Kingsmen), Pat Barker of the Guardians, Clayton Inman of Triumphant, and Jaquita Lindsey of 11th Hour.

Jaquita Lindsey of 11th Hour

We are giving them four questions: Favorite hobby you never have time to do; first post showing on your Facebook news feed; favorite devotional author; and favorite songwriter any genre.

Are you ready? Here we go. In no particular order…

Josh Jordan: 1. How is a it a hobby if you never get to do it? My fav hobby is fishing with my family. 2. Randa Jordan (little heart image). 3. I’ve never read a book all the way through. I’d rather go fishing. 4. (King) David, his Psalms are off the charts.

Bob Sellers

Gerald Wolfe: 1. Drive through the mountains. 2. Right now, it’s happy birthday to Kimberley Allman (Chris’ wife). 3. Oswald Chambers. 4. Fanny J. Crosby.

Wendy Hayes: 1. Scrapbooking. 2. It is one from the last couple of days, where our family sang and we had so many precious kids come that love gospel music. 3. Priscilla Shirer. 4. Rebecca Peck.

Corey Pearson: 1. Fish and ride four wheelers. 2. Today it was something about the government, so I probably over looked it. 3. That’s a hard one. Most anything by Dr. Johnny Hunt. 4. Dianne Wilkinson, Sonya and Becky of the Isaacs, and Chris Tomlin.

Wendy and Mylon Hayes

Bob Sellers: 1. Fish, hunt, camp. Anything outdoors. 2. Lee and Rebekah Mitchell in photos with some group called Gold City. 3. Gary Larson (Far Side). 4. Merle Haggard.

Pat Barker: 1. Sleep. 2. I only do mySpace. 3. Holy Spirit. 4. Dottie Rambo.

Clayton Inman: 1. Golf. 2. A picture post. 3. Max Lucado. 4. Scotty Inman.

Josh Jordan with the Jordan Family Band

Jaquita Lindsey: 1. Be crafty, paint. 2. I don’t ever look at any news. 3. Jentezen Franklin.  4. Jonathan Cain.

Were any of these answers surprising to you? Let us know if you liked this week’s Wacky Wednesday feature and tell us what you would ask your favorite artist.

Pat Barker

Stay tuned next time for another Wacky Wednesday.

Do you have a question for our artist panel? Send it in to SGNScoops today! lorraine@sgnscoops.com

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Corey Pearson of the Diplomats

Gerald Wolfe and Greater Vision

Listen To Today’s Gospel Music Online HERE

Wacky Wednesday writers talk to Wendy Hayes, Gerald Wolfe, more

Wacky Wednesday with Gospel Artists returns this month with some interesting questions for our panel. Special thanks to our friend Jantina de Haan for collecting all of these great answers.

As you know, Wacky Wednesday features questions that you might not find in regular artist interviews and answers that you might not see printed anywhere else…

Today we hear responses from Josh Jordan of the Jordan Family Band, Gerald Wolfe of Greater Vision,

Mylon and Wendy Hayes

Wendy Hayes of the Mylon Hayes family, Corey Pearson of the Diplomats, Bob Sellers (formerly of the Kingsmen), Pat Barker of the Guardians, Clayton Inman of Triumphant, Josh Townsend of Legacy Five, and Jaquita

Gerald Wolfe-Greater Vision

Guardians with Pat Barker

Lindsey of 11th Hour.

First question for today is: What was your favorite subject in school?

Ladies first…

Jaquita Lindsey: Choir

Wendy Hayes: History

Now the Gentlemen…

Josh Jordan:  Math

Gerald Wolfe:  English

Corey Pearson: Today it was something about the government, so I probably overlooked it (Corey, we really don’t know what you meant by this…)

Bob Sellers: English

Bob Sellers

Pat Barker: Lunch

Clayton Inman: P.E. 🙂 (Physical Eduction)

Josh Townsend: History

Today we have a second question is: What book have you read more than once?

Jaquita Lindsey: Only the Bible

Wendy Hayes: The Bible

Josh Jordan: I’ve never read a book all the way through.I’d rather go fishing.

Gerald Wolfe: How to listen to God, by Dr. Charles Stanley.

Corey Pearson: The Bible and Huckleberry Finn.

Bob Sellers: Where the Red Fern Grows

Pat Barker: Slave, by John MacArthur

Clayton Inman: The Go Giver

Josh Townsend: Never read a book more than once, lol

Were any of these answers surprising to you? Let us know if you liked this week’s Wacky feature and tell us what you would ask your favorite artist!

Stay tuned next time for another Wacky Wednesday!

Do you have a question for our artist panel? Send it in to SGNScoops today! lorraine@sgnscoops.com

Jaquita Lindsey of 11th Hour

Legacy Five with Josh Townsend

The Jordan Family Band features, from left, Josh Jordan, Randa Jordan, Hutch Jordan, Grant Jordan, Keenan Atkinson and Alex Jordan. ‘Reach’ will be available from Skyland Records on July 13.

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Wacky Wednesday asks Bob, Pat, Clayton, Josh and more about fruit and jobs!

Wacky Wednesday with Gospel Artists is back with another question. Special thanks to our friend Jantina de Haan for collecting all of these great answers, and to all of you for your overwhelming response to the return of Wacky Wednesday!

Gerald Wolfe

As you know, Wacky Wednesday features questions that you might not find in regular artist interviews and answers that you might not see printed anywhere else…And do you know the word for the fear of taste? Keep reading!

Today we hear responses from Josh Jordan of the Jordan Family Band, Gerald Wolfe of Greater Vision,

Wendy Hayes of the Mylon Hayes family, Corey Pearson of the Diplomats, Bob Sellers, Pat Barker of the Guardians, Clayton Inman of Triumphant, Josh Townsend of Legacy Five, and

Legacy Five with Josh Townsend

Jaquita Lindsey of 11th Hour.

This week’s questions are: what is your favorite fruit and what was the first job you held? See if you can tell which answer is which!

We will let the men go first again:

Josh Jordan: Oranges and pouring concrete

Gerald Wolfe: Demonstrating Baldwin organs and pianos. I was in high school and strawberries

Jordan Family Band

Corey Pearson: Cutting grass and watermelon and strawberries

Bob Sellers: Tough one. I love all fruit! I’d have to say watermelon and Housel hardware store in Gordo Alabama. I was 15.

Josh Townsend: Oranges and the pianist for the Old Paths

Pat Barker: Choir director and Of The Looms…

Clayton Inman: Banana and day camp counselor

Let’s hear from the ladies…

Jaquita Lindsey: Bananas and Tasty Freeze

Wendy Hayes: Roses department store and strawberries, watermelon, oranges

Clayton Inman

Were these answers what you expected? We hope you enjoyed this Q&A and perhaps it shed a little more light on your favorite artists. And did you know that fear of taste is “geumaphobia“? The Bible says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” He’s better even than bananas! “Taste” here means “experience” or “enjoy” or to take into your heart and let Him give you the nutrients your soul needs. He is good!!

Wendy Hayes

Stay tuned next time for another Wacky Wednesday, when we will ask the question everyone wants to know: would you rather have a grizzly bear or a whale as a pet? (Is this the actual question that has been asked? Stay tuned…)

Do you have a question for our artist panel? Send it to SGNScoops today! lorraine@sgnscoops.com

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Jaquita Lindsey

Pat Barker

Bob Sellers

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Carroll Cooke’s Lowesville Gospel Concerts Making an Impact

Lowesville Gospel Concerts stage

Charlie Griffin of SGNScoops’ Magazine tells the

story of one of the fastest growing gospel concert series

Carroll Cooke is a man on a mission, with a passion that is manifested by his actions and his love of gospel music. But when you get to know him, you will find out he just loves his family and everyone. He has never met a stranger. Gospel music is just one of his many interests.

His music is rooted in his faith. Cooke says, “I was saved when I was 10 years old. I don’t remember the church or the message. I do remember going to my dad and mom, telling them I had to go to the altar. The preacher led me in the sinner’s prayer and I accepted Jesus into my heart and he saved me forever. The preacher asked

Jordan’s Bridge at Lowesville

me to say something and all I could get out was, ‘I just want to thank him,’ ‘I just want to thank him,’ and to this day, I still just want to thank him.”

Over the years Cooke has been a singer, active church member, choir member, deacon, business owner, husband, father, and community leader. Each phase of his life has been fulfilled in so many ways. Yet in the last five years, his life has come into a richness that is being showcased in the small community of Lowesville, N.C.

His love of gospel music started at a young age. Cooke shares, “My dad (Roy A Cooke), mom (Lois Cooke), sister (now Hazel Sain), and I began singing as a quartet when I was six years old. We did this every weekend for about 15 years, then the next 40 years, I served as minister of music at different churches in and around the surrounding counties.

Carroll Cooke and his wife, Barbara

I have only been trying to promote our music since late 2012.

“My dad was the most influential person in my life,” confesses Cooke. “He lived and breathed music. He was the choir director at our local church, and he wanted so badly for everyone who had a desire to sing, to be able to sing, and sing well. He would have V. O. Fossett of the Stamps Baxter Music School from Dallas, Texas, come for two weeks and teach the old shaped notes, along with voice, piano, and harmony. He then would go beg other churches in the area to have Fossett come teach at their church, and he was successful in doing just that. This way, we would attend singing schools about all summer.”

Sometimes it was more than just the singing. Cooke loved the buses too. “The first concert I ever remember attending was promoted by Charlie Burke at a ballpark in Newton, N.C. I don’t even remember who sang, I just remembered the busses, and thinking what a life that would be. I was probably 10 or 12 at the time. At 75, I have no desire to crawl in one of them, I just love to see them

Crowns of Light at Lowesville Gospel Concerts

pull in and pull out.”

During those years, his family grew. He became a leader in the community and in the church while developing a successful business. Cooke operated the Lowesville Automotive Warehouse in the Lowesville community near Stanley, N.C. Upon his retirement in 2012, he sold the property to Living Word Ministries.

In that former parts warehouse and store, Living Word Ministries shares the gospel with regular worship services each week since August 2012. Pastor Derrick Dellinger leads a growing church that is on fire for God. Their Outreach ministries are impacting the surrounding communities by helping the needy, feeding the homeless, and loving people. They present the gospel in a way that the new Christian can understand and

The Sheltons at Lowesville

the mature disciple can continue to grow and be inspired, in a shame-free environment. No attitudes or judgment found at LWM, just a church family that is excited about what God is doing in the community.

As the church grew, Cooke found a desire to reach the community in a new outreach: Saturday night Southern gospel concerts. With the encouragement of Pastor Dellinger, Cooke started in January 2013 with concerts on the second and fourth Saturday nights of each month. That is 24 concert promotions each year.

Read more »

SGNScoops’ Wacky Wednesday with Gospel Artists Returns!

Because we had so many requests for the return of this popular segment, Wacky Wednesday with Gospel Artists has now returned. Special thanks to our friend Jantina de Haan for collecting all of these great answers.

As you know, Wacky Wednesday features questions that you might not find in regular artist interviews and answers that you might not see printed anywhere else…

Today we hear responses from Josh Jordan of the Jordan Family Band, Gerald Wolfe of Greater Vision,

Mylon and Wendy Hayes

(Pictured L-R)
Greg Bentley, (Crossroads), Jaquita Lindsey, (11th Hour), Jim Stover, (Crossroads), Amber Eppinette, (11th Hour), Grant Gibson, (11th Hour), Jeff Collins, (Crossroads)

Wendy Hayes of the Mylon Hayes family, Corey Pearson of the Diplomats, Bob Sellers (formerly of the Kingsmen), Pat Barker of the Guardians, Clayton Inman of Triumphant, and Jaquita

Gerald Wolfe-Greater Vision

Jordan Family Band on the cover of January 2018 SGNScoops Magazine

Guardians with Pat Barker

Lindsey of 11th Hour.

We start off our series with an easy question: What is your favorite type of coffee?

Ladies first…

Jaquita Lindsey: Pike Place coffee

Wendy Hayes: Vanilla Bean Frappe

Now the Gentlemen…

Josh Jordan:  I drink absolutely NO coffee!

Gerald Wolfe: Skinny Peppermint Mocha, extra hot

Corey Pearson: Straight black coffee because I can’t pronounce any of the other drinks

Bob Sellers: White chocolate mocha, hot, grand triple shot

Bob Sellers

Pat Barker: Cinnamon hazelnut almond milk macchiato

Clayton Inman: Tall Pike Place

What do these answers reveal about the artists’ personalities? We will let you decide. But we do know one thing… a certain coffee shop serves these artists well. Maybe a sponsorship should be considered?

Stay tuned next time for another Wacky Wednesday!

Do you have a question for our artist panel? Send it in to SGNScoops today! lorraine@sgnscoops.com

Triumphant

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What I’m Looking For in 2018 in Gospel Music by Craig Harris

Cana’s Voice. Photo by Craig Harris

Sure, it’s a new year, and with a new year comes endless possibilities. Here’s a few things that you may want to keep an eye on [in Gospel music] as we journey through 2018 …

The Hoppers have faced a series of challenges over the last couple of years, but it took many by surprise when Dean Hopper had two strokes in December of 2016. Then, when it appeared that he had recovered and was almost back to normal, Hopper suffered three more strokes in August. Hopefully, those medical hurdles are over, and the Hoppers can continue to produce great music, such as “Jesus the One,” “Song of Moses,” “If We Ever Gotta Look” and the title track off of their “Life Is Good” project … though one of the hidden gems from the project is the yet-to-be-released track No. 4, “Walk Two.”

I’m looking forward to seeing what lies ahead for the LeFevre Quartet now that those fellas have joined the Daywind Music family. Already possessing a commercial sound, it will be interesting to see if being a part one of the elite record companies in the Southern gospel industry leads to even greater success at radio and in other avenues as well.

Dean Hopper. Photo by Craig Harris

Cana’s Voice burst on to the scene two years ago, featuring three dynamic vocalists in Doug Anderson (formerly of Ernie Haase and Signature Sound), TaRanda Beene (the Greenes) and Jody McBrayer (Avalon). Their debut project – “This Changes Everything” – contains hit songs “Heavenly Father” and “Jesus Never Fails.” My only complaint … I didn’t see Cana’s Voice in concert in 2017, due in part to a limited touring schedule as a result of all three group members having their own solo ministries. However, the group has started off 2018 along with David Phelps on the Big Voice Tour. What am I hoping for in 2018 … for my ears and their voices to spend more quality time together in live concert settings.

Group changes are never easy. However, as we all know, they’re inevitable. What a soulful asset that Ricky Braddy brought to the sound of Karen Peck and New River. I look forward to hearing the next male vocalist who comes on board with the uber-popular, award-winning trio, and I also look forward to seeing if the group can come close to producing a project that I dig as much as the Wayne Haun-produced “Hope For All Nations” (“Victory is Mine” and “I Know I’ll Be There” are simply top-notch).

There’s so many “good guys” in the Southern gospel industry, including Brian Lester, Susan Whisnant and Karen Peck Gooch to name just a few. Count Gary Casto among that contingent. Tribute Quartet’s manager and lead singer seems to be one of the hardest-working individuals in Southern gospel music as he’s involved in many different facets of the industry. With hard work comes reward, such as the group’s 2017 Dove Award nominations for Album of the Year (“Here for You,” produced by Haun) and Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year (“Never Forsaken”). What type of blessings does 2018 hold in store for a group that has risen to a point of being considered one of the top male quartet’s in Southern gospel music? I can’t wait to find out.

The Kingsmen Quartet

Speaking of personnel changes, I was listening to a Southern gospel radio station earlier in 2017 and heard a ballad that featured a voice that I was certain I recognized. It had to be Chris Jenkins. Well, it was. The Anchormen’s “I Heard About a Man” had recently been released to radio and has since been spun many more times on the airwaves. Well, Jenkins recently returned to the Kingsmen. His strong, consistent tenor vocals are an asset to any group. It’s sure to be a nice reunion for a group that has experienced significant success at radio with “Here I Stand Amazed” and “They Don’t Know.” Lot of fans will be looking forward to hearing Jenkins reunited with the rest of the Kingsmen.

Joseph Habedank has the ball rolling. After winning a Dove Award for Best Southern Gospel Album (“Resurrection,” also produced by Haun) in October, Habedank has now been nominated for a GRAMMY Award for Best Gospel Roots Album. He’s performed with Country Music icon Reba McEntire at the Dove Awards and is one of the few soloists selected to appear on the main stage at the National Quartet Convention. “Here He Comes” and “Just When You Thought” have been well-received releases from “Resurrection,” following hit songs such as “Welcome Home,” “Never No Never” and “Beauty of the Blood” off of his “Welcome Home” project. Can Habedank’s impressive ascension continue at the same pace in 2018? (Side note … Who knows what Haun – who is up for three GRAMMY Awards – will produce this year).

The Nelons continue to see doors open for their ministry, recently being invited to perform in front of the Supreme Court of the United States at the live nativity and then attending the White House Christmas Party in Washington, D.C. Two months earlier, the group won a 2017 Dove Award for Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year (“When Grandpa Sang Amazing Grace”). They’ve recently released an Americana project, “The Americana Sessions”.  I look forward to seeing how another year affects Autumn Nelon Clark, who has recently blossomed vocally and enhanced the Nelons’ overall sound.

Collingsworth Family. Photo by Craig Harris

Can anybody deliver a ballad quite like the Collingsworth Family? They’re class personified, and it just seems to be one hit after another … “When He Carries Me Away,” “Gotta Get to Jesus,” “You’re About to Climb,” “It Matters to the Master,” “At Calvary,” “Fear Not Tomorrow” … and a couple of my personal favorites in “Tell the Mountain” and “I Found It All.” What’s the next big showstopper?

Jason Crabb has a huge fan base. He also has a huge talent, being an elite vocalist and having developed into a great communicator of a lyric. Now, he’s deeply delving into songwriting. Given Gerald Crabb’s immense success as a writer, does the apple fall far from the tree? We’ll get a glimpse over the next few months as some of his efforts will likely be unveiled.

Guardians. Photo by Craig Harris

The Guardians are a picture of consistency with Dean Hickman and Neil Uhrig, who were original members when the group formed in 1988. John Darin Rowsey joined the group in 2012, and now, the group has experienced great success in recent years, on the radio charts and on stages that the male trio has been invited to perform upon. I first heard their latest radio hit – “Present in the Presence of the King” – at Jackson Sings the Gospel last July in Jackson, Tenn., and immediately fell in love with it. It’s no surprise that it was released to radio and has rapidly climbed up the charts. “Packin’ Up,” “It Ain’t Gonna Worry Me Long,” “Somebody Prays,” “Shoutin’ Sounds” and “Let the Healing Begin” are all popular requests for the Guardians. What’s next for those guys? Stay tuned.

Southern gospel music fans adore the Mark Trammell Quartet, Greater Vision and Pat Barker. How then could they not love it when Greater Vision’s Gerald Wolfe, Rodney Griffin and Chris Allman teamed up with Trammell and Barker to form the Second Half Quartet. The response they receive is always overwhelming. Surely, there has to be something new – well, possibly a new version of something old – coming from that ensemble soon, right? I won’t be the only one looking forward to seeing what it will be.

Goodman Revival. Photo by Craig Harris

And there’s lots of groups that we’re all constantly keeping an eye on. I’ll look forward to seeing what Legacy Five, Goodman Revival, the Jim Brady Trio, Gold City, the Booth Brothers, Triumphant, Jeff and Sheri Easter, the Whisnants, Greater Vision, the Mark Trammell Trio and many others have in store this year. They’re some of your favorites … and mine too. Here’s to lots of great music and many memorable moments over these last 10 months of 2018.

By Craig Harris, writer and copy editor of SGNScoops Magazine

Craig Harris

First published by SGNScoops Magazine in February 2018