Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Guy Penrod celebrates Fatherhood

Sing People Happy: A Conversation with Guy Penrod

By Justin Gilmore

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

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

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

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

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

Guy Penrod with the Gaither Vocal Band

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

Gilmore: Who are your musical influences?

GUY PENROD Blessed Assurance

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gilmore: Congratulations! 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Guy Penrod and Band. Photo: Russ Harrington

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More information:

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

GUY PENROD’S ‘CONCERT ON THE COUCH—A FATHER’S DAY CELEBRATION FROM FRANKLIN THEATRE’ PREMIERS ONLINE JUNE 21

Guy Penrod and band. Photo by Russ Harrington

NASHVILLE, Tenn.— Guy Penrod, one of Gospel Music’s most awarded and best-loved vocalists, will be bringing his signature live performance experience to viewers around the globe June 21 as his “Concert On The Couch—A Father’s Day Celebration From Franklin Theatre” premiers for one-time online viewing at 7:00 pm Eastern Time. Virtual doors will open at 6:00 pm Eastern Time with special pre-show content. Filmed recently at the historic Franklin Theatre outside Nashville, Penrod’s “Concert On The Couch” is being made available in partnership with Thrive Media Streaming. Exclusive online viewing passes, available for a suggested donation of $5, can be reserved beginning tomorrow by registering at guypenrod.com.

“The last few months have been a challenging time for us all,” says Penrod. “I couldn’t think of a better way to reconnect with so many friends around the world than spending Father’s Day evening together. Just a few weeks ago, we filmed a memorable night of hymns, worship songs, and many of my favorites at the historic Franklin Theatre not far from my home. It is my prayer that hearts will be lifted and encouraged as we share a special time of song, laughter and celebration.”

“My heart goes out to so many who are suffering and enduring hardship during this season,” Penrod continues. “This is a way we can give back. Folks can register and kick back for a great night of music for just a $5 donation, or whatever they’d like to give. So, come join us on Father’s Day—we’ll just miss getting to hug your neck after the show.”

Featuring an all-star band, Penrod’s “Concert On The Couch” will include many classic songs of faith, including “Nothing But The Blood,” “I Surrender All” and “Leaning On The Everlasting Arms.” In addition, Penrod will revisit such concert favorites as “Pray About Everything” and “The Baptism of Jesse Taylor,” among others.

A member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame (Gaither Vocal Band) and Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame, Guy Penrod has performed at leading venues around the world, including The Grand Ole Opry House, Carnegie Hall and The Sydney Opera House, as well as appearing at CMA Music Fest and the 2017 Presidential Inauguration. With career sales of more than 4 million—including the Platinum-selling long-form video The Best of Guy Penrod—his recordings have set a standard for Gospel Music and consistently top Billboard sales charts.

For further information, visit guypenrod.com, thrivemediastreaming.com, or turningpointpr.com. Follow Penrod on Facebook and Instagram

Rising star Erica Cookston talks to SGNScoops

Erica Cookston

SGNScoops recently talked with Erica Cookston, a rising star who beautifully sings Southern and Country Gospel. She delivers songs with a clear, high emotional soprano that touches the heart. This young lady hails from Hollywood, Alabama. She was recognized at Gospel Fest through the 2018 Crimson Music Award for Social Media Artist of the Year. Erica is an accomplished instrumentalist and vocalist, traveling and singing gospel music while in her first year of college.

Scoops:  Why do you sing gospel music? 

Erica Cookston: I sing Southern Gospel and Country Gospel music because it is what I grew up listening to. I was raised watching the Gaither Homecomings, listening to the Gaither Gospel Hour, and watching groups such as the Crabb Family on TV. I have always loved this kind of music. I do like other types as well, such as the Contemporary, and Praise and Worship, but my heart lies in the kind that I am doing. I do love other kinds of music as well, but I want to be able to reach others through gospel music like the ‘gospel greats’ that paved the way for little people like me to share ministry. I come from a very faith-based family, and we just love the Lord. Many people in my family, such as my dad, have been preachers.

Erica Cookston at Gospel Fest

Scoops: Tell us how you came to do compilations with Guy Penrod and Gerald Crabb? Who else would be on your bucket list to sing with? Do you always want to be a soloist?

EC: I was working with Alisa Asbury at Sweet Southern Entertainment and had met Gerald Crabb. They decided to do this project, and I was just lucky to have been able to be a part of it. It is a crazy thing to be on a project with someone that you have always looked up to! The Guy Penrod compilation came about the same way, although I have never had the opportunity to meet him. I think that my number one person on the bucket list to sing with is Karen Peck. She performed at GospelFest 2018, where I had the opportunity to be in the choir on stage with her to sing alongside her. She has been the biggest inspiration in my life, and I listen to her music more often than not. She has a lot to do with why I want to go the direction I am going. I love being a soloist, but I would love to have a group at some point as well. I think it would be a lot of fun.

Scoops: What are you studying at college?  And why did you decide to step out now as an artist…why not wait until you are done college? 

EC: I am a business major. I currently work in an office, B&B Reporting, as a pre-employment background researcher. I love the atmosphere of an office, and I think it is a good idea just to have a business degree at my disposal. I work 40 hours a week and am also currently taking 16 credit hours at school (so, 5 classes and a lab). I am usually gone every weekend singing. It is very difficult because of the busy schedule and little free time, but I absolutely love it and wouldn’t trade it for anything. I have been singing since I was four years old, and I started doing more things as I first hit the teenage years, with all of the traveling. I am doing it now, more so, because I do believe that the Lord has called me to do so. I don’t think that anyone is too young to try to step out to share their passion. Many people my age are told by our society that it isn’t okay to do so, but I hope that maybe I can set an example to prove that this isn’t the case. I never expected to be where I am today, and it is all very surreal to me. I do know that it was all a God thing, though. He gets all of the credit, and I just am his vessel to go wherever I am called.

Scoops:  Why do you have a passion for non-profits (charities)? 

EC: Right now I am not working with any organization in particular – I am doing everything independently. I have always had a heart to help others, so I think it is just another one of my passions. I try to be available for anything. I do head up a charity each year in my local area, Scottsboro, where I host a benefit concert to raise money for food distribution. I use these funds to purchase canned food items and meat certificates which go to those in need in Jackson County, providing them with a Christmas meal that they might not originally have. All of the food is purchased locally. I love to volunteer to help out for different causes as well and always stayed pretty busy doing these types of events in high school. I think it is important to show that there is still good in this world, and that sometimes people want to help without expecting anything in return.

Scoops: What has the Lord been speaking to you about specifically in recent days?

EC: Recently, the Lord has just been telling me to be patient and trust in him, and that everything is happening for a reason; things will fall into place. Also, that I don’t need to be scared to step out of my comfort zone because he is with me.

Thanks so much to Erica Cookston for answering our questions! In our eyes, you are already a star as you share God’s love in what you say, and it is evidenced by your actions in helping others. All the best in your future.

You can find out more about Erica by going to her Facebook page, Instagram,  and Twitter.

Listen to Erica on Reverb Nation HERE.

Read the latest issue of the SGNScoops Magazine HERE.

All-new Recording from GRAMMY® Award Winner GUY PENROD Offers Blessed Assurance Through Timeless Songs

GUY PENROD release Blessed Assurance

Acclaimed Male Vocalist Captures Some of His Favorite Hymns on New Release

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—February 26th, 2018—GRAMMY® and GMA DOVE Award-winning recording artist Guy Penrod has just recorded an all-new collection of hymns entitled Blessed Assurance (Gaither Music Group/Servant Records). Produced by Penrod and Jonathan Crone, the audio recording, which released on Friday, features some of the most popular hymns of the church—classics that are also some of Penrod’s personal favorites.

“It’s with great excitement that I release my second album of hymns, Blessed Assurance,” stated Penrod. “These are 12 more of my favorite hymns that express valuable truths about God’s love and care for us. These musical arrangements were designed to invite listeners to sing along to these timeless lyrics of eternal hope, and I hope they will do just that and find refreshing and strength from these ageless hymns, just as I have.”

Blessed Assurance, Penrod’s seventh solo recording, contains “There Is Power in the Blood,” “The Love of God,” “In the Sweet By and By,” “I Surrender All,” “In the Garden,” the title song and more, all of which showcase Penrod’s signature personality; unmistakable, rich tones; and country-influenced style.

That style can be seen on TV as the recording is being advertised as part of a television special currently running on DISH TV, DirecTV, RFD-TV, Gaither Television Network, TBN, FamilyNet, CTN, GMC, GMTN, Guardian, Liberty, TCT and TLN. It is airing in Canada on Vision TV, CTS, The Miracle Channel and Hope TV. The new CD is being promoted via social media and will be positioned in retail/e-tail outlets everywhere in addition to the Gaither consumer catalog, and it will be featured on the “HOMECOMING Weekly” program on Sirius XM.

Guy Penrod

Singing hymns is not new for Penrod, whose CD and DVD LIVE Hymns & Worship (Gaither Music Group/Servant Records) claimed the No. 1 position on the Southern Gospel chart as well as the No. 2 position on the Contemporary Christian Music chart the week of its release, according to Nielsen SoundScan. The DVD landed at No. 1 on the Christian Music Video chart and at No. 1 on the Billboard Music Video chart. His Hymns recording (Gaither Music Group/ Servant Records) debuted at #1 on the Nielsen SoundScan Southern Gospel retail chart and became the top-selling southern gospel album of the year.

Blessed Assurance is distributed by Capitol Christian Music Distribution and Universal Music. It is available now at retail and digital outlets worldwide including iTunes, Amazon, www.gaither.com and www.guypenrod.com.

For a preview of the songs from Blessed Assurance visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsE3cKFUEvc

For further information regarding Penrod visit www.guypenrod.com, connect at facebook.com/GuyPenrod or follow Guy on Twitter: @GuyPenrod.

Blessed Assurance CD Song Listing:

1. Blessed Assurance

2. Before the Throne of God Above

3. There Is Power in the Blood

4. The Love of God

5. In the Sweet By and By

6. Standing in the Need of Prayer

7. I Surrender All

8. My Jesus, I Love Thee

9. In the Garden

10. Draw Me Nearer

11. Day by Day

12. I Will Sing of My Redeemer

(Produced by Guy Penrod and Jonathan Crone)

ABOUT GUY PENROD

Guy Penrod is one of the most acclaimed male vocalists in Christian music. Known for his country styling and 14-year tenure with the Gaither Vocal Band, Penrod’s music has been applauded in the gospel as well as country formats. He has appeared on stages ranging from “The Grand Ole Opry” and The Sydney Opera House to Carnegie Hall and has made numerous appearances on country recordings.

A vocal powerhouse, Penrod travels throughout the U.S. and abroad in addition to making multiple media appearances including RFD-TV’s top-rated “Larry’s Country Diner” and one of North America’s most popular Christian television programs “100 Huntley Street.” He hosts DayStar Television’s Emmy Award-winning “Gospel Music Showcase” program.

Penrod’s Hymns recording (Gaither Music Group/ Servant Records) debuted at #1 on the Nielsen SoundScan Southern Gospel retail chart and became the top-selling southern gospel album of 2012. His DVD The Best of Guy Penrod is certified platinum by the RIAA. In 2011 he became a Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee, and he was inducted alongside the Gaither Vocal Band into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2014.

Gaither Music Group’s All-new Docu-musical Rides to Top of Three Music Sales Charts

Gaither Gospel Series: Circuit Rider

Suzanne Jennings and Woody Wright’s Unique Circuit Rider Creation Strikes a Chord with Listeners
Award-winning Gaither HOMECOMING Artists Creatively Document
a Chapter of Our Nation’s History
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—November 7th, 2016—Gaither Music Group’s all-new Circuit Rider DVD rode straight to the top of this past week’s Billboard Music Video chart in addition to the Christian Music Video chart, according to Nielsen Soundscan, garnering the #1 position on both. The audio version of the docu-musical also claimed the #1 position on the Southern Gospel Album Sales chart and a Top 20 spot on the Contemporary Christian Music chart.
“This project has been a labor of love and a long time in the making,” stated Circuit Rider’s co-creator Suzanne Jennings. “We feel excited and privileged to be releasing this docu-musical honoring the great men and women who laid the foundations of our faith here in America.”

Guy Penrod (center) and church choir on the set of the Circuit Rider DVD recording in Lebanon, TN
Photo by: Daniel Meigs

The recording features vocal performances from some of the most celebrated talents on the Gaither HOMECOMING stage, including Guy Penrod, Russ Taff, William Lee Golden, Gloria Gaither, Lynda Randle, Tanya Goodman Sykes, Mark Lowry, Benjy Gaither, Woody Wright, Buddy Greene, Judy Martin Hess, The Isaacs, Joy Gardner, Reggie Smith, Charlotte Ritchie, Angie Primm, Michael Sykes and more. The DVD is hosted by former governor of Arkansas, talk show host and presidential nominee Mike Huckabee.
Created by Jennings and Woody Wright, Circuit Rider is the real-life account of the spiritual formation of a nation and the church we have today shaped in part by the dedication and vision of these circuit riders. These musical performances and readings, sung and read by some of the most well-loved gospel artists, tell the story of these preachers who blazed the trail to share the gospel of Jesus with people of every race and nationality living in little towns and settlements across the nation. These brave men and women, from every denomination and creed, understood the meaning of perseverance and sacrifice. Their stories are not often told, but they are as much a part of the American landscape as Mt. Rushmore and the Grand Canyon.
That story of hardships, revivals, baptism, sanctification and suffering is captured through this release, which is currently airing as a TV special on a large number of networks including PBS, DirecTV, Dish TV, AT&T U-verse, TBN, RFD, GaitherTV, FamilyNet, CTN, GMC, GMTN, Guardian, Liberty, TCT and TLN. In Canada it is airing on Vision TV, The Miracle Channel, CTS and Hope TV.
Gaither Music Group brought in the esteemed Michael Merriman to direct the filmmaking, and he and Stephanie Reeves produced the LIVE performances taped at Fiddler’s Grove Historic Village in Lebanon, Tennessee. Jennings and Michael Nolen teamed up for the screenwriting.
Circuit Rider 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 and www.gaither.com.
To enjoy a promotional video of the DVD, visit YouTube clip here:

CD and DVD SONG LISTING:
01. Burnin’ (featuring Guy Penrod)
02. Circuit Rider (featuring William Lee Golden & Russ Taff)
03. The Raven (featuring The Isaacs)
04. Bluegrass Moon (featuring Buddy Greene)
05. I’m the Clay (featuring Judy Martin Hess/Charlotte Ritchie/Tanya Goodman Sykes)
06. Mine All Mine (featuring Lynda Randle)
07. We Go Alone (featuring Joy Gardner & Woody Wright)
08. So Many Miles (featuring Reggie Smith)
09. The Old Man (featuring Benjy Gaither)
10. Refining Fire (featuring Michael Sykes)
11. Against the Grain (featuring Mark Lowry)

(Top to Bottom) Oak Ridge Boy William Lee Golden and Russ Taff, Buddy Greene and cast film the new Circuit Rider DVD.
Photos by: Daniel Meigs

GUY PENROD Enjoys Top-Selling Street Week

GUY PENROD Enjoys Top-Selling Street Week

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—GRAMMY® and GMA DOVE Award-winning recording artist Guy Penrod celebrated a successful first week of sales this week for his new, LIVE recording. LIVE Hymns & Worship (Gaither Music Group/Servant Records) claimed the No. 1 position on the Southern Gospel chart as well as the No. 2 position on the Contemporary Christian Music chart, according to Nielsen Soundscan.  The all-new DVD, recorded at Thomas Road Baptist Church at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA, landed at No. 1 on the Christian Music Video chart and at No. 1 on the Billboard Music Video chart.

GRAMMY®-winning Artist Guy Penrod to Release LIVE Recording

GRAMMY®-winning Artist Guy Penrod to Release LIVE Recording

Gospel and Country Singer Returns to Familiar Grounds

to Showcase Some of Today’s Most Loved Hymns and Worship Songs

Christmas Music Review: A Look Back

Last year, Sandi Duncan Clark reviewed new music for December, including two new Christmas releases. If you still have not picked up these CDs to add to your collection, we urge you to visit these artists’ websites.

Luke 2:11 “For unto you is born this day in city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.” (KJV)
What a wondrous announcement the angels made to the shepherds so many years ago, giving all of us the reason to rejoice and celebrate a precious birth! God’s plan of salvation for the redemption from sin was being fulfilled. I’m so grateful for His birth, death and resurrection for our opportunity to become His child! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
We wish you all a very blessed Holiday, and thank you for your love and support throughout this year. We are so blessed to have each of you read and enjoy our magazine.
We have new music this month, which will encourage you and entertain you throughout the holidays. Some of the albums are Christmas while others are just great Gospel music. We hope that once you read our comments, you’ll look for these at your local Christian music store. These recording will make wonderful Christmas gifts.
We wish you all a very Merry Christmas from the Clark household and prayers for a blessed New Year.

Read more »

This Week on Good News Music Radio with Woody Wright

Good News Music Radio With Woody Wright

This week’s program on “Good News Music Radio with Woody Wright” features Part 2 of our interview with Larry Ford and music from Jeff & Sheri Easter, Joseph Habedank, David Staton, Karen Peck & New River, Willie Wynn, Guy Penrod, Gordon Mote, The Hoppers, and MORE!

Tune-in to one of the stations listed on our site or listen online for an hour of great gospel music, inspiring ministry and fun with Woody Wright and D. Scott Kramer at:

http://GoodNewsMusicRadio.com/

Find Good News Music Radio On Facebook Here

This Week on Good News Music Radio with Woody Wright

This week’s program on “Good News Music Radio with Woody Wright” features Part 3 of our interview with Adam Crabb and music from The Hoppers, Guy Penrod, The Martins, The Nelons, Woody & Vonnie Wright, The Collingsworth Family and MORE!

Tune-in to one of the stations listed on our site or listen online for an hour of great gospel music, inspiring ministry and fun with Woody Wright and D. Scott Kramer at:

http://GoodNewsMusicRadio.com/