Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

ICGMA 58th Annual Convention and Award Show

Marty Raybon Wins International Country Gospel Music Award as Bluegrass Artist of the Year

Nashville, TN  – The International Country Gospel Music Association (ICGMA) held their 56th Annual Convention and Gold Cross Awards Show this past weekend in historic West Plains, Missouri where it was announced MARTY RAYBON is the recipient of the 2012 ICGMA Bluegrass Artist of the Year Award. The bluegrass category included an impressive list of nominees including: Doyle Lawson, State of Grace, Eddie Gordon and Marty’s label-mate, brother-sister duo THE ROYS. The ICGMA is the oldest Country Gospel Music Organization in America.

Marty’s current Bluegrass single, “Dirt Road Heartache,” from the album SOUTHERN ROOTS & BRANCHES (Yesterday & Today), is currently the #1 song on the Bluegrass Today Top 20 Monthly Airplay Chart for August 2012. The song is also #11 on the Bluegrass Music Profiles Magazine Top 30 Hot Singles chart and made its debut this month on the Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine Top 30 Songs chart.

Marty’s cross over success this year has been just incredible as he is also receiving critical acclaim and chart action for his Country Christian album, HAND TO THE PLOW released on Rural Rhythm Christian. The album made its debut at #16 on Billboard’s Country Christian Album chart and continues to race up a variety of other charts. “I’ve Seen What He Can Do” is not only on this month’s Christian Voice Magazine Country Gospel Top 100 and Southern Gospel Top 100, but also appears on two Power Source Magazine charts – Inspirational Country Top 100 and even the Bluegrass Top 35 Songs. The song hit #1 on the Christian Music Weekly Top 10 Country Chart in March.

“Working On A Building,” also from HAND TO THE PLOW, includes the talents of Trace Adkins, Jimmy Fortune, and T. Graham Brown. The song was #1 on the Christian Voice Magazine Country Gospel Top 100 (May), #1 on the Cashbox Magazine Christian Country Top 20 (May), and appeared on the New Music Weekly Country Top 40 chart (March).

Marty was the featured artist on the recent Rural Rhythm TV production, BEHIND THE DREAM™ on BlueHighways TV and on the label’s upcoming CHRISTMAS THE MOUNTAIN WAY show with Audie Blaylock, Steve Gulley, Dale Ann Bradley, Cumberland River, Common Strings and more airing later this year on BlueHighways TV. He can also be seen on the BLUEGRASS COMES TO THE VALLEY TV Special which is a part of RENO’S OLD TIME MUSIC FESTIVAL airing on RFD-TV next month.

For more information on Marty Raybon including upcoming tour dates, music and news, please MartyRaybon.com. For more information on Rural Rhythm, please visit RuralRhythm.com and RuralRhythmChristian.com.