Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

2016 Diamond Award winners Announced

Dr. Jerry and Jan Goff at 2016 Diamond Awards

Pigeon Forge, TN (November 2, 2016) – Creekside Gospel Music Convention was the site for the 2016 Diamond Awards presentation on Tuesday,  November 1st. Among the winners present in the Smoky Mountain Resorts auditorium were Ronnie Hinson, Gold City Quartet, Freedom Quartet, The Williamsons, Jeff Stice and more. The gala evening was emceed by Dr. Jerry and Jan Goff and attended by a large enthusiastic crowd.

Ronnie Hinson and Rob Patz

The 2016 Diamond Award winners are:

The J.D. Sumner Living Legend: Ronny Hinson

Mixed Group: Karen Peck and New River

Quartet of the Year: Gold City

Trio of the Year: Karen Peck and New River

Duet of the Year: Josh and Ashley Franks

Eagle’s Wings

John Rulapaugh of Freedom Quartet

Female Vocalist of the Year: Sheri Easter

Male Vocalist of the Year: Jason Crabb

Sunrise Award: The Chandlers

Sunrise Trio of the Year: Surrendered

Sunrise Quartet of the Year: Freedom Quartet

Song of the Year: The Williamsons – “Shout”

Album of the Year: The Williamsons – “Tell Somebody”

Williamsons

Christian Country Group of the Year: HighRoad

Anthony Burger Instrumentalist of the Year: Jeff Stice

Dottie Rambo Songwriter of the Year: Gerald Crabb

Bluegrass Gospel Album of the Year: Canaan’s Crossing – “Words”

Rob Patz

Bluegrass Gospel Song of the Year: Eagles’ Wings – “When I Wake Up To Sleep No More”

Bluegrass Gospel Male Artist of the Year: Tim Maze

Bluegrass Gospel Female Artist of the Year: Debra Wilson

Bluegrass Gospel Group of the Year: Eagles’ Wings

Mark209

Gospel Music Today Video/DVD of the Year: The Bates Family – “Louder Than Nails”

Favorite Industry Website: WATC Channel 57

Paul Heil Award for Broadcasting: Vonda Easley – WPIL FM

Publishers Choice Award: The Pine Ridge Boys

Lou Hildreth Award: JP Miller

Creekside Gospel Music Convention continues until Thursday November 3rd at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center in Pigeon Forge.  Tickets are free and everyone is invited to the last day of the event. For more information and to see pictures of the event, visit the Creekside Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Creeksidegospelmusicconvention/

John Rulapaugh On Gospel Music Today

John Rulapaugh On Gospel Music Today

John Rulapaugh and Josh Garner of Freedom Quartet are the guests on Gospel Music Today for the week of September 11. Ken and Jean Grady host southern gospel news and concert updates. The Feature Group is Forgiven Quartet, and Jean reviews new recordings by The Chandlers and The Florida Boys.  An article from Christian Voice magazine is the subject of this week’s News Notes. The show features a song by The Booth Brothers, exclusive concert video of The Ambassadors, recorded by Gospel Music Today’s cameras in Broken

John Rulapaugh On Gospel Music Today

John Rulapaugh On Gospel Music Today

John Rulapaugh and Preston Garner of Freedom Quartet are the guests on Gospel Music Today for the week of April 10 and Ken and Jean Grady host southern gospel news and concert updates. The Feature Group is Forgiven Quartet, and Jean reviews new recordings by The Chandlers and The Florida Boys.  An article from Christian Voice magazine about The Singing Cookes is the subject of this week’s News Notes. In the News this week is The Jim Brady Trio, Aaron Hise, Daywind Quartet Night Across America and The Sharps.  The show features singing by The Booth Brothers, exclusive concert video of The Ambassadors, recorded by Gospel Music Today’s cameras in Broken Arrow, OK, and a visit to the Gospel Music Today Archives for an exclusive concert video of Allegiance, recorded by Gospel Music Today’s cameras in Broken Arrow, OK.

John Rulapaugh announces new Gospel music Event

John Rulapaugh and Family Fun Freedom Fest

Family, Fun and Freedom Fest to take place May 27-28, 2016

Grace Baptist Church, Seymour, Tennessee

John Rulapaugh is pleased to announce the “Family, Fun and Freedom Fest,” an ALL NEW gospel music event, scheduled to take place Memorial Day weekend. (Friday, May 27 and Saturday, May 28, 2016.)

The members of Freedom Quartet each have families steeped in the traditions of Gospel Music, and this event is ALL about FAMILY! For John Rulapaugh, it began at an early age, singing in church with his mother at the piano. Dale Shipley was born into a musical family that the Gospel Music world would come to know as “The Song Masters.” Preston Garner’s father sang in quartets until his boys became of age and joined him in “The Supernals,” and Burman Porter – well, some things are better experienced than told… you don’t want to miss it!

Freedom Quartet

The event kicks off at 7:00pm on Friday, May 27th with a concert featuring the Supernals, and Freedom Quartet. The evening will conclude with a command performance of the 1990’s era Supernals, reunited for this one-time event. Doors will open at 6:00pm.

Saturday will be packed with fun for the whole family. Beginning with a Veteran’s Appreciation Breakfast – open to everyone (free for Veterans and military with ID), bounce houses and inflatables for the kids, a dunk tank for Burman, corn hole and pie eating competitions and plenty of music (featuring The Vineyards, The Joylanders and Freedom Quartet) throughout the day. Grace Baptist is hosting an All-American cookout lunch. A talent competition will be held – the winners of which will receive a handsome, grand prize package including the opportunity to sing during the Saturday evening concert!

Saturday evening’s event dubbed the ”Gold Star Memorial Concert” will begin at 6:00pm, and features The Joylanders, The Song Masters and Freedom Quartet. The evening will open with a memorial honoring the sacrifice of our community’s Gold Star famillies. (Attendees and members of the local community are encouraged to register the name(s) of their loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. Those names will appear in the event’s souvenir program and will be read aloud during the memorial.)

Advance Purchase General Admission Tickets are $10 for each night ($13 each at the door) Reserved seating is available by advanced purchase and guarantees the same reserved seat for both nights for only $25. The Patriot Pass ($65) is all-inclusive – Artist Circle seating, Veteran’s Breakfast, All-American Cookout Lunch, PLUS – Exclusive PRIVATE dinner with Saturday evening’s artists.

Visit www.freedomquartet.com or call (865) 366-5155 to purchase tickets, register for the Veteran’s Appreciation Breakfast, and/or Talent Contest.

PLAN NOW for this ALL NEW Gospel Music family event and make Memorial Day Weekend a memory your family will never forget!

For more news click here

Gospel Music Today For February 16th On SGNScoops.com

Gospel Music Today February 16 2015

John Rulapaugh is the guest on Gospel Music Today for the week of February 15. Ken and Jean Grady host southern gospel news and concert updates. The Feature Group is The Sojourner Quartet, and Jean reviews  new recordings by Karen Peck and New River and Michael Wayne Smith.  An article from Singing News magazine, called “Snapshots”, is the subject of this week’s News Notes. In the news this week, we find out what is happening with Madison and Shannon Easter, The Guardians and His Mercies.  The show features singing by The Hyssongs, exclusive video of Freedom Quartet, recorded by Gospel Music Today’s cameras in Smyrna, TN, and a visit to the Gospel Music Today Archives for an exclusive concert video of The Primitive Quartet at Gospel Singing Time, in Bixby, OK.

Introducing Freedom Quartet

Nashville, TN (September 5, 2013) – John Rulapaugh, founder of a group known for its dynamic energy and prowess, Freedom, raises the bar even higher, as he introduces Freedom Quartet.

The quartet’s new line up is the “creme dela creme” of Gospel music.

The new lead singer has an array of accolades and accomlishments and is best known for his days with the group, Perfect Heart. He is Dale Shipley. Read more about him at daleshipley.com.

Filling the baritone position for the group is Preston Garner. Garner is not only a notable vocalist with a vast array of experience. He is also a music minister and worship pastor and has a very clear understanding of leading an audience to the throne of God.

Taking the bass position is one of the most talented bass singers to grace a Gospel music stage. He is none other than Burman Porter.

Along with the solid and seamless tenor singing of Rulapaugh, this combination is poised to be one of the most cutting edge and impacting Gospel music ministries of the decade.

“The departure of my friend Josh Garner from Freedom’s lineup left a great void, one that could not easily be filled,” shares Rulapaugh. He continues, “Since the inception of Freedom, it was always our desire to have a great quartet. There have been several opportunities to make that move, but the timing was never right. Over the past few weeks the Lord has really made His plans evident in our lives and we are thrilled with the new starting place He has set for us. I couldn’t be more happy than with the addition of my old friend, Burman Porter, to the lineup of Freedom. Many will remember that Burman and I worked together on two previous occasions; First with The Dove Brothers Quartet and, then, with Palmetto State Quartet. There’s so much to tell about how this decision and direction unfolded…and not nearly enough space here to tell it all. Over the coming days and weeks I will share the details of how this all came to be. If you’re interested in the “back story,” visit and join our website. You can sign up for free and receive all the latest news from the group.”

The group is partnered with a premiere booking agency, Mountain Top Talent (one entity of the mutil-faceted Michael Davis & Associates). Mountain Top will be heading up their scheduling.

Michael Davis expresses, “John Rulapaugh has done it again by assembling one of the strongest personnel lineups to come along in quite sometime. The move from trio
to quartet will be well received by John’s fan base. I am very excited about the future of the Freedom Quartet.”

The quartet is looking forward to getting into the studio soon for their first full recording together.

To meet and follow the exciting happenings of this outstanding quartet, visit their brand new website, coming soon, at www.freedomquartet.com.

You can find them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/freedomquartet and follow them on Twitter at twitter.com/freedomquartet.

To learn more about all of the artists who call the Dominion Agency home, visit mountaintoptalent.com and michaeldavisandassociates.com. To schedule the Freedom Quartet and other wonderful artists with Michael Davis And Associates, call 828-454-5900 or email michael@michaeldavisandassociates.com.

Freedom Reaches Promotional Agreement with Southern Spin Entertainment

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – (July 4, 2012) – Freedom, one of the most exciting new names in Christian music, has reached a publicity and web promotion agreement with SSE Group, Inc.  Through this agreement, the talented trio has gained exclusive access to all media outlets serviced by Southern Spin Entertainment, in addition to advertising and marketing possibilities.

Freedom is the culmination of a mutual lifelong dream for longtime friends Josh Garner and John Rulapaugh. Having spent a combined total of more than 30 years singing the Gospel, these young men have joined forces to create a new standard in Christian Music. Joining Garner and Rulapaugh in this new undertaking is vocalist and pianist Tyler Vestal. Sharing a deep love for God and country, these three men are passionate about sharing the love of Jesus throughout an increasingly hurting nation and around the world. Read more »

Freedom Reaches Publicity and Web Publishing Agreement with Southern Spin Entertainment

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – (August 11, 2010) – Freedom, one of the most exciting new names in Christian music, has reached a publicity and web publishing agreement with SSE Group, Inc.  Through this agreement, the talented trio has gained exclusive access to all media outlets serviced by Southern Spin Entertainment, in addition to advertising and marketing possibilities.  Freedom will also receive a newly designed webpage and media kit through this agreement.

Freedom consists of industry veterans John Rulapaugh and Josh Garner along with relative newcomer Joel Trimble. The group’s schedule is already filling up including recent performances and scheduled appearances at industry events like the Suwanee River Jubilee, Branson Gospel Music Convention, 11th Annual SGN Music Fest, Grand Ole Gospel Reunion, and World Premier Gospel Event in Pigeon Forge, TN. The group records for Homeland Entertainment’s Riversong Records and just released their debut recording – Freedom – last month.

“We’ve known John and Josh for a long time, and we are so excited about getting to be a small part of their ministry,” mentioned Amy Marie Unthank of SSE Group, Inc. “There’s no denying that this group is going to be making a big impact on the Christian music industry, and we are so happy to assist them in whatever ways we can!”

Southern Spin Entertainment is one of three divisions of the 501c non-profit organization SSE Group, Inc.  The company is operated by siblings Amy Marie Unthank and Chris D. Unthank.  The company currently represents artists, companies, and organizations in all genres of Gospel music – including the Dove Brothers, The Freemans, The Nelons, AbsolutelyGospel.com (formerly SoGospelNews.com), HisSong, Misty Freeman, Driven Quartet, the Diamond Awards, Branson Gospel Music Convention, Eighth Day, David Hill Trio, Sharron Kay King, Heavens Highway, 2nd Generation, Brothers Forever, Shine On Trio, Men of Music, The Quicks, Rod Burton, and many more.

Fans are encouraged to call and request Freedom’s brand new single, “Come On In,” at radio all across the country!

Until Freedom’s new site is unveiled – you can find out more information on the group by visiting http://www.freedomtrio.com or by visiting them on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/FreedomTrio .
About Southern Spin Entertainment
Southern Spin Entertainment is one of three divisions of the 501c non-profit organization SSE Group, Inc.  Southern Spin Entertainment focuses on publicity and marketing for Southern and Country Gospel artists.  The company currently represents many artists, companies or organizations in all genres of Gospel music.

For more information on Southern Spin Entertainment, go to http://www.southernspin.com .

SSE Group, Inc.’s three divisions include Southern Spin Entertainment, SSE Design Group, and Southern Spin Radio.  SSE Group currently owns and operates Glorious Creations and TheBridgeLive.net.

For more information on SSE Group, go to http://www.ssegrouponline.com.

Josh Garner and John Rulapaugh Form Freedom

Sevierville, TN – Freedom is the ability to act, speak, or think without limitation; the power of the will, not relying on necessity; the entitlement to worship and live for God – in spite of social rejection.  Freedom is not about politics or religion.  Freedom is power, not to be taken lightly, and is to be enjoyed by all of God’s children.  With these thoughts in mind, Josh Garner and John Rulapaugh are elated to present their new musical endeavor: “Freedom!”

“Freedom” is the culmination of a mutual lifelong dream for longtime friends Josh Garner and John Rulapaugh.  Having spent a combined total of more than 30 years singing the Gospel, these young men have joined forces to create a new standard in Christian Music.  Joining Garner and Rulapaugh in this new undertaking is vocalist Joel Trimble.  Sharing a deep love for God and country, these three men are passionate about spreading the love of Jesus throughout an increasingly hurting nation and around the world.

John Rulapaugh states, “This is the realization of an ultimate dream for me.  It is always an honor to have the opportunity to share Christ through music or spoken word, and I am very excited about the opportunity to do just that with Freedom.  Having known Josh Garner for quite a while and having had the opportunity to work with him over the past year, I am excited that our friendship is now lending itself to business and creative partnership.  Josh is the type of singer that others aspire to be.  He inspires me to push myself vocally and creatively. Joel Trimble is a great singer, a devoted Christian young man, and has a heart for ministry.  We are thankful that the Lord put Joel in our path and that he has chosen to join us in this endeavor.”

Josh Garner says, “It has always been a faraway goal for me to be involved in the formation of a group.  However, that time has come and I couldn’t possibly be more excited about the things God is already doing with Freedom.  John Rulapaugh is the greatest tenor voice to come along in the past 30 years and it’s an honor to turn our friendship into a business relationship.  Joel Trimble is truly a breath of fresh air.  I am thrilled to see in him the same passion that I have for this music.  I’m certain Joel will quickly become a fan favorite.”

Joel Trimble says, “My father is a Baptist minister and my mother taught me how to sing when I was a small boy.  I am truly blessed to have such a wonderful, loving, God fearing family.”  Trimblecontinues, “I grew up listening to the Cathedrals, Gold City, and the Kingsmen, so it’s always been my dream to sing.  I want to use the talent God gave me for His glory and I’m thrilled to be a part of this new ministry.  I know God is orchestrating all of these changes in my life and Freedom is a welcome answer to prayer.”

A temporary website has been established at www.FreedomTrio.com. Visit the site to inquire about availa
ble concert dates, join the group’s email list, leave a message on their Guest Book, join their Facebook Page (www.facebook.com/freedomtrio), and keep up with their latest happenings!

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