Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Creekside Monday Night Bash

Creekside Gospel Music Convention held its first concert for the 2014 Convention on Monday, November 3rd at 5:30pm. Creekside and SGN Scoops staff present and on stage for the event included Donnie Williamson, Ava Kasich, Vonda Easley, Rob Patz and Jonathan Edwards.

Groups performing on stage included the Shannon’s, The Steeles with special guests Tony Gore and

The Steeles with John Lanier and Tony Gore

Pine Ridge Boys

Faith’s Journey

Willie Wynn Bash

John Lanier, Sacred Harmony, Jericho Junction, Crimson Ridge, Faiths Journey, Jason Runnels, Williamsons, Pine Ridge Boys.

Following this, the Lou Wills Hildreth Honors Award was presented to Willie Wynn. Woody Wright saluted Willie by gathering some of his friends from The Kramers, Sweetwater and the Tennesseans.

For more details of the evening’s events, click on to http://www.sgnscoops.net/

For more information on Creekside visit http://www.creeksidegospelmusicconvention.com/

Be sure to catch the November issue of SGN Scoops for all the Creekside details! Coming soon! www.sgnscoops.com

Special thanks to Robert York and Michelle Drummond for photographs.

Ozark Gospel Music Convention 2014

The Abundance Quartet of Branson

By Joshua Heston – Special to SGN Scoops

“Precious memories how they linger / How they ever flood my soul / In the stillness, of the midnight / Precious sacred scenes unfold.” — J.B.F. Wright, 1925

Branson, MO —Traditional gospel music and Ozark Mountain culture go together mighty well. From brush arbor singing schools to pine-enshrouded churches where country folks sang from well-worn hymnals every Sunday morning, the sweet sounds of gospel music form an emotional basis for many of us; reminders of childhood, dinners on the ground, exciting tent revivals, and for some, simple evening singings as the family would gather together and let their voices ring.

But times change. People change. The world, it seems, simply picked up its pace and recordings, radio, TV, internet, and job and family responsibilities removed the opportunity to spend time with family and friends. The chance to leave an industrious world outside — even for just a few hours — was lost. Tattered hymnbooks were replaced by projection screens and four-part harmony swapped for an endless stream of praise and worship songs. Families didn’t gather around a piano anymore and besides, the music on the radio, then the entertainment on TV, then the library of digital music, was all more professional, more polished, and never required practice but simply the touch of a button.

The Williamsons of Wetumka, Oklahoma

Gone for most was the shape note singing, the tent revivals, and the conventions. Conventions? No, not Tupperware conventions. A generation or two ago, gospel music conventions, specifically quartet conventions, were commonplace. Small and large, these gatherings originated from 19th century songbook companies’ efforts to sell books. This was after the Civil War and the population was ready to embrace music that spoke of hope and peace.

Professional quartets traveled from church to church, then from convention to convention, stunning largely rural audiences with the now-trademark sounds of a powerful, rumbling bass, soaring tenor, lead and baritone vocals. As quartets polished their skills and styles, white Southern gospel music was born. With it, of course, came those singing conventions, the largest of which ultimately became the National Quartet Convention, an event that packed out the Ellis Auditorium in Memphis for many years. Here was the equivalent of a rock concert arena. Thousands of fans pouring into the venue to see gospel music greats like J.D. Sumner, James Blackwood of the Blackwood Brothers, and more.

The Ascension Quartet of Lebanon, Missouri

“When we’ve been there ten thousand years / Bright shining as the sun / We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise / Than when we’ve first begun.” — John Newton, Amazing Grace

Like many other elements of our rural population, Southern gospel conventions became fewer and farther between in the last generation. Now, the words “singing convention” are typically met with a bit of bewilderment. Southern gospel is still a small but powerful genre of music but many of the artists now travel from church to church, not from convention to convention.

The National Quartet Convention is still going strong, moving this year from Louisville to Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, but Southern gospel singing west of the Mississippi? Western region groups have struggled for years, honing their styles, their harmonies, their ministries, but laboring largely in the shadow of “top tier” groups with more convention affiliation in the east. Now, the efforts of Branson-based Jonathan Edwards (of Faith’s Journey), Donnie Williamson (of Wetumka, Oklahoma-based The Williamsons), Ava Kasich (Texas-born Beacon award winning soloist) and Rob Patz (of the Seattle-based SGN Scoops Digital gospel music magazine) teamed up to create a heartland Southern gospel convention here in Branson.

Jonathan Edwards holds a framed proclamation from the State of the Missouri, honoring The Lesters for 89 years of distinguished service in gospel music.

“For most of us who do gospel music, the goal is to see lives changed. But we can’t do that if we don’t have people to sing to. One of the goals of the convention is to expose more groups of the Midwest to an audience,” says Williamson. “That’s why we honored The Lesters during the first night of the convention. We want to highlight the quality of groups from this area.”

“Near the cross I’ll watch and wait / Hoping, trusting ever / Till I reach the golden strand / Just beyond the river.” — Fanny Crosby, Jesus Keep Me Near the Cross Read more »

SGN Scoops Radio For The Week Of June 4, 2014

SGN Scoops Radio For The Week Of June 4, 2014 On this week’s edition of SGN Scoops Radio with Jonathan Edwards, we have great gospel music from Crimson Gold, Guy Penrod, Declaration and Hope’s Journey. We’ve also got great Bluegrass music from Balsam Range and Newtown plus much more! Jean Grady of Gospel Music Today has a CD review of Down Home. As well, we introduce you to a group from Ohio called the Soul’d Out Quartet. So make sure to join us for two hours of great fun on SGN Scoops Radio.

Make sure you find out all about Soul’d Out by visiting their website: www.souldoutquartet.com

SGN Scoops Radio can be heard on the following stations:

WVSG Radio: wvsgradio.com, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4:00pm EST.

Radiocia: www.radiocia.us on Tuesday at 10:00 am and 9:00 pm CST and Saturdays at 8:00 pm CST.

Gospel Hour Radio: www.gospelhourradio.com on Saturdays at 3:00 pm CST and

re-airs on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:00 pm CST.

WTGF 90.5 FM, in Pace, Florida, on Saturdays and Sundays at 9:00pm EST.

WPIL 91.7 FM in Heflin, Alabama every Friday from 10:00am -12:00pm CST.

Contact Jonathan to bring SGN Scoops Radio to your station:

jonathan@sgnscoops.com.

For more information and free music, click on to http://www.sgnscoops.net

Inaugural Ozark Gospel Music Convention Sold Out!

Branson, Missouri (April 10, 2014) – It was announced this morning that the very first Ozark Gospel Music Convention (OGMC) in Branson, Missouri is sold  out. This event will take place May 5th -7th at the beautiful Stone Castle Hotel and Conference Center in Branson.

SGN Scoops Radio for Week of March 3, 2014

Ava Kasich

On this week’s edition of the program we have great gospel music from Guy Penrod, the Kingdom Heirs and the Hoppers. We also play classic music from the Mullins, Mended Wings, and feature bluegrass music from Newtown. We have the new single from The Steeles and their concept video is our video of the week. Join us as Jean Grady has a CD review of The Inmans and and interview with Danny Riley of Gold City. Our featured artist this week is Ava Kasich. Make sure to join us for two hours of great fun on SGN Scoops Radio!

Featured artist Ava Kasich started singing professionally at the age of three and was featured in local churches in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas. Ava loves the Lord with all her heart and it shows in her anointed singing! She also has an incredible testimony of God’s healing power in her body. Ava won the 2012 Beacon Award for Soloist Of The Year and her new single, “Stones” won the 2012 Beacon Award for Song Of The Year. For more information on Ava visit http://www.avalkasichministries.org/

Video Of The Week: The Steeles present “We’re All Human”

SGN Scoops Radio can be heard on the following stations:

WVSG Radio: wvsgradio.com, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 4:00pm EST.

Radiocia: www.radiocia.us on Tuesday at 10:00 am and 9:00 pm CST and Saturdays at 8:00 pm CST.

Gospel Hour Radio: www.gospelhourradio.com on Saturdays at 3:00 pm CST and re-airs on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:00 pm CST.

WTGF 90.5 FM, in Pace, Florida, on Saturdays and Sundays at 9:00pm EST.

Contact Jonathan to bring SGN Scoops Radio to your station: jonathan@sgnscoops.com.

Jonathan Edwards

About Jonathan Edwards: Jonathan Edwards began his radio career on KWFC 89.1 FM in Springfield, Mo. At KWFC he worked in news, sales and was an on air personality, creating the very popular Ozark Gospel Showcase. He has been nominated for 2 Singing News Fan Awards and garnered the coveted Paul Heil Award from the 2012 Diamond Awards. He travels full time with Faith’s Journey and currently hosts the syndicated radio show SGN Scoops Radio.

For more information and free music, click on to http://www.sgnscoops.net/

Coastal Media Group and SGN Scoops Announces New Syndicated Radio Show

Branson, Mo. (January 6, 2014) – Rob Patz is thrilled to announce a new addition to the Coastal Media Family. Beginning this month, Coastal Media Group will present SGN Scoops Radio, a weekly syndicated radio show hosted by Jonathan Edwards. The show will contain many of the great features you’ve come to love in the magazine, including the best in today’s Southern, Country and Bluegrass music, artist news by SGN Scoops editor Rhonda Frye and a monthly Top 20 Countdown. SGN Scoops Radio updates will be presented on The SGN Scoops website, http://www.sgnscoops.com/.

The Browders Talk With Jonathan Edwards Of SGNScoops.com

SGNScoops Jonathan Edwards Talks With Daywind Artist The Browders

Ed O’Neal Honored By SGN Scoops

Pigeon Forge, TN (October 28, 2013): Hall of Legend Ed O’Neal was honored on Monday night by the SGN Scoops Digital Magazine. The tribute was held in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Presented by Rob Patz and SGN Scoops, the evening was hosted by Gaither Homecoming star Larry Ford and Jonathan Edwards.

Several former members including Bryan Walker and Joe Kitson were on hand to pay tribute as well as a letter from Rodney Griffin and touching comments from the current members.

The evening included performances by Three Bridges, the Skyline Boys, Pauls Journey and the Dixie Melody Boys.

The audience was also able to hear incredible memories as Ed told many stories from the past. It was an special night in Gospel music history honoring one of its true treasures, Ed O’Neal.

The event will be televised at a later date.

For more information, go to https://www.sgnscoops.com/ orhttp://www.dixiemelodyboys.com/ .

 

Rick Webb Family Talk With Jonathan Edwards Of SGNScoops.com

Brand New Concert Event Comes To Branson Missouri, Spring 2014

Branson Mo (September 17, 2013) – A fabulous new Gospel music event will be held in Branson, Missouri this coming Spring. The Ozark Gospel Music Convention will be held May 5, 6 and 7, 2014 at The Stone Castle Hotel and Conference Center. Admission is free and all Gospel music fans are encouraged to make their vacation plans now.

The Ozark Gospel Music Convention will be hosted by partners Rob Patz, CEO of Coastal Music Group and publisher of SGN Scoops, award-winning Gospel soloist Ava Kasich and well-known industry personality, Jonathan Edwards. The fourth member of the team spear-heading this festival is Donnie Williamson, of Gospel music’s family group, The Williamsons.

Jonathan Edwards, who will be also be singing at the Convention with his trio, Faith’s Journey, says, “I am thrilled about having some of the best artist in Southern Gospel music coming to an event in Branson. I am looking forward to the music the ministry and the fellowship during these three days.” Ava Kasich is also anticipating a wonderful celebration of music. “I am so honored to be a part of The Ozark Gospel Music Convention and to be associated with such a great group of Christian folks!” says Kasich.

Donnie Williamson is already working hard with the team on events surrounding the Convention. “Well, what can I say? I am so excited for The Williamsons to be part of the Ozark Gospel Music Convention. The most beautiful music in the world – Gospel – will be performed at the most beautiful place in the world, Branson, Missouri. This will be the perfect opportunity to make the family part of a fun filled three days that will create a lifetime of memories.” Williamson continues, “Several of the finest groups in the Midwest will be performing along with great chapel services and other activities. And, there will be plenty of time available to see the wonderful sights of the Ozarks while there.”

Rob Patz is thrilled to be partnering with this group of artists to present the OGMC.“Our team came together with a common goal, to present Gospel music to as many people as possible in one of the most beautiful spots in the U.S. We want to present three days of entertainment, ministry and fellowship, all for free and all to glorify the name of Christ,” says Patz. “Come be with us on May 5 through 7 in the land of the Ozarks!”

https://www.facebook.com/ozarkgospelmusicconvention