Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Kenna Turner West signs with Sonlite Records

Arden, North Carolina — Sonlite Records and Crossroads Music are pleased to announce the signing of Kenna Turner West to their roster of recording artists. For nearly four decades, West has blended music, devotional teaching, and humor into a ministry that has reached across the nation and around the world. As an award-winning songwriter, her efforts have garnered numerous honors including six BMI Awards, three Dove Awards, twenty-three “Song of The Year” wins, and a growing list of #1s. 

West — who is currently pursuing a master’s degree in theology — began her career in gospel music as a vocalist in 1983, serving in full-time ministry until 2011 when she scaled back her touring schedule to help her teenage son learn to navigate the world with a visual disability. For the last nine years, she has poured herself into songwriting, co-writing hits such as “Say Amen,” “Even Me,” “Victory Shout,” “Revival,” “Come Sunday Morning,” “What Kind of Man,” and “Can I Get a Witness.” Signing with Crossroads brings the artist’s career full circle.

“I am so thankful for the opportunity that Chris White and Mickey Gamble have given me, and I am absolutely overjoyed to work with longtime friends Greg Bentley, Roger Talley, and Jeff Collins,” says West. “This is literally a dream come true!”

The new relationship between West and Crossroads is a testimony of God’s providence, she explains. “It’s amazing to think that at the very same time our son is thriving in grad school — which allows me the opportunity to return to the road with new music — Crossroads calls! The timing couldn’t be more perfect, and I couldn’t be more excited!”

Sonlite Records’ Greg Bentley adds, “I have known Kenna for more than 30 years. She is one of those special people that once you meet them, they are imprinted on your brain as a great friend. Many people know Kenna more for her song writing, but I’ve known she has a special anointing on her way of communicating the message that needs to be shared. So, we discussed this deal around the office, then with Kenna, and now she is part of our Sonlite Records/Crossroads family. We couldn’t be more thrilled. Be watching for new songs coming out before the end of this year.”

Diamond Awards 2019 celebrate Williamsons, Triumphant, Jan Goff, more

The Williamsons at the 2019 Diamond Awards

Pigeon Forge, Tenn. (October 30, 2019) — The 2019 Diamond Awards presentation was held last night, Tues. Oct. 29, 2019, at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Held as part of the Creekside Gospel Music Convention, the awards ceremony honored industry veterans Eddie Crook, Jan Goff, Kenna Turner West, and Gerald Crabb, as well as newcomers Jessica Horton, Chronicle, Day 3, and Justified. “King Jesus” singers, Eagle’s Wings, swept the Bluegrass awards, winning all four categories.

The evening began with Justified singing outdoors at the Creekside Singing on the Square. From there, the festivities moved indoors to the Creekside mainstage. The Williamsons, The Dodrill Family, Mark209, Cami Shrock, The Pine Ridge Boys, and Josh and Ashley Franks, were a few of the artists on the evening schedule. Pastor Josh Franks gave an encouraging and inspiring message.

The 2019 Diamond Awards were produced and directed by Jean Grady of Gospel Music Today and Rob Patz of SGNScoops Magazine and Coastal Media.

Robert York with Jan Buckner Goff 

Here are the winners of the 2019 Diamond Awards:

J.D. SUMNER LIVING LEGEND AWARD – Eddie Crook

MIXED GROUP OF THE YEAR – The Williamsons

QUARTET OF THE YEAR – Triumphant Quartet

TRIO OF THE YEAR – The Hyssongs

DUET OF THE YEAR – Josh and Ashley Franks

FEMALE VOCALIST Of THE YEAR – Sheri Easter

MALE VOCALIST Of THE YEAR – Jason Crabb

SUNRISE AWARD – Jessica Horton

Vonda Armstrong, Ashley and Josh Franks 

SUNRISE DUET OF THE YEAR – Chronicle

SUNRISE TRIO OF THE YEAR – Day 3

SUNRISE QUARTET OF THE YEAR – Justified Qt

SONG OF THE YEAR – “Sun’s Gonna Come Up” – The LeFevre Quartet

SUNRISE SONG OF THE YEAR – “Living For The Call” – The Ferguson Family

CHRISTIAN COUNTRY GROUP OF THE YEAR – Mark209

CHRISTIAN COUNTRY SONG OF THE YEAR – “Hide Me Behind The Cross” – Tonja Rose

Ken and Jean Grady of Gospel Music Today 

ANTHONY BURGER INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR – Jeff Stice

DOTTIE RAMBO SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR – Gerald Crabb

BLUEGRASS GOSPEL SONG OF THE YEAR – “King Jesus” – Eagle’s Wings

BLUEGRASS GOSPEL MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR – Matthew Wilson

BLUEGRASS GOSPEL FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR – Debra Wilson

BLUEGRASS GOSPEL GROUP OF THE YEAR – Eagle’s Wings

Gospel Music Today VIDEO/DVD OF THE YEAR – “When The Mountain Can’t Be Moved” – Tonja Rose

PAUL HEIL AWARD (Broadcasting) – Dave Taylor – KWFC

Kenna West and Cami Shrock 

PUBLISHER’S AWARD – Kenna West

MOUNTAINTOP INDUSTRY PROFESSIONAL AWARD – Sheila Blackwell

JERRY GOFF AWARD – Jan Goff

For more information on Creekside Gospel Music Convention please click HERE.

Mark209

Eagle’s Wings

Mike Stankovic with Tim and Missy Kinchen of Chronicle at 2019 Diamond Awards

Hope’s Journey at the 2019 Diamond Awards

Rob Patz with Debi Crabb and Gerald Crabb at Diamond Awards 2019

Dennis and Leslie McKay with Jessica Horton at Diamond Awards 2019

Justified at the Singing On The Square at Creekside 2019

For live video presentations of the Diamond Awards 2019 and more from Creekside, visit the SGNScoops Facebook page HERE.

Creekside Gospel Music Convention is an annual event held in Pigeon Forge, featuring over 50 artists, daytime showcases, evening concerts, the Dr. Jerry Goff Honors, Diamond Awards and Midnight Prayer.  For more information, call Rob Patz at 360 – 933 – 0741.

For more Gospel music features, read the latest SGNScoops Magazine HERE.

Listen To Todays Gospel Music Here

Lindsay Huggins Releases “Praying Women” Video

Lindsay Huggins Releases “Praying Women” Video

Tribute to Moms and all “Praying Women” 

Nashville, TN,  Gospel music artist Lindsay Huggins has released the video “Praying Women”.  This inspirational video brings to life the story portrayed in her new radio single of the same name.

Viewers of the video will be reminded of the power of prayer.  The story is a tribute to our mothers and other women who pray for us.  Released in time for Mother’s Day, the video brings to mind these women of faith and how grateful we are for their spiritual support.

When asked about the song and video “Praying Women”, artist Lindsay Huggins responded “I’m so pleased to release the music video for my single ‘Praying Women’.  The song was special to me from the moment I heard it, because my mother prayed the prayer of salvation with me on our living room couch.”  Huggins concludes “I know her prayers through the years have shaped me, and I want to leave that same legacy.”  The song was produced by acclaimed songwriter and producer Jerry Salley, and is found on the newly released project Then Jesus Came.

“Praying Women” was penned by award-winning songwriters Lee Black, Marcia Henry and Kenna Turner West.   “I was sick and had called on several of my girlfriends and family to pray. The Lord moved and took care of the problem.” said Henry.  “I shared with Lee and Kenna how thankful I was for praying women.  Lee started running with it and Kenna and I got excited. It was a memorable day!”

“Lee had the idea to turn the testimony into a song.” said West. “And when Marcia began playing the piano, I think that all three of us could sense that we were part of something very special.” she concluded.

The video was produced by Bryce Free and Paper Taxi Designs.  Regarding the video production, Huggins commented,  “I was thrilled to have Bryce Free direct and produce this video. I also owe a huge thanks to my very generous friends who volunteered to be in the video. They did a fabulous job and I’m really proud of what we created.”

The video can be found online at https://youtu.be/lxqFntqBsRM and will also be broadcast nationwide on Harmony Road TV and other television programs in the coming weeks.

More information on Lindsay Huggins and her ministry can be found at www.lindsayhuggins.com.

Back Home Releases New CD On The Cross Country Records Label

Nashville, TN (5/5/14) – Awarded nominated and winning trio Back Home (Jimmy and Jennifer Layne and Stacy Pearcy) from South Pittsburg, TN has released a brand new CD that have many saying is the best CD they have heard in the Southern Country Gospel genre in years.

“Back Home has released some great CD’s in the past, but this CD is the best I’ve heard to date from them and that’s saying a mouthful,” says Chris Latham/Back Home producer and Grammy winning engineer.

The new CD titled “It’s Not Over” is loaded with award winning writers such as Jimmy Yeary, Tony Wood, Sue Smith, Kenna Turner West, Jerry Salley, Mark Narmore, Josh Turner, Jason Cox, Jeff King and Jennifer Layne.  Each and every song tells of the love of God and forgiveness He gives us and that we should give to each other.

Things are going great for Back Home.  Coming off a great end of the year in 2013 singing on the main stage at NQC and just recently receiving 4 Diamond Award nominations and 1 Singing News Nomination for Favorite New Trio.

Jeff King and Chris Latham, owners and producers of Cross Country Records, (Back Home’s label), are completely hands on in the record making process. They each play, engineer, and produce each song on every album. They are both Nashville veterans, with major accolades of their own. Jeff is touring with Reba McEntire and is one of music’s most in demand session players. And as always, Back Home’s CD is full of Nashville veteran player’s who year after play on their records.  Players include, Jeff King, Steve Brewster, Mike Johnson, Jason Webb, Chris Latham, Tammy King and Joel Key.

“We feel like God deserves the best that we can give him and that Gospel music needs to be quality in sound and words”  It’s about Him and reaching the folks that are hurting,” says Jimmy and Jennifer.

“I’m so happy to be working on my 6th year now with Back Home. Their music is fresh and real, telling powerful stories we can all relate to in some form. Their ministry brings comfort to those in need, and hope for people trying to change their lives. They’ve been through it, now they sing about it. If you haven’t experienced a live concert.. Do it!” said Jeff King/Producer of Back Home and Cross Country Records Producer and Owner.

Sheri Easter stated, “I remember the first thing Jeff ever told me about Back Home.  We were working a concert with them and he came back on the bus bragging on the harmonies, their vocals and what a wonderful writer Jen was.  Immediately, I was hooked.”  Jeff and Sheri are appearing on Back Home’s new CD, with a duet slated to be the next single written by Jennifer and Sheri Easter called “One Prayer Away”, it will be hitting radio this month.

To learn more about Back Home, you can visit them on the web at www.backhomesings.com. You can also purchase a new Back Home CD on their website.

Nashville, TN (February 10, 2014) Singer/songwriter Kenna Turner West recently returned to Nashville from a performance on the 2014 Country Music Cruise. Hosted by Entertainment Cruise Productions and Time-Life’s Star Vista Entertainment, thousands of Country Music fans from around the world enjoyed daily concerts, interviews, and meet-and-greets by their favorite country stars such as Kenny Rogers, Vince Gill, Patty Lovelace, Jo Dee Messina, The Gatlin Brothers, and Restless Heart, along with Wade Hayes, T. Graham Brown, Andy Griggs, Ty Herndon, Bryan White, Jamie O’Neal, and The Warren Brothers.

West, the daughter-in-law of country music legend Dottie West, was thrilled to be part of the standing room only George Jones Tribute show hosted by Lorianne Crook and with a special appearance by the late star’s wife, Nancy.

“It was an honor to sing with some of the greatest Country singers and musicians in our industry,” said West of the experience. Kenna’s husband, Kerry, audio engineer for Ronnie Milsap, ran sound for the event, as well as for the Restless Heart shows. “Interestingly, Kerry ran sound for Restless Heart’s showcase twenty-five years ago that landed the group their first record deal, so it was somewhat sentimental for all the guys to work together again,” West added, “To spend time with the Gatlins was a highlight of the trip for us. Since it was Dottie who first brought them to Nashville, there was a lot of story-swapping going on all week.”

For more information about Kenna West, visit www.kennaturnerwest.com or https://www.facebook.com/kenna.west.77

Daywind Music Group Celebrates Radio Success for 2013

HENDERSONVILLE, TN – December 23, 2013 –Thanks to radio stations nationwide, 2013 has been a year of hit songs for the Daywind Music Group and its family of artists and songwriters. Daywind artists recorded 11 of the Singing News Top 40 Songs of the Year in 2013. Daywind songwriters also tallied 11 of the Top 40 songs. 18 of the Top 40 songs for the year featured a Daywind artist, a Daywind songwriter, or both.

Leading the pack was Diane Wilkinson who wrote 4 of the Top 40 songs of the year, including singles for the Kingdom Heirs (2), Tribute Quartet, and 11th Hour. Wilkinson was also recognized as Songwriter of the Year at the NQC Music Awards and Songwriter of the Year (non-performing) at the Singing News Fan Awards. Greater Vision, Brian Free and Assurance, and the Browders each had 2 songs in the Top 40 for the year. Other artists and songwriters to achieve cumulative chart recognition include Karen Peck and New River, the Nelons, Mark Trammell Quartet, the Perrys, Kenna Turner West, Jason Cox, Ronnie Hinson, Matthew Browder, Kyla Rowland, Marcia Henry, and Gerald Crabb.

Daywind artists and songwriters reached the top position in the Singing News charts 9 times in 2013. Number 1 songs included “I Want To Be That Man,” co-written by Ricky Free and recorded by Brian Free and Assurance (February); “Just Preach Jesus,” written by Diane Wilkinson and recorded by the Kingdom Heirs (April); “I Got A Hold Of God This Morning,” written by Kyla Rowland and recorded by the Perrys (May); “Praise You in This Valley,” written by Matthew Browder and recorded by the Browders (July); “Good News From Jerusalem,” written by Diane Wilkinson and recorded by the Tribute Quartet (August); “Calvary’s Cry,” co-written by Kenna Turner West and Jason Cox and recorded by Brian Free and Assurance (September); “Just Beyond the Sunset,” written by Diane Wilkinson and recorded by the Kingdom Heirs (October); “Looking For The Grace” by Greater Vision (November); and “He Is Alive,” written by Matthew Browder and recorded by the Browders (December).

2014 is off to a great start with Daywind Music Group represented on 20 of the Top 40 songs and the top 3 new releases for January. “Southern Gospel radio stations have been very receptive to the Daywind singles and are eager to hear what is coming in 2014. We are excited to start the New Year with another number 1 song, ‘Revival’ by Karen Peck and New River,” stated Amanda Martin, Daywind’s Director of Media Relations.

Daywind President Ed Leonard said, “We are blessed that so many of the top artists and songwriters in Southern Gospel music have chosen to call Daywind home. They are putting so much effort into their craft and drawing on God’s inspiration to create music of hope and faith. We are thankful for the songs, the artists, the songwriters, our friends at radio. We will continue serving radio and the world by producing top quality Southern Gospel music.”

Daywind Records is home to great Southern Gospel artists Brian Free and Assurance, Legacy Five, Greater Vision, the Hoskins Family, the Blackwood Brothers, Wilburn and Wilburn, the Browders, Adam Crabb, Karen Peck and New River, Amber Thompson, the Nelons, and Watts, Rowsey, & Bean. Red Hen Records is home to Red Roots, Zach & Rodney, and Michael Lee. Thoroughbred Records is home to the Chigger Hill Boys & Terri. Daywind recordings are distributed to Christian retail by New Day Christian Distributors (www.newdaychristian.com) and to the general market by Select O Hits.

Daywind Music Publishing is home to great songwriters Ronny Hinson, Dianne Wilkinson, Marty Funderburk, Sue Smith, Kenna Turner West, Jason Cox, Kyla Rowland, Belinda Smith, Ricky Free, Scott Inman, John Darin Rowsey, Lee Black, Ben Storie, Gina Vera, David Browder, Matthew Browder, Sonya Browder, Tommy Browder, Aaron Crabb, Adam Crabb, Amanda Crabb, Karen Peck Gooch, Mike Richards, Natalie, Nika, and Nicole Taylor (Red Roots), Gina Boe, Caleb Collins, Janice Crow, Marcia Henry, Russell Mauldin, Rick Schweinsberg, Micah Schweinsberg and CCM writers Sam Tinnesz, Aaron Rice, Michael Fordinal, Justin Kintzel, and Hearts of Saints.

For more information on Daywind Records, visit www.daywindrecords.com or contact Amanda Martin at 1-800-635-9581.

For more information on Daywind Music Publishing, visit www.daywindpublishing.com or contact Rick Shelton at 1-800-635-9581.

Karen Peck and New River Score Another #1

Dahlonega, GA (November 22, 2013) Multi-award winning group Karen Peck and New River have once again come up with a #1 song. Titled ‘Revival‘ this song resonates with audiences and radio listeners everywhere. This has resulted in their 4^thnumber 1 song across the board on all the major Southern Gospel music charts that was either written or co-written by Karen. The song hit #1 for the month of January in the Singing News chart and has been in the top spot on AbsolutelyGospel.com charts for 4 straight weeks.

The song was co-written by Karen Peck Gooch, Kenna Turner West and Don Poythress at Daywind Publishing. It was recorded at Daywind Records by the group on their latest project with the same title as the single ‘Revival’. Karen Peck and New River knew radio was playing this song, because something special was happening when they sang this song at concerts. Fans were singing along, hands were being raised and people were being blessed.

“We are so passionate about ‘Revival’. We are praying that the Lord will break out revival all over this world. More than ever we need Him.” Karen went on to say “Thanks to our precious DJ’s for believing in the song and for partnering with us in spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ.”

This is an article written by Kenna Turner West on the writing of the song ‘Revival’.

http://absolutelygospel.com/index.php?/content/articles/a-songwriters-perspective-revival

You can learn more about Karen Peck and New River at http://www.karenpeckandnewriver.com orhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Karen-Peck-and-New-River/81762389595 .

You can reach Karen Peck and New River by E-mail at newriver@windstream.net .

Karen Peck and New River are booked by The Harper Agency – Phone: 615-851-4500 – www.harperagency.com .

Kenna Turner West Signs Agreement With AG Publicity

Nashville, TN (October 1, 2013) Award winning singer/songwriter Kenna Turner West, five-time Dove Award nominee and three-time SGM/AGM songwriter of the year has signed with an agreement with AG Publicity. Kenna is nominated for 2 Doves this year for the song “I’m Learning” by Aaron and Amanda Crabb, which was co-written with Lee Black and Michael Fordinal. It has been nominated in two categories, Song of the Year and Country Song.

Deon Unthank, AG Publicity President said “A songwriter with Kenna’s abilities only comes around every decade or so. I am excited to represent a songwriter of her caliber.”

Kenna was also a co-writer of the current hit single, “Revival”, by Karen Peck and New River along with writers, Karen Peck Gooch and Don Polythress.

Karen Peck Gooch said of Kenna’s songwriting, “She just seemed to know exactly what I wanted to convey in this song even before I could clearly articulate it myself. She was able to pick up on the style of music I had in my heart and help me to put the thoughts on paper in the perfect flow.”

Kenna stated “This is a very exciting time for us. Our ministry is continuing to grow, in part because of the visibility that the songs have brought to the other aspects of what we do. I am thrilled to have AG Publicity helping us get the word out about all that God is doing, both in and through us.”

To learn more about the ministry of Kenna Turner West or to book an event, visit her website www.KennaTurnerWest.com or https://www.facebook.com/kenna.t.west .

You can reach Kenna by e-mail at booking@westhouseonline.com .