Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Louisville, KY – The National Quartet Convention, in partnership with the Southern Gospel Music Guild, presented the first ever NQC Music Awards today (Friday, September 14) at the NQC during the Friday afternoon Showcase Spectacular in Freedom Hall in Louisville, KY.

Awards were presented based on both fan popularity and professional excellence, with two divisions of awards that being presented.  The first division was the  Fan Awarded categories where awards were determined by fan voting.   The second division was the Industry Awarded Categories, which was determined by the music professionals that participate as exhibitors during the National Quartet Convention. No purchase was required for those that are participating in the voting. All that was required is that they were registered on the NQC e-mail list prior to July 1st.

NQC Executive Vice President, Clarke Beasley stated that the Southern Gospel Music Guild has been an important partner in the process, as the SGMG is responsible for determining the category criteria, as well as screening entries for eligibility.  The SGMG professional membership also determined the recipient of the annual Les Beasley Award, given to a person or company that has made a significant impact in the field of Gospel Music. The recipient of that prestigious honor was presented to Marlin Taylor and XM Enlighten Radio.

In order to determine the Songwriter of the Year Award, the SGMG Awards and Criteria Committee pulled The Singing News Magazine radio charts for the eligibility time period and assigned each songwriter fifteen points for a number one song, ten points for a song in the top ten and five points for a song in the top 20. The total points for the eligibility period were tabulated for each writer, and the writer with the most points was awarded Songwriter of the Year.This year’s recipient was Dianne Wilkinson.

Below is a complete list of the 2012 NQC Music Award winners.

Bennett, Eric – Triumphant Qt

Brady, Jim – Booth Brothers

Booth, Ronnie – Booth Brothers

Phelps, David – Gaither Vocal Band

Hopper, Kim – Hoppers

Easter, Sheri – Jeff & Sheri Easter

Crabb, Jason

Booth Brothers

Collingsworth Family

Collingsworth, Kim – Collingsworth Family

Celebrate Me Home (Oak Tree) – Perrys

I Know a Man Who Can – Greater Vision

 INDUSTRY CATEGORIES

Lari Goss

Bill Gaither

WBOZ – Nashville

Louisville, KY – Historically speaking, the largest attendance during the National Quartet Convention week takes place on Friday. Holding true to form, Friday is expected to be the biggest day of the week at the 2012 event. The brightest names in Southern Gospel Music will take to the various stages throughout the Kentucky Fair & Expo Center in Louisville, as daytime showcases take place in the South Wing, East Hall and Freedom Hall.

Renown speaker, Dr David Jeremiah, founder of Turning Point Radio and Television Ministries and Senior Pastor of Shadow Mountain Church in El Cajon (San Diego), CA, will serve as the featured speaker on Friday morning. Convention attendees are expected to fill East Hall to capacity for this event.

Beginning at noon, Bill Gaither will bring to life his multi-award winning and best selling Homecoming Series, as more than 100 singers are expected to unite on the stage in Freedom Hall during the Gaither Homecoming Sing-Along,

Following the Gaither Sing-Along in Freedom Hall, the first ever NQC Music Awards will take place. The NQC, in partnership with the Southern Gospel Music Guild, will present 17 different awards to individuals and groups based on both fan-awarded and industry-awarded categories. “Much interest has been generated by the fact that these awards will be given based on both fan popularity and professionl excellence. This should be a very special presentation,” stated Clarke Beasley, NQC Executive Vice President.

On Friday evening, more than a dozen of the most popular names in Southern Gospel Music will take to the stage in Freedom Hall, providing Convention attendees with more than five hours of music. Just a few of the popular names scheduled to appear include The Gaither Vocal Band, The Isaacs, The Nelons, The Hoppers and Triumphant Quartet. Popular comedian, Dennis Swanberg will host the evening.

Saturday  marks the final day of the week-long event. Highlights of Saturday will include the Parade of Pianos, featuring the industry’s most talented pianists, as well as the Tribute to Lari Goss, honoring one of Gospel Music’s most legendary producers.

Seats are available for all afternoon showcases and evening concerts for the weekend, and may be purchased in the North Wing lobby of the Kentucky Fair & Expo Center. Visit www.nqconline.com for a complete schedule of events.

Louisville, KY – The 55th Annual National Quartet Convention officially kicked off on Sunday evening, September 9 at Louisville’s Kentucky Fair & Expo Center. The opening event included a special Sunday night concert,allowing Southern Gospel Music lovers arriving early for the 2012 event to enjoy the sounds of  multi-award winning groups, Greater Vision, The Hoppers and The Booth Brothers. This was the second year in a row these three group’s celebrated the kick-off of Southern Gospel Music’s premier event, which has taken place in Louisville since 1994.

The National Quartet Convention is the only event of the year where fans can see and hear their favorite groups at a single event, then meet group members and purchase music, videos and much more at any one of the many exhibit booths which span throughout 175,000 square feet. Southern Gospel Music lovers can enjoy their favorite music all day long, as music spectaculars begin each morning and continue until midnight each evening.

Headliners on Monday evening’s concert in Freedom Hall included Grammy nominated recording artist, Karen Peck & New River, Gospel Music Hall of Fame members, The Hoppers, and seven-time IBMA Group of the Year, Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver.

Tuesday marks the 11th anniversary of 911, and throughout the evening, artists appearing in Freedom Hall will pay tribute to the fallen of that tragic day. Grammy Award winner, Jason Crabb will be among the 13 performers scheduled to be featured on Tuesday evening.

Seats are available for all afternoon showcases and evening concerts and may be purchased in the North Wing lobby of the Kentucky Fair & Expo Center. Visit www.nqconline.com for a complete schedule of events.