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SHENANDOAH ANNOUNCES “30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR”

Shenandoah

Legendary Country Group to Hit the Road in 2017 in Celebration of Three Decades of Music

Nashville, Tenn. (December 7, 2016) — Legendary country group Shenandoah will hit the tour trail in 2017 to commemorate 30 years of their classic sound. Next year marks three decades since the group first released their debut album in 1987. Today, a handful of dates were announced for the Shenandoah “30th Anniversary Tour.” A second round of dates will be announced in January.

The tour kicks off on January 22 in Annapolis, Maryland and will continue throughout the year with many additional live dates scheduled across the country. Shenandoah will also perform two live concerts in Zürich, Switzerland, a first for the band.

“After 29 years in the music business, we find ourselves more determined than ever before,” says lead singer Marty Raybon. “The past helps us to realize where we’ve been and sets our vision to where we want to be. Our mission in 2017, with new music, is to expand our fanbase while continuing to enjoy the performances and making our 30th year the best ever.”

Shenandoah

To celebrate the holiday season, Shenandoah has released a new Christmas song. The single, “The First Noel,” is included on the group’s Christmas Comes Alive EP. The song is now available for digital download at smarturl.it/ShenandoahFirstNoel and radio airplay as well.

2017 Concert Schedule for Shenandoah “30th Anniversary Tour”

Jan 22 – Annapolis, MD – Rams Head Onstage
Feb 25 – LaBelle, FL – Swamp Cabbage Festival
March 2 – Zürich Switzerland – Schützenhaus Albisgütli
March 3 – Zürich Switzerland – Schützenhaus Albisgütli
March 25 – Weatherford, TX – Texas Opry
March 30 – Vienna, GA – Dooly Campground
March 31 – Hartselle, AL – Hartselle High School Auditorium
April 8 – Winchester, OH – New Barn Convention Center
April 29 – Geneva, AL – Festival On the River
June 3 – Syria, VA – Graves Mountain Festival
June 10 – Emmetsburg, IA – Wild Rose Casino
June 20 – Clayton, NY – Clayton Opera House
July 29 – Rural Retreat, VA – Heritage Days
Aug 4 – Schulenburg, TX – Schulenburg Festival

About Shenandoah
Shenandoah originally formed in Muscle Shoals, Alabama in 1985. The band has charted 26 singles on the Billboard Hot Country charts, including #1 hits “The Church on Cumberland Road,” “Sunday in the South” and “Two Dozen Roses” from 1989, “Next to You, Next to Me” from 1990, and “If Bubba Can Dance (I Can Too)” from 1994. The single “Somewhere in the Vicinity of the Heart,” which featured guest vocals from Alison Krauss, won both artists a GRAMMY® Award for “Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.” To date, the group has sold millions of albums worldwide and is a recipient of the Academy of Country Music’s coveted “Vocal Group of the Year” award.

For more information on Shenandoah, visit their website here.

For more Gospel music and Christian Country news click here.

Sunday Mornin’ Country Celebration on June 12

Sunday Mornin’ Country

Nashville, Tennessee – June 3, 2016 – The Music City Christian Fellowship (MCCF) has announced that the 36th Annual Sunday Mornin’ Country® Celebration will be held in Nashville, Tennessee at the Grand Ole Opry House on Sunday June 12, 2016, starting at 2:30 PM. Tickets for Sunday Mornin’ Country® are available through the Opry Box Office (1-800-733-6779) and Ticketmaster.

Rock-N-Roll Hall of Fame, Country Music Hall of Fame and Rockabilly Hall of Fame legend, Brenda Lee, will be returning to host the event. Ms. Lee, also a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, has partnered with this event on numerous occasions over the years. “Her unique blend of humor and engaging connection with the audience is a perfect complement to this uplifting concert,” said Melanie Walker, Vice President of the MCCF organization.

Very special guest this year will be Uncle Si Robertson of the A&E hit television series, Duck Dynasty. Known affectionately as “Uncle Si”, he is also a hunter, outdoorsman, retired U.S. Army soldier, and duck-call maker at Duck Commander. Uncle Si will be appearing and singing alongside his daughter-in-law, Marsha Robertson.

Many award-winning hit makers of Country and Christian music will also be featured at this year’s extravaganza including: Marty Raybon (Lead singer of Shenandoah), Lulu Roman (Hee-Haw), Joanne Cash Yates (famous sister of the legendary Johnny Cash), John Berry, Buddy Jewell, The Fox Brothers, Margo Smith, Holly Watson, Melanie Walker (TCT Network) Cowboy Joe & The Babcocks, The Goodman Revival, Leipers Fork Bluegrass, Rene Jones, Tennessee River Boys, Jim Sheldon of the Music City Show, and many more!

“It’s more than a concert and more than a church service” says event producer Lynn Fox, “It’s a time of music, celebration, and inspiration!” Sunday Mornin’ Country® is great entertainment the whole family will enjoy as country music artists come together to share their heart, as well as their favorite gospel songs. The Music City Christian Fellowship presents this concert at the conclusion of the CMA Music Festival each year, leaving the fans and guests with an uplifting memory of Nashville that will last a lifetime.

Net proceeds from the admission price go toward the venue and production costs incurred and benefit the ongoing ministries of MCCF. All artists volunteer their performances. The MCCF Board of Directors is also a non-salaried position. The Music City Christian Fellowship is a 501(c)3 charitable organization.

**Artists scheduled to appear are subject to change. Watch for names to be added to the 2016 line-up as they become available.

Sunday Mornin’ Country® is a registered trademark of the Music City Christian Fellowship.

For more information visit www.MusicCityChristianFellowship.org

For more Southern Gospel news click here.

The Best of “SUNDAY MORNIN’ COUNTRY”® Celebration Adds Two Country Music Stars

Marty Raybon

Nashville, Tennessee (April 27, 2016) The Music City Christian Fellowship (MCCF) is excited to announce today the addition of Country stars Marty Raybon and John Berry to the “SUNDAY MORNIN’ COUNTRY”® Celebration that is held annually at theGrand Ole Opry.

Marty Raybon, of Shenandoah fame is no stranger to Gospel Music, having recorded numerous Gospel recordings himself. How does one describe the talent and career of Marty Raybon? Throughout his epic journey, spanning nearly three decades, Marty has produced a remarkable list of career accomplishments including; multiple number one singles, top selling albums, CMA, ACM, IBMA, and Grammy Awards, along with scores of other accolades. Collectively, his contributions to the recording industry have sold well into the millions and he has performed literally thousands of live concerts at four corners of the earth.

John Berry

John Berry, a country star in his own right, has produced a plethora of hits. During his star-making decade, John placed 20 singles on the county charts, 6 of which went Top 5, with “Your Love Amazes Me”, scoring a #1 on the Billboard and Radio & Records Country Chart as well as “Standing on the Edge of Goodbye” and “She’s Taken a Shine” earning the #1 slot in Radio & Records . He has earned multiple Gold and Platinum records over the years. John was nominated for the ACM Top New Male Vocalist in 1994, won a Grammy Award in 1996 for his participation in Amazing Grace: A Country Salute to Gospel Vol. 1, was nominated for another Grammy in 1995 for his smash hit “Your Love Amazes Me” and was nominated for the CMA Horizon Award and Top Male Vocalist Award in 1995. In 1997 he was nominated for Vocal Event of the Year (for “Long Haired Country Boy” with Charlie Daniels and Hal Ketchum) and in 2013 John was nominated for the Mainstream Country Male Artist by the ICM Awards. And, thanks to the miracles of modern technology, he even sang a duet with the late, great Patsy Cline.

In addition to Margo Smith joining the star studded line-up, Rock-N-Roll, Country Music and Rockabilly Hall of Fame Legend, Ms. Brenda Lee, will be returning to Host the 36th Annual Sunday Mornin’ Country® celebration at the Grand Ole Opry House, Sunday, June 12, 2016, at 2:30 P.M.

Previous line-ups have included over two hundred Top Name Country Music Artists such as Ricky Skaggs, Connie Smith, Roy Clark, Linda Davis, Chris Young, The Whites, Bill Anderson, George Hamilton IV, Lynn Anderson, Ray Stevens, The Oak Ridge Boys, Jimmy Wayne and many more, along with Gospel friends / legends like Jason Crabb, Vestal Goodman, Michael English, Guy Penrod and The Fox Brothers. Early shows included stars Roy Acuff, Tammy Wynette, Grandpa Jones, Skeeter Davis, Bill Monroe and other legends that have since gone home.

Sunday Mornin’ Country® is great entertainment the whole family will enjoy as Country Music Artists come together to share their hearts as well as their favorite Gospel songs. The Music City Christian Fellowship presents this concert at the conclusion of CMA Music Fest/Fan Fair each year, leaving the Fans & Guests with an uplifting memory of Nashville that will last a lifetime!

Tickets for Sunday Mornin’ Country® are ON SALE through theOpry Box Office  (1-800-733-6779) or (www.opry.com – click on tickets) and Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com/event). Visitwww.MusicCityChristianFellowship.org for more information.

The Music City Christian Fellowship is a 501©3 non-profit organization and all artists volunteer their performances at the June 12 concert. Positions on the MCCF Board of Directors are non-salaried. Sunday Mornin’ Country® is a registered trademark of the Music City Christian Fellowship.

Watch for artists to be added to the 2016 line-up as they become available. Artists scheduled to appear subject to change.

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Christian Country Expo off to a Foot-Stompin’ Start!

Marty Raybon

Pigeon Forge TN (August 24, 2015) – The Christian Country Expo at the Smoky Mountain Resort, Pigeon Forge TN, got off to a great start on Monday.

The Jam Session, sponsored by Firehouse Subs, is being held on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Many of the artists joined in this informal musical session and played well-known songs to the appreciative audience. Thanks to Firehouse Subs for partnering with us on this great event!

Jam Session with Chris Golden

On Monday night at the mainstage, the headliner was Marty Raybon. A Country star both as a solo artist and with Shenandoah, Marty has been very active in the Christian Country circuit as well, telling his audiences about the change that Jesus has made in his life.

Marty Raybon recorded a song with soloist Sharron Kay King on her latest album. Marty joined Sharron during her set to perform this song live during the evening.

We hope you enjoy this collection of photos from the first day and night of the Christian Country Expo.

CCE continues at Pigeon Forge through Thursday, August 27. Join us!

Sharron Kay King

Along with T Graham Brown (Wednesday night only), the CCE is happy to present Chuck Day, Chris Golden, Jim Sheldon, Tommy Brandt, Jan Harbuck, Ava Kasich, Tina Wakefield, Jerry Branscom, and many more. Doors open at the Center at 5:00 pm on Monday night and again on Tuesday morning at 9:30 am for music showcases. The main theme of the event is: “Salute To Our Heroes,” and CCE invites all servicemen and first responders to come out and be recognized.

For more information on CCE, go to the Facebook or website page.

The Roarks

Tommy Brandt and Ava Kasich

Contact Rob Patz for more information and tickets. 360.933.0741 or rob@sgnscoops.com

Find us on Twitter!!! #ccx2015

Jim Sheldon

Tina Wakefield

Marty Raybon

Chris Golden

Chris Golden

Chris Golden

Marty Raybon

Marty Raybon

Marty Raybon and Tina Wakefield

Marty Raybon goes from darkness to Light

We hope you enjoy this feature on Marty written by Dan Duncan.

Marty Raybon

Marty Raybon is a multi-talented singer, songwriter and musician who is best known as the the distinctive lead voice on a long string of hit songs by the Country music super-group, Shenandoah. His career, which has spanned almost three decades, has found his songs topping the charts in Country, Bluegrass, and Country Gospel music.
Born and raised in Sanford, Florida, Raybon moved to Nashville in 1984 to pursue his dream of a career as a recording artist. There he joined a band and worked to develop his songwriting skills. He sang demos in the recording studios of Nashville to earn additional income.

Marty Raybon

Raybon accepted a job in Muscle Shoals Alabama with a group of buddies who would eventually become the band Shenandoah. Robert Byrnes and Tommy Brassfield had been commissioned by a major record company to do a nationwide talent search for artists who had potential to be developed into a major act. After searching across the nation, they “discovered” Marty and his group within two miles of Fame Recording Studio, in Muscle Shoals. Their recording of spec-records in Fame Studio produced such hits as “Two Dozen Roses”, “Mama Knows”, “The Church on Cumberland Road”, “Next to You, Next to Me,” and so many more.
The rewards of success are many, but they are certainly not without pitfalls. As in so many cases, the lifestyle of stardom led Marty to addiction to alcohol and drugs. Things moved from bad to worse when the group began to face lawsuits for infringement for the use of the name Shenandoah. At least five other groups could produce evidence that they had the legal right to use the name. Neither the record company, the recording studio, or the production company had done a trademark search for the right to use that name. Lawsuits came fast and furious, which eventually resulted in the group filing a Chapter 7. They literally paid out millions of dollars to satisfy the claims filed against them.

Marty Raybon and Full Circle

The group received no help from their recording studio, record company, or management company. In fact, all of those organizations also filed lawsuits against Shenandoah. It was very humbling and humiliating. The group continued working hard to meet all their financial obligations, until eventually everything was paid.
Substance abuse continued to worsen for Raybon. One evening after coming in off the road, Marty accepted another party invitation. They hit a nightclub where the drinking was more than excessive. Raybon related that he woke up on a couch to discover he had been gone for four days. Returning home, he retreated to his basement where he had stashed additional alcoholic beverages.
God had a plan for Marty Raybon’s life that day. Raybon had been raised right, but he had not been doing right. God began tugging on his heart. Sick of his lifestyle and sick of his problems, Raybon got serious with himself and serious with God. In his drunkenness and confusion, Raybon asked himself: “If I died, would I go to Heaven?” Ashamed of himself and ashamed of what he had become, he cried out to God: “I’m out of control! Help me”!
That day, the basement of his home became “Holy Ground” for Marty Raybon. He audibly talked face to face with God, and made everything right! Right then and there, he gave his heart and life to God.
“I stayed in the basement all day,” says Raybon. “I poured out the liquor. I hunted it out from everywhere I had hidden it, and poured it out. I promised God: ‘If you’ll fix me, I’ll serve you.’ I didn’t hear any bells and whistles, but I was changed that day! I felt like I wasn’t dirty anymore”.
Raybon’s wife Melanie was a believer who was living with a pagan husband. At the end of the day, Marty joined her upstairs and asked her this question: “Do you have an Easter dress? I gave my heart to the Lord today. I’m saved! It’s different. I’ll be home from my next tour by Easter Sunday. We’re going to church.”
He began introducing others to Jesus. He introduced other band members and their families to the Lord. Raybon figured if God could fix him, He could do it for anybody! The heartbeat of His message is, “No matter how far down you’ve gone, God can reach you.”
Raybon left Shenandoah in 1997 to fulfill God’s call to spread the Gospel through his music. To date, he has recorded five country gospel albums, which have resulted in a lot of number one songs and a long list of awards. As of this writing, Raybon’s recording of “Beulah Land” is currently number one in the country gospel chart. He has been nominated for awards in four categories by the International Country Gospel Music Association (I.C.G.M.A.) in their August Award show. His next bluegrass album will be Gospel Bluegrass.
While Marty Raybon has enjoyed great success in the music field, his priorities remain solidly anchored in his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. A person cannot be around Raybon very long before you discover that he loves to share Jesus with those with whom he comes into contact.
No matter where you meet Marty Raybon, he is first and foremost, a Christian. He is very sincere, and always sensitive to the spiritual needs of those he meets. Marty Raybon is the Real Deal!
For more information on Marty Raybon visit http://martyraybon.com/online/

By Dan Duncan

First published by SGN Scoops magazine in August 2014.

For the latest edition of SGN Scoops magazine and more news in Gospel music, visit the SGN Scoops mainpage.
Along with Mary Raybon, the CCE is happy to present Chuck Day, T Graham Brown, Chris Golden, Jim Sheldon, Tommy Brandt, Jan Harbuck, Ava Kasich, Tina Wakefield, Jerry Branscom, Sharron Kay King, and many more.

The Christian Country Expo will open at the Smoky Mountain Resorts on Monday, August 24. Doors open at the Center at 5:00 pm on Monday night and again on Tuesday morning at 9:30 am for music showcases. The main theme of the event is: “Salute To Our Heroes,” and CCE invites all servicemen and first responders to come out and be recognized.

For more information on lodging or tickets, please email Rob Patz of Coastal Media at rob@sgnscoops.com or call 360 933 0741.
Visit the Christian Country Expo on Facebook or online at http://www.ChristiancountryExpo. com

Christian Country Expo welcomes artist Chuck Day

Chuck Day

Pigeon Forge, TN (August 21, 2015) – Christian Country Expo – Salute To Our Heroes, is pleased to announce that Christian Country artist, Chuck Day, will be appearing at the Expo next week. SGN Scoops is one of the sponsors bringing the four-day music festival to the Smoky Mountain Convention Center from August 24 through the 27th, with Country stars Marty Raybon headlining on Monday night, and T Graham Brown appearing on Wednesday night. Other events include an evening at the Dixie Stampede, daily music showcases and a special exciting announcement during the Expo.

Chuck Day

“I am thrilled to welcome Chuck Day to the Christian Country Expo stage,” says Rob Patz of SGN Scoops. “Chuck is well known in the Country Gospel and Christian Country circuit, and we are pleased that he has been able to add CCE to his schedule. He is one of the pioneers of the Christian Country genre and just a great guy. I am also happy that he is going to be at the Expo during a special segment where we will be making a surprise announcement.” Patz adds, “I hope everyone within driving distance who can join us at Pigeon Forge will make the trip. It will certainly be worth it!”

Chris Golden. Picture by Don Breland

Chuck is one of today’s top singer/songwriters and is a pioneer in the Christian Country and Country Gospel industries. He has written and co-written more than 16 number-one songs in the Christian and Country genres. Chuck has had songs recorded by such names as: Gold City, Clay Cross, Michael English, Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, The Hoppers, Rebecca St. James, Barry Wayne, Bob Carlisle, and more. He and his brother Greg Day co-wrote the beloved anthem, “Midnight Cry,” made popular by Ivan Parker and Gold City, among others.

Marty Raybon

This award-winning musician and vocalist has traveled extensively with his family in his early years, as a soloist and also with Country music artists including Freddy Fender, Marty Haggard and others. Chuck now tours throughout the United States and the world, singing Christian Country. He holds both a Doctorate of Theology degree and a Doctorate of Divinity while also practicing as an ordained minister.

Along with Chuck Day, the CCE is happy to present Marty Raybon, T Graham Brown, Chris Golden, Jim Sheldon, Tommy Brandt, Jan Harbuck, Ava Kasich, Tina Wakefield, Jerry Branscom, Sharron Kay King, and many more.

T. Graham Brown

The Christian Country Expo will open at the Smoky Mountain Resorts on Monday, August 24. Doors open at the Center at 5:00 pm on Monday night and again on Tuesday morning at 9:30 am for music showcases. The main theme of the event is: “Salute To Our Heroes,” and CCE invites all servicemen and first responders to come out and be recognized.

For more information on lodging or tickets, please email Rob Patz of Coastal Media at rob@sgnscoops.com or call 360 933 0741.

Visit the Christian Country Expo on Facebook or online. 

Marty Raybon: Every Good Thing

By Paige Givens

Marty Raybon is a true artist whose music has stood the test of time. Whether listeners have heard the Grammy-award winning tenor as a solo artist or as lead singer of the popular Country group Shenandoah, they have quickly learned that Raybon’s heart and soul are poured out through his songs. Marty has enjoyed a long-lasting career in Country, Bluegrass, and Gospel music. Through all of his accomplishments, however, Marty will be the first to tell you where every good thing in his life comes from—and it’s from the God who loves him.

Marty was born in Sanford, Florida, but he grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. He recalls growing up with his brothers and sister there. “It was a wonderful childhood. Music always filled our house. My brothers, Rick and Tim, and I sang together a lot, especially songs about being brothers. So we loved ‘brother’ acts, like The Osborne Brothers, Jim and Jesse. Our father, Kenneth, was a fiddle player and he taught us harmony parts. He was my biggest influence in music, not just because he knew how to make it work, but because he knew how to love it. He taught me how to love it.”

Marty also recalls some of the biggest spiritual influences in his early years. “Billy Graham was the most soul-stirring spiritually. Also, my older sister, Kathy, has always walked very close to the Lord. She was such a wonderful example of how to be Christ-like.”

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Salute Our Heroes A New Christian Country Event

Salute Our Heroes!

Marty Raybon of Shennandoah and 2014 Grammy nominee, T. Graham Brown

Artists: please reserve your booth today by contacting Rob Patz at rob@sgnscoops.com.

August 2014 SGNScoops Magazine

August 2014 SGNScoops Magazine

Here it is, the middle of Summer and we have so much to share with you, we can’t hardly stand it! So take a deep breath and your glass of sweet tea and enjoy the August edition of SGN Scoops!

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.