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LEGENDARY RECORDING ARTIST RUSS TAFF RELEASES DEBUT WORSHIP ALBUM BELIEVE NOV. 2

Russ Taff “Believe”

His First New Album In Seven Years Features Amy Grant, David Crowder 

Brand New Recording Of “I Still Believe” Releases Oct. 5

Multi-GRAMMY® and Dove Award-winning Russ Taff will release his debut praise and worship album, Believe, Nov. 2 from Sweetwater Studios, a division of Sweetwater Sound, and with global distribution from The Fuel Music. His first new album in over seven years, the full-circle, 12-song project features new recordings of the hits for which Taff is best-loved, including his iconic “I Still Believe” that will be available beginning Friday (Oct. 5) as a single at iTunes, Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon.com and more digital and streaming outlets everywhere through the link https://the-fuel-music.lnk.to/ISTILLBELIEVE.

Produced by Phil Naish and Mark Hornsby, Believealso features Taff singing “Don’t Try So Hard” with multi-platinum, GRAMMY® winner Amy Grant, “I Am” with three-time GRAMMY® nominee David Crowder, “Isn’t The Name” along with strings recorded at the legendary studio, Abbey Road, and his classic hit “We Will Stand.” The album further features Taff’s signature vocals on worship favorites like “Your Love Never Fails,” “No Longer Slaves,” “Be Still My Soul” and “Same Power.”

“There was a day when I didn’t think I’d ever be able to sing or record again,” reveals Taff. “Grace from above, and from my wife Tori and friends coming alongside me, has breathed new life into my spirit. I’m so grateful for this season, and this new recording is my worshipful offering and heart’s cry.”

“This new project will be a heart-stirring reminder of why Russ became the legend he is,” says Mark Hornsby, Vice President of Operations, Sweetwater Studios. “Weathering personal storms, he remains one of the most powerful and endearing voices in music today, while sharing a clear, worshipful message of grace and hope for everyone, for any circumstance.”

Russ Taff photo credit Erick Anderson

The full Believe track listing follows:

1. Your Love Never Fails

2. I Still Believe

3. Don’t Try So Hard (with Amy Grant)

4. Same Power

5. I Am (with David Crowder)

6. Be Still My Soul

7. No Longer Slaves

8. When I Hear Your Name

9. There Is A Fountain

10. There’s A Hallelujah

11. Isn’t The Name

12. We Will Stand

Releasing three days prior to his new album, the feature-length “Russ Taff: I Still Believe” documentary is in theaters nationally for one-night only Oct. 30. The film chronicles his musical journey and behind-the-scenes battle with alcoholism, the childhood trauma he suffered at the hands of an alcoholic father and abusive mother, the undying, 42-year love story with his wife Tori, and his ultimate embrace of God’s healing and restoration.

Featuring such legendary artists and entertainers as Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, MercyMe’s Bart Millard, Newsboys’ Michael Tait, Bill Gaither, Mark Lowry and Chonda Pierce, theater audiences will also have the opportunity to view a special acoustic performance by Taff and multi-GRAMMY® Award-winning Steven Curtis Chapman immediately following the film.

Tickets for “Russ Taff: I Still Believe” can be purchased at FathomEvents.com and participating theater box offices.

For more Russ Taff, Believe album and documentary news, go here . For movie news go here. See also Facebook, Twitter andInstagram.

About Russ Taff:

Hailed by Billboard magazine as “the single most electrifying voice in Christian music,” Russ Taff has garnered six GRAMMY® Awards and 18 Gospel Music Association Dove Awards. Inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame an unprecedented three times—as a soloist, as well as a member of The Imperials and the Gaither Vocal Band—Taff is also a member of the Christian Music Hall of Fame and the Arkansas Walk of Fame. He has recorded 11 solo albums to date, including industry benchmarks Medals (1985), Russ Taff (1987) and Under Their Influence (1991). From rock giants Kings of Leon to Millard, Tait and many others, Taff’s influence is felt throughout the music world.

About Sweetwater Studios:

Sweetwater Studios is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sweetwater Sound, Inc., the largest online music instrument retailer in the country. With three world-class studios designed by Russ Berger and access to a greater diversity of musical equipment and professional audio gear than any other recording studio in the world, Sweetwater Studios is able to accommodate just about any recording, mixing or mastering project, no matter how simple or complex. With renowned staff producer Mark Hornsby at the helm, who has worked on many Grammy and Dove-award winning albums, Sweetwater Studios also has an exceptional staff of producers, engineers, session musicians and studio technicians. For more information on Sweetwater Studios, please visithttp://www.sweetwaterstudios.com.

About The Fuel Music:

Established in 2008, The Fuel Music & Management, LLC, is a leading artist management and artist solutions company that independently distributes music internationally. Based in Nashville, TN, the Fuel team brings nearly 70 years of combined music industry experience in record label operations, major label distribution and marketing, and artist management for artists ranging from upstart bands to GRAMMY Award nominated, multi-platinum artists. More information on the company can be found atwww.thefuelmusic.com.

FATHOM EVENTS BRINGS ‘RUSS TAFF: I STILL BELIEVE’  TO MOVIE THEATERS NATIONWIDE OCTOBER 30 

FATHOM EVENTS BRINGS ‘RUSS TAFF: I STILL BELIEVE’ 
TO MOVIE THEATERS NATIONWIDE OCTOBER 30

DENVER—From Fathom Events and Fuseic Entertainment comes the compelling documentary “Russ Taff: I Still Believe,” chronicling the multi-GRAMMY® and Dove Award-winning star’s unparalleled musical journey and behind-the-scenes battle with alcoholism.

Playing in cinemas nationwide October 30 at 7:00 p.m. local time, this one-night inspirational event is not-to-be-missed. Immediately following the film, theater audiences will have the opportunity to view a special acoustic session with Taff and his friend, multi-GRAMMY® Award-winning singer/songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman.

Tickets for “Russ Taff: I Still Believe” can be purchased at FathomEvents.com and participating theater box offices.

Fathom Events and Fuseic Entertainment present “Russ Taff: I Still Believe” in nearly 600 select movie theaters on October 30 through Fathom’s Digital Broadcast Network (DBN). For a complete list of theater locations, visit the Fathom Events website (theaters and participants are subject to change).

Acclaimed director Rick Altizer (“Chonda Pierce: Laughing in the Dark”) traces Taff’s iconic four-decade career, as well as the childhood trauma he suffered at the hands of an alcoholic father and abusive mother.

Unable to overcome his shame for many years, Taff turned to alcohol, distancing his family, threatening his career and jeopardizing his life. In “Russ Taff: I Still Believe” the award-winning Gospel singer candidly reveals how a tumultuous past fueled his own addiction and the ultimate healing he embraced in the power of Christ’s love and forgiveness. “I Still Believe” also shines an important spotlight on Taff’s wife of 42 years, Tori. Her tough love, fervent prayers and unfailing devotion helped her husband find freedom from his past through God’s mercy.

Russ Taff

The film includes appearances from such legendary artists and entertainers as Amy Grant, MercyMe’s Bart Millard, Michael W. Smith, Newsboys’ Michael Tait, Bill Gaither, and comedians Mark Lowry and Chonda Pierce.

“In this feature, Russ Taff highlights a very important issue—alcoholism—and his journey to overcome that addiction,” Fathom Events CEO Ray Nutt said. “Events like this offer people the opportunity to reflect on their lives and begin to have conversations around a very real cultural issue.”

About Fathom Events
Fathom Events is the leading event cinema distributor with theater locations in all top 100 DMAs® (Designated Market Areas) and ranks as one of the largest overall theater content distributors. Owned by AMC Entertainment Inc. (NYSE: AMC), Cinemark Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CNK) and Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC), Fathom Events offers a variety of unique entertainment events in movie theaters such as live performances of the Metropolitan Opera, top Broadway stage productions, major sporting events, epic concerts, the yearlong TCM Big Screen Classics series, inspirational events and popular anime franchises. Fathom Events takes audiences behind the scenes for unique extras including audience Q&As, backstage footage and interviews with cast and crew, creating the ultimate VIP experience. Fathom Events’ live Digital Broadcast Network (“DBN”) is the largest cinema broadcast network in North America, bringing live and pre-recorded events to 941 locations and 1,496 screens in 181 DMAs. The company also provides corporations a compelling national footprint for hosting employee meetings, customer rewards events and new product launches. For more information, visit FathomEvents.com.

Russ and Tori Taff

About Fuseic Entertainment 

Crossroads Partners with the BGEA to Honor the Ministry of Billy Graham

The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Crossroads Label Group joined together to create a musical tribute to Billy Graham and his historic Crusades. Click on the photo to watch the tribute, “Passing The Torch.”

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Historical musical tribute celebrates Billy Graham’s ministry

Arden, NC. (March 1, 2018) – At Rev. Billy Graham’s historic Crusades, Gospel music always paved the way for his message. In a moving video memorial titled “Passing the Torch,” The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (website here) and Crossroads Label Group (website here) pay tribute to Graham and the music that played a significant role in his ministry.

The music and video medley shows George Beverly Shea in Los Angeles in 1963, Ethel Waters in New York City in 1957 and Johnny Cash in Irving, Texas in 1971 singing “I’d Rather Have Jesus,” “His Eye Is On The Sparrow,” “Peace In the Valley” and “How Great Thou Art” before modern Gospel artists Michael W. Smith, Melinda Doolittle and Jason Crabb pick up and carry on the tunes.

The tribute debuted after Graham’s death February 21 to a live audience while a motorcade took his body from The Cove in Asheville, NC to The Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, NC over the weekend. It signifies a passing of the torch from one generation to the next and stands as a reminder of the timeless nature of Graham’s ministry.

Dr.Billy Graham

“I believe as Billy Graham passed from this life to his eternal life, the Lord himself said “‘Well done my good and faithful servant!'” says Jason Crabb. “I was honored to sing at Billy’s final crusade in New York, and perform many times at his wonderful training center called The Cove . I was happy to be a part of this extraordinary tribute video.”

The video was produced several years ago as one of many memorial tributes to the evangelist that would be shown after his death. Crossroads produced the complex musical score while the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association produced the captivating video at the Blumenthal Theatre in Charlotte, NC.

It has now been viewed more than 2 million times.

“Being asked to produce this audio piece for the Graham organization, in conjunction with my wife Kimberly, was such an honor,” says Chris White, co-owner of Crossroads Label Group. “Session leader, Jeff Collins, along with our studio players and engineers, totally made the piece come to life. Being a part of this production, to honor the life of Dr. Graham, was certainly one of the greatest highlights of my career.”

Audio Credits:
Chris White, senior audio producer
Jeff Collins, recording session leader
Van Atkins, engineer
Kevin Ward, engineer
Video Credits:
The Billy Graham Evangelist Association, executive producer
Vonda Harrell, senior producer
Kevin Adamson, director
John Schroter, editor
Kim White, producer

About Crossroads:
Crossroads is a market leader in the Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, and Americana fields. Established in 1993, following the combination of Horizon Music Group and Sonlite Records, Crossroads now operates several divisions including Crossroads Label Group (Horizon Records, Sonlite Records, Mountain Home Music, Skyland Records, Pisgah Ridge Records, Crossroads Records, and Organic Records), Crossroads Distribution, Crossroads Radio Promotions, Crossroads Publishing Group and Crossroads Recording Studios. Led by a strong executive team of Christian music and Bluegrass music veterans, Crossroads combines cutting-edge technology with creative innovation to connect fans with our artists’ life-changing music. View the Crossroad’s website here.

The GAITHER VOCAL BAND Showcases Happy Rhythms on Two All-New DVDs

GAITHER VOCAL BAND

GRAMMY® Award-winning Group Introduces Companion DVD to Recent Chart-topping Sometimes It Takes a Mountain CD Release

Read more »

Gerald Wolfe’s 100 Piano Hymns receives 2013 Dove Nomination

(Louisville, KY) October 9, 2013 – Daywind Records is celebrating Gerald Wolfe’s Dove Award nomination for “Instrumental Album of The Year” for his album 100 Piano Hymns. Wolfe is nominated along with Michael W. Smith, Andrew Greer, Ben Tankard, and Paul Mills.

100 Piano Hymns features one hundred of the most requested and beloved hymns on three CDs. Songs include “In the Garden,” “Great Is Thy Faithfulness,” “It Is Well with My Soul,” “I’ll Fly Away,” and many more.

Wolfe, who started his award-winning career in Gospel music as the pianist for the Cathedral Quartet, is the owner and lead singer of Greater Vision, one of the top groups in Southern Gospel music history. The group has been nominated for and won several Dove Awards and Singing News fan awards during its run, but this is the first Dove nomination for Wolfe as an instrumentalist.

“Everyone who knows me knows how much I love the great hymns of the church,” shared Wolfe. “The lyrics are both heartwarming and profound. The familiar melodies are inspiring and comforting. I hope this recording will encourage people everywhere to take a closer look at these timeless treasures we call hymns.”

100 Piano Hymns is available nationwide at your local Christian retailer or by visiting www.electricgospel.com.

The 44th Annual GMA Dove Awards will take place on Tuesday, October 16th, 2013, at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville, TN. The show will begin at 7:30 pm CST and tickets are available for purchase at www.doveawards.com.

For more information about Gerald Wolfe and Greater Vision, please visit www.greatervisionmusic.com.

Daywind Records is home to such great artists as Greater Vision, The Mark Trammell Quartet, Karen Peck and New River, the Browders and more. Daywind is distributed to Christian retail by New Day Christian Distributors (www.newdaychristian.com) and to the general market by Select O Hits. For more information on Daywind, visit www.daywindrecords.com or contact Amanda Martin at 1-800-635-9581.

Jason Crabb Kicks Off Fall Season With Over 35,000 in Attendance at Labor Day Concert!

(NASHVILLE, TN) – Grammy Award winner Jason Crabb began the fall season with over 35,000 people in attendance as the featured musical guest for the Townley Labor Day Celebration in Candler, FL this past week. Over 3200 decisions were made for Christ during the annual event, held in conjunction with the Townley Engineering and Manufacturing Company’s 50th Anniversary which included Evangelist Reinhard Bonnke, Stanley McChrystal, and Daniel Kolenda. Jake and Helen Townley began the company in 1963 and decided several years ago to give back to their community by hosting this free labor day party – complete with food, games, music and fun for the entire family!

We had a blast at the Townley Labor Day Celebration,” said Jason. “I’d like to thank Mr. & Mrs. Townley for inviting our entire crew to be a part of this celebration. The best part about it all was over 3200 souls came to know Jesus Christ – that’s what it’s all about!”

With no time to rest, on Wednesday September 4, 2013, Crabb accepted an appointment to the 9/11 Day of Prayer and Repentance special committee joining noted Christian influencers Congresswoman Michelle Bachman, pastor Greg Laurie, actor Chuck Norris and singer Pat Boone. The day – began by WND.com CEO and Founder Joseph Farah – calls Christians to pray and repent to mark the anniversary of 9/11.

Next up, the award-winning singer, musician, author, actor and television host continues his ‘Love Is Stronger’ tour and then joins legendary CCM artist Michael W. Smith for a select number of appearances during the final leg of Smith’s ‘All Around The World’ tour in October.

To keep up with Jason and all that is going on, stay tuned online to www.JasonCrabb.com, Facebook.com/JasonCrabbMusic, and Twitter.com/JasonCrabbMusic.

ABOUT JASON CRABB
Jason Crabb is one of the most highly respected, versatile and talented artists to ever grace a stage. His soulful, heartfelt vocals have made him a critics’ pick and a fan favorite on stages ranging from “The Grand Ole Opry” and the Brooklyn Tabernacle to arena platforms. Crabb is the reigning GMA Dove Awards’ Artist of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year and currently holds seventeen Dove Awards. With a string of number one hits and chart-topping singles, a tour schedule of over 150 dates annually, and ongoing high-profile TV appearances, this vocal powerhouse’s talent is topped only by his genuine personality and concern for others. Love Is Stronger, his latest release, arrived onto the musical landscape with critical acclaim. Produced by musical heavyweights – Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin,) Jay DeMarcus (Rascal Flatts) and Wayne Haun (Celine Dion) – the 11-track project features Jason at his very best and garnered attention from Entertainment Tonight, The Associated Press, FOX News, AOL Music, The Boot, CCM Magazine, New Release Tuesday and more. Jason lives with his wife Shellye, and daughters Emma and Ashleigh just outside of Nashville, TN.

Photos: Photo by Demetri Arvanitis / Demetri Photography

Michael W. Smith Taps Jason Crabb as Special Guest on Final Leg of Tour

(NASHVILLE, TN) – Multi-platinum recording artist Michael W. Smith has announced plans for the final leg to the successful “Worship Around The World” tour and has invited Jason Crabb, Christian Music’s reigning Male Vocalist of the Year and Artist of the Year, to be his very special guest. The tour is slated to hit approximately 12 cities across the country, including Tulsa, OK; Longview, TX; Syracuse, NY; Bangor, ME; among others.

In the past year, Smith has toured to over a dozen countries including Brazil, Abu Dabi, Baharain, Europe, Canada, Malasia, Singapore and will just land in the United States from Iceland as this final tour leg begins.

Worship as a corporate body continues to be the theme for this tour and attendees are in for a special evening as they experience the musical genius of Michael W. Smith and the soulful voice of Jason Crabb.

“I’ve known Jason Crabb for years,” Smith says. “Everyone in the business knows he’s an amazing singer – but what I love most about him is his heart. The genuine love and care he displays to every single person he comes in contact with is something we all can learn from. I can’t wait to share the stage with him!”

“To share the stage with Michael W. Smith is going to be a very special thing for me,” says Crabb. “One of the first times I heard Michael was during a period in my life when things weren’t going so well. I found hope and encouragement in his music. Never in a million years did I imagine that one day I would share the stage with him – we’re going to have a great time!”

During the evening both artists will perform separately, sharing music from their individual careers, then join together on stage for unforgettable powerhouse moments of music.

Ticket information for the tour dates will be available on each artist’s website: www.MichaelWSmith.com and www.JasonCrabb.com.

Tour Dates:

October 3 – Brookville, NY (Jason Crabb not appearing)

October 4 – Morristown, NJ (Jason Crabb not appearing)

October 5 – Van Wert, OH (Jason Crabb not appearing)

October 6 – York, PA (Jason Crabb not appearing)

October 11 – Tulsa, OK

October 12 – Midland-Odessa, TX

October 13 – Longview, TX

October 24 – Stamford, CT

October 25 – Syracuse, NY

October 26 – Williamsville, NY

October 27 – Jackson, MI

October 29 – Daytona, FL (Jason Crabb not appearing)

October 30 – Daytona, FL (Jason Crabb not appearing)

November 1 – Bangor, ME

November 2 – Collingswood, NJ

November 3 – Indiana, PA

JASON CRABB SCOOPS UP A GOOD TIME

Nashville, TN – Country music fans were welcomed to the CMA Music Festival with an extra-special sweet treat yesterday as Denali Flavors, developers of Moose Tracks Ice Cream flavor and Purity Dairy gave away 10,000 scoops of the popular ice cream during their 10,000 Scoops Challenge to raise $10,000 for Michael W. Smith’s Rocketown. Crabb joined celebrity scoopers Joe Diffie and Larry Gatlin among others as they gave away 10,000 scoops of the ice cream to the delight of fans on the first day of the CMA Music Festival in Nashville, TN. “I’ve been working out at the gym here lately,” said Crabb. “But I couldn’t turn down a chance to cheat on my diet a little bit to help my friend Michael W. Smith and Rocketown by scooping and eating some great Moose Tracks Ice Cream! It was an excellent excuse, ha!”

TALENT ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2012 GMA GOSPEL MUSIC HALL OF FAME

  TALENT ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2012 GMA GOSPEL MUSIC HALL OF FAME

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – August 3, 2012 – An unforgettable night of tributes and performances will be featured at the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Tuesday, August 14, 2012 (7:00 PM CST) at Trinity Music City in Hendersonville, TN. Dailey & Vincent, Dottie Peoples, Gordon Mote, Greg Long, The Isaacs, Jamie Grace, Michael W. Smith and The Talleys are among the artists set to provide recognition to this years inductees: Aretha Franklin, The Hoppers, Rex Humbard, Ricky Skaggs and Love Song. Jason Crabb and Jaci Velasquez will host the evening’s festivities.

Jackie Patillo, Executive Director of the Gospel Music Association and President of the Gospel Music Foundation commented: “It is great to see our christian and gospel music communities come together to pay tribute to this years GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductees. It is an honor to recognize our trailblazers and remind the world of the people God has used to spread the gospel through music.”

This year marks the 39th anniversary of the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame which was established in 1971, and has inducted more than 150 members since its inception. Previous inductees include Johnny Cash, DeGarmo & Key, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley, Mahalia Jackson, Amy Grant, the Statler Brothers, the Winans, the Blind Boys of Alabama, Andrae Crouch, Sandi Patty, Andrae Crouch & the Disciples, Vestal Goodman, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Shirley Caesar, The Oak Ridge Boys, the Blackwood Brothers, Petra, Bill Gaither, Gloria Gaither, the Happy Goodman Family, Larry Norman, George Beverly Shea, Albertina Walker, The Imperials, Pat Boone, Dottie Rambo, Evie, Larry Norman, Richard Smallwood, Jake Hess, The Lewis Family, Cliff Barrows, Thomas A. Dorsey, the Cathedral Quartet, the Fairfield Four, Billy Graham and The Jordanaires. The Gospel Music Hall of Fame is dedicated to fostering an appreciation of the historical development of gospel music and its impact on our culture by collecting, preserving, exhibiting and interpreting its collections for a global audience, as well as honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to gospel music. For a full list of GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame Members click here.

ABOUT THE INDUCTEES:

ARETHA FRANKLIN
Although born in soul’s capitol city, Memphis. The Franklin family soon moved to Detroit, MI, where her father, Baptist minister Reverend C. L. Franklin, soon became one of the most revered public figures in black America. During her late preteens, Franklin was regularly singing solo numbers in her father’s New Bethel Baptist Church. She grew up with local and national celebrities visiting in her family home, including gospel greats Albertina Walker and her group The Caravans, Mahalia Jackson and Clara Ward, three women who played a pivotal role in her vocal development.

In 1972, she released the gospel album Amazing Grace. The album eventually became her biggest-selling release ever, selling over two million copies and becoming the best-selling gospel album of all time. In 1987 she again returned to her gospel roots with the album, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism, which though it did not repeat the success of Amazing Grace despite a powerful rendition of “Oh Happy Day”, featuring Mavis Staples, but did reach the Top 10 of Billboard’s gospel chart.

Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All Time as well as the ninth greatest artist of all time. She has won 18 competitive Grammys and two honorary Grammys. She has 20 #1 singles on the Billboard R&B Singles Chart and two #1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100: “Respect” (1967) and “I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” (1987), Since 1961, she has scored a total of 45 Top 40 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. She also has the most million-selling singles of any female artist. Between 1967 and 1982 she had 10 #1 R&B albums—more than any other female artist. In 1987, Aretha became the first female artist to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. She was the only featured singer at the 2009 Presidential Inauguration.

DALLAS HOLM
Dallas has earned his influence in today’s Christian music throughout more than 40 years of writing, singing and ministry in some 4,000 concerts in every state in the USA as well as many countries abroad.  His 38 recordings have garnered gold records, multiple Dove awards, Grammy nominations, number one songs, and countless accolades.

Artists such as Steven Curtis Chapman, Twila Paris and Greg Long of Avalon all make reference to Holm’s significant impact on their lives and ministries.  Holm can be seen on several of the Bill Gaither Homecoming videos.  On one video Gaither introduces Dallas by saying, “This is one of the nicest guys in our entire industry.”  This broad appeal and respect by peers has undoubtedly been one of the reasons for Holm’s amazing longevity and relevance. They became the first Contemporary Christian band to receive an RIAA certified Gold Album for Dallas Holm and Praise LIVE.

THE HOPPERS
Multi-award winning family group The Hoppers have been singing to global audiences for over 55 years with appearances ranging from presidential religious inaugural ceremonies and New York’s Carnegie Hall to singing conventions and church platforms.  They have performed throughout the United States as well as in Israel, Europe and Africa. Their unique blend of harmonies and song choices have created a legacy of musical excellence embraced by leading pastors and event organizers. Known as America’s Favorite Family of Gospel Music, they are favorites on the Gaither Homecoming videos and tours, and their recordings frequently land at the top of the BILLBOARD sales charts and The Singing News radio charts.

Comprised today of family members Claude & Connie, son Dean and his wife, Kim, and son Mike Hopper, The Hoppers were formed in 1957 in the rural-farm town of Madison, NC, and have grown continuously for decades, touching countless lives around the world. A cancer survivor, Connie has been honored with the prestigious Marvin Norcross Award, in addition to numerous industry and fan honors; and she has been inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Sons Dean and Mike have continued the family legacy with their musical talents and business abilities; and Kim, Dean’s wife, hails from her own nationally acclaimed musical family, The Greenes. She is noted for the excitement she brings to any live performance, and her unmistakable, rafter-ringing soprano vocals have taken The Hoppers to new heights for many years.

REX HUMBARD
In 1932, Rex Humbard did his first radio program on KTHS Radio, Hot Springs, Arkansas; at the age of 13. His father, Alpha Rex Emanuel Humbard, ran an orphanage and church in downtown Hot Springs. In the midst of the Great Depression, church attendance was poor and offerings for the orphanage suffered greatly. Rex did his radio program every week, singing, playing his guitar and telling the listeners about his father’s church. One year later the seats were full to capacity and the orphans had a new lease on life. From that time forward, Rex Humbard realized the power of the media and the importance of the “life changing” message contained in gospel music.

From 1945 through 1952 (during the war years), Rex and his wife, Maude Aimee, traveled to every section of the USA and Canada conducting tent crusade meetings. In each of these cities they purchased radio time and appeared daily singing gospel music and promoting the tent crusades. In 1949, Rex did his first TV show in Indianapolis, Indiana on the local CBS station. Once again, gospel music was the center piece of the program.

The Rex Humbard Ministry program ran from 1952 to 1985. In the early 1970’s, Time Magazine did a feature story on Rex Humbard and coined the phrase “tele-evangelist” to describe Rex. In 1999, Rex was named as “one of the 25 shapers of the 20th century” by US News and World Report because of his visionary use of the media to promote his message of hope, love and salvation. One of the most vital parts of his ministry was gospel music.

LOVE SONG
In the early 70’s, during the beginnings of what became known as the “Jesus Movement,” a group of young, longhaired, “hippie” musicians called LOVE SONG began to use their music to express their newfound faith in Jesus Christ. A mixture of rock and pop, LOVE SONG’s music was entirely new and unique for the Christian music world.

The music was fresh, sometimes radical, and yet truly inspirational for a generation of young people searching for truth. It helped blaze the path for what we know today as Contemporary Christian Music. They flourished amidst the swirl of national media attention from top record labels and interviews with magazines including ROLLING STONE. God used them in a powerful way to bring many people to Himself. “In a world of imitators, Love Song has been an originator, the first domino that started the others going”

RICKY SKAGGS
Fourteen-time Grammy Award winner and two-time Dove Awards winner, Ricky Skaggs, is affectionately known as one of bluegrass music’s most recognized ambassadors. Singing comes naturally to Skaggs, and singing Gospel songs even more so.  At the tender age of 3, he began by harmonizing with his mother as she sang Gospel songs.  He began to perform in his church, singing with his parents there.  His illustrious path to stardom has always included Gospel songs, as he loves to sing about Jesus and His love for all of us.

From there, Skaggs went on to put his own stamp on the mainstream country and bluegrass formats, resulting in twelve #1 hits, eight Country Music Association Awards and eight Academy of Country Music Awards. 1997 marked Ricky Skaggs’ triumphant return to bluegrass and the establishment of his own Skaggs Family Records label, which has gone on to break new sales records in the genre. Now in his 40th year as a professional musician, he continues to record and tour with his band Kentucky Thunder as one of music’s most sought after live performers.

Jason Crabb Partners with Denali’s “Moose Tracks Ice Cream” and Purity Daries To Raise $10,000 For Michael W. Smith’s Rocketown

Nashville, TN – June 8, 2012 – Grammy award-winning vocalist, Jason Crabb, partnered with Denali Flavors, developers of the legendary Moose Tracks Ice Cream flavor and Purity Dairy to participate in the 10,000 Scoop Challenge to give away 10,000 scoops of Moose Tracks ice cream during the first day of the CMA Music Festival in Downtown Nashville, TN. Ten thousand scoops of Moose Tracks was given away on Thursday, June 7, 2012 at the First Baptist Church in Nashville, TN with “celebrity scoopers” Jason Crabb, Scott Hamilton (Olympic Gold Medalist Figure Skater), Rhonda Vincent (Award Winning Queen Of Bluegrass), The Roys, and others. For every scoop of ice cream, Denali Flavors donated $1 to Rocketown, a teen center started by Michael W. Smith, with a grand total of 10,000 scoops eaten and $10,000 raised! “We had a great time scooping ice cream,” Jason Crabb said. “To be able to support Michael W. Smith and the work he does at Rocketown by giving away some free ice cream was a lot of fun! I was honored to be a part of the event today and I even ate some Moose Tracks myself!”

For more information on Jason Crabb, visit www.JasonCrabb.com, facebook.com/JasonCrabbMusic and twitter.com/JasonCrabbMusic. For more information on Moose Tracks Ice Cream, visit www.Facebook.com/MooseTracks. For more information on Rocketown, visit www.rocketown.com

Jennifer Johnson (WKRN News 2,) Scott Hamilton (Olympic Gold Medalist / Figure Skater,) GNASH (Nashville Predators,) Jason Crabb (Grammy® Award Winning Vocalist,) and Rhonda Vincent (Award winning Queen of Bluegrass)