Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir to perform for Fox News Christmas Eve Special

Brooklyn, NY –The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir will perform for the Fox News Channel’s Christmas Eve special “A FOX & Friends Christmas” set to broadcast at 8:00 pm Eastern on December 24.  The two-hour event will feature several entertainment guests including comedian Jeff Dunham, country music artist Craig Morgan, singer Leona Lewis, and X Factor finalist Carlos Guevara, among others. Fox & Friends co-hosts Steve Doocy, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Brian Kilmeade as well as  FOX & Friends Weekend co-hosts Tucker Carlson, Anna Kooiman and Clayton Morris will interview Governor Sarah Palin, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, along with other notable guests.

Now in its 40^th year, the Grammy Award-winning Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir kicked the year off by singing “The Battle Hymn of The Republic” at President Obama’s inauguration ceremony on the steps of the U.S. Capitol to a worldwide television audience of over a billion people. The Choir was featured on the cover of The New York Times and highlighted in Time Magazine.  Their 27th album, “Love Lead The Way,” debuted at #1 on iTunes Christian/Gospel albums chart.

Directed by Carol Cymbala, wife to Pastor Jim Cymbala, the 300-voice choir is a blend of ethnic and economic backgrounds, with members ranging from lawyers and doctors to former drug addicts.  Since its inception when the Choir began with only nine members, Carol has never read music – though she has written numerous hit songs—and the choir has never used charts.  To Carol, the purpose of a church choir is very specific and very essential.

“The ultimate purpose of a choir is to lead the congregation into the presence of God,” says Carol.  “Prayer is vital.  Preparing the choir spiritually is so important. I do feel strongly that the idea of many voices lifted up to the Lord, unified and in harmony, is a powerful thing. We also read of choirs in the Bible going forth and singing before the battles were waged. Beyond singing, it is also being able to minister personally to those hurting or in need of Jesus.”

The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir has performed at major music venues such as Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall, and Madison Square Garden.  Their accolades include six Grammy Awards, seven Dove Awards (Gospel Music’s Grammy equivalent), two #1 Billboard charting CDs and over four million albums sold.  For more information, visitwww.BrooklynTabernacle.org.

FINAL DAY OF 2010 NATIONAL QUARTET CONVENTION

Louisville, KY – The 2010 National Quartet Convention will conclude on Saturday in Louisville, completing one of the most thrilling and exciting weeks in Convention history. Over 40,000 Southern Gospel Music fans, representing at least 40 states and more than a half dozen foreign countries converged upon the city of Louisville, KY, celebrating the 53nd Annual National Quartet Convention and the 100th Anniversary of Southern Gospel Music. This year’s event has featured nearly 50 of the most popular names in Southern Gospel Music, as well as some of the most prominent keynote speakers in the country, including Dr David Jeremiah, Governor Sarah Palin and Dr Charles Stanley, who will be featured on Saturday.

The final day of NQC 2010 kicked off at 8:00am with the 2nd Annual Cancer Walk, hosted by popular singer, songwriter, talk show host and cancer survivor, Janet Paschal. Proceeds from the event will benefit the American Cancer Society. The event is open to all NQC attendees, as well as Louisville residents who would like to participate in the event.

Another exciting highlight of the final day’s festivities is the afternoon showcase commemorating the celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Southern Gospel Music. The event pays tribute to many of the artists that shaped the genre of Southern Gospel Music throughout the past 10 decades.

The final night of music begins at 6pm in Freedom Hall. Seats are still available for Saturday’s showcases, as well as the evening concert, and may be purchased at the Expo Center.

The 2011 National Quartet Convention is set to be held September 11 – 17. Seats are already on sale for all events and may be obtained by calling 1-800-846-8499 or visiting to www.natqc.com.

GOVERNOR SARAH PALIN SHARES POSITIVE MESSAGE OF

Louisville, KY – Author, speaker and political commentator, Sarah Palin served as the keynote speaker on Thursday afternoon at the National Quartet Convention in Louisville. Governor Palin was welcomed to the stage by a thunderous ovation from more than 8,000 attendees. In addition to those attending the event live, it was viewed by subscribers worldwide via the National Quartet Convention’s webcast at www.natqc.com.

“Politics often divides, but faith unites, and that is what I took away from this event,” one audience member commented when leaving Freedom Hall. During the address, Palin shared of her deep faith, stating “Jesus Christ can turn mourning into dancing. The Lord can take what seems to be life’s greatest challenges and turn them into life’s greatest blessings.  My faith has been a rock.”

Palin went on to state that she grew up listening to Gospel music and was influenced greatly by the music of artists like the Gaithers, who will be featured at the NQC on Friday night. She shared her love for her country and her desire to see our nation turn back to the Godly principles it was founded upon. “Governor Palin shared honestly and candidly from her heart about how her Christian faith has been the primary sustaining force in every difficult circumstance in her life,” NQC Vice President, Clarke Beasley stated following the event.  “She was an inspiration to all of us, and we were all thrilled with her keynote address.”

Special events continue throughout the remainder of the week at the Kentucky Fair & Expo Center in Louisville. Noted evangelist Dr David Jeremiah will be the featured speaker on Friday morning, while Dr Charles Stanley will be featured on Saturday. Concerts will be featured throughout the day and evening on Friday and Saturday with many of Gospel music’s most popular artists scheduled to appear throughout the weekend.  Seats for all evening concerts and afternoon showcases are still available and may be purchased at the Kentucky Fair & Expo Center. A complete schedule of events is available at www.natqc.com.

n q c

About the 2010 National Quartet Convention: This year marks the 53rd Annual National Quartet Convention. The Convention has made its home in the city of Louisville since 1994. Approximately 40,000 people will attend the 2010 event, with at least 40 states and a half dozen foreign countries represented. The Convention is Christian music’s largest marketplace and largest annual event with more than 500 exhibitors and nearly 300 Southern Gospel recording artists in attendance.

National Quartet Convention Kicks Off With Sunday Night Bonus Concert

Louisville, KY – The 53nd Annual National Quartet Convention will officially kicked off on Sunday evening, September 12 with a bonus concert at Louisville’s Kentucky Fair & Expo Center. This special event boasted attendence in excess of 2,000 people, as Southern Gospel Music lovers arriving early for the 2010 event were treated to the sounds of  multi-award winning groups, Greater Vision, Legacy Five and The Booth Brothers.

Excitement fills the air in the city of Louisville this week as Southern Gospel Music lovers from more than 40 states and at least a half dozen countries will attend 2010 Convention. Increased concert attendance, afternoon showcase attendance and exhibitor participation is expected as the event celebrates it’s 53rd year.  In addition to the many popular quartets, trios, duets and soloists featured throughout the week, some of the most prominent keynote speakers in the country will be featured such as David Jeremiah, Charles Stanley and Governor Sarah Palin, who will be featured on Thursday afternoon in Freedom Hall.

The National Quartet Convention offers fans of Southern Gospel Music something no other event can…the convenience of “one stop shopping.” The NQC 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 450 exhibit booths which span throughout 175,000 square feet. This year marks an all-time record with a sold-out exhibit hall. Southern Gospel Music lovers can enjoy their favorite music all day long, as music spectaculars begin each morning and continue until midnight each evening.

Tickets are available for all evening concert and may be purchased at the door or any Ticketmaster outlet. Tickets for afternoon showcases are available at the door. Visit www.natqc.com for a complete schedule of events.

n q c

About the 2010 National Quartet Convention: This year marks the 53rd Annual National Quartet Convention. The Convention has made its home in the city of Louisville since 1994. Approximately 40,000 people will attend the 2010 event, with at least 40 states and a half dozen foreign countries represented. The Convention is Christian music’s largest marketplace and largest annual event with more than 500 exhibitors and nearly 300 Southern Gospel recording artists in attendance.