Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

The Combs Family – A New Name In Gospel Music

The Combs Family – A New Name In Gospel Music

The Combs Family – From the small town of Baldwin Florida, just a few short miles from Jacksonville, comes a new family group packed with extraordinary vocal talent and warm inviting personalities. Consisting of a father, son and two daughters, the Combs Family are prepared to take on this new year with brand new music from their latest Album, “The Way It Should Be”, produced by Jeremy Peace. Jeremy says, “I’ve had the opportunity to sing and work with many artists over the past 20+ years, but have been blown away by the talent the Combs Family possess. Each vocalist has their own unique ability to deliver a song, and as evident in their new project, the combined vocals have created a masterpiece that is breathtaking, unique and powerful. It has been my honor and privilege to work with this family and to take a small part in what I know is the beginning of a bright future for them.

Wes Combs states, “If there is anything that we have learned from the year 2020, it’s that we need our family. As the Combs Family heads into 2021, we feel that God has a perfect plan for us. A plan that would allow us to sing, minister, and spread the love of Christ together. With our new record, “The Way It Should Be”, we aim to please all audiences, no matter their age, background, or musical preference. We are excited for everyone to take a listen to the music and the message of this new project and pray that God uses it for His glory and honor.

To learn more about the Combs Family and their new album, visit: 

https://thecombsfamilymusic.com

https://music.apple.com/us/album/the-way-it-should-be/1547496785

Chronicle Announces New Lyric Video and Release to Radio

Chronicle Announces New Lyric Video and Release to Radio

Denham Springs, LA   SGN Scoops 2019 Sunrise Duo of the Year, Chronicle, has announced the release of their next radio single, Old Rugged Cross, as well as an accompanying lyric video.

The beloved husband and wife team, Tim and Missy Kinchen, have chosen to record one of the most well-known hymns of any generation. They have skillfully reimagined the classic Old Rugged Cross with their signature powerhouse vocals and harmonies, as well as Tim’s award-winning saxophone stylings, giving the hymn a fresh new sound and flavor without taking away from its timeless beauty.

Already making a splash on the radio charts with their current single, City of Gold, they continue to amaze with this fresh new release of a beloved old song.  Not letting the current Pandemic keep them away from their calling, they are also working with one of Nashville’s finest producers, Les Butler, on a new project that is scheduled to be completed early this year.

Of this newest radio release and lyric video, Tim says “Sometimes we just need to be reminded of the timeless promises of God. Can there be anything more important during this uncertain time, than to bring to mind the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross? That message has never been better articulated than in the lyrics and music of this wonderful old hymn. We hope our version of Old Rugged Cross blesses you and brings you back to a simpler time in your life.”

The video can be viewed here: https://youtu.be/L36vMvG5psQ

THE ERWINS POISED FOR BANNER YEAR WITH GRAMMY® NOMINATION, DOVE AWARD AND NEW HIT SINGLE

THE ERWINS POISED FOR BANNER YEAR WITH GRAMMY® NOMINATION, DOVE AWARD AND NEW HIT SINGLE

NASHVILLE, Tenn.— Fueled by their recent Dove Award win, a single currently climbing radio charts, and a new album on the horizon, StowTown Records’ breakout sibling quartet The Erwins are stepping into 2021 with their first-ever GRAMMY® Award nomination. The Texas-based group’s 2019 What Christmas Really Means is nominated for a GRAMMY® in the Best Roots Gospel Album category alongside recordings by such legendary artists as The Crabb Family, Fisk Jubilee Singers, Mark Bishop and Ernie Haase & Signature Sound. 
 
Lauded for their modern take on classic Southern Gospel harmonies, The Erwins celebrated another milestone last fall as “The Power Of An Empty Tomb” earned the Dove Award for Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year. The Joel Lindsey-penned ballad is featured on the siblings’ acclaimed 2018 recording Watch & See. 
 
In addition, the quartet’s latest single— a reimagined new rendition of Casting Crowns’ hit “Nobody”— is currently impacting Southern Gospel radio charts. The genre-spanning track from The Erwins’ latest project, Favorites: On Repeat, was written by Bernie Herms, Matthew West and Casting Crowns’ Mark Hall.
 
Keith, Kody, Kris and Katie Erwin have been singing together their entire lives. They grew up performing in countless churches and at events around the country with their parents, who have served as full-time evangelists for more than 40 years. The group’s 2011 debut, What Really Matters, featured the Erwin brothers, with Katie officially joining the lineup later that year on the follow-up project, Jesus In A Song. In the decade since, The Erwins have released six subsequent recordings, as well as the GRAMMY®-nominated What Christmas Really Means. The group has been featured on various multi-artist collaborations, including Fanny Crosby: Newly Discovered Hymns and Songs, a StowTown Records release showcasing selections by Jason Crabb, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, The Collingsworth Family, Charles Billingsley and Rhonda Vincent, among others.
 
StowTown Records was founded in 2011 by Ernie Haase and Wayne Haun and welcomed partners Landon Beene and Nate Goble in 2014. A powerhouse independent Gospel music label, StowTown is home to renowned pop/Inspirational artists Charles Billingsley, Cana’s Voice, TaRanda Greene and Jody McBrayer, as well as acclaimed comedian Tim Lovelace, and some of Southern Gospel’s biggest names, including Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Doug Anderson, The Browns, Tiffany Coburn, The Collingsworth Family, The Erwins, The Guardians, Trey Ivey, The Kramers, The Little Roy & Lizzy Show, Devin McGlamery, The Perrys, The Steeles, The Taylors and Triumphant. Distributed worldwide via Provident/Sony Distribution, StowTown Records artists have garnered multiple GMA Dove Awards and chart-topping releases.
 
For further information, visit erwinministries.com, stowtownrecords.com

Greater Vision Releases Special Album Commemorating Its 30th Anniversary

Greater Vision Releases Special Album
Commemorating Its 30th Anniversary

NASHVILLE, TN  — Daywind Records is honored to release a very special album commemorating 30 years of Greater Vision’s ministry. The Journey features Chris Allman, Rodney Griffin, Jon Epley, and Gerald Wolfe on 8 re-imagined versions of Greater Vision classics, including “My Name is Lazarus,”  “Just One More Soul,” “I Could Never Praise Him Enough,” It Pays to Pray,” “Faces,” “With All the Many Miracles,” and more, along with 5 brand new songs.  “The re-recorded versions are updated and refreshed from the original recordings of these hit songs.” says Gerald Wolfe, “The album kicks off with an elaborate fanfare and features completely new orchestrations and arrangements on each classic with vocals styled by the group’s current singers.”

Many of the new songs were written by Greater Vision’s resident songwriters Chris Allman and perennial Singing News Fan Award Songwriter of the Year, Rodney Griffin. Newcomer Jon Epley has his very first writing credit on the album, as well. Produced by Trey Ivey and Gerald Wolfe, this album is a fitting tribute to an amazing 30-year career. Greater Vision fans must not miss this recording!

“I love Greater Vision and the heart-music they make,” says Dusty Wells, Director of Artist and Label Services for Daywind Records. “Great songs never die, and this project is a fresh reminder of how great their music is. Gerald, Rodney, Chris and Jon have a passion for ministry and sharing Jesus. We at Daywind are thrilled to play a small part in helping get that message out. Be on the lookout for special events throughout 2021 celebrating Greater Vision’s 30 years!”

Jerry Martin Resigns From The Kingdom Heirs

Jerry Martin Resigns From The Kingdom Heirs

Longtime tenor, Jerry Martin resigns his position with the Kingdom Heirs.  A position he has held since 2011.  During his time with the Kingdom Heirs, the group experienced a lot of chart success with several #1 and top 5 songs as well as 3 consecutive #1 debut albums.

Jerry states, “Being with the Kingdom Heirs was a dream job for me!  Getting to take the stage with these elite singers and musicians has been fun and rewarding.  My decision to resign and basically retire from performing was a hard decision as I have been singing professionally for 28 years.  It’s something I never took lightly and I can say that I am very proud of the work I did in this industry.  

Along the way, I have been blessed to be apart of some great groups. I got my start with the Lumber River Quartet, the Melodyaires, and a brief stint with Mended Wings. I had the privilege to sing with my favorite group the Kingsmen (once a Kingsmen, always a Kingsmen), my hometown boys, the Dove Brothers, and ending up with the Kingdom Heirs.  This is the group I wanted to retire with and that is exactly what I am doing.  I’ve gotten to travel all over the US and several different countries during my career.  I’ve met a lot of great friends along the way and seen some really cool things that I wouldn’t have if I didn’t climb on a tour bus and travel from city to city, state to state, etc. for 17 years.  I got to see many lives changed through music and to me that’s what it’s all about.   

The Kingdom Heirs will find the right man for the position and they will move forward to even greater heights.  I know the fans will give the new man all the love and support they gave me when I first started. 

Now, I’m sure some are asking the question, what am I going to be doing or where am I going?  Well, some of you may know that I started my own vocal academy in 2018.  It has been very successful and I’m proud to say it has been helping a lot of singers and entertainers not only in the southern gospel industry but in many other music industries as well.  When one door closes, God is ready to open up another and that is what has happened. You just have to have the faith to step through them!  

Martins Vocal Academy will be opening up its doors full time as I will be transitioning into a teaching and coaching role.  I have been blessed to have students locally and abroad enrolling in the academy and the list keeps growing.  As I make this transition and open up the academy full time, I will be able to serve more people and our community in ways that I couldn’t before.  This is very important to me as I enjoy being apart of our community and now I’ll be able to serve our performing arts and music community in a greater capacity.  I’ll also be able to help my wife Tabitha more with our insurance business, Martins Insurance Solutions as we are both licensed.   

I am truly grateful to have had a career of 28 years performing and singing and it is a little bittersweet to finally step away from the stage.  I am excited though to work in MVA and take on more students.  Preparing students and helping them hone their skills and talents and watching them succeed is very rewarding to me and something that I am passionate about!  

My last official date and the last time I take the stage with the guys will be January 3rd at Dollywood.  Thank you all for your love, kindness, and support throughout my career and please keep the guys in your prayers as they find the right man for the tenor position.  It has been an honor serving with these men.   

May God bless you all!  I love each and every one of you!” 

Jerry Martin

“We want to wish Jerry and his family much success in their future endeavors and he will certainly remain a lifelong friend of our group.  If we could ask one thing from all of you, please pray for us and The Martin family as we all seek God’s will for our future.  From the songs of Jerry Martin…. We will all pick up the “Pieces” and move on because “I Can Pray” and say “Thank You.”  God bless you Jerry, we love you.”
Kreis French : Kingdom Heirs Manager

We will not be taking auditions at this time.

Jason Crabb to Appear This Saturday at Grand Ole Opry

Jason Crabb to Appear This Saturday at Grand Ole Opry

Jason Crabb – two-time GRAMMY® and 22 GMA Dove Award winner, will once again take the stage of the Grand Ole Opry this Saturday, December 26, 2020. The beloved artist / songwriter / actor / author will perform alongside T. Graham Brown, Lindsay Ell, Charlie McCoy, Riders in the Sky, Connie Smith and Marty Stuart.

Joy Holden Releases New Lyric Video “Smiling Inside”

Joy Holden Releases New Lyric Video “Smiling Inside”

Spartanburg, SC – Popular Christian singer, songwriter and musician, Joy Holden, has announced the recent release of a lyric video created for her song, “Smiling Inside,” penned in tribute to her niece who passed away this year from cancer.

Smiling Inside is one of the cuts on Joy’s soon-to-be-released 2021 deluxe album, Broken to Beautiful.   The song gently and poignantly follows the journey of those who are facing one of life’s most heartbreaking challenges, saying goodbye to loved ones much too soon.

The lyrics eloquently state “I want to see Jesus, and I’m not in a hurry,” reminding us of our greatest hope in spite of the painful reality of loss. They go on to say “if I had to do this without the Crucified I’d be terrified,” a promise many are standing on during this current world-wide health crisis.

While Joy categorically states the projec was a “labor of love”, she also says “With everything going on today, and all the precious friends and loved ones we have lost, I knew I needed to share this encouragement right now.”

Produced by Nashville-great, Les Butler, we can look forward with great anticipation to the release of her newest album Broken to Beautiful in 2021.  In the meantime, this touching lyric video and beautifully written song is sure to touch the lives of those who are struggling today.

To view and share Smiling Inside  go to the video which was created by Kingdom Artists Media in partnership with AG Publicity here: https://youtu.be/8jww2bGhM4M

StowTown Records Releases Highly-anticipated Brotherhood Project

StowTown Records Releases Highly-anticipated Brotherhood Project

Nashville, TN  – Collectively, they have enjoyed more than 100 accolades, industry honors and fan awards. Over the past two decades they have received multiple Grammy® nominations and GMA Dove Awards, as well as countless Fan Awards from The Singing News Magazine. Since bursting onto the Gospel Music scene, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound and The Booth Brothers have each established their place firmly atop the genre’s ladder of success. Thus, in 2015 when the announcement was made by IMC Concerts that these two groups would be uniting for multiple concert events, excitement abounded from fans nationwide.

Obviously, the live concert events proved to be a tremendous success with sold-out crowds each night. From those live events comes a brand new release from StowTown Records. Brotherhood, by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound & The Booth Brothers, features two of the most acclaimed artists at their very best. This collection of camaraderie, laughter and timeless music allows fans the opportunity to own a collective piece of history that can be enjoyed day after day.

IMC Concerts & StowTown Records President Landon Beene shares, “When the idea of bringing these two artists together was first presented to us, we knew it would be something special. Their talents flowed together extremely well on stage and it was an electrifying event. We are thrilled to make it available as a live recording.”

The recording features timeless classics, delivered with the same infectious energy that has attributed to the overwhelming success these two groups have enjoyed over the years. From start to finish, this recording truly captures the bonds of brotherhood these talented individuals share.

Brotherhood is distributed by Provident/Sony and is available on all digital platforms worldwide and wherever fine Christian music is sold, including christianbook.com, barnesandnoble.com, and amazon.com.

Brotherhood Track Listing:
Life’s Railway to Heaven
Home
All the Gold in California
Jesus Is Coming Soon
I’ll Fly Away
Sweet Beulah Land
Going Home
In the Garden
Look for me at Jesus’ Feet

Dove Award Winning Recording Artist, TaRanda Greene, Releases Deluxe Edition Christmas Recording

Dove Award Winning Recording Artist, TaRanda Greene, Releases Deluxe Edition Christmas Recording

Nashville, TN  – Just in time for the holiday season, StowTown Records announces that Spirit of Christmas Deluxe Version, from one of Christian music’s most iconic voices, TaRanda Greene, is now available in stores and at online retail outlets worldwide. This project from the GMA Dove Award winner was released to digital outlets in 2019.

“Christmas is such a special time of year, and I am excited that this Christmas recording is now available in stores,” TaRanda says with a big smile.

Spirit of Christmas Deluxe Version features several Christmas classics, including “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” “Jingle Bells,” “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” and “Silver Bells,” just to name a few. Also included are show stoppers such as, “O Holy Night,” “I Wonder As I Wander” and sure-to-become-classics, “Give Love On Christmas Day” and the title cut “Spirit of Christmas.” The remake of the Whitney Houston classic “Who Would Imagine A King?” is another welcome addition to this stellar recording.

“This recording is very special to me,” TaRanda explains. “People always ask for classic Christmas songs, so that is what we wanted to do. With five of the songs having a three-piece band, we wanted to take the listener back to a time when life was much more simple; when kids popped popcorn, strung it around the Christmas tree, and the family snuggled around the fireplace and reflected on the true reason for the season, the birth of the Christ child. This project was so much fun to record, and I hope the listener enjoys the finished product as much as I enjoyed recording it.”

For years, TaRanda has been inspiring listeners worldwide with her authenticity, energy and unmatched vocal ability. This latest recording effort will no doubt offer listeners even more inspiration. Spirit of Christmas Deluxe Version promises to offer much listening enjoyment throughout the 2020 holiday season and quite possibly for many years to come.

Spirit of Christmas Deluxe Version is distributed by Provident/Sony and is available worldwide wherever fine Christian music is sold.

Spirit of Christmas Deluxe Track List:

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
Still, Still, Still / O Holy Night
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Jingle Bells
Give Love On Christmas Day
Cool Yule with Up On The Housetop
Who Would Imagine A King?
Silver Bells
Jesus, What A Wonderful Child with I’m His Child
I Wonder As I Wander
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
That Spirit of Christmas
Auld Lang Syne

Heart 2 Heart Announces 2021 Homecoming

Heart 2 Heart Announces 2021 Homecoming

Gastonia, NC – Beloved North Carolina-based Southern Gospel trio, Heart 2 Heart has announced the line-up for their 2021 Gaston Gospel Homecoming, which will celebrate their 23rd year in music ministry.

In addition to Heart 2 Heart, the January 29th event will feature GMA Hall of Fame Inductees The Hoppers, and the Dove award winning group Jeff and Sheri Easter. The event is being held at the First Assembly of God Church, 777 S. Myrtle School Road in Gastonia, NC.

Doors will open at 6:00 pm, with a concert start time of 7:00 pm. General Admission seats are $15.00, children 10 and under are $8.00. The group is also offering premier seating which will also include early entry at 5:00 pm. Only 200 of the premier seats will be offered, and they entitle the ticket-holder to a meet and greet with the artists, as well as a time of Q & A. They are available now online or you may purchase them at the door. All concert-goers are encouraged to arrive early for best seating.

Of the event, Heart 2 Heart’s David Kiser said, “We’re so excited about the 2021 Homecoming Concert Announcement!  After much prayer and consideration we have decided to move forward with our 23rd-year ministry celebration. Many of you asked us not to cancel this event so we need your prayer and support. With your help we can continue to make Gaston Gospel Homecoming the area’s premier gospel music event! Thank you to all of our sponsors. We look forward to being under one roof in corporate worship for this special night. Please share and mark your calendars!”

For tickets and more information visit the group’s website.