Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Great News From Squire Parsons

Great News From Squire Parsons

Dear Friends —

Beulah Land Music is very pleased and thankful to announce that Squire has been released from Memorial Hospital in Asheville following cardiac surgery two weeks ago. Nancy Wells, office manager for BLM, reports that he is making progress, and that the family would like to convey its sincerest thanks for your overwhelming generosity and heartwarming messages of encouragement.

Nancy also asks that each of you continue to remember Squire and Linda in your prayers, and to please accept their best wishes for a blessed Christmas and a joyous New Year.

Remembering the Little Giant – Bigger than Life – Ernie Phillips

Kingsmen with Ernie Phillips and Squire Parsons

Ernie Phillips was the son of the late Vernon and Pauline Phillips of Cool Ridge, West Virginia. A 1968 graduate of Shady Spring High School, he received the “Citizen of the Year” award. He also received a scholarship to Beckley College, where he received an A. B. A. Degree in Business Administration. Phillips later attended the Electronic Computer Programming Institute in Charleston, West Virginia, where he received a Certificate of Achievement.

Ernie Phillips accepted Christ at an early age and he loved the Lord. His love of family, church, and Southern gospel music ministry, was only matched by his love and dedication to country. He was one of the good guys. You could tell by his walk and talk he knew his daily path was ordered and rooted in his faith.

Ernie Phillips

Phillips served in the military from 1970 to 1973 in the United States Army. He was stationed in South Carolina, Georgia, and Baumholder, Germany. While in Germany, he worked as a Missile Repair Parts Specialist and Radio Relay Technician, which resulted in an Army Commendation Medal for working two jobs at the same time. After military service, Phillips worked at the V.A. Medical Center in Beckley, West Virginia, as a Supply Specialist and Warehouseman.

Kingsmen on stage with Ernie Phillips

Upon his return from military service, this tenor’s love of Southern gospel quartet music began to grow even more. Phillips sang with several local church groups from Beckley for a period of five years. He joined a popular gospel quartet, The Crossmen, from Beckley, in 1975, and sang tenor with them on weekends for two years.

Read more »

Update On Squire Parsons

Squire Parsons

The family of Squire Parsons has released the following statement:

The family of Squire Parsons would like to thank everyone for the prayers for Squire.

Sam Parsons: Making His Own Footprints

Squire and Sam Parsons

Most people in Southern Gospel have heard the ministry and the songs of Squire Parsons, Mr. Beulah Land. This is the story of one of his children who didn’t quite follow in the footsteps of his popular father. As he now sets off on his own ministry with his wife, he is making his own footprints.

Leah and Sam Parsons

Samuel Parsons, the youngest child of Squire and Linda Parsons, was saved at the age of 14. He knew the Lord was calling him to minister through music, but several people said to him, “those are mighty big shoes to fill.” Sam used that as an excuse to back away from the call. By age 17, Sam began to run around with the wrong crowd, in spite of pleas from his parents and his pastor.

Sam ran with gangs and started to use and sell drugs. His parents, his pastor and church family continued to pray for Sam. Sam says he could never figure out just how Pastor Sexton knew where to find him. His Pastor, Ralph Sexton, Jr. of Trinity Life Baptist lived next door to the Parsons, and was also the police chaplain. Pastor Sexton would get messages from members of the police force, who kept a watch out for Sam, in Asheville, North Carolina, and he would show up at the bar where Sam had been spotted, walk in and motion for Sam to come outside.

At 19, Sam was arrested for having two ounces of cocaine in his possession and was sentenced to three years in prison. As Sam looks back on that, he believes Father God was looking out for him, because Sam was involved with heavier drugs.

Sam and Leah Parsons

Sam continued to run from the Lord for a year and a half while he was in prison. One day out on the prison yard, he was in conversation with another prisoner and they were discussing selling weed in prison. A correctional officer came around the corner and he ran because he did not want to be busted again. The building he ran into was the prison chapel, but he didn’t know that. Sam said they were singing hymns, and it was like the Lord put His hand on Sam and he fell to his knees crying.

The prison chaplain stopped the service and asked everyone to leave. He told Sam, “I don’t know who you are, but I have seen you on the prison yard.” He told Sam he knew that God had a calling on his life and if he didn’t do what the Lord was asking of him, He was going to “take him out.” The prison chaplain told Sam he had been praying for him for a year and a half. At the time the chaplain was unaware that Squire Parsons was Sam’s dad.

Sam started to sing in the choir and started a band called Already Freed. The band was made up of several prisoners. Sam wrote several songs as did another member of the band, Rick Lundsford, and they were able to leave the prison and minister in churches.

The Parsons

After Sam’s release from prison, Squire asked Sam to fill in for a few weeks as the tenor singer for Squire’s group. The few weeks turned into 15 years. One day while getting ready for a concert, Sam told his dad he would really like a list of the songs they were going to do. His dad said, “I can make you a list, but don’t count on our going by it.” Sam said maybe they would sing one or two songs on the list, but Squire was following the list made by the Holy Spirit.

Squire Parsons has not always been a soloist. He has had a trio and also a quartet. Sam’s older brother, Seth, sang with them 1993 through 1998, and left to answer the call from the Lord to preach. Sam started with the group in 1997 and left earlier this year to launch The Parsons’ Ministry along with his wife, Leah.

Sam says that he and his dad talked earlier this year about his dad slowing down his schedule, and maybe looking at semi-retirement. Sam realized this was a great opportunity to step out in faith and minister with his wife, Leah.

Sam and Leah Rouse met five years ago at National Quartet Convention through a mutual friend, Misty Freeman Calloway. Sam heard Leah’s voice and was immediately interested in finding out to whom that voice belonged. He walked over to The Freeman’s table and he asked her if she would marry him. Leah said to herself, “I’m not going to marry a Southern Gospel singer!”

Leah lived in Nashville and Sam lived in Asheville, North Carolina, so for the next two weeks they talked on the phone day and night and really got to know each other. They became best friends and discovered they had lots in common.

Leah is the youngest daughter of Billie Jo and Rhonda Rouse. Both her dad and mom are music majors. Rhonda is a Jeffers, and her family still has shape note singing schools in Arkansas, as well as still publishing a shape note music book. Leah’s Uncle Marty wrote, “What a Meeting in the Air.” Her dad sang with The Dixie Echoes and The Bibletones in south Mississippi.

When Billie Jo and Rhonda got married they were full time music ministers; they have also served as youth and associate pastors. At two years of age, Leah was singing three-part harmony with her six- and seven-year-old sisters. Leah says she thinks she was singing before she was talking. They traveled in full time evangelism for seven years, with Billie Jo preaching and Rhonda playing the piano. Their ministry revolved around teaching and ministering to families to build strong Christian homes.

Sam had a similar life with his dad being in full time music ministry. Sam says his dad and granddad were also involved in shape note singing, and taught shape note singing schools in West Virginia.

Sam and Leah talked on the phone for two weeks constantly, and then started to date. Three months later they were engaged and then 10 months after the engagement they were married. They will be married three years this coming October. They have been blessed with a son, Samuel Israel, otherwise known as “Gummybear;” he turned one year old in May 2015.

As Squire and Sam prepared to start these new adventures in the Lord, his dad opened the door of the bus and said to Sam, “Are you ready?” And Sam said, “Ready for what?” And his dad replied, “To step into the miraculous; just be ready to see what God has ready for you.” Sam says he just threw it off, thinking that his dad was just trying to be supportive and encouraging. But the next day, Sam and Leah got a phone call from a church in Waco, Texas asking them to come minister. Sam called his dad and said, “We just got a date in Texas,” and his dad said, “You’re stepping out into the world of the miraculous; that’s the way it was with me.”

As they drove across Arkansas from Tennessee on their way to Texas, Sam was praying and trying not to stress because they only had one date, until he received a phone call telling them they had a Sunday morning date at First Baptist Church of Ft. Worth. Sam caught a glimpse of the miraculous. Then 30 minutes before church time that Sunday night, they got another phone call for them to minister again.

Sam shared his reflections concerning his rebellion. He says God has put on his heart to share his testimony of what the Lord allowed him to go through in his life, to make him into the man God wants him to be. He realizes God kept him from much more serious rebellion. Although Sam has scars, he calls them love scars because he knows God used His rod telling Sam, “You’re going too far.” We sometimes suffer consequences for our actions, but God never gives up on His children. Sam continues to share his testimony as part of his ministry, not only with the youth, but adults also. He says we all, both young and old, need to know that God still answers our prayers.

Squire Parsons

Sam says his dad used to tell him, “You are not listening to a word that I am saying but I am going to say them anyway,” and Sam would roll his eyes. He admits he was not listening to his dad’s words of wisdom at the time. But later God would bring back to Sam’s memory his dad’s words.

On the nights when Sam was still in rebellion and had been out to the bars, he would get home and find his mom and dad praying at his bedroom door. He would say to them, “Stop praying for me.” Sam admits at the time he loved to fight, and one night he came home with blood all over him. His dad asked what happened and Sam just said, “You should see the other guy.” He went to his room, and again his parents were outside his door crying and praying. It bothered him then, but now he is thankful for those prayers.

Sam now calls home often, just to tell his parents how much he loves them. As we sit talking with Sam and Leah, Sam was in tears because of all he put them through. Sam says it would have been easy for them to give up on him, but they never did. He wants his parents to know that what they did for him was not in vain. The song, “Hello Mama,” written by Squire Parsons before Sam was born, is now his testimony.

Our visits with this young couple as well as seeing them perform left us impressed with them. The love that they have for each other and the love they have for the Lord was evident on the stage as well as off. Our genre of music is blessed to have Sam and Leah Parsons and there is a need for more youth in Gospel music. Sam states that they are trying to convince leaders to allow the youth to attend Southern Gospel concerts held in the church, instead of having them leave to have youth fellowship. They often have teenagers come by their table and tell them that they have never heard any music like this and they love it.

Sam and Leah Parsons are available for ministry at your church. Their web site is www.theparsonsministries.com.

By Vivian Belknap

First published by SGN Scoops in July 2015. For the September issue of SGN Scoops magazine, click here. 

Pray For Squire Parsons

Squire Parsons

From Sam Parsons

Dear friends it has been a long day!!!! Forgive us for the delay in news about my dad !!! This morning my father was in services Marion , Nc and after singing he lost consciousness sitting in pew !! Thanks to EMT WORKERS who decided to take morning off to here dad were there to save him they had to preform CPR twice !!! They took him to hospital where they are running more tests !!! They do not know if it was a heart attack tho !?! All tests so far have been great !! Thank u all for ur prayers and concern !! I’ve talked with him and he is doing good just a little sore !!! Please continue to pray for him !!! God is definitely in control we can see his mighty hand thru this whole process starting with those precious EMT workers who decided to go hear dad this morning and also my awesome nephew Cameron and Philip for being there thru it all !!!! They are a God sent!! Will do another update when we hear more thank you again and please keep praying

Please Pray And Share Find Out News From SGNScoops On Facebook Here

Update From Sam

Dad is going home today !!!!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!!!! They will be monitoring his heart for 30 days just got off the phone with him he’s in great spirits !! Just bragging on everyone at hospital and of course the EMT workers and Cameron and Dennis !!!!!! Thank you all again !!!! God is in control !!!!

MARTY RAYBON WINS HIS FIRST IBMA AWARD

Nashville, TN (October 1, 2013) – Marty Raybon can now add an IBMA (International Bluegrass Music Association) award to his prestigious list of awards including Grammy, CMA and AMC awards with the group Shenandoah to his successful 40 year career as an entertainer. Last Thursday night Raybon was presented with the “Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year” Award for “Beulah Land” during the 24th IBMA Awards Show in Raleigh, North Carolina.

“It is a such an honor to win the IBMA Award for Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year. This the first of many I hope, I am overwhelmed with joy. I am truly proud of the steadfast job from a great record label Rural Rhythm Records, the lyric from a wonderful writer Squire Parsons. I am thankful and humbled at the favor the Lord has shown me”, commented Marty Raybon.

Raybon’s first IBMA award is not his only first this year as he celebrates his 40th year as an entertainer with his current album “The Back Forty”. The current single, “That Janie Baker”, is moving up the Bluegrass Unlimited chart at #18 . He can also add to his list of firsts in 2013 the #1 song on the Bluegrass Unlimited chart for his hit song “Dirt Road Heartache” which hit #1 in June from his album “Southern Roots & Branches” released in April 2012.

In addition to this impressive list of first time career accomplishments now includes the cover of Bluegrass Unlimited. Raybon appears on the cover of the October 2013 issue of Bluegrass Unlimited with a feature story by Steve Morley. He also appeared on the cover of the May issue of
The Direct Buzz, AirPlay Direct’s monthly magazine. which was another first.

September 2013 SGNScoops Magazine

We are kicking off the fall season with a sensational September edition of SGNScoops Magazine! We are excited to present the Talleys as this month’s cover story. Also in this issue we highlight the ministries of The Greesons, The Mark Trammell Quartet and Karen Peck and New River. This issue also offers details of the recent Song of a Lifetime Experience featuring Phil Cross, Mark Bishop, Gerald Crabb, Squire Parsons and Channing Eleton. Staff writer, Erin Stevens shares the “younger perspective” with Christian Booth and staff writer, Rick Kiser highlights Christian Country Music’s Billy Hale.Rhonda Frye re-caps the first Patterson Promotions Anniversary singing and Lynn Mills re-caps the Mark Trammell Quartet’s homecoming. Enjoy Lou Hildreth’s Life, Love and Legends column, a devotion from Dr.Jeff Steele and Christian Fitness tips with Laurette Willis. We Welcome Sherry Anne Lints to the staff this month. Check out her column “Reflections with Sherry Anne.” Get the latest on the Creekside Gospel Music Convention and more in this edition of SGNScoops Magazine. Be sure to share the magazine with your friends, families and fans, We are always digital, always free and always good!

Song of a Lifetime Experience Is Underway

Song of a Lifetime Experience Scheduled June 27, 28, 29

June 3, 2013 (Chattanooga, TN)- Cross Music Group has announced the first dates for the Song of a Lifetime Experience to be held at the end of June in Chattanooga, Asheville and McDonough.  Phil Cross comments, “At the National Quartet Convention, we’ve been doing the Song of a Lifetime Songwriter’s Showcase and we have felt a leading that people across the country would enjoy songwriters getting together sharing their stories and most popular songs.”

Legendary songwriters have joined Phil Cross in putting together the Song of a Lifetime Experience. “We’ve started Song of a Lifetime with a core of writers, my two great friends Gerald Crabb and Mark Bishop,’ Phil explains. “The three of us have written a song together called ‘Song of a Lifetime.’  We’ve sung it together, recorded it, and even did a music video. The three of us are going to host the Song of a Lifetime Experience for the first year.  We will have a guest songwriter, Squire Parsons, with us along with Channing Eleton accompanying us at the piano for the first weekend at the end of June.”

Both Mark Bishop and Gerald Crabb are looking forward to the event. “I always stand amazed at the wonderful talent these songwriter heroes of mine have when I hear how God has blessed them with the messages in these songs,” Mark offers. “I hear their songs and I say to myself ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’ But the truth is, maybe I did think of it but I just didn’t know how to put it in to words. That’s where the talent comes in. I know that everyone who attends these Song of a Lifetime concerts will be as blown away as I am how God can use a song in such a powerful way.”

Gerald Crabb adds, “It will be exciting to see five God-gifted men, though very different in expression, on the same stage together. The entire program will be a journey through song with the theme being “The Song of a Lifetime.”  The goal will be to exalt Jesus Christ. It is going to be a great event!”

Special guests Channing Eleton and Squire Parsons are looking forward to participating with the Song of a Lifetime Experience. “I am looking forward to being a part of this program, especially at my home church, TrinityBaptistChurch, in Asheville, North Carolina,” Squire says.

Eleton adds, “Believe or not, my passion is writing songs and then sharing those songs with folks.  I’m absolutely honored to be a part of ‘Song of a Lifetime’.  To say that I’m excited to be on the same stage with Phil, Gerald and Mark, and Squire would be an understatement.”

Four legendary songwriters all on one stage at one time promises to be an experience to remember. Each concert will be filled with classic songs along with the inspirational stories behind the songs.  “During the Song of a Lifetime Experience, we feel people will sing along,” Cross explains. “It is going to be unplugged, so to speak, using mostly guitar or piano. It will be spontaneous, not as performance oriented, but will reveal the heart and soul of the songwriter.  We’re going to share the songs that people have always loved, but hopefully they will love even more after they hear how they came to be.”

The kick-off weekend is scheduled for June 27 at TempleBaptistChurch in Chattanooga, Tennessee, June 28 at TrinityBaptistChurch in Ashville, North Carolina and June 29 at AvalonChurch in McDonough, Georgia.  For ticket prices, more information, and to schedule a Song of a Lifetime Experience in your area, visit http://songofalifetime.net/ or call 423-285-8755.

To view the “Song of a Lifetime” music video written and performed by Phil Cross, Gerald Crabb, and Mark Bishop,

Song Of A Lifetime Music Video from Phillip Cross on Vimeo.

Legendary Daywind Songwriters Dianne Wilkinson And Ronny Hinson Honored At 2013 Harmony Honors Ceremony

Hendersonville, TN (January 31, 2013) — The Southern Gospel Music Guild held its annual Harmony Honors program, hosted by Jason Crabb, on Tuesday evening, January 29th, 2013, at Trinity Music City in Hendersonville, TN.  Daywind songwriters Ronny Hinson and Dianne Wilkinson were both honored with lifetime achievement awards for their contribution to gospel music.Along with Dianne Wilkinson and Ronny Hinson, Daywind recording artist, Rodney Griffin (Greater Vision), songwriters Mosie Lister, Squire Parsons, and Phil Cross received acclamations for their success in songwriting.  Each of these songwriters have penned several hits that are classics in Southern Gospel music. The songwriters told stories about their career, influences, and inspirations.  Ronny Hinson told a story about penning his hit song “The Lighthouse” saying, “I scribbled it in a bathroom, during rehearsal, on a piece of toilet paper, in 7 minutes.” To honor each songwriter, a few of their popular songs were performed by well-known artists to the capacity crowd. Featured artists included Daywind’s Greater Vision, the Nelons and Scott Fowler (Legacy Five).  Also taking the stage were g Jeff & Sheri Easter, Kingdom Heirs, Tribute Quartet, Palmetto State Quartet, LeFevre Quartet, the Bowling Family, Booth Brothers, Gold City, Three Bridges, and country music great, Wynonna Judd. Selected performances from the evening will air as part of TBN’s “Praise the Lord” programming. Visit www.tbn.org for more information on dates and airtimes. Daywind Music Group is based in Hendersonville, TN and is distributed worldwide through New Day Christian Distribution.  In addition to those mentioned above, Daywind is also home to writers such as Kyla Rowland, Sue Smith and Kenna West, as well as artists such as The Perrys and Karen Peck & New River.  For more information on Daywind, visit daywindrecords.com.  For more information about Daywind Publishing, contact Rick Shelton at rshelton@daywind.com.

For more information regarding this press release, please contact:
publicity@daywind.com.