Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Country’s Greates Gospel Songs of the Century

Nashville, Tenn. (April 17, 2012) – New Haven Records, in partnership with The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum®, recently released two landmark anthologies featuring seven decades of legendary artists and heart-warming Country Gospel performances. The individually packaged CDs, Country’s Greatest Gospel Songs of the Century: Gold Edition and Country’s Greatest Gospel Songs of the Century: Platinum Edition, represent many of the genre’s most popular inspirational performances, chosen by Country Music radio, retail and music history professionals.

In addition to digitally re-mastered tracks of the original performances, the CDs include extensive liner notes and photos from Country Music Hall of Fame historians chronicling the history of Country Music and detailing each song and artist.

“We are honored to be a partner in preserving and celebrating these performances for today’s — and tomorrow’s — fans,” says Ken Harding, president of New Haven Records.

New Haven Records previously partnered with the Hall of Fame on three projects — Country’s 20 Classic Gospel Songs of the Century, Country’s 20 Classic Songs of the Century, and Sunday in the Country — which have sold more than 200,000 units collectively, Harding says, noting that Country’s 20 Classic Gospel Songs of the Century was the No. 1 selling CD sold during 2011 at the Hall of Fame’s Nashville location.

A number of new projects are currently in development between New Haven and the Hall of Fame.

Each edition of Country’s Greatest Gospel Songs of the Century sells for $8.99, with a portion of the royalties benefiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum®.

Track and artist listing:

GOLD EDITION:
1. “Go Rest High On That Mountain” – Vince Gill
2. “Farther Along” – Emmylou Harris, Linda Ronstadt & Dolly Parton
3. “Precious Memories” – Tammy Wynette
4. “Amazing Grace” – The Statler Brothers
5. “Precious Lord, Take My Hand/Jesus Hold My Hand” (Medley) – Merle Haggard
6. “Were You There (When They Crucified My Lord)” – Johnny Cash
7. “Wings of A Dove” – Ferlin Husky
8. “In the Garden” – Jim Reeves
9. “Peace In the Valley” – Red Foley
10. “Can the Circle Be Unbroken” – The Carter Family
PLATINUM EDITION:
1. “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow” – Suzanne Cox, Alison Krauss, and The Cox Family
2. “Children Go (Where I Send Thee)” – Ricky Skaggs
3. “Uncloudy Day” – Willie Nelson
4. “Coat of Many Colors” – Dolly Parton
5. “How Great Thou Art” – Connie Smith
6. “Crying In the Chapel” – Elvis Presley
7. “Life’s Railway To Heaven” – Patsy Cline
8. “The Old Rugged Cross” – Tennessee Ernie Ford
9. “Angel Band” – Stanley Brothers
10. “I Saw the Light” – Hank Williams

About New Haven Records:
New Haven Records is a Nashville-based music corporation that includes label, publishing, and film companies. For more than two decades, they have focused on the uniquely American genres of Black Gospel, Southern Gospel, and Country & Bluegrass Gospel. New Haven’s product is distributed to the mainstream through Sony and to the Christian marketplace through Provident Music Distribution. For additional information, go to www.newhavenrecords.com.

For more information or to schedule an interview, contact:

Julia Daily, Media Relations
New Haven Records
741 Cool Springs Blvd.
Franklin, TN 37067
Phone: 615-327-3300
jdaily@newhavenrecords.com

Father of songwriter, music publisher John Mathis Jr. passes away

The father of songwriter, music publisher John Mathis Jr. passed away at his home on September 27th, 2011. ‘Country’ Johnny Mathis, not to be confused with the pop singer of the same name, was born September 28, 1930 and was known as both a singer and songwriter during his career in Country Music.

Johnny Mathis began his career as a recording artist on the record label, StarTalent, in 1949. He would go on to record for a number of record labels during the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s including Chess, Columbia, D Records, Mercury, Decca, United Artists, Little Darlin’, Hilltop and Stonegate. As a part of the duet, Jimmy and Johnny, he scored a Top 10 hit in 1953 with the song, “If You Don’t Somebody Else Will” released on Chess Records. Johnny’s highest charting single as a soloist, “Please Talk To My Heart”(Top 15), occurred while recording for United Artists in 1963.   He’s appeared on the Louisiana Hayride, Big D Jamboree, The Grand Ole Opry, The Wilburn Brothers Show and  TNN’s Nashville Now  to name a few. In fact, ‘Country’ Johnny Mathis was a regular performer on the Louisiana Hayride through much of the 50’s.  

As a songwriter, Country Johnny Mathis has had songs recorded by George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Johnny Paycheck, Charlie Pride, Johnny Horton, Jimmy Dean, George Hamilton IV, Freddy Fender, Webb Pierce, The Whites, Elvis Costello and many, many others. Seven (7) Country Music Hall of Fame Inductees and two (2) Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees have recorded his music. Johnny Mathis has been credited with writing over 400 songs. Johnny also fell into the story of many Nashville songwriters of those days as he would often sell his share of his rights to songs he had written, most still bare his name. His song accolades further include gold records, Country radio hits and  BMI airplay performance awards. There has been a revival of Mathis songs in recent years with cuts by Jim Louderdale, Kenny and Amanda Smith Band and Brad Davis.

Country Johnny Mathis spent most of his time during the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s writing and singing Gospel music and spending time with his family. In 1999 Johnny suffered a massive stroke that left him incapacitated. More information regarding Johnny is available at  www.CountryJohnnyMathis.com .

Visitation and funeral arrangements are being conducted by Lawrence Brothers Funeral Home of Chapel Hill, TN (www.lawrencefuneral.net/) Johnny is preceded in death by one granddaughter, Kayla Michelle. He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Jeannie Mathis, one daughter, Sherie Craver of Marshall, TX, 3 sons, John Jr, Bill and James, 11 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.