Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

2018 Diamond Awards to be filmed by WATC TV Atlanta

Diamond Awards

Pigeon Forge, Tenn. (August 10, 2018) — Rob Patz, owner and host of Creekside Gospel Music Convention, is happy to announce that Pat Mathis and her team at WATC TV in Atlanta, Georgia will be recording the 2018 Diamond Awards on October 30, 2018, at Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

“We at WATC TV in Atlanta, Georgia are excited to once again partner with WGGS TV in Greenville, South Carolina to cover the Diamond Awards,” said Patricia Mathis, Vice President of WATC. “It has been an annual event that our viewers at WATC enjoy, not only for the great gospel music performances, but also to be able to congratulate those who are awarded a Diamond Award.”

The 2018 Diamond Awards are held as a part of the Creekside Gospel Music Convention, Oct. 28 – Nov. 1, at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center. Dr. Jerry and Jan Goff will be the hosts for the gala occasion, highlighted by great live performances and surprise guests.

Pat Mathis accepts GABBY award for WATC in 2017

“The Diamond Awards are always special,” said Rob Patz. “We are thrilled to welcome back Pat, WATC, and WGGS, as they shoot the footage that will be seen by so many of their viewers that are not able to attend this unique event. Just the presence of the TV crew adds its own air of excitement to the evening, on top of the anticipation of the Awards themselves. It’s going to be a terrific night and I urge everyone who can attend to be there!” Tickets for every night at Creekside are free but must be reserved.

Last year, Robert York of SGNScoops Magazine, wrote a feature on WATC which said, “WATC-TV has become known to its viewers as being the home for Atlanta Live, the station’s nightly live program. The station is available to more than 2.5 million viewers in the Atlanta market. It is available throughout Georgia on various cable networks, as well as 24 hours a day on the internet. Some of the other programs produced on WATC-TV include Babbie’s House, Enjoying Life, Friends and Neighbors, Josh and Ashley, Just Keep Singing, Seniors Today and Gospel Music USA. For a few years, they have taped the SGNScoops Diamond Awards and the SGNScoops Life Achievement Award as well as some of the Creekside Gospel Music Convention for a special program for their audience. The station has received numerous awards, including an Angel Award and a Telly Award, and was honored with its first Emmy Award in 2010. In 2017, the station received the Georgia Association of Broadcasters’ Gabby Awards for Community Service, which recognizes the work of radio and television stations from all stations throughout the state of Georgia.” (abridged)

C.T. Townsend To Speak At Creekside 2018

Prior to the Diamond Awards, pastor C.T. Townsend will address the Creekside audience. Gospel music artists appearing at Creekside Gospel Music Convention include the Jordan Family Band, the Williamsons, the Pine Ridge Boys, Mark209, Sunday Drive, the Hyssongs, Eagle’s Wings, the Chandlers, the Dunaways, and many more. Special events include “Dr. Goff Honors Arthur Rice” on Monday, the 2018 Diamond Awards on Tuesday and many surprise appearances of more beloved artists on Wednesday and Thursday evening.

Creekside 2018

For more information on Creekside 2018, including the Diamond Awards and ticket reservations, visit www.sgnscoops.com or www.facebook.com/Creeksidegospelmusicconvention. For a $25 VIP pass, tickets and accommodations, contact Rob Patz by calling 360-933-0741.

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Williamsons feature in SGNScoops On The Road

The Williamsons: Donnie and Lisa Williamson, Karl Rice, Darin Hebert

SGNScoops is “On The Road!” SGNScoops Magazine writer Robert York had the opportunity to spend some time with the Williamsons last weekend. The group traveled all the way from Weleetka, Okla. to be in Georgia. Saturday night was the 75th birthday concert for their friend James Wright of the Wright Family. Also that evening, the Wright Family performed as well as David Gresham. In addition to Donnie and Lisa Williamson, the group includes Darin Hubert and Karl Rice.

The Williamsons and hosts of Gospel Music USA, Karen Peck, Danny Jones

Donnie Williamson let me know that they would be at Southern Gospel Weekend coming up in Oxford, Alab., March 1, 2, 3. They also had their daughters with them. Monday morning they were scheduled to tape two TV programs for ‘Gospel Music USA’ which is hosted by Danny Jones, Mike LeFevre, and Karen Peck. I met the group with Danny Jones at Cracker Barrel for breakfast before the taping, enjoying a lot of joking and fun. You get Danny and Donnie together and you are in for a treat.

On to the tv station for the taping which was scheduled to start at noon. They taped the two programs and the interviews were just as much fun as breakfast. Also at the taping, the daughters and Lisa sang as a trio together. Gospel Music USA is aired on WATC-TV, which is available in the Atlanta area and also on the internet at www.watc.tv.

The Williamsons have produced more than a dozen recordings, performing material that is mostly written by Lisa and Donnie. They have been nominated in the Top Ten Best Mixed Group across the nation and have had several top 10 songs.

Make your reservations and pack your bags and come to Oxford, Alab., on March 1, 2, 3 and be the Williamsons and many other great Gospel groups. For more information on Southern Gospel Weekend click here.

More Gospel music news here.

Newest SGNScoops Magazine featuring your favorite artists here.

Listen to our Online Gospel music station here. 

Tune In Alert: Christmas with Three Bridges, Friday, December 22 at 7:00 p.m.

Christmas with Three Bridges

A 90-minute special featuring Three Bridges is scheduled to be broadcast on Friday, December 22 at 7:00 p.m.  with an encore broadcast on Monday, December 25 at 3:30 p.m. on WATC TV, Channel 57 Atlanta, or online at http://watc.tv/watc-live/.

A Three Bridges Christmas concert includes classic Christmas carols, some lesser-known Christmas songs, a lot of fun, and most importantly, a celebration of Immanuel, God With Us.

Elliott McCoy says, “I just get excited about singing my favorite music – Christmas music. And I am excited about sharing the true meaning of Christmas once again . . . that God loves the world so much that He gave His very best to us, Jesus Christ.”

Three Bridges in Concert

Three Bridges Gospel Trio

Three Bridges’ music is rooted in traditional ”southern gospel” and ”black gospel” music. This blended style has made Three Bridges an internationally-acclaimed Gospel group — one that is known for tight harmonies, a unique vocal style, an exciting and energy packed stage presence and, most importantly, for spreading the joy of the Good News of Christ. They have entertained and ministered to millions through their recordings, TV appearances and live shows — which is why Three Bridges has quickly become one of the most prominent Gospel groups in Christian music today. (http://www.threebridges.net/) (December 19, 2017)

More About WATC TV

WATC continues to look at new ways to spread the Gospel.  WATC has completed its transition from analog to digital broadcasting and is now expanding into both Summerville, Georgia and Savannah, Georgia.  In addition, the station’s programming can be seen around the world via the video streaming feature located on the WATC website.  Many of the original programs produced by WATC now air on various broadcast stations and satellite networks across the United States and around the world. (http://watc.tv/history/) (December 19, 2017)

More Gospel music news here.

Newest SGNScoops Magazine featuring your favorite artists here.

Listen to our Online Gospel music station here. 

Mike LeFevre, Danny Jones and Karen Peck on the set of Gospel Music USA!

Karen Peck, Danny Jones, Mike LeFevre. Photo courtesy of Robert York

WATC-TV 57 out of Atlanta, GA airs “Gospel Music USA,” hosted by Mike
LeFevre (The LeFevre Quartet), Danny Jones (Singing News) and Karen Peck
(Karen Peck & New River). This 30-minute segment is filled with your favorite
Southern Gospel music from top artists from all over the USA. Mike, Danny and
Karen bring you face-to-face with the artists as they share their testimonies and
their ministries with their viewers.

Upcoming guests on Gospel Music USA include Jeff Stice, Lauren Talley, Freedom Quartet, Old Paths, Ivan Parker and Archie Watkins. Some of the artists who have appeared on the show are Karen Peck and New River, The LeFevre Quartet, Greater Vision, Triumphant Quartet and The Blackwood Brothers, just to name a few.

Gospel Music USA airs Saturdays at 2:30 pm on WATC TV and Saturday nights at 9 pm as part of the “Saturday Night Gospel Sing” on WATC TOO. Watch Gospel Music USA from the comfort of your own home via live stream here: http://watc.tv/gospelmusicusa/

Behind The Scenes At Gospel Music USA

Karen Peck, Danny Jones, Mike LeFevre

By Robert York

Old Paths Quartet

Gospel Music USA, a TV program aired on WATC-TV in Atlanta, GA and also available on the internet, recently had a two-day taping of the programs in high definition (HD). The station will be totally HD in February when these programs begin to air. Danny Jones, Singing News Editor; Karen Peck of Karen Peck and New River and Mike LeFevre of the LeFevre Quartet are the hosts of the program.

I had the privilege of having breakfast before the first day of taping with Danny, Karen and Mike. Danny and Mike were discussing the most asked question about Mike’s group. Mike responded about how he was related to Eva Mae LeFevre. Mike said his Dad and Eva Mae’s husband

Interview With Old Paths

Uncle Urias were brothers. He went on to talk a little about the family saying that they were five brothers and two sisters in the family. Sister Maude started singing with Uncle Urias and Alf. After Maude left the group, Sister Omega sang with them. The marriage took place and Eva Mae started playing the piano and singing alto with the group.

It was over to the studio for taping the program. There were six groups

Freedom Quartet

scheduled to tape in the two-day session. The first day bought The Old Paths Quartet, Freedom Quartet and Lauren Talley in front of the four cameras and on the new set for the program. Day two was Jeff Stice, Ivan Parker and Archie Watkins. When you put those three hosts together you never know exactly what to expect from them. I would go into some funny details about the introduction of Freedom Quartet but I think it best to let you wait and watch the program.

Lauren Talley

Patricia Mathis, Vice President of WATC-TV and Greg West produce the program which is aired at 2:30 pm eastern time on Saturdays on both TV and the internet. The original show was taped August 13, 2013 and started airing in September of that year. It has been on the air weekly since then. WATC-TV also filmed the SGN Scoops 2014 Diamond Awards and the Lou Hildreth Honors featuring Willie Wynn this past year in Pigeon Forge, TN and aired the programs

Patricia Mathis and Ivan Parker

on their station. For more information including programming details, visit  www.watc.tvhttp://www.watc.tv/

Pictures courtesy of Robert York.

Mike LeFevre, Danny Jones, Jeff Stice