Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

TRI-STATE 2020 GOSPEL HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES 

Tri-State Gospel Hall of Fame Choir

Will Dickerson, Chairman of Tri-State Gospel Hall of Fame, which represents Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee has announced the 2020 inductees. They are: Troy Burns, Buddy Burton, Tommy Fairchild, Howard Green, Ed Hill, David Maddox, Peggy Parker, Marlon Pendergrass, Willie Wynn and Charles Yates. These folks are recognized, honored and celebrated for their outstanding contributions to gospel music.

Willie Wynn

The induction ceremony is August 1 at Park Baptist Church, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, starting at 6:00 pm.

This Week on Good News Music Radio with Woody Wright

Good News Music Radio With Woody Wright

This week’s program on “Good News Music Radio with Woody Wright” features Part 2 of our interview with Larry Ford and music from Jeff & Sheri Easter, Joseph Habedank, David Staton, Karen Peck & New River, Willie Wynn, Guy Penrod, Gordon Mote, The Hoppers, and MORE!

Tune-in to one of the stations listed on our site or listen online for an hour of great gospel music, inspiring ministry and fun with Woody Wright and D. Scott Kramer at:

http://GoodNewsMusicRadio.com/

Find Good News Music Radio On Facebook Here

The Big Heart of Little Willie Wynn

Willie Wynn

By Dixie Phillips

Little Willie Wynn is commonly known in gospel music as the man with a million friends. After interviewing him on the telephone I can see why. His gentle warmth and down home personality makes you feel like you’ve known him your whole life.

Recording artist, Woody Wright, traveled and sang with Willie for several years. He had these kind words to say, “Willie is my mentor. My dad passed away in 1979. Willie broke the news to me while we were on the road. I consider him my ‘stand-in’ father. He is my absolute best friend. There is not a more influential figure in my life. I owe my career to him. I often tell him, if he had not given me my first road job in the music field, I would have probably gone to college and become a doctor or a lawyer.”

Willie Wynn and Woody Wright

Southern gospel historians consider Willie a legend in gospel music. His story of humble beginnings and then achieving the pinnacle of success so few artists ever experience is the stuff movies are made of. It’s sheer inspiration and should encourage every child who has a dream of singing for the Lord.

Willie was born the seventh child of Cyrus Wynn and Allie Belle Lunsford Wynn in Moultrie, Georgia. He was raised by a single mother on 173-acre farm with his six brothers and one sister. Willie said, “When my father left, my dear mother poured her life into us kids. She loved us and we loved her. All of us helped with chores around the farm.”

Willie learned a tremendous work ethic in the cotton fields of south Georgia with his close-knit family, but he also learned he loved music. “My brothers and I would work in the fields and we always had a dinner break. While we ate I listened to the beautiful music of the Statesmen, Blackwood Brothers, and the LeFevres. Nobody ever taught me parts, but I could hear them all. They came easy to me. It was a gift from God.”

God had His hand on Willie and when he was 14 at Hopewell Baptist Church, he gave his heart to the Lord and was baptized. The young man also knew he was supposed to sing gospel music. “From as far back as I can remember, I felt a call from God to sing for Him. I can’t really explain it. I just knew I was to sing tenor in a gospel male quartet.”

Willie joined a quartet when he was still a teenager and sang with the Happy Four regularly on a local radio station. The group was well received and their fan base kept growing around Georgia. When he got in high school, he sang with the FFA quartet. “I just knew I had to continue pursuing my dream. In my heart I believed I would one day sing with the Statesmen.”

While Willie was honing his musical talent, a man moved to Moultrie from Atlanta. He shared Willie’s dream and wanted to start a gospel quartet of his own. “We tried to round up a few singers, but then the guy moved back to Atlanta. I wasn’t sure how I was going to achieve my goal, but then the same fellow kept calling me and inviting me to move to Atlanta. When the time was right, I moved there and got a job in a bookbindery. After working for about a year Denver Crumpler, the Statesmen’s tenor singer, passed away. They were looking for someone to fill his position. I went to the Briarcliff Hotel in Atlanta to audition. I knew all their songs and had a great time singing for them. There was one more fellow after me to try out—Rosie Rozell. Even though they hired him, I still felt in my heart I would one day sing with the Statesmen.”

Even though Willie didn’t get the tenor position, Jake Hess recognized the young man’s talent. When some of the members of Wally Fowler’s backup quartet for his All Night Singing asked if anyone knew of a good tenor singer, Jake Hess suggested they contact Willie. The group didn’t waste a minute. They drove to Willie’s house around 11:00 p.m. and convinced him to come down to Atlanta’s Municipal Auditorium. “Even though I wasn’t feeling the best, I threw on my coat and went with them. I sang all the songs and was hired on the spot. Eventually the group was named The Oak Ridge Quartet.”

Lou Hildreth Award Presented to Willie Wynn by Jonathan Edwards

Warner Brothers was the Quartet’s record label. They suggested the group change their name to the Oak Ridge Boys. The guys all agreed. At this time the group consisted of Willie Wynn, tenor singer; Smitty Gatlin, lead singer; Ron Page, baritone singer; Herman Harper, bass singer; and Tommy Fairchild, pianist. They were noted for being on the cutting edge of gospel music with a progressive country sound.

It was during this time the fans fell in love with the skinny Georgia boy with his smooth tenor voice. At every concert the Oaks introduced him, “Make welcome Little Willie Wynn!” The crowd went wild and the nickname stuck. All 116 pounds of “Little Willie Wynn” sang his way into the hearts of his fans with songs like: “Jesus is Coming Soon,” “Mama’s Last Amen,” “King Jesus,” “After All,” “My God Is Real,” “Mama’s Teaching Angels How to Sing,” “The Grass Is Greener on the Other Side,” “After Calvary,” and “Little Is Much.”

Willie Wynn Bash at Creekside 204

The Oaks’ popularity skyrocketed. Invitations came for them to sing on the Porter Wagoner Show, the Johnny Carson Show, the Merv Griffin Show, and they regularly appeared on the Johnny Cash Show. They were invited to make a guest appearance in the movie ‘Sing a Song for Heaven’s Sake’. The Oaks received international invitations and performed two tours in Sweden. During this time they gained even broader audience appeal and recognition. They received several Dove Awards and even a Grammy Award. They were in more demand for television appearances than ever before. Willie and the Oaks were rated as one of the top gospel groups in the business.

Willie sang with the Oaks for 15 years and came off the road in 1973, to pursue a business venture and be closer to home. “I was offered a deal too good to refuse—an airplane business. What I didn’t see on the horizon was the severe fuel crunch. It didn’t go as I had hoped.”

The next year, Hovie Lister called and invited him to sing with the Statesmen. “I knew God had put that dream in my heart. I saw the prayers of that little boy from the cotton fields of Georgia come true that day.”

Creekside 2014

After recording a few albums and singing with the Statesmen, Willie formed another group—Willie Wynn and the Tennesseans. Group members included Elmer Cole, Dave Maddox, Woody Wright, and Michael Sykes. Willie said, “Even though we had great talent and recorded several records, we were never quite able to get the group off the ground.”

The Georgia farm boy wasn’t afraid of hard work. He decided to start another group—Sweetwater. Once again the roster was jam-packed with some talented singers: Darrell Holt, J.T. Hicks, Gary Clark, and later with Woody Wright and Michael Sykes. “Once again, we were blessed with great songs, arrangements, and talent, but we just couldn’t make it to the level we hoped to.”

Willie married the love of his life on Valentine’s Day 1991. He said, “My wife, Sandi, is a beautiful person and singer. She is the highlight of my life.”

Sandi and Willie received a phone call from Bill Gaither, inviting them to come to Alexandria, Indiana, and be part of a videotaping. Willie stated, “I cannot say enough good about Bill and Gloria. They have done more for the gospel music field than anyone I know. They have resurrected careers that have been dead longer than Hitler.”

Another important phone call came to the Wynn house in 2013. “Woody Wright called and insisted I record a new project—Willie Wynn & Friends. He actually wrote a song “The Oak Ridge Boys and Me,” especially for this project. If that wasn’t enough of a blessing, then the Oaks came to the studio and sang backup on that song with me.”

Not only did the Oaks come out to support Willie, but Bill Gaither and Ben Speer also sang backup. It’s plain to see Willie loves people and they love him back. His new project is proof of just how much folks treasure “the big heart of little Willie Wynn.”

Willie Wynn & Friends also includes 11 new recordings of popular songs from Willie’s days with the Oak Ridge Boys and new versions of great hymns and classics. Ponder Sykes & Wright (who first sang together as members of Willie’s group, The Tennesseans) are featured on several songs, along with other former Tennesseans Elmer Cole and Dave Maddox. Bill Gaither, Ben Speer and Gene McDonald provide support vocals, as well as Willie’s great friends Darrell Holt, J.T. Hicks, and Gary Clark from the group Sweetwater. The musician crew is a ‘who’s who’ of some of Nashville finest players.

Woody Wright is quick to honor the man who helped him get his start in gospel music. “The November 3^rd 2014, “Willie Wynn and Friends Bash” will be our fourth annual event. The first was the evening that Willie was inducted as an individual to the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame. So every year since, we have assembled the former members of Willie’s groups (The Tennesseans and Sweetwater) to keep honoring Willie, who made it possible for dozens of wannabe Gospel singers get started.  Among those names are myself, Michael Sykes, David Ponder, Elmer Cole, and many other players and singers.”

Fans will love hearing Willie’s signature voice again. His huge heart shines through every song and his music guarantees to inspire his million friends and fans.

October 2014 SGNScoops Magazine

Willie also participated in a DVD/CD made in 2012 and 2013 with Scott Kramer and Woody Wright, Good News Music Radio. Willie said, “We are getting incredible number of inquiries about these projects. We are all very excited about them. Fans can purchase them at www.williewynn.com.”

Fans can connect on FaceBook with Willie and Sandi at www.facebook.com/WillieNSandiWynn or write them at LittleWillieWynn@aol.com.

Editor’s note: The November 3^rd  2014 “Willie Wynn and Friends Bash” was part of the annual Creekside Gospel Music Convention in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. For more information, visit http://www.creeksidegospelmusicconvention.com/

Written by Dixie Phillips

Published by SGN Scoops digital magazine in October 2014

For current issues of SGN Scoops digital magazine visit https://www.sgnscoops.com/

This Week on Good News Music Radio with Woody Wright! Airs January 23, 2015 through January 29, 2015

Good News Music with Woody Wright

This week’s program on “Good News Music Radio with Woody Wright” features Part 2 of our interview with Paul Lancaster of The Booth Brothers and music from Jason Crabb, Jeff & Sheri Easter, The Hoppers, Brian Free & Assurance, The Gaither Vocal Band, Palmetto State Quartet, Reggie & Ladye Love Smith, Willie Wynn and MORE!

Creekside Gospel Music Convention Day Three – Nov 5/14

The Drummond Family performs at Creekside Gospel Music Convention

Creekside Gospel Music Convention continues in Pigeon Forge Tennessee at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center.  Day three began with the Morris Music Group Showcase, continued with the Red Back Hymn Book Choir and the evening concert and ended with the Midnight Prayer session.

The Morris Music Group showcased some of their best talent and friends. Appearing were Hope’s Journey, The Stephens, Higher Hope, Clearvision Quartet, Angela Marie, Exodus, The Drummond Family, Linda Foster, Billy Hodges, Tina Wakefield and Faith’s Journey.

Hopes Journey

The Stephens

Following this showcase, the Red Back Hymn Book Choir full of artists took to the stage. They were met with much enthusiasm from the audience!

The evening concert continued with terrific performances by The Griffins, The Stephens, John Lanier, The Steeles, and many more. The Kramers appeared with Willie Wynn and Woodie Wright to celebrate the release of their latest CD.

For more pictures, log onto www.sgnscoops.net

Thanks to Vonda Easley, Michelle Drummond and Robert York for the wonderful pictures!

More information on Creekside can be found at http://www.creeksidegospelmusicconvention.com/

Creekside continues today with the last evening concert beginning tonight at 5:30pm.

The Griffins

John Lanier

The Kramers

Willie Wynn, Woody Wright, The Kramers and friends

Creekside Gospel Music Convention Begins!

Pigeon Forge, Tennessee (November 3, 2014) – Creekside Gospel Music Convention officially begins this evening at 5:30pm. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, welcomes Gospel music artists from across the United States for four days, November 3-6, at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center pictured above. The Exhibit Hall opens at 4:00pm, evening concert begins at 5:30 and the Willie Wynn Bash begins at 8:00pm.

Set-up is happening even as we post this update, with artists arriving at the Convention Center and booths springing up in the Exhibit Hall. Artists, volunteers and SGN Scoops staff are excited about the beginning of Creekside and looking forward to some terrific music, fellowship and fun during this week.

There are still a few tickets at the door, so if you are in the area, please come over to the Smoky Mountain Convention Center. For more information on Creekside, visit http://www.creeksidegospelmusicconvention.com/

October 2014 SGNScoops Magazine

October 2014 SGNScoops Magazine

The air is cooler and the leaves are changing color, so it’s a great time to fall into a new issue of SGN Scoops. This month we have lots of great reading for you!

WATC To Cover 2014 Creekside Gospel Music Convention And Diamond Awards

Pigeon Forge, TN.(September 19, 2014) – WATC Television out of Atlanta, Georgia, has announced they will be covering the SGNScoops’ 2014 Creekside Gospel Music Convention and   Diamond Awards Celebration at Pigeon Forge, Tennessee on November 3^rd and 4th. The television station, which also streams their programs on the web, will be at the Smokey Mountain Convention Center to record the Monday night presentation, “Lou Hildreth Honors Willie Wynn” as well as Tuesday night’s Diamond Award celebration, the event to honor Gospel music’s finest artists as chosen by the readers of SGNScoops digital magazine. Many of these special moments will be shown on a TV Special and viewed online at www.watc.tv at a later date to be announced.

Coastal Media Group is hosting the Creekside Gospel Music Convention, which takes place from the 3^rd through the 6^th. As well the special events mentioned above, the Convention includes daily Chapel services, specialty showcases and evening concerts.

Patricia Mathis, Vice President of WATC TV, Atlanta’s TV 57, is looking forward to returning to Pigeon Forge. “It’s exciting to once again be a part of the Creekside Gospel Music Convention and for being able to share this with the viewers of WATC TV in Atlanta,” says Mathis. “While it is nothing like being in the audience at Creekside, we are glad that we can bring a little part of Creekside and the great gospel music being performed there to our audience. Creekside just keeps getting bigger and better ever year!”

Rob Patz, CEO of Coastal Media Group and publisher of SGNScoops commented, “We are grateful to Patricia and WATC for their professionalism, experience and dedication in airing quality Gospel music programs. We are thrilled that they are returning to Creekside and we are glad to be able to share some of Creekside with fans across the nation and the world by television and internet.”

About WATC TV: WATC TV provides Atlanta with a mix of family, Christian and educational programming. It is known to viewers as the home of Atlanta Live and is seen over the air throughout the metro Atlanta market and also in over one million cable and satellite homes. WATC is the home of many original series and has been honored with numerous Angel and Telly Awards, as well as receiving it first EMMY in 2010. The station’s programming can be seen around the world via video streaming located on the WATC website at http://www.watc.tv/

About Creekside Gospel Music Convention: Creekside Gospel Music Convention will be held at the Smokey Mountain Convention Center, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee from November 3^rd through 6^th, 2014. The CGMC is presented by SGN Scoops and Coastal Media Group at Pigeon Forge and is the home of The Diamond Awards and other special events. Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance at http://www.creeksidegospelmusicconvention.com/ . For more information on Creekside Gospel Music Convention visit https://www.facebook.com/Creeksidegospelmusicconvention

About SGNScoops: SGNScoops Digital is a fully-downloadable monthly magazine that exists to promote the gospel by unveiling what is intriguing and real about Southern Gospel and Christian Country music. SGNScoops offers music news and views as well as concert and book reviews, inspirational articles and features reaching beyond our gospel music world. For more information: https://www.sgnscoops.com/

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If you’d like more information about the Creekside Gospel Music Convention, The Diamond Awards or SGNScoops, or to schedule an interview with Rob Patz, please contact Rob Patz at 360.933.0741 or e-mail Rob at rob@sgnscoops.com

Creekside Gospel Music Convention Update

Willie Wynn

It’s only two months until the Creekside Gospel Music Convention and we are busy making plans to make this the best Creekside ever! If you haven’t yet booked your room and your ticket, please do this soon. The tickets are free get your tickets by clicking  HERE and the rooms are not expensive, but you have to book them today. Please make plans to be with us in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee on

November 3rd through 6th at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center.

We have many special events this year, including the Lou Hildreth Honors featuring Willie Wynn and Friends. The Diamond Awards are on Tuesday night with many exciting guests. During the week there will be several showcases and a choir performance. One of the many special guests performing during the Creekside event will be the award-winning family group, The Freemans. Don’t miss this fabulous group as they take the stage in lovely Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Don’t miss four days of great Gospel music, fellowship and fun. Tickets are free and accommodations can be reserved by phone, toll free at: 1-800-223-6707 or local call 865-908- 3015. For online reservations, click onto http://www.smokymountainconventioncenter.com.

Strictly Southern With Vonda Easley

The Great Doughnut Caper

Our good friend, Vonda Easley of Strictly Southern With Vonda Easley , has been chatting with Rob Patz on the air every week as he brings updates about Creekside. She recently shared some news with SGN Scoops:

“Hey Ya’ll! I’m super excited about Creekside 2014. Looking forward to the great singing and also can’t wait to watch Rob Patz sweat about how many doughnuts he has to buy for my listening audience of the Strictly Southern show.” That’s right, for every person from Vonda’s listening audience that travels to Creekside, Rob will provide doughnuts. This Doughnut Caper will be held during the Creekside event.

Don’t miss out! Stay tuned to Vonda Easley for more information.

Strictly Southern With Vonda Easley can be heard every Friday at 10am CST on http://www.wpilfm.com

The Diamond Awards

The Diamond Awards will be handed out during the Convention on November 4, in a gala program hosted by Tim Lovelace. Be sure to join us to see your favorite artists as they are recognized for their hard work and excellence in ministry by the fans.

The Top Five Diamond Award nominations are still continuing on the SGN Scoopswebsite, so drop by to click on the link and nominate your favorites before the end of this last

round of voting. Make sure your voice is heard and vote today! https://www.sgnscoops.com/2014-diamond-awards

Creekside Gospel Music Convention Free Tickets Here

This week’s Harmony Road Showcases Triumphant Quartet, Freemans, High Road III

Program includes Brian Free and Assurance and a Willie Wynn classic

Signal Mountain, TN (July 16, 2014) – This week’s Harmony Road television program is set to feature music and video from a range of gospel’s finest.  Included are the touching video “Lead me Home” featuring Darrell Freeman; High Road III and their popular “Angel at the Crossroads”; and Willie Wynn, Woody Wright and friends with the classic “Jesus is Coming Soon”.   Two top quartets, Triumphant and Brian Free and Assurance are also included.

This is the first of a series of programs originating from The Family Room Studios, located in Gallatin, Tennessee.  Many top gospel artists and their hit songs have been recorded at The Family Room.  “All of us at Harmony Road would like to thank Robb and Laverne Tripp for their hospitality during the taping of these special programs.  It was a great experience and I’m confident our viewers will enjoy these episodes.” said Roger Spears, program producer.

Harmony Road is a weekly Southern Gospel TV program hosted by “Singing News” veteran and Solid Gospel Radio host Les Butler.  The program features the best in Southern Gospel music and video.

Harmony Road can be found each week on The Heartland Network Sunday mornings at 8:00 Eastern as well as Saturdayafternoons on WATC57 in Atlanta. You can also find Harmony Road on the NRB Network Saturday evenings at 8:30 (including DIRECTV, ROKU, online streaming and a mobile app).  In addition the program is aired on the WALKtv network, www.wmjn29.com, TV24 in Northeast Alabama and more. For more information on these and other affiliates you can visit www.harmonyroadtv.com.

Other team members include Roger Spears, Producer and Allan Rhodes, Technical Director.