Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

New Music from Woody Wright

Written by SGN Scoops Staff on November 8, 2019 – 2:53 pm -

Nashville, TN – Something truly special happens when a talented songwriter performs their own work. Songsmith is exactly that – a collection of songs, some previously recorded and some brand new, all from the pen of beloved songwriter, musician and performer, Woody Wright.

Songsmith, available today on 65South Records, features songs such as ‘My Soul Is Firmly Anchored,’ ‘I Want To Go To Heaven,’ and Woody’s current radio single, ‘He’s A Mighty Good Friend.’ Three bonus tracks round out the eleven song album, two of which are available exclusively on the physical disc, and one available as an exclusive digital track.

No stranger to Gospel music, Woody Wright’s musical resume is vast; ranging from label executive, to producer and studio musician, to acclaimed songwriter and entertaining performer.  Over the course of the last four decades, Woody has had the privilege of sharing the stage with the top names in both Christian and country music and spent time with groups such as Willie Wynn and the Tennesseans, Ponder, Sykes & Wright, Memphis, Matthews, Wright & King, and most recently as a familiar face on the Gaither Homecoming Tour.  Woody’s genuine spirit, distinctive vocals and inspiring music work together to create an artist unlike any other.
To stay up-to-date on current happenings, follow Woody Wright on social media or visit woodywright.net.

Tags: gospel music, Woody Wright
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Gospel Music Trio Ponder, Sykes & Wright Creates New “Set List”

Written by Staff on November 9, 2017 – 12:03 pm -

Ponder, Sykes & Wright releases New Hits Collection and Gears Up for 2018 Tour Schedule

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—November 9th, 2017—Gaither Music Group has just announced the release of Set List, The Best of Ponder, Sykes & Wright, scheduled to release digitally on December 1st to outlets everywhere including iTunes, Amazon, Gaither.com and others.  The recording features some of the most requested hits and favorite songs from this trio, known for seamless, three-part harmony and soothing blends.

David Ponder, Michael Sykes andWoody Wright have been performing together for nearly 40 years.  Individually, they are acclaimed singers and musicians with multiple awards, national platform performances and producer credits.  Together, however, they possess a sound and style all their own—one with country roots, pop sensibilities and the gospel message.

“Set List is a mixture of studio and live cuts, radio releases and a few surprises,” stated Wright.  “Most everywhere I play solo concerts someone will say they remember Ponder Sykes & Wright.  So hopefully those folks will enjoy this collection.”

That collection includes songs like“I Wouldn’t Take Nothin’ for My Journey,” “Higher Ground,” “He Still Speaks,” “I Know Where There’s Water” and more.  This “set list” of songs will be referred to often as the group hits the road this winter and spring for their first tour together in years.

“We’ve discussed putting live dates on the calendar pretty much since we stopped booking dates!” said Wright.  “We’ve been ‘studio dogs’ for so long, but all three of us had the childhood dream to play live music.  It’s way past time for us to hear and share the PS&W harmony live again.”

Through decades of producing, writing and recording, that harmony has never lost its impact on the guys.  “This vocal blend is special to me because it was born in my living room,” Wright continued.  “The three of us were in another group together at the time, and we were early for a rehearsal at my house.  We sang the Commodores’ ‘Sail On’ and heard a harmony buzz I’m still not over, nearly 40 years later.”

“I’m ready to share hope as we travel,” stated Ponder, who has experienced newness of life firsthand since he underwent a heart transplant surgery last year.  “On August 5, 2016, God completely healed my severe heart damage/failure by giving me a new heart. God showed me it was part of His plan for me to be healthy so He could use me with Michael and Woody to give people hope–for health, for relationships and hope in Jesus Christ.  I’m ready to share that hope.”

Set List, The Best of Ponder, Sykes & Wright, will be exclusively distributed by Capitol Christian Music Group and Universal Music.

For further information regarding the group visit them at their webpage or on Facebook. Click here for booking or for tour shedule.

For further information about the Gaither Homecoming family of artists visit the Gaither webpage, Facebook page or on Twitter.

SGNScoops Magazine features Bill Gaither as the cover feature here.

ABOUT DAVID PONDER
David Ponder has been working in studios since the mid-‘90s, using his talents as an engineer, digital editor, singer, acoustic guitar player, percussionist, composer, vocal engineer and bass player.  He has worked with a “who’s who of artists,” including the Gaither Vocal Band, The Hagees, Bill Gaither, Russ Taff, The Oak Ridge Boys, Jessy Dixon, Cherryholmes, Karen Peck & New River, Jeff & Sheri Easter, Mark Lowry, Dottie Rambo, The Hoppers, The Isaacs, the Martins, The Crabb Family, Vestal Goodman, Bill & Gloria Gaither and more.

ABOUT MICHAEL SYKES
Winner of more than a dozen GMA Dove Awards and multiple GRAMMY ® nominations, Michael Sykes is a musician, songwriter, singer and producer.  Setting out for Nashville at 18 years of age, he began playing piano for various country and gospel groups and soon found himself offering creative input with group harmonies before becoming a producer.

Sykes has produced albums for the industry’s most esteemed artists, including the Gaither Vocal Band, Russ Taff, the Martins, Jeff and Sheri Easter and his full-circle achievement as producer of The Oak Ridge Boys’ DOVE Award-winning album From the Heart.  He has also expressed his artistry through his songwriting accomplishments, including much-loved songs like “Prayer Warrior,” “King of Who I Am,” “Knowing You’ll Be There” and “Make It Real.”  His love for harmony has made him a natural singer as a vocalist with Goodman Revival and Ponder Sykes & Wright.

ABOUT WOODY WRIGHT
Woody Wright grew up studying the writings of Dad Speer, Charles Wesley, Fanny Crosby, Larry Gatlin and Kris Kristofferson, among others.  Digesting every liner note, song credit and publishing company name, his dream in life was for a gospel or country music artist to sing one of the songs he was writing.

And a few did!  Those credits include such artists as the Gaither Vocal Band, Charley Pride, Mark Lowry, Russ Taff, Jeff & Sheri Easter, The Isaacs, William Lee Golden, Buddy Greene, Karen Peck & New River, Judy Martin Hess, the Booth Brothers, Tanya Goodman Sykes, Chonda Pierce, Lynda Randle, Sammy Hall, Christ Church Choir, The Lewis Family and many more.  A multi-artist concept CD and DVD project called Circuit Rider, that he created with Suzanne Jennings, was just released.

For the latest issue of SGNScoops Magazine click here.

For the latest Gospel music news click here.

For online Gospel music radio click here.

 

Tags: bill gaither, Christian Music, David Ponder, gospel music, Michael Sykes, Ponder Sykes and Wright, Woody Wright
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Gaither Music Group’s All-new Docu-musical Rides to Top of Three Music Sales Charts

Written by Staff on November 10, 2016 – 4:20 pm -

Suzanne Jennings and Woody Wright’s Unique Circuit Rider Creation Strikes a Chord with Listeners
Award-winning Gaither HOMECOMING Artists Creatively Document
a Chapter of Our Nation’s History
NASHVILLE, Tenn.—November 7th, 2016—Gaither Music Group’s all-new Circuit Rider DVD rode straight to the top of this past week’s Billboard Music Video chart in addition to the Christian Music Video chart, according to Nielsen Soundscan, garnering the #1 position on both. The audio version of the docu-musical also claimed the #1 position on the Southern Gospel Album Sales chart and a Top 20 spot on the Contemporary Christian Music chart.
“This project has been a labor of love and a long time in the making,” stated Circuit Rider’s co-creator Suzanne Jennings. “We feel excited and privileged to be releasing this docu-musical honoring the great men and women who laid the foundations of our faith here in America.”

The recording features vocal performances from some of the most celebrated talents on the Gaither HOMECOMING stage, including Guy Penrod, Russ Taff, William Lee Golden, Gloria Gaither, Lynda Randle, Tanya Goodman Sykes, Mark Lowry, Benjy Gaither, Woody Wright, Buddy Greene, Judy Martin Hess, The Isaacs, Joy Gardner, Reggie Smith, Charlotte Ritchie, Angie Primm, Michael Sykes and more. The DVD is hosted by former governor of Arkansas, talk show host and presidential nominee Mike Huckabee.
Created by Jennings and Woody Wright, Circuit Rider is the real-life account of the spiritual formation of a nation and the church we have today shaped in part by the dedication and vision of these circuit riders. These musical performances and readings, sung and read by some of the most well-loved gospel artists, tell the story of these preachers who blazed the trail to share the gospel of Jesus with people of every race and nationality living in little towns and settlements across the nation. These brave men and women, from every denomination and creed, understood the meaning of perseverance and sacrifice. Their stories are not often told, but they are as much a part of the American landscape as Mt. Rushmore and the Grand Canyon.
That story of hardships, revivals, baptism, sanctification and suffering is captured through this release, which is currently airing as a TV special on a large number of networks including PBS, DirecTV, Dish TV, AT&T U-verse, TBN, RFD, GaitherTV, FamilyNet, CTN, GMC, GMTN, Guardian, Liberty, TCT and TLN. In Canada it is airing on Vision TV, The Miracle Channel, CTS and Hope TV.
Gaither Music Group brought in the esteemed Michael Merriman to direct the filmmaking, and he and Stephanie Reeves produced the LIVE performances taped at Fiddler’s Grove Historic Village in Lebanon, Tennessee. Jennings and Michael Nolen teamed up for the screenwriting.
Circuit Rider is exclusively distributed by Capitol Christian Distribution and is available throughout general market stores and the Christian marketplace in addition to online retailers including iTunes, Amazon and www.gaither.com.
To enjoy a promotional video of the DVD, visit YouTube clip here:

CD and DVD SONG LISTING:
01. Burnin’ (featuring Guy Penrod)
02. Circuit Rider (featuring William Lee Golden & Russ Taff)
03. The Raven (featuring The Isaacs)
04. Bluegrass Moon (featuring Buddy Greene)
05. I’m the Clay (featuring Judy Martin Hess/Charlotte Ritchie/Tanya Goodman Sykes)
06. Mine All Mine (featuring Lynda Randle)
07. We Go Alone (featuring Joy Gardner & Woody Wright)
08. So Many Miles (featuring Reggie Smith)
09. The Old Man (featuring Benjy Gaither)
10. Refining Fire (featuring Michael Sykes)
11. Against the Grain (featuring Mark Lowry)

(Top to Bottom) Oak Ridge Boy William Lee Golden and Russ Taff, Buddy Greene and cast film the new Circuit Rider DVD.
Photos by: Daniel Meigs

 

Tags: Benjy Gaither, Circuit Rider, Gaither Gospel Series, Gloria Gaither, guy penrod, LYNDA RANDLE, Mark Lowry, russ taff, Tanya Goodman Sykes, William Lee Golden, Woody Wright
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WOODY WRIGHT AND D. SCOTT KRAMER ANNOUNCE RELEASE OF VICTORY IN JESUS! AVAILABLE TODAY ON DVD

Written by SGN Scoops Staff on July 2, 2015 – 8:26 am -

Woody Wright and D. Scott Kramer are back with a second live concert DVD based on their popular radio program, Good News Music Radio!

The DVD, available today, is being released through Electric Station Records and Hands of Love Ministry.

Sit back and enjoy over an hour of great gospel music, encouraging ministry and fun in the inviting setting of Reardon Auditorium on the campus of Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana.

You’ll be moved by inspiring performances from Larry Gatlin, Russ Taff, The Nelons, Buddy Greene and Jeff Taylor, Woody & Vonnie Wright, Willie Wynn, Tanya Goodman Sykes, Ponder, Sykes & Wright, Rachel West Kramer, Jairo Arvizu, Maria Kramer all backed by Gary Prim and The Good News Music Radio Band! Victory In Jesus is the theme for this program and this concert joyfully proclaims the Good News of Jesus Christ!

Click this link for a special video preview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MINiS9EAmZE&feature=youtu.be

Read more »

Tags: D. Scott Kramer, Southern Gospel News, the nelons, Woody Wright
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This Week on Good News Music Radio with Woody Wright

Written by SGN Scoops Staff on April 4, 2015 – 9:28 am -

This week’s program on “Good News Music Radio with Woody Wright” is our “Bill Gaither Special” featuring an interview with Bill Gaither! Also enjoy the music of The Gaither Vocal Band and Homecoming Friends including “I’m Gonna Sing”, “Brand New Song”, “More Than Ever”, “On The Authority”, “A Picture of Grace”, “Steel On Steel”, “I’m Not Gonna Worry” 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:

Tags: bill gaither, Good News Music Radio with Woody Wright, Southern Gospel News, Woody Wright
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This Week On Good News Music Radio with Woody Wright

Written by Staff on March 6, 2015 – 8:35 am -

This week’s program on “Good News Music Radio with Woody Wright” features Part 1 of our interview with Larry Ford and music from Gordon Mote, The Booth Brothers, Rachel West Kramer, The Goodman Revival, Ponder, Sykes & Wright, Joseph Habedank, 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 on the web HERE or on Facebook HERE! 

Tags: christian country, D. Scott Kramer, Good News Music Radio with Woody Wright, gospel music, Joseph Habedank, Larry Ford, Ponder Sykes and Wright, Rachel West Kramer, southern gospel, the booth brothers, The Goodman Revival, Woody Wright
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This Week on Good News Music Radio with Woody Wright!

Written by SGN Scoops Staff on January 8, 2015 – 7:56 am -

This week’s program on “Good News Music with Woody Wright” features Part 2 of our interview with Joseph Habedank and music from Brian Free & Assurance, The Gaither Vocal Band, Buddy Greene, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, The Isaacs, The Dixie Melody Boys 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/

Or Find Them On Facebook Here

Tags: Good News Music Radio with Woody Wright, Southern Gospel News, Southern Gospel Radio, Woody Wright
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Creekside Gospel Music Convention Day Three – Nov 5/14

Written by Staff on November 6, 2014 – 2:52 pm -

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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

Tags: 2014 Creekside Gospel music Convention, Country Gospe, Faith's Journey, gospel music, Hope's Journey, John Lanier, Morris Music Group, Red Back Hymn Book Choir, southern gospel, The Griffins, The Kramers, The Steeles, The Stephens, The Williamsons, Willie Wynn, Woody Wright
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This week’s Harmony Road Showcases Triumphant Quartet, Freemans, High Road III

Written by SGN Scoops Staff on July 19, 2014 – 10:49 am -

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.

Tags: brian free and assurance, Gallatin, harmony road, HighroadIII, Tennessee, The Family Room Studios, the freemans, Triumphant, Willie Wynn, Woody Wright
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Gospel Music Today For July 7th On SGNScoops.com

Written by SGN Scoops Staff on July 7, 2014 – 8:07 am -

Phil Collingsworth is the guest on Gospel Music Today for the week of July 6. Ken and Jean Grady host southern gospel news and concert updates, the Feature Group is Simeon’s Promise, and Jean reviews new recordings by The Pine Ridge Boys and Doug Anderson. An article entitled “Married to the Music” is the subject of this week’s Singing News Notes and features Ricky and Karen Peck Gooch.. The show includes singing by 2-R-More, exclusive video of Woody Wright, recorded by Gospel Music Today’s cameras at the Southern Gospel Worship Gathering, in Broken Arrow, OK, and a visit to the Gospel Music Today Archives for an exclusive concert video of The Blackwood Brothers at the Southern Gospel Worship Gathering, in Broken Arrow, OK.

The show is on KWHB TV47 in Oklahoma every Sunday at 4:30 PM, and on Roku on FFE TV Monday at 8:00 PM and AllNations TV Tuesday and Wednesday at 6:30 PM. Check local TV schedule for Beaumont, TX, Tyler, TX. Atlanta, TX, and Morrilton, AR.

The current edition of Gospel Music Today is online now at the Gospel Music Today website, www.gospelmusictoday.com.

Tags: Gospel Music Today, Ken & Jean Grady, Phil Collingsworth, Southern Gospel Music, Southern Gospel TV, Woody Wright
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