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10th Anniversary of Awards Program Set For April 10, 2012
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – (January 30, 2012) – The administrators and staff of AbsolutelyGospel.com (formerly SoGospelNews.com) are proud to announce this year’s hosts and first list of performers for the 2012 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Celebration.
The hosts for this year’s Awards Celebration of two of the industry’s most respected female voices and personalities. This year’s hosts are Karen Peck Gooch (Karen Peck & New River) and Sonya Isaacs Yeary (The Isaacs).
Karen Peck Gooch has been lauded as one of the greatest voices to ever take the stage in Southern Gospel music. She has been awarded the Favorite Soprano award in the Singing News Fan Awards 11 times. A veteran of the Absolutely Gospel Music Awards, Karen has won Female Vocalist of the Year twice (including last year), and with her group New River, has won an impressive 15 additional Absolutely Gospel Music Awards. Karen Peck & New River has scored over 10 #1 singles over the course of its 20-year history. Gooch recently made her big screen debut in the hit movie Joyful Noise with Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton.
No stranger to the Absolutely Gospel Music Awards hosting stage, Sonya Isaacs Yeary co-hosted the 2010 Awards Celebration. Sonya is known widely across multiple genres of music including Country, Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, and more. Sonya has been awarded two Female Vocalist of the Year, two Songwriter of the Year, and two Musician of the Year awards in this particular awards program. Most recently, the song “I’m Gonna Love You Through It” (which she co-wrote with her sister Becky and husband Jimmy) was recorded by country music giant Martina McBride and nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance.
“I am very honored to be co-hosting the Absolutely Gospel Music Awards along with my friend, Sonya Isaacs Yeary,” said Karen Peck Gooch. “I’m looking forward to a special night of honoring the finest artists in Southern Gospel music and hearing the top current songs in the industry. It’s going to be a night to remember!”
Sonya Isaacs Yeary said, “I am so excited to be co-hosting the incredible AGM Awards with Karen Peck this year! She’s a hot tamale, what with bein’ in that new big movie and all! I hope she doesn’t try to hog the show! Only kidding, ‘friend’! We are going to have a blast! But seriously, two blondes? This could be dangerous! See y’all there!”
“We couldn’t be more elated with our hosts for this year’s Awards Celebration,” mentioned Deon Unthank, President of AbsolutelyGospel.com. “Sonya and Karen are two of the most respected names in this industry. We know that they are going to do a great job hosting this year.”
In addition, the first list of performers is now available. Performing on this year’s Awards Celebration are The Isaacs, Karen Peck & New River, The Perrys, Wilburn & Wilburn, Beyond the Ashes, Eighth Day, and Mark209. In addition, Jeff & Sheri Easter are spearheading a multi-artist tribute to a legend in the Gospel music industry (like the 2010 tribute to The Singing Cookes). More information will be announced at a later date about the specifics of that tribute. Additional performers are still being confirmed as well.
Karen Peck Gooch will also be performing “Mighty High” from the Joyful Noise soundtrack with an all-star choir made up of multiple nominees in this year’s Absolutely Gospel Music Awards.
More information on the 2012 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Celebration will be forthcoming, including additional performers and sponsors. The date for this year’s Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Celebration is Tuesday, April 10, 2012. The event will again take place at the River of Life Church in Smyrna, Tennessee and is free to the public. The event is scheduled to be streamed live on the internet this year.
The awards program sees two records broken this year. The Isaacs broke the record for the most nominations by an artist in a single year – this year earning 12 nominations. In addition, producer/songwriter/Ernie Haase & Signature Sound pianist Wayne Haun earned a staggering 15 nominations – also breaking a record for the most nominations in a single year by an individual.
In addition, for the first time in the 10 years of the Absolutely Gospel Music Awards – a song that wasn’t released to radio (also known as an album cut) earned a nomination for Song of the Year – the Booth Brothers’ critically acclaimed song “What About Now.” In addition, last year’s Songwriter of the Year (Professional) winner Kenna West earned a nomination for the 2012 Pacesetter Award – the first time a professional songwriter has earned a nomination in that specific category.
Social networking paid off in a big way for artists in the Fan Favorite Artist of the Year category – the only category chosen strictly by the fans and readers of AbsolutelyGospel.com. Surprise nominations from acts like Sharron Kay King, The Ladd Family, and Mark209 saw a huge surge of votes due to their support from fans on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.
About AbsolutelyGospel.com
AbsolutelyGospel.com (formerly SoGospelNews.com) has grown from relative obscurity to the industry's leading internet publication for Southern Gospel news and information in only a few short years. The site includes a wide variety of features, consisting of artist interviews, a weekly chart, late-breaking news, and much more.
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (February 2, 2012) – Christian music trio Three Bridges is honored to have earned its 14th career nomination in the Absolutely Gospel Music Awards. The group received a nod in the Special Event Project of the Year category for its highly-acclaimed Christmas recording Christmas Must Be Tonight.
The Special Event Project of the Year category honors releases that are not consistent with an artist’s yearly body of work – such as holiday recordings, best-of collections, DVD releases, solo recordings, and much more.
“We are honored to be mentioned alongside so many great artists and projects in this category,” mentioned Elliott McCoy of Three Bridges. “We firmly believe that Christmas Must Be Tonight is one of the strongest recordings we’ve ever released, and this nomination confirms that for us!”
Christmas Must Be Tonight released last fall on Mansion Records. The recording was produced by long-time Three Bridges collaborator Rick Sandidge.
Elliott continued,”This recording did so well for us. Our sales for this project were just astounding, especially with only a six-week time frame to really sell it. It opened so many doors for us this past holiday season, including 11 Christmas concerts. We had a dynamite December because of this recording! Our record label couldn’t have been happier!”
The Absolutely Gospel Music Award nominees are chosen by the staff of AbsolutelyGospel.com and select media representatives. The fans get a chance to vote in 12 of the 24 categories from February 1st through February 14th, 2012, including the Special Event Project of the Year category.
Three Bridges encourages all Southern Gospel fans to go vote for their favorites in each category. To vote, head over to http://www.absolutelygospel.com.
More information on the 2012 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Celebration will be forthcoming, including hosts, performers, and sponsors. The date for this year’s Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Celebration is Tuesday, April 10, 2012. The event will again take place at the River of Life Church in Smyrna, Tennessee and is free to the public. The event is scheduled to be streamed live on the internet this year.
For more information on Three Bridges, visit them on the web at http://www.threebridges.net.
About Three Bridges
The music of Three Bridges is rooted in traditional Southern Gospel and Black Gospel music. This blended style has made Three Bridges one of the prominent internationally-acclaimed Gospel groups in Christian music today — a group known for tight harmony, a unique vocal style, an exciting, energy-packed stage presentation, and, most importantly, spreading the joy of being a Christian.
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A few weeks ago, several homes on Piney Mountain Church Road in Ellenboro, North Carolina were destroyed by a rare winter tornado. Other individuals in the area experienced property damage to varying degrees. Relief efforts began immediately as neighbors, church groups and disaster relief organizations pitched in to clean up and rebuild.
On Saturday, February 18 at Ellenboro Elementary School, the Foothills Choir is sponsoring a Tornado Relief Concert. The school is located just down the road from the spot where the tornado did the most damage. Food sales will begin at 5:00 PM. The concert will start at 6:00 PM. There will also be a raffle drawing coordinated by Andrew Tisdale, and a collection will be received.
Headlining this event will be Driven Quartet from Charlotte, North Carolina. “Driven Quartet has a dynamic sound,” commented David Bruce Murray, accompanist for the Foothills Choir. “Their lead singer, Jason Funderburk, told me they are thrilled to be part of this special event to help those who had property loss as a result of the tornado.”
Carmen Butler, director of Foothills Choir, said the choir was motivated to help, because the tornado affected one of their choir members directly. “Byron Cole, who suffered a broken leg and lost his home, is one of our most faithful singers,” said Butler.
Also appearing at the concert will be Blue Ridge Holler, a young bluegrass group that recently received the People's Choice Award at the Ellenboro Fiddlers Convention.
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OAK GROVE, Ark. – (January 30, 2012) – Brenda Denney of the Diamond Award winning trio 2nd Generation was recently a featured contestant on popular daytime game show “The Price Is Right.”
Denney was featured on an airing of the show from last Wednesday, January 25, 2012. After winning a bid earlier in the game, Brenda went on to play “The Master Key” game where host Drew Carey announced that she had won a brand new 2012 Mini Cooper.
“I was so shocked to just be called down to play, let alone win something as big as a new car,” responded Brenda. “God’s favor was just all over me that day!”
God’s favor continued when Brenda advanced to the Showcase round. Brenda outbid the other contestant and went on to win the entire Showcase and day’s show. In addition to the 2012 Mini Cooper, Denney was awarded a trip to North Carolina, a speed boat, a private tour of “The Young and the Restless” set, and much more.
“I am just so excited that God was able to give me an avenue like this to spread His Gospel,” continued Brenda. “God is opening so many doors for our ministry now because of this. I am both humbled and excited to see where God takes us from here!”
You can view Brenda on “The Price Is Right” by watching the stream on CBS.com.
2nd Generation is planning to record their follow-up to the breakthrough recording I See a City later this year with award-winning producer Roger Talley (Talley Trio, Kingsmen). Until then, 2nd Generation released their latest single, “Dust On the Altar,” to Southern Gospel radio. All radio promotions are being done in-house for the group, so for more information on how to attain the single, email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).
For more information on 2nd Generation – visit http://www.2ndgenerationministries.com.
You can also find out more information about the group on their Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/2nd-Generation-Home-Page/164776763569934 .
About 2nd Generation
2nd Generation is based out of the Oak Grove, Arkansas. 2nd Generation has appeared at churches, state fairs, Singing in the Sun, Trinity Broadcasting Network, the Jim Bakker Show, Branson Gospel Music Convention, and many other events. The group’s current project, their sophomore album I See a City, has spawned off four hit singles including the #1 Fan Favorite songs “Feel the Joy” and “The Blood Covered It All.”
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ROCK HILL, S.C. – (January 30, 2012) – Emerging Southern Gospel duo The Ladd Family were surprised this month to see their name among the 10 nominees for “Fan Favorite Artist of the Year” in the highly-respected Absolutely Gospel (SGN) Music Awards.
“To say we were shocked is an understatement,” mentioned Paul Ladd of the Ladd Family. “We are so humbled by this nomination. To think that our fans would place us in the same category as artists like the Gaither Vocal Band, The Perrys, Booth Brothers, and Triumphant Quartet is very inspiring. We appreciate and love everyone that placed a vote for us this year.”
Due to a surge in social networking sites like Facebook.com and Twitter.com – The Ladd Family joined a diverse group of artists in the category.
Chris Unthank, Editor-in-Chief of AbsolutelyGospel.com said, “What we really appreciate about this year’s Fan Favorite category is just how spread out the nominees are. You have fantastic up-and-coming artists like The Ladd Family who did their part and got their fan base involved along long-time favorites. It really shows just how unique our industry is and how impressive the Southern Gospel fans can be.”
The Fan Favorite Artist of the Year category is the only one where the nominees are strictly chosen by the fans. The nominees in the other 23 award categories are chosen by the staff of AbsolutelyGospel.com and select media representatives.
Fans will get a chance to vote for their favorites in several categories beginning on February 1, 2012. The Absolutely Gospel (SGN) Music Awards will be handed out at a live ceremony on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at River of Life Church in Smyrna, TN. The event is tentatively scheduled to be streamed live like in 2010. Performers, hosts, and event sponsors are still being confirmed. More details on the Absolutely Gospel Music Awards will be announced at a later date.
The Ladd Family was recently named as one of 10 new artists to watch this year by the editorial staff of AbsolutelyGospel.com. The article, called “Ones-to-Watch 2012: New Faces. Fresh Sounds.”, was a part of the December 1, 2011 update for the popular e-zine and mentioned new artists that the staff of AGM felt would make the biggest impact in 2012.
For more information about The Ladd Family, visit the group’s website: http://www.laddfamilyministries.com . You can also keep up with the group on social network sites like Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Ladd-Family/127922370615314) and MySpace (http://www.myspace.com/theladdfamily).
About The Ladd Family
The Ladd Family is an anointed family ministry with strong Christian roots. They began more than 35 years ago when John and Violet Ladd felt the call of God on their lives and began to travel singing and preaching the gospel with their children. Today the family tradition carries on with Paul and his wife Melissa. God has brought this dynamic husband and wife team through the fire and back in order to truly minister from the heart. They have earned three Diamond Award nominations and scored a #1 hit on the SouthernGospelTimes.com Top 40 Fan Chart with their single “Let Go.”
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Sharps Chapel, TN - Chapel Valley is pleased to announce that they have signed Brothers Redeemed Quartet. This talented quartet has been singing for several years and has a great desire to see souls saved.
The group consists of Cameron Woods, Randy Hartis, Keith Hendrix, Shellem Cline, and manager, Rusty Townsend. With a love for God and a smooth vocal harmony, they are delighting audiences all over the country.
Chapel Valley is excited about having this group join their family of artists. Brothers Redeemed will be releasing their first recording with Chapel Valley this summer. They will also have a new song released on the next Chapel Valley compilation disc with their song, "I've Already Won The War".
The group is currently looking to be nominated in the following categories at the Fan Fare award show held in Pigeon Forge, TN, this coming May.
Tenor- Cameron Woods
Bass-Randy Hartis
Baritone- Keith Hendrix
Young Excelling Individual-Shellem Cline
New Excelling Artist- Brothers Redeemed
For more information about Brothers Redeemed, please visit their website at http://www.tbrqt.com you can also find out more about Chapel Valley by going to http://www.chapelvalleystudio.com.
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In the past year, Ken and Jean have traveled from Phoenix, AZ, to Boston, MA, to visit southern gospel concerts. This week's episode of Gospel Music Today is an On the Road Special Edition, featuring live concert clips from Gold City, Triumphant Quartet, The Williamsons, The Reggie Saddler Family, Karen Peck and New River, Paul's Journey, The Dixie Melody Boys, Master's Voice, and The Deep South Quartet Convention. The latest show is online now at the Gospel Music Today website, http://www.gospelmusictoday.com.
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Nashville, TN (January 25, 2012) – Exciting male trio and Mansion Entertainment recording artist, THREE BRIDGES, was honored to be a featured performer at the 20th annual American Gospel Quartet Convention held in Birmingham, AL January 17 – 21. Three Bridges performed for this exciting event on Friday, January 20th.
One of the highlights of the evening for Three Bridges was the opportunity to meet Jimmy Carter of the Blind Boys of Alabama and also Roscoe Robinson (pictured above with Three Bridges) of both the Blind Boys of Alabama and the Blind Boys of Mississippi. The legendary Roscoe Robinson was inducted into the Gospel Quartet Hall of Fame twice, once with the Blind Boys of Alabama and the other with the Blind Boys of Mississippi. After enjoying Three Bridges performance, Mr. Robinson exclaimed, “These boys can sing anywhere, with anyone!”
Three Bridges’ music is rooted in traditional Southern Gospel as well as “Black Gospel” music. This blended style has given the group a unique flair and has opened many doors for them to share their exciting and energy-packed stage presentation. Their latest release, Christmas Must Be Tonight, was recently nominated for 2011 Special Event Project in the Absolutely Gospel Music Awards.
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Hendersonville, TN (January 26, 2012) – Best known for hits such as “Your Love Amazes Me,” “Standing On The Edge of Goodbye,” and many others, John Berry is a well-known name among Country music fans. Daywind Records is excited to announce the release of John Berry’s 25th album, and first Christian project, entitled RealMan.RealLife.RealGod. The recording, which is now available at retail, is the result of many years of prayer by John and his family regarding the desire to embark on a new phase in his career; traveling full time as a Christian artist.
RealMan.RealLife.RealGod features both brand new songs, such as “Straight Down Rain” and “Real Man,” as well as favorites like “Blessed Assurance.” The first Southern Gospel radio single, “Straight Down Rain,” was co-written by Berry and released to radio last November. John Berry’s signature rendition of “O Holy Night” was also released to radio over the Christmas season.
“I am very excited to be releasing my 25th recording project and 1st full-length Christian CD on Daywind Records,” shares John Berry. “RealMan.RealLife.RealGod. is a collection of songs that share my personal relationship and passion for Jesus Christ. My hope and prayer is that God can use this music to draw listeners closer to Him.”
RealMan.RealLife.RealGod is available at Christian retail stores across the country and digitally at iTunes and other outlets. Bulk purchasing for gift and ministry purposes is available by calling 1-800-635-9581.
Daywind Records is based in Hendersonville, TN, and is distributed worldwide through New Day Christian Distributors. Daywind is home to such great artists as Wilburn & Wilburn, Mark Trammell Quartet, and Brian Free & Assurance, among others.
For more information on Daywind Records, visit daywindrecords.com. For more information on John Berry, visit johnberry.com.
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NASHVILLE, Tenn.— Singer/songwriter Andrew Greer, along with his special guests, gave key media and industry representatives a live preview of selections from his forthcoming release, Angel Band: The Hymn Sessions, at a recent event held at Nashville’s historic United Record Pressing (http://www.urpressing.com). Pictured (l-r) are Johnson Roberts; Ron Block (Alison Krauss & Union Station); Alfreda McCrary (The McCrary Sisters); Greer; Regina McCrary (The McCrary Sisters); Cindy Morgan; and Kyle Buchanan. (photo credit: Julee Duwe)
Angel Band: The Hymn Sessions showcases Greer’s collaborations with some of the top names in bluegrass, Gospel and Christian music, including The McCrary Sisters, Ron Block of Alison Krauss & Union Station, Cindy Morgan, Sonya Isaacs, and Ginny Owens, among others. Produced by Greer and Chris Kimmerer, the project features arrangements of 11 beloved hymns, as well as one original selection, and will be available January 31 on both CD and vinyl.
Andrew Greer is an accomplished singer/songwriter and respected music journalist. His 2009 critically-acclaimed debut, Open Book, is a collection of introspective original selections he penned following a season of spiritual reawakening. As a writer, Greer’s stories have appeared in Christianity Today, CCM, and ParentLife, among other notable publications.
For further information, visit http://www.andrew-greer.com or http://www.turningpointpr.com.
