The Nelons’ “He Found Me” Gains Major Momentum at Southern Gospel Radio

JACKSONVILLE, Fl. – Legendary Gospel music group The Nelons have seen their latest single gain major momentum at Southern Gospel radio. The song, titled “He Found Me,” is already charting on many of the major Southern Gospel charts and has become a fan favorite as well.

“He Found Me” was one of the most added songs at Southern Gospel radio for the Singing News Magazine Top 80 chart‘s November 2009 report – making it one of the most added songs at Southern Gospel radio this month. In addition, the song recently broke the Top 10 on the SoGospelNews.com Top 40 Weekly Chart after only weeks on the chart. The song is currently ranked at #6 after only six weeks on the chart.

For the past three weeks, “He Found Me” has been the #1 fan favorite song – according to the SoGospelNews.com Top 40 Weekly Chart – giving it a major edge over older songs on the chart.

“The fans have really come out to support this awesome family,” mentioned Deon Unthank of SoGospelNews.com. “Being the fan favorite for one week is an awesome feat – but for a group to hold on to that title for multiple weeks is really something. The Nelons really have a hit song on their hands with ‘He Found Me’.”

In addition, “He Found Me” has been consistently charting on the GospelMusicTimes.com Top 100 Fan Chart – the only chart in Southern Gospel music that is purely based on the votes of the fans.

“He Found Me” was written by Dove Award-winning songwriters Wayne Haun and Joel Lindsey and group member Jason Clark and is being promoted to Southern Gospel radio by Jim Stover and Crossroads Music. The song is the debut single from The Nelons’ upcoming Vine Records release – Beside Still Waters.

Beside Still Waters has an early 2010 release date. More information on that release will be forthcoming.

Melissa Morris’ “Wonderful” Proves to Be a Hit with Southern Gospel Fans

MORGANTOWN, W.V. – Christian music soloist Melissa Mooris has recently seen a resounding amount of fan support for her current single. The song – titled “Wonderful” – has become a fixture on the popular fan-based chart at GospelMusicTimes.com.

“Wonderful” – which can be found on Morris’ Cedar Hill Records release Above & Beyond – recently cracked the Top 5 on the popular chart. The song has remained on the Top 40 for multiple weeks and currently sits at #21 this week.

Melissa Morris said, “When I found out that my song was doing so well on this chart, I was completely shocked! God has continued to show me blessing after blessing – and having a Top 5 single on Southern Gospel’s only pure fan based chart is so awesome! I am truly humbled by the response that my family, friends, and fans have bestowed on me with this.”

“Wonderful” was shipped and promoted to Southern Gospel radio by the Eddie Crook Company’s Cedar Hill Records.

For more information on Melissa’s song or to hear a streaming sample of it, visit her MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/melissamorriswv .

Melissa recently signed a publicity and web publishing agreement with SSE Group, Inc. Her newly designed website will be unveiled shortly. Until then, you can keep up with Melissa at her MySpace.

Living Extraordinarily within the Ordinary

Hands up if you are a perfectionist. See the person with two hands up? That's me, always trying to do better. If that's you too, and I'm guessing it is, then here's a thought: God doesn't ask us to be The Best, He wants us to do Our Best. Cool, huh? He wants us to develop our gifts, talents and skills and to look to Him as our source of strength, help and creativity. He wants us to excel and be the best we can be...but stop comparing ourselves to others. He wants us to look to Him for approval, not those around us.
So, okay, now our standard is not the fallible mortal beings around us but an infallible, immortal, all knowing, Almighty God whose ways are higher than ours. And how can we ever live up to His expectations?
We hear the missionaries who speak in our churches and think, "I have to go to Africa to please God." Or we hear of some great philanthropist who has built a hospital and think, "I have to donate my life savings to please God." Somehow, we feel that God expects amazing, extraordinary deeds. And maybe, for some of us, He does. Some of us will be called to Africa. And we should be willing to part with anything for His sake, not to love any possession more than Him.
But maybe...just maybe...the extraordinary deeds He calls us to do are in the here and now. Maybe He calls us to live extraordinarily within our ordinary lives. Walking the extra mile, turning the other cheek, giving someone your shirt as well when they just ask for your coat. Maybe it's in the simple, every day things like being patient with the co-worker who asks you the same question for the eighth time that morning. Letting another car have the right-of-way without blowing your horn. Listening to someone else's problems when you are exhausted and heart-weary. Forgiving the one who broke your trust.
If we ask the Lord to enable us to 'build ourselves up on our most holy faith' (Jude 20), He will certainly show us the areas in which we can learn to live extraordinarily within the ordinary. I've got a long way to go, but I intend to work towards the extraordinary. After all, I'm a perfectionist, I can't help it!

The Gardners Land Four USAGEM Award Nominations!

HUNTLAND, Tenn. – Zion Music Group recording artist The Gardners were recently honored with four United States Association of Gospel Entertainers and Musicians (USAGEM) Award nominations.

The Southern Gospel trio earned nominations for the Southern Gospel Crown Jewel Award (an award they won in 2007 and 2008) and Song of the Year (for their Top 40 hit single “You’re Alright In My Book”). In addition, group member Mitch Gardner earned a nomination for Songwriter of the Year, and his wife, Regina, is nominated in the Female Vocalist of the Year category.

“We are huge supporters of what USAGEM is doing for this in the Gospel music community,” mentioned Mitch Gardner. “We are honored and humbled by these nominations. We appreciate the support that the organization has shown our group over the last few years.”

The USAGEM Awards will be handed out at the United States Association of Gospel Entertainers and Musicians Annual Convention and Awards Banquet. The event will be held November 20-22, 2009 at the Montgomery Bell Tennessee State Park Convention Center and Inn outside Dickson, Tennessee.

USAGEM is a non-profit, member-run organization of Christian entertainers and musicians who are dedicated to sharing and proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ throughout the world.

Based in Nashville, TN, the organization was formed in 2003 when a group of approximately 15 artists met to explore ways in which they could enhance their individual ministries by bonding together with other Christian ministries. From that small group of artists, today the organization has grown to more than 200 professional members. These artists represent five genres of Christian/Gospel music, including Southern Gospel, Black Gospel, Christian Country Gospel, Contemporary Christian, and Bluegrass/Acoustic/Folk Gospel. Each of these musical genres are represented by three Board of Director members who advise artists/members of their particular genre. Currently, the organization is experiencing a season of rapid growth.

If you have any questions about USAGEM, you are encouraged to call the organization's president, Daniel L. Johnson, at (615) 480-4066, or you can e-mail him at brownbox@bellsouth.net

Fans are encouraged to listen for The Gardners’ current radio release, “I’ve Had Enough,” at Southern Gospel radio now. The Gardners are currently in the beginning stages of recording a new project with Zion Music Group.

Southern Plainsmen Quartet Signs Publicity Deal with Southern Spin Entertainment

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Amy Marie Unthank and Chris D. Unthank of SSE Group, Inc. are proud to announce the addition of the Southern Plainsmen Quartet to the group’s growing roster. The Southern Plainsmen Quartet has reached an exclusive publicity and internet promotions agreement with SSE Group, Inc.’s Southern Spin Entertainment. Through this agreement, the talented group has gained access to all media outlets serviced by Southern Spin Entertainment, in addition to advertising and marketing possibilities through this new partnership.

The Southern Plainsemn Quartet was organized in May 1978 in the rolling pine-hills of West-Central Louisiana, and is an outreach of the Southern Plainsmen Ministries, Inc., a non-profit Christian organization. The group has released 20 recordings in its impressive 30 years history. The group currently consists of Marcelle Slaughter, Jordan Mothershed, Allen Doyle, and Mike Burkhalter, in addition to several individuals on their support team. The group’s current release – Simply…Faith! released last year.

“The Southern Plainsmen Quartet has been doing traveling and working at this for a very long time,” mentioned Amy Marie Unthank of SSE Group, Inc. “We’re very excited about partnering with them this year to help them expand their outreach.”

Southern Spin Entertainment is one of three divisions of the 501c non-profit organization SSE Group, Inc. The company is operated by siblings Amy Marie Unthank and Chris D. Unthank. The company currently represents artists, companies, and organizations in all genres of Gospel music – including the Dove Brothers, The Freemans, The Nelons, SoGospelNews.com, Blackwood Gospel Quartet, Misty Freeman, Driven Quartet, the Diamond Awards, Branson Gospel Music Convention, Eighth Day, The Glovers, Sharron Kay King, HisSong, Wendy Word + forgiven, David Hill Trio, The Pathfinders, 2nd Generation, Brothers Forever, and many more.

For more information on the Southern Plainsmen Quartet, visit their website at http://www.southernplainsmen.com/ . You can also visit the group on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Southern-Plainsmen/273186055053 .

New Recording From Ann Downing

Nashville, TN—October 13, 2009—Ann Downing is at it again, this time teaming up with producer Garland Craft and a number of gifted co-writers to release her latest recording project, Traveling Light. Ten of the eleven tracks are original compositions including the title track which reminds us to “keep moving on, singing His song and let His grace and sweet love shine” because “to the ends of the earth I’ll be… a traveling light.”

“I don’t quite understand why I’m still amazed at how God pulls these projects together. He brought in the right producer and inspired songs that resulted in, what I believe, is one of the best recordings I have ever done. I’ll be singing His praises for a long time to come. Traveling Light has my name on the cover, but this CD, from concept to completion, belongs to Him,” Downing said of the new project.

For sound clips from the new CD, visit www.anndowning.com and click on the “Ann’s Music” link. Traveling Light is available for purchase from Ann’s on-line store.

Charlie Daniels Delivers Special Christmas Package Today, Oct. 13!

(Nashville, TN - Oct. 13, 2009) Legendary Blue Hat recording artist Charlie Daniels has released a special holiday CD/DVD package today, Oct. 13, through E1 Entertainment called Joy to the World: A Bluegrass Christmas.
The deluxe, two-disc set includes a CD and a bonus DVD, A Twin Pines Christmas. Both discs feature collaborations between Daniels and guests Kathy Mattea, Dan Tyminski, Jewel,* Suzanne and Evelyn Cox of the Cox Family, Aaron Tippin and The Grascals. The Twin Pines Christmas DVD contains live performances, as well as additional commentary and interview footage with Daniels and the rest of the artists.

"It was really fun working with people from such diverse musical backgrounds and seeing their approach to performing bluegrass music," said Daniels. "It's a very special kind of music."
Joy to the World: A Bluegrass Christmas features a mix of traditional Christmas standards, ("Blue Christmas," "Silent Night," "Joy to the World," "The Christmas Song," more) as well as a number of originals written by Daniels and his band ("Christmas Time Down South," "Mississippi Christmas Eve," "Hallelujah"). The album also features a special reading of Daniels' classic Christmas story, "A Carolina Christmas."

Joy to the World: A Bluegrass Christmas is available in stores and online at most digital retailers, including iTunes, Amazon and Rhapsody. A CD only version is also available at select retailers.

The English Family and Southern Spin Entertainment

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Mansion Records recording artist The English Family has just renewed their contract with Southern Spin Entertainment. The group has signed on for another year of exclusive publicity from Southern Spin Entertainment. The group will continue to have access to all media publications serviced by Southern Spin Entertainment, as well as marketing possibilities with the organization.
Phillip English of The English Family said, “We have been more than pleased with the work that SSE has done for us. They are great at what they do, and we would recommend them to anyone who asked!”
“We are so excited to see the success that The English Family has had over the course of this past year,” mentioned Amy Marie Unthank of SSE Group, Inc. “We know that this next year will be even bigger and better for this talented family!”
The English Family recently released their highly anticipated Mansion Records debut – Out of Wilderness. Out of the Wilderness features that familiar Southern Gospel sound that the English Family is known for with a unique blues and soul twist – much in part to the increasing talent of 16-year old Jacob English as a songwriter and vocalist. Jacob wrote three of the album’s seven original songs.
The English Family’s debut single from the album, “Send Down Your Angels,” (which was written by Jacob English) is being released to radio through Crossroads Music and will go for adds to Southern Gospel radio October 1, 2009.
The English Family recently reached a booking agreement with Thomas Spradlen and Spradlen Promotions.

Ron Blackwood and the Blackwood Quartet at Farm Aid

Nashville TN- Homeland Recording artist Ron Blackwood and The Blackwood Quartet have been selected and given the opportunity to participate as a performing artist at the 2009 Farm Aid event in St. Louis Missouri.
The Blackwoods are the first gospel music artist ever to be invited to perform after over 20 years of events that showcased many top secular artists. The event will take place this weekend Sunday October 4th as an all day event with over 100,000 spectators expected to be present. The Blackwoods will share several of their Southern Gospel Music selections along with the message of the Gospel as they occupy the stage with such talent as John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews, Billy Joe Shaver, Gretchen Wilson and Willie Nelson.
Ron Blackwood states “It is such an honor to be invited to this great event. Willie Nelson has been a personal friend of mine for many years and to receive this privilege to share Jesus with many who have not heard the gospel of Christ or that are familiar with Southern Gospel Music is a joy to be included.”
Farm Aid started as a benefit concert on September 22, 1985, in Champaign, Illinois, held to raise money for family farmers in the United States. The concert was organized by Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young, spurred on by Bob Dylan’s comments at Live Aid earlier in that year. (Dylan said, “I hope that some of the money…maybe they can just take a little bit of it, maybe…one or two million, maybe…and use it, say, to pay the mortgages on some of the farms and, the farmers here, owe to the banks….”) Nelson and Mellencamp then brought family farmers before Congress to testify about the state of family farming in America. Congress subsequently passed the Agricultural Credit Act of 1987 to help save family farms from foreclosure.
Today, Farm Aid is an organization that works to increase awareness of the importance of family farms, and puts on an annual concert of country, blues and rock music with a variety of stars. The board of directors includes Nelson, Mellencamp, Neil Young, and Dave Matthews. Young’s speeches about the environment are a highlight of the annual shows.
Ron Blackwood and The Ron Blackwood Quartet recently signed an recording agreement with Homeland Entertainment Group and their first Homeland Project will be released in early February 2010.

SGN Scoops October Edition Now Available

The October edition of SGN Scoops is now available!
We talked to HisSong about their trip to Norway & debut on the NQC mainstage.
We roamed NQC and spoke with Jason Crabb, Reba Rambo McGuire, The Quicks, and many more.
Read about industry happenings, like regional conventions and the recently held Elijah Conference.
Check out what Christian writers have to say about the author of The Da Vinci Code, bargain hunting, and depression.
We have packed Scoops this month with people we’d love for you to meet & stuff we’d like to share. Check it out now.. and tell your friends!
Click here or on the cover preview to download.
Click here to subscribe – be notified when a new issue is published or news is announced.
Reader tips: SGN Scoops is interactive. Most web links in the magazine are live – click on them to follow to the listed website. All ads are clickable as well. You can also use our Table of Contents – page 4 – interactively. Click on the article title you want to read and you will be taken there. We think you should read them all!