Quartet Night Across America Hits The Road

Hendersonville, TN –On the heels of a one-of-a-kind videotaping and DVD release, as well as a successful event at the inaugural Daywind Quartet Festival at the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia, Quartet Night Across America is preparing to take their presentation to fans across America!
The unique production, featuring Legacy Five, Blackwood Brothers Quartet, Tribute Quartet and Brian Free & Assurance, takes the audience through the decades of Southern Gospel Music from 1910 to present. Fans have the opportunity to relive the music and hear the stories of groups like the legendary Statesmen Quartet, the Blackwood Brothers, Gold City, the Cathedrals and many more.
“I am personally thrilled to have the opportunity to be a part of such a creative presentation of the history of our genre of music,” offers Scott Fowler of Legacy Five. “Working with these other renowned quartets has been an honor and we’re proud of the quality of event we’re able to deliver to fans. We’re excited to see their response!”
The Premiere Gospel Music Event of the Year will be coming to Spartanburg, South Carolina on May 9th, followed by Beaumont, Texas on June 26th. The tour also plans to make stops in Nashville later this year, as well as appearing at the Daywind Quartet Festival at the Greenbrier Resort in April. For ticketing information, visit globalpromo.org or call 864.655.3560.

2015 Absolutely Gospel Music Award Nominees Announced

The Isaacs, Brian Free & Assurance, 11th Hour, and Bowling Family Named Most Nominated Artists; Joseph Habedank and Kenna West Score Most Individual Nominations

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (January 20, 2015) – The administrators and staff of AbsolutelyGospel.com are proud to announce the nominees for the 2015 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards. As in years past, the nominees were chosen by the staff of AbsolutelyGospel.com and select media representatives. Starting on February 1, 2015, the fans will get a chance to vote for their favorites in a dozen categories.

"It is hard to believe that it is time to be announcing another batch of nominees,” mentioned AbsolutelyGospel.com President/CEO Deon Unthank. "Our awards program has become a highlight in the Southern Gospel industry, and we can’t wait to announce all of the plans we have this year!”

Chris D. Unthank, Editor-In-Chief of AbsolutelyGospel.com said, "This is another great listing of artists and individuals who best represented our genre in 2014. We aren’t just about nominating the most popular and recognizable names in the industry. Our awards are about the best our music had to offer from a musical and artistic standpoint for the previous year. This year’s nominees don’t change that at all.”

In addition, the Absolutely Gospel Music Awards opened a new category, Music Video of the Year due to the large increase of short-form concept videos being produced in the genre over the last couple of years. Music videos belonging to HIGHROADIII, The Freemans, Brian Free & Assurance, Wilburn & Wilburn, and Jason Crabb were the first to be nominated in this category.

As far as nominations go, four artists tied for the most nominations this year. Last years big winners The Isaacs along with the Bowling Family, Brian Free & Assurance, and 11th Hour landed an impressive seven nominations each this year.

The Isaacs took home nominations in Mixed Group of the Year and Fan Favorite Artist of the Year in addition to several other mentions and individual nominations for group members Ben Isaacs, Becky Isaacs Bowman, and Sonya Isaacs Yeary.

The Bowling Family was mentioned in Song of the Year (for "I Know Enough”) and Mixed Group of the Year, in addition to much more. Brian Free & Assurance saw nods in Song of the Year (for "Say Amen”) and Album of the Year (for Unashamed), just like 11th Hour for "How Will You Plead?” and Picture This respectively.

Karen Peck & New River, The Browders, and HIGHROADIII each earned five nominations apiece. Following behind those artists were Gold City, The Talleys, The Dunaways, and Tribute with four mentions, while the Booth Brothers, The Freemans, and Three Bridges all landed three nods. Several artists earned double nominations, including Legacy Five, The OldPaths, Triumphant, Mark Trammell Quartet, Jim Brady Trio, Collingsworth Family, Zane & Donna King, and the Kingsmen.

Two people earned the most individual nominations: new soloist Joseph Habedank and hit songwriter Kenna West. They both earned a staggering eight nominations apiece. Habedank landed mentions in Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year in addition to multiple songwriting mentions as well. West landed her fifth consecutive Songwriter of the Year notice and had double Song of the Year nominations (for co-writing "Finish Well” and "Say Amen”).

Songwriter Dianne Wilkinson earned an impressive seven nods as well - including four mentions in the Song of the Year category. Jeff Collins and Ricky Free landed six nominations, while Michael Farren, Gordon Mote, and Lee Black each earned five nods. Mentioned four times were Karen Peck Gooch, Amber Eppinette, Jim Brady, Jason Cox, and Roger Talley. Multiple people earned three nominations including Ben Isaacs, Jeff Stice, Jerry Salley, Amber Nelon Thompson, Matthew Browder, and Becky Isaacs Bowman.

The Pacesetter Award is awarded to any artist, individual, or organization that has shown great strides in the industry and has raised the bar for others. This year’s nominees for the 2015 Pacesetter are satellite radio station enLighten Sirius-XM Satellite Radio, new Southern Gospel television show Music City Show, popular blogging site MusicScribe.com, record label StowTown Records, and promotional firm Vertical Sky Promotions.

More information on the 2015 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Celebration will be forthcoming, including hosts, performers, and sponsors, etc. The date for this year’s Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Celebration is Tuesday, April 14, 2015. The event will again take place at the River of Life Church in Smyrna, Tennessee. Ticket information will be forthcoming.

The nominees for the 2015 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards are listed below:

SONG OF THE YEAR
"Christ Is Still the King” – Legacy Five (R.J.Peck, D.Wilkinson)
"Finish Well” – Karen Peck & New River (M.Farren, K.P.Gooch, K.West)
"Footprints On the Water” – Gold City (J.Habedank, D.Wilkinson)
"Hidden Heroes” – The Talleys (D.Phillips, S.Phillips)
"How Will You Plead?” – 11th Hour (A.Eppinette, D.Wilkinson)
"I Know Enough” – Bowling Family (M.Henry, B.Smith)
"I See Grace” – Booth Brothers (J.Brady, B.Weeks, T.Wood)
"Lead Me Home” – The Freemans (R.Houser, A.Monday)
"Long Live the King” – The Old Paths (C.Binion, D.Wilkinson)
"Preacher Tell Me Like It Is” – Greater Vision (R.Griffin)
"Say Amen” – Brian Free & Assurance (J.Cox, M.Farren, K.West)

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Angel at the Crossroads – HIGHROADIII (B.Gaither, B.Isaacs)
Awesome God – Triumphant (M.Speck, J.Stice)
Church In the Kitchen – The Dunaways (J.Salley)
Hymn Revival – Gold City (G.Mote, D.Riley)
Jesus Saves – Three Bridges (R.Sandidge)
Journey of Hope – Tribute (R.Talley)
Picture This – 11th Hour (J.Collins)
Unashamed – Brian Free & Assurance (R.Free)
Welcome Home – Joseph Habedank (R.Free)
Your Walk Talks – Mark Trammell Quartet (J.Collins, M.Trammell, G.Wolfe)

PACESETTER
enLighten Sirius XM Satellite Radio
Music City Show
MusicScribe.com
StowTown Records
Vertical Sky Promotions

BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST
Joseph Habedank
Mylon Hayes Family
Amber Nelon Thompson
Watts, Rowsey & Bean
Zach & Rodney

MALE VOCALIST
Doug Anderson (Ernie Haase & Signature Sound)
Mike Bowling (Bowling Family)
Jim Brady (Jim Brady Trio)
Adam Crabb (Gaither Vocal Band)
Joseph Habedank
Bill Shivers (Brian Free & Assurance)


FEMALE VOCALIST
Lauren Talley Alvey (The Talleys)
Amber Eppinette (11th Hour)
Karen Peck Gooch (Karen Peck & New River)
TaRanda Greene
Kanah Dunaway Lovern (The Dunaways)
Amber Thompson (The Nelons)


MALE GROUP
Booth Brothers
Brian Free & Assurance
Canton Junction
The Old Paths
Triumphant
Tribute

FEMALE GROUP
HIGHROADIII
Red Roots
Sisters
Sweetwater Revival


MIXED GROUP
11th Hour
Bowling Family
The Browders
Collingsworth Family
The Isaacs
Karen Peck & New River


SONGWRITER (ARTIST)
Jim Brady (Jim Brady Trio)
Matthew Browder (The Browders)
Amber Eppinette (11th Hour)
Joseph Habedank
Becky & Sonya Isaacs (The Isaacs)


SONGWRITER (PROFESSIONAL)
Lee Black
Jason Cox
Rebecca J. Peck
Sue C. Smith
Kenna West
Dianne Wilkinson


PRODUCER (ARTIST)
Ben Isaacs (The Isaacs)
Donna King (Zane & Donna King)
Gordon Mote
Jeff Stice
Roger Talley (The Talleys)

PRODUCER (PROFESSIONAL)
Jeff Collins
Ricky Free
Lari Goss
Michael Sykes
Kevin Ward


ENGINEER
Steve Allen
Van Atkins
Blake Bennett
Terry Thompson
Kevin Ward


MUSICIAN
Becky Isaacs Bowman (The Isaacs)
Kim Collingsworth (Collingsworth Family)
Channing Eleton
Ricky Free
Gordon Mote
Jeff Stice

TRADITIONAL SONG
"Everything I Need” – Tribute (L.Black, M.Farren, K.West)
"Everybody’s Going Through Something” – Karen Peck & New River (K.P.Gooch, D.Poythress, K.West)
"Footprints On the Water” – Gold City (J.Habedank, D.Wilkinson)
"I Can Trust Him” – The Perrys (W.Haun, J.Lindsey)
"Oh Yes I Am” – Kingsmen (R.Walden)


TRADITIONAL ALBUM
Battle Cry – Kingsmen (J.Collins)
Great Day – Legacy Five (L.Goss)
Hymn Revival – Gold City (G.Mote, D.Riley)
Isaiah 12:2 – Booth Brothers (M.Booth, R.Booth, J.Brady)
Journey of Hope – Tribute (R.Talley)
Your Walk Talks – Mark Trammell Quartet (J.Collins, M.Trammell, G.Wolfe)


PROGRESSIVE SONG
"Finish Well” – Karen Peck & New River (M.Farren, K.P.Gooch, K.West)
"How Will You Plead?” – 11th Hour (A.Eppinette, D.Wilkinson)
"I Know Enough” – Bowling Family (M.Henry, B.Smith)
"Lift Up His Name” – The Browders (M.Browder)
"Never, No Never” – Joseph Habedank (L.Black, J.Habedank, T.Wood)
"Say Amen” – Brian Free & Assurance (J.Cox, M.Farren, K.West)


PROGRESSIVE ALBUM
Jesus Saves – Three Bridges (R.Sandidge)
Picture This – 11th Hour (J.Collins)
The Test of Time – The Talleys (R.Talley)
Unashamed – Brian Free & Assurance (R.Free)
Welcome Home – Joseph Habedank (R.Free)


COUNTRY SONG
"Ain’t It Just Like the Lord” – Gordon Mote (L.Black, J.Cox, K.West)
"Church In the Kitchen” – The Dunaways (L.Black, J.Salley, S.C.Smith)
"I Wanna Be There” – The Isaacs (B.I.Bowman, J.Yeary, S.I.Yeary)
"Lead Me Home” – The Freemans (R.Houser, A.Monday)
"Like Father, Like Son” – James & Jeff Easter (S.Easter)
"Listening For the Shout” – The Browders (M.Browder, T.Browder)

COUNTRY ALBUM
Angel at the Crossroads – HIGHROADIII (B.Gaither, B.Isaacs)
Church In the Kitchen – The Dunaways (J.Salley)
Mile Marker One – Zane & Donna King (D.King)
The Hinsons: Remembered – Mike Bowling (M.Bowling)
Vintage – The Akins (D.Akin, D.Akin, E.Akin, N.Akin)


SPECIAL EVENT PROJECT
A Christmas Hymn – Steve Ladd (S.Ladd)
An Isaacs Family Christmas Special – The Isaacs
Cathedrals Family Reunion Live – Various Artists (W.Haun)
Mississippi Live – Bowling Family
Not Without Love – Amber Thompson (J.Clark)


MUSIC VIDEO
"Angel at the Crossroads” – HIGHROADIII
"Help Me” – Wilburn & Wilburn
"Love Is Stronger” – Jason Crabb
"Say Amen” – Brian Free & Assurance
"Where I’ve Been” – The Freemans


FAN FAVORITE ARTIST
Bowling Family
The Browders
Michael English
HIGHROADIII
The Isaacs
Ivan Parker
David Phelps
Sneed Family
Three Bridges
The Williamsons

Jim Sheldon Homecoming Is Huge Success

Danville, KY (November 17, 2014) Jim Sheldon Homecomings are becoming a big deal in Danville, KY, as Jim brings in some of the very best talent Gospel Music has to offer. Last year he featured the Isaacs, this year Brian Free and Assurance. It doesn't get any better than this.

Held on a Thursday evening to a large crowd considering the intense weather covering the area. No matter, the crowd braved the weather to enjoy the electrifying music and message provided on this enjoyable evening.

Known as the Positive Cowboy from his regular role on the Music City Show, seen on RFD-TV, Jim warmed those in attendance with many of his chart busting songs, including "I Saw A Man”, "Mansion In the Sky” and of course the emotional song he wrote in honor of his sister "Even After”. 

Joining Jim onstage was the Positive Cowboy Band which included great Nashville musicians Jeff Parker – Mandolin, Molly Cherry Holmes – Fiddle, Mark Fain - Leader/Upright Bass, Lynn Williams – Drums, and Seth Taylor – Guitar. Jim commented, "I love singing with the live music and it doesn't get any better than the Positive Cowboy Band.”

Brian Free and Assurance totally blew away the audience with their lively repertoire of hit's both present and past. The crowd was on its feet several times as they performed their Dove winning song "Say Amen” as well as their signature song "Long As I've Got King Jesus”.

Emcee for the evening as well as performing was Comedian extraordinaire Tim Lovelace. 

A special thanks goes to Bev McCann (Manager) for presenting Jim with Plaques of Two #1 Songs, "I Saw A Man" & "Mansion In The Sky".
Speaking of the success of his Homecoming, Jim said, "This was an event I look forward to every year and I Am One Blessed Man. Praise God!”

To learn more about Jim Sheldon, The Positive Cowboy go to http://www.jimsheldonmusic.com or https://www.facebook.com/jim.sheldon . You can Twitter Jim at https://twitter.com/JimSheldonmusic .
To book Jim Sheldon for your church service or concert contact bev.a.mccann@gmail.com .

High Road III, Freemans, Triumphant Featured on Harmony Road TV

Program Also Includes Brian Free and Assurance,  

Woody Wright and Friends

Signal Mountain, TN  September 19, 2014    This week’s Harmony Road TV program, features styles ranging from concept videos from new and established artists to classic quartet performances.  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.

Hosted by Les Butler, this week’s episode originates from the Family Room Studios in Gallatin, Tennessee.   The Family Room has been home to gospel music’s top artists and has produced many memorable hits.  Robb Tripp and the staff at the Family Room welcomed the Harmony Road crew and provided a great setting for this week’s program.

Harmony Road is a weekly Southern Gospel TV program featuring the best in Southern Gospel music and video. Through its family of networks, cable systems  local television stations, DirecTV, mobile app and ROKU, Harmony Road is now available to over 85 million homes, making gospel music and its message available to people across the country on a range of secular and Christian outlets.  The program is also streamed online from multiple locations.

Harmony Road can be found each week on The Heartland Network Sunday mornings at 8:00 Eastern as well as Saturday afternoons on WATC57 in Atlanta and WGNM in Macon. You can also find Harmony Road on Saturday evenings on WBYU in Columbus, GA and 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, WMJN29 in North Alabama and  TV24 in Northeast Alabama, Charter cable in multiple cities across Tennessee and more. For more information on these and other affiliates, viewers can visit www.harmonyroadtv.com.

LORETTA LYNN RANCH MAKES FINAL PREPARATIONS FOR ANNUAL GOSPEL FEST

Country Legend Plays Host For Weekend of Food, Family Fun, Fellowship and the Best in Gospel Music Lineup Includes Grammy Winner Jason Crabb, Hall of Fame Members The Hoppers, Karen Peck & New River, Brian Free & Assurance, Rising Fan Favorites The Sneed Family and many more!

Nashville, TN – The Loretta Lynn Ranch staff is busier than bees making final preparations for this weekend's Loretta Lynn Gospel Fest! The second annual event takes place at the country legend's historic Hurricane Mills, TN ranch this weekend -September 13-14, 2014.

Scheduled to appear during the two-day event are Grammy winner Jason Crabb, Hall of Fame members The Hoppers, The Booth Brothers, Karen Peck & New River, Rambo-McGuire, Aaron Wilburn, Brian Free & Assurance, Singing Cookes, The Freemans, Michael Combs, Archie Watkins & Smoky Mountain Reunion, Tony Gore & Majesty andThe Sneed Family.

 

“I love Gospel music,” Loretta Lynn says. “I had a great time with all my friends here last year and I’m so happy to invite everyone back to my house for some great gospel music! Y’all come on!”

 

For those arriving early on Friday night, September 12, 2014, there will be a special bon-fire and sing-a-long beginning at 8:00 PM with special guests High Road.

 

Jeff Sneed, event producer, comments: "We had an amazing turnout last year - the crowd loved the event - and this year is going to be even better!" Patsy Lynn Russell, event organizer says: "Jeff Sneed and his family have done a wonderful job doing anything that was needed - from producing the talent line up to organizing the stage, sound and light crew to promoting the event to bus groups. They've stepped up and really gone the extra mile to make this event a success!"

 

Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, TN is the perfect destination for this amazing weekend of Gospel music. The full service RV park features primitive camping, pools, canoeing, paddle boats and more. Guests can also tour Loretta’s plantation home, the Butcher Holler Home Place, and her brand-new 18,000 square foot “Coal Miner’s Daughter” museum.

 

Select tickets remain on sale and more information can be found online atLorettaLynn.com or by calling the ranch at 931-296-7700.

 

August 2014 SGNScoops Magazine

Here it is, the middle of Summer and we have so much to share with you, we can’t hardly stand it! So take a deep breath and your glass of sweet tea and enjoy the August edition of SGN Scoops!

This month we have to share with you the cover story of Brian Free and Assurance and how this group with very different backgrounds have come together to produce such wonderful music. If you like their new release, “Say Amen!” as much as I do, you are really going to enjoy this feature.

Artist features include the Chuck Wagon Gang by Marcie Gray, Marty Raybon by Dan Duncan, the Drummond Family by Tina Wakefield, the Hoskins Family by Sandi Duncan Clark and Kelly Nelon Clark talks about acting in the Dancer with Lorraine Walker. Erin Stevens talks to Levi Bowman and Angela Griffin reviews concerts with Guy Penrod, the Nelons and the Collingsworth Family. While we are on the subject of families, Melissa Wright writes about the popular Bowling Family!

Also inside the covers are thoughtful articles by Jeff Steele, Kelly Nelon Clark, Sherry Anne and Jennifer Campbell. Laurette Willis brings another edition of her fitness column and David Staton asks us again if we can handle the truth.

 

Vonda Easley introduces us to DJ Alan Butler, Rob Patz quizes Sharron Kay King, Lynn Mills covers another amazing concert event and Hannah Webb talks about being a part of the American Bible Challenge. Hannah Webb, Dan Duncan and Melissa Wright are our newest writers and I know you will enjoy their contributions.

Find The Magazine Here

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Take A Bus Tour With The Sneed Family To Loretta Lynn's Gospel Music Festival

Take another trip to the National Quartet Convention with the Sneed Family

August 7, 2014 (Glasgow, KY) The Loretta Lynn Ranch is preparing to welcome Gospel music fans from all across the country to the second annual “Loretta Lynn’s Gospel Music Festival” held at her Hurricane Mills, TN ranch September 13-14, 2014. The inaugural event last year was a huge success and organizers are anticipating another wonderful weekend.

You can sit back and relax and let Jeff Sneed do all the work by purchasing a package that will include the bus ride, two nights in the hotel, two continental breakfasts, ticket for museum, ticket for mansion tour, ticket to the sing-a-long, ticket to Saturday and Sunday concerts, two meals at Loretta Lynn's Restaurant and one meal at the concerts. They will drive you to and from the event, purchase your tickets and take care of dropping you at the entrance with great seating.

Scheduled to appear during the two-day event are Grammy winner Jason Crabb, Hall of Fame members The Hoppers, The Booth Brothers, Karen Peck & New River, Rambo-McGuire, Aaron Wilburn, Brian Free & Assurance, Singing Cookes, The Freemans, Michael Combs, Archie Watkins & Smoky Mountain Reunion, Tony Gore & Majesty and The Sneed Family.

“I love Gospel music,” Loretta Lynn says. “I had a great time with all my friends here last year and I’m so happy to invite everyone back to my house for some great gospel music! Y’all come on!”

For those arriving early on Friday night, September 12, 

2014, there will be a special bon-fire and sing-a-long beginning at 8:00 PM with special guests HIGHROADIII.

Jeff Sneed, event producer, comments: "We had an amazing turnout last year - the crowd loved the event - and this year is going to be even better!" Patsy Lynn Russell, event organizer says: " Jeff Sneed and his family have done a wonderful job doing anything that was needed - from producing the talent line up to organizing the stage, sound and light crew to promoting the event to bus groups. They've stepped up and really gone the extra mile to make this event a success!"

Loretta Lynn’s Ranch in Hurricane Mills, TN is the perfect destination for this amazing weekend of Gospel music. The full service RV park features primitive camping, pools, canoeing, paddle boats and more. Guests can also tour Loretta’s plantation home, the Butcher Holler Home Place, and her brand-new 18,000 square foot “Coal Miner’s Daughter” museum.

Tickets are on sale now and more information can be found online at LorettaLynn.com or by calling the ranch at 931-296-7700.

The Sneed Family is also offering a great package to this year's Great Smokey Mountains National Quartet Convention being held in Pigeon Forge, TN from September 22 through the 25. This package will include the bus ride, three nights in a hotel, three continental breakfasts, one meal at Tony Gore's Restaurant, two more meals as well as transportation to shopping. They also include tickets for three nightly concerts and one afternoon showcase.

For more information about Jeff Sneed and the Sneed Family go to http://www.sneedfamily.com or https://www.facebook.com/sneedfamily .

**** 

About The Sneed Family
The Sneed Family began its gospel music journey in 1982 as “Glory Bound” with four young men just out of High School. The group was founded by 18-year-old pianist and baritone, Jeff Sneed. Jeff met and married Pam Saylors who not only became his wife, but his singing partner. Today they are living our dream by standing on stage with their entire family night after night. Since the groups beginning it has flourished into a current day family ministry team. Today’s group is made up of Jeff Sneed (vocals, piano), Pam Sneed (vocals), Amanda Cowan (vocals, mandolin), Caleb Cowan (vocals), Seth Sneed (vocals, rhythm & bass guitar), and Jacob Sneed (drums). In early 2008 The Sneed Family launched a brand new Christian Television Show called “Glory Bound Jubilee” on WPBM Proclaim Broadcasting.