StowTown Records Signs TaRanda Greene

Front Row (L to R) TaRanda Greene, Carol Roundtree (Provident Distribution) Back Row (L to R) Wayne Haun, Ernie Haase, Landon Beene (StowTown Records)

July, 28, 2014 (Nashville, TN)… StowTown Records is thrilled to announce the signing of TaRanda Greene, one of Christian Music’s most popular and beloved performers.

TaRanda, who has been a featured vocalist for the Grammy-winning, world famous Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir in New York, is also a regular guest vocalist at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas, Shadow Mountain Community Church in San Diego and First Baptist Church Atlanta.

“TaRanda is one of my favorite singers of all time. When she sings, it’s obvious this was what she was born to do,” said StowTown Records co-founder Wayne Haun. “The songs she has chosen for this new recording are some of the best I’ve heard in a long time. And, of course, the delivery is stellar. We are so glad she has chosen StowTown to bring you this new music.”

TaRanda has already obtained the prestigious honor of being the first female soloist to receive a top ranking on The Singing News Magazine’s Top 40 Radio Airplay Chart with her very popular and recognizable hit “Sky Full of Angels”.

“As a soloist, it’s important to stay connected to a group you believe in and who believes in you. I couldn’t be happier to be a part of the StowTown family,” said TaRanda. “And that’s exactly why – it feels like a family. I’m certain only the best is yet to come.”

“Ernie (Haase), Wayne (Haun) and Landon (Beene) have poured strength, energy and encouragement into me and my music, and now they are helping give me wings to soar by making me a part of the StowTown family. I’m incredibly thrilled to be here.”

Her brand new project, Stronger, which was specifically produced and designed for her church audience, will make its StowTown debut on November 11.
Produced by Geron Davis and orchestrated by Bradley Knight, the album features the aforementioned Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Christ Church Choir of Nashville, Wess Morgan, Sonya Isaacs-Yeary, Jason Crabb and The Martins.

“This project has been three years in the making because it’s not just another recording. It’s been my journey and my life through loss, clinical depression, loneliness and fear – all turned into hope, encouragement, and the love and faithfulness of God,” explained TaRanda. “Stronger isn't just a word or a song…it’s who I am. And I’m grateful to present my life to you to give you hope in your conflict and peace in your painful days.”
“Through Christ we realize it’s not our strength, but His…and through Him we are made STRONGER!”

Learn more about TaRanda Greene and her ministry at www.tarandamusic.com.

December 2013 Southern Gospel News Magazine

Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir to perform for Fox News Christmas Eve Special

Brooklyn, NY –The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir will perform for the Fox News Channel’s Christmas Eve special “A FOX & Friends Christmas” set to broadcast at 8:00 pm Eastern on December 24. The two-hour event will feature several entertainment guests including comedian Jeff Dunham, country music artist Craig Morgan, singer Leona Lewis, and X Factor finalist Carlos Guevara, among others. Fox & Friends co-hosts Steve Doocy, Elisabeth Hasselbeck and Brian Kilmeade as well as FOX & Friends Weekend co-hosts Tucker Carlson, Anna Kooiman and Clayton Morris will interview Governor Sarah Palin, Cardinal Timothy Dolan, along with other notable guests.
Now in its 40th year, the Grammy Award-winning Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir kicked the year off by singing “The Battle Hymn of The Republic” at President Obama’s inauguration ceremony on the steps of the U.S. Capitol to a worldwide television audience of over a billion people. The Choir was featured on the cover of The New York Times and highlighted in Time Magazine. Their 27th album, “Love Lead The Way,” debuted at #1 on iTunes Christian/Gospel albums chart.
Directed by Carol Cymbala, wife to Pastor Jim Cymbala, the 300-voice choir is a blend of ethnic and economic backgrounds, with members ranging from lawyers and doctors to former drug addicts. Since its inception when the Choir began with only nine members, Carol has never read music – though she has written numerous hit songs—and the choir has never used charts. To Carol, the purpose of a church choir is very specific and very essential.
“The ultimate purpose of a choir is to lead the congregation into the presence of God,” says Carol. “Prayer is vital. Preparing the choir spiritually is so important. I do feel strongly that the idea of many voices lifted up to the Lord, unified and in harmony, is a powerful thing. We also read of choirs in the Bible going forth and singing before the battles were waged. Beyond singing, it is also being able to minister personally to those hurting or in need of Jesus.”
The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir has performed at major music venues such as Radio City Music Hall, Carnegie Hall, and Madison Square Garden. Their accolades include six Grammy Awards, seven Dove Awards (Gospel Music’s Grammy equivalent), two #1 Billboard charting CDs and over four million albums sold. For more information, visitwww.BrooklynTabernacle.org.

December Issue Of SGN Scoops Available Now

Our gift to you.... December's Issue of SGNScoops Magazine!
Our Christmas edition is stuffed with Christmas goodies! Enjoy the cover story on the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir and also enjoy reading about the ministries of the Old Paths Quartet, Hope's Journey and Gold City Quartet. Christmas is about giving, so don't miss special guest writer, Kelly Nelon's story about the Nelons latest mission trip. Also don't miss the story about Steve Ladd's sharing!

This issue includes Christmas Music Reviews as well as Christmas Inspirational articles on Unopened Gifts and Christmas Traditions. Check out concert stories in the Isaacs and the Lesters and don't miss Ben Wolfe's younger perspective on things. Get caught up with Christian Country News, enjoy Life, Love and Legends with Lou Hildreth and read about plans for 2014 Creekside Gospel Music Convention and Diamond Awards.

To make this Christmas Season special for our readers, we have surveyed many of your Southern Gospel Favorites and collected their favorite lines of Christmas carols and songs. December's issue is most definitely a joyful one! Please read and share with your friends, families and fans and also let our staff know how much they are appreciated! Merry Christmas from the SGNScoops Family!

Find The Magazine Here!

THE SIX-TIME GRAMMY AWARD WINNING BROOKLYN TABERNACLE CHOIR TO RELEASE NEW DIGITAL SINGLE “REDEEMED” DURING UPCOMING MUSIC CONFERNCE October 4-6, 2013 in Brooklyn, New York

It’s been a great year for the legendary Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir. The Grammy Award winning ensemble kicked the year off by singing its dynamic rendition of “The Battle Hymn of The Republic” at President Obama’s inauguration ceremony on the steps of the U.S. Capitol with a worldwide television audience of a billion people. The group was featured on the cover of The New York Times, highlighted in Time Magazine and performed on The Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends” program. Its 27th album “Love Lead The Way” debuted at #1 on iTunes Christian/Gospel albums chart in the spring.
The choir is now prepared to close the year with a bang as the aggregation releases its latest recording “Redeemed” during The Brooklyn Tabernacle Church’s annual Music Conference that kicks off Friday, October 4th and runs through Sunday, October 6th. On October 1st the digital release will be available for purchase exclusively on iTunes and on www.brooklyntabernacle.org. As a bonus, the soul-stirring track will be bundled with a free-with-purchase download of “The Star Spangled Banner.”
The poignant “Redeemed” anthem was first recorded by the Christian band Big Daddy Weave and became a #1 Christian radio hit in 2012. It’s currently nominated for Dove Award as Song of the Year. “I was in Nashville mixing the `Love Lead The Way’ album and heard the song on the radio,” choir founder Carol Cymbala recalls. “I wasn’t familiar with it but it struck a chord with me. The song’s message of redemption is relevant to us all and I felt it would be a wonderful song for the choir to record for our audience.”
The choir’s majestic wall of voices creates a heavenly listening backdrop as tenor Brandon Camphor steps center stage to passionately testify of God’s forgiveness of sins, “I am redeemed, You set me free, So I’ll shake off these heavy chains. Wipe away every stain, now I’m not who I used to be, I am redeemed.” The singers are enveloped in a warm, full orchestrated cloud of aural movements that enhance the power of the song’s message yet remain true to the choir’s signature sound. Stream the song at Da Gospel Truth’s exclusive link: http://www.dagospeltruth.com/?p=8911
The 300-voice choir is a blend of ethnic and economic backgrounds, with members ranging from lawyers and doctors to former drug addicts. Since 1981, the choir has performed at major venues such as Radio City Music Hall and Madison Square Garden. They’ve appeared on “Good Morning America” and other national television programs. Their amazing legacy includes six Grammy Awards, seven Dove Awards, two #1 Billboard charting CDs and over four million albums sold. Visit http://www.brooklyntabernacle.org for more news on the choir.