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

Brian Free and Assurance brings the “Say Amen” story to life

(Hendersonville, TN – July 28, 2014) After the success of their first concept video, Brian Free and Assurance has recently been back behind the camera again, diligently working on the release of the group’s second such effort for the increasingly-popular song “Say Amen.”

“Say Amen” was penned by Kenna West, Jason Cox and Michael Farren, and it’s the first release on the group’s latest project, “Unashamed.” The song has rapidly risen to the No. 2 position on the Singing News Magazine Top 80 Chart in just its fourth month since the song’s release. It debuted at No. 32 before rising to the ninth position in its second month and then elevating to the No. 3 spot for August.

The male quartet previously comprised an award-winning concept video for the 2012 song, “I Want To Be That Man,” which was co-written by Ricky Free and Lee Black.

“Brian Free and Assurance keeps delivering amazing songs on every project,” Daywind Records vice president and A & R director Scott Godsey – who served as the producer and director of the video – explains. “We are thankful for the opportunity to work with these guys on the ‘Say Amen’ video production. Our hope is that this video will go beyond our normal borders and branch out to new media sources. This is without a doubt one of the best songs that I've heard in Southern Gospel Music.”

Brian Free and Assurance is a Daywind Records recording artist, and Daywind held a contest in April that encouraged fans to send in their testimonies, telling what God had done for them to make them “Say Amen.” The winner of the contest was Jim Hutson – a Columbus, Ind., resident – who has part of his story unfold in the video.

Filming for the video took place in the Gallatin and Hendersonville areas, which are suburbs of Nashville, Tenn.

“We had an amazing time recording the new video,” points out Brian Free, the group’s manager and tenor singer.

When you watch the video or hear this song, just think about all of the things God has done in your life.”

To view the new video for Brain Free and Assurance hit song “Say Amen” please visit
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEHiTXPFN1M

Daywind Records is home to an award-winning roster of artists, including Greater Vision, Karen Peck and New River, Legacy Five and the Nelons. Daywind is distributed to retail through New Day Christian Distributors, Select-O-Hits, and all major digital outlets, including iTunes. For more information, visit daywindrecords.com or contact Amanda Martin at publicity@daywind.com.

For more information on Brian Free and Assurance, visit brianfreeandassurance.com.

2014 AGM Awards Handed Out

The Isaacs and Karen Peck & New River Named Big Winners

Nashville, Tennessee - (April 17, 2014) - The 2014 Absolutely Gospel Music (AGM) Awards were handed out this week at a special concert celebration in Smyrna, Tennessee. The Isaacs were the night’s big winners.

The Isaacs took home five awards during the program. The group was awarded their second consecutive Mixed Group of the Year title and first ever Best Live Performer. Ben Isaacs took home Producer of the Year (Artist) while songwriting sibling Becky & Sonya Isaacs won Songwriter of the Year (Artist). Becky Isaacs Bowman was also recognized as Musician of the Year for the first time in her career.

Perennial favorites Karen Peck & New River took home an outstanding three awards as well. The group won their third consecutive Song of the Year title (for the #1 hit “Revival”). The group also won the coveted Album of the Year ovation (for Revival) as well as Progressive Song of the Year (also for “Revival”).

Songwriter Kenna West was the most awarded individual of the night, winning Song of the Year and Progressive Song of the Year (for co-writing “Revival” with Karen Peck Gooch and Don Poythress) and Country Song of the Year (for co-writing “Voice In the Desert” with Lee Black and Jason Cox).

Additional artists and individuals who won multiple awards throughout the evening included the Bowling Family, Sisters, Don Poythress, Wayne Haun, Dianne Wilkinson, Karen Peck Gooch, and Jeff Easter.

One of the biggest awards of the evening – 2014 Pacesetter Award – was handed to the Write About Jesus Conference – a songwriting retreat hosted by celebrated songwriter Sue C. Smith.

The staff of AbsolutelyGospel.com and the Unthank family was proud to award the Susan Unthank Memorial Award to Kathy Crabb Hannah. This award honors women who have worked in this field of music and made a resounding impact on Southern Gospel music. In addition to the Susan Unthank Memorial Award, Kathy was awarded the 2005 Pacesetter Award for her work as manager of the Crabb Family.

The event was hosted by Karen Peck Gooch (of Karen Peck & New River) and Kelly Nelon Clark (of The Nelons). The evening featured show-shopping performances from the Isaacs, Karen Peck & New River, Tribute Quartet, The Nelons, Jeff & Sheri Easter, the Sneed Family, the Browders, the Bowling Family, Adam Crabb, Beyond the Ashes, Jim & Melissa Brady, the Freemans, and songwriters Kenna West, Sue C. Smith and Jason Cox. The evening concluded with a special multi-artist musical tribute to the Easter Brothers which was hosted by Jeff Easter and featured special guests Dailey & Vincent.

“We are just ecstatic with this year’s program,” mentioned Deon Unthank of AbsolutelyGospel.com. “Though we had to fight through some technical issues with sound and our live feed at the beginning of the show, we still had a record setting number of viewers online and in attendance at the live show. We already are making big plans for next year’s Celebration!”

The Absolutely Gospel Music Awards are an annual award handed out each year by the staff at AbsolutelyGospel.com. Each January, the staff and select media representative decide upon the nominees in over twenty categories. In February of that year, the readers of the site are then allowed to vote for their favorites in 12 categories. This is the thirteenth year the awards have been in existence.

For more information, visit www.absolutelygospel.com

2014 Absolutely Gospel Music Award Winners

Song of the Year: "Revival" - Karen Peck and New River (written by Karen Peck Gooch, Don Poythress, and Kenna West)

Album of the Year: Revival - Karen Peck & New River (produced by Wayne Haun)

Pacesetter: Write About Jesus Conference

Breakthrough Artist of the Year: Sneed Family

Male Vocalist of the Year: Mike Bowling (Bowling Family)

Female Vocalist of the Year: Amber Nelon Thompson (The Nelons)

Male Group of the Year: Booth Brothers

Female Group of the Year: Sisters

Mixed Group of the Year: The Isaacs

Songwriter of the Year (Artist): Becky & Sonya Isaacs (The Isaacs)

Songwriter of the Year (Professional): Dianne Wilkinson

Producer of the Year (Artist): Ben Isaacs (The Isaacs)

Producer of the Year (Professional): Michael Sykes

Engineer of the Year: Kevin Ward

Musician of the Year: Becky Isaacs Bowman (The Isaacs)

Traditional Song of the Year: "Good News From Jerusalem" - Tribute Quartet (written by Jerry Salley & Dianne Wilkinson)

Traditional Album of the Year: The Greatest Story - Triumphant Quartet (produced by Wayne Haun & Jeff Stice)

Progressive Song of the Year: "Revival” - Karen Peck & New River (written by Karen Peck Gooch, Don Poythress, and Kenna West)

Progressive Album of the Year: Classics Collection - Sisters (produced by Tim Parton)

Country Song of the Year: "Voice In the Desert” - The Freemans (written by Lee Black, Jason Cox, and Kenna West)

Country Album of the Year: Safe...After the Storm - Bowling Family (produced by Mike Bowling and Troy Peach)

Special Event Project of the Year: Like Father, Like Son - James & Jeff Easter (produced by James Easter, Jeff Easter, and Tim Surrett)

Best Live Performer: The Isaacs

Fan Favorite Artist of the Year: Jeff & Sheri Easter

Susan Unthank Memorial Award: Kathy Crabb Hannah

2014 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Celebration Rounds Out List of Performers By Featuring Prominent Songwriters

Nashville, TN (March 27, 2014) The administrators and staff of AbsolutelyGospel.com are proud to announce the final performers for the upcoming Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Celebration. In keeping with the tradition of thinking outside of the box, this year’s AGM Awards will play host to performances from celebrated songwriters.

The Awards Celebration will feature reigning Songwriter of the Year (Artist) Jim Brady along with his wife, AGM Award winning songwriter Melissa Brady. Also, 2013’s Songwriter of the Year (Professional) Sue C. Smith, AGM Award winner Kenna West, and multiple nominee Jason Cox will perform their Song of the Year nominated hit “Calvary’s Cry” (originally recorded by Brian Free & Assurance) during the program.

“We are so excited about recognizing some of the best songwriters in the business in this capacity,” mentioned Deon Unthank, President of AbsolutelyGospel.com. “We were the first awards program in all of Gospel music to split up our Songwriter and Producer of the Year categories to make sure that those songwriters and producers who don’t normally promote themselves to the industry get the recognition they deserve. This was just a natural step in the progression of our awards program.”

Chris Unthank, Editor in Chief of AbsolutelyGospel.com stated, “This has been an idea that has been ruminating in my mind for many years, and I’m so excited that we finally get to see it come to pass. We have always championed the behind the scenes people in this industry, and we can’t wait to showcase them to the general Southern Gospel audience in this manner.”

The performances of Jim & Melissa Brady, and Smith, West and Cox join the already impressive list of performers which include The Isaacs, Tribute Quartet, the Bowling Family, Beyond the Ashes, The Freemans, the Gaither Vocal Band’s Adam Crabb, the Sneed Family, Jeff & Sheri Easter, The Browders, Karen Peck & New River and The Nelons.

The hosts for this year’s Awards Celebration are two of the industry’s most respected and beloved women. Hosting the awards together this year are Karen Peck Gooch and Kelly Nelon Clark.

In addition, the program is returning the multi-artist tribute to a legend in the Gospel music community. This year, the AGM Awards will be honoring the Easter Brothers. The tribute will be hosted by Jeff Easter and feature a bevy of special guests including Bluegrass icons Dailey & Vincent, Jeff and Sheri Easter, The Isaacs, Kelly Nelon Clark, and The Freemans.

The Absolutely Gospel Music Awards will be held at River of Life Church in Smyrna, Tennessee on Tuesday evening, April 15, 2014. The event is free to the public, however the only way to guarantee seating is to reserve seats by making a $10 donation to AbsolutelyGospel.com. For more information on that, visit http://absolutelygospel.com/index.php/content/articles/2014-absolutely-gospel-music-awards-information

The Awards Celebration will stream live again this year. More information will be forthcoming.

For more information, visit www.absolutelygospel.com or email seats@absolutelygospel.com.

Freemans Enter Agreement With AG Publicity

Nashville, TN (October 17, 2013) Renowned family group, the Freemans, have come to an agreement with AG Publicity to assist them in the promotion of their new CD 'Voice In The Desert' as well as representing them as an important voice in the world of Gospel music.
Pamela Unthank of AG Publicity stated “When I heard them sing 'Voice In the Desert' at the AGM Awards Celebration I not only loved the song, but loved the conviction in Chris' presentation. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to work in helping to promote a group and a CD that has personally touched me.”
“Voice In The Desert”, written by Kenna West, Lee Black and Jason Cox, is not only the title song, but the first single from the project. Writer Kenna West said "I have been a fan of The Freemans for many years, so to hear them sing 'Voice In The Desert' is such a thrill.” West continued “I recently heard them sing it live, and the powerhouse vocals of Chris were absolutely explosive. Everyone in the building was on their feet."

This project has some great new songs as well as a couple of classics in the old Imperials tune “Water Grave”, sang by the youngsters Caylon “Cage” Freeman and Misty Freeman Callaway and “John The Revelator” performed by the Queen of Gospel Music herself, Chris Freeman.
Darrell Freeman commented “We have known the Unthanks many years and are confident they will work exceptionally hard to make sure Gospel music fans will know what is happening with the Freemans”
The Freemans are an exciting Gospel group made up of family members Chris and Darrell Freeman, son Caylon and daughter Misty. as well as Darrell's cousin Joe Freeman. Their close family harmony and emotional presentations bring them new fans everywhere they sing.

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About The Freemans
History, experience and spiritual wisdom are three attributes that can be used to describe the foundation of the Freeman ministry. Deeply rooted with family, the Freemans experience spans 30+ years. From Darrell’s entrance at age 16 with his family’s group, the Pathways, to Chris’s award-winning teenage years with the Hinsons, the Freemans know the ins and outs of Southern Gospel music.

No doubt, Chris’s unique sound is the reason she was the youngest female artist ever to receive the coveted “Queen of Gospel Music” award two years in a row (’76, ’77) as voted by the readers of Singing News Magazine. In 1980, the lives of Darrel and Chris Freeman became one when they married on August 2nd. After singing with the Pathways for three years Darrell and Chris headed for Nashville and began the Freemans. Joe Freeman, Darrell’s cousin, soon joined them as the third part harmony, as well as their keyboard player. With this sound they have garnered tremendous growth and success.

In 1997, Darrell and Chris’s daughter, Misty, began playing acoustic guitar with the group on stage. Then in 1998, she began singing with them when they recorded Standing Out. Also on stage is Caylon Freeman, Darrell and Chris’s youngest child. He decided to join his family on the road full-time in 2002. He is now playing the drums and singing some with the group.

Now in their 20th year, the Freemans, still do approximately 250 dates a year, and continue to experience tremendous success.

Rick Shelton Named VP Of Daywind Music Publishing As Company Expands

Hendersonville, TN  - With 40 #1 songs, 2 BMI Christian Publisher of the Year nods and 10 GMA Dove Awards, including 2011 Song of the Year winner, “Sometimes I Cry,” Daywind Music Publishing has established a strong foothold in Christian music publishing.  In recognition of his leadership towards this end, Rick Shelton has been named Vice President.

Since joining Daywind in 2004, Shelton has signed hit songwriters and forged a strategic partnership with Lifeway Worship enabling Daywind to start a choral print division.  The most recent offering, “Love Won,” by Kenna Turner-West is up for a GMA Dove Award this year for Best Musical.

“Rick Shelton is a great leader.  He is completely focused on finding ways to create opportunities for Daywind’s songwriters.  We are so pleased to have him at the helm of our publishing division,” stated Ed Leonard, president of Daywind Music Group.

Shelton is overseeing Daywind’s expansion into other markets, recently hiring Stephen Duncan as Creative Director.   Duncan is the first graduate of the Belmont University songwriting program and has great relationships across all genres of Christian music.  His strong music background as a concert pianist will prove a plus as Daywind moves into praise and worship, adult contemporary and Christian hit radio formats through new writer signings and collaborations with the talented staff of songwriters at Daywind.    “Stephen Duncan was highly recommended for this role by Steve Rice at Centricity and Mike Murray at Integrity, two men I highly respect in this industry, and I am so excited to see what we will accomplish together,“ said Shelton.

Daywind’s family of songwriters includes Caleb Collins, Marty Funderburk, Ronny Hinson, Scott Inman, Kyla Rowland, John Darin Rowsey, Jeff Steele, Ben Storie, Kenna West, Dianne Wilkinson, Daryl Williams and Gina Vera.

New Project From Legacy Five, A Wonderful Life, Available Now

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Hendersonville, TN (November 3, 2011) –Daywind Records artist, Legacy Five, is excited to announce the release of their newest album, entitled A Wonderful Life.  The project is the first to feature new pianist, Trey Ivey, and is now available at retail.

A Wonderful Life, produced by Steve Mauldin, includes 12 songs from the pen of songwriters such as the Booth Brothers’ Jim Brady, Dianne Wilkinson, Marty Funderburk, and Kenna West. The first radio single, “Ask Me Why,” arrived at radio stations in September and received a great response from audiences at the National Quartet Convention.

Scott Fowler of Legacy Five shares, "We spent a lot of hours listening to songs trying to find exactly the right material for this recording. We feel like A Wonderful Life is as good as it gets!"

A Wonderful LIfe 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.  In addition to Legacy Five, Daywind is home to such great artists as the Perrys and Booth Brothers, among others.

For more information on Legacy Five, visit legacyfive.com. For more information on Daywind Records, visit daywindrecords.com.