December 2012 Edition Of SGNScoops Magazine

From the staff of SGNScoops Magazine, Merry Christmas! We pray the December edition warms your heart this holiday season. On the cover this month is the sensational Annie Moses Band.

Also we highlight the latest happenings in the ministries of Gordon Mote, Cross Music Group, Soul’d Out Quartet, Randy and Sherri Miller, Kevin Mills, C S & K, and Micah Watkins.

Rhonda Frye shares the highlights of the recent Write About Jesus songwriter’s conference, Jennifer Campbell shares a recent Women of Faith experience and Rob Patz shares a media minute with Patricia Mathis. We urge you to give the gift of Gospel Music!

Sandi Duncan Clark reviews the latest albums from the Littles, the Hoppers, The Easters, the Blackwood Brothers, and the Hinshaw Trio. Also included in this edition, Laurrette Willis encourages Christian Fitness during the holidays, John Mathis gives a word of encouragement and Lou Hildreth shares wonderful memories.

For this special holiday issue, Lorraine Walker gathered many tasty recipes from our staff, readers and many artists. We urge you to put these recipes to the test! We’ve had a great 2012 at SGNScoops and are looking forward to great things in 2013. Remember, SGNScoops All Digital Magazine is absolutely FREE, so please share with your family, fans and friends! Merry Christmas!!

Download This Months Magazine Here

Kevin Mills Signs with Grapevine Records

NASHVILLE, TN: Song Garden Music Group announced today that Kevin Mills of Chesapeake, VA is the newest addition to the Grapevine division of Song Garden Music Group.

Kevin, who has a long history in music and ministry, will soon be the next release on the label.

According to Song Garden Music Group V.P., David Staton, “Kevin has one of those rich, deep voices that remind me of some of today’s most popular country music artists such as Trace Adkins, Josh Turner & Tennessee Ernie Ford and the music he has chosen to make up this project is the perfect combination to make him a fan favorite”.

The project will feature some popular songs that have been reborn with a fresh new sound as well as brand new, original music.

“I couldn’t have asked for a better experience or a better project. From the beginning of preproduction, the folks at Song Garden helped me in focusing on the vision for this project and for my ministry. It was evident that they were more interested in just doing a recording, they have truly helped me in so many areas of what I do”, stated Kevin.

The new project by Kevin Mills, titled, “Travelin’ Through” was produced by David Staton and is scheduled to be released in mid to late August.

Retro SGM Radio: Southern Gospel's Young Artist Feature - July 2007

Since the beginning of Southern Gospel, groups have consisted of every age, from the old to the young. Second and third generation singers have been brought up through the ranks of family groups like the Happy Goodmans, the Rambos, the Hoppers and the McKameys. Today more than ever, we are seeing a burst of youth on the Southern Gospel scene and these young people are making their mark for their generation. With a desire to reach the lost, hone their talents, and present a fresh new sound, the new wave of Southern Gospel is taking the best of the past and forming it into a style that is finding an increasingly larger audience.

SGM Radio recently talked to some of these Young Gospel artists, and asked them to share their hearts with us. Each one we talked to has their own story to share, just as each has their own style of music and how they see Southern Gospel. We hope you enjoy an insight into the music and souls of Young Gospel.

The questions we asked the Young Gospel artists were: What is the biggest challenge facing your generation in Southern Gospel? And, what is the biggest challenge of having a career in music? Here are their answers.

Stewart Varnado, The Dixie Echoes (pictured above): “I don't really know of any challenge facing my generation in SG. I think it was probably hard for those in the early days of SG, but we've got it made compared to them [eg] Buses instead of cars. Other than being away from home sometimes too much. I can't think of any reason to complain.” www.stewartvarnado.com

Daniel Ball, The Ball Brothers: “The biggest challenge we face is trying to reach our generation. We have the challenge of bringing in new fans or Southern Gospel music will die out. For us, we'll continue to honor the tradition of those who have gone before us, yet at the same time carve our own new paths with our music. God is constantly opening new doors for us that are bigger than we ever dreamed. We are excited about what the future holds for the Ball Brothers and all of Southern Gospel.” www.theballbrothers.com

Jason Funderburk, Driven: “"I feel the biggest challenge facing our generation in Southern Gospel Music is for people to take us serious about what we do. It is easy for me to feel that a good many people look at us like we are trying to change the way it used to be, but in reality we are trying to worship just as they did or in some cases worship period.
"The biggest challenge in having a career in music is that people or fans in general only get to see about 20% of what it takes to travel and be a singer, musician. They see us grace a platform, sing and then talk to people, but the hard part really takes place the week before and after in preparation for a concert, not including before and after a concert.
“If not for the fans and Southern Gospel supporters we would have a more difficult time trying to present our ministries to a group of folks that have never experienced a true anointed filled evening of music and worship". www.drivenqt.com

Kevin Mills, Soloist: “[The biggest challenge facing my generation is] changing Southern Gospel music to fit into today’s market-place without overly compromising the originality of it’s sound. [The biggest challenge of having a career in music is] Ego. This is something that everyone is at risk of in any career but it especially becomes predominant in an overly public profession such as the music industry. I’m not talking about confidence, since there is nothing wrong with realizing and taking gratification for something you feel you accomplish well (i.e. work, job, performance, etc.) . Ego becomes detrimental when it isolates you from those around you. Pride, or thinking about yourself “higher then you ought” really will bring you to a fall. That is why we must run to Christ and realize who we are in Him: A creature created in His image and for His Glory. We were never meant to live our lives pursuing our own motives and careers, but rather to strive to glorify God in all we do.” www.kevinmillsusa.com

Aaron Minnick, The Johnny Minnick Family: “The biggest challenge we face is making sure there will be a ‘Gospel Music’ in the future. We need to do things that will grow the industry, pull in new listeners and carry the Gospel to those who would otherwise not listen to the message.” www.aaronminick.com

Josh Singletary, Tribute Quartet: “I think the largest challenge that faces my generation in Southern Gospel music is getting the older generations to see how serious we are about this music. I come from a generation that is influenced by MANY genres of music - And good music. You can't really get away from the music of today. Everywhere you go, there it is. But, I think sometimes it's assumed that because we are of a younger generation, we let those outside influences influence what our heart truly is...and that’s simply not the case. I, along with many other young people in this industry, TRULY want to see souls saved and to sing God's message through a music that we love - Southern Gospel.
“The biggest challenge in having a career in music, I think, is, well, money - to put it bluntly. It can be pretty tough at times. I've always said, "You have to be called to do this. AND you have to love doing this because, if you're not and you don't, you're nuts!" It really is a matter of trusting the Lord...And he has NEVER let me down. The payoff is out of this world!” www.tributequartet.com



Mike Kofahl, Austin’s Bridge: “I think the biggest challenge facing our generation and Southern Gospel is that there are not nearly enough who know about it. What we
have found is that our generation is constantly bombarded by media encouraging them to listen to anything and every thing but SG music. This is why I feel it our responsibility to reach out to them and show them that there is great music being made in southern gospel,
that caries a message of hope.” www.austinsbridge.com

We hope you’ve enjoyed this insight into the world of Young Gospel. Be sure to hear these artists the next time they are in your area and support the next generation of Southern Gospel Music.

By Lorraine Walker
First published July 2007 on http://www.sgmradio.com

For current artist features, please go to http://www.sgmradio.com

Retro SGM Radio: The Cross - Reflections By Artists and Pastors

The Cross as Seen by Artists and Pastors
By Lorraine Walker

The symbol of the Cross brings hope to some and derision from others. For the Christian, it represents freedom, a bridge, healing, and redemption. SGM Radio asked several pastors and artists about their view of the Cross.

Rev. Mark Trammell, The Mark Trammell Quartet, Gadsden, Alabama: “The Cross to some is a symbol of shame, defeat and the end result of one's misdoings. The Cross to the so-called church world is losing its rightful position because many of the clergy in the world have been verbally beaten and molded into nothing more than an average Sunday school teacher by their parishioners because they say the story is too bloody. But, the reality is, whether or not we have nerve enough to do it, the Cross is STILL the centerpiece to our lives, and it must continue to be preached.

Without the finished work on the Cross of Calvary, mankind would be in a hopeless, helpless state. The Cross of Christ is a symbol of perfection and completion. Christ finished his earthly works in a grand incomparable fashion by demonstrating his unconditional love for all of us on the Cross. To elect to no longer preach, sing, or talk about it would be blasphemous at the very least and I believe that those who bow under the pressure will have the blood of lost souls on their hands when they stand before God.”

Rev. Gene Clarke, Associate Pastor, Bethel Gospel Tabernacle, Hamilton, Ontario: “There is no disputing the fact that the Cross is the central emblem of the Christian faith. For the follower of Christ it possesses a sacred beauty, which is interesting because of the disdain the Cross was shown in the ancient world. Hymn writers such as Fanny Crosby have captured our marvel with words such as, ‘When I survey the wondrous Cross on which the Prince of Glory died, my richest gain I count but loss and pour contempt on all my pride.’ These writers understood, as should we, that in the Cross we have displayed before us the wisdom of God. Oswald Chambers wrote, ‘All heaven is interested in the cross of Christ, all hell is terribly afraid of it, while men are the only beings who more or less ignore its meaning.’ It is to our peril to ignore the Cross because God’s greatest work on our behalf is affected there. The cross is not a ‘pit stop’ where we casually look and move on, it is a resting place; a place of meditation and God’s working.

"Here is the wisdom. Paul says in 1Corinthians 1:18, ‘For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.’ First of all, the cross tells us that we need a Savior. In spite of the modern mind and its “I’m ok, you’re ok” belief in humanity, the Scripture says differently. Our hearts and our natures are flawed and soiled by sin. We are not good enough as we are for a Holy God. We need a Savior. Secondly, the cross reveals that sacrifice is the way to gaining things of eternal value. Jesus revealed this paradox to us by His example and teaching, when you lay down your life, you gain it. If our lives are consumed with getting in life, we will ultimately lose life. Finally, the cross is a means of our transformation, hence, the call of Jesus to ‘take up your cross and follow Me’. The pride that infects and cripples us is laid there. Cultured and educated people have sincere and genuine hopes of utopia, society has devised its plans and passed its laws to make things better, but are they? We may be better educated but have we attained a higher and purer morality? The truth is that our hearts need to be changed and only bowing before the Christ of the cross can do that. I remember having the privilege of singing in a quartet when I was just 14 years of age. We didn’t garner many accolades but God did imprint on our minds some powerful truths. I can still quote the first words of the very first song we ever learned – the words were ‘Kneel at the cross, Christ will meet you there.’”

Rev. Kevin Mills, Solo Artist, Associate Pastor of Prairie Community Church, Portage La Prairie, Manitoba: “ Take a moment and think back in time about a particular individual who stands out in your mind, who seemed to do whatever they could to bring hurt into your life. Maybe they mocked you, maybe offended and antagonized you in the most sensitive areas of your life. Now imagine giving your all for that person. Not only sacrificing your time, and money, but possibly your life as well.

"Hard isn’t it, and yet this is what Christ did for us on Calvary, ‘In that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us’. In that while we were doing that which mocked, offended and was absolutely repulsive to Him, Christ loved us so deeply He gave His life on Calvary. What does the cross mean to me? Amazing Love, and un-merited Grace handed down to man from an Almighty, all-loving God above.”

Rev. David Hill, The David Hill Trio, Ridgeville, South Carolina: “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, ‘If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’ (Matt. 16:24) I’ve read this verse hundreds of times and until recently it had never hit me. What did Jesus mean by saying, “take up his cross”? I’ve heard many different things. I’ve heard people talk about their burdens and say, “Well, this is the cross I must bear”. Is that what He meant? Let me offer another perspective.

"In Jesus’ day the cross was a tool of execution. If we could move this statement into 2007 maybe it would sound like this, “let him deny himself, and take up his electric chair, and follow Me”. I don’t believe that the Lord was speaking of burdens in Matthew 16:24. I believe that Jesus was telling us that if we really want to follow Him, we must forget about ourselves, be willing to be executed for the cause of Christ, and then follow Him. That is such a foreign concept to us that live in a place where our persecution consists of not much more than some name calling. What if singing those gospel songs and preaching those gospel messages were an offense that was punishable by execution? Would you still do it? Wow, what a verse!”

Pastor Chris Couper, Pastor of Music and Worship, Bethel Gospel Tabernacle, Hamilton, Ontario: “Our world is full of words and definitions and opinions. In light of this, I often sift through my personal beliefs, which can be affected by this abundance of information, to see if they still line up with Scripture. About 10 years ago in one particular ‘sifting’ session, I realized that my understanding of the purpose of the Cross had somehow fallen short. I recognized its sacrifice, its power and its victory but I was missing something.

"The most obvious mission of the Cross is that Jesus died to take away our sins. As true as that is, it’s not the primary purpose of the Cross. The complete mission of the cross is this: that Jesus died to take away our sins so that we could have unlimited access to God.

"These two thoughts are worlds apart. The Cross is a means to an end. The fact that the believer is declared righteous, again, is only a means to an end. The ‘end’ is found in having a working relationship with Christ, which can only come by being declared righteous. What if the entire world accepted the sacrifice of the Cross and was declared righteous? Great! But what if God then decided to move on to another universe and leave us in our righteousness? What value would the victory over sin have? The declaration of righteousness is not a trophy or a decoration; it’s our ticket to God. It’s our ticket to His Throne and to His warm embrace. The primary mission of the believer is to take advantage of the primary purpose of the cross every day.”

First published April 2007 on http://www.sgmradio.com
For current artist features, click on http://www.sgmradio.com

Cross image courtesy of http://jkitchen.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/cross.3.jpg