Legendary songwriter Dianne Wilkinson re-signs with Daywind Music Publishing

HENDERSONVILLE, Tenn. – Dianne Wilkinson is the latest among an elite crop of established songwriters to re-sign an exclusive agreement with Daywind Music Publishing.
Wilkinson has won numerous awards and has penned 12 No. 1 songs. The most recent of those chart-toppers was the Old Paths’ hit – “Long Live the King” – which reached the No. 1 spot in July.
“I have been privileged to be a member of the Daywind family for almost 10 years, and they have been some of the most memorable and exciting of my long writing career,” says Wilkinson. “I appreciate Rick Shelton and all the others there who work so hard for me. I hope we’ve only just begun.”
She was the first female to be named the Southern Gospel Music Association Songwriter of the Year in 2000, one of the earliest of her numerous awards. Wilkinson – who was well-known for having 16 songs recorded by the legendary Cathedral Quartet, including “We Shall See Jesus,” “Boundless Love” and “High and Lifted Up” – has been nominated for two Dove Awards. She has won three awards from different organizations for Southern Gospel song of the year. Most recently, Wilkinson won the National Quartet Convention Music Award for songwriter of the year in both 2012 and 2013, and she won the Singing News Fan Award for the favorite non-performing songwriter in both 2013 and 2014.
“Dianne Wilkinson is a treasure to Southern Gospel Music,” emphasizes Shelton, Daywind’s Vice President of Music Publishing. “Her early songs are classics. Her current work is today’s hits. It has been a delight and joy to work with Miss Di for the last 12 years, and it is with great anticipation that we look forward to the songs that will come from her very prolific pen. She is dear to me and to our Daywind family.”

Daywind Music Publishing is the premier source of new songs for the Southern Gospel and church print/choral markets. The organization is home to an award-winning roster of songwriters. For more information, visit www.daywindpublishing.com or e-mail info@daywindpublishing.com.For additional information on Dianne Wilkinson, visit www.diannewilkinson.com

Crossroads, Kingdom Heirs, and Old Paths Celebrate #1 Hits

September 11th, The Kingdom Heirs, The Old Paths, and representatives of Sonlite Records, a division of Crossroads Entertainment & Marketing, gathered at the Cardinal Restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky to celebrate two recent #1 hits. The Old Paths’ radio single “God’s Great,” written by Rodney Birch, was #1 on the June 2013 Singing News Top 80 chart. The Kingdom Heirs’ #1, “Just Beyond the Sunset,” written by Dianne Wilkinson, is #1 on the current October 2013 Singing News Top 80 chart.”What a run it’s been,” said Kingdom Heirs baritone and manager Steve French. “It took us several years to ever reach that #1 position but now we’ve had eight to make it to the top. That’s what happens when you have great songs, a great production, and the best radio department in the business!”Old Paths baritone and manager Douglas Roark added, “We never imagined coming out of the gate with #1 songs. But to have two in a row, back to back, is just unbelievable. We owe so much to our record company, Crossroads Entertainment and especially to Jim Stover for doing such a great job representing our songs in the world of radio. We couldn’t be more excited!”
Chris White, President of Sonlite Records, commented: “It’s not often that you get to work with what may be two of the best quartets to ever have sung a note in our business. That’s what we’ve got with the Kingdom Heirs and The Old Paths. As well, they are both very serious about how they present the music with their abundance of talent and with the message these songs contain. We’re thrilled with our association with each of these artists.”
The Old Paths’ follow-up single, “He’s My Song,” has been heating up the charts; it has already reached the #6 position on the November 2013 chart. Meanwhile, the Kingdom Heirs’ new single, “The Borrowed Tomb,” is off to a strong start, as the #1 most added song for Singing News’ November 2013 Top New Releases chart.
Photo:
From left to right: Dennis Murphy (Kingdom Heirs), Tim Rackley (The Old Paths), Jerry Martin (Kingdom Heirs), Andy Stringfield (Kingdom Heirs), Jeremy Peace (The Old Paths), Kreis French (Kingdom Heirs), Douglas Roark (The Old Paths), Steve French (Kingdom Heirs), Chris White (Crossroads), Daniel Ashmore (The Old Paths), Jeff Chapman (Kingdom Heirs)

The Future of Southern Gospel at Crossroads

From Crossroads Music:

You may think you know all the great quartets on the road right now. Let us introduce you to fresh new recordings from two up-and-coming quartets that will quickly become household names.

Soul’d Out Quartet: What the World Doesn’t Know
From the opening notes to the final melodic phrase, this album is a delightful musical journey covering every stylistic flavor and flair that makes the Southern Gospel genre so rich.

There’s straight ahead quartet singing in “All Things Are Possible,” a catchy pop flavor to “If You’ll Just Ask Him,” and even a richly orchestrated 1940’s feel on “Since I’ve Been Saved,” all of which were artfully crafted by group member and songwriter, Matt Rankin.

What the World Doesn’t Know is a masterpiece of praise to the Master and Maker of all. This album solidly establishes Soul’d Out Quartet as a dynamic force to be reckoned with.

They’re here to be heard and they’re here to stay!

The Old Paths: Right Now
The foundation of Southern Gospel has always been great quartets, and the Old Paths carry that tradition in a new way. They might be fresh young faces to the scene, but their vocals have the drive and energy of HeavenBound and the Hinsons. There’s a powerhouse vocalist at every part!

Committed to the cause and calling of Christ, the group’s name was taken from the Old Testament verse Jeremiah 6:16, which sets them on a steady course.

Right Now will propel The Old Paths to new and even greater heights. Ballads like “The Blood on My Hands” and energetic uptempo numbers like “I Know My God Can Do It” and “When It All Starts Happening” are delivered with equal command. It’s the perfect primer for the singing style that built and sustains Southern Gospel music!

This album shows why The Old Paths are already in demand at some of the largest churches in America. Right Now is a definite right on!

Crossroads Signs The Old Paths

Arden, NC  - Crossroads Entertainment & Marketing has just announced signing The Old Paths to a long-term recording agreement. Crossroads will release their first major-label album, Right Now, on April 17.

The Old Paths began in fall 2003. They have performed for Charles Stanley at First Baptist Atlanta, the Georgia Baptist Convention, the Alabama Baptist Convention, Dr. Jerry Vines Evangelism Ministries, and numerous other conferences, community events, and churches. They are a current top 10 nominee for Horizon Group of the Year in the Singing News Fan Awards, and their current radio single, "The I of the Storm," is at #13 on the May 2012 Singing News Radio Airplay chart.

Crossroads executive Chris White states, "We've had a relationship with these guys for about a year now. We're very excited about where this relationship can go, and what it can do for the music industry, and their ministry as well. Look for a long-lasting relationship with The Old Paths."

The Old Paths baritone Doug Roark commented, "The Old Paths are certainly delighted to be here. No doubt about it, everyone in Gospel Music knows exactly what sort of reputation Crossroads brings to the table. We're delighted that we get to come on board and work hand in hand with all the fine folks here at Crossroads Music."

"Being a co-founder of The Old Paths Quartet," Tim Rackley adds, "I'm happy and thrilled to be a part of such a successful music company. Being a young boy, and getting Singing News magazine growing up, it was always a thrill to see the new songs and artists they were promoting. We're excited to be a part of this long history, and we look forward to adding some great records for Crossroads Music as well."

Right Now will be available from The Old Paths, Crossroads, iTunes, and your local Christian retailer.