CLAUDE HOPPER REACTS TO SGMA HALL OF FAME INDUCTION ANNOUNCEMENT

To say that I am surprised to be announced as an inductee to the 2014 SGMA HALL OF FAME class would be an understatement. There are many individuals more deserving, but I am very grateful. I've lived my life trying to help people and show them Jesus. Thank you SGMA. I am honored and humbled.

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SGMA & DOLLYWOOD REACH 5-YEAR AGREEMENT

The Southern Gospel Music Association (SGMA) is pleased to announce that the organization and Dollywood have reached an agreement that ensures The Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame & Museum’s home for the next five years.
“Since 1999, Dollywood has graciously provided a facility for the Hall of Fame and Museum,” says SGMA President Arthur Rice. “The year 2014 marks the 15th Anniversary of the opening of the museum, which currently houses more than 3,000 artifacts and honors 155 members of the Southern Gospel music community. We’re honored that Dollywood continues to recognize the significance and importance of Southern Gospel music, and as both the SGMA and Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame & Museum continue to grow, we are grateful for their support and willingness to showcase this great music.”
“Dollywood’s commitment to Southern Gospel music and to the SGMA has been strong during the past 15 years,” says Craig Ross, President and General Manager of The Dollywood Company, Inc. (a subsidiary of Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation). “We are thrilled to have the SGMA as part of the Dollywood family and we are honored to commit to providing the SGMA a home.”
With an annual monthly average of 30,000 visitors, the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame & Museum is the only facility of its type solely dedicated to honoring a specific genre of Christian music.
For more information, visit www.sgma.org.

Southern Gospel Music Association and Singing News Fan Awards Announce Performers

SGMA Induction/Singing News Fan Awards will feature a who’s who of Southern gospel performers


National Southern Gospel and Harvest Celebration will kick off Sept. 28 at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. featuring the South Gospel Music Association (SGMA) Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and the Singing News Fan Awards.

“Once again the attendees will be treated to numerous concerts throughout the day by some of Southern Gospel’s finest artists,” said Charlie Waller, SGMA executive director.

Among the performers are the Kingdom Heirs, Florida Boys, Blackwood Brothers, Triumphant Quartet, Karen Peck and New River, Dixie Melody Boys, Archie Watkins and Smoky Mountain Reunion, Chuck Wagon Gang, Diplomats and the Punches Family.

These artists will be performing throughout the day at various Dollywood venues, Waller said. The stars will be highlighted in the “Red Carpet Parade of Stars” as
they make their way through Dollywood to DP’s Celebrity Theatre for the exciting Singing News Fan Awards and Induction Ceremony, he said.

Participating in the parade will be Jeff and Sheri Easter, Kenny Gates, Red Roots, Gordon Mote, Old Paths, Brian Free and Assurance, Isaacs, “Little” Willie Wynn, Ball Brothers, Booth Brothers, Taranda Greene, Bob Brumley, Taylors, Statler Brothers, Hoppers, Talley Trio, Greater Vision, McKameys, Sisters, Jerry Kirksey, Mark Trammell
Quartet, Legacy Five, Inspirations, Triumphant Quartet, Ivan Parker, Perrys, Kingdom Heirs, as well as attending SGMA Hall of Fame Members and Board of Directors, according to Waller.

“This exciting and historical event will be hosted by Gordon Mote and Gerald Wolfe,” he said. Performing at the award show and induction will be the Perrys, McKameys, Booth Brothers, Legacy Five, Triumphant Quartet, Greater Vision, Brian Free and Assurance, and Mark Trammell Quartet. Phil Brower and Charlie Waller produce the show.

Seating is reserved, and tickets are $75 ($55 for Dollywood season pass holders) and include one-day Dollywood admission, parking and lunch as well as Dollywood’s more than 40 rides, shows and attractions. Tickets must be purchased in advance by calling the SGMA office at (865) 908-4040.

The SGMA is a non-profit organization that maintains the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame, the only facility honoring Southern gospel music and dedicated to the historic preservation of the genre’s accomplishments, both for the music and the people. Museum hours coincide with Dollywood’s operating schedule. Donations are
tax-deductible. For more information about the museum or its inductees, visit www.sgma.org.

THE STATLER BROTHERS TO RECEIVE 2011 JAMES D. VAUGHAN IMPACT AWARD

The Statler Brothers, one of the most award-winning groups in music history, will receive the 2011 James D. Vaughan Impact Award on Sept. 28 during a special ceremony at Dollywood at the Southern Gospel Music Association’s (SGMA) annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Singing News Fan Awards.
“We are honored to be offered the James D. Vaughan Impact Award,” the Statler Brothers said. “The SGMA has done a wonderful job of preserving Southern gospel for the ages, and we’re proud to be a part of the family. There still is nothing more inspiring, exciting and fulfilling than a Southern gospel concert with high tenors and low basses with arrangements that make your heartstrings stand on end.”
Group members Harold Reid, Phil Balsley, Jimmy Fortune and Don Reid will attend to accept the award which is named in honor of James D. Vaughan, a Southern gospel music pioneer and one of the genre’s founders. Past recipients include Bill Gaither, James Blackwood, Les Beasley, Bob Brumley, Mosie Lister, Paul Heil, Eva Mae LeFevre, J.G. Whitfield, Lari Goss, Barbara Mandrell and Dolly Parton.
“Not only are their roots firmly planted in Southern gospel music, the Statler Brothers’ incredible career carried Southern gospel to millions of country music fans and beyond,” said Charlie Waller, SGMA executive director. “Their rich musical legacy makes us proud to honor them with the James D. Vaughan Impact Award.”
The Statler Brothers, founded in 1955 in Staunton, Va., began performing in local churches with founding members Don Reid, lead; Harold Reid, bass; Balsley, baritone; and Lew DeWitt, tenor. Fortune became the group’s tenor singer in the early 1980s, replacing DeWitt who died in 1990. The Statler Brothers appeared regularly on ABC’s "The Johnny Cash Show" early in their career. They hosted "The Statler Brothers Show" their own weekly and top-rated variety show on The Nashville Network from 1991 to 1998. With more than 40 albums, the Statler Brothers were honored with three Grammy® Awards, nine Country Music Association Awards for Vocal Group of the Year, and two Academy of Country Music Awards. The Statler Brothers were inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2008. The group’s career spanned six decades until the Statler Brothers officially retired in October 2002.
The SGMA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony/Singing News Fan Awards is Sept. 28 at DP’s Celebrity Theatre at Dollywood, home of the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame. Seating is reserved, and tickets are $75 ($55 for Dollywood season passholders) and include one-day Dollywood admission, parking and lunch as well as Dollywood’s more than 40 rides, shows and attractions. Tickets must be purchased in advance by calling the SGMA office at (865) 908-4040.

The SGMA is a non-profit organization that maintains the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame, the only facility honoring Southern gospel music and dedicated to the historic preservation of the genre’s accomplishments, both for the music and the people. Museum hours coincide with Dollywood’s operating schedule. Donations are tax-deductible. For more information about the museum or its inductees, visit www.sgma.org.