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Showing posts with label SGN Scoops Digital. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SGN Scoops Digital. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
You are invited to attend:Creekside Gospel Music Convention 2014
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Jeff and Sheri Easter to Perform at 2013 Diamond Awards
Rob Patz, CEO of Coastal Media Group and publisher of SGNScoops, commented, “I've enjoyed Jeff and Sheri's ministry for many years, and Sheri's appearance at the Diamond Awards last year was a very special highlight of Creekside. I know the Award celebration is going to be another great night and I'd like to welcome all of Jeff and Sheri's fans and friends to join us next Tuesday!"
The Creekside Gospel Music Convention will be presented on October 28, 29 and 30th at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Tickets for this event are free but must be reserved at http://www.creeksidegospelmusicconvention.com/ . Special room rates are available onsite and can be reserved by phone or online. By phone, call toll free at: 1-800-223-6707 or local call 865-908-3015. For online reservations, click onto http://www.smokymountainconventioncenter.com .
For more information regarding the 2013 Creekside Gospel Music Convention, please email Rhonda at rhonda@sgnscoops.com or Rob Patz at rob@sgnscoops.com .
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
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
Sunday, July 10, 2011
SGN Scoops July 2011 Edition
The July online edition of SGN Scoops is filled with features related to the 3rd annual Branson Gospel Music Revival and much more! Check out interviews with BGMR creators Rod and Kelly Burton, Gold Harbor, and young faces of gospel music. Read about the devastating floods in Ozarks and Ms. Lou’s monthly thoughts, plus new music from beyond the Ashes and a little something about C.S. Lewis. As usual, we cover a wide variety of bases. Check it out and share with your friends!
Click here or to download.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Driven Quartet Takes Home 3 SGN Scoops Diamond Awards
CHARLOTTE, N.C. – (July 7, 2011) – Popular Southern Gospel group Driven Quartet were on hand to accept their very first Diamond Awards last week. The group was one of the evening’s big winners – taking home the first three Diamond Awards of their career.
Driven Quartet was awarded the highly coveted Album of the Year for their self-titled debut album. The group was also awarded Favorite Christian Country Group and Favorite Artist Website.
Jason Funderburk of Driven Quartet responded, “What an honor it was for us to receive these awards. We’d like to thank Rob Patz and the staff of SGN Scoops Digital for putting on a top notch awards show and the fans who took the time to vote for us! Awards have never been what this group has been about – but we are truly honored that you would validate us in such a way! Thank you!”
Driven Quartet also performed their hit single “Between the Rock and Hard Place” at the awards show and were a featured presenter.
The 2011 SGN Scoops Diamond Awards were handed out at the 3rd Annual Branson Gospel Music Revival last week at the Tri-Lakes Center in Branson, Missouri.
Driven Quartet saw a strong surge in radio support for their latest single. The song – titled “Story of My Life” – charted on various industry publications over the last couple of months. “Story of My Life” is the second single from Driven Quartet’s much-talked-about self-titled release and is the first single from the group to hit Southern Gospel radio in over a year.
This new single is the follow-up to the group’s previous hit single “Between a Rock and a Hard Place.” The song was written by John Darin Rowsey and Justin Rivers and did exceptionally well for the group. The song reached Top 20 on both the Gospel Music News Top 100 (#14) and SoGospelNews.com (now AbsolutelyGospel.com) Top 40 Weekly Chart (#12) and Top 40 on the Singing News Top 80 (#27). The song also charted exceptionally well on the SouthernGospelTimes.com Top 40 Fan Chart.
Individuals interested in booking Driven Quartet for their church or concert event can visit the Dominion Agency’s website at http://www.dominionagency.com or call (910) 484-6996.
For more information on Driven Quartet, visit their website at http://www.drivenqt.com . Fans are also encouraged to visit Driven’s MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/drivenministriesjnf .
About Driven Quartet
Based out of Charlotte, North Carolina, Driven is not new to Southern Gospel music. Collectively, this group of young men has been singing professionally for over 20 years. Their resumes include such groups as Danny Funderburk & Mercy’s Way, The Anchormen, and Lumber River. In 2006, this group of young men, through prayer, stepped out on faith and commenced their new full time career. Heeding to the call on their lives to present the Gospel through music, these four gentlemen created Driven Ministries.
Driven Quartet was awarded the highly coveted Album of the Year for their self-titled debut album. The group was also awarded Favorite Christian Country Group and Favorite Artist Website.
Jason Funderburk of Driven Quartet responded, “What an honor it was for us to receive these awards. We’d like to thank Rob Patz and the staff of SGN Scoops Digital for putting on a top notch awards show and the fans who took the time to vote for us! Awards have never been what this group has been about – but we are truly honored that you would validate us in such a way! Thank you!”
Driven Quartet also performed their hit single “Between the Rock and Hard Place” at the awards show and were a featured presenter.
The 2011 SGN Scoops Diamond Awards were handed out at the 3rd Annual Branson Gospel Music Revival last week at the Tri-Lakes Center in Branson, Missouri.
Driven Quartet saw a strong surge in radio support for their latest single. The song – titled “Story of My Life” – charted on various industry publications over the last couple of months. “Story of My Life” is the second single from Driven Quartet’s much-talked-about self-titled release and is the first single from the group to hit Southern Gospel radio in over a year.
This new single is the follow-up to the group’s previous hit single “Between a Rock and a Hard Place.” The song was written by John Darin Rowsey and Justin Rivers and did exceptionally well for the group. The song reached Top 20 on both the Gospel Music News Top 100 (#14) and SoGospelNews.com (now AbsolutelyGospel.com) Top 40 Weekly Chart (#12) and Top 40 on the Singing News Top 80 (#27). The song also charted exceptionally well on the SouthernGospelTimes.com Top 40 Fan Chart.
Individuals interested in booking Driven Quartet for their church or concert event can visit the Dominion Agency’s website at http://www.dominionagency.com or call (910) 484-6996.
For more information on Driven Quartet, visit their website at http://www.drivenqt.com . Fans are also encouraged to visit Driven’s MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/drivenministriesjnf .
About Driven Quartet
Based out of Charlotte, North Carolina, Driven is not new to Southern Gospel music. Collectively, this group of young men has been singing professionally for over 20 years. Their resumes include such groups as Danny Funderburk & Mercy’s Way, The Anchormen, and Lumber River. In 2006, this group of young men, through prayer, stepped out on faith and commenced their new full time career. Heeding to the call on their lives to present the Gospel through music, these four gentlemen created Driven Ministries.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Winners Announced for 2011 SGN Scoops Diamond Awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (July 1, 2011) – The 2011 SGN Scoops Diamond Awards were handed out last night in Branson, Missouri as a part of the 3rd Annual Branson Gospel Music Revival (formerly Convention). Eighteen awards were handed out at the awards presentation and several artists won multiple awards including the Gaither Vocal Band, Driven Quartet, Jason Crabb, and Jeff & Sheri Easter.
Rob Patz of Coastal Media Group (owners of SGN Scoops Digital and the Diamond Awards) said, “We are so excited that we have another Diamond Awards in the history books. We had a blast this year, and we know that everyone involved loved being a part of the show as well!”
This year’s event featured a myriad of performers and special guests throughout the program. The evening featured performances from industry favorites like Driven Quartet, Beyond the Ashes, Rod Burton, 2nd Generation, Ascension Quartet, Ann Downing, The Williamsons, Jay Stones Singers, and more.
This year’s Diamond Awards were hosted by award-wining songwriter Christy Sutherland and 2011 Absolutely Gospel Breakthrough Artist of the Year Beyond the Ashes.
Other artists and industry professionals made appearances such as Absolutely Gospel’s Deon Unthank, Bev McCann, Hearts of Faith, Lou Hildreth, Sunday Edition’s Chris Unthank, SGN Scoops Digital’s Kelly Burton, and more.
For more information on The SGN Scoops Diamond Awards – visit www.sgnscoops.com .
2011 SGN SCOOPS DIAMOND AWARD WINNERS:
J.D. SUMNER LIVING LEGEND AWARD: Gloria Gaither
QUARTET OF THE YEAR: Gaither Vocal Band
MIXED GROUP OF THE YEAR: Jeff & Sheri Easter
TRIO OF THE YEAR: Booth Brothers
DUET OF THE YEAR: Aaron & Amanda Crabb
FEMALE SOLOIST OF THE YEAR: Janet Paschal
MALE SOLOIST OF THE YEAR: Jason Crabb
SUNRISE AWARD: Voices of Glory
SONG OF THE YEAR: “Please Forgive Me” – Gaither Vocal Band (written by Gerald Crabb)
ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Driven Quartet – Driven Quartet
INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR: Gordon Mote
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR: Squire Parsons
CHRISTIAN COUNTRY GROUP OF THE YEAR: Driven Quartet
CHRISTIAN COUNTRY FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Sheri Easter
CHRISTIAN COUNTRY MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Guy Penrod
BLUEGRASS GOSPEL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Ricky Skaggs
VIDEO/DVD OF THE YEAR: “Somebody Like Me” – Jason Crabb
FAVORITE ARTIST WEBSITE: DrivenQt.com – Driven Quartet
FAVORITE INDUSTRY WEBSITE: SolidGospel.com
LOU HILDRETH AWARD: Rob Patz & Kelly Burton
FAVORITE BROADCAST PERSONALITY: Karen Berka, BrasonRadioLive.com
PUBLISHER’S AWARD – KWFC-FM, Springfield, Missouri
About the Diamond Awards
The Diamond Awards were transferred over to the SGN Scoops Digital several years ago after the original home for the awards, the Gospel Voice Magazine, folded. The Diamond Awards are a fan-based award that allows the fans to choose the nominees as well as the winners each year. The awards show is held during the Branson Gospel Music Convention every summer.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
SGN Scoops Digital Announces Hosts for 2011 Diamond Awards
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (June 16, 2010) – Coastal Media Group and SGN Scoops Digital, home of the Diamond Awards, are proud to announce the hosts of this year’s 2011 Diamond Awards program. This year’s awards will be hosted by multiple Diamond Award nominees Christy Sutherland and Beyond the Ashes.
Christy Sutherland is a prized songwriter and celebrated vocalist in the Southern Gospel community. Her songs have been recorded by such artists as Sandi Patty, Triumphant Quartet, Prelude, Rizen, Kim Hopper, The Greenes, and many more. Sutherland took home the award for Traditional Song of of the Year earlier this year in the Absolutely Gospel Music Awards for penning the Triumphant Quartet hit single “Somebody Died For Me.” Sutherland has been nominated for five Diamond Awards this year – including Songwriter of the Year.
Beyond the Ashes has made great strides in the industry over the last couple of years – including a recent appearance on the Grand Ole Opry as a part of CMA Music Week. Consisting of group members Anthony Facello, Casey Rivers, and Kellan Monroe, the trio recently released their debut recording for Vine Records – Treasures Unseen. The group took home the 2011 Absolutely Gospel Music Award for Breakthrough Artist of the Year and is nominated for two Diamond Awards this year – including Trio of the Year.
Christy Sutherland said, “I'm looking forward to co-hosting the Diamond Awards this year with Beyond The Ashes. I've had the chance to visit with these guys before, and we immediately hit it off. I know it's going to be a blast sharing the stage with them. What girl wouldn't want to share the stage with such talented, funny men?!”
Anthony Facello of Beyond the Ashes said, “Beyond The Ashes considers it such an honor to be asked to co-host the 2011 Diamond Awards in Branson, Missouri this year. I'm not sure if the Diamond Awards know what they are getting themselves in to. We know that this year is sure to be the best yet."
The 2011 Diamond will once again take place at the Branson Gospel Music Revival. The show will take place on Thursday, June 30, 2011 in Branson, Missouri at the Tri-Lakes Center. The awards program will precede the Thursday evening concerts and will begin at 6:00 p.m.
For more information on the Diamond Awards – visit the SGN Scoops Digital website at http://www.sgnscoops.com .
About the Diamond Awards
The Diamond Awards were transferred over to the SGN Scoops Digital several years ago after the original home for the awards, the Gospel Voice Magazine, folded. The Diamond Awards are a fan-based award that allows the fans to choose the nominees as well as the winners in each year. The awards show is based during the Branson Gospel Music Revival every July.
Monday, June 6, 2011
SGN Scoops June Edition Features Jason Funderburk and Driven
The June 2011 issue of SGN Scoops is now available for download. Go to www.sgnscoops.com or click on the cover to read your issue in user-friendly .PDF format.
Multiple Diamond Award nominees Driven talk about the road to success and the one leading them on in ministry. Charlie Waller also looks back and ahead. Ms. Lou celebrates the gospel family, Tom reflects on digital downloads, and Lorraine chronicles the Diamond Awards.
Click here or on the cover preview to download.
Monday, May 30, 2011
The Diamond Awards - Allen Smith Takes a Look Back
In 2007, Allen Smith of the SGN Scoops Magazine talked to Lorraine Walker of SGM Radio about the Diamond Awards, their history, and how they became the prestigious awards program of Southern Gospel Music. We hope you enjoy this look back!
March 2007 SGM Radio Feature: The Diamond Awards
Allen Smith: The Man Behind the Diamond Awards
By Lorraine Walker
Every year during the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, a special event occurs. In the midst of showcases, media interviews and listening parties, attendees and fans alike pause for a moment to give honour to the main influence behind Southern Gospel Music. At the Diamond Award ceremonies the Lord is honoured first, and in the middle of this afternoon of praise, those who are involved in His music are thanked for their dedication to His purpose. For the last few years, the man behind these awards has been Allen Smith.
A Pastor with over 40 years in the ministry, Rev. Allen Smith became involved in Southern Gospel music through concert promotion in the churches where he was ministering. In the mid-90’s he began to DJ in a radio station in DeSoto, Missouri. He and his church started a southern gospel magazine, which grew quickly and became the Southern Gospel News Magazine. A weekly email newsletter followed, SGN Scoops Ezine. Today the publication is known as SGN Scoops Magazine, and the daily email newsletter is SGN Scoops Today. Allen is seen as an industry innovator, a man who is finding ways to continuously promote Southern Gospel music.
Allen Smith recently talked with SGM Radio about his involvement with the prestigious Diamond Awards. “They were started about 16 years ago by the Gospel Voice Magazine”, Allen explains. “As you know, they went out of business a few years ago, and the Diamond Awards lay dormant for about two years. One day about four years ago I realized that I knew the owners of the Gospel Voice… I had been praying for some time about the possibility of our magazine having an awards program. But, I did not want to just start a new awards show that very few people knew about, and that no one would attend. Feeling the direction of the Lord in the matter, I spoke with the owner of Voice Magazine that I knew, and asked if it would be possible for us to take over the Diamond Awards. He told me he would have to talk it over with his partner, and get back to me the next month. He did get back to me, and the rest is history. They just handed the Diamond Awards over to us.”
In an industry that currently has many award ceremonies occurring throughout the year, Allen explains why the Diamonds are special. “The Diamond Awards are unique in many ways. First of all, they were resurrected from the grave, so to speak. Secondly, they are truly fan-based. The fans even select the nominees. Third, we knew that once again that we would be innovative when it came to balloting. You see we do not have a really large subscription base. So, in order to make the balloting realistic and legitimate, we made the decision to let every Southern Gospel fan vote if they wanted to. So, in addition to a printed ballot, we also made an electronic ballot available on the internet. We were the first to do this, and it has worked quite well for us.”
Allen explains that safeguards are put in place to prevent people from voting more than once, to retain the integrity of the awards. The Diamond Award ballots can be accessed online and submitted in two different ways. Artists can print off the hardcopy ballots found at www.sgnscoops.com and have them available for fans at their product tables. Fans can also vote online at www.diamondawardsonline.com.
Electronic access to voting is not the latest innovation to the Diamond Awards. Allen explains, “We introduced a category a few years ago called the Favorite Artist/Industry Website Award. This past year, we split it into two different awards. We now have the Favorite Artist Website Award and the Favorite Industry Website Award. It is interesting to note that this past year, the Singing News Fan Awards has also introduced a website award. That is not all, for we introduced a duet award four years ago. The 2007 Singing News Fan Awards will has a duet award for the first time in their history.”
There is always a lot of discussion and rumour among fans and artists about alterations in the long-running Singing News Fan Awards. Allen comments, “Many people in the industry are now talking about the changes that are being made in the Singing News Fan Awards this year. It is being said that they are dropping several of their categories. I want to make this clear, that as far as I know, they have not yet officially announced these changes. But if this information is correct, then The SGN SCOOPS DIAMOND AWARDS will still have the categories, and will still be recognizing those artists that the Fan Awards will no longer be recognizing.”
Through their commitment to recognizing the work accomplished by Southern Gospel artists and industry personnel, the Diamond Awards encompass regional groups as well as those that are nationally known. Regional groups do appear on the nominating ballets, and occasionally receive enough votes to win the award.
“We also have regional groups performing during the Diamond Awards”, says Allen. “This gives them a platform to be seen and heard by not only fans, but also top industry personnel. We receive reports from these regional groups that we spotlight each year. Some have had promoters see them who then have provided many new dates for them. Some have been seen by major record companies and received contracts. Some have been nominated for Singing News Fan Awards, and they have told us that it is because of the exposure they received at The Diamond Awards.”
The Diamond Awards are seen as a true reflection of the fan’s favourites in Southern Gospel. Allen commented on the ratio of fan vs. industry respondents. “ It is very hard to determine. Of course, there are many more fans that vote than those in the industry. However, you would probably be surprised by the industry names that appear on our ballot registrations. There are a lot of industry people who do vote. The Diamond Awards have become very prestigious, and almost everyone wants to be involved in some way or another.”
“As far as how this compares with other awards in Southern Gospel, I am not sure”, Allen continues. “What is being said is that The Diamond Awards are at the very least the second largest and second best award program in the industry. I am very humbled by this, and I want to state for the record that I want to make sure that God gets all the glory for this, if it is correct.”
The ultimate mission of the Diamonds is to lift up the Lord, the Source of the Gospel the music promotes. Allen comments, “We never want to have just an awards program. We want God to feel welcome.In other words, in addition to handing out awards, we also have church. This is our mission, to allow the Holy Ghost to change lives during The Diamond Awards.”
“The vision of The Diamond Awards, is to continue to grow”, states Allen. “This year the room we will be in will be twice the size of former years. That is just part of the vision. We desire to continue to recognize people for the work they do. We desire to provide a platform for regional groups. But most of all, we desire to reach hearts with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is first and foremost. I am a pastor, and I have a pastor’s heart. We want to do all we can to help the industry, but the greatest way we can help the industry is to allow God to be real in all that we do.”
This Pastor with a heart for the lost recognizes the need reach out to others both in the pew and outside of church. Beginning to preach at age 15, with experience on the mission field and in prisons, he has been pastoring his current church for 25 years. Southern Gospel has always been a major part of his life.
“I can remember the first Southern Gospel group I ever heard. It was a regional group, not a national group. I do not remember the name of the group, but I was blessed by the tenor they had. His name was Junior South. I was probably about 13 or 14 years old”, Allen recalls.
“Down through the years, I have been blessed by many groups. Groups like The McKameys, The Bishops, The Kingsmen, Tony Gore & Majesty, The Perrys, and the list actually goes on and on”, Allen explains. “Just a few years ago, I was especially blessed by a song The McKameys sang. It was written by a friend of mine, Barbara Huffman. Barbara is a writer for the Singing News, as well as a songwriter. At this point in time, I cannot even remember the name of the song, but it really blessed me and I knew I had to learn it.”
Allen continues, “I learned it and sang it at our church about three times. The burden I had for that song then lifted. A few days later, I found out that one of the young ladies in our church was going through something in her life that was really hard. When she heard me sing that song, the Spirit of God lifted her up and set her free from what she was going through. I believe that is what Southern Gospel music is all about.”
“Southern Gospel has changed a lot in the last few years,” says Allen. “I believe it has become more industry, and less ministry. I believe this is very sad. Do not get me wrong; I am not opposed to business. In fact, a ministry that is not run as a business will die. But, on the other hand a ministry whose focus becomes business and not ministry, is dead to begin with.”
Allen believes that the industry does not have to keep going in that direction. “As far as a positive change, I believe we need to get back to the roots of Southern Gospel. What are those roots? True Southern Gospel music and words, and allowing the Spirit of God to have His way in the hearts and lives of everyone, fans and industry personnel.”
This gentleman who loves Southern Gospel music and whose innovative direction has lead the Diamond Awards to their current prestigious status, is still a Pastor whose main goal is to reach the lost. This is emphasized when he shares what the Lord has been speaking to him about lately: “Being all I can be for Him. Doing all I can to reach souls for Him.”
“If you look in Southern Gospel News Magazine on page 4 every month, you will find the Plan of Salvation. We call it The Priceless Corner. If you go to our website (www.sgnscoops.com), you will also find The Priceless Corner.” And that gift of salvation, truly priceless, is worth more than any award.
SGN Scoops circa 2005: The magazine, the awards, and the look of Southern Gospel five years ago.
March 2007 SGM Radio Feature: The Diamond Awards
Allen Smith: The Man Behind the Diamond Awards
By Lorraine Walker
Every year during the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky, a special event occurs. In the midst of showcases, media interviews and listening parties, attendees and fans alike pause for a moment to give honour to the main influence behind Southern Gospel Music. At the Diamond Award ceremonies the Lord is honoured first, and in the middle of this afternoon of praise, those who are involved in His music are thanked for their dedication to His purpose. For the last few years, the man behind these awards has been Allen Smith.
A Pastor with over 40 years in the ministry, Rev. Allen Smith became involved in Southern Gospel music through concert promotion in the churches where he was ministering. In the mid-90’s he began to DJ in a radio station in DeSoto, Missouri. He and his church started a southern gospel magazine, which grew quickly and became the Southern Gospel News Magazine. A weekly email newsletter followed, SGN Scoops Ezine. Today the publication is known as SGN Scoops Magazine, and the daily email newsletter is SGN Scoops Today. Allen is seen as an industry innovator, a man who is finding ways to continuously promote Southern Gospel music.
Allen Smith recently talked with SGM Radio about his involvement with the prestigious Diamond Awards. “They were started about 16 years ago by the Gospel Voice Magazine”, Allen explains. “As you know, they went out of business a few years ago, and the Diamond Awards lay dormant for about two years. One day about four years ago I realized that I knew the owners of the Gospel Voice… I had been praying for some time about the possibility of our magazine having an awards program. But, I did not want to just start a new awards show that very few people knew about, and that no one would attend. Feeling the direction of the Lord in the matter, I spoke with the owner of Voice Magazine that I knew, and asked if it would be possible for us to take over the Diamond Awards. He told me he would have to talk it over with his partner, and get back to me the next month. He did get back to me, and the rest is history. They just handed the Diamond Awards over to us.”
In an industry that currently has many award ceremonies occurring throughout the year, Allen explains why the Diamonds are special. “The Diamond Awards are unique in many ways. First of all, they were resurrected from the grave, so to speak. Secondly, they are truly fan-based. The fans even select the nominees. Third, we knew that once again that we would be innovative when it came to balloting. You see we do not have a really large subscription base. So, in order to make the balloting realistic and legitimate, we made the decision to let every Southern Gospel fan vote if they wanted to. So, in addition to a printed ballot, we also made an electronic ballot available on the internet. We were the first to do this, and it has worked quite well for us.”
Allen explains that safeguards are put in place to prevent people from voting more than once, to retain the integrity of the awards. The Diamond Award ballots can be accessed online and submitted in two different ways. Artists can print off the hardcopy ballots found at www.sgnscoops.com and have them available for fans at their product tables. Fans can also vote online at www.diamondawardsonline.com.
Electronic access to voting is not the latest innovation to the Diamond Awards. Allen explains, “We introduced a category a few years ago called the Favorite Artist/Industry Website Award. This past year, we split it into two different awards. We now have the Favorite Artist Website Award and the Favorite Industry Website Award. It is interesting to note that this past year, the Singing News Fan Awards has also introduced a website award. That is not all, for we introduced a duet award four years ago. The 2007 Singing News Fan Awards will has a duet award for the first time in their history.”
There is always a lot of discussion and rumour among fans and artists about alterations in the long-running Singing News Fan Awards. Allen comments, “Many people in the industry are now talking about the changes that are being made in the Singing News Fan Awards this year. It is being said that they are dropping several of their categories. I want to make this clear, that as far as I know, they have not yet officially announced these changes. But if this information is correct, then The SGN SCOOPS DIAMOND AWARDS will still have the categories, and will still be recognizing those artists that the Fan Awards will no longer be recognizing.”
Through their commitment to recognizing the work accomplished by Southern Gospel artists and industry personnel, the Diamond Awards encompass regional groups as well as those that are nationally known. Regional groups do appear on the nominating ballets, and occasionally receive enough votes to win the award.
“We also have regional groups performing during the Diamond Awards”, says Allen. “This gives them a platform to be seen and heard by not only fans, but also top industry personnel. We receive reports from these regional groups that we spotlight each year. Some have had promoters see them who then have provided many new dates for them. Some have been seen by major record companies and received contracts. Some have been nominated for Singing News Fan Awards, and they have told us that it is because of the exposure they received at The Diamond Awards.”
The Diamond Awards are seen as a true reflection of the fan’s favourites in Southern Gospel. Allen commented on the ratio of fan vs. industry respondents. “ It is very hard to determine. Of course, there are many more fans that vote than those in the industry. However, you would probably be surprised by the industry names that appear on our ballot registrations. There are a lot of industry people who do vote. The Diamond Awards have become very prestigious, and almost everyone wants to be involved in some way or another.”
“As far as how this compares with other awards in Southern Gospel, I am not sure”, Allen continues. “What is being said is that The Diamond Awards are at the very least the second largest and second best award program in the industry. I am very humbled by this, and I want to state for the record that I want to make sure that God gets all the glory for this, if it is correct.”
The ultimate mission of the Diamonds is to lift up the Lord, the Source of the Gospel the music promotes. Allen comments, “We never want to have just an awards program. We want God to feel welcome.In other words, in addition to handing out awards, we also have church. This is our mission, to allow the Holy Ghost to change lives during The Diamond Awards.”
“The vision of The Diamond Awards, is to continue to grow”, states Allen. “This year the room we will be in will be twice the size of former years. That is just part of the vision. We desire to continue to recognize people for the work they do. We desire to provide a platform for regional groups. But most of all, we desire to reach hearts with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That is first and foremost. I am a pastor, and I have a pastor’s heart. We want to do all we can to help the industry, but the greatest way we can help the industry is to allow God to be real in all that we do.”
This Pastor with a heart for the lost recognizes the need reach out to others both in the pew and outside of church. Beginning to preach at age 15, with experience on the mission field and in prisons, he has been pastoring his current church for 25 years. Southern Gospel has always been a major part of his life.
“I can remember the first Southern Gospel group I ever heard. It was a regional group, not a national group. I do not remember the name of the group, but I was blessed by the tenor they had. His name was Junior South. I was probably about 13 or 14 years old”, Allen recalls.
“Down through the years, I have been blessed by many groups. Groups like The McKameys, The Bishops, The Kingsmen, Tony Gore & Majesty, The Perrys, and the list actually goes on and on”, Allen explains. “Just a few years ago, I was especially blessed by a song The McKameys sang. It was written by a friend of mine, Barbara Huffman. Barbara is a writer for the Singing News, as well as a songwriter. At this point in time, I cannot even remember the name of the song, but it really blessed me and I knew I had to learn it.”
Allen continues, “I learned it and sang it at our church about three times. The burden I had for that song then lifted. A few days later, I found out that one of the young ladies in our church was going through something in her life that was really hard. When she heard me sing that song, the Spirit of God lifted her up and set her free from what she was going through. I believe that is what Southern Gospel music is all about.”
“Southern Gospel has changed a lot in the last few years,” says Allen. “I believe it has become more industry, and less ministry. I believe this is very sad. Do not get me wrong; I am not opposed to business. In fact, a ministry that is not run as a business will die. But, on the other hand a ministry whose focus becomes business and not ministry, is dead to begin with.”
Allen believes that the industry does not have to keep going in that direction. “As far as a positive change, I believe we need to get back to the roots of Southern Gospel. What are those roots? True Southern Gospel music and words, and allowing the Spirit of God to have His way in the hearts and lives of everyone, fans and industry personnel.”
This gentleman who loves Southern Gospel music and whose innovative direction has lead the Diamond Awards to their current prestigious status, is still a Pastor whose main goal is to reach the lost. This is emphasized when he shares what the Lord has been speaking to him about lately: “Being all I can be for Him. Doing all I can to reach souls for Him.”
“If you look in Southern Gospel News Magazine on page 4 every month, you will find the Plan of Salvation. We call it The Priceless Corner. If you go to our website (www.sgnscoops.com), you will also find The Priceless Corner.” And that gift of salvation, truly priceless, is worth more than any award.
SGN Scoops circa 2005: The magazine, the awards, and the look of Southern Gospel five years ago.
Monday, May 23, 2011
2011 Diamond Awards To Be Presented June 30, 2011
Branson, Missouri - Voting is now closed for the final ballot of the prestigious Diamond Awards, which will be presented next month in Branson, Missouri. The top five nominees for each award can be found in the latest edition of SGN Scoops Digital Magazine which can be found here.
The 2011 Diamond Awards will once again be held at the Branson Gospel Music Revival. The presentation will occur on Thursday, June 30, 2011 in Branson, Missouri at the Tri-Lakes Center. The awards program will precede the Thursday evening concerts and will begin at 6:00 p.m.
Hosts and performers for the 2010 Diamond Awards will be announced at a later date.
For more information on the Diamond Awards – visit the SGN Scoops Digital website at http://www.sgnscoops.com .
For more information on the Branson Gospel Music Revival, click here.
May SGN Scoops now online!
The May 2011 issue of SGN Scoops is now available for download. Click here to read your issue in user-friendly .PDF format.
Living Legend Ed O’Neal talks to us about his 50 years in gospel music. We also speak to Marty Funderburk, hear new music from groups like The Singing Cookes, and our columnists take looks at music piracy, Mother’s Day, and a regional artist we all should know.
Click here to download.
Monday, May 16, 2011
Diamond Award Nominees: Last Week To Vote
Diamond Award Voting Ends May 20th:VOTE TODAY
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (May 9, 2010) – Coastal Media Group and SGN Scoops Digital, home of the Diamond Awards, are proud to announce the final nominees for the 2011 Diamond Awards program. The Top 5 nominees were chosen from the second round voting and Top 10 ballot. The winners will be chosen from this list of Top 5 nominees. To VOTE, click here.
The online ballot is designed for fans to vote for their favorite artists and individuals for each award. Fans and industry supporters are encouraged to visit the SGN Scoops Digital website to place their votes. The Diamond Awards home on the web is located at http://www.sgnscoops.com.
Rob Patz of Coastal Media Group said, “The fans did a great job this year picking the Top 5 nominees! We are so excited about this year’s awards program, and we can’t wait to see how the voting goes for this year’s winners!”
The 2011 Diamond will once again take place at the Branson Gospel Music Revival. The show will take place on Thursday, June 30, 2011 in Branson, Missouri at the Tri-Lakes Center. The awards program will precede the Thursday evening concerts and will begin at 6:00 p.m.
Hosts and performers for the 2010 Diamond Awards will be announced at a later date.
For more information on the Diamond Awards – visit the SGN Scoops Digital website at http://www.sgnscoops.com .
About the Diamond Awards
The Diamond Awards were transferred over to the SGN Scoops Digital several years ago after the original home for the awards, the Gospel Voice Magazine, folded. The Diamond Awards are a fan-based award that allows the fans to choose the nominees as well as the winners in each year. The awards show is based during the Branson Gospel Music Revival every July.
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
May SGN Scoops now online!
The May 2011 issue of SGN Scoops is now available for download. Click here to read your issue in user-friendly .PDF format.
Th2 2011 Diamond Awards final ballot is announced and you can make your voice heard by voting in the final round, right here.
Living Legend Ed O’Neal talks to us about his 50 years in gospel music. We also speak to Marty Funderburk, hear new music from groups like The Singing Cookes, and our columnists take looks at music piracy, Mother’s Day, and a regional artist we all should know.
Click here to download.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Trevecca Nazarene University Hosts First “Diamond Awards On Tour” Concert
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (April 22, 2011) – Trevecca Nazarene University hosted the first date on the “Diamond Awards On Tour” concert series last week. The show was held last Thursday, April 14, 2011 in the Convocation Center in the new Boone Business Center.
The “Diamond Awards On Tour” show was put on by Coastal Media Group and SGN Scoops Digital in an effort to bring awareness to the Diamond Awards program and attract new readers to the already popular digital magazine. In addition, the evening was streamed live on the internet for people all across the country to enjoy.
The evening was hosted by Coastal Media Group’s Rob Patz and Matthew Dudney and featured show-stopping performances from HisSong, Beyond the Ashes, Christy Sutherland, and Wilburn & Wilburn.
Christy Sutherland said, “I had a great time performing at the ‘Diamond Awards on Tour’ concert last week with Beyond The Ashes, HisSong and Wilburn and Wilburn. I look forward to sharing the stage with these talented artists again in the future.”
"What an honor it was to be a part of the ‘Diamond Awards On Tour’,” mentioned Beyond the Ashes’ Anthony Facello. “We appreciate what SGN Scoops Digital is doing to expand the industry. We cannot wait to do this again in the coming future."
Coastal Media Group’s Rob Patz said, “We had such an incredible evening last Thursday! Each artist gave their all, and we are so excited to go to our next stop on the ‘Diamond Awards On Tour’!”
The Evie Hawkins Agency is the corporate sponsor for the "Diamond Awards On Tour" concert series.
This year’s Diamond Awards program will take place on Thursday, June 30, 2011 as a part of the 3rd Annual Branson Gospel Music Revival in Branson, Missouri.
The Diamond Awards are currently accepting nominations for the Top 10 Ballot in this year’s program. To find out how you can nominate your favorite artists, visit http://www.sgnscoops.com for more information.
Hosts, performers and sponsors for the 2011 Diamond Awards will be announced at a later date.
About the Diamond Awards
The Diamond Awards were transferred over to the SGN Scoops Digital several years ago after the original home for the awards, the Gospel Voice Magazine, folded. The Diamond Awards are a fan-based award that allows the fans to choose the nominees as well as the winners in each year. The awards show is based during the Branson Gospel Music Convention every July.
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