Special Announcement from Les Butler

Nashville, TN . The September issue of Singing News Magazine included a brief announcement regarding former Singing News Publisher, Les Butler, and his future in Southern Gospel Music.
Butler stated, “In December 2013, I resigned my position as Publisher of Singing News Magazine. I continued working with the Southern Gospel Division of Salem Communications, which includes Singing News Magazine, Homecoming Magazine, and the Solid Gospel Radio Network.
A few weeks ago I met with GM Mike Miller regarding my future. I shared with him my desire to concentrate on my personal preaching and singing ministry, as well as my desire to pursue other opportunities within the Southern Gospel Music industry. Mike and I agreed to continue our relationship in three areas. I will continue to host my weekend radio shows on the Solid Gospel Radio Network, contribute monthly editorials in the Singing News Magazine, and manage our wonderful relationship with the fine folks at Dollywood.
In the past year, God has opened doors for personal ministry by way of preaching and singing at various revivals and camp meetings across America.
Effective immediately, I am also bringing Butler Music Group (BMG) and Family Music Group (FMG) out of hibernation. BMG will be engaged in the business of artist management and consultation. FMG will be involved in music production, publishing, radio promotion, and more.”
Butler will also continue to host Harmony Road, a Southern Gospel TV show broadcast on multiple TV networks.
Websites are currently being built. Meanwhile, feel free to call Butler at 615-218-0517, or email him at les@butlermusicgroup.com. Stay tuned for more exciting news!

Tim Livingston Excited About Brand New Single

Nashville, TN (July 1, 2013) Multi-talented Tim Livingston has been in the Singing News magazine’s Top 80 chart with his first three singles for 8 out of the last 12 months combined since debuting last September. "Grow Through This Valley" is #45 for June in Singing News.
Tim is excited about his brand new single "He Gave All He Had", a song that Tim co-wrote with Ron Short. "He Gave All He Had", which debuted at #62 for August in the Singing News magazine chart, is the third single off of his 'Here's A Miracle' CD. Tim was inspired to write this song about his father, Norman Livingston. Norm was a gospel promoter for 50 years, but also founded and pastored from 1958-2011 the same church Tim now pastors.
Tim states, "It's a song from any son to his Dad. Greater still is our Heavenly Father that really did give all that He had when He gave us Jesus."

It's been an exciting year for Tim Livingston as he has received a Top 10 nomination for Top NEW SOLOIST in the 2013 Singing News Fan Awards.
Tim recently received 8 Top Five nominations in the Christian Voice Magazine’s Christian Country and Southern Gospel categories for 2013 as well.
He received the Male Horizon of the Year Award for CGM FanFest and Songwriter of the Year at the 2012 ICGMA.

Tim Livingston is also the President of WGNZ Radio and the L & D Digital Media Network in Dayton, Ohio.
You can learn more about Tim at www.TimLivingstonMusic.com .

He can be reached by E-mail at timlivingston@good-news.org .

The video for his new hit song “He Gave All He Had” can be seen at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cN85zBq8HFQ . The video was produced by Godsey and Associates.


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About Godsey and Associates
In the last quarter of 2011, Scott Godsey started a team making music videos for Christian artists. That soon developed into not only working inside the Christian music business, but going outside of the Christian music world. Soon after, the company expanded into other genres. G&A started working with churches, authors, and organizations. The Godsey & Associate formula works with any company that wants to focus on brand building and getting in front of an audience.

MARKSMEN QUARTET Gearing Up for New Album Release THIS IS MY CROWD releasing July 31, 2012

Nashville, TN (July 18, 2012) — Rural Rhythm Christian is proud to announce the upcoming July 31, 2012 new album release, THIS IS MY CROWD by the multi-award winning group, the MARKSMEN QUARTET.

“In their decades of recording, I must say this new release tops them all. Amazing,” said Les Butler, Syndicated Radio Show Host, Front Porch Fellowship and Singing News Magazine.

There are numerous highlighted tracks on the album including the first gospel single, “Don’t Take Your Life (Take Mine)” that has already been released to Gospel radio, plus the first Bluegrass single, “Stack Them Stones” releasing to Bluegrass and Bluegrass Gospel radio programmers today.

THIS IS MY CROWD is a diverse collection of songs designed to reach as many people with the gospel message as possible including Bluegrass Gospel, Country Inspirational, Old-Time Southern Gospel, with a touch of Convention Singing and even some Blues. Band member, Mark Wheeler explained, “THIS IS MY CROWD contains some of the best songs we have ever recorded.”

The album was produced by Earle Wheeler and Mark Wheeler and mastered by Steve Gulley. THIS IS MY CROWD contains some special guests including Les Butler, Bryan McDowell and Jon Edmisten who have assisted the MARKSMEN QUARTET in creating a fresh new album of 14 songs that will delight their fans and surely make many new ones.

Heavens Highway Continues Winning Streak at Radio with New Single

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (June 23, 2011) – Powerful Country/Southern Gospel group Heavens Highway continues their winning streak at radio this month. The group’s new single, “God Has a Champion,” has become their lastest to be one of the most added songs at Southern Gospel radio.

“God Has a Champion” ranked #7 on the upcoming September 2011 edition of the Singing News Magazine’s Top 10 New Releases Chart. That particular chart highlights the biggest new singles to hit Southern Gospel radio during the reporting period.

“We are so excited to see that radio has gotten behind this song,” mentioned Heavens Highway’s David Timms. “Southern Gospel radio has been so kind to us, and we are so grateful for the response we have seen all over the country at radio.”

“God Has a Champion” is the debut single from the group’s much-anticipated Homeland Entertainment debut album – Revived. The single was written by Dove Award-winning songwriter Gerald Crabb.

The group’s four previous singles have also had strong runs at Southern Gospel radio. “Longing to Go” broke the Top 40 on both the Singing News Magazine Top 80 and AbsolutelyGospel.com Top 40 Chart. “When God Makes a Promise,” “Set Me Free From Me,” and “Back On Top Again” were all regular charting singles on the AbsolutelyGospel.com Top 40 Weekly Chart.

Heavens Highway’s debut for Homeland Entertainment will be released in the coming weeks.

For more information on Heavens Highway, visit their website at http://www.heavenshighwaymusic.com . You can also visit the band on MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/heavenshighwaygospel .

About Heavens Highway
Heavens Highway is one of the most powerful Country/Southern Gospel Groups in North Mississippi. Heavens Highway ministers to literally thousands each year in churches and benefits. For over seven years, their primary goal is to see lost souls saved and the lonely, hungry and misguided people of this world find peace in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Eighth Day Lands First #1 on Singing News Top 80

SPARTANBURG, S.C. – (August 1, 2011) – Popular Southern Gospel trio Eighth Day earned a career high this week as news hit of the group’s latest single reaching the #1 position on the Singing News Top 80 chart – the industry’s most watched and respected radio report.

The song, “May I Never Get Over the Cross,” will reach the #1 position on the upcoming September 2011 issue of the chart.

“This is a total God-thing,” mentioned Eighth Day’s Scott Robinson. “We are in awe of the response that this song has received since we released it to radio. The truth of the lyrics has been resonating with people all over the world. We are so grateful that God put this song in our hands. We are moved by the song, and we are so excited to hear that so many other people have been moved by the song as well.”

This ministry-oriented single has been making waves at radio since it’s release several months ago. In addition to cracking the top 5 on the Singing News Top 80, earned a career first last month as the smash-hit single reached the #1 spot on the AbsolutelyGospel.com Top 40 Weekly Chart – the Southern Gospel industry’s most watched weekly radio report. The song went #1 for the week of May 2, 2011 and continued to hold the #1 spot for three more weeks. The four week run at #1 has been bested by only one other song this year (The Dunaways’ “When There’s No Hope, There Is Grace”) and remains Eighth Day’s most successful song to date.

“May I Never Get Over the Cross” was released to radio earlier this year through Spin-N-Motion Promotions. It is the group’s fifth single from their SGN Music Award nominated project Everything Holy. All five singles from that album have reached the Top 40 on both the Singing News Top 80 and AbsolutelyGospel.com Top 40 Weekly Chart. The song was penned by Robert Arthur and Monty Lane Allen.

Eighth Day was recently honored with news that they were named as one of the 20 most played artists of 2010. According to AbsolutelyGospel.com (formerly SoGospelNews.com), Eighth Day ranked #14 on the Top 20 Most Played Artists of 2010 list – in between mainstays and hit makers The Isaacs and The Bowling Family. The list was compiled by the AbsolutelyGospel.com Top 40 Weekly Chart year-end figures.

More information on Eighth Day can be found at http://www.eighthdaymusic.com.

About Eighth Day
Eighth Day is a popular trio based out of Spartanburg, South Carolina. The group has quickly established itself as one of the top new talents in Gospel music today. Their fresh and progressive sound has been described as a little bit country, a touch of bluegrass, and a whole lot of Gospel!

THE DIPLOMATS REACH A BOOKING AGREEMENT WITH THE BECKIE SIMMONS AGENCY

THE DIPLOMATS REACH A BOOKING AGREEMENT WITH THE BECKIE SIMMONS AGENCY


The Diplomats are pleased to announce they have reached a scheduling agreement with The BSA/Beckie Simmons Agency. Though not a new group by any means, The Diplomats, have enjoyed their greatest success during the last five years. They have been selected by Singing Magazine subscribers as a Top Ten "Favorite Mixed Group" for the past three consecutive years!

The Diplomats travel with a complete "live band" and convey a energetic, driving musical style. The Carrollton, Georgia Family group is fast becoming a favorite at concerts nationwide. Beckie Simmons adds
"It is my experience that audiences love a family group that have all the components for the stage: family members, live band members and a crowd pleasing sound filled with excitement! The Diplomats have all this and more! We are looking forward to seeing what the future holds for this group!"

For booking information call BSA/Beckie Simmons Agency 615-595-7500 or visit www.bsaworld.com.