The Dixie Melody Boys Receive 11 Top Ten Nominations In Fan Awards

With the announcement of the 2013 Southern Gospel Music Fan Awards Top Ten nominations yesterday by the Christian Voice Magazine, the Dixie Melody Boys showed that the groups recent rise back to the top of Southern Gospel continues to find new heights. The legendary group received eleven Top Ten nominations, the most the group has ever received in one year.

In 2012, the Dixie Melody Boys received seven nominations and went on to win Favorite Male Quartet and Favorite Bass Singer. The group is again nominated for Favorite Male Quartet.

Hall Of Fame member Ed O'Neal continues to be favorite to fans after fifty years with the group and was nominated again as favorite Bass Singer as well as the Living Legend Award. Tenor Matt Felts appears for the second year in a row in the Favorite Tenor category, solidifying his place as one of Gospel's brightest young talents. The groups baritone, Steven Cooper makes his debut appearance, nominated for Favorite Baritone. Mike Rogers joined the group as their new lead singer earlier in 2012. He has made an instant impact and the fans have embraced him. Mike has been nominated for Favorite Lead Singer and Excelling Young Individual.

The group was also honored by having their recent album receive two nominations, Album Of The Year and Song Of The Year for "The Call Is Still The Same". That is the second song from the historic 50th Anniversary project to receive Song Of The Year honors, Jesus In My Boat was nominated last year. The Dixie Melody released another historic project this year, Dixie Melody Boys Reunion: 50 Years Of Influence. The DVD recorded live at the National Quartet Convention has been nominated as Video Of The Year. Last but not least, the television show "Great American Gospel" hosted by Ed O'Neal and the Dixie Melody Boys was nominated for Favorite Television Show.

"We are honored to be selected by the fans. The lists include so many incredible people that we love and admire so to be included on this list and this is a blessing. We have several big things to announce in the coming weeks and this is a great start to our new year." said Matt Felts.

The voting has started for the next phase in the voting process, fans can go to http://christianvoicemagazine.com/sgmtop10vote.html

Christian Voice Magazine Announces Top 10 Nominees for the 2013 Country Gospel Music Fan Awards and Southern Gospel Music Fan Awards

Kennedy, AL - Christian Voice Magazine presents two fan-based awards programs annually to honor artists and industry professionals in both Country Gospel and Southern Gospel genres.

In the past, fans were given the opportunity to submit open nominations and then vote from a top five finalists ballot to determine the winning recipients. This year, the voting was expanded to a three-phase process to include a ballot for the top ten nominees. Open nominations for the 2013 SGM Fan Awards and CGM Fan Awards were accepted during the month of November 2012.

With nominations in seven categories, Marty Raybon leads with the most nominations including Favorite Crossover Artist, Favorite Male Vocalist and Living Legend in the CGM Fan Awards. Solo artist Tim Livingston and Christian Country band Sunday Drive are tied with six nominations each. For his hit song, "Here's A Miracle" (written by Larry Petree), Tim Livingston garnered nominations for both Favorite Album and Favorite Song. Sunday Drive also nabbed a nomination for Favorite Album ("Top of the World") as well as Favorite Band, Favorite Musician (Dusty Treece) and Favorite Female Vocalist (Misty Treece). The Roarks follow closely with five nominations including Favorite Group, Promoter of the Year (Jetta Roark) and Living Legend (Paul Roark).

Dominating this year's SGM Fan Awards with ten nominations is none other than the legendary Dixie Melody Boys. Included among their nominations are Favorite Male Quartet, Favorite Song and Favorite Album (The Call is Still the Same), Favorite Video (Reunion: 50 Years of Influence), and Living Legend (Ed O' Neal). Greater Vision and Karen Peck & New River both have eight nominations each while The Perrys, The Collingsworth Family and newcomers Noah's Faith are tied with seven nominations each. Following closely, tied with six nominations each are The Hoppers, The Journeymen Quartet and Brothers Redeemed. Jason Crabb and David Phelps are the top two nominees in the Favorite Male Vocalist category while Canton Junction and Wilburn & Wilburn are among the top nominees for New Excelling Artist.

The third and final ballots listing the top five finalists in each category will be published in March 2013. Awards will be given as winners are announced at the 2013 CGM Fan Awards and SGM Fan Awards in Pigeon Forge, TN this spring. The CGM Fan Awards will be held April 27, 2013 during the week of CGM FanFest and the SGM Fan Awards will be held May 2, 2013 during the week of SGM FanFair. For more information about these events, visit www.cgmfanfest.com and www.sgmfanfair.com.

To access the ballots and view the complete list of top ten nominees, visit www.christianvoicemagazine.com.