Sisters, Tribute Quartet, and Three Bridges Complete List of Performers for 2012 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – (March 12, 2012) – The administrators and staff of AbsolutelyGospel.com (formerly SoGospelNews.com) are proud to announce the final list of performers for the 2012 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards.

Sisters, Tribute Quartet, and Three Bridges were recently added to the already strong life of performers for the upcoming event. It was announced last this that this year’s performers also included The Isaacs, Karen Peck & New River, Gold City, The Perrys, The Bowling Family, Wilburn & Wilburn, Beyond the Ashes, Southern Sound, and Mark209. In addition, Jeff & Sheri Easter are spearheading a multi-artist tribute to a legend in the Gospel music industry (like the 2010 tribute to The Singing Cookes).

Karen Peck Gooch will also be performing “Mighty High” from the Joyful Noise soundtrack with an all-star choir made up of multiple nominees in this year’s Absolutely Gospel Music Awards.

The hosts for this year’s Awards Celebration of two of the industry’s most respected female voices and personalities. This year’s hosts are Karen Peck Gooch (Karen Peck & New River) and Sonya Isaacs Yeary (The Isaacs).

More information on the 2012 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Celebration will be forthcoming, including live streaming information and sponsors. The date for this year’s Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Celebration is Tuesday, April 10, 2012. The event will again take place at the River of Life Church in Smyrna, Tennessee and is free to the public. The event is scheduled to be streamed live on the internet this year.

The awards program sees two records broken this year. The Isaacs broke the record for the most nominations by an artist in a single year – this year earning 12 nominations. In addition, producer/songwriter/Ernie Haase & Signature Sound pianist Wayne Haun earned a staggering 15 nominations – also breaking a record for the most nominations in a single year by an individual.

In addition, for the first time in the 10 years of the Absolutely Gospel Music Awards – a song that wasn’t released to radio (also known as an album cut) earned a nomination for Song of the Year – the Booth Brothers’ critically acclaimed song “What About Now.” In addition, last year’s Songwriter of the Year (Professional) winner Kenna West earned a nomination for the 2012 Pacesetter Award – the first time a professional songwriter has earned a nomination in that specific category.

Social networking paid off in a big way for artists in the Fan Favorite Artist of the Year category – the only category chosen strictly by the fans and readers of AbsolutelyGospel.com. Surprise nominations from acts like Sharron Kay King, The Ladd Family, and Mark209 saw a huge surge of votes due to their support from fans on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.

About AbsolutelyGospel.com
AbsolutelyGospel.com (formerly SoGospelNews.com) has grown from relative obscurity to the industry's leading internet publication for Southern Gospel news and information in only a few short years. The site includes a wide variety of features, consisting of artist interviews, a weekly chart, late-breaking news, and much more.

Vanessa Feltner Reaches Publicity Agreement with Southern Spin Entertainment

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – (December 8, 2010) – Rising soloist and international recording artist Vanessa Feltner has signed an exclusive publicity agreement with Southern Spin Entertainment. Through this agreement, Vanessa will have unlimited access to all media outlets serviced by Southern Spin Entertainment, as well as potential marketing and media campaigns through the organization.

Vanessa Feltner was raised singing Gospel music by her father – respected songwriter Charles Feltner (“I’ll See You In the Rapture”). She sang with her father for years until she was contracted to sing in four-star hotels throughout Asia, Europe, and the Middle East in 1994. She was privileged to sing for the President and Vice President of Indonesia twice and was hired by their country to compose songs for social campaigns and performed those songs at a concert for the political and government workers there. Vanessa is currently contracted in South Korea and will be returning to the States early next year.

Vanessa just released her fourth single to Southern Gospel radio, “You Are Holy,” through the Rick Hendrix Company. Her previous single, “God Will Provide,” became her first charting song on the Singing News Top 80 chart.

“Vanessa is an artist that came highly recommended to us by other artists. She’s got a great talent and is a respected recording artist all around the world,” mentioned Chris D. Unthank, President of SSE Group, Inc. “We can’t wait to really introduce her to the Gospel music fans here in the States. We know that people are going to fall in love with Vanessa just like we did!”

Southern Spin Entertainment is one of three divisions of the 501c non-profit organization SSE Group, Inc. The company is operated by siblings Amy Marie Unthank and Chris D. Unthank. The company currently represents artists, companies, and organizations in all genres of Gospel music – including the Dove Brothers, The Freemans, AbsolutelyGospel.com (formerly SoGospelNews.com), HisSong, Freedom, Misty Freeman, Driven Quartet, the Diamond Awards, Branson Gospel Music Convention, Eighth Day, David Hill Trio, Sharron Kay King, Heavens Highway, 2nd Generation, Brothers Forever, Shine On Trio, Men of Music, The Quicks, Rod Burton, and many more.

Until Vanessa’s new site is up and running, you can find out more information on her and her ministry by visiting her MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/vanessafeltnermusic or Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/vanessafeltner .

David Hill Trio's "Good Good News" Hits Radio!

RIDGEVILLE, S.C. – (December 8, 2010) – Gospel music group the David Hill Trio just released their first single to radio in over year. The new single and debut from the David Hill Trio’s latest recording hit radio programmers’ desks last month.

The brand new single, titled “Good, Good News,” was sent to Southern Gospel radio last month through Resting Place Music. It can be found on Resting Place Music, Volume 10 compilation, cut #9.

“We are so excited to finally have some new music for radio to get behind,” mentioned David Hill. “This is such a fun song to sing, and we really do believe in the message of the song. We hope that radio loves this song as much as we do!”

“Good, Good News” was written by Jason Clark (The Nelons) and is the debut single from the David Hill Trio’s much anticipated new release – Things We Believe.

The new single has already started charting on the popular SouthernGospelTimes.com Top 40 Fan Chart – showing strong and early fan support.

The David Hill Trio just released their latest recording – Things We Believe – on Gospel Heritage Records. More information on the new album release will be announced soon.

For more information on the David Hill Trio, visit their website at http://www.thedavidhilltrio.com .

About the David Hill Trio
David Hill is no stranger to Gospel music. This former pastor has been a part of such notable groups as Gold City, The Nelons, and The Perrys before branching out and forming the David Hill Trio. He is joined by his wife Amanda Hill and family friend Stephanie Lindsey in the trio. Strong vocals, tight harmonies, and songs with substance are things that the David Hill Trio possess. Take those qualities and combine them with compassion, conviction, a love to worship, and a passion to minister, and you will understand why it has been said that the David Hill Trio is “from the local church, for the local church”.

2nd Generation Renews Publicity Contract with Southern Spin Entertainment

OAK GROVE, Ark. – (December 8, 2010) – Diamond Award winning trio 2nd Generation has just renewed their contract with Southern Spin Entertainment. The popular group has signed on for another year of exclusive publicity from Southern Spin Entertainment. 2nd Generation will continue to have access to all media publications serviced by Southern Spin Entertainment, as well as marketing possibilities with the organization.

Brenda Denney of 2nd Generation said, “We’ve been with SSE for a few years now, and there are few people in this industry that work as hard for us as they do! They truly are partners with us in our ministry. They want to see us succeed, and we are so thankful for their support, guidance, and friendship.”

“2nd Generation is a group that has it going on,” mentioned Chris D. Unthank, President of SSE Group, Inc. “Elaine, Brendy, and Rocky are great ministers, and we are so excited to see the growth in their ministry over the last few years. This next year is going to be a great year for them!”

2nd Generation’s latest single debuted on the AbsolutelyGospel.com (formerly SoGospelNews.com) Top 40 Weekly Chart a couple months ago and has already made it to the Top 20 on the chart – peaking at #12. The song, “I’ll Not Fear the Crossing,” has also been a fan favorite, consistently charting on the SouthernGospelTimes.com Top 40 Fan Chart – coming in at #5 this week.

Fans are encouraged to be listening for 2nd Generation’s new single, “I’ll Not Fear the Crossing,” at Southern Gospel radio.

For more information on 2nd Generation – visit http://www.2ndgenerationministries.com.

You can also find out more information about the group on their MySpace at http://www.myspace.com/2generation. The group’s ShoutLife can be found at http://www.shoutlife.com/2ndgeneration.

About 2nd Generation
2nd Generation is based out of the Oak Grove, Arkansas. 2nd Generation has appeared at churches, state fairs, Singing in the Sun, Trinity Broadcasting Network, the Jim Bakker Show, Branson Gospel Music Convention, and many other events. The group’s current project, their sophomore album I See a City, has spawned off three hit singles including the #1 Fan Favorite songs “Feel the Joy” and “The Blood Covered It All.”

Lee & Loyall Renews Publicity Agreement with Southern Spin Entertainment

MECHANICSVILLS, Va. – (December 1, 2010) – National recording artist Lee & Loyall has just renewed their contract with Southern Spin Entertainment. The up and coming group has signed on for another year of exclusive publicity from Southern Spin Entertainment. Lee & Loyall will continue to have access to all media publications serviced by Southern Spin Entertainment, as well as marketing possibilities with the organization.

“Lee & Loyall have been a great artist to work for,” mentioned SSE Group, Inc.’s Chris D. Unthank. “They’ve got a great work ethic and believe in the power of the Gospel. That’s exactly the kind of group that we love working with!”

Joseph Lee of Lee & Loyall said, “SSE is a company that we believe in, and they have done a great work for us. We always know that they are going to do what they say they’re going to do – and that means the world to us!”

Lee & Loyall have been preparing to release their debut recording. More information on that will be released soon.

The group doesn’t have a website yet – until then you can find out more information on the ministries of Joseph Lee by visiting http://www.josephleeministries.com .

About Lee & Loyall
Lee & Loyall is an upcoming trio based in Mechanicsville, Virginia. The group consists of accomplished actor and musician Joseph Lee as well as Bill Loyall and Lee’s daughter. The group sings with a passion for reaching the lost and showing the hope and love found in Christ.

Kathy Holcomb Joins Heavens Highway

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – (November 12, 2010) – Powerful Country/Southern Gospel group Heavens Highway is pleased to announce the addition of Kathy Holcomb to the group.

David Timms of Heavens Highway said, “We are truly honored to have Kathy on board with this ministry. God has really blessed us, and we can’t wait to see what He has for the future.”

Kathy is from Pontotoc, Mississippi. She gained much experience singing Gospel music while singing with her family group – The Holcomb Sisters – for many years. Kathy grew up as a pastor’s child, and her father remains a mentor in her life. She is motivated by her love of God and His kingdom. Kathy has a great call on her life.

You can find out more information on Kathy by visiting http://www.heavenshighwaymusic.com .

Heavens Highway will enter the studio to record their brand new album featuring new group members Kathy Holcomb and Holly Nash in early 2011.

“We are excited about our future with these two ladies,” mentioned Timms. “We know this recoring is going to be a great ministry tool for us!”

Heavens Highway has been making their mark at Southern Gospel radio. Fresh on the heels of scoring their first Singing News and AbsolutelyGospel.com Top 40 hits (“Longing to Go” and “When God Makes a Promise”), Heavens Highway recently released their new single to Southern Gospel radio. The single, titled “Set Me Free From Me,” was released to Southern Gospel radio earlier through both Spin-N-Motion Promotions and Patterson Promotions.

For more information on Heavens Highway, visit their website at http://www.heavenshighwaymusic.com . You can also visit the band on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/heavenshighway .

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. Members of Heavens Highway consist of Marty Rock, David Timms, Jerry Taylor, and newest members Holly Nash and Kathy Holcomb.