Talented Musical Family, The Browns, Release Breakthrough

SPECIAL STOWTOWN RECORDS

Nashville, TN (April 14, 2023) â€“ StowTown Records has announced the release of a brand new album from The BrownsBreakthrough features the gifted musical family at their very best, with the moving, rich harmonies and first-class arrangements that have made them a favorite among audiences nationwide. Breakthrough is distributed by Provident/Sony and is available today for download and streaming HERE.

Growing up near the quiet town of Le Mars, The Browns enjoyed the simple pleasures of life on a farm in rural Iowa. Their natural love for music quickly began to capture the attention of the locals and before long, that local attention turned to national acclaim. Over the years, their musical talents have afforded them the opportunity to travel across the country, yet their love for their home community runs deep. A testament to this lies in their commitment to develop the Browns Century Theater, a historic building in downtown Le Mars that the family bought and remodeled just a few years ago in order to present concerts and theatrical events in their hometown. Although the majority of their time is spent at the theater, the group continues to travel nationally, presenting live events in support of new music like their brand new release from StowTown.

Breakthrough is the eighth recording on which The Browns have partnered with multi-award winning producer and arranger, Wayne Haun. “I remember seeing The Browns for the first time in Owensboro, Kentucky, at a talent contest,” recalls Wayne. “They were all kids. In fact, Andrew was so small they had to stand him up in a chair to be seen. I knew there was great potential even then. Here we are some 20 years later, and they are all grown up and hitting a home run every night. Their voices are mature and unique. They have created their own sound that is fresh and commercial. I’m just grateful they let me be a part of the journey.”

The Browns have enjoyed a great relationship with Wayne through the years, and with his guidance, their primary focus continues to be on the songs themselves. “We love making music!” exclaims Michaela Brown. “These songs we chose for the Breakthrough album are songs that we not only love to sing, but also relate to on a personal level. We love the messages they convey, the hope they bring and the joy they spread to those who hear them!”

The debut single, the title cut “Breakthrough,” was shipped to radio in January 2023, and quickly made its debut in the Top 50. The success of the single was no surprise as the group has consistently appealed to radio listeners over the years and has enjoyed numerous Top 40 radio hits. Written by veteran songwriters Sue C. SmithShane Dunlap and Haun, “Breakthrough” is a song of encouragement to anyone who has ever faced life’s challenges. The song’s powerful message is complemented by a masterful arrangement that enraptures the listener to a place of confident peace.

In addition to “Breakthrough,” the recording is filled with several other original songs from talented writers like Don KochJoel LindseyJeff Bumgardner and Marcia Henry, including “Move,” a fun song that combines fiddles with the electric guitar on a melodic line – a musical pairing first for Wayne Haun. Don Koch was a big musical influence for many, including Haun, during the 1990s; and so recording his brand new song “No One Greater” is a highlight for all involved. Lyrically, the song celebrates the victory Christ offers during life’s storms. And the Browns always feature a classic on their albums. “Try A Little Kindness,” originally recorded by Glen Campbell, is sure to become a concert favorite among fans of The Browns. 

For almost 20 years, The Browns have brought pleasure to listeners with their musical talents, rich family harmonies and exuberant on-stage energy. This latest release will no doubt bring listeners even more musical pleasure for decades to come.

Breakthrough Track List:
The Song We Sing
No One Greater
Breakthrough
Try A Little Kindness
My View from the Valley
Move
The Tomb is Empty Now

The Inspirations’ retrospective collection, Ageless Treasures, out now

SPECIAL CROSSROADS MUSIC

Arden, North Carolina (April 14, 2023) — Throughout the last few years, the latest generation of storied Southern Gospel quartet The Inspirations were a highlight of the National Quartet Convention, featured on the cover of Singing News magazine, and winners of the publication’s fan awards for favorite album and favorite young artist. As the group prepares to record new music, they are pausing to look back at decades of music with Ageless Treasures, a two-disc retrospective of fan-favorite songs out now from Horizon Records.

Since forming in 1964, The Inspirations‘ distinct sound has always been instantly recognizable and has changed little across 57 years of recordings — no matter who was singing. This sound carries through the 30 songs on Ageless Treasures, which features #1 songs “I’ll Not Turn My Back On Him Now,” “If You Only Knew” and “I Have Not Forgotten”; fan favorites like “We Need To Thank God” and “In The Twinkle Of An Eye”; and classics such as “They’re Holding up The Ladder” and “I’ll Have A New Life.”

Says lead vocalist Roland Kesterson, “For the last 22 years, The Inspirations have been blessed to have been on the Horizon Records label. Over the span of two decades, we have recorded some songs that have become fan favorites, songs that we still stage today and have requests for each night. Every song we sing is special to us, however, only a few stand the test of time and become ageless, in other words songs that never get old.”

“As you listen to this collection,” he continues, “it’s our prayer that each song not only blesses your heart but fills your mind with memories of the first time you heard them and how God has used these songs to minister to you as well as us. We hope you can once again enjoy our Ageless Treasures.” Listen to Ageless Treasures HERE.

About The Inspirations
The Inspirations first formed in 1964 in Bryson City, North Carolina and became full time in 1969 after hosting their first “Singing In The Smokies” event. With a number of hit songs through the 1970s, the group rose to national attention and joined the Gospel Singing Jubilee Television program. In January of 1970, they secured their first #1 song on the Singing News Chart, “Jesus Is Coming Soon,” marking just the beginning of their chart-topping success. In November of 1973, The Inspirations held the #1 spot for 12 months with “Touring That City.” It was followed with the success of “When I Wake Up To Sleep No More” in 1974 and “Jesus Is Mine” in 1976. In 2001, The Inspirations recorded their first album with Horizon Records, titled Pure Vintage. The album’s first song, “I’ll Not Turn My Back On Him Now,” returned the group to the top of the Singing News chart after 26 years. It was followed with more #1 tracks with  “I Have Not Forgotten” and “If You Only Knew.” The Inspirations are Roland Kesterson, Luke Vaught, Wyatt Austin and Isaac Moore.

Talented Musical Family, The Browns, Release Breakthrough

SPECIAL: STOWTOWN RECORDS

Nashville, TN (April 14, 2023) – StowTown Records has announced the release of a brand new album from The Browns. Breakthrough features the gifted musical family at their very best, with the moving, rich harmonies and first-class arrangements that have made them a favorite among audiences nationwide. Breakthrough is distributed by Provident/Sony and is available today for download and streaming HERE.

Growing up near the quiet town of Le Mars, The Browns enjoyed the simple pleasures of life on a farm in rural Iowa. Their natural love for music quickly began to capture the attention of the locals and before long, that local attention turned to national acclaim. Over the years, their musical talents have afforded them the opportunity to travel across the country, yet their love for their home community runs deep. A testament to this lies in their commitment to develop the Browns Century Theater, a historic building in downtown Le Mars that the family bought and remodeled just a few years ago in order to present concerts and theatrical events in their hometown. Although the majority of their time is spent at the theater, the group continues to travel nationally, presenting live events in support of new music like their brand new release from StowTown.

Breakthrough is the eighth recording on which The Browns have partnered with multi-award winning producer and arranger, Wayne Haun. “I remember seeing The Browns for the first time in Owensboro, Kentucky, at a talent contest,” recalls Wayne. “They were all kids. In fact, Andrew was so small they had to stand him up in a chair to be seen. I knew there was great potential even then. Here we are some 20 years later, and they are all grown up and hitting a home run every night. Their voices are mature and unique. They have created their own sound that is fresh and commercial. I’m just grateful they let me be a part of the journey.”

The Browns have enjoyed a great relationship with Wayne through the years, and with his guidance, their primary focus continues to be on the songs themselves. “We love making music!” exclaims Michaela Brown. “These songs we chose for the Breakthrough album are songs that we not only love to sing, but also relate to on a personal level. We love the messages they convey, the hope they bring and the joy they spread to those who hear them!”

The debut single, the title cut “Breakthrough,” was shipped to radio in January 2023, and quickly made its debut in the Top 50. The success of the single was no surprise as the group has consistently appealed to radio listeners over the years and has enjoyed numerous Top 40 radio hits. Written by veteran songwriters Sue C. Smith, Shane Dunlap and Haun, “Breakthrough” is a song of encouragement to anyone who has ever faced life’s challenges. The song’s powerful message is complemented by a masterful arrangement that enraptures the listener to a place of confident peace.

In addition to “Breakthrough,” the recording is filled with several other original songs from talented writers like Don Koch, Joel Lindsey, Jeff Bumgardner and Marcia Henry, including “Move,” a fun song that combines fiddles with the electric guitar on a melodic line – a musical pairing first for Wayne Haun. Don Koch was a big musical influence for many, including Haun, during the 1990s; and so recording his brand new song “No One Greater” is a highlight for all involved. Lyrically, the song celebrates the victory Christ offers during life’s storms. And the Browns always feature a classic on their albums. “Try A Little Kindness,” originally recorded by Glen Campbell, is sure to become a concert favorite among fans of The Browns. 

For almost 20 years, The Browns have brought pleasure to listeners with their musical talents, rich family harmonies and exuberant on-stage energy. This latest release will no doubt bring listeners even more musical pleasure for decades to come.

Breakthrough Track List:
The Song We Sing
No One Greater
Breakthrough
Try A Little Kindness
My View from the Valley
Move
The Tomb is Empty Now

Kelly Garner Declares It’s Not Over With New Music

CONDUIT MEDIA

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 11, 2023) – It’s a new season and a new day for talented Christian singer/songwriter Kelly Garner, as she prepares to release her highly anticipated new project this coming Friday, April 14, 2023. 

The release, titled It’s Not Over, marks Garner’s return to music ministry after spending 16 years in education.

Garner’s music career began 28 years ago when she recorded her first album with Diadem Records. However, her passion for education led her to take a hiatus from being a recording artist for 16 years. During this time, Garner continued to write, with songs recorded by other artists, including the hit song “I Stand Redeemed” by Legacy Five.

She founded a publishing company in 2003 and continued to write, but the desire to record her own music once again became overwhelming. 

A few years ago, Garner felt this was the time to return to music ministry. She began to write and prepare – she knew God was calling her back into her first love.

“I finally realized it was time for me to record again, I felt it in my spirit” Garner said. “I couldn’t be happier with the songs on this record. They speak to me personally, and I hope they speak to others, wherever they are in life.”

Produced by Kris Crunk and Garner, It’s Not Over is a powerful and inspiring collection of songs that showcase Garner’s signature voice and heartfelt songwriting, along with a few of her favorites from other artists. 

Highlights of the recording include the exciting “Good Ole Gospel Sing,” the encouraging title track “It’s Not Over,” the pensive “The Risen Lamb,” and a very special moment closes the recording, as Joseph Habedank joins Garner for the song, “Forgive Myself.” 

The project features 14 tracks, backed by full strings, powerful background vocals and even a 77-voice choir, with a diverse set of styles.

It’s been a long time since Garner released new music and music lovers are anticipating the release of It’s Not Over. 

The project will be available for purchase on Garner’s website, as well as through popular online music retailers such as ITunes, Apple Music, Amazon Music, YouTube, TikTok and Spotify.

Connect with Garner:

It’s Not Over Full Track Listing:

  1. Good Ole Gospel Sing
  2. Waymaker
  3. It’s Not Over
  4. My God Is Still Good
  5. It’s My Desire
  6. The Day I Get Home
  7. Testimony
  8. The Risen Lamb
  9. Precious Lord
  10. I Will Not Hope In Something Less
  11. Revelation Song
  12. When I Call On The Name Of The Lord
  13. The Goodness of God
  14. Forgive Myself (duet with Joseph Habedank)

More changes for the Kingdom Heirs

SPECIAL DAYWIND RECORDS

On the heels of Jeff Chapman announcing he was departing The Kingdom Heirs for Gold City, Jacob Ellison has shared that he will be leaving the group.

Dollywood issued a statement on the changes with The Kingdom Heirs, saying: For 38 years, The Kingdom Heirs have been cherished members of the Dollywood family and an integral part of the Dollywood experience for our guests. We fully support them during the current time of transition for their group. We look forward to many more memories and much more inspiration from our favorite Southern Gospel group.