StowTown Records Releases Highly-anticipated Brotherhood Project

SPECIAL STOWTOWN RECORDS

Nashville, TN (November 20, 2020) – Collectively, they have enjoyed more than 100 accolades, industry honors and fan awards. Over the past two decades they have received multiple Grammy® nominations and GMA Dove Awards, as well as countless Fan Awards from The Singing News Magazine. Since bursting onto the Gospel Music scene, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound and The Booth Brothers have each established their place firmly atop the genre’s ladder of success. Thus, in 2015 when the announcement was made by IMC Concerts that these two groups would be uniting for multiple concert events, excitement abounded from fans nationwide. 

Obviously, the live concert events proved to be a tremendous success with sold-out crowds each night. From those live events comes a brand new release from StowTown RecordsBrotherhood, by Ernie Haase & Signature Sound & The Booth Brothers, features two of the most acclaimed artists at their very best. This collection of camaraderie, laughter and timeless music allows fans the opportunity to own a collective piece of history that can be enjoyed day after day.

IMC Concerts & StowTown Records President Landon Beene shares, “When the idea of bringing these two artists together was first presented to us, we knew it would be something special. Their talents flowed together extremely well on stage and it was an electrifying event. We are thrilled to make it available as a live recording.”

The recording features timeless classics, delivered with the same infectious energy that has attributed to the overwhelming success these two groups have enjoyed over the years. From start to finish, this recording truly captures the bonds of brotherhood these talented individuals share.

Brotherhood is distributed by Provident/Sony and is available on all digital platforms worldwide and wherever fine Christian music is sold, including christianbook.combarnesandnoble.com, and amazon.com

Brotherhood Track Listing:
Life’s Railway to Heaven
Home
All the Gold in California
Jesus Is Coming Soon
I’ll Fly Away
Sweet Beulah Land
Going Home
In the Garden
Look for me at Jesus’ Feet

NEW MUSIC: TaRanda Greene, Releases Deluxe Edition Christmas Recording

SPECIAL, STOWTOWN RECORDS

Nashville, TN (November 6, 2020) – Just in time for the holiday season, StowTown Records announces that Spirit of Christmas Deluxe Version, from one of Christian music’s most iconic voices, TaRanda Greene, is now available in stores and at online retail outlets worldwide. This project from the GMA Dove Award winner was released to digital outlets in 2019.

“Christmas is such a special time of year, and I am excited that this Christmas recording is now available in stores,” TaRanda says with a big smile.

Spirit of Christmas Deluxe Version features several Christmas classics, including “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” “Jingle Bells,” “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” and “Silver Bells,” just to name a few. Also included are show stoppers such as, “O Holy Night,” “I Wonder As I Wander” and sure-to-become-classics, “Give Love On Christmas Day” and the title cut “Spirit of Christmas.” The remake of the Whitney Houston classic “Who Would Imagine A King?” is another welcome addition to this stellar recording. 

“This recording is very special to me,” TaRanda explains. “People always ask for classic Christmas songs, so that is what we wanted to do. With five of the songs having a three-piece band, we wanted to take the listener back to a time when life was much more simple; when kids popped popcorn, strung it around the Christmas tree, and the family snuggled around the fireplace and reflected on the true reason for the season, the birth of the Christ child. This project was so much fun to record, and I hope the listener enjoys the finished product as much as I enjoyed recording it.”

For years, TaRanda has been inspiring listeners worldwide with her authenticity, energy and unmatched vocal ability. This latest recording effort will no doubt offer listeners even more inspiration. Spirit of Christmas Deluxe Version promises to offer much listening enjoyment throughout the 2020 holiday season and quite possibly for many years to come.

Spirit of Christmas Deluxe Version is distributed by Provident/Sony and is available worldwide wherever fine Christian music is sold.

Spirit of Christmas Deluxe Track List:

It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas
Still, Still, Still / O Holy Night
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
Jingle Bells
Give Love On Christmas Day
Cool Yule with Up On The Housetop
Who Would Imagine A King?
Silver Bells
Jesus, What A Wonderful Child with I’m His Child
I Wonder As I Wander
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
That Spirit of Christmas
Auld Lang Syne

GMA 51st Annual DOVE Awards Friday

Information provided by Daywind Records

The Gospel Music Association (GMA) is set to hold the 51st Annual DOVE Awards Friday!  The event will be televised on TBN, beginning 7 p.m. Central.

Here are all of the categories involving southern gospel music, as well as some additional categories folks from the southern gospel community showed up in.
_______________________________________________________________

Southern Gospel Artist of The Year

Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Gaither Vocal Band
Jason Crabb
Joseph Habedank
Karen Peck & New River

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Southern Gospel Recorded Song of The Year

Gaither Vocal Band- “This Is The Place”-  writers:  Gloria Gaither, William J. Gaither, Gordon Mote

Karen Peck & New River- “The God I Serve”- writers:  Rebecca Bowman, Sonya Yeary, Karen Peck Gooch, Jimmy Yeary

Legacy Five- “What Kind Of Man”- writers:  Kenna Turner West, Jason Cox, Sue C. Smith

The Erwins- “The Power Of An Empty Tomb”- writer:  Joel Lindsey

The Sound-  “Can I Get A Witness”- writers:  Kenna Turner West, Brent Baxter, Jason Cox
_______________________________________________________________

Southern Gospel Album of The Year

Bill & Gloria Gaither & Their Homecoming Friends- The Longer I Serve Him– producers:  Bill Gaither, Kevin Williams

Collingsworth Family- That Day Is Coming LIVE- producers:  Wayne Haun, Kim Collingsworth

Legacy Five- Pure Love–  producers:  Scott Fowler, Wayne Haun, Trey Ivey

The Crabb Family-  20/20 – producers:  Dottie Leonard Miller, Jason Crabb, Scott Godsey

The McKameys-  The Crown–  producers:  Jeff Collins, Roger Fortner
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Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of The Year

Gloria Gaynor (featuring Bart Millard)- “He Won’t Let Go”-  writers:  Gloria Gaynor, Andrew Ramsey, Shannon Sanders

Joseph Habedank- “Sometimes It’s The Radio”-  writers: Joseph Habedank, Tony Wood, Jimmy Yeary

Karen Peck & New River- “Ain’t No Grave”-  writers:  Jonathan David Helser, Melissa Helser, Molly Skaggs

Keith & Kristyn Getty, Ellie Holcomb-  “Elizabeth”-  writers:  Kristyn Getty, Ellie Holcomb

The Oak Ridge Boys-  “Amazing Grace” – writer:  John Newton
_______________________________________________________________

Bluegrass/Country/Roots Album of The Year

Gloria Gaynor-  Testimony–  producers:  Chris Stevens, F. Reid Shippen

Jeff & Sheri Easter- You Are Loved –  producers:  Jeff Easter, Sheri Easter, Greg Cole

Jimmy Fortune-  God & Country –  producer:  Ben Isaacs

Steven Curtis Chapman-  A Great Adventure, LIVE Solo Performances of Timeless Hits – producers:  Steven Curtis Chapman, Bill Gaither

The Chuck Wagon Gang-  No Depression In Heaven The Gospel Songs Of The Carter Family –  producers:  David Johnson, Jeff Collins
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Inspirational Recorded Song Of The Year

Gaither Vocal Band-  “Now Is Forever”-  writers:  Gloria Gaither, William J. Gaither, Gordon Mote

Laura Story-  “I Give Up” – writer: Laura Story

Matt Boswell & Matt Papa-  “His Mercy I More”- writers:  Matt Boswell, Matt Papa

Selah-  “Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me” – writers:  Michael Farren, Rich Thompson, Jonny Robinson

Steven Curtis Chapman- “He Touched Me/ There’s Something About That Name/ Because He Lives Medley” –  writers:  Gloria Gaither, William J. Gaither
_______________________________________________________________

Inspirational Album Of The Year

Cana’s Voice-  Don’t Want To Miss This –  producers:  Wayne Haun, Jim Hammerley, Jared Woods

kalley-  Faultlines Vol II – producer:  Jason Ingram

Laura Story-  I Give Up – producers:  Craig Swift, Chris Bevins

Matt Boswell, Matt Papa, Keith & Kristyn Getty –  His Mercy Is More:  The Hymns of Matt Boswell and Matt Papa –  producer:  Nathan Nockels

Selah-  Firm Foundation – producers:  Brent Milligan, Chris Bivins, Jason Kyle Saetveit
_______________________________________________________________

Producer Of The Year

Ben Isaacs
Ed Cash, Steven V. Taylor (team)
Federico Vindver
Jonathan Smith
Jordan Sapp
Justin Savage
Michael Guy Chislett
Shaun Martin, Maxwell Stark, Ronald Hill (team)
Wayne Haun
_______________________________________________________________

Christmas/ Special Event Album Of The Year

Andrew Peterson –   Behold The Lamb Of God (20th Anniversary) –  producer:  Ben Shive

Collingsworth Family-  A True Family Christmas –  producer:  Bradley Knight

Danny Gokey-   The Greatest Gift, A Christmas Collection –  producers:  Hank Bentley, Colby Wedgeworth, Ben Glover, Jeff Pardo, Bernie Herms

Phil Wickham-  Christmas –  producer:  Jonathan Smith

The Erwins-  What Christmas Really Means –  producers:  Wayne Haun, Trey Ivey, Chris Chavez
_______________________________________________________________

Musical Of The Year

An Unexpected Christmas 
–  creators:  Daniel Semsen, Joel Lindsey, Jeff Bumgardner, Heidi Petak  arranger/orchestrator:  Daniel Semsen

Is He Worthy –  creators:  Russell Mauldin, Sue C. Smith

Messiah Overcame:  An Easter Musical –  creators:  Mike Harland, John Rowsey  arrangers/orchestrators:  Cliff Duren, Jim Hammerly, Christopher Phillips, Phil Nitz

Song Of Joy – creator:  Dale Mathews  arranger/orchestrator:  Marty Hamby

The Song Of Bethlehem –  creator:  Lee Black  arranger/orchestrators:  Cliff Duren, Phillip Keveren, Phil Nitz
_______________________________________________________________

Choral Collection Of The Year

Our Faithful God
 –  creators:  Mike Harland, Chris Machen, Diane Machen  arranger/orchestrator:  Cliff Duren

Southern Gospel Sounds –  arranger/orchestrator:  Marty Hamby

Spirit Rise  –  arranger:  Travis Cottrell

Sunday Southern Favorites –  creator/ arranger:  Marty Hamby

Top Anthem Collection  –  creator:  Jonathan Crumpton  arrangers:  Bradley Knight, Cliff Duren, Mike Speck, Marty Parks, Daniel Semsen, Gary Rhodes, Dave Williamson, Russell Mauldin, Geron Davis, Tom Fettke

StowTown Records Announces New Release From The Guardians

SPECIAL FROM STOWTOWN RECORDS FOR TEXAS GOSPEL CANADA

Nashville, TN (October 23, 2020) â€“ StowTown Records has announced the release of a brand new recording from popular quartet, The GuardiansIt’s Still Good News marks the group’s third recording under the StowTown label. The recording was produced by songwriter and group member John Darin Rowsey and multi-award winning producer/arranger Wayne Haun.

With two Dove Award nominations from the Gospel Music Association, as well as multiple Singing News Fan Award nominations, The Guardians have risen to the forefront of Southern Gospel Music. Dean Hickman, John Darin Rowsey, Pat Barker and Scott Mullins present tight four-part harmony and are committed to sharing the message of the Gospel through their music.

Formerly known as a trio, this latest recording effort marks the group’s second recording since adding bass singer Pat Barker in March of 2018. With this latest effort, The Guardians reach new heights with musical diversity and moving orchestrations, as well as lyrical content that shares the good news of God’s love, salvation and grace. 

The commitment of sharing the Gospel message shines brightly through the songs included on It’s Still Good News. The recording features 12 cuts, including seven written by longtime group member John Darin Rowsey. “What an honor to have our own John Darin Rowsey write and arrange most of the songs on our new project,” group owner Dean Hickman states. “John’s talents, coupled with the unparalleled talents of producer Wayne Haun, resulted in another Guardians’ project that we believe God will use to minister to the hearts of Southern Gospel Music fans.”

Producer Wayne Haun shares, “I enjoy working with the Guardians for so many reasons. The musical brilliance of each individual obviously comes to mind, but honestly, I just love hanging out with these guys. It feels like a band of brothers coming together. It’s always a holiday of sorts. We talk about everything from music of the 1940s to complicated Bible trivia to who makes the best biscuits in the South. Working alongside John Darin Rowsey from start to finish is always a highlight of my year.”

From the classic “You’re Home to Stay (Where We Ever Shall Be)” delivered with a modern flare, complete with electric guitar and lower brass lines, to the moving “From Now On,” a musical number featured in the 2017 film The Greatest Showman, as well as the worshipful “Holy Is Thy Name,” It’s Still Good News features The Guardians at their very best and offers hours of musical enjoyment for any traditional Southern Gospel Music lover.

It’s Still Good News is distributed by Provident/Sony and is available on all digital platforms worldwide, and wherever fine Christian music is sold, including christianbook.combarnesandnoble.com, and amazon.com.

It’s Still Good News Track List:
1. Holy Is Thy Name (with Lift Up Holy Hands)
2. I Wish I Could Tell You
3. Just To Know
4. You’re Home to Stay (Where We Ever Shall Be)
5. It’s Still Good News
6. Someone To Care
7. Breathe In, Breathe Out
8. One Pair of Hands
9. Make My Heart Your Dwelling Place
10. God Is Listening
11. That’s What Makes Grace Amazing
12.  From Now On

A good reason to hear the words, not just the music

JEFF TURNER, TEXAS GOSPEL CANADA MUSIC REPORTER

The Wardlaw Brothers and Legacy Five are well known within their own genera of Gospel music. While Southern Gospel listeners and perhaps most visitors of TexasGospel.ca are familiar with Legacy Five, The Wardlaw Brothers may be unfamiliar to our readers.  But that doesn’t mean they are unknown.  The Lyons, Georgia group spreads the Gospel message with a very different sound than Southern Gospel. The group’s web page says they are often described, “…as gospel music’s answer to Boyz II Men.” So what would motivate Legacy Five and The Wardlaw Brothers to release a song together?

“9 Makes Us 1″ is the result of both gospel groups blending their talents. It’s a powerful song of unity that the world needs to hear.  It’s unfortunate that racial divisions are so prominent today.  It’s even more unfortunate that they exist in Gospel music.  A post on YouTube from Daywind Records puts it this way, “Racial barriers exist in an industry of believers who write and sing about the one God and His one Kingdom.  Also, the current climate of our nation is plagued with reoccurring racial injustices and cultural clashes.  But now, Legacy Five and The Wardlaw Brothers have joined together to be an example of one unified body.”

Divisions between people have been around since recorded history. We’ve divided ourselves for political reasons, religion, and social preferences. We want things to be the way WE believe is best. Notice I said “we” and not God. Without God the only way to assure things go the way we want is to be in charge. Humankind seems to struggle against unity because that implies equal distribution of authority.  Our fleshly desires; that is, our sinful nature, wants to be in charge.  Not just in charge of our own destiny, but of those around us. It’s something that will be so until our Lord’s second coming. It’s also something that unfairly punishes those in the minority. Because of this, shouldn’t we as Christians submit our authority to God? Shouldn’t we as a people lead the charge to resist divisions that sprout from power struggles? Shouldn’t we especially resist those divisions that can result in violence?

I hope the sentiment behind the lyrics of 9 Makes Us 1 lives long after the song has faded from the gospel music charts. I also hope you enjoy listing to the new release playing now on TexasGospel.ca.