Tag: Southern Gospel

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

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.
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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

SPECIAL FROM STOWTOWN RECORDS FOR TEXAS GOSPEL CANADA

Nashville, TN (October 23, 2020) – StowTown Records has announced the release of a brand new recording from popular quartet, The Guardians. It’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.com, barnesandnoble.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

DAVID INGRAM, TEXAS GOSPEL CANADA MUSIC DIRECTOR

The very recognizable tenor voice of Brian Free along with a message that strikes a chord with Southern Gospel listeners has carried Brian Free and Assurance’s latest release Without Jesus to the #1 spot on this month’s Texas Gospel Canada Top 20.  

Without Jesus was co-written by award-winning song writer/singer Joseph Habedank who said in a recent interview, “I’d heard so many people say they don’t know what it would be like to live without Jesus, but had never heard a song written about it…probably one of my favorite songs written with Tony Wood and Devin McGlamery. ”

He went on to say, “This was toward the beginning of Devin’s songwriting career, so he was trying to write with different people, it was just a cool day for us to be able to hang out and come up with such a powerful song.”

By the way, Brian Free & Assurance received a nomination this year for Favorite Trio in the Singing News Fan Awards.

Congratulations to Brian Free & Assurance for taking the top spot in our top 20!

Here is the October Texas Gospel Canada Top 20:

1	Without Jesus	Brian Free and Assurance	Daywind/New Day
2	I’ll never get over the blood that I’m under	Kingdom Heirs	Sonlite/Crossroads
3	God has provided Himself a Lamb	Mark Trammell Quartet	Crimson Road
4	This grace	Joseph Habedank	Daywind/New Day
5	Amazing amounts of amazing grace	Down East Boys	Sonlite/Crossroads
6	Between the prayer and the answer	LeFevre Quartet	New Day Records
7	Fear Not	Tribute Quartet	Daywind/New Day
8	His name is Jesus	Tim Menzies	New Day Records
9	Learning to dance in the rain	Jeff & Sheri Easter	Gaither Music
10	I sang myself happy	Old Time Preacher’s Quartet	Family Music Group
11	After the storm	Erwin	StowTown/Provident-Sony
12	Great God Almighty	The Sound	New Day Records
13	I believe the book	Legacy Five	Daywind
14	Just a little bit wiser	Chelsea Estes	Butler Music Group
15	The God I serve	Karen Peck and New River	Daywind
16	Grace became amazing	Gordon Mote	New Haven
17	Brand new song	Sisters	Independent
18	King of Kings	Kingsmen	Horizon
19	Great change	Voice of Truth	Independent
20	Jordan	Nelons	Daywind