Category Archives: News & Notes

I trust everyone is having an enjoyable late fall/early winter this December. I have several exciting things planned for the blog in the upcoming weeks leading to Christmas and New Year’s Day. If you’ve been watching the calendar, you know that Christmas is around the corner. Since Southern Gospel music fits hand-in-glove with the Christian holidays, I believe that it is in best interest to feature some classic Christmas music that radio or record companies are less likely to push at other times of the year.

I have one more cd review to be published this week, Stories & Songs: Talley Trio. Beginning next week, I will be featuring different Christmas tunes including classic carols and modern collaborations from some of the best in Southern Gospel music. In addition to the individual features, there will also be 2 smaller Christmas album reviews. These reviews will be smaller than my normal reviews. The two projects will be Because It’s Christmas by Jason Crabb and It’s Christmas by the Kingdom Heirs. These 2 albums have much significance to receive full reviews rather than possible mentions in the song features.

Following the Christmas season, I will be posting the week after Christmas sharing glimpses into the happenings of 2010 as well as the biggest hits & misses at radio. All chart summations as well as the happenings of 2010 will be taken from the Singing News. All of the Southern Gospel Review 2010 will be Dec. 26-31, 2010.

In the meantime, have a safe & productive Christmas season!

The highest awards for American music, the Grammy Awards, will be presented on February 13, in Los Angeles, CA. These awards cover every genre of music including Southern Gospel. The award that recognizes Southern Gospel is titled, the “Best Country, Southern, or Bluegrass Gospel Album of the Year.” Several Southern Gospel artists have received the award including the Happy Goodmans, Gaither Vocal Band, and, most recently, Jason Crabb. For these awards, getting a nomination is nearly as good as actually winning the award. Those nominated in the past include the Crabb Family, Karen Peck & New River, and Triumphant Quartet. Listed below are the nominees for the 2010 Best Country, Southern, or Bluegrass .

Gospel Album of the Year

1. Times like These: Austins Bridge (Daywind Records)

2. The Reason: Diamond Rio (Word)

3. Expecting Good Things: Jeff & Sheri Easter (Spring Hill Music Group/She Loved Music)

4. Journey On: Ty Herndon (FUNL Music)

5. Live! at Oak Tree: Karen Peck & New River (Daywind Records)

Notice the presence of Southern Gospel music in the artists and record companies. Even though several fans wouldn’t classify Austins Bridge as 100% Southern Gospel, they do record for a Southern Gospel label and have enjoyed all radio singles charting on the Singing News Top 40 songs. Does anyone know if this is Jeff & Sheri Easter’s first Grammy nomination? If yes or no, please let me know. This is also Karen Peck & New River’s third nomination. The group has been nominated with their freshman & sophomore Daywind releases, Journey of Joy & Ephesians One. Congratulations to all artists nominated!

**On a side note, here is Karen Peck Gooch’s recognition of her group’s nomination:

“”We are so excited to announce that our latest project ‘Live at Oak Tree’ is nominated for a Grammy!!! Congrats to our friends, Jeff and Sheri Easter for their nomination!!! L.A. here we come!!”"

NQC Live! Volume 10

Since 1999, recording companies have pulled various mainstage appearances from the National Quartet Convention to form a highlights cd/dvd set. Many special appearances were captured and placed on the albums since it started. Glen Payne’s Call-In performance of “I Won’t Have to Cross Jordan Alone”, “I’ll Fly Away” by the Anthony Burger Pianorama, “Suppertime” by George Younce & Signature Sound, and Quartets by Greater Vision, are all selections from the conventions of the past. For NQC Live! Volume 10, Crossroads Music has provided an excellent conglomeration of the best of the best in Southern Gospel music. Some of these artists to appear are brand new to the highlights series, some for several years, and others returning after years of absence.

Here is the list, according to Springside Music:

1. Heaven in the House- Greenes
2. My Soul Is Firmly Anchored-Legacy Five
3. I  Know- Collingsworth Family
4. Then I Met the Master-Booth Brothers
5. My Heart Knows-Crist Family
6. Love Came Calling- Triumphant Quartet
7. A New Thing- Brian Free & Assurance
8. On the Authority-Hoppers
9. One Day, the Next Day-Down East Boys
10. He Ain’t Never Done Me Nothin’ but Good-Isaacs
11. He’s Alive-Talley Trio
12. He Locked the Gates-Kingdom Heirs

These selections will be included on the bonus free cd that comes in the package. Selections, not included on the cd but on the dvd are “I Can’t Even Walk” (Shawn Porter & Choir); Tribute to Tony Greene; “I’ve Been Blessed” (Tribute Quartet);“I Want My Stage to Be an Altar” (Akins); Instrumental- Dove Brothers Band; “Too Much to Gain to Lose” (Bowling Family); Dennis Swanberg: Laughter, Fair & Balanced; Glenn Austin Camera Man Comedy.

I am planning a review of the project to be posted sometime near the project’s release date, December 21. Final thoughts about the song selection and critique of the project will be issued then. In the meantime, prospective buyers can pre-order the project at Crossroads or at Springside.

 *Due to circumstances beyond my control, today’s review of On the Sunrise Side, by the Inspirations Quartet, has been postponed to Wednesday, November 17. Check back then for a review of the latest recording from one of Gospel music’s legendary groups!

This week’s news:

1. Squire Parsons released a letter sharing his recent diagnosis with a form of leukemia in a very early form. According to his physician, oral medication will be able to control the disease. Keep Squire & Linda Parsons in your prayers!

2. Susan Unthank, of AbsolutelyGospel.com, was hospitalized earlier this week with a collapsed lung. The doctors have inserted a tube to capture any fluid or air in the pneuomothorax. According to her son, Chris Unthank, she is getting better. But please continue to keep the Unthank family in your prayers!

Blog Highlights:

1. There are two great highlights at Southern Gospel Blog, a review of Never Walk Alone (Brian Free & Assurance) and an encore feature, “All the Way My Savior Leads Me.”

On the Sunrise Side: Inspirations

2. Steve Eaton also posted a concise and well-written review of Voices Won‘s latest project, The Basics.

Get Ready: Nelons

1. Current Album: On the Sunrise Side- Inspirations [2010] (November 15) November 17

2. Classic Album: Get Ready- Nelons [1988] (November 23)

Video of the Week:

Here is a rare video of the Talleys, Roger, Debra, & Kirk, performing a song in July 1985. The song is titled, “Working in the Temple“, one that the Talleys never recorded.

*A special thank you to JakesMuzik for the use of this video!

                Since the United States of America was founded out of struggles for freedom and equality, we have developed a strong appreciation for those who have fought for the things we all hold dear. On Veteran’s Day, we honor both those who have fought for our freedom to the end of their lives as well as those who have fought and are abide with us today. Each soldier, whether on the field or off the field, has endangered himself or herself for the safety of millions of others. By keeping the conflict on foreign soil, you have brought peace to those back home in the states.

                We applaud you, past and current veterans, for your sacrifice for us United States citizens to walk in peace and prosperity. It is by your forfeit that each child can sleep each night without the fear of being attacked by foreign invaders. We are able to face each dawn with the bright hope of attaining a world with no limitations. One person cannot hold another person’s thoughts captive because of the absence for which has been fought in a distant presence. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you!

                In a recent concert, Karen Peck Gooch sang “The Star Spangled Banner” off the cuff. Out of appreciation for those who have served for the United States in some aspect of the military, listen with me as Karen Peck Gooch powerfully performs “The Star Spangled Banner.”

*A special thank you to DinanaSN for the use of this video.

Since Jonathan Price joined the Dove Brothers Quartet earlier this week, Ed O’Neal, owner & bass vocalist of the Dixie Melody Boys, is seeking to hire a replacement. Here are Ed’s words from the official announcement:

 ”We certainly wish Jonathan the best in his new role with the Dove Brothers,” says Ed O’Neal. “He’s a fine singer and I know he’ll do well there.

“But you can’t have a Southern Gospel quartet without a good tenor singer—and that’s exactly what we’re looking for. I invite any tenor that is seriously interesting in auditioning to contact us at (919) 345-0264. I’ll be looking to hear from you.”