|
Events planned for Gospel Music Week February 28, 2003
(Press Release) Nashville, TN - With Gospel Music Week 2003 just around the corner, the members of the Southern Gospel Music Guild are busy coordinating various activities which will be held in conjunction with this exciting and informative event. Gospel Music Week 2003 will take place at the Nashville Convention Center and Renaissance Hotel in Nashville, TN, April 5-10. Since 1998, the Southern Gospel Music Guild has played a major role in Gospel Music Week in an effort to achieve education and growth, while preserving the essence of Southern Gospel Music. Naturally, this year will be no exception, as several Southern Gospel artists and industry representatives will serve as panelists during seminar sessions designed to educate artists, radio programmers, concert promoters, retailers and industry leaders.
One of the highlights of the week is the Southern Gospel Music Roundtable discussion. Bill Gaither will be the special guest and attendees of the Roundtable discussion will have the opportunity to pose questions to Mr Gaither, as Billboard Magazine's Wade Jessen will serve as moderator of the event.
Super Tuesday will be a special day for Southern Gospel Music radio programmers. The entire day will focus on topics which will be most informative and will allow radio station personnel with the opportunity to meet other radio programmers and key industry leaders. Radio personnel will share experiences regarding triumphs and trials faced in radio. Super Tuesday kicks off with a breakfast and devotional. Various topics which will be discussed include "Self Rising Revenue," "Sales Promotions," "Imaging & Positioning" and "New Technological Advancements." Super Tuesday's theme for Southern Gospel radio personnel is "Southern Gospel Radio: Now You're Cooking."
On Wednesday evening, April 9, beginning at 7:00pm, the Guild, in conjunction with New Day Christian Distributors, Spring Hill Music Group, Cathedral Records and Showcase Media & Management will present "A Tribute To God & Country" at the historic Ryman Auditorium. This presentation will be a part of the nightly musical extravaganzas and will feature performances by such artists as The Crabb Family and The Martins. Tickets for this event will be available to the general public and may be purchased at the Ryman Auditorium Box Office the evening of the event or through the office of the Gospel Music Association.
Registration information for Gospel Music Week 2003 may be obtained by calling the Gospel Music Association at 615-242-0303. To obtain additional information regarding the 2003 Gospel Music Week log onto www.gospelmusic.org. To obtain further information about the Southern Gospel Music Guild log onto www.sgmg.org
Crabb Family to appear on Grand Old Opry Saturday February 28, 2003
(Press Release) - Jason, Kelly, Aaron, Adam and Terah, five siblings who make up the award-winning Crabb Family, have been invited back to appear on the legendary Grand Ole Opry Saturday, March 1, 2003, after a powerful performance two weeks ago.Fans can tune to WSM 650 AM radio, www.wsmonline.com or Country Music Television (CMT) at 7:30 pm (cst) to catch the performance.The Crabb Family will also be featured during a pre-broadcast interview on WSM 650 AM radio and www.wsmonline.com at 6:00 pm (cst) the same evening.The March 1st shows will be broadcast from the Grand Ole Opry House, marking the Opry's return from their winter shows at the Ryman Auditorium.
For more information on the Crabb Family, visit www.thecrabbfamily.com. For more information on the Grand Ole Opry or to purchase tickets, visit www.opry.com.
Christian Davis resigns from Old Time Gospel Hour Quartet February 26, 2003
 (SoGospelNews.com) FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - Christian Davis has officially announced his resignation from the Old Time Gospel Hour Quartet. Davis, the 23 year old bass singer has also announced plans to start his own full-time Southern Gospel male quartet.
Davis' departure comes from a lifetime dream and desire to have his own group and to share in a ministry that uplifts the name of Jesus Christ.
”For several months now,” says Davis, “I have felt God speaking to me about this new ministry. While participating in a revival conference in Douglasville, Georgia last month, God confirmed in my heart that I was to form a group and go forward with the plans that He had for me. I am humbled to know that He can use me to touch lives for His Son, Jesus Christ. Dr. Jerry Falwell, Pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg, Virginia, has pledged his full support to my ministry, and I ask that everyone would begin to pray for this new quartet.”
The focus of the "yet to be named" quartet will be traditional four-part male harmony with an emphasis on ministry. Davis has plans for the quartet to minister in churches, concert halls, revival conferences, etc. The new group will be based out of Fayetteville, North Carolina where he currently resides.
Davis is still in the process of choosing members for the new group from a long list of prospective vocalists. Those interested in auditioning for any position within the group, please send a demo, personal biography and photo to the following address:
Christian Davis
4155 Bent Grass Drive
Fayetteville, NC 28301
Christian says that his official exit date from the Old Time Gospel Hour Quartet has not yet been determined, however, details will be forthcoming.
Christian Davis is one of Southern Gospel's most talked about young artists today. He began his career with the Old Time Gospel Hour Quartet, which resulted in being nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year in the 2002 SoGospelNews Music Awards and the 2001 Singing News Horizon Individual nomination. With his rich, deep bass voice, Davis is a promising talent and is already making a strong mark in the current landscape of the Southern Gospel industry.
3 For 1 teams up with 'True Love Waits' February 21, 2003
 (Press Release)
In the month of February Son Sound Platinum artists 3 For 1 participated in several True Love Waits Events. For those of you who are not familiar with the organization, “True Love Waits,” promotes sexual abstinence to young people and teaches them what true love through Jesus Christ is all about. 3 For 1 saw many young people make decisions to stay sexually pure before marraige and saw many of them fall in love with Jesus Christ by accepting Him to be Lord of their life. Get more scoops from 3 for 1 by signing up for their newsletter. Email them at email3for1@aol.com to find out how and visit their website at www.3for1.com.
The Praise Masters announce new member February 21, 2003
 The Praise Masters of Shelby, NC annouce a new addition to the newly signed, Platinum Records group. New baritone vocalist, David Wilson of Concord, NC joined the quartet February 13th of last month. David has been involved in southern gospel music for several years, most recently with his family and he brings a powerful but smooth lead voice to compliment the sound of The Praise Masters. For more information on The Praise Masters visit their website at www.praisemasters.com.
The Crabb Family captivates Grand Ole Opry February 19, 2003
HENDERSONVILLE, TN(Press Release) - The exciting family group, The Crabb Family, captivated a packed house at the legendary Ryman Auditorium during their debut performance at the Grand Ole Opry Friday night, February 14, 2003. Opry legend and segment host, Jim Ed Brown, brought siblings Jason, Kelly, Aaron, Adam and Terah to the stage for the first time near the beginning of the 9:00 pm set. Their performance started with a stirring rendition of Dottie Rambo's "I've Never Been This Homesick Before" and quickly moved to a former #1 radio hit for the family, "Please Forgive Me," penned by family patriarch Gerald Crabb. When the group placed their microphones back into the familiar WSM stands, the audience rose to their feet and began to scream, "We love you!" Jim Ed returned to the stage and insisted on another song by stating "When you get a standing ovation at the Grand Ole Opry, you have to sing another song!" The Crabb kids began to sing their signature song, "Through The Fire," and the audience replied with another emotion-packed standing ovation.
"This is a night I will never forget," stated Jason Crabb. "It has always been a dream of mine to perform Gospel music, Crabb Family style, at the Grand Ole Opry and now my dream has come true. The experience was even sweeter because it happened at the original Mother Church of Country Music, the Ryman Auditorium. I am looking forward to the day when we can return for another visit."
The Crabb Family consists of five siblings aged 20-25 from Beaver Dam, KY. They have attained phenomenal radio success (11 #1 hits to date) and tremendous fan popularity. The potent combination of sincerity, genuine talent and an unwavering focus on ministry has made the Crabb Family one of Christian music's most exciting artist.
Connie Smith, legendary country singer and Opry member states "The Crabb Family's performance was incredible ... their sincerity and heart for what they sang really came through. The audience was moved and responded so strongly to them. Everybody back stage was just in awe - they'd never seen anything like that!"
April 22, 2003 marks the release date for the Crabb Family's debut Daywind Music Group release, The Walk. New Day Christian Distributors, Word Entertainment and WEA will distribute the project to stores nationwide. The first radio single, "The Walk," is currently playing on radio stations across the country and was the #1 Pick Hit for March according to the Singing News Magazine. For more information on the Crabb Family, visit www.thecrabbfamily.com .
New Speer Revival to perform on riverboat February 19, 2003
NASHVILLE, TN(Press Release) - Opryland USA has always been a big supporter of gospel music and will once again host the traditional sounds of gospel singing, this time on the General Jackson Showboat. New Speer Revival has been chosen to kick off this season of gospel music and will be performing Sunday, March 16th, aboard the General Jackson. Group manager Marc Speer comments, "We are very excited to be a part of bringing gospel music back to the Opryland area. What a great opportunity for gospel fans to experience the music they love in a unique setting."
Guests will enjoy a wonderful Southern Gospel performance and a lunch buffet while cruising down the Cumberland River in Nashville, TN. The performances will be held in the beautiful Victorian Theater on the General Jackson that is equipped with state of the art sound and lights. For ticket information call 615.871.6100
The Ruppes sign with April Potter Agency February 19, 2003
GOODLETTSVILLE, TN(Press Release) - The April Potter Agency is proud to announce the signing of Springhill Recording Artists The Ruppes to the agency's roster. April Potter Holleman states, "I have known and loved The Ruppes for a long time. We are blessed that God chose to unite our paths once again for a journey of ministry together."
The Ruppes, formed more than two decades ago, are known for such songs as "Under His Wings," and "Angels in the Room." Their current release, "She Touched His Heart," is their second release from their latest project entitled free.
The April Potter Agency is home to such artists as The Mark Trammell Trio, Old Time Gospel Hour Quartet, Todd Nelon Quartet, Nicole Watts-Jenkins, and Denise Davis.
For information on The Ruppes contact April Potter Agency at 615-851-9072 or visit our web site at www.aprilpotteragency.com.
Tribute to Shuttle Columbia victims February 10, 2003
A special version of The Old Time Gospel Hour Quartet's song, "Valley Of The Shadow", has been prepared in response to the Space Shuttle Columbia tragedy, by Rodney Baucom of Joy FM in Winston Salem, NC. Baucom has mixed various news reports and excerpts from the speech given by President George Bush with the song. You can listen to the song by logging onto www.otghquartet.com
"Mom" Lewis of The Lewis Family passes away February 10, 2003
Pauline "Mom" Lewis passed away Saturday, February 8th around 7 AM. She was 92 years old, and she and Pop celebrated their 77th anniversary October 25, 2002. She was affectionately known as Mom Lewis, matriarch of the world famous Blue Grass Gospel group The Lewis Family.
Mom and Pop had 8 children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a woman of God with great faith that she passed on to her family, and will be deeply missed. Augusta Chronicle obituary, click here.
Visitation was at Rees Funeral Home, Lincolnton, GA from 6 - 9 PM Sunday February 9th. Funeral will be 3 PM on Monday, February 10th at the Hephzibah Baptist Church in Lincolnton, with burial in the Hephzibah Baptist Church cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Lewis Family Pavilion Fund or Hephzibah Baptist Church:
The Lewis Family - A Permanent Tribute
c/o Edward McCurry
940 Ellenboro - Henrietta Rd.
Ellenboro, NC 28040
or
Hephzibah Baptist Church
1750 Hephzibah Church Road
Lincolnton, GA 30817
Remember all the Lewis Family, especially Pop, in your prayers at this time of great loss and sorrow.
Cards may be sent to The Lewis Family, 1635 Washington Hwy, Lincolnton, GA 30817
|
