Praise Masters to hold anniversary concert August 19, 2003
The Praise Masters of Shelby, NC will be holding their anniversary concert, Saturday, September 6th. This great night of Southern Gospel Music will feature: THE PRAISE MASTERS, 3 FOR 1, THE AMERICANS, THE SONGSTERS, AND THE WHERY FAMILY. Tickets are $10.00 and Senoir Citizens tickets are $5.00. Children 12 and under are FREE with a paid adult admission. For more information, call 704-434-2142 or 704-482-7611 EXT 215. MASTERCARD AND VISA ARE ACCEPTED. So go ahead and make plans to attend this great evening of worship.

Leviticus signs with Son Sound Music Group August 19, 2003
Son Sound Music Group announces the signing of Leviticus to a recording contract with the company's Son Sound Platinum Label. Leviticus is a new traditional Southern Gospel trio based out of Wilmington, NC. Veteran Southern Gospel artist Eddie Reynolds, a former member of Naomi & the Segos is joined by a former member of The Apostles, Brian Sheppard and newcomer Tim Probst as members of this exciting new group. Son Sound Vice President Mike Robinson says that the group's first project is scheduled to begin on September 3 with a targeted release date for late 2003.

Pictured left to right: Brain Sheppard, Eddie Reynolds, Son Sound Vice President Mike Robinson and Tim Probst.

Jennifer McKamie & By Grace in studio August 19, 2003
Son Sound recording artists Jennifer McKamie & By Grace are in the studio working on a new recording project. The group has chosen songs that will minister to the lost and encourage the saint. Brad Hudson of 3 For 1 produced the record and Art Bain helped the group with vocal arrangements. Musicians consist of studio musician of the year, David Johnson playing utility. Rick Murray played the drums and percussion. Richard Putnam was the piano player for the session and Jerry Riggins was the bass guitarist. Visit Jennifer McKamie's website at www.singingbygrace.com for more information on this talented group.

Dunaways celebrate new release August 19, 2003
SMYRNA, TN(Press Release) - The Dunaways' newest Family Music Group release, Beautiful Day, was celebrated at a listening party by an enthusiastic group of songwriters, artists and industry professionals at The Family Room Studio in Gallatin, TN, recently. Those enjoying the music and fellowship included Robb Tripp, Mary Sloan, Rebecca and Tom Peck, Beckie and Jeff Pearson, Susan and Deon Unthank, Amy Unthank, Jack Smith, Phillip Emery, Les Butler, Henrietta Brown, Tammy and Randall Dunaway, Kanah Dunaway, and others. The title track, "Beautiful Day," is the first single from the CD.

Mission House Music Group adds to roster August 19, 2003
NASHVILLE, TN(Press Release) - Nashville-based Mission House Music Group recently added Christian artist Jim Murphy to its artist roster. Producer George Hairr will begin work immediately on Murphy's debut project scheduled for release in the fall of 2003.

Raised in Hamburg, AR, - hometown of the successful sibling trio The Martins - Murphy now resides in Crossett, AR, with his wife Beth and their two children. Murphy comments, "I'm thankful for the opportunity to work with such great people at Mission House. It's a wonderful thing to be able to share God's Word through song and know you have the support of people around you as you undertake such a ministry."

Eddie Crook recuperating from heart attack August 19, 2003
GOODLETTSVILLE, TN(Press Release) - Southern Gospel producer Eddie Crook continues to recuperate in a Nashville area hospital after suffering a mild heart attack at his home Thursday evening.

This past Saturday, Eddie's medical team installed a single stint in his heart. The doctors are pleased with his recovery thus far and expect a full and complete recovery. Mr Crook is scheduled to be released from the hospital Tuesday afternoon with a possible return to the office expected later in the week.

The outpouring of love and concern from their friends and associates during this challenging time humbles Janice and Eddie. They continue to request your prayers on their behalf.

Cards, letters of encouragement or flowers should be sent to the Eddie Crook Company offices located at 814 Wren Road Goodlettsville, TN 37072.

Jake Hess continues to improve August 19, 2003
COLUMBUS, GA-Jake Hess continues to improve after his recent health ailments. After a month-long stay in the hospital, Jake is recovering in the home of his daughter and undergoing rehabilitation every day. Jake is working hard to return to singing and he hopes to be back singing in September.

He is in good spirits he wants everyone to know that he appreciates all the prayers that have been offered on his behalf.

Keep those prayers going!

Gold City's Tim Riley recovers from surgery August 19, 2003
Tim Riley (owner and bass vocalist of the award winning Gold City) continues to recover at his home in Alabama following left knee replacement surgery on August 4. Doctors, family and friends - and Tim himself - are very pleased with the exceptional progress Tim has made as he undergoes physical therapy.

Because of the recovery time necessitated by total knee replacement, Tim will be off the road for another two-three weeks. Bill Lawrence, former bass singer for Brian Free & Assurance, is filling in for Tim. The Riley family appreciates all of your prayers and well wishes during this time.

SG Promoters Association announces NQC plans August 9, 2003
LOUISVILLE, KY(Press Release) - Jim Hefner, President of the Southern Gospel Promoters Association, has announced the upcoming SGPA activities scheduled for the National Quartet Convention. All Promoters meetings to take place during NQC. All meetings will be held in the Derbyshire Room at the Executive West Hotel.

On Wednesday, September 10th - 10:00am until Noon- Fellow- ship time for Promoters from around the country to visit. We are expecting representatives from The Singing News and U S Gospel News. We also expect some artists to drop by. There will be no business conducted at this event. Refreshments will be served.

Thursday, September 11th - 10:00am until Noon - Promoters only meeting for Promoters who are current members with paid up dues. At this time issues will be discussed that Promoters are currently facing. Thursday, September 11th - 1:30 pm will be the annual meeting with the Booking Agencies at which time the Promoters will express their concerns to the Agencies and will listen to the Agencies concerns as well. Hopefully, we can find some solutions that will benefit everyone.

Friday, September 12th - 8:00am - 11:00am - the annual Promoters and Agencies breakfast and showcase. A great breakfast and good gospel singing as The Harper Agency, Beckie Simmons Agency, Rivergate Agency and Solid Rock Talent Agency present Artists which they represent. Our keynote speaker will be Jerry Kirksey from Singing News.

All events are free, including the breakfast, to current members of the SGPA. If you have not paid for the upcoming year, we urge you to send your $50.00 membership to the SGPA Secretary, Cindy Lackey, at 97 Antioch Road, Somerville, AL 35670. You must have your dues paid by August 25th. You will then receive your membership card that will give you and your spouse access to all the events. You must have your card. We also want to remind everyone to join us at Booth No. 146 sometime during NQC week.

Aaron Crisler joins Lamp Music Group August 9, 2003
WHITESBURG, Ga - Lamp Music Group is proud to announce the recent addition of familiar Southern Gospel name, Aaron Crisler, to it’s staff. Aaron will serve as the Assistant to Mike Pillow, Label President and Lamp Music Group owner. Many will remember Aaron from his days with Southern Gospel Legend, Naomi Sego. Aaron toured as a member of Naomi & The Segos in 2000 - 2001. “I left the road in 2001 to concentrate more on my website design business and to take a job with the public school system in my hometown. I had no intentions of really going back into Southern Gospel Music in any capacity except for the websites that I was currently maintaining. Through a series of events, I met Mike Pillow, and he asked to have a meeting with me, and I started the very same day we met. I am excited to be working with Lamp Music and the entire roster of artists. Everyone has made me feel so very welcome and I am thankful to God for that. I said a prayer a few years back asking God to put me on the business side of Southern Gospel Music, and in His time, he did and I could not be happier.” Mike Pillow comments, “I first saw Aaron as a member of Naomi & The Segos. I was impressed with his professionalism, and attitude. When we met, everything felt right, and I knew he was the man for the job and that God had sent him. Aaron’s attention to detail is great and he has greatly added to our staff, I am excited to welcome him to our Lamp Music Family.”

For more information on Lamp Music Group, log onto their website at www.lampmusic.com or call 770-830-1682.

Last surviving of original Oak Ridge Quartet dies August 2, 2003
ROCKY FACE, Ga. -- Marshall Lon "Deacon" Freeman, the last surviving member of the Oak Ridge Quartet, which later became gospel group The Oak Ridge Boys, died Wednesday at his home.

Freeman, 82, was born in Berryton and began singing as a child in a Baptist church. After serving with the Army Air Corps during World War II, he joined a group called the Georgia Clodhoppers as a singer and rhythm guitar player.

The group was renamed the Oak Ridge Quartet and made regular appearances on the Grand Ole Opry. Freeman left the group in 1949 because the travel kept him away from his family. He took a job broadcasting at WNGA radio in Rome.

In 2000, The Oak Ridge Boys were inducted into the Gospel Music Associations Gospel Hall of Fame in Nashville. Freeman was honored along with current Oak Ridge Boys Joe Bonsall, Richard Sterban, Duane Allen and William Lee Golden.

"I am deeply saddened at the loss of our oldest Oak," Bonsall said. "The big choir just got better."

Freeman is survived by his wife of 57 years, Rosa Nell Hampton Freeman, four children, 12 grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.

Jake Hess recovering at home August 1, 2003
Jake Hess is still recuperating at home since being released from the hospital the first part of July. Jake has suffered from a heart attack while in the hospital in June. Doctors repaired a blocked graph following his attack. He was in ICU for several days with kidney complications following the heart attack; but Doctors sent him home in early July to recover. Jake remains in rehabilitation and hopes to return to being a part of the Gaither Homecoming concerts as well as his own.
Jake Hess was one of the original members of the Statesmen Quartet during their heyday back in the 1940's and 50's. He has been a regular on the Gaither Homecoming's and for the past several years has make limited solo appearances.

Nicole Watts Jenkins signs with Lamp Music August 1, 2003
WHITESBURG, GA(Press Release) - Lamp Music Group of Whitesburg, GA is pleased to announce the signing of Nicole Watts Jenkins of Opelika, AL, to an exclusive contract with Gospel Heritage Records

Nicole is recognized as one of America's most loved and anointed Soprano Voices. While singing for 6 plus years with The Perrys, Nicole was nominated for the Favorite Soprano Singing News Fan Award for 5 years, Horizon Individual, and was featured on several #1 hits while with the group. Now as a soloist, Nicole is moving into a new area of ministry and is excited about what God has in store. "God has been so good to me and I thank Him for allowing me to continue to minister in song. He has blessed me more than I could ever imagine. I am really excited about the new project with Lamp Music Group. Mike and everyone who has worked on the album have done a tremendous job! I can't wait for it to be released."

Producer Mike Pillow comments "Nicole's sweet presence, powerful voice and personality make her a joy to work with. The Lamp Music Family is proud to have Nicole! We look forward to great things!"

Robin and Kim Rhoades hold TV special August 1, 2003
Southern Gospel Artists, Robin and Kim Rhoades were in Tulsa, Oklahoma filming a TV special Wednesday, July 30th at the TV/47 Studios. The Studio Complex was originally built for and occupied by Carman Ministries for his Video Production and features state of the art equipment and the largest sound stage in Oklahoma.

Robin and Kim's Television Special (and subsequent Video) will feature old movie clips and photos of them in Ministry dating back from the 1960's to the present as well as live Concert footage which was filmed in the Studio on July 30th. All Southern Gospel Music Fans in the Tulsa area are invited to come and attend the free Concert and Television taping which will be aired at a later date. The Studio is located at 88th and Memorial in Tulsa. For further information call the Rhoades Ministries Offices at (918) 524-9030. (It will be open seating, no advance reservations or tickets required.) www.robinandkim.com

Carolina Boys almost "Ready" August 1, 2003
ARDEN, NC(Press Release) - The Carolina Boys were in the Crossroads Studio recently finishing vocals on their new project entitled "Ready." The album features the familiar sounds of Ray Dean Reese, Randy Crawford, Jason Selph, Brandon Reese, Nick Succi and is enhanced by the new voices of baritone Tim Surrett and tenor Derrick Boyd. This straight ahead Southern Gospel album will include some real "barn-burners", moving ballads and is guaranteed to please quartet lovers everywhere.

This is the Carolina Boys second project with Horizon Records . The first radio single will be released to radio on the October Crossroads Sampler and the full project "Ready" will be released to retail on October 14th.

Lesters announce resignation and future plans August 1, 2003
St. Louis, MO. - THE LESTERS regretfully announce the resignation of long-time group members Dan and Ginger Pitchers, who have decided to leave the road in order to devote more time to ministries at their home church, Tower Grove Southern Baptist in St. Louis, MO. The decision was made only after much prayer by Dan and Ginger. Dan, an ordained minister and 23 year veteran of The Lesters, has been fulfilling numerous speaking engagements while still continuing to travel with The Lesters. He now feels God leading him to make his preaching ministry the priority at this time. Group lead and spokesperson Brian Lesters shares, "This, of course, is a sad day for me personally. Ginger and I have been together all of our lives, and I will certainly be sailing uncharted waters without her in this group. She and Dan have meant so much to our group down through the years. But, I know God is in control and He will continue to bless the Lesters as I continue this ministry. I look forward to seeing what He has in store not only for The Lesters but also Dan and Ginger as they begin this new chapter in their lives and seek His will."

Brian, along with group's soprano, Trecia Cisneros, and soundman/bus driver David Parrett, plan to continue The Lesters' 78-year legacy of singing gospel music. The regrouping process has already begun. Dan and Ginger have committed to stay on the road with the group until the end of this year.

Both male and female vocalists are welcome to submit a demo tape and recent photo to The Lesters - 2000 South 39th Street - St. Louis, MO. 63110. Please NO PHONE CALLS!! Applicants must be able to play piano.