SGN Music Awards Recap

Well - the last Tuesday of April has come and gone and now I'm exhausted. The SGN Music Awards Celebration was this past Tuesday, and words can not express how truly great an evening it was. Sure, there were some awards handed out, but more importantly, we had church. It seemed like all the songs were just appropriate for the evening.

While I was thoroughly impressed with all of the performers, there were a few stand outs. The Isaacs absolutely blew everyone out of the water with their accapella rendition of "Blessed Assurance." It was beautiful. Hope's Call's unplugged version of "You Are Loved" coupled with "Grace Falls Down" was another truly beautiful moment in the night. Karen Peck & New River tore it up on "Just One Touch", and The Ruppes sounded truly angelic on "Amazing Grace." Jason Crabb ended the night in a truly humble, Christ honoring fashion by performing "I'd Rather Have Jesus" with his sister Terah and Charlotte Ritchie.

However, probably the most talked about person after it was all said and done was my beautiful cohost Sondra Burnett. She had the crowd eating out of the palm of her hand. The line about after that night - she had seen the Booth Brothers more than her own husband was pure ad libbing genius. Sondra - I tip my hat to you. You even made ME look good! You turned more than a few heads on Tuesday night!

I believe the thing that stuck out to me the most about the evening was just how much the industry and artists supported each other. There was more hooping and hollering during the multimedia from the artist section than anywhere else. Whether it was by giving Daniel Riley a standing ovation after winning Producer of the Year (Artist) with his brother Doug or showing their appreciation to big winners Booth Brothers or worshipping along with their friends while they were performing - it was quite a thing to watch. Every artist was genuinely happy for each other. That is the way it should be.

I believe the multimedia honoring those musicians who died this past year did its job. It was another truly special moment that ended with Lily Isaacs standing up in a standing ovation to honor their lives - soon the whole place was on their feet. I was honored to be a part of such a family based industry. Though we weren't related by blood - we truly were a family on Tuesday night.

Thank you to all of the artists and industry and fans who came out and supported the SGN Music Awards Celebration. It looks like we have to find a bigger venue next year, as the auditorium was standing room only by the time 7:00 pm rolled around. That's a problem that I'm more than happy to try and fix.

I do have to give a big special thanks to Jason Crabb and David Sikes for setting up and running sound for us. I never once saw David get frustrated or upset. He was a great example of a Christlike attitude all evening. Thank you David for being the best sound guy in the industry today.

Also - to Karen Peck - thanks for being a good sport about sitting in front of the projector! The bit with your shoes was hilarious!

Singing News Fan Awards - Predictions

Being such an awards freak that I am - here are my predictions for the Top 5 Ballot of the Singing News Fan Awards. Something in my gut tells me that we are going to see some new blood nominated and winning.

Male Singer
Most likely nominees: Jason Crabb, Scott Fowler, Brian Free, Ivan Parker, Gerald Wolfe
Don't count out: Mike Bowling, Ernie Haase, Eric Bennett
Commentary: Even though Parker had what was probably his most lackluster year, I don't see him leaving any time soon. Fowler is probably the least stable of all five nominees. I'd love to see some Mike Bowling in this category.

Favorite Female Singer
Most likely nominees: Sheri Easter, Karen Peck Gooch, Kim Hopper, Libbi Perry Stuffle, Lauren Talley
Don't count out: Debra Talley, Kelly Bowling, Connie Hopper
Commentary: This is definitely the hardest category to pick. Gooch was not a nominee last year but has been a staple in the category for years, and with the success of "Just One Touch", she should be a shoe-in this year. Any of the eight I have listed her could end up in the category. I don't see Peg McKamey making it through.

Young Artist
Most likely nominees: Aaron Crabb, Joseph Habedank, Scott Inman, Lauren Talley, Jason Waldroup
Don't count out: Amber Thompson
Commentary: Same names every year. I'm throwing a Crabb in this year, because this is their year to walk away with a lot of awards.

Horizon Individual
Most likely nominees: Wes Hampton, Matthew Holt, Lance Jeffrey, Micah Schweinsberg, Josh Simpson
Don't count out: Tracy Crouch, Michaela Brown, Dallas Rogers
Commentary: Another very close category. Historically, the Dixie Echoes have always done well in the awards, but I just think there are two many other A level new talent surfacing. Hampton should have no problem walking away with this award like David Phelps did.

Horizon Group
Most likely nominees: Crystal River, First Love, LeFevre Quartet, Monument Quartet, Soul'd Out Quartet
Don't count out: Browns, Beloved, Hope's Call, Eighth Day, Skyline Boys
Commentary: Honestly, any of these ten could show up. I'm just looking at who seems to be the biggest "campaigners". Hope's Call is the most deserving of all the nominees, but will probably fail to recieve a nomination due to lack of self promotion.

Tenor
Most likely nominees: Brian Free, Ernie Haase, Steve Ladd, David Sutton, Jason Waldroup
Don't count out: Billy Hodges, John Rulapaugh, Frank Seamans, Archie Watkins
Commentary: This category seems pretty predictable. Free, Haase, and Waldroup are locks, with Sutton a more than likely. Ladd is the only shaky nominee here, but I think he's had enough time with Gold City to earn himself a place here. I would say that Rulapaugh would be the most likely to take that fifth slot if Ladd doesn't make it.

Lead
Most likely nominees: Jason Crabb, Scott Fowler, Loren Harris, Jonathan Wilburn, Gerald Wolfe
Don't count out: Arthur Rice, Ryan Seaton, Bill Shivers
Commentary: Since these aren't accomplishment based, I have to regretfully put Shivers in the "don't count out" section. I think Loren Harris and Arthur Rice could be interchangeable here.

Baritone
Most likely nominees: Steve French, Rodney Griffin, Scott Howard, Daniel Riley, Mark Trammell
Don't count out: Doug Anderson, Joseph Habedank, Derrick Selph
Commentary: Another fairly easy category to predict. Daniel Riley deserves an award. Someone give it to him!!!!

Bass
Most likely nominees: Eric Bennett, Jeff Chapman, Tim Duncan, Glen Dustin, Gene McDonald
Don't count out: Mike Holcomb, Ray Dean Reese, Tracy Stuffle
Commentary: This category is fairly unpredictable every year. Usually it's the same 8 or 9 bass singers recognized, but it's never the same five every year. Where's Bill Gaither? LOL

Alto
Most likely nominees: Sheri Easter, Connie Hopper, Libbi Stuffle, Debra Talley, Susan Whisnant
Don't count out: Kim Lord, Terah Crabb Penhollow
Commentary: KIM LORD, KIM LORD, KIM LORD, KIM LORD!!!! (That's all I have to say.)

Soprano
Most likely nominees: Kelly Bowling, Karen Peck Gooch, Kim Hopper, Charlotte Ritchiem, Lauren Talley
Don't count out: Connie Fortner, TaRanda Greene, Annie McRae
Commentary: ANNIE MCRAE, ANNIE MCRAE, ANNIE MCRAE, ANNIE MCRAE!!!! (Again, all I have to say.)

Soloist
Most likely nominees: Mark Bishop, Mike Bowling, Michael Combs, Tony Gore, Ivan Parker
Don't count out: no one
Commentary: Sorry other five nominees, but these five will run away with it. Love you're ministry though!

Trio
Most likely nominees: Booth Brothers, Greater Vision, Karen Peck & New River, Talley Trio, Whisnants
Don't count out: Jeff & Sheri Easter, LordSong, Mark Trammell Trio
Commentary: I think LordSong has a semi-decent shot of ending up here this year, but it's gonna be tough. The Whisnants are campaigning machines, so they are a lock, as well as Greater Vision. Booth Brothers, in a perfect world, should be sweeping these awards. Mark Trammell Trio usually gets in on name recognition alone - but isn't that really what these awards are all about?

Mixed Quartet
Most likely nominees: Collingsworth Family, Crabb Family, Hoppers, Isaacs, Perrys
Don't count out: McKameys, Hoskins Family
Commentary: I know - it's a gutsy move, but the Collingsworth Family has a fan base the size of the populus of the entire state of Texas. I'm not exaggerating.

Traditional Quartet
Most likely nominees: Brian Free & Assurance, Gold City, Legacy Five, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Triumphant Quartet
Don't count out: Dove Brothers, Kingdom Heirs, Inspirations, Kingsmen
Commentary: This is definitely the hardest category to pick. BF&A had too good a year to not show up here, and Gold City and EH&SSQ are still at the top. I'd say Dove Brothers Quartet are next in line if one of these don't make it. They've had a great year, consistently in front of the press and their music has been all over the airwaves. I hope they can pull it off again.

Pianist
Most likely nominees: Roger Bennett, Justin Ellis, Andrew Ishee, Jeff Stice, Stewart Varnado
Don't count out: Martin Cook, Roy Webb
Commentary: Justin Ellis all the way - but we all know Roger's got it in the bag - as he should with the way he's touched base with his fans so frequently this past year.

Musician
Most likely nominees: Adam Crabb, Roger Fortner, Kreis French, Sonya Isaacs, Tim Surrett
Don't count out: Ricky Free, Mike Hopper, Dennis Murphy, Randy Shelnut, Jr.
Commentary: This category is all over the place, and it's any of these 9 musician's game.

Band
Most likely nominees: Brian Free & Assurance. Crabb Family, Isaacs, Kingdom Heirs, Kingsmen
Don't count out: Dixie Echoes, Inspirations
Commentary: BF&A is the only group here who is on shaky ground. Dixie Echoes would be next in line to take their place.

Album
Most likely nominees: It's So God - Brian Free & Assurance, Live At Brooklyn Tabernacle - Crabb Family, My Favorite Place - Greater Vision, Remembering the Happy Goodmans - Perrys, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound - Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Don't count out: From the Smokies - Inspirations, New Day Dawning - Whisnants, Triumphant Quartet - Triumphant Quartet
Commentary: Pretty easy category. Inspirations have a knack for showing up here for some reason, but I'm predicting that won't happen this year.

Songwriter
Most likely nominees: Roger Bennett, Mark Bishop, Gerald Crabb, Rodney Griffin, Kyla Rowland
Don't count out: Mike Bowling, Aaron Crabb, Scott Inman
Commentary: Another very easy category to predict. Roger Bennett's big song of the year - "Out of My Darkness" seems to be resonating with fans.

Favorite Artist Website
Most likely nominees: Brian Free & Assurance, Crabb Family, Gold City, Legacy Five, Perrys
Don't count out: Greater Vision, Inspirations, Kingdom Heirs, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Triumphant Quartet
Commentary: What a weird category for the Singing News. Some of these webpages have no business being here, but I'm going to refrain from posting who's site really is not the best.


Favorite Southern Gospel Song
Do You Want To Be Forgiven - Signature Sound
Don't Let The Sandals Fool Ya - Triumphant Quartet
He Saw It All- Booth Brothers
Healed - Brian Free & Assurance
His Name Was John - Perrys
I'm Not Ashamed - Inspirations
New Day Dawning - Whisnants
Out Of My Darkness - Legacy Five
Paid In Full Through Jesus, Amen - Greater Vision
Shepherd's Call - Crabb Family
Commentary: I just don't understand why some of these songs are here. "His Name Was John"? No thanks. "I'm Not Ashamed". That's nice, but it doesn't make you a great song. Oh well, you win some you lose some.

GMA Music Week (or Knowing When It’s Time to Be Quiet)

GMA Music Week was a blast as usual this year. It was another absolutely crazy year with lots and lots of walking up and down hills, and smoozing with industry people, and getting more tired by the minute. I loved it. I got some interviews this week with some of my clients - The Imperials, Hope's Call, Valor, HisSong, Johnny Minick, and - believe it or not - Sunday Edition.

The SGMG's Southern Gospel Celebration was a lot of fun. Some knock out performances came from - of course - the Crabb Family. Ernie Haase & Signature Sound stole the show. Regardless of how you feel about their hair or their ties or their moves on stage - whatever "it factor" is - this group's got it. While I'm not a huge fan of "Long As I Got King Jesus" - Brian Free & Assurance knocked it out of the park. My biggest excitement over the night comes over the Mike Bowling Group. Folks, this group is going to be HOT. They were totally awesome. If you get a chance to hear them this year - don't miss it. Everyone else also did fantastic - but those were the groups that really stuck out to me that evening.

I do want to talk about something else though. For those of you who don't get a chance to make it to this thing every year - let me tell you about something. They put the chairs about three quarters back in the ballroom where the concert is held for GMA Week. Instead of coming in and sitting down and listening - half of the audience is standing in the back of the ballroom talking - LOUDLY. The thing about it is that its not fans doing it - it's our industry professionals doing it. They are talking so loud, that you can hear them talking over the music - and that is already pretty dang loud. Not only that - but the host - Chonda Pierce and a couple artists - ask them to please be quiet I know at least three times during the course of a two hour concert, and it doesn't even phase them.

WAKE UP INDUSTRY. Way to make Southern Gospel look bad. You were embarassing to the genre and to those of us that work in the industry that were trying to be a support to the artists performing and were listening to the concert. You did nothing but hurt us in the eyes of a Gospel music community that already thinks we're irrelevant in today's musical landscape and to the fans that came to visit.

You know what - this isn't the first year that this has happened - it's the third. My plea goes out to Judy Nelon and Clarke Beasley and whoever else is in charge of this thing to do something about it. It's got to end.

The industry professionals who were standing back there talking the whole time should be ashamed of themselves.

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