2015 Dove Award Winners

The Dove Awards were held last night in Nashville. The awards won't actually air on television until Sunday night on TBN. Several Southern Gospel artists including the Gaither Vocal Band, Karen Peck, the Nelons, Russ Taff, Mark Lowry, the Martins, the Talleys and the Erwins were there and performed. Joseph Habedank performed and was even a host for the pre-show.

Check out the Nelons' Facebook page for several pictures from the event. And here's a video from Facebook of the Southern Gospel segment.

Southern Gospel segment at the Dove Awards
Posted by Eric Dunson on Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Here's a look at the Southern Gospel winners! Congratulations to all!

Southern Gospel Artist Of The Year - Gaither Vocal Band

Southern Gospel Song of the Year - "Hidden Heroes" - The Talleys; (writers) Dixie Lynn Phillips, Sharon Phillips

Bluegrass Song of the Year - "God is There" - Lizzy Long & Rhonda Vincent; (writers) Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey

Country Song of the Year - "Sweet Jesus (ft. Merle Haggard)"- The Oak Ridge Boys; (writers) Merle Haggard, Kenny Vernon

Worship Song of the Year - "Because He Lives (Amen)"- Matt Maher; (writers) Chris Tomlin, Daniel Carson, Ed Cash, Gloria Gaither, Jason Ingram, Matt Maher, Bill Gaither; (publishers) Alletrop Music/Hanna Street Music/I Am A Pilgrim Songs/Open Hands Music/S.D.G. Publishing/Sixsteps Music/Sixsteps Songs, Worship Together Music/worshiptogether.com, songsworshiptogether.com, Essential Music Publishing

Southern Gospel Album of the Year - Pray Now - Karen Peck & New River (producer) Wayne Haun

Children's Music Album of the Year - Kids- The Hoppers; (producer) Mike Hopper

Musical of the Year - We're Glad You Came (A Musical Celebration of the Savior's Birth); (Creators) Jeff Burngardner, Joel Lindsey

For a full list of all winners, go to DoveAwards.com.

In Case You Missed It - News and Tidbits - Oct. 11

I'm a little late with this week's post, because I just got back from Branson and the Cathedrals Family Reunion. Such a great event that I'll definitely blog about later on! For now, here are some news items from this week in gospel music -

• Legacy Five announced Josh Feemster as its new tenor this week.
• Dixie Echoes also announced its new tenor who will be Stephen Adair.
• Congratulations to Jim Brady who will be inducted into the Texas Gospel Music Hall of Fame in November!
• Ruth Ellen Carter Yates passed away on October 5. She was a long-time member of the Chuck Wagon Gang. Please keep her family in your prayers.
• If you missed the Singing News Fan Awards, you can now watch the full show and pre-show online. Go to the Singing News website. 
• Daywind Records welcomed the Hoppers to its label this week.

Anything I've missed?

Fun Clip Friday - Cathedrals Family Reunion

This morning I am on my way to Branson for the Cathedrals Family Reunion. This is an event I've been looking forward to for a long time. The small taste I've seen from YouTube clips and the NQC finale last week made me even more anxious!

The Cathedrals Family Reunion events consist of Greater Vision, Mark Trammell Quartet, Legacy Five, Ernie Haase and Signature Sound and Danny Funderburk. For today's Fun Clip Friday, it only makes sense to share a clip from the first Cathedrals Family Reunion they did! Enjoy!

Dixie Echoes Announce New Tenor

Apparently it's the day for groups to announce a new tenor singer! Dixie Echoes sent a message to newsletter subscribers to say that the group's new tenor is Stephen Adair.

Here's the full release -

"We are proud to announce the hiring of Stephen Adair as our new tenor singer. He is from Huntington, IN, and has a fantastic tenor voice, and we're sure Dixie Echoes fans will come to love his singing, and sweet spirit. Be sure to welcome Stephen to the group next time you see the Dixie Echoes!"

A quick Google search failed to tell me whether or not this is Stephen's first opportunity with a group. If anyone knows the answer, chime in below and comment!

Josh Feemster Joins Legacy Five

Legacy Five welcomes new tenor singer Josh Feemster. He previously sang lead with Mercy's Mark. He also sang in a quartet with Craig and Chris West and Brent Mitchell.

Josh will join them the first full weekend of November. Legacy Five announced in August that Gus Gaches would be leaving the group. He had been having severe allergies and vocal fatigue and thought it would be best to come off the road.

Here's the video announcement Legacy Five released on its Facebook page -

And our new tenor is ......
Posted by Legacy Five on Thursday, October 8, 2015