2016 Southern Gospel Dove Award Nominees

The Dove Award nominees were announced yesterday. As always, it's good to see Southern Gospel artists and professionals recognized. The full list of Southern Gospel nominees are below, but first a few thoughts and observations -

• I would have liked to have seen Southern Gospel represented in a few of the overall categories this year. I hate that there's no representation in these categories, and not sure that there has been in the past couple of years.
• I really think that Cana's Voice should have been included in the "new artist" category. They have made quite a splash this year!
• For the second year in a row, Karen Peck Gooch has not only been honored as a vocalist but also for her songwriting.
• Also, good to see Joseph Habedank honored for his writing with a nomination for musical of the year.
• Good to see some teenage nominees in Southern Gospel with both Hope Bowling and Olivia Collingsworth as some of the youngest nominees this year.

Congratulations to all the Southern Gospel nominees!

Southern Gospel Artist of the Year

• Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, ​StowTown Records
• Gaither Vocal Band​, ​Gaither Music Group
• Greater Vision​, ​Daywind Records
• Karen Peck & New River​, ​Daywind Records
• The Perrys​, ​StowTown Records

Producer of the Year

• Wayne Haun

Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year

• “​Heaven's Shore​”​ – David Phelps, (writer) David Phelps

Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year

• “Jesus Changed Everything”​ – Ernie Haase & Signature Sound (writers) Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey
• “Jesus Gave Me Water”​ – Gaither Vocal Band, (writer) Lucie E. Campbell
• “I am Blessed”​ – Karen Peck & New River, (writers) Karen Peck Gooch, Kenna West, Michael Farren
• “Keep On”​ – Perrys, (writers) Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey
• “Jesus, The One”​ – The Hoppers, (writer) Paula Stefanovich

Bluegrass Recorded Song of the Year

• “He’s In Control”​ – Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, (writer) Steve Watts
• “In The Heat of the Fire”​ – Flatt Lonesome (writer) Kelsi Harrigill
• “Life’s Railway to Heaven (with the Oak Ridge Boys)”  - Jimmy Fortune, (writers) Eliza R. Snow, M.E. Abbey 
• “I’ll Fly Away”​ – Joey + Rory, (writers) Albert E. Brumley 
• “Leave It All on the Altar - The Isaacs, (writers) Gloria Gaither, William J. Gaither, Buddy Greene

Country Recorded Song of the Year

• “​Love Covered My Sin​”​ – Doug Anderson (writers) Wayne Haun, Randall Garland, Val Dacus
• “​Small Town Someone (Lunch)​”​ – Jeff & Sheri Easter (writers) Sheri Easter, Kenna Turner West, Jason Cox
• “​I Believe (with The Whites)​”​ – Jimmy Fortune (writer) Jimmy Fortune
• “He Touched Me”​ – Joey+Rory (writer) William J. Gaither'
• “​Seconds Count​”​ – Shenandoah ft. Karen Peck (writers) Mike McGuire, Marty Raybon

Southern Gospel Album of the Year

• Still – Booth Brothers, (producers) Jason Webb, Lari Goss, Ronnie Booth, Michael Booth, Jim Brady 
• That Day Is Coming – Collingsworth Family, (producer) Wayne Haun 
• Happy People ​– Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, (producers) Ernie Haase, Wayne Haun, Todd Collins 
• How We Love ​– Mark Lowry, (producers) Mark Lowry, Kevin Williams 
• Moments Like These ​– The Bowling Family, (producer) Mike Bowling

Bluegrass/ Country Album of the Year

• Small Town, Celebrating 30 Years of Music & Marriage –​ Jeff & Sheri Easter, (producers) Madison Easter, Greg Cole, Jeff & Sheri Easter 
• Hits & Hymns ​– Jimmy Fortune, (producer) Ben Isaacs 
• Hymns That Are Important To Us -​ Joey+Rory, (producers) Rory Lee Feek, Joe West 
• Good News Travels Fast​ – Shenandoah (producers) Bud McGuire, Mike McGuire 
• Shoulders ​– Wilburn & Wilburn (producers) Ben Issacs, Jonathan Wilburn, Jordan Wilburn

Children's Music Album of the Year

• Sweet Dreams​ – Sandi Patty, (producer) Steve Wingfield

Special Event Album of the Year

• Blessed Assurance: The New Hymns of Fanny Crosby – ​ Various, (producers) Bobby Blazier, John Hartley 
• Let the Glory Come Down ​– Bill & Gloria Gaither and Friends, (producers) Geron Davis, Bradley Knight

Musical of the Year

• Bethlehem Morning​, ​(creators) Russel Mauldin, Sue C. Smith 
• Jesus, Only Jesus​, (creator) Craig Adams ​ 
• That’s Where The Story Begins​, ​(creators) Dave Clark, Gerald Crabb, Mike Harland 
• This Changes Everything​, (creators) Marty Funderbunrk, Joseph Habedank 
• Under a Starry Sky (A Dramatic Musical for Christmas)​, (creators) Joel Lindsey, Jeff Bumgardner

Choral Collection of the Year

• Burning Lights – Choral Collection​, (arranger) Cliff Duren  
• My Hope (Songs & Message of Billy Graham)​, (arranger) Travis Cottrell 
• Southern Gospel Songs (10 New, Emerging​ and Classic Hits for Southern Gospel Choir)​, ​(arranger & orchestrator) Marty Hamby 

See the full list of nominees here.

Review - Southern Gospel Journal An Anthology - Daniel J. Mount

When I first discovered Southern Gospel, I was like a sponge soaking up all I could about this music. Many times, the websites that I turned to to learn about the music were blogs. As I fell in the love with the music, I loved learning as much as I could about what was going on in the industry.  It was reading their blogs that really first got me to consider blogging.

Daniel Mount's blog, Southern Gospel Blog later Southern Gospel Journal, was one that I visited every day. He retired the blog in 2014, but remains active in the industry.

He released a book Southern Gospel Journal: An Anthology earlier this year. The book includes some of his most popular blog posts from CD reviews to commentary to recaps to news stories. There are 50 chapters full of highlights of his blog. He blogged from 2006 - 2014 writing 3,175 posts and 1,048,944 words. 

It was fun reading and discovering some of those early blog posts before I had really become a faithful reader. I loved reading the historic LP reviews of the Cathedrals Trio and even the album reviews of projects that I had come to love like Look No Further by the Perrys and Always Have a Song by Mark Trammell Trio. 

If you were a faithful reader, you'll enjoy rereading posts like I did. One of my personal favorites was Daniel's tribute to Louisville after the last NQC there in 2013. I never got to attend an NQC there but through his post, I felt like I had. I could feel the significance of the move that was taking place. He had time to dig into the industry and bring out interesting points on stability of groups and the most recorded songs. In the years of the blog, read the two posts with the same title that both bring out different points. You can find out which post Daniel regrets writing. Read his advice to groups on reaching the younger fans. He also digs into the theology behind so many songs and examines the true thing that sets Southern Gospel apart - the message.

Daniel did an incredible job of posting daily, fresh content that not only promoted the music but got fans to think about the industry. That's something I don't think any of us have measured up with doing in the blogosphere. Enjoy reliving his 50 most popular posts with this book. Be sure to get your copy of Southern Gospel Journal: An Anthology!

In Case You Missed It - News and Tidbits - August 6

Here are some news items from this week in gospel music -

• Prayers go out to the families of Bryan Elliot (Gold City) and Chris Jenkins (Anchormen) who both lost their grandfathers this week.
• Freedom Quartet announced the addition of Scott Mullins as baritone vocalist. He is from Charleston, West Virginia. Scott has previously sung with The Gospel Harmony Boys and most recently Tim Greene’s trio, The Greenes.
• David Ponder of Ponder, Sykes and Wright underwent a heart transplant this week. Keep him in your prayers as he recovers.
• Harmony Road TV will begin its fifth season this fall with significant changes to the program. These include a series of revolving hosts, new production and promotions team and a completely new look and theme music. The program will continue to air current and classic gospel music videos and timely interviews. 
• NQC online streaming is now available to purchase at natqc.com. 

Anything I've missed?

Fun Clip Friday - Mark Trammell - On the Couch with Fouch

Happy Friday to all! The latest On the Couch with Fouch is an interview with Mark Trammell. He tells some great stories of his days with Cathedrals and Gold City. Check it out below -

Keeping On - Perrys Concert Recap

Since I've started blogging, there are a handful of concerts I can count on every year. Some churches you know will have a particular group at the same time every year. One of those is the Perrys being at Oak Bowery around Conway toward the end of each summer. And this is a concert I look forward to every year. I love going to this church. Every concert I've ever been to at this church has had the sweetest spirit, you could feel God working in this church. This year was no exception.

Katy Peach filled in for Libbi that weekend. Tracy had some health issues at the last minute so both he and Libbi were back in Nashville. I had only seen Katy sing live once before almost 10 years ago. I knew she was a great vocalist, but I had forgotten just how good she was!

Here are some highlights of the night -

• "Prior to a Prayer" - Troy took the first verse and Katy the second. Absolutely beautiful song and such a powerful moment! 
• "He Will Hide Me" - This is probably my favorite Perrys song, so every time I get to hear it live, it will be a highlight!
• "Privilege of Prayer" - Troy said that they really don't sing this one often. However, a writer of the song, Rachel McCutcheon, was in the audience, and Katy knew this one so they sang it. Troy talked about how much he loved this song and how it was one of his favorites that the Perrys recorded. 
• "Keep On" - They sang this new one right before intermission. Love how they have the audience join in and sing the chorus with them.
• "Holy Shore" - This is one of those songs I kinda forgot about to be honest. I don't hear them sing this one often, so I'm glad it was staged that night. Andrew was featured on the first verse and Katy on the second. 

They ended the service with the congregation standing and singing "What a Day That Will Be." It was an incredible night of worship.

With all they have been through in the past several years and even in the uncertainty they faced that night, they were able to testify about God's goodness and faithfulness. They are able to stand night after night and proclaim that God is with them through every step, past and whatever they walk through in the future. It was a good reminder that nothing in life takes God by surprise. God knew who exactly would be singing that night and who needed to be in the audience to hear.

Thanks, Perrys, for the ministry and the reminders of God's faithfulness. In the tough times, He never leaves, and we can keep on trusting Him. "Keep On, Be Brave, Hold Fast, Have Faith..."