Fun Clip Friday - Collingsworth Family

The Collingsworth Family is set to record a live DVD this weekend. They shared a clip of rehearsal last night on Facebook courtesy of Courtney. The event is sold out, but you can still watch a webcast online. Find out more at the Collingsworth Family's website.

Enjoy this short preview for today's Fun Clip Friday!

Joshua 24:15 - Jordan Family Band - CD Review

The Jordan Family Band might be a new name for many gospel fans. This family group consists of husband and wife Joshua and Randa Jordan and their sons, Hutch (17), Alex (12) and Grant (10). Their latest album Joshua 24:15 was my first real introduction to the group. I'd see a few viral Facebook videos and been impressed, but hadn't had a chance to really listen to the group.

While Randa is the main vocalist of the group, Joshua had a hand in writing all 11 songs on the projects with only two co-writes.

The project kicks off with "Our Time to Shine" which I think does a nice job of setting the tone and really saying where the group is now. Judging from this album, I think this project is the one that's going to make a lot of people notice the Jordan Family Band.

Joshua has a nice country voice that is featured on "Better Than I Used to Be" and "I Miss Them All." "Better Than I Used to Be" is a song that really can speak to every Christian regardless of where they are in their walk with Christ. "I Miss Them All" is a song that could easily fit on country radio.

"The Day" is one of the group's singles from this project. It features Randa, and to me is one of the strongest songs on the project. It tells the story of Christ's death and resurrection. Great Easter song! "

One of my favorite songs she sings is "My God Is Faithful." The song really showcases the mountain, folksy flavor in her voice. Songs about God's faithfulness can always serve as the reminder believers need.

"It's a Big Big World" and "Joshua 24:15" highlights Alex Jordan's young talent. "Remember the Ember" features oldest son Hutch. It's a great song with a strong message for a younger singer, but he delivers it well.  I can definitely hear the potential in both boys. Look forward to great things from them as they get older.

This might be your first time hearing about the Jordan Family Band, but it won't be your last. I expect great things to come from this group based on Joshua 24:15.

Song to put on repeat: "Our Time to Shine," "My God Is Faithful"

Songs to turn up: "The Day"

Songs to give a second listen (those songs that don't necessarily stand out on a first listen-through but then become a "repeat" song): "Remember the Ember," "How Much the More"

Song List -

1. "Our Time to Shine"
2. "I've Got You Covered"
3. "Better Than I Used to Be"
4. "The Day"
5. "It's a Big Big World (But I've Got a Big Big God)"
6. "My God Is Faithful"
7. "I Miss Them All"
8. "How Much the More"
9. "Joshua 24:15"
10. "Remember the Ember"
11. "Heart Healer"

In Case You Missed It - News and Tidbits -

Here are news items from this week in Southern Gospel -

• Doug Pittman has joined the Down East Boys at tenor. He was most recently with the Dixie Melody Boys. His first concert with the group will be on April 21.
• Congratulations to Kody and Cayla Erwin on the birth of their daughter, Laney Brooke on Sunday, April 9, 2017 at 3:35 p.m. She was 7 pounds, 11 ounces, and measured 20 1/2 inches long.
• The Absolutely Gospel Music Awards were held on Tuesday. Here's the full list of winners. You can also view the entire awards show on Facebook.
• Prayers requested for Tracy Stuffle. He had his gallbladder removed on Friday. With his medical history, there are always risks; however, Tracy came through the surgery well. Please pray for him and Libbi as he recovers.

Anything I've missed?

Fun Clip Friday - About the Cross

It's Friday ... and Good Friday at that. It's the season where we reflect on the sacrifice of Christ, His death and resurrection. With it being that season, let's look at a few songs all about the cross.

Absolutely Gospel Awards 2017

The Absolutely Gospel Music Awards were held last night in Nashville. I always look forward to this awards show every year. It does a great job of highlighting achievements made over the past year and showcasing different groups.

Thanks to Absolutely Gospel for Facebook Live streaming the event. I got to watch most of it last night. Before the full list of winners, here are a few of my thoughts/ observations about the ceremony -

• I loved The Isaacs' acceptance for their award for Nature’s Symphony in 432 talking about the album and how much it meant to them because of all they walked through in the past couple years. They talked about how it was such a reminder of God's faithfulness and then seeing Sonya up there with her new baby was just icing on the cake!
• Each of the genre recording of the year awards were exactly as I would have picked. 
• Loved Karen Peck Gooch getting recognition for her songwriting! Her humility in her speech and how much she appreciated the award was so evident.
• The Bowling Sisters had one of the performances of the night. And it was apparent the crowd loved it. These girls not only showed their vocal chops, but they had church on stage.
• Another performance of the night was the Nelons. Not many groups can just get on stage and sing an a cappella hymn like that.
• Lauren Talley and Riley Harrison Clark were great hosts for the night. And their duet was amazing!
• It was sweet seeing Amy Zika getting the Susan Unthank Memorial Award.

Here's the full list of Absolutely Gospel Music award winners:

Song of the Year: “Home” – Jason Crabb (written by Gerald Crabb)

Album of the Year: Nature’s Symphony in 432 – The Isaacs (produced by Ben Isaacs)

Pacesetter: Crossroads Music Group

Breakthrough Artist of the Year: The Wilbanks

Male Vocalist of the Year: Riley Harrison Clark (Tribute Quartet)

Female Vocalist of the Year: Chris Freeman (The Freemans)

Male Group of the Year: Ball Brothers

Female Group of the Year: Bowling Sisters

Mixed Group of the Year: Karen Peck & New River

Songwriter of the Year (Artist): Karen Peck Gooch (Karen Peck & New River)

Songwriter of the Year (Professional): Sue C. Smith

Producer of the Year (Artist): Ben Isaacs (The Isaacs)

Producer of the Year (Professional): Cody McVey

Engineer of the Year: Van Atkins

Musician of the Year: Josh Singletary (Tribute Quartet)

Traditional Song of the Year: “Amazing God” – Triumphant Quartet (written by Lee Black, Janice Crow and Sue C. Smith)

Traditional Recording of the Year: Here For You – Tribute (produced by Wayne Haun)

Progressive Song of the Year: “Calling” – Karen Peck & New River (written by Jason Cox, Gerald Crabb and Karen Peck Gooch)

Progressive Recording of the Year: What a Moment – 11th Hour (produced by Jeff Collins)

Country Song of the Year: “Christ My Hope, My Glory” – HIGHROAD with Jason Crabb (written by Sarah Davison and Kenna West)

Country Recording of the Year: Nature’s Symphony in 432 – The Isaacs (produced by Terry Bradshaw and Ben Isaacs)

Special Event Project of the Year: The Hinson Side of Me – Chris Freeman (produced by Darrell Freeman)

Music Video of the Year: “The People In the Line” – The Talleys (directed by Jared Meyers of Meyers Media, LLC)

Fan Favorite Artist of the Year: Karen Peck & New River

Susan Unthank Memorial Award: Amy Marie Zika