This Week's News

enLighten, heard on Sirius Satellite Radio Channel 67 and X-M Radio’s Channel 34, will broadcast its exclusive, enhanced presentation of the 2008 Singing News Fan Awards this coming Monday evening, November 24th, beginning at 8 PM Eastern, 5 PM in the West, with an encore airing on Thursday, Thanksgiving Day beginning at 6 PM Eastern, 3 PM in the West. For information on all of enLighten’s special programming, visit http://www.sogoradio.com

--New Vault Titles Released November 18th--

Canaan Records wants to wish everyone a Merry Christmas by giving fans a FREE CD full of Christmas music and other Canaan selections from the Hoppers, Mike & Kelly Bowling, the Mike LeFevre Quartet and Kim Hopper at http://www.canaanrecords.com. After signing up to be a Friend of Canaan, the free music can be downloaded and saved to your computer or burned to a CD by entering the promotional code, “FREEGIFT.” The seasonal giveaway in is conjunction with a special article in the December issue of the Singing News magazine. Emily Higinbotham and Shaun Jackson of Word Entertainment explain the advantages of downloading music and address common misconceptions that will help extinguish the fear of obtaining music over the internet. The complete article will also be available at http://www.canaanrecords.com .

In addition to the first Canaan Vault release, A Classic Canaan Christmas, on November, 18th Expressions of Love by the Rex Nelon Singers and Sunshine and Roses by the Cathedrals were also added to the Canaan Vault. Canaan’s full album vault releases can be purchased through a number of digital service providers for under $10.00 and single songs can be purchased for around $1.00. Access to purchase and view these new releases can be found by logging on to http://www.canaanrecords.com/vault. More upcoming releases include The Cathedrals’ Something Special (January 20th) and The Happy Goodmans’ The Legendary Goodman Family (February 17th). A special release of Wendy Bagwell’s classic “Here Come The Rattlesnakes” will be released by Canaan digitally and to radio stations worldwide on December 2nd.

Canaan Records is offering another free Christmas gift to customers of the Canaan Records’ store at http://www.canaanrecords.com/store from November 1, 2008 until December 31, 2008. Fans can purchase releases from the Hoppers, Mike & Kelly Bowling, the Mike LeFevre Quartet and Kim Hopper or Canaan’s two-disc retrospective, Canaan Revisited, to receive their free gift. Personally autographed Canaan Christmas ornaments from the Hoppers, Mike & Kelly Bowling and the Mike LeFevre Quartet will be sent free of charge to fans who purchase a combination of two or more of these Canaan Records projects on the website. The exclusive ornament can also be purchased by itself on the website for only $5.00.

Fans can become a Facebook Friend of Canaan and not only receive exclusive updates on release schedules, but audio clips, pictures and more from your favorite Canaan artists as well. Coming Soon titles and a complete release schedule of upcoming old classics from Canaan Records can also be accessed from Canaan’s vault page and Canaan’s Facebook page. Mike & Kelly Bowling, the Mike LeFevre Quartet and the Hoppers also have their own Facebook pages with specific information about their groups. All pages can be accessed through Canaan’s page by following this link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Canaan-Records/25884114199

Hoppers, have announced their plans for their Anniversary Concert, entitled, A Christmas Celebration which will take place Saturday, November 29th, beginning at 6:00 p.m., at Morehead High School.

Joining the Hoppers will be Greater Vision, the Original Hopper Brothers & Connie, humorist Wayne Hopper and saxophonist Dennis Sparks. One of the highlights of the evening will be when the original Hopper Brothers and Connie reunite on stage. Brothers Steve, Will, Monroe, and Claude will be joining Connie as they sing many of the songs from their beginnings in 1956, along with Christmas carols and audience favorites.

“Sometimes it seems like the Hoppers are strangers in their own community, since they spend over 200 days a year away from home, touring,” said Dennis Sparks, booking manager for the legendary group. “This annual event is so meaningful and is always the highlight of the year for the family. This year they are pulling out all the stops. It will be a powerful and inspiring Christmas gala.”

According to Claude Hopper, “We’re especially excited about the anniversary concert and our scheduled guests. We have plenty of surprises in mind for the evening, too. This is an opportunity for us to emphasize our American Christian heritage and thank our many ministry friends for years of support. It’s also a wonderful time to celebrate the Savior’s birth. For the Hopper family, we feel it’s necessary to use this opportunity to reflect on how Christ has actively worked in our ministry and individual lives. We also want to focus on the importance of community and of being with our friends at this special time of year.”

The event will include a full audio/visual program.

“It is our goal that our community will have a warm experience, a great time, and be encouraged during this special concert,” Claude added. “It will be a wonderful blessing to celebrate our anniversary with our home folks. We hope you’ll leave with a smile on your face and the spirit of CHRISTmas in your hearts!”

The Hopper Heritage Foundation is sponsoring the concert phone 336-548-2968, or email for info.

SGN received the following email from the Stutzman Family:

With all the gloom and doom and bad news of the economy, we sometimes need reminded that God is still in control. We wanted to share a praise with you. While driving home from a concert Monday night, our family was involved in a head on collision. The snowy conditions and slick roads caused an oncoming car to lose control and slide into the path of our SUV and trailer. We swerved for the ditch but were unable to avoid the other car. Our vehicle ended up in the edge of a field sitting on three wheels. The front left tire along with most of the front of our car was scattered on the road about 150 feet back. But praise God everyone involved was able to walk away with only minor injuries due to great American engineering, airbags and most importantly God’s Almighty Hand.

Please keep the young lady from the other car in your prayers. Her foot was injured and she is on crutches; she was also underinsured and is now without a vehicle. As for The Stutzman Family, our car was completely totaled. We aren’t sure how well the insurance will be covering it yet because of her low coverage. We also have damage to our trailer and an undetermined amount of damage to our sound equipment. But, we are alive and know God was watching over us and that is something to get excited about. On a lighter note…the first responders to the crash site looked in the vehicle, asked if everyone was ok, and then said “Hey, is that The Stutzman Family?” You just never know who you’ll run in to (no pun intended). It is good to know we have friends everywhere.

The group can be contacted through their website at http://www.thestutzmanfamily.com

Tickets On Sale Now!

BRANSON, Mo. – YMR Productions is proud to announce the first major sponsor for the Branson Gospel Music Convention. YMR Productions has reached a sponsorship agreement with iPodJuice (http://www.ipodjuice.com), the leading iPod battery replacement company.

iPodJuice is a San Antonio-based company that offers kits allowing people to replace the battery in their iPod in a matter of minutes. They can also replace the battery for customers that would rather outsource the entire job.

Anthony Magnabosco, owner of Milliamp LTD explains, “The iPod batteries that we offer last far longer than the original stock battery that came with your iPod, so you get more playtime for less money.”

iPodJuice is a website owned by Milliamp LTD and specializes in iPod battery kits and services for the Apple iPod and iPhone. Milliamp LTD and the iPodJuice website are in no way associated with Apple Computer, Inc.

More information on iPodJuice can be found at http://www.ipodjuice.com/ipod-mini-battery-replacement-products.htm.

In addition, tickets have now gone on sale at the Branson Gospel Music Convention’s website. Artist Circle seating is $20.00 adults/$15.00 children (12 and under) and $70.00 adults/$60.00 children for the entire week. General admission is $15.00 adults/$10.00 children and $50.00 adults/$40.00 children for the entire week.

For more information on seating and tickets, visit the Branson Gospel Music Convention’s website.

Plans were announced last month for an annual event in the heartland of America. The Branson Gospel Music Convention will be held July 14-17, 2009 at the Branson Convention Center in Branson, Missouri.

Performances by The Blackwood Quartet, The Stamps Quartet, The Florida Boys, The Chuck Wagon Gang, and The Paynes will anchor this multi-day music festival that is sure to become one of the nation's premier Southern Gospel concerts. In addition to these pioneers, the concert will also feature some of the best-known artists from today, as well as some great regional artists from all over the country. Additional artists already confirmed for this year’s convention include Young Harmony, 2nd Generation, Rod Burton, Sunday Edition, Kenny Bishop, Gerald Crabb, and many more.

For more information on the event, visit http://www.bransonGMC.com .

Dave and Corina Needham of the Needhams have welcomed a brand new baby girl into their lives. Kayliana Leslie Needham was born October 29, 2008 at 3:51 PM at Middle Tennessee Medical Center in Murfreesboro, TN. Kayliana is the couple’s third baby girl and both mom and her are home and doing well.

Exclusive CD features 12 favorites handpicked by beloved singer and songwriter

Now, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® is pleased to offer an exclusive new CD featuring 12 of Bill Gaither’s favorite hymns that he personally selected to share with Cracker Barrel’s guests.

In selecting the hymns for this Cracker Barrel CD, Gaither chose ones with long-standing personal meaning. “These songs of faith, many of which I fell in love with as a kid, are just as solid and true today as they have ever been”, said Gaither, “and they will keep holding true for the days to come, no matter what the future holds!”

“We know that Bill Gaither is a favorite for many of our guests and so we are pleased to offer this CD as part of our exclusive collection,” said Peter Keiser, Vice President of Marketing for Cracker Barrel. “This new album offers an opportunity to feel all the warmth of a Bill Gaither Homecoming.”

With a retail price of $11.99, the 12-song Bill Gaither’s Homecoming Hymns CD is the latest project in an impressive collection of exclusive music available only at Cracker Barrel.

Gospel music producer and promoter Polly Grimes of Redondo Beach, Calif. was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame at Dollywood recently in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. Grimes pioneered the efforts to bring Southern gospel artists to California. Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame member Les Beasley of the Florida Boys inducted his long time friend.

“I am so proud to have you here,” she told Beasley. “You (gospel music fans and performers) are the people that have been a part of my family. Most of all I want to thank God, for He is the one who gives the "song" that has touches the hearts and lives of countless people around the world,” she said.

The Triumphant Quartet performed one of her favorite songs: “What a Savior.”

The other 2008 SGMA class of inductees are Ray Dean Reese, the late Fred Daniel, Squire Parsons, the late Herschel Lester, and the late Luther G. Presley. Producer and musician Lari Goss was presented the James D. Vaughn Impact Award.

Mike & Kelly Bowling will appear on Trinity Broadcasting Network’s Praise The Lord television program Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at 10pm EST / 7pm PST. Mike, Kelly and Jeff are set to perform favorite traditional Christmas selections including “Silent Night,” “Go Tell It On The Mountain” and “Away In A Manger” during the special holiday taping. Jesse Duplantis will host the two-hour show, which will also feature former Governor Mike Huckabee, Pastor David Shearin, Pastor Russell Kalenberg and Pastor Joseph Ripley. To find TBN in your local area, log on to http://www.tbn.org for a complete channel listing. Mike & Kelly Bowling recently released their debut project on Canaan Records entitled, Faith To Believe and includes their two #1 songs, “We Have A Saviour” and “Your Cries Have Awoken The Master.” They are booked by the Harper Agency. For more information on Mike & Kelly Bowling, visit http://www.mikeandkellybowling.com

Singer / Songwriter Michael Wayne Smith has just released a new solo project on the Church House Music label. Michael is the writer of the hit songs “My Home”, recorded by Heirline, and “Lord I Thank You For The Valley," recorded by Shannon Bunch. The new project, Welcome Home, was produced by Shane Roark and contains all original songs that Michael has written. The first single, "The Reason That I Sing," is playing at your local radio station now.

Shane had this to say about Michael and the new project, “I have found it to be more than a pleasure to work with Michael. His love for God and the music that he has written has made this project one of my all time favorites. I have personally added this CD to my collection.” He went on to say, “I am inspired by the music that is on this project and am excited to see what God has in store for this new artist. I am sure it will be a blessing to all who hear it and it is my prayer that everyone will get a chance to experience Michael Wayne Smith in the way I have.”

For further information about Michael Wayne Smith go to:
http://www.michaelwaynesmith.com
http://www.myspace.com/mwsmithgospel

The current edition of the Gospel Music Today Webcast includes with The Calvarymen Quartet, and with Jonathan Taylor of The Taylors. The Calvarymen talk about the fifty-year history of the quartet, and about some new projects in the works. Jonathan Taylor talks about the growth of The Taylors, the family group that won this year's talent contest at the National Quartet Convention.

The New Plainsmen is the Feature Group, and the program includes singing by Kevin Spencer and Friends, and Mountain Joy, along with Southern Gospel news and concert information, hosted by Ken and Jean Grady.

The Gospel Music Today Webcast is online now at the Gospel Music Today website. http://www.gospelmusictoday.com

The Keetons (Dan Keeton Quartet) announce the release of their Christmas CD (Christmas with the Keetons) which includes 11 classic selections. In conjunction with the release celebration comes the "Christmas with the Keetons" Concert Tour. Tour stops include; Danville, KY, Mt. Vernon, IL, Dayton, OH. and Branson, MO.

At the event in Branson, Mo. The Keetons will make a television appearance during the Jim Bakker Show 's Christmas Celebration along with Gospel Great, Cee Cee Winans.

There's still time to add your church or event to the schedule. for more information Call 606-262-4718 or visit http://www.keetonsong.com