2004
June
The Sons Family
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is famous for producing gospel music families that sing with passion and conviction! A virtual who's who of gospel music artists who have called the bluegrass state their home included the Happy Goodman Family, The Bishops, The Crabb Family and now, The Sons Family.
The Sons Family sings with this passion and conviction reminiscent of the aforementioned predecessors. Some old timers would simply declare that this is "the anointing" and who could argue with that analogy? Whatever you call it, rest assured it is not available over the counter at your local pharmacy!!!
For those of you who have not met them, allow me to introduce you to the family. Gayle Sons is the matriarch for this ministry. Fondly referred to as "Momma Sons" by her peers, Gayle is a walking, talking testimony. Just five years age, Gayle was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a disease that causes a loss of muscle control. "The doctors told me that I would spend the rest of my life in a wheel chair! But praise the Lord, He healed me completely!! The doctors to this day are still amazed!!!" Gayle travels with her husband Wayne, who does double duty as bus driver and sound engineer. They have been married 34 years. They have two children, a son, Greg, who does not travel with them and their daughter, Charlotte.
Charlotte Sons Baker is an integral part of this family ministry. Her radio friendly alto voice is bathed in heart-felt conviction. She also is an excellent songwriter, having written two of the family's first four radio singles. "When I Start My Day With You, their breakout single, was written by her as well. "It was just one of those rough mornings that we all have" states Charlotte. "I just simply asked the Lord to help me, as I sat down at the piano. The spirit of God just came in the room and the song just leaped from my Heart!!" It was the family's debut release and it spent eight months on the national radio airplay charts.
Charlotte's better half is Eric Baker. This tall slender man has a large, warm smile and an incredibly tender heart that shows itself in his vocal talents. His ink pen is also infected with the same tender heart condition. Eric writes many of the tunes for the family as well as co-writing with Charlotte. Eric's humor has blossomed in parallel to the group's success. His "Grand Pa" character is a classic must-see event! Eric and Charlotte are the proud parents of two beautiful children, Austin is eleven and the queen of the house is Abbi age four.
The Sons Family was discovered by legendary producer Eddie Crook with help from Ernie Dawson of Heirline. Eddie told the Singing News "Heirline invited the Sons Family to sing at their homecoming and Janice and I both were very impressed by the response they received. We were excited that they chose to join our company." When prodded by this writer as to why the family is getting so much attention, Mr. Crook replied, "Fans and the industry alike recognize the fact that the people in the Sons Family are genuine! I believe people today are hungry for artists that are real! Without a doubt that's why so many people are migrating to them!"
Bill Bailey, one of America's top concert promoters is quick to agree with Eddie. He is the first national promoter since J. G. Whitfield to sign a single group to a multi appearance contract as he did with the Sons Family. "My people want the real deal! When I met them, I knew in my spirit that our friends would embrace them as we did" said Pastor Bailey. The contract called for thirty dates including appearances at such major concert events as Bonifay, Waycross and many more. Southern Gospel veteran Dave Wilcox gave this opinion. "The Bible states that if we seek Him privately, He will reward us publicly. I believe Gayle, Charlotte, and Eric are willing to go the extra mile in this area. I used to describe it as magic, now I just call it what it is, it is the anointing of the Holy Spirit upon their lives! We believe in the family and we are actively promoting them in all areas and facets of our industry."
To contact the Sons Family by mail you may write to 1474 Potterville Rd., Means, Ky. 40346. By phone you may call 606-768-3695 or to schedule them for an event you should call The Sonrise Agency at 606-768-3650. You may also visit them on the web at http://www.thesonsfamily.com
Written by J. Paul Lewis
Nicole Watts Jenkins
{body}The Quicks - Jul 2004
I'm one of those people that can ride for hours without talking. I can go to lunch with a friend and not have much to say. I can sit in a room with family and not feel like the air absolutely MUST be filled with endless chatter. Our daughter Rachel is the same way. Now don't get me wrong - you get us in the right setting and we may talk all night! (Especially on the cell phone!) Tim and our youngest daughter Rebecca are the exact opposite! Get them out in public and the entertainment is non-stop! They are hilarious, so it is no wonder Rachel and I have learned to sit back and watch. Of course, when Tim Quick gets home and has used up his 8,500 words for the day, he shuts down like a broken watch!
I heard a sermon recently entitled, "Don't be afraid of the silence." As a songwriter, I immediately jotted the line down thinking, "Sounds like a song!" A few days later, I heard the same statement from another preacher. I enjoy a little peace and quiet from time to time, as I'm sure most of you do. My prayer time is often laced with silence. I just sit there and welcome the presence of God.
I love to just sit and hold my girls - and yes, they will come and sit in the recliner with me. I'm so glad they've never gotten too big for that. I put my arm around them, hold their hands, smell their hair... as a mom, those are such precious moments. I wonder if God feels the same way when His children gather into His presence to love Him... I believe He does. "We love Him because He first loved us." I John 4:19
Take time to get into the presence of the Lord - Enjoy The Silence!
We have several days scheduled this month to work on vocals for our new project and I can't wait! I absolutely love working in the studio! We hope to have it completed by the time our next article for SoGospel News is due! Be sure to check back next month to see how the recording is going!
Our family will be attending National Quartet Convention again this year. We will be at Booth #422 - so be sure to stop by for a "Quick" visit!
To find out more about The Quicks, visit us on the web at http://www.thequicksonline.com
To contact The Quicks, Phone: 615-459-0701
Write: The Quicks / P.O. Box 581 / Smyrna, TN 37167
E-mail:
New Ground - Jul 2004
From cruising to the Bahamas to visiting with old friends this past month – our summer started out full speed ahead.
We started the month off in the Bahamas and then finished our weekend off with a new church with old friends. Friendship FCM in Anniston, Alabama found us with the Griffiths, the Motes, the Crumps and many new friends. Then it was onto Empire, Alabama to be at the Dilworth COG Homecoming and Nina Smith and friends. Sure hope we get to visit both churches again really soon.
We did our very first Kids to Love Concert on June 11th. The Kids to Love Foundation is an organization founded by Lee Marshall – and helps foster children receive the help they need to function in today’s society. Check out the information at http://www.kidstolove.org . Then it was off to Haleyville, Alabama to be with Brian and Larry at WJBB Radio for a great day of singing. We finished our weekend at Shiloh Baptist Church in Helena, Alabama for a Homecoming Service – great time with the Nichols, Dunns, Burnetts and many new friends.
The next weekend is our first trip to Illinois to sing for M&C Promotions/Mike & Cara Wheeler. Mike knows how to promote!! He is a class act!! We enjoyed a great concert with the Hoppers (it was so good to see Josh Simpson – our former piano player – he now plays piano for the Hoppers) and a great night of “Real Chicago Style Pizza” - YUM YUM!! We then headed to Connersville, Indiana for a Christian Biker Rally – with the God’s Messengers Bikers. These guys and gals really have put together a great organization to share Christ with many people when they are on the road. The next morning we are in Middletown, Ohio at the Poasttown Church of God. This congregation has been so blessed to be in a beautiful new church building – wow – the Lord has been really blessed. Sunday night we were guests of the Winton Road Church of God in Cincinnati. As we were getting our equipment set up Pastor Elliot comes in and tells us that the Youth Minister had just gotten killed in a boating accident. We did sing, but we knew just how much the church was hurting – so please remember them in your prayers. It was good to see Bill Phelps, Omer & Bonnie Taylor and the most sweetest couple – the Colemans.
Final weekend of June 2004 we spent in Georgia. Campton Baptist Church in Monroe, Georgia was our first stop. This church can cook – and good – they had a supper for us before the singing – have you ever tried to eat and then sing – LOL – you know how that goes!! Emmanuel Baptist Church in Gainesville, Georgia was our Sunday morning stop. We sang with Mr. Albert Daily and Midnight Praise. They are a great group and can sing the house down!!! Give them a call – I highly recommend their ministry. We were invited to Emmanuel Baptist by Odeus Smith of G&S Productions – he is a great promoter – anytime he is promoting near you – make sure that you go!! Sunday night we were at the home church of Midnight Praise – Friendship Pentecostal Holiness in East Bogart!! Needless to say – we finished the weekend off on a very spiritual singing and are looking forward to going back very soon!!
Lots of work is being done on our website. Our webmaster, Bryan Glenn, is doing an awesome job – so make sure that you checkout our updates and new look.
Make sure that you come and see us when you can!! Check out our web site at http://www.newgroundministries.com
Until He Comes,
Robbie Maxwell
New Ground
http://www.newgroundministries.com
Master’s Voice - Jul 2004
That right there is enough to dictate a great month for us, but just to reiterate this month's paramount significance, my best friend in all the land, and baritone for Master's Voice, John Tidwell somehow got Jessica to be his bride. Listen! This girl is amazing! She just is! I'm not sure how much of a compliment it is to say that she fits right in to this bunch of weirdos, but Jessica is a joy to be around, and has already enhanced John and all his ministerial endeavors beyond measure. It was vintage John Tidwell when he prayed that he wanted his marriage to point people to Christ. That may sound like a good "religious" and flowery thing to say when you are a minister, but this guy really means it, and I so confident that that is exactly what his marriage will do, just as Mark and Autumn's marriage.
The wedding was wonderful. John and Jess wrote their own vows. It was enough to nearly make me puke and die. No really, i fought back tears the whole day. John, I don't think I would be happier if it happened to me buddy, though I reserve the right to change my mind on that one! John sang "Great is Thy Faithfulness" at the wedding and, yes, it was dynamic and gorgeous as expected. Holding true to the southern-gospel that is branded in him, John tried to turn it around and add the tag ending, but the
organist did not cooperate. Ok, that's not true either.
Please continue to pray for us. I look forward to sharing what God did for us, through us, and to us next month. We love you.
Master's Voice
http://www.mastersvoice.com
Southern Sound - Jul 2004
Earlier in the month we will be at the Shadow Valley Gospel Music Festival in Fayetteville, TN on July 1st. Then on the 17th of the month we will be in Newburgh, IN for a homecoming with our good friends the Conquerors Quartet out of Evansville, IN. These folks are very dear friends of ours and we do several programs per year with them. Then coming up in August we will again be at the Grand Old Gospel Reunion in Greenville, SC. These dates for this are August 12th, 13th and 14th. Charlie Waller runs a tight ship, and has one of the most fun concerts I have ever been involved in. It is so much a blessing to be there with everyone, just singing about Him and enjoying the best music on Earth. If you have never attended GOGR you don't know what you have missed, it is simply, well, grand! You never know what to expect from Charlie Waller as they broke the mold on this guy. But one thing for certain, there won't be a dull moment. Southern Sound is providing the sound for the Hyatt events this year too.
Of course NQC is just right around the bend too. But there is a concert held the Saturday prior to NQC start that is worth noting. That is the annual Southern Gospel Quartet Reunion held this year on September the 11th at the Fine Arts Center in Henderson, KY. What a tremendous singing this is! There will be about 10 groups starting at 2:00pm in the afternoon and running till about 9:00pm that evening. Our good buddy Don Watson of the Southlanders is the master of ceremonies and pretty much leads the day. You want to make this a must see concert on you calendar list.
Southern Sound is very busy this year and it so great to feel the excitement in the air. God is doing great things! Lives are being changed and souls saved, could His return be far?
Take care till we see each other again,
Be sure and check out our web site:
http://www.southernsoundquartet.com
Yours in Christ,
Ben Harris
Southern Sound Quartet
6340 Spera Pointe Crossing
Nashville, TN 37076
615-883-7375
The Browns - Jun 2004
Recently the group was asked to perform for a live television taping at the Music Studio Cafe in Branson, MO. Michaela was featured on the groups newest single, "One Way". The song was so well received that the group was asked to share an extra song. The program manager picked the new ballad written by Jessica, "The Sound Of Grace". Many in the studio audience were moved to tears listening to this compelling song about the love and forgiveness of the Savior. The group has been invited back to share for a live taping in the fall.
The Browns consist of family members Keith, Shelly and their 4 children; Jessica, Michaela, Adam, and Andrew. They love to share good old favorites as well as new originally written songs about the Savior with that famous family blend. Audiences and church congregations warm to their songs, sharing, and humor. New favorites from their recording are, "I'm Gonna Shout" featuring all the kids on the fiddle, and Andrew sharing his antics from stage on songs like, "Ride That Glory Train" and "I Am A Promise" with Adam on the bass guitar.
The group has currently finished their newest CD project entitled, "One Way", with Producer Roger Talley . The family has written 5 of the 11 songs on the album. The title cut "One Way" will be released this month on the Sonrise June Compilation.
The month of June will begin for the group in the Black Hills of South Dakota, where they will take the bus to a desolate area of the state. Last year the group thought that the crowd would be slim, but sang to a capacity audience that traveled many hours to the special event in the hills. From Bison, SD they will head for the flat lands of Nebraska for promoter Don Jules of the Henderson and Cedar Falls Sings. The group will also be sharing at the God Festival for Texas promoter Tommy DeMayo. The end of the month will find The Browns traveling to sing in Michigan at the Sandy Pines Chapel.
The Browns are happy to welcome to their ministry, Mike and Adrienne Goering, of the Mike Goering Agency Kansas City, MO. Although the group has been blessed by always having a full schedule, without booking, Mike will be a welcomed resource to plan trips wisely and help with the correspondence of booking concerts.
The Browns have experienced God's blessing on their ministry and look forward to a summer filled with sharing the "Good News" through Southern Gospel!
To learn more about The Browns:
web site: http://www.brownfamilysings
email:
office address: 112 Central Ave, Le Mars, IA 51031
call toll free: 1.888.202.2712
For Booking Contact: The Mike Goering Agency
Master’s Voice - Jun 2004
Um....(cough)....that is George Bush Sr. It takes quite a gift to squeeze a four-year program into nine, but everyone is aware of John's countless gifts. ha. Just kidding buddy. It was hard to stay motivated, but John finished what he started, and we are proud of him. As for me? ....Well, I am thinking that God will come back before I graduate college. I, like John, find it hard to concentrate on Trigonometry 1613 and Underwater Basket Weaving 101 when there is this wonderful gospel to be preached and sung. Ok, that is a real pompass and arrogant way of saying that I lost my motivation to finish, but by the grace of God and 14 guilt trips a day by my lovely mother, I should finish this summer.
This also proves to be another interesting month for MV. On the 25th of this month (unless I can talk him out of it), John and Jessica will get married. Seriously, I would never try to do that. Jessica is so perfect for John. It is already very obvious that her and her family is an asset to John, his family and his ministry. They have been counting down the days, talking about their future life together, just reeking with romance and love....it's really enough to make me want to gag and die. ha We have been afforded the privilege to sing in our hometown recently, and have absolutely loved it. Not only is it easier because we dont have to travel far, but it is very important to us that the people who watched us grow up (well, get older) understand that God has made, and is making a change in our lives. One of my very favorite things to do is to run into people that I knew before God saved my soul,and really try to convey to them how "in love" I am with Jesus, and how He wants to save them.
Be in prayer for John and Jess this month. John's prayer has been that their marriage will point people to Christ. That is very typical of him. We get to sing with Mark Trammel this month, so I can't wait till next month when I can tell ya how it went. God Bless!
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