News and Happenings

Beloved Gets A Face Lift With New Website

Beloved is back! The group has just released their first single, "Heritage," featuring Eva Mae LeFevre from their new project and has a new website. Look for Beloved's new record Lovely Day to drop Nationally in early August. You can hear and purchase the new album before it hits the stores on the website.

http://www.belovedga.com

Firm Foundation Releases New Project

Owensboro, Ky - Firm Foundation has released their latest project entitled, Good To Know. Available from 2500 retail outlets nationwide, the album is Firm Foundation's third release to date.

"We are extremely proud of our newest recording," says Steve Bridgmon, owner and lead singer, "Jeff Collins and everyone at Crossroads Music Group went above and beyond to make this experience wonderful."

Notable songwriters include Dianne Wilkinson, Patti Hawkins, Steve Cheney, and Janene Dubbeld. Firm Foundation recently stepped out into full time ministry. Current members include Chris Seigler, Andy Pursley, Anthony Davis, and Steve Bridgmon. For more information on Firm Foundation visit http://www.firmfoundationonline.com

Liberty Quartet Finishes Vocals On New Album

BOISE, Idaho--Liberty Quartet was recently in the studio finishing the vocals for their anticipated project, "Old Time Gospel Songs, Vol. 1". Featuring quartet classics from the '30s, '40s, and '50s.

"We have received so many requests for the 'old songs' of Southern Gospel that we decided to go back to the roots of this great genre of music", states Keith Waggoner, tenor for Liberty Quartet. "This project will feature some of the all-time great songs of our heritage as well as some Stamps-Baxter songs that have been forgotten in recent years."

The release date for "Old Time Gospel Songs, Vol. 1" will coincide with the annual Idaho Homecoming Concert on Friday, June 16.

About Liberty Quartet
Liberty, a traditional Southern Gospel quartet, is based on the West Coast with a full-time concert schedule. The members of Liberty are Royce Mitchell, bass; Dan Gilbert, lead; Doran Ritchey, baritone/piano; and Keith Waggoner, tenor. Liberty averages 50-70,000 miles a year ministering in approximately 200 performances for church services, large conventions including the Great Western Fan Fest Convention and the Gospel Music Fan Festival in Canada, nursing homes, prisons, and other ministries.

Howard Stewart joins Testimony Quartet

Chattanooga, TN - Ken Hicks of Testimony Quartet is excited to announce the addition of Howard Stewart as the interim baritone vocalist. Many people will recognize Howard from his days as co-owner and baritone vocalist for the award winning southern gospel quartet Poet Voices. As a part of Poet Voices, Howard traveled singing in major concert halls, churched, appearing on Gaither Homecoming concerts and videos, and numerous other television and radio programs. Howard has been recognized by fans and peers as one of the best baritone vocalist in Southern Gospel Music.

“Many years ago Howard and I sang together so when it came time that we needed someone to fill in for us while we were trying to find a baritone singer I knew we needed the best so I called Howard and he is just doing a fabulous job” states Ken Hicks. “It is wonderful being back on stage with Howard watching him do what he does best. After all the awards and accolades that Howard has achieved, the top 10 and number 1 songs Howard’s hearts desire is still to sing the old story just one more time and point people to Jesus Christ!”

Testimony Quartet is currently holding auditions for a Lead/Baritone Vocalist and a Piano
Player. For more information or to contact Howard Stewart go to http://www.testimonyquartet.com

River City Quartet Welcomes New Bass Singer

MorningStar/Signature Recording Artist River City Quartet, from Henderson, Kentucky, is pleased to announce the addition of Jamie Layton, from Carmi, Illinois, as their new bass singer. Jamie has been with the group for about four weeks now and River City fans have already taken to his exciting voice and personality.

Owner Greg Lindsey states, "Jamie has an awesome bass voice and a true heart for ministry. He has truly brought a fresh energy to the group and we are looking forward to a great future with him as part of our group."

River City Quartet is currently enjoying great success on their radio release entitled "Everything John Saw".

http://www.rivercityquartet.com

Sheri LaFontaine Performs at Toledo Mud Hens Game

TOLEDO, Ohio May 23, 2006- Southern Gospel artist and Toledo native, Sheri LaFontaine, has been invited to perform the National Anthem and God Bless America before the Toledo Mud Hens take the field on Monday, May 29 at Fifth Third Field against the Rochester Red Wings. She will also perform Take Me Out to the Ballgame during the 7th inning stretch.

The Toledo Mud Hens officially became Toledo’s professional baseball team in 1896. The team adopted the name Mud Hens, when they played in Bay View Park, due to the large population of Mud Hens in a nearby swamp. The Mud Hens are the Triple A affiliates of the Detroit Tigers.

One of southern gospel music’s most talented singer/songwriters, Sheri LaFontaine has performed to thousands all over the country and has written songs for artists such as, The Ruppes, Kim Hopper, LordSong, The Hoskins Family and many more. Sheri is an exclusive writer with Daywind Music Publishing.
She will be going to the phillipines in November to do a series of concerts and music ministry seminars.

She is currently in the studio working on her first Christmas project. This exciting new effort showcases her eclectic musical style, from the upbeat black gospel favorite Jesus What A Wonderful Child to the pop sound of Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day, there’s a little something for everyone.

To learn more about Sheri go to http://www.sherilafontaine.com

The Yoder Family Launches New Website

Exciting family band, The Yoder Family, is pleased to announce the launch of their new website. This new website, designed by Music Media Graphics, includes lots of new pictures, interesting bios and the Yoder Family’s complete travel schedule. Next year this energetic family, who calls Paris, TX home, will celebrate 15 years of ministry. They have had the exciting privilege of ministering overseas in Nicaragua and Mexico and last year were honored to sing at the White Houses’ Annual Pageant of Peace. For more information on this incredible family ministry visit http://www.theyoderfamily.net .

The Allens Rescued By Local Pastor and Terry Toney

The Allens recently experienced some frightening situations during Easter Sunday. Their bus broke down in Paris, Illinois in the midst of violent tornado warnings in the area.

Thanks to a local pastor, Rev Hoffman, they were rescued and transported to the church safely.

The Allens are also grateful to Terry Toney who despite the recent devastation to the Toney Brothers offices by tornadoes, still had the time to spend endless hours on the phone offering advice and doing his best to help his friends who were in need.

Junior Project For Provision

SCOOP - Asheville, North Carolina - PROVISION has just finished cutting their new tracks and laying down the vocals for their third recording project on the PMG Label. Scott Rogers, group manager and owner states, "This is our best recording to date and this project literally takes you from the birth of Christ, through His earthly ministry, death, burial and resurrection!"

The project, All I Need To Know, is scheduled for May 20, 2006 through the groups website and concerts. For more information on PROVISION or this new project, visit their website at: http://www.provision-ministries.org

WGVR Welcomes SG USA Countdown with Gary Wilson

WGVR is proud to welcome the hugely popular Southern Gospel USA Countdown with Gary Wilson. This show offers a fast paced 30min look at the top songs in SGM. Gary is well know for producing a high quality, and accurate show that is broadcast on multiple land stations, on the web, and even on XM Satellite Radio. Tune in each Wednesday at 6:00pm EST. to hear the show. Simply go to www.wgvr.com and click on "Listen Now

Cathedrals Tribute Website Launched

A new tribute to the Cathedral Quartet was launched at www.cathedralstribute.com It is the most extensive tribute to the Cathedrals made available on the Internet. Daniel J. Mount, who prepared and maintains the site, became interested in the Cathedrals' history, but could not find any comprehensive source of information about their history. So he decided to prepare and launch this site.

“The history of this group is an important chapter in the history of Southern Gospel,” he said. “Yet I found that different parts of the history are scattered in various books, websites, and articles, or are only preserved in group members' memories. I wanted to preserve this history before it was lost.”

The website includes information on the group's history, awards, and members. It also includes a complete discography, as well as information on albums in which members appeared while with other groups. Lyrics from various Cathedrals albums will also be posted.

The official Cathedrals website, www.cathedralquartet.com, is still operated by the Payne and Younce families. Before launching the tribute site, Mount sought and received their permission. This tribute site can be found at www.cathedralstribute.com.

Inheritance Involved in Bus Crash

Inheritance, from Bristow, OK, was involved in a serious bus crash Friday on their way to sing for the KNEO listener party in Neosho, MO. They were coming through construction near Tulsa, OK and the traffic came to a complete stop. Soon after the bus came to a stop an 18 wheeler hit their bus traveling 55 mph sending the bus down the highway more than 30 yards. The driver, Johnathan Scroggs, brother to Ben Scroggs (owner of Inheritance), was taken to a hospital in Tulsa to be treated for severe whiplash. Dustin Jackson and Ben Scroggs were not seriously hurt in the accident. Johnathan was treated and released later on Friday. The group is asking for your prayers that God will work their transportation need. They just recently purchased the bus and had not had it on the road for more than 2 months.

Ben Scroggs states, "I thank God for His protection and that we were not traveling in our SUV and trailer. We will also keep the rest of our scheduled dates for the weekend."