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The lights dimmed and the crowd hushed... Softly, the music began and each sparkler was lit individually backstage as nervous little dancers, clad in red and white leotards with bright blue tutus and red ballet shoes shuffled hurriedly out on stage to their spots marked with masking tape. As the music crescendoed to the first note, the anticipation of the moms and dads, who were crammed into an ocean of miniature chairs- behind big smiles and sporadic waves toward the stage- elevated. Finally, each little mouth opened and our Star Spangled Banner was screeched from the stage platform. The last note was held and the applause was thunderous... Until that very moment, I had never been more proud... than so see my mom and dad's faces in that sea of parents for my ballet recital that July so long ago... Now, I'm the mom, sitting beside my girls' dad at the soccer field, cheering for our Makayla- who just let the other team score as she intently guarded the other side of the goal as the ball rolled in?or in the gymnasium, giving the "thumbs up" to our little Kelsey, who is determinately climbing back onto the balance beam for "try number three?" And, I have never been more proud! Parents understand that pride in their children runs deep. Speaking as one, we encourage and praise them for every attempt, no matter what the outcome. We are here to love them through the physical and emotional "boo-boos" and prayerfully watch as they grow into the people we entrust to continue and hopefully improve this family cycle of love. In other words, we look beyond their faults?. Wait? did I say "look beyond their faults?" That sounds like a well-known song by the legendary Dottie Rambo. That's because it IS! Once again, I am so proud to wear my Spring Hill radio promoter's hat to bring your attention to the latest recording from this celebrated woman of Gospel music. Stand By the River, Dottie Rambo's latest collection of new and re-recorded songs, not to mention her first solo effort in 18 years, is available in stores July 22, 2003. The first single, "I'm Gonna Leave Here Shoutin'" is now playing on radio stations nationwide. Stand By The River, on Spring Hill Music Group, is a collection of Dottie's favorite past recordings as well as brand new selections- all wonderfully produced under the watchful and masterful care of Michael Sykes (Oak Ridge Boys, Gaither Vocal Band). "I'm more excited about this album than any other project I've done," says Dottie, smiling. "When we were in the studio, I was like a kid at Christmas. It's wonderful to be back making music again." When asked about the debut single, "I'm Gonna Leave Here Shoutin'", Dottie recalls fondly her blind Baptist preacher grandfather, for whom she wrote this song. He loved the Lord and Dottie so much. The night he died, she remembers he called her mother into the room and told her, "Elizabeth, I want you to raise my hands before I leave this world? I have praised and shouted for the Lord all of my life and I want to leave here shoutin' when it's my time to go." Years later, when Dottie decided to write the song, she told herself that she would not write a sad song about this experience because Grandpa was not sad at all about crossing over to see the Lord. This song is very happy and a great surprise to listeners from Ms. Rambo! Be sure to call your local radio station and request "I'm Gonna Leave Hear Shoutin'" (Oh yeah, Dottie really did record "He Looked Beyond My Faults and Saw My Need" on this recording. She also recorded with long time friend, Dolly Parton, on a zesty tune which just so happens to be the title of this CD, Stand By the River.) Spring Hill Music Group has a lot to shout about these days. Kim Hopper has a fabulous solo project available now called Imagine. Her first single, "The Road Home" is receiving rave reviews from radio stations everywhere. If you haven't heard it, call your favorite Southern Gospel radio personality and request it. Kim's passion to record this project has been brewing for several years, but not until this past year have travel schedules with the Hoppers, with whom Kim sings, allowed her the time to lay down the tracks and vocals. This CD is so rich in many ways! The songs found on Imagine reflect her amazing talent as a solo vocalist, offering a softer side of Kim's personality as well as what I term "vintage Kim Hopper", which simply put is, " hold on to your hat, that girl can sing!" When she was recording earlier this year, I peaked in on a session and honestly was blown away by the talent of this incredible vocalist. I sat quietly in the studio, watching Kim sing, "Peace In The Midst of the Storm" through the glass at producer Michael Sykes' studio. I just closed my eyes and let her sweet melodic voice fill me up. Quite unexpectedly, I felt warm tears stream down my cheeks as Kim belted out the lyrics of this powerful ballad. I smiled, eyes still closed, silently worshipping, thanking God for the opportunity He gave me for putting me in that place at that time, once again proving to me that His timing is perfect. As she finished the final note, I wiped away my tears and our eyes met through the glass that separated us. We both smiled and at that moment, I had never been more proud? than to be a child of God and a representative of this fine Christian woman. Earlier this year our Spring Hill family grew. The Booth Brothers, Michael Booth, Ronnie Booth II, and Jim Brady signed with Spring Hill and became our first male trio. Their first Spring Hill release, Booth Brothers is available July 22, 2003. As final preparations for this recording were taking shape, a walk through the halls of office building was a very pleasant experience. The songs from this CD could be heard coming out of nearly everyone's offices. The first single from this project addresses the extreme privilege we as Christians and Americans alike have to be "Under God". This song gets to me every time I hear it. The guys lend their pure harmonies to this amazingly crafted lyric that, for all purposes, defines our nation as it has been, as it is now and how it should be going forward? "Under God." Before I close this month, allow me to share a recent experience that I had with the Oak Ridge Boys and a few of my friends and family. I attended a great performance of God, family, hometown and country performed by the Oaks at a recent concert at Renfro Valley located in KY. If you have the chance to see the Oaks this year, and you probably will since they are performing 172 dates nationwide, you will not be disappointed. The Oak Ridge Boys performed many of their songs from the new Spring Hill release COLORS throughout the night, but one stood out. During the performance of their recent Southern Gospel single "This Is America", the crowd- as evidence by their response to the lyrics- began to well with patriotism. Just as the final chorus began, an American flag, the height and length of the stage, dropped behind the group and the room came to it's feet: The cheering was thunderous and steady? and I have never been more proud ? to see the faces of my group members, through my tears, as I stood in that sea of people attending that concert, and feel my heart about to burst with excitement and pride to be an American at this time in history, just a few short weeks ago! Until next month, Happy Independence Day! Buffi Holland Spring Hill Radio Promotions Coordinator

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