SoGospelNews.com wasn't originally planned to be an online publication. It was never even dreamed of being this big. In 1997, Susan and Deon Unthank began an email chat list to continue on after the closing of the Singing News email chat list. What started out as a few members soon grew to well over 600 in just a couple of years. Susan and Deon decided it would be great to have a place online where one could view pics and paragraphs of the members. Thus they started http://www.sogospelnews.com. Members of the email chat list eventually asked that the page be updated with a little news from the Southern Gospel scene. As one can see, what started out to be a directory of members for an email chat list slowly became a full-fledged online news publication.
In a little over two months SoGospelNews.com will be celebrating their 4th Annual Convention. The history of the SoGospelNews.com Convention is simple. In 1999 several members of the above mentioned chat list started to discuss meeting somewhere and singing together. Seeing how many members were local or regional artists, Susan and Deon thought it a great idea to put together a small concert of the list members, giving a little of exposure to those artists, and thus started the Annual SoGospelNews.com Convention.
This year is the biggest year yet! On July 19th many talented artists will be participating in a one day event that will leave you not only speechless, breathless, and in awe of God-given talent but will leave you spiritually revived! At the River, River of Life Church that is, in Smyrna, TN will be the place to be. Starting at 2pm groups such as The Pioneers Quartet, Hope's Call, The Menders, Southern Sound Quartet, The Unthanks, and SoulReal will be performing. At 7pm the River of Life Choir will be opening for such groups as: Master's Voice, Daryl Williams Trio, Ben Scroggs, New Ground, Johnny Minick Family, and Southern Harmony. Not to mention Harold Timmons, former Chuck Wagon Gang member will be there.
For the next two and a half months, you will read a little something about each artist performing at the 4th Annual SoGospelNews.com Convention. This is only a taste though. To experience the real thing, you must attend.
Rhonda Jo Conner, Lesley McFerron, and Margaret Cloud Searcy create a unique ladies trio sound that brings together both the contemporary and southern gospel fan. This ladies trio is SoulReal. Known most recently for their current single, The Crying Tree of Mercy, SoulReal has found themselves performing in many distinct places since their formation in 1999. NASCAR's Cracker Barrel 500 along with the Oak Ridge Boys, in concert with Jaci Velasquez and Plus One, and Gaither Homecoming Concerts are just a few of the places they have performed. It should surprise no one that they are featured at various women's retreats, such as "Time Out for Women", with Rhonda Jo being an experienced motivational speaker, as well as a songwriter and former country singer.
Lesley and Margaret have unique professional backgrounds too. Lesley has been involved in acting, commercial voice-overs, and studio singing. Margaret is a classically trained soprano, having performed all styles, from Opera to Gospel. All three met while singing on the worship team at Southeast Christian Church in Louisville, KY. Attending an 18,000 member church, one would think that SoulReal would be satisfied with just a local ministry, however, when they got a call to go to Soeul, Korea, they new they were more than just a "local group".
Their current project is correctly entitled, "Tell the World" and SoulReal is doing exactly that. Visit SoulReal online at: www.soulreal.com.
Ben Scroggs has his hand in just about everything. He's a singer, a songwriter, an ordained minister, and a minister of music at his home church, God's Church, in Ponca City, Oklahoma. If one is looking for all and all ministry, Ben is the man for the job. Ben began in southern gospel, first singing with the southern gospel trio The Way, allowing him to share the stage with many well known artists such as, The Martins, Kingsmen, Gold City, The Talley Trio, and many more. Ben decided it was time to go on his own, and since leaving The Way, Ben has preached in revivals and led worship at seminars, colleges, and ministerial retreats across the country. He has a heart for the lost and believes the church is at a vital point in ministry right now. "Believers need to arise from dead institutionalized religion and come back to a vibrant relationship with the living and resurrected Christ," states Ben.
Ben is an amazing writer. One song of Ben's some have heard is New Ground's newest single, God's Promises Will Stand". Not only is he a talented songwriter, but Ben has written a book entitled "From Religion to Relationship". His current project "Stand", along with his book, is available at his website: www.benscroggs.com.
Author: Amy Marie Unthank
| Author's Website: http://southernspin.com
Written: 04/30/2003
| 
Category: Feature Articles
Comments: 8
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I can attest to the fact that Ben Scroggs is great & a sweeter man wold be hard to find. I had the privilege of attending a couple of his concerts last year & all I can say is 'Wow!' It's not fair for one person to be able to do so much. Praise the Lord for young men like Ben.
Be sure to check out "The Menders"
Ben Scroggs rules! In all honesty, I have seen this young grow up in Southern Gospel Music since his days of high school. What a blessing he will add to the lineup of the SoGospel Convention.!!!
SoulReal is soooo real! These 3 women are totally devoted to their ministry, "Telling the World" of God's love. Their hearts and sound are awesome!
I love SoulReal!!! What a sound and what a CD!
I'll be there and I might even put bells on so you all will know me! 
I can't go, but hope to next year!!! YAY!
I'm gonna be there!! Whoo hoo!
I am trying to work things out so that I can be at the concert this year. I would drive any where I could to hear Master's Voice. If you have heard them sing you know what a blessing they are and they also preach as well as they sing. I have been to several
churches where they not only shared in song but Mike their bass, shared from the word and it was as good or better than their singing. God is realing working in and through this group. If they are any where near you go hear them. And the best thing is they do everything on Love offerings and donations only, trusting God to supply all the needs of the ministry. Their just common guys available for the Lords use.
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