Recently in Southern Gospel music Category

Gospel husband and wife duo, Aaron and Amanda Crabb, have been hired as the new worship leaders at the 20,000 member Cornerstone Church in San Antonio, TX. The church is led by Pastor John Hagee.

The Crabb's are officially relocating to Texas in December, but their responsibilities at Cornerstone have already begun. During their introduction to their new church home, Pastor John Hagee shared, "We feel like we have gotten the best of the best, and we are happy to welcome them to the Cornerstone family." They were welcomed with a standing ovation.

Aaron and Amanda will continue to record for their record label, Daywind Records, and will perform select dates throughout the year outside of their home church. Amanda will participate in women's conferences. The couple currently has dates scheduled through next March. To keep updated on their schedule, visit Aaron and Amanda Crabb's website.

Got a gospel or Christian music news tip? Send me an email!

Click here to subscribe to Gospel Soundcheck by email and have the Gospel Soundcheck headlines delivered daily to your email inbox. And don't forget to follow me on Twitter!

The 5th Annual SGM Fan Awards were handed out last week during the Southern Gospel Music FanFair in Pigeon Forge, TN. The event was hosted by Christian Voice Magazine.

The event brought together more than 100 artists for a six-day event that included worship services, performances, and artist meet-and-greet time with fans. The 5th Annual SGM Fan Awards featured highlight performances from a variety of southern gospel artists and announced the recipients of this year's awards, which were decided by Southern Gospel fans. The winners were:

Southern Gospel fans, mark your calendars for March 16-21. That's when the 5th Annual Southern Gospel Music Fan Fair takes place at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center in Pigeon Forge, TN.

The event brings together more than 100 artists for a six-day event that includes worship services, performances, artist meet-and-greet time with fans, and the SGM Fan Awards and Talent Search.

Artists scheduled to appear include Karen Peck & New River, Aaron & Amanda Crabb, Dixie Melody Boys, Jeff & Sheri Easter. (OK, let's be honest. I don't know enough about Southern Gospel music to pick out more than a few familiar names, so the entire list of artists is included at the end of this post.)

Gaither.com has announced that the Gaither Vocal Band has made some significant line up changes, going from a quartet to a quintet, losing a key member and bringing back some Gaither alum.

"With mixed emotions and tremendous optimism about the future," the press release states, lead singer Guy Penrod is leaving to pursue a solo career, and Marshall Hall, who has sung with the group since 2004, will no longer serve as the group's baritone. No word on his immediate plans.

The new line up is: Bill Gaither, David Phelps, Wes Hampton, Michael English and Mark Lowry. The first live concert of 2009 will take place January 29 in Huntsville, Alabama. For ticket information and 2009 concert dates visit the Gaither Vocal Band website.

What songs topped the Christian music charts for 2008? Check out this Gospel Soundcheck post, Radio and Record's Most Played Christian Songs of 2008.

The Diamond Awards, which honor the best in Southern Gospel music, will be handed out in July during the the inaugural Branson Gospel Music Convention. And Southern Gospel fans are being asked to nominate their favorite artists for awards.

You can nominate your favorite artist in categories like Living Legend, Group of the Year, Trio of the Year, Bluegrass Gospel Artist of the Year, Christian Comedian of the Year, Male and Female Vocalists of the Year, and more. Even better, there's no multiple choice options. You can nominate any Southern Gospel artist you want.