Recently in Southern Gospel music Category

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.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is offering customers an exclusive new CD featuring 12 hymns personally selected and sung by Southern gospel legend Bill Gaither and special guests.

"These songs of faith, many of which I fell in love with as a kid, are just as solid and true today as they have ever been", said Gaither, "and they will keep holding true for the days to come, no matter what the future holds!"

The album, Bill Gaither's Homecoming Hymns, features songs like "God Will Take Care of You" (with The Oak Ridge Boys); "Yes, I Know" (with The Gaither Vocal Band); "Amazing Grace" (with Russ Taff & The Booth Brothers); and "Rock of Ages" (with Reggie Smith, Joy Gardner, Stephen Hill & Vestal Goodman).

Bill Gaither has won 28 Dove awards and four Grammy awards. In 2000, Bill and his wife Gloria were named the first-ever Christian Songwriter of the Century by American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) .

Bill Gaither's Homecoming Hymns is the latest project in a collection of exclusive music available only at Cracker Barrel.