Jason Waldroup to leave Greater Vision and attend Seminary

Jason Waldroup, Greater Vision’s long-time tenor, has announced his plans to leave the group to pursue a Seminary education, beginning this Fall.

According to Jason…”This is a decision I have been struggling with for more than a year, and the time has come for me to follow what I believe to be God’s will for my life. I have delayed this decision because of my love for what I’ve been privileged to do for the past thirteen years as a part of Greater Vision, and my relationships with Gerald and Rodney. They, along with Chad Baker, our Product Manager, are family to me, and they’re my closest friends. That has made this decision that much more difficult.”

Gerald Wolfe, manager of Greater Vision, states, “Jason is like a son to me, as well as being one of the closest friends I’ve ever had. None of us want to see him leave, but we have encouraged him to follow God’s leading, no matter what, and leave the consequences to Him.”

Rodney Griffin, the group’s baritone, stated, “I will certainly miss standing beside Jason every night, but he has my full support as he moves into his next phase of ministry.”

Jason will be active in the selection of his replacement and will remain with the group to help train the new group member until his schooling begins in the Fall.

Jason Waldroup joined Greater Vision in 1995. He has been the recipient of numerous Singing News Fan Awards, most recently being named Gospel Music’s Favorite Tenor in 2007. He, his wife Missy, and their children, Abbie and Jonathon reside in Morristown, Tennessee.

Brian Free and Assurance Appear At Manifest Conference With Bishop T.D. Jakes

Hendersonville, Tenn (March 31, 2008) – Daywind recording artist, Brian Free and Assurance made an appearance, as featured group, at T.D. Jakes Manifest Conference, held at the Gaylord Texan, in Grapevine, TX, earlier this month.

The group appeared on March 6, 2008 in front of over 6000 men. They were the only performer that evening. T.D. Jakes followed their powerful music ministry with an impacting message for all the men in attendance.

Brian Free commented on the experience. “We had a wonderful time at Manifest with T.D. Jakes. To see and hear over 6000 men worshiping the Lord without holding anything back was amazing. I know what it’s like to worship God in church, but this was a night to remember. I look forward to being in service with Bishop Jakes again.”

For more information on Brian Free and Assurance, visit brianfreeandassurance.com. For more information on Daywind Records, visit daywindrecords.com.

Daywind Records is based in Hendersonville, TN, and is distributed worldwide through New Day Christian Distributors. In addition to Brian Free and Assurance, Daywind is home to such great artists as Crabb Revival and Legacy Five, among others.

Photo: Brian Free and Assurance with T.D. Jakes

Don’t miss an exciting evening of singing on TBN March 28, 2008

Palmetto State Quartet was recently a part of a great Gospel Music celebration that took place at Trinity Broadcasting Network. Jason Crabb hosted the event and also ministered as he does so powerfully with words of encouragement and songs of hope. The line up included Gold City, Three Bridges and Mike & Kelly Bowling. According to reports from TBN, the show was considered to be a great success and was definitely anointed of the Spirit as all artists would agree. When interviewed, Brian Beatty commented that he and Palmetto State Quartet were so excited about the evening and the Spirit that was there. Beatty said he was very impressed with the warmth of the other groups and the unity to bring Jesus to the people. The crew and staff at TBN were very gracious hosts to all involved and Palmetto State looks forward to future events such as this in the days ahead.

Palmetto State Quartet debuted a new song, “On Time God”, and also preformed “Resting Place” and closed the night with “Open The Eyes Of My Heart”, produced and arranged by Casey Martin, Palmetto State’s keyboardist and musical producer. It is clear that the new Palmetto State Quartet is bringing a fresh sound and creating the best music they have ever released in their sixty two year history. Their music is dynamic and unmistakable and it’s exciting to see PSQ raise the bar on their music ministry. The best and most rewarding days for Palmetto State Quartet are ahead of them. Don’t miss this great event airing on Friday March 28, 2008 on the Praise The Lord program. Check your local listings for times.

‘Morning JoyRide’ to Broadcast From Hopper’s Farm This Friday

WINSTON-SALEM, NC (Press Release, March 6, 2008) Joy FM’s morning show, The Morning JoyRide with Daniel, Candi, & Melody, heard on 18 radio stations in 7 states, is planning a special broadcast “on-location” in Madison, North Carolina at the home place of The Hoppers. The broadcast will air on Friday, March 28, 2008 from 6 a.m. - 10 a.m. on Joy FM and online at www.joyfm.org.

Sitting on over 100 acres of farmland, the Hopper’s Farm is the site of Claude’s birthplace, Claude & Connie’s current home, and a state-of-the-art digital recording studio aptly named “The Farm.” There is also a special restoration underway of the old home place for the Hopper Heritage Foundation.

The special broadcast will feature updates from the Hoppers and fun conversation on a variety of topics, including: restaurant tipping; the weekly recipe segment with Connie offering a tasty suggestion; Dean and Mike’s rock star names, detective names, and superhero names; and the economy’s effect on adult children moving back in with their parents.

Previous guests have included Bill Gaither and the Gaither Vocal Band, Gordon Mote, Jeff & Sheri Easter, David Phelps, Mark Lowry, Ivan Parker, Lauren Talley, Janet Paschal, Karen Peck & New River, Triumphant Quartet, Aaron Wilburn, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Dove Brothers, The Crabb Family, Dr. Gary Chapman, Philip Yancey, Max Lucado, and many others.

More exciting guests, giveaways, and live broadcast plans are in the works - including the opportunity to see “The Morning JoyRide…LIVE” at the National Quartet Convention in September, 2008. In addition to breakfast, the show will include live artist interviews before an in-person audience of Joy FM listeners. It’s part of a special Joy FM Bus Tour package, departing from several locations in various states.

The Morning JoyRide with Daniel, Candi, & Melody is broadcast live each weekday morning from 6-10 a.m. ET, and a Saturday “JoyRide Rewind” is heard from 8-10 a.m. ET on the award winning Joy FM, heard in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky. More information is found on the web at http://www.joyfm.org

Melvin Klaudt To Host New TV Show

On April 7, 2008, Melvin Klaudt will be co-hosting Dove Broadcasting’s Nite-Line program in Greenville, SC. This live program, aired at 8:00 - 10::00 PM, will be the first public showing of some of the Klaudt Indian Family’s songs on video that they did not know even existed. The videos seemed to come out of nowhere and were produced in the 1960’s and early 1970’s.

Melvin stated that this program will also kick off “Phase Two” of the Family’s ministry to Native Americans. The family has been presenting scholarships to needy talented American Indian students for several years now. These scholarships have been presented through the Family’s foundation, the Klaudt Indian Memorial Foundation. More information can be gleaned by going to their Web Site, www.klaudtmemorial.com

Over the next few months, a specific schedule will be announced to fill the many calls that are coming in, and will be coming in, to present the Foundation’s ministry.

In 1928, 80 years ago, Mom and Dad Klaudt met and began to plan their life long heart for the salvation of souls, Dad Klaudt, as a young teenage evangelist and Mom Klaudt as a young teenage missionary on her own reservation, the Fort Berthold Indian reservation in North Dakota. After their marriage in 1929, their first mission field of ministry was on Indian reservations. This initial ministry has now come full circle and is being fulfilled by the siblings of Mom and Dad Klaudt.

The Klaudt Family Siblings now believe that this lineage of obedience and faithfulness that Mom and Dad Klaudt displayed over the years has now fallen on their shoulders to complete. Melvin said, “I am humbled by the mantel that has been placed on me personally to hit the road and minister to some of the most forgotten people in this nation. We desperately need revival on our reservations and in this nation”.

“Phase Two” will also have a ministry to Native American Kids. This ministry is being developed by Raymond Klaudt, who now resides in California and will be introduced sometime this summer. The program that Raymond is developing will also be made available to churches that have a like burden for Native American missions.

If you are in the viewing area of WGGS - TV 16 in Greenville, SC please tune in on April 7 @ 8:00 PM.

Melvin Klaudt , who is also on the Board of Directors of Dove Broadcasting’s Channel 57 in Atlanta, requests that you pray for television stations all across this nation that have a burden for the message of Christ.

Mike & Kelly Bowling To Appear On TBN Friday

NASHVILLE, TN (3-24-08) – Mike & Kelly Bowling will appear on Trinity Broadcasting Network’s Praise The Lord television program Friday, March 28, 2008 at 10pm EST / 7pm PST. Mike, Kelly and Jeff filmed the program last week where they performed their current single, “Your Cries Have Awoken The Master,” and other well-known selections. Jason Crabb hosted the two-hour show, which was filled with amazing music. The popular trio recently signed a booking agreement with the prestigious Harper Agency on the heels of claiming their first number one song, “We Have A Saviour” and the completion of their debut project, Faith To Believe. To find TBN in your local area, log on to www.tbn.org for a complete channel listing.

Although formed a little over a year ago, Mike & Kelly Bowling are no strangers to the Christian music world having a long list of accomplishments during their vocal careers. While Mike began singing and playing piano at a very young age, he had a very impressive musical beginning at only 16 years old; a two year span with the legendary LeFevres. Mike then went on to earn a degree in Respiratory Therapy before returning to the music world. In 1995, he joined the New Hinsons, a perfect blend considering Mike’s vocals are very distinctively similar to those of the late Kenny Hinson. After lending his vocal abilities to several of their high-charting songs, Mike went on to join another successful family group, the Perrys. While with the Perrys, Mike was featured on songs such as “God Sent Angels,” “By Faith I Can Touch Him Now” and “Not Even A Stone.”

After Mike’s marriage to Kelly, (Kelly sang with her family…the Crabb Family), Mike spent the next six years traveling as a soloist garnering a tremendous amount of success. In fact, he has been noted as the first Southern Gospel soloist to achieve three consecutive number one songs on the Singing News Top 80 charts (“Thank God For The Preacher,” “The Call” and “I Take Him Back”). Kelly spent more than 15 years with her family, The Crabb Family. During that time they were the recipients of three GRAMMY nominations, 11 Dove Awards, 16 number one songs and numerous other accomplishments. Kelly’s unmistakable voice could be heard on the family’s hits “Don’t You Wanna Go,” “Good Day,” “Jesus Will Do What You Can’t,” “Trail Of Tears,” as well as singing harmonies on the others. After the birth of the Bowling’s third child, Kelly realized it was time to join her husband on stage as Mike & Kelly Bowling.

In October 2006, Mike & Kelly Bowling added Jeff Snyder of Owensboro, KY. Jeff brings an incredible tenor voice to this exciting trio. He is a graduate of Kentucky Bible College with a degree in Theology and Music.

Together, they have created a sound that is as refreshing as the trio sounds of the early 70’s. History will note that they have been true to the excellence of their ability without diminishing or distancing the listener. Mike & Kelly Bowling have appeared on the Gaither Homecoming series concerts and videos, TBN, during Gospel Music Week, at GMA’s Seminar in the Rockies and numerous other major events.

Ricky Atkinson and Compassion NEW CD ready for Release

The wait for the much anticipated release of the new RAC cd and single is over! The new look / new sound Ricky Atkinson and Compassion has released a brand new project entitled, “ENCORE: Songs From Our Past” While the album is a table project it still features some of the most popular southern gospel songs of our day. Ricky Atkinson states,”We have never had a cd so popular before it ever got finished! The anticipation of the sound with the new guys, Loren Harris (formerly of the Perry’s and Wilburn’s) and Greg Cook (formerly of The Florida Boys and Tony Gore & Majesty) has been phenomenal and we are happy to finally have this cd available!”

Ricky also adds, “Over half the songs on this 10 song CD are former #1 songs, which makes my job pretty easy in building a program for a concert. When people come to hear RAC, we know up front they are gonna want to hear the songs that Loren, Greg, and myself have had the privilege to sing in SGM over the years. We are excited to bring them alive again!”

Song Garden recording artist featured in popular bluegrass magazine

Bluegrass Gospel recording artist Canaan’s Crossing will be featured in the April issue of Bluegrass Unlimited magazine. The article, written by veteran entertainment writer Joe Ross, will give greater insight about the groups venture from their North Alabama beginnings in 1999, their name change from Jordan River to Canaan’s Crossing and their current project “Side by Side”.

VINE SIGNS LIVING WATER TRIO

March 24, 2008-(Nashville, TN) Vine Records announced today the signing of the Living Waters Trio to their roster. This east Tennessee trio is known for their tight harmonies and heartfelt lyrics. Their recent chart success captured the attention of Vine executives. “I’d heard their singles on the radio for the past year and wondered who this amazing group was. At the 2007 NQC, my friend, Judy Nelon insisted I hear them. As soon as I heard the intro, I knew the song. I was glad to put faces and a name to the singles, and even happier to offer them a contract,” states Wayne Haun of Vine. Their premier release, “Home For Now” offers a mix of Southern and Bluegrass Gospel. Their first single, “Good Side Of Goodbye” has been shipped to radio and is already receiving rave reviews. Produced by industry favorite Terry Thompson, “Home For Now” will release this June and will be distributed by Crossroads Entertainment and Marketing.

Pictured (L-R)
Wayne Haun (Vine Records), Tabitha Dockery (Living Waters Trio), Kelly Jennings (Living Waters Trio), Terry Thompson (producer)

THE BELLAMY BROTHERS GET POWER SOURCE MUSIC MAGAZINE AWARD FOR #1 SINGLE “DRUG PROBLEM”

Nashville, TN (March 21, 2008) —- Country’s favorite brother duo, The Bellamy Brothers, were recently honored at a ceremony at the Power Source Music Magazine offices to receive an award for their #1 single, “Drug Problem.” The single hit the top of the chart for airplay on Country, Christian, and Americana radio stations. The song is from their current album, Jesus Is Coming, which is nominated for two Dove awards, Country Album and Country Recorded Song.

Photo (left to right): Howard Bellamy; Gene Higgins, Publisher and CEO, Power Source Music Magazine; David Bellamy; Jason Higgins, Managing Editor, Power Source Music Magazine

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