AWARD-WINNING FEMALE VOCALIST, JANET PASCHAL RELEASES TREASURE NOVEMBER 18

Multi-talented singer/songwriter and author Janet Paschal has completed work on a brand new recording. TREASURE will hit retail stores nationwide on Tuesday, November 18 on the Vine label and will be distributed by Crossroads Entertainment.
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106.9 the Light Named “Religious Station of the Year”

Recognition from National Association of Broadcasters Marks Fourth Major Award
of 2008 for Regional Christian Radio Station
Asheville, N.C., October 30, 2008 – Local radio station 106.9 the Light has once again received national acclaim, having recently been named “Religious Station of the Year” by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB). The station received the award as part of NAB’s annual Marconi Radio Awards ceremony. According to NAB’s Web site, the awards “are given to radio stations and outstanding on-air personalities to recognize excellence in radio.”
 
“Once again, we’re humbled and honored by what God has done and the lives He continues to impact through our ministry,” said 106.9 the Light General Manager Jim Kirkland, who also serves as director of radio at the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA). “It is a joy for our team to serve this community, and we’ll continue to do so with uplifting music and biblical teaching that reflects the good news of Jesus Christ.”
 
The award continues a banner year for the Asheville-based radio station, which has won three other major awards in 2008 alone. In January, the National Religious Broadcasters named 106.9 the Light small-market “Radio Station of the Year” and its morning show hosts Matt Stockman and Carol Davis small-market “On-Air Personalities of the Year.” In April, Tom Greene, Director of Programming and Operations for 106.9 the Light, was named small-market “Program Director of the Year” by the Gospel Music Association at its Radio Echo Awards ceremony. The station was also named small-market “Radio Station of the Year” at the Radio and Records Christian Industry Achievement Awards last November.
Founded by Billy and Ruth Graham in 1962, 106.9 the Light’s mission is to lead as many people as possible into a personal and dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ. The station broadcasts from its studios in Asheville, N.C. to portions of seven states and around the world on the Internet at www.1069thelight.org .

A Many Great Thanks to the DJ’s That Made “THE GOOD BOOK” No.#1!

My family and I would like to take this time to thank all of the DJ’s that helped bring  “The Good Book” to the top of the charts going on it’s third week at NO.#1!!  Praise God!! This songs sends a strong message encouraging others to read the Bible and spread God’s Word. The Bible should be the number one priority in our lives.. Read more

Beene Family Signs with Crossroads

Arden, NC-The Beene Family, from Kingsport, Tennessee, recently signed a multi-year recording and distribution agreement with Crossroads Entertainment & Marketing.  The group, consisting of brothers Landon, Brandon and Shandon, along with Brandon’s wife Chrysta, have spent the last ten years establishing themselves in Southern Gospel music. With a national touring schedule that includes around 175 dates per year, the family group has focused their performances on church venues. Many of those performances have included dates on the west coast where the family was born and raised. Pianist and group manager Landon Beene states, “We are thrilled to be working with such a prestigious company as Crossroads.  They have long been one of the industry’s leaders in their ability to grow artists as well as see a vision of the future of this industry.  They are blessed with great leadership and staff. Our desire is to complement the integrity of the company by presenting our ministry in a first class way.” Crossroads executive Chris White states, “One of the reasons we wanted to establish a relationship with the Beene family is because they have a solid approach to their business, as well as their music.  We also applaud them for being Southern Gospel ambassadors to the west coast and keeping our music alive and well there.  They are simply first class people who have a lot to offer.”
The Beene family is currently in the process of finishing their new project with Crossroads slotted to release January 20th, 2009.

Thomas Surrett Passes Away at Age 67

October 31st
Arden NC- The Staff of Crossroads Music would like to honor the memory of Thomas Surrett, father of our long time friend and recording artist Tim Surrett. We have included the obituary for your information. Our prayers and love go out to the Surrett family.
Thomas (Tom) Vaughn Surrett
Born in Buncombe County on Jun. 28, 1941
Departed on Oct. 30, 2008 and resided in Canton, NC.
 
Visitation:Saturday, Nov. 1, 2008 
Service:Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008 
Cemetery:Ridgeway Baptist Church Cemetery 
Please click on the links above for locations, times, maps, and directions. 

 
Thomas “Tom” Vaughn Surrett, age 67, of Rhoda Street died Thursday, October 30, 2008, at VA Medical Center.

A native of Buncombe County, he was the son of the late Sherman and Helen Greene Surrett. He retired from Norfolk Southern Railway with 30 years of service as a conductor. He was a member and deacon of Ridgeway Baptist Church; he was also a proud veteran of the United States Navy. Tom loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. Besides his family, his greatest joys were bluegrass and gospel music as well as being outdoors. Tom’s philosophy on life was simple, “You love the Lord with all your heart, you love your family, and you laugh as often as you can, even if it’s at yourself”. He will be greatly missed by all.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Carolyn C. Surrett; a son, Tim Surrett and his wife, Hope, of Canton; three daughters, Christy Parker and her husband, Joey, Jenny Stamey and her husband, Denny, and Kim Ball and her husband, Lee, all of Canton; a sister, Shirley Fisher of Canton; two brothers, Joyce Surrett and his wife, Barbara, of Candler and Sherman Surrett and his wife, Margaret, of Canton; six grandchildren, Paige and Jared Parker, Carmen Stamey, Carter and Carly Ball, and Braden Surrett.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 2, 2008, at Ridgeway Baptist Church with the Reverend Jack W. Collins officiating. Burial will follow at Ridgeway Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6:00 until 9:00 p.m. Saturday at Wells Funeral Home of Canton.

Memorials may be made to American Heart Association, P. O. Box 21475, St. Petersburg, FL 33742.

Kingsmen Quartet leader among 2008 Hall of Fame inductees

Ray Dean Reese stands next to his Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame bronze plaque during the induction ceremony at Dollywood.
(Photo: Randall Franks) 
 
 
Gospel bass singer Ray Dean Reese of Asheville, N.C. was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame at Dollywood Oct. 9 in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame member Les Beasley of the Florida Boys inducted his long time friend. “Thank God for all those all over the country who spread the gospel in song,” he said. Reese recalled many of his friends who contributed to his career including the late Kingsmen leader Eldridge Fox. Read more

Homeplace Records Recording Artists “LakeSide” Score Number 1 on Radioactive Airplay Bluegrass Chart

Asheboro, NC  (October 21^st, 2008) - For the third consecutive week LAKESIDE, a contemporary bluegrass gospel group has topped the Radioactive Airplay Bluegrass Chart.  According to Charles Brady of Radioactive Airplay the groups RAA Number 1 Song “YES MY JESUS LOVES ME” is wonderful blend of great acoustic music and incredible vocal harmonies from a group of guys that obviously love the Lord and love singing great heartfelt songs. The Number 1 song was penned by LAKESIDE member Andrew (Andy) Miller.

 

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MARY MARY HEARING THE SOUND OF PRAISE FOR NEW CD

MOBILE, Alabama (October 23, 2008) – It sounds like a success for Mary Mary’s new CD The Sound which has opened to terrific reviews from both Christian and mainstream press.  The Integrity/Columbia release is also in the Top 10 on iTunes album sales. 
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Listeners Respond During Local Radio Ministry’s ‘Sharathon’

Black Mountain, NC — October 17, 2008 — 106.9 the Light ended its annual Sharathon by raising $1.3 million in just two days.
 
106.9 the Light received 3,472 pledges and donations from listeners to reach the total. Ten percent of all support received is directed to its sister station that reaches into North Africa and the Middle East with Christian music and teaching in Arabic.

One hundred and fifty-seven volunteers helped with various tasks during Sharathon, primarily acting as phone operators for the 24 phone lines used during the event.
 
“Sharathon was a testament to our Lord’s provision in that listeners gave so generously while all the country, and our region especially, was abuzz with the bleakest economic predictions in 70 years,” stated Executive Director Jim Kirkland. “By their actions, listeners were saying loud and clear, ‘It’s in God we trust.’”
 
As for moving ahead in 2009, Kirkland added, “We remain committed to seeing the mission of 106.9 the Light and Blue Ridge Broadcasting grow in influence to reach and encourage people through radio with the story of Jesus Christ. God promises His faithfulness; we pledge our commitment, and a lot of hard work!” 
 
Founded by Billy and Ruth Graham in 1962, 106.9 the Light’s mission is to lead as many people as possible into a personal and dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ. The station broadcasts from its studios in Asheville, NC to portions of seven states and around the world on the Internet at www.1069thelight.org . 106.9 the Light is a listener-supported ministry of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.

Crabb Re-signs With Daywind’s Christian Taylor Music

Hendersonville, TN (Oct. 23, 2008) – Award winning songwriter, Gerald Crabb, has re-signed his contract with Daywind Music Publishing. He has been a songwriter with Daywind’s Christian Taylor Music for many years, and he continues to find it a great place to call home.

Crabb’s list of #1 songs and songwriting awards are incomparable in our genre. He has garnered a total of 21 #1 hits including many from his well-known family group, the Crabb Family. Songs like “Through The Fire” and “Please Forgive Me” changed the face of Gospel music, but more importantly these songs, among so many others, changed lives. Although he is known for his family’s success, he has written many chart topping songs for other groups including “Not Even A Stone” (Perrys), “The Healer” (Talley Trio), “Hold Me While I Cry” (Karen Peck and New River), and many more.

Crabb has celebrated numerous cuts from artists in Southern Gospel music, but he has also enjoyed success outside of that genre with cuts from the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Randy Travis, Marie Osmond, Donnie McClurkin, and more. His list of Gospel cuts is extensive. Some of the artists include Gaither Vocal Band, the Isaacs, Booth Brothers, among many others.

Among his many Dove Awards are Album of the Year (The Walk), Song Of the Year (“The Healer”) and (“Don’t You Wanna Go”), and more. He has celebrated multiple BMI awards including Songwriter of the Year in 2002. In addition, he was the recipient of the Southern Gospel Music Guild’s Harmony Honor for Songwriter of the Year in 2004.

Daywind’s Director of Publishing, Rick Shelton, shares, “Lives are impacted through the songs of Gerald Crabb. His lyrics are laden with emotion and his melodies evoke a heartfelt response from the listener. Beyond his exceptional talent is a gracious man who loves God and loves people. I am thrilled and consider it an honor to continue to serve Gerald and promote his music.”

Crabb expressed his feelings about his long-term relationship with Daywind; “I have worked with Christian Taylor Music for almost 10 years. It’s hard to believe it has been that long. I think we have a great team. I see no reason to do anything different. Dottie, Ed, and Rick are more than just associates, I count them as my dear friends.”

To learn more about the multi-faceted ministry of Gerald Crabb, visit www.geraldcrabb.net

Daywind Music Publishing is based in Hendersonville, TN, and is part of Daywind Music Group. For more information, visit www.daywindrecords.com

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