Album Review - I Have To Believe by Rita Springer

Artist: Rita Springer
Album: I Have To Believe
Label: Floodgate Records
Release Date: September 13, 2005
Producers: Nathan Nockels and Margaret Becker

When I received my latest pre-release from the fine folks at Floodgate Records recently (thanks Lori!), I didn't quite know what to expect. They always seem to put out great records by some of the best in the industry, so I knew that whatever they sent would be good. What I didn't expect, was the best Rita Springer project I've ever heard! More...

Multi-Grammy Award Winning Recording Artist, Jessy Dixon Begins Scheduling For 2006

Jessy Dixon delights the packed church in Romania with his unique musical styling. The building was overflowing and more than 300 people listened to the concert from outside.


Chicago, IL - Multi-talented Grammy Award winning recording artist, Jessy Dixon has spent much of his summer traveling abroad. The popular vocalist returned from Norway this week to his hometown of Chicago, IL, after having spent much of June and July in Romania, Hungary, Ireland, the Faroe Islands, Norway, and England. “I love traveling throughout Europe. The joy music brings crosses all language barriers, and it’s such a thrill to see the joy on the faces of everyone,” Dixon explains. While in Europe, Dixon sang with the Rejoice Gospel Choir in Ireland, the Timisura Gospel Choir in Romania, several youth choirs in the Faroe Islands and for an orphanage in Romania.

After returning from Norway, Dixon plans to spend the remainder of August sharing his musical ministry at several concert events in the United States and Canada, before returing to Europe to finish out the month in England. In September, he’ll be teaming with fellow Gaither Homecoming artists in September as the highly successful Gaither Homecoming Tour kicks off its 2005 Fall Tour in Beaumont, TX, on September 15. Throughout the fall, Dixon will be featured on two dozen Homecoming Tour events, including a live Homecoming video taping set to take place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on September 24 at the Air Canada Centre. Dixon will also participate in the well known Praise Gathering event in November in Indianapolis, presented by Bill Gaither, as well as Gaither Homecoming events in Columbia, SC, and Richmond, VA, before going back to Europe for a two-week solo tour in Sweden.

Amidst the many Gaither events in which Dixon will be featured, as well as his extended European Tour, Dixon will also conduct solo events this fall in several cities nationwide, including Mt Airy, MD, and Harriman, TN. There are a few select dates available for churches and promoters for the remainder of the year. Dixon will also be featured in the Spring of 2006 with the Gaither Homecoming Tour; however, he is presently scheduling solo concert and worship events for 2006. Promoters and pastors interested in scheduling Dixon for a unique musical worship event may call 708-672-8682 or visit www.jessydixon.com . A complete touring schedule for Dixon may be obtained at www.jessydixon.com .

Kraft Bluebox Kid on GospelMusicPodcast.com

This week at www.GospelMusicPodcast.com & www.SGPodcast.Com we welcome Miss Victoria Huggins! She is a live wire and full of talent and you should make sure you catch her in her very first podcast!
And hey, Matt figured anybody who could get themselves on a box of Mac & Cheese needed to be on our podcast!

She's the youngest artist ever nominated in The TOP 5 of The Southern Gospel Music Awards and she has shared the stage with some of Southern Gospels top artists. Victoria travels with her parents and she currently does over 180 dates per year. She will be starting her 7th consecutive season at the Alabama Theater in November.

She will also be appearing at The Gatlinburg Gathering and The Christians Alternative to Halloween event, which is one of the largest Christian Music events in the Nation.

You can learn more about Victoria by visiting her web site at www.victoriahuggins.net
To learn more about The Gatlinburg Gathering or The Christians Alternative to Halloween visit www.rayflynnpromotions.com

Hoppers Heritage Tour celebrate six month milestone

The Hoppers

LANCASTER, SC — The legendary Hoppers, anchors of the Gaither Homecoming videos and concerts, are traveling to Lancaster this Friday, where they will celebrate six months worth of excitement related to the Hopper Heritage Tour.

America’s Favorite Family Of Gospel, the Hoppers, plan to sing at the 2nd Baptist Church at Lancaster, SC on Friday night, August 5th, at 7:00 p.m. “Since we started in January, we are now at the halfway point with our Hopper Heritage Tour for 2005,” said Claude Hopper, founder and manager of the group. “It has been the project of a lifetime for me, and the fans have been so receptive of this tour. “It’s especially significant to celebrate this milestone at Lancaster, and we plan to use the opportunity to praise the Lord for His blessings,” he said.

This heritage event has been described as the group’s largest and most ambitious undertaking, and has garnered rave reviews from critics and fans alike. For the Hoppers, the tour is a family commemoration that spotlights the history and heritage of Southern Gospel Music.


North Carolina Gospel Music Hall of Honor

This particular tour has also been planned to raise awareness of the newly chartered North Carolina Gospel Music Hall of Honor, an organization in Mayodan, NC that promotes and recognizes the powerful influence North Carolina and Appalachia has made in the Gospel music industry. The Hall of Honor commemorates Gospel music and its artists in all its forms.

For more information on this special concert, call 803.804.4721. Additional information is available at www.thehoppers.com or call 336.548.2526.

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER LAUNCHES THEME SONG SEARCH FOR 2006

NASHVILLE, TN—The National Day of Prayer Task Force announces it will conduct a national search for its 2006 song based on the theme, “America, Honor God.” Songs may be submitted through September 26 and will be judged by a panel of music industry professionals. The winning song submission will be recorded in Nashville by Dove-award winning producer Don Koch and incorporated into a National Day Of Prayer music video. It will also used for all activities surrounding the National Day Of Prayer, including Public Service Announcements on major national media. More...

Isaacs Earn Top Ranking For August On TheSouthernGospel.com Top 50 Chart

The Issacs- onstage at Singing in The Sun

Isaacs Earn Top Ranking For August On TheSouthernGospel.com Top 50 Chart


Multi-talented recording artist, The Isaacs recently learned that their brand new single release, “Friend Till The End,” has reached the top position on the TheSouthernGospel.com Top 50 Chart for the month of August, 2005. TheSouthernGospel.com is a division of the Caraway Media Group. The popular website’s chart is derived from a combination of radio chart reports and the number of votes that songs receive during a particular month. Visitors to the site may vote for their favorite song; however, voters are limited to one vote per day and one vote per entry.

“Friend Till The End” is featured on The Isaacs’ Dove Award winning recording Heroes from the Gaither Music Group label. The song, written by Isaacs’ members Sonya Isaacs and Rebecca Isaacs Bowman, climbed from #13 in July to the top spot for August. “Friend Till The End” is playing on radio stations nationwide.

Quick Podtalk Update

If you look in the 'Gospel Music Network' link bar at the top of this site, you'll notice a new addition. It's the Podtalk With Matt podcast and website! If you've been waiting to get into the wide world of podcasts, now is the time. Click on over to http://podtalk.sogospel.com and subscribe to the feed, download the mp3, or listen to the podcast in the built-in player on the page. It's that simple!

5 Reasons Why Podcasts Are Better Than (Almost) Everything

I'm sure there are a lot of people out there who have heard about podcasts and the technology behind them. Podcasting, as a whole, has been getting a lot of press in mainstream media and other outlets, both good and bad. You may be one of the many out there whose main question in regard to all this new stuff is, "What's the big deal about podcasts? Why should I listen to podcasts instead of regular radio or something else?" I love listening to podcasts, and here are my top 5 reasons why podcasts are better than almost everything:

1. There are podcasts about EVERYTHING.
   Currently, there are over 5,000 podcasts in the iPodder directory about everything from cars, to books, to food, to sports, and even sermons and gospel music! I subscribe to several podcasts that replaced some of my regular TV viewing, such as 'The Daily Dig', which is a daily news podcast of the most recent top news headlines. Some of my favorite podcasts are religious podcasts (Wired Jesus Podcast, Catholic Insider, RevTim Podcast), sermon podcasts (The Young Church is my current favorite), and several different music podcasts (ICM-Raw, Gospel Music Podcast).
More...



Posted by: Matt B. on Jul 25, 05 | 6:49 pm | Article Link

Reba McEntire’s Sister Featured On GospelMusicPodcast.Com

Reba McEntire’s Sister Featured On GospelMusicPodcast.Com


Susie Luchsinger: “Count It All Joy”

Reba McEntire’s baby sister, Susie Luchsinger, is a highly respected Christian Country artist winning numerous industry awards and nominations from TNN, GMA, and CCMA. She was also named “Christian Country Artist of the Year” several times and scored four #1 singles on the Positive Country charts in recent years.

Charles Brady the editor of The Southern Gospel.Com recently interviewed Susie for the GospelMusicPodcast.Com Show #19 which is now being listened to by Gospel Music Fans around the world. "It was one of the best interviews I have ever had the privilege of doing" commented Charles. "Susie has one of the most incredible voices and she is about as real and genuine as they come. The album is definitely one of my favorite projects to date and the fact that Kenna Turner West penned the title cut was just icing on the cake!"

Charles continued, "Listeners to this weeks podcast #19 which is also available on The Southern Gospel.Com web site are in for a special treat as they get to hear a sample from this new project that is full of great music! The podcast is a great way for fans to learn more about Susie. Talking with Susie was like chatting with a life long friend and she has such a great way of presenting her faith. And hey… This gal can sing!!!"

Susie’s lifelong love for singing took on a new passion when she dedicated her talents to the Lord. She and her husband, Paul, inspire countless families as they travel the nation sharing their stories of marriage restoration and hope.

Her new project, Count It All Joy, continues to showcase her family-themed songs and the first single, “There’s Still Hope” will be sent to country radio this summer nationwide.


L to R Alice Foran, Reba McEntire, Jacqueline McEntire-aka mom, Susie Luchsinger

Reba said, “I am very proud of Susie for recording this song. It is a message we all need to hear.”

“I sure enjoyed working on this album,” says Susie. “We looked high and low for the best songs we could find that would really minister to people.”

Count It All Joy is released by New Haven Records and distributed by Sony-BMG in the general market and Provident-Integrity in the Christian market. For more information on Susie or Count It All Joy please visit: www.susieluchsinger.com , www.reba.com or www.newhavenrecords.com

Get your copy of this wonderful project today! You will be so glad that you did! I highly recommend it!

Randy Travis- Modern Day Hank Williams

Randy Travis

One has to look no further than his Worship & Faith album to hear a diverse range of musical styles that fall neatly under one artist and on one album. If you get the chance to get your hands on a copy of the video you should! The audience participation is why I believe the tall man with the guitar that has a voice that you can’t mistake is the modern day equivalent of Hank Williams. His name is Randy Travis. And once you’ve heard his voice you will never forget it.

Only this modern day Hank Williams is singing a new tune to a new audience and he’s taking audiences to a new level of participation that looks more like an old fashioned camp meeting one minute and a “praise and worship” service in a modern day contemporary church the next. And the remarkable thing is that he does it so seamlessly. (I only wish church music directors could take a clue from this blending that obviously is working for those who are smart enough to use it!)

From old standards like “I’ll Fly Away” to Praise & Worship songs like “We Fall Down,” the impressive mix and the seamless way he takes the listener on the musical journey is impressive and deserving of a closer look. Watching the audience with young and old alike singing along with Travis on songs like “Will The Circle Be Unbroken” and then watching as hands were raised into the air as Travis then lead the audience in a beautiful praise and worship song like “Open The Eyes Of My Heart Lord” was something to behold. I can only say that my only personal regret was not being there to personally experience it myself.

One thing is for certain. Randy Travis has moved into a direction that seems to have endeared this country crooner to fans of country & southern gospel & praise and worship music alike. If there has ever been an artist I could point a finger at and say this person has done more to bring the different genres together it would have to be Travis. He obviously had fans of several different musical styles in attendance as I watched the videos at aol.com. (Hat’s off to AOL for providing such a great free service!) Just go to www.aol.com and select music and then videos and then inspirational and then Randy Travis.

After selecting the song in the list I was thrilled by the smooth quality of the videos as song after song played. (There are some commercials but they’re not too bad.) I did go through a set of 3-4 songs uninterrupted. If not for this chance at AOL I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy such a great concert experience! Thanks Again AOL!

Hank Williams had songs played by country boys in the back roads & by orchestras in the finest music halls in America. Somehow I can’t help but think that Travis will enjoy that same type of broad acceptance.

Two great albums by this incredible talent are worth quickly getting your hands on! Rise & Shine and of course Worship & Faith. In the eyes and ears of this editor, Randy Travis is the modern day Hank Williams. I just can’t wait to hear his next gospel project!

Charles Brady-Editor
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