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I wasn’t sure whether or not I should post my reflections on Roger Bennett’s funeral. With over 50,000 people watching it online, I imagine that nearly everyone who reads this blog will either have been there, have watched online, or will watch the DVD that the church will make available.

The funeral started ten minutes late. I was amazed beyond belief when the pastor began by saying they had delayed it so that those of us who were watching online could see it. He said that 50,000 people had tuned in, and this had crashed the server. He joked that Roger must be taking a perverse delight in figuring out how to crash a computer at his own funeral!

Legacy Five sang “In His Grip,” a song Roger wrote.

Rev. Glenda McDonald, chaplain at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, spoke about Roger’s last years and his last days. There were several times in his final days, after he was taken off life support and was beyond the point where he was supposed to be able to communicate, where he opened his eyes and followed what his wife Debbie was saying. He even squeezed her hand several times, and mouthed the words “I love you too” several hours before he passed away.

They played an audio recording of Roger Bennett singing “I’ve Read the Back of the Book” (with the Josh Cobb-era Legacy Five), and displayed pictures from his life on a video screen.

Jordan Bennett sang a song about saying goodbye. His voice has obviously not fully matured yet, but he sounded so much like his father that it blew me away.
Scott Fowler, who has spent the last sixteen years on the road with Roger Bennett (nearly Fowler’s entire professional career), led the audience in singing “What a Friend” and “Victory in Jesus,” Bennett’s two favorite hymns. Then Legacy Five came on stage to join him singing “Jesus Saves.”

They then played a second song (audio) from Roger, his recording of “Home Free.” I won’t try to capture in words what it was like, but it was simply amazing.

Phil Hoskins delivered the main sermon. He made some excellent points, including reminding the audience that we will be with Roger far longer than we will be without him.

He closed with a story about a little girl who got off the bus every day after school and ran across the street to look at a doll in the toy shop window. One day as she was running across the street, a car hit her. She was taken to the hospital and was in a coma for seven days. While she was in a coma, the toy shop owner brought that doll and laid it next to her in the bed. Later that day, she came out of her coma, opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was the doll. She looked at it, and her first words were: “Mommy, the glass is gone!”

All these years, Roger Bennett has been beholding our Savior through a glass, darkly…until now.

Now whether it was something man planned or something God planned I do not know, but the next thing that happened, the final event in the service, was a video of Roger Bennett singing “We are Home” with Legacy Five. The second verse says:

For years we had lived in a place not our own
Occupied country, the enemy’s throne
Never belonging and so out of place
Constantly striving to finish this race

Now we are standing as trophies of grace
Anxiously awaiting a glimpse of His face
The veil has been lifted, the glass has been cleared
With loud hallelujahs the King has appeared!

We are home…

Wow.

Last Saturday, I went to a concert put on by J & J promotions. Local group GloryWay Quartet was the host group; the Mountain State Quartet came up from West Virginia, and the Dixie Melody Boys from North Carolina headlined the event.

The concert started out with a 45-minute set by the GloryWay Quartet.

• I’m Winging My Way Back Home
• By and By (featuring their lead)
• Jesus Will Outshine Them All (featuring their lead)
• Glory Road (featuring their alto, Mary St. Clair)
• Someone to Care (featuring their baritone)
• Tears Will Never Stain the Streets of that City (featuring Mary St. Clair)
• Living in Canaan Now

The set was entirely live, with a pianist and bass guitarist. The bass guitarist was the father of the lead singer, while the pianist had been playing piano for over 50 years. The baritone and bass had both been singing for decades and were in their sixties or seventies, while the lead singer and alto were somewhat younger. There were a few minor issues with microphone feedback, but with that brief exception the set was quite enjoyable.

The Mountain State Quartet from Nitro, West Virginia was up next. I was especially looking forward to this because my friend Levi Johnston, who comments on this blog from time to time, sings baritone with the group. I’m not entirely certain about the titles of some of the songs they sang, but here are my best guesses:

• When I Dip my Feet in the Crystal River
• I Believe He Died for Me, For You (lead)
• I Believe in a Hill Called Mount Calvary (lead, tenor)
• Home (featuring baritone Levi Johnston)
• I’m Not What I Wanna Be (bass, then baritone)
• Jesus Knows
• I’ll Put on a Crown (lead)

During the first few songs, there were a few feedback issues and the soundtracks/microphone balance was weighted a little too much toward the soundtracks. However, both problems were corrected quickly. In my opinion, the highlights of their set came about 2/3 of the way through, when they featured Levi on two songs, “Home” and “I’m Not What I Wanna Be.” Part of the way through the second song, he took the bass singer’s microphone and sang the bass part through the end of the song. He sang the part well (especially for a baritone), but the best part of the skit was his acting. He did a great job of playing the “I can’t believe I’m getting away with this” part.

An hour and a half into the evening, the Dixie Melody Boys came onto the stage.

• Far Above the Starry Sky (featuring tenor Dan Keeton)
• I’m Gonna Stand and Lift My Hands (featuring baritone Andrew King)
• I’ll Meet You in the Sweet By and By
• A Seat in the Heavenly Choir
• My Anchor of Hope (featuring Andrew). I was slightly surprised to hear the Dixie Melody Boys do this song, since it’s a current radio hit for the Kingdom Heirs. I assume that the song, which I understand was originally written by current KH tenor Billy Hodges, was recorded by the Dixie Melody Boys a few years back and brought back when Hodges joined the Kingdom Heirs.
• I’m Gonna Lift my Praise to the Giver of Amazing Grace (featuring lead singer Bryan Walker)
• I Love this Man from Galilee (featuring Dan Keeton)
• Give the World a Smile (featuring bass Ed O’Neal). This one was a lot of fun. Ed talked about how (back when he was “young and debonair”) he always listened to the Blackwood Brothers’ radio program, which would start with this song as their theme song. He then had his group do it acapella. It was easily the best live version I’d heard of the song, and possibly the best I have ever heard.
• Roll on Jordan (featuring). The Dixie Melody Boys are at their best when they do this sort of song.
• First Day in Heaven (featuring Bryan and Andrew on the talking parts)
• Beautiful Isle of Somewhere (featuring Andrew). Andrew King hit the ball out of the park on this one. Later, during the product pitch, they referred to a CD as worth the cover price simply for Andrew’s rendition of the song, and I have a feeling they sold quite a few of that CD.
• Peace in the Valley (featuring Ed)
• Oh What a Savior (featuring Dan)

After intermission, each of the groups came back for a few songs:

• Glory Way Quartet: Piano solo
• Glory Way Quartet: When I Wake Up to Sleep No More (lead)
• Glory Way Quartet: That I Could Still Go Free (also lead)
• Glory Way Quartet: Shoutin’ Time
• Mountain State: Holy Holy
• Mountain State: I’ll Live Again
• Mountain State: Well Done, Faithful Servant (lead)
• Mountain State: Forever and a Day
• Dixie Melody Boys: Victory Road (Ed)
• Dixie Melody Boys: Over the Moon (Dan)
• Dixie Melody Boys: Happy Rhythm (Ed)
• Dixie Melody Boys: A Soul Such as I (Andrew)
• Dixie Melody Boys: In the Garden (Bryan)

Before “In the Garden,” Ed O’Neal said that it would be the last song. But after the song, he changed his mind and invited the other two groups back on stage for a group sing on “I’ll Fly Away.”

Dixie Melody Boys tenor Dan Keeton closed the concert with an audience sing-along on “It is Well with my Soul.”

Beyond any question, the biggest surprise of the night (for me) was Andrew King’s performance at baritone for the Dixie Melody Boys. He had more charisma and stage presence than any other performer I have seen in person (something comparable to what I’ve seen of Gerald Wolfe on video, though Andrew smiles even more). He had a great voice, too. If he decides to stay in Southern Gospel, he will be able to write his own ticket in a few years.

Lead singer Bryan Walker, the newest member of the group, provides the group’s comedic relief, with facial expressions, comments, and even hand gestures during lines that have to do with “the prophets of old.”

Dan Keeton, tenor, hit some very high notes. But his voice is most powerful and expressive in the lower tenor range. If he ever tires of singing tenor, he could be a top-notch lead singer along the lines of Guy Penrod and Arthur Rice, though with a voice quality all his own.

Ed O’Neal turned in a great performance as well. When someone introduced me to him as someone who posted things on a blog and on the Singing News forums, he asked me to say something nice about him. So I will: Though he might primarily be known in some circles as one of the best columnists out there, he is a great singer, too.

All in all, it was quite an enjoyable evening.

Southern Gospel soloist Keith Plott has launched a website, www.keithplott.com. I will note in passing that this is one of the best websites I’ve seen for a Southern Gospel soloist.

Adam Edwards has joined the world of Southern Gospel bloggers with today’s launch of www.southerngospelcritique.com. I’ve read his posts on the Singing News forum, and I’ve thought for quite a while that he would make an excellent blogger. I’m glad to see that he took the plunge, and I’m looking forward to what the future holds for his blog.

Over the last few days, several fond memories of Roger Bennett have come to mind.

Via a Cathedrals compilation project, Roger Bennett introduced me to Southern Gospel piano playing. “I’m in the Gloryland Way” was my first exposure to what a Southern Gospel piano solo sounds like. Even now, I’m still blown away by his rendition of that song.

I remember listening to the Fan Awards live on my local radio station in 2005, I think. Roger told the audience he’d made a deal with God that if he could just see his kids graduate from high school, God could take him Home. He said that earlier that year, he had been able to see his son walk the aisle, and God had granted his request. At this point, he had the audience in the palm of his hand, and I doubt there was a dry eye in the house. But just as quick as that, he turned things around. He said he’d told God that he wanted to re-negotiate his agreement (”maybe grandkids?”). Of course, the audience burst laughing. Only a Roger Bennett could pull that off.

But of all my favorite Roger Bennett memories, one stands head and shoulders above the rest. In mid-2004, I first discovered Southern Gospel music and the local SG radio station. One night I turned on the radio and heard applause between the songs. It didn’t take me long to figure out that this must be the National Quartet Convention I’d read about, and that my local radio station must be carrying it live.

Legacy Five came on, and I was impressed. I knew that of the three members of the final Cathedrals lineup, two were members of that group. When Roger Bennett told his testimony and introduced “Whispers in the Night,” it was a powerful moment. Legacy Five was greeted by a “standing ovation and then some” and prepared to leave the stage.

But just when I thought things couldn’t get any better, Signature Sound came on stage. Ernie Haase asked Legacy Five to stay on the stage, and the two groups sang “Oh What a Savior” together.

Now I was pretty new to Southern Gospel, but I knew a thing or two. I knew that the Cathedrals were my favorite group, bar none, and that even for a National Quartet Convention, this was something out of the ordinary.

I can still hear Ernie saying, “It’s been a long time, Roger. Let’s do it like we..like we used to.” And that’s just what they did.

That was to my knowledge the final time Roger, Ernie, and Scott ever shared the same stage.

I’ve said before that I was never fortunate enough to hear the Cathedrals live and in person. But as I sat by my radio late that September night, for a few shining moments I knew what it must have been like.

Thanks for the memories, Roger.

The chills are going up and down my spine and I cannot believe my eyes. A few seconds ago, I opened an email from the Singing News which said that Roger Bennett just passed away. I simply cannot believe that this has really happened.

When he joined the Cathedral Quartet as a young kid in 1979 or 1980, nobody dreamed that he would be the first to join George and Glen in glory. But what a homecoming they must be having right now…

I just started playing his solo on Legacy Five’s song “Home Free.” That song is
now more poignant than ever, and expresses my feelings more than anything I could say.

Home free, eventually
At the ultimate healing we will be home free
Home free, oh, I’ve got a feeling
At the ultimate healing we will be home free

UPDATE: Debbie Bennett has posted an update to Roger’s blog. What really got to me about this post is that she quoted “Home Free,” too.

This post completes my trilogy of posts looking at the top 10 nominees. The nominees I think will make the top 5 are in bold.

These are my preliminary guesses. If I think the Southern Gospel scene has changed significantly in any category, I might revise my guesses around the time the top 5 ballot comes out and the fans cast their votes. Otherwise, I’ll stick with these.

Female

• Bean, Peg McKamey - McKameys
• Easter, Sheri - Jeff & Sheri Easter
• Gooch, Karen Peck - Karen Peck & New River
• Greene, TaRanda - Greenes
• Hopper, Connie - Hoppers
• Hopper, Kim - Hoppers
• Stuffle, Libbi - Perrys
• Talley, Debra - Talley Trio
• Talley, Lauren - Talley Trio
• Whisnant, Susan - Whisnants

I think Libbi and Kim are virtual shoo-ins for the top 5. I think Peg and Karen will also make the top 5. The last slot is anyone’s guess, and TaRanda Greene’s banner year led to my guess.

Male

• Bennett, Eric - Triumphant Qt
• Bishop, Mark - Soloist
• Crabb, Jason - Crabb Family
• Fowler, Scott - Legacy Five
• Free, Brian - Brian Free & Assurance
• Haase, Ernie - Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
• Parker, Ivan - Soloist
• Rice, Arthur - Kingdom Heirs
• Sutton, David - Triumphant Qt
• Wolfe, Gerald - Greater Vision

I think Ernie Haase and Gerald Wolfe are reasonably certain to make the top 5. Ivan Parker probably will, too, since he was popular enough to win last year. After that, it’s anyone’s guess, and I guessed Scott Fowler and Jason Crabb. Jason may pick up a few votes because it is the last year he’s eligible with the current iteration of the Crabb family.

Songwriter

• Bishop, Mark
  
• Brady, Jim
• Crabb, Gerald
• Cross, Phil
• Farris, Sheryl
• Griffin, Rodney
  
• Hinson, Ronny
• Inman, Scott
  
• Rowland, Kyla
  
• Wilkinson, Dianne

It’s an easy call to say that Dianne Wilkinson and Rodney Griffin could and should make it to the top 5. Kyla Rowland should, so I put her name in bold, but after Griffin and Wilkinson, it’s anyone’s guess.

Young Artist

• Brown, Stephanie - JBIF
• Fortner, Eli - McKameys
• Free, Ricky - Brian Free & Assurance
• Habedank, Joseph - Perrys
• Inman, Scott - Triumphant Qt
• McGlamery, Devin - Karen Peck & New River
• McRae, Annie - TK & McRae
• Penhollow, Terah - Crabb Family
• Sweatman, Dustin - Mark Trammell Trio
• Talley, Lauren - Talley Trio

I think Lauren Talley, Scott Inman, and Joseph Habedank should easily make it to the final 5. I’ll guess Dustin Sweatman and Eli Fortner to round out the top 5. I went with Fortner because the traditional/Appalachian voting bloc is still sizable, and since the Inspirations don’t have a member eligible, they would tend to join McKameys fans in going with Fortner.

Song

• Give It Away - Gaither Vocal Band
• He Will Hide Me - Perrys
• Heaven’s Heroes - Greater Vision
• Hey Jonah - Triumphant Qt
• I Have Not Forgotten - Inspirations
• I Will Trust You Lord McKameys
• If It Takes A Valley - Brian Free & Assurance
• My Anchor of Hope - Kingdom Heirs
• Once Upon A Cross - Mark Trammell Trio
• Strike Up The Band - Legacy Five

I think all ten songs go on the final ballot; I’m not sure if they changed the rules on that one. Either way, if there is a winnowing round here the Inspirations and Greater Vision songs are sure to make the cut.

Horizon Individual

• Barker, Grant - Kingsmen
• King, Sharron Kay - Soloist
• Lile, Jeremy - Brian Free & Assurance
• Mitchell, Brent - Mercy’s Mark
• Singletary, Josh - Tribute Qt
• Smith, Wesley - Palmetto State Qt
• Sweatman, Dustin - Mark Trammell Trio
• Trammell, Nick - Perrys
• Walker, Bryan - Dixie Melody Boys
• White, Carl - Young Harmony

Nick Trammell, Jeremy Lile, and probably Dustin Sweatman should easily make the top 5. I’ll go with Bryan Walker and Brent Mitchell to round out my top 5.

Horizon Group

• Austins Bridge
• Ball Brothers
• Browns
• Crist Family
• Crystal River
• Dills
• Paid In Full
• Soul’d Out
• Tribute Qt
• Young Harmony

The Ball Brothers and the Tribute Quartet should easily make the top 5. Beyond that, it’s anyone’s guess, but I’ll go with Paid in Full, Crystal River, and Young Harmony.

Album

• Come Thirsty - Perrys
• Fifteen - Greater Vision
• Get Away Jordan - Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
• Graceland - Mike Bowling Group
• I Know - Inspirations
• Live In Music City - Legacy Five
• Off The Record - Kingdom Heirs
• Once Upon A Cross - Mark Trammell Trio
• Revival - Gold City
• Triumphant - Triumphant Qt

The Perrys, the Inspirations, and Signature Sound should be shoo-ins in this category. (The Perrys might not be, but I did say “should.”) I would say that Greater Vision would be as well, except that I have a hard time seeing how fans could vote a compilation into the top 10, let alone the top 5. I’d love to see the Mark Trammell Trio make the top 5, but Triumphant is more likely to pull that off. If the Perrys don’t make the top 5, I’m expecting that Legacy Five will. Their album is exceptional enough that I consider it one of the top 5.

Musician

• Bennett, Roger - Legacy Five
• Collingsworth, Kim - Collingsworth Family
• Cook, Martin - Inspirations
• Crabb, Adam - Crabb Famiy
• Fortner, Roger - McKameys
• Free, Ricky - Brian Free & Assurance
• Holt, Matthew - Perrys
• Murphy, Dennis - Kingdom Heirs
• Stice, Jeff - Triumphant Qt
• Webb, Roy - Ernie Haase & Signature Sound

It’s an easy to call to say that Martin Cook and Roger Bennett will almost definitely make the top 5. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Roy Webb and Jeff Stice do the same. For the fifth slot, I’ll go with what I’d like to see, Kim Collingsworth making the top 5.

Group of the Year

• Booth Brothers
• Brian Free & Assurance
• Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
• Greater Vision
• Hoppers
• Inspirations
• Kingdom Heirs
• Legacy Five
• Perrys
• Triumphant Quartet

This is the big challenge, of course. The Inspirations and Greater Vision are the only shoo-ins, I think. I think the Perrys will probably make the top 5, due to their multi-year dominance in the mixed quartet category. Signature Sound could well make the top 5 again. I’ll go with Legacy 5 as my final guess (mainly on the strength of their most recent album), but if they don’t make the cut, a Hoppers top 5 nomination could actually put male quartets in the minority.

Let’s start with the big stuff. Triumphant Quartet walked away with the most nominations (seven). That’s an impressive accomplishment, but they are less likely to ace the top 5 ballot because two of their nominations (for Eric Bennett and David Sutton) are in the highly competitive Male Singer category. Conventional wisdom would hold that if Kingdom Heirs fans will split their votes between the two, this could keep both out of the top 5 in this category. Nonetheless, it’s still an impressive accomplishment for a group this new to walk away with the most first-round nominations.

The Perrys are still undeniably one of the hottest acts around, picking up six nominations and getting a nomination in virtually every category in which they were eligible. I think the only reason they didn’t tie with Triumphant Quartet for seven is that Perrys fans split their votes in the Male Singer category between Joseph Habedank and Tracy Stuffle. Tracy Stuffle has been the group’s usual nominee in this category, I think, but Joseph Habedank is wowing audiences with his voice and charisma, and is moving into the spot where he’ll be a serious contender in this spot if he stays with the group for a few more years.

Honorable mention goes to Brian Free & Assurance, who also received six nominations, in virtually the same categories as the Perrys did (with the exception of Male for Female vocalist).

Kudos to the Ball Brothers, nominees for Horizon Group. My initial feeling, roughly six months out, is that this award is going to be between the Ball Brothers and the Tribute Quartet. I like Tribute, but all but one of that group’s members picked up a Horizon Award last year as Monument Quartet. It’s virtually the same group under a new name, so I’ll almost definitely go with the Ball Brothers all the way in this category.

The Big News in the musician category was that Kim Collingsworth, pianist for the Collingsworth family, picked up a nomination this year. If a woman has ever won this award, it’s been decades. But obviously, she was nominated not because she was a woman, but because she is one of the best pianists out there. And that’s why I’m hoping she makes it to the final round.

The Mark Trammell Trio must have an extraordinarily strong fan base, because the “Once Upon a Cross” song and album got top-10 nominations before most fans would have heard either. I’ve heard the song (in live concert), but not the album yet. (The album will probably be the next CD I purchase, though, now that it is available as of last week.)

In the category of surprisingly weak showings we find Gold City, the Kingsmen, and the Palmetto State Quartet, all of whom got only one nomination each. They’ve all seen better years, but each group has been hurt by the departure of their most popular members. In the cases of Gold City and Palmetto State Quartet, we can add “recent departure.”

***

By the numbers, the top nominees were:

• 7: Triumphant (Male, Male, Songwriter, Triumphant Quartet, Song, Album, Musician, Group)
• 6: Perrys (Female, Young Artist, Song, Horizon Individual, Album, Musician, Group)
• 6: Brian Free & Assurance (Male, Young Artist, Song, Horizon Individual, Musician, Group)
• 5: Greater Vision (Male, Songwriter, Song, Album, Group)
• 5: Legacy Five (Male, Song, Album, Musician, Group)
• 4: McKameys (Female, Young Artist, Song, Musician)
• 4: Inspirations (Song, Album, Musician, Group)
• 4: Mark Trammell Trio (Young Artist, Song, Horizon Individual, Album)
• 4: EHSS (Male, Album, Musician, Group)
• 3: Hoppers (Female, Female, Group)
• 3: Talley Trio (Female, Female, Young Artist)
• 3: Crabb Family (Male, Young Artist, Musician)
• 3: Kingdom Heirs (Song, Album, Musician)
• 2: Mark Bishop (Male, Songwriter)
• 2: KP& NR (Female, Young Artist)
• 2: Booth Brothers (Songwriter, Group)
• 2: Young Harmony (Horizon Individual, Horizon Group)

Groups and individuals with only one nomination:

• 1: Collingsworth (Musician)
• 1: Ball Brothers (Horizon Group)
• 1: Gaither Vocal Band (Song)
• 1: Gold City (Album)
• 1: Kingsmen (Horizon Individual)
• 1: Palmetto State (Horizon Individual)
• 1: Jeff & Sheri Easter (Female)
• 1: Greenes (Female)
• 1: Whisnanats (Female)
• 1: Tribute Quartet (Horizon Individual, Horizon Group)
• 1: Dixie Melody Boys (Horizon Individual)
• 1: Ivan Parker (Male)
• 1: JBIF (Young Artist)
• 1: TK & McRae (Young Artist)
• 1: Mercy’s Mark (Horizon Individual)
• 1: Poet Voices (Songwriter)
• 1: Austins Bridge (Horizon Group)
• 1: Browns (Horizon Group)
• 1: Crist Family (Horizon Group)
• 1: Crystal River (Horizon Group)
• 1: Dills (Horizon Group)
• 1: Paid In Full (Horizon Group)
• 1: Soul’d Out (Horizon Group)
• 1: Mike Bowling Group (Horizon Group)
• 1: Gerald Crabb (Songwriter)
• 1: Sheryl Farris (Songwriter)
• 1: Ronny Hinson (Songwriter)
• 1: Kyla Rowland (Songwriter)
• 1: Dianne Wilkinson (Songwriter)
• 1: Sharron Kay King (Horizon Individual)

I don’t do this every year or every round, but I think I’ll also guess which nominees will make the top 5. But that’s another post.

In the same email blast that announced their changes to the fan awards, Singing News announced the top 10 nominees for this year. This, of course, does not include the eventual nominees in the reinstated tenor, lead, baritone, and bass parts.

2007 Singing News Top 10 Fan Award Nominees

Female
Bean, Peg McKamey - McKameys
Easter, Sheri - Jeff & Sheri Easter
Gooch, Karen Peck - Karen Peck & New River
Greene, TaRanda - Greenes
Hopper, Connie - Hoppers
Hopper, Kim - Hoppers
Stuffle, Libbi - Perrys
Talley, Debra - Talley Trio
Talley, Lauren - Talley Trio
Whisnant, Susan - Whisnants

Male
Bennett, Eric - Triumphant Qt
Bishop, Mark - Soloist
Crabb, Jason - Crabb Family
Fowler, Scott - Legacy Five
Free, Brian - Brian Free & Assurance
Haase, Ernie - Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Parker, Ivan - Soloist
Rice, Arthur - Kingdom Heirs
Sutton, David - Triumphant Qt
Wolfe, Gerald - Greater Vision

Songwriter
Bishop, Mark -
Brady, Jim -
Crabb, Gerald -
Cross, Phil -
Farris, Sheryl -
Griffin, Rodney -
Hinson, Ronny -
Inman, Scott -
Rowland, Kyla -
Wilkinson, Dianne

Young Artist
Brown, Stephanie - JBIF
Fortner, Eli - McKameys
Free, Ricky - Brian Free & Assurance
Habedank, Joseph - Perrys
Inman, Scott - Triumphant Qt
McGlamery, Devin - Karen Peck & New River
McRae, Annie - TK & McRae
Penhollow, Terah - Crabb Family
Sweatman, Dustin - Mark Trammell Trio
Talley, Lauren - Talley Trio

Song
Give It Away - Gaither Vocal Band
He Will Hide Me - Perrys
Heaven’s Heroes - Greater Vision
Hey Jonah - Triumphant Qt
I Have Not Forgott - Inspirations
I Will Trust You Lord McKameys
If It Takes A Valley - Brian Free & Assurance
My Anchor of Hope - Kingdom Heirs
Once Upon A Cross - Mark Trammell Trio
Strike Up The Band - Legacy Five

Horizon Individual
Barker, Grant - Kingsmen
King, Sharron Kay - Soloist
Lile, Jeremy - Brian Free &Assurance
Mitchell, Brent - Mercy’s Mark
Singletary, Josh - Tribute Qt
Smith, Wesley - Palmetto State Qt
Sweatman, Dustin - Mark Trammell Trio
Trammell, Nick - Perrys
Walker, Bryan - Dixie Melody Boys
White, Carl - Young Harmony

Horizon Group
Austins Bridge
Ball Brothers
Browns
Crist Family
Crystal River
Dills
Paid In Full
Soul’d Out
Tribute Qt
Young Harmony

Album
Come Thirsty - Perrys
Fifteen - Greater Vision
Get Away Jordan - Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Graceland - Mike Bowling Group
I Know - Inspirations
Live In Music City - Legacy Five
Off The Record - Kingdom Heirs
Once Upon A Cross - Mark Trammell Trio
Revival - Gold City
Triumphant - Triumphant Qt

Musician
Bennett, Roger - Legacy Five
Collingsworth, Kim - Collingsworth Family
Cook, Martin - Inspirations
Crabb, Adam - Crabb Famiy
Fortner, Roger - McKameys
Free, Ricky - Brian Free & Assurance
Holt, Matthew - Perrys
Murphy, Dennis - Kingdom Heirs
Stice, Jeff - Triumphant Qt
Webb, Roy - Ernie Haase&Signature Sound

Group of the Year
Booth Brothers
Brian Free & Assurance
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Greater Vision
Hoppers
Inspirations
Kingdom Heirs
Legacy Five
Perrys
Triumphant Qt

I’ll think these over for a while and post about voter trends some time this evening or tomorrow.

I in an email blast sent out to Singing News subscribers, Editor-in-Chief Jerry Kirksey announced that Singing News is reinstating six categories in the Fan Awards: Tenor, Lead, Baritone, Bass, Alto, and Soprano. Kirksey said that he had overlooked “a VERY IMPORTANT element of the Fan Awards process–the Fan.” He said that the calls, emails, letters, and comments after concerts persuaded him to reinstate those six favorite categories.

In the May Singing News, the top 10 ballot will also feature a nomination ballot for those six parts. The final ballot will include the top 5 nominees in all categories.The Fan Awards would have been seriously weaker without these awards. Face it, in our genre tenors and bass singers often have less in common vocally than the top 5 nominees in the male and female singer categories. In genres where all men and all women sing more or less the same style, an overarching gender-based category is fine.But in a genre with as much emphasis on harmony parts as this genre traditionally (and currently) has, I believe the Fan Awards will be much better for this change.