As you probably well know by now, the Singing News recently opened up the nomination phase for their 2013 Fan Awards, with subscribers given the open opportunity to nominate whomever they wish to win the respective awards. I don’t put a whole lot of stock in awards like this in terms of significance, but I do think it is fun, and it’s a neat way for fans like me to be able to get involved in southern gospel music on some level. I also like the nomination phase best of all, since I can name whomever I want (meeting eligibility requirements, of course), as opposed to choosing from lists of choices, which sometimes end up leaving off some my favorites.
So, just for fun, I thought I’d post my nominations for each category for which I made a nomination. For some categories I couldn’t think of a nominee, or didn’t have much of an opinion on, so I just skipped them. Don’t be afraid to share your thoughts if you’re comfortable doing so, and I hope the atmosphere here is positive and encouraging enough for you to be able to. I’d love to hear who are some of your favorites.
Favorite Artist: Mark Trammell Quartet – With Eric Phillips in the lineup for the year, they really solidified themselves as one of the most outstanding groups on the road.
Apologies to: Greater Vision, Perrys
Traditional Quartet: Mark Trammell Quartet
Apologies to: Kingdom Heirs, Inspirations, Tribute Quartet, Old Paths
Mixed Group: The Perrys – In my opinion, they have been the standard-bearer for mixed groups for the last several years.
Apologies to: Collingsworth Family, Talleys
Trio: Greater Vision – The songs of Rodney Griffin and Chris Allman, combined with the vocal ability and sweet spirit of these men makes them a cut above in my book.
Apologies to: Booth Brothers, Whisnants
Soloist: Squire Parsons – I don’t listen to soloists much, but I’ll probably vote for this man, one of my heroes, as long as I’m able to.
Male Singer: Mark Trammell – my all-time favorite
Apologies to: Chris Allman, Gerald Wolfe, Arthur Rice, Pat Barker
Female Singer: Libbi Perry Stuffle – Distinctive and powerful, anchor of the genre’s best mixed group
Apologies to: Brooklyn Collingsworth, Susan Whisnant
Tenor: Chris Allman – one of my easiest choices, far and away the best tenor on the road, and one of the best ever
Apologies to: Eric Phillips, Riley Harrison Clark
Lead: Arthur Rice – Surely sings lead more often than any singer in gospel music, and does it with rare ability
Apologies to: Gerald Wolfe, David Ragan, Bill Shivers, Joseph Habedank
Baritone: Mark Trammell
Apologies to: Rodney Griffin, Jim Brady, Doug Anderson
Bass: Pat Barker – the closest thing we have to George Younce, his voice is velvet, and his spirit a tremendous encouragement
Apologies to: Jeff Chapman, Tim Riley
Alto: Libbi Perry Stuffle
Apologies to: Susan Whisnant, Kim Collingsworth, Peg McKamey Bean
Soprano: Brooklyn Collingsworth – this young lady can bring it, and is the focal point of the breathtaking Collingsworth blend.
Apologies to: Lauren Talley
Musician: Gerald Wolfe – I could listen to him play all the time, and I wish he did more of it. One of the all-time greats on the keys.
Apologies to: Stan Whitmire, Jeff Stice
Young Artist: Daniel Ashmore – I maybe went off the board a little bit, but this young man has a voice beyond his years, and gives the Old Paths a tremendous boost.
Apologies to: Riley Harrison Clark, pick a Collingsworth
New Traditional Quartet: Old Paths – I don’t know how “new” you have to be, but I’d like for them to win something, because they’re good.
New Trio: Barry Rowland & Deliverance – Again, not brand-new group, but they released one of the best albums of the year, in my opinion, and I think they could use some recognition.
Performing Songwriter: Rodney Griffin – another one of my heroes, whose ability to put down a thought-provoking Biblical lyric is unmatched.
Apologies to: Jim Brady, Chris Allman, Joseph Habedank
Non-performing Songwriter: Dianne Wilkinson – straight-ahead, straight-out-of-the-Book gospel music, of which I can’t get enough.
Apologies to: Kyla Rowland
Album: Lifetime, Mark Trammell Quartet – Just awe-inspiring, powerful music, sung by the best in the business, and with a purpose behind it.
Apologies to: Love Won (Talleys), Make Mine the Real Thing (Barry Rowland & Deliverance), Through the Night (Perrys)
Song: “Unspoken Request,” McKameys – this is tough for me, since I don’t keep up too much with what songs go to radio. This is my favorite song of the year that I know was released as a single, and it did hit #1 for Singing News.
Apologies to: “He Took My Case” (Barry Rowland & Deliverance)
5 comments
Skip to comment form
I appreciate your mentions of the Old Paths and Daniel Ashmore. They are my favorite group right now and some of the best guys I’ve met in SGM. Sadly, from my understanding, the Old Paths are not eligible for the new “New Quartet” award because they were nominated twice in the top 5 for the Horizon Group.
Author
I remember that the eligibility rules were a little complicated for that award, and I definitely don’t know who in the past has won or was nominated.
Oh, well. Maybe my nomination there was a waste for the Singing News, but not a waste for them to get a shout-out here!
Totally agree with the shout out to Barry Rowland and Deliverance! They know Who they’re singing about, and sound awesome doing it!! However, while Dianne Wilkinson is an awesome songwriter, my vote would be for Kyla! She is one of my heroes of the faith, and has written some fantastic Godly songs as well. The good thing is, they can’t really make a bad choice either way, there are so many wonderful, talented people out there!
Author
Thanks for commenting, Stacey!
I often think about my personal “Mt. Rushmore” of gospel songwriters, in alphabetical order: Rodney Griffin, Squire Parsons, Kyla Rowland, Dianne Wilkinson
I hate to choose from among them…all four of them are heroes of mine as well.
I once met Mark Trammell and shook his hand (total lie:-)). He’s a great singer and I see why he’s your favourite and ever will be. In 2011 I got to see a short Christmas presentation by Trammell on 3ABN, it was just him and a piano lady named E.T. Everett. That was some great singing! He’s clearly a future SG hall of famer.