The Southern Gospel Music Guild (SGMG) announced yesterday the top nominees for the 2005 Harmony Honors, as well as the venue and date for the event. The Second Annual Harmony Honors will take place at 7:00 pm on Monday, November 21st at the Renaissance Center located in Dickson, Tennessee. Admission is free and open to the public, but seats are limited. The event will be taped for television broadcast.

Nominees were selected based on numerous statistics related to the individual or group including radio charts and product sales, according to SoundScan. The first ballot was shipped to various industry personnel, including numerous group members, in September. The ballots were returned directly to the accounting firm of Rayburn, Bates & Fitzgerald P.C., where they were tabulated to create the narrowed down field of nominees. A second ballot was mailed this week where industry members will be allowed to choose from the updated list. Once again, the ballot is to be shipped back to Rayburn, Bates & Fitzgerald P.C., who will calculate the winners. The winners will be announced during the awards show in November.

The Harmony Honors were created to honor those in the industry, by the industry, for their accomplishments over the past year. For up-to-date details on the Harmony Honors, visit www.sgmg.org. To request free seats for the evening, call 615-832-4119 no later than November 14, 2005.

And the top nominees are…

Performing Musician of the Year
Roger Bennett
Channing Eleton
Justin Ellis
Roger Fortner
Ricky Free
Doyle Lawson
Greg Richie
Roy Webb

Impact Award
Charles Burke
Eddie Crook
Crossroads Entertainment
Daywind
Bill Gaither
Singing News Magazine

Songwriter of the Year
Mark Bishop
Gerald Crabb
Sheryl Farris
Rodney Griffin
Joel Lindsey
Annie McRae
Rebecca Peck

Media of the Year
Daystar
Gospel Greats
Homecoming Magazine
INSP
Singing News
Solid Gospel
U.S. Gospel News

Artist of the Year
Brian Free & Assurance
Crabb Family
CrossWay
Gaither Vocal Band
Gold City
Greater Vision
Hoppers
Jeff & Sheri Easter
Kingdom Heirs
Kingsmen
Perrys
Signature Sound
Talley Trio

Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelly Bowling
Sheri Easter
Karen Peck-Gooch
Annie McRae
Libbi Stuffle
Lauren Talley
Susan Whisnant


Male Vocalist of the Year
Mark Bishop
Mike Bowling
Jason Crabb
Brian Free
Guy Penrod
Arthur Rice
Danny Riley
Gerald Wolfe

New Artist of the Year
Hope's Call
Jody Brown Indian Family
Mercy's Mark
Three Bridges
Triumphant Quartet

Producer of the Year
Jeff Collins
Lari Goss
Wayne Haun
Michael Sykes
Roger Talley

Creative Support Award
Van Atkins
Jeff Collins
Tony Creasman
David Johnson
Jason Webb

Non-Musical Support Award
Crystal Burchette
Mickey Gamble
Jim Stover
Rhonda Thompson
Paul Wharton

Album of the Year
Live in New York City - Brian Free & Assurance
Driven - Crabb Family
This I Know - Crossway
First Class - Gold City
Faces - Greater Vision
Heroes - Isaacs
Sunshine - Jeff & Sheri Easter
Good To Be Free - Karen Peck & New River
Forever Changed - Kingdom Heirs
Fresh Manna - McKameys
Where I Stand - Mike Bowling
Life of Love - Perrys
Great Love - Signature Sound
Praise For The Ages - Talley Trio

Song of the Year
A Picture of Grace - Gaither Vocal Band
(Michael Parker/Woody Wright/William J. Gaither/Guy Penrod/Marshall Hall/David Phelps/BMI/ASCAP/SESAC)
Can I Pray for You - Mark Bishop
(Mark Bishop/Centergy Music/Possum Run Music/BMI)
Faces - Greater Vision
(Rodney Griffin/Songs of Greater Vision/BMI)
Forever Changed - Kingdom Heirs
(John Lemonis/Marty Funderburk/Winding Way Music/ASCAP)
God's Bigger Than That - Whisnants
(Chris Binion/Scott Moody/Binion Music Group /Pisgah Ridge Music/Scott Moody Publishing/BMI)
His Life For Mine - Talley Trio
(Rebecca Peck/Thomas Peck Music/BMI)
I Will Find You Again - Perrys
(Cindi Ballard/Wayne Haun/ Joel Lindsey/Bridge Building Music/Christian Taylor Music/BMI)
It Looks Like Love To Me - Crossway
(Joseph Beck/Patti Hawkins/Phil Johnson/Willow Branch Publishing/Yada Yada Music/BMI)
It's Just Another Red Sea -Gold City
(Sonya Isaacs/Rebecca Bowman/Madem Smile Music/RI Bowman Music/Lonesome Bend Publishing/BMI)
Jerusalem - Hoppers
(Paula Stefanovich/Centergetic Music/ASCAP)
Long As I Got King Jesus - Brian Free & Assurance
(James Cleveland/James Cleveland Music/BMI)
The Shepherd's Call - Crabb Family
(Gerald Crabb/Christian Taylor Music/BMI)

SGMG

In 1986, several Southern Gospel music leaders decided the industry needed an organization to foster the growth of the Southern Gospel music genre. Through the years, the Guild has grown to include every facet of the Southern Gospel music industry, encompassing artists (full-time and part-time), record companies, radio, promoters, publishers, distributors, talent management, media representatives, and booking agents.

Looking beyond the needs of today, the Guild hopes to affect the future of the industry. Through communication and education, we hope to significantly impact the image and awareness of Southern Gospel music for generations to come. This is accomplished by a variety of means: getting Southern Gospel music introduced to new audiences and promoting quality and professionalism within the industry.

By working together we can learn how to better utilize our skills. Through extensive, persistent efforts, we can increase the visibility of and appreciation for our music, thereby touching tomorrow....today.