USAGEM HONORS ARTISTS’ MINISTRIES AT SIXTH ANNUAL AWARDS BANQUET
Thirteen different artists, representing five different genres of Gospel and Christian music, were honored with awards by their fellow-members/artists at the Sixth Annual USAGEM Awards Banquet which was held Saturday, November 21, 2009, at the Montgomery Bell State Park Convention Center in Burns, Tennessee.
The popular Christian Country group, The Fox Brothers, and the fledging Southern Gospel group, The Sonshiners Quartet, were the two big winners during the night’s festivities with the brotherly group receiving three awards, including the 2009 USAGEM Song Of The Year for their No. 1 single, “Tell God Goodnight;” the 2009 USAGEM Group Of The Year award; and the 2009 USAGEM Comedian of the Year award which was presented to the group’s funnyman, Roy Fox.
The Sonshiners received the organization’s most prestigious award - the 2009 USAGEM Diamond Award – and the Southern Gospel Crown Jewel award. Fourteen awards which were determined through a two ballot process by USAGEM’s voting membership and four USAGEM board-voted awards were given during the two-and-one-half hour show.
The awards show, which was filmed for future television broadcasts, was hosted by The Fox Brothers. During the show, the brothers performed their two USAGEM award-winning “Songs Of The Year,” opening with “Like Ol’ Hank” and closing with “Tell God Goodnight” – both which were written by USAGEM President Daniel L. Johnson.
During the evening, Christian Country artists, Melanie Walker and Rene Jones garnered two awards each. Walker won the Female Vocalist and Soloist Of The Year accolades, while Jones was the recipient of the Male Vocalist Of The Year and the Christian Country Crown Jewel award.
Highlights of the evening included a performance by comedian and artist, Cheryl Jackson, who performed a tribute to Grand Ole Opry legend, Minnie Pearl. The legendary Southern Gospel group, The Hemphills performed Joel Hemphill’s classic song “Consider The Lillies.” Teresa Johnson – who is the lead singer of the Gospel duo, The Pearly Gates, and the First Lady of USAGEM – thrilled with audience with a soul-stirring rendition of “O Holy Night.” Black Gospel Crown Jewel nominee Charlene Harrison performed a roof-raising version of “O Happy Day.” Comedian of the Year nominee Peggy Inks proved her comedic worth by performing her funny song “I Ain’t No Spring Chicken Anymore.”
Other performers and presenters included: Grand Ole Opry Star Stu Phillips; Dewitt Johnson; Joanne Cash Yates; Darren Milner; Sandi Kay and New Hickory; The Mercy Mountain Boys; Shelton Bissell; Amanda Fessant; Laura Mathey; The Mystery Men Quartet; Lewis and Lewis; Emily Carey; Russ Murphy; Renee Martin; The Bloodline Trio; Pastor of the Nashville Cowboy Church – Dr. Harry Yates; Tammy Vice; Dottie Snow; Glenn Tubb; David McCormick – Owner of the Ernest Tubb Record Shops; T. Jae Christian; Mary Lee;; Dewayne Lewis; and The Higher Trails Band.
Award winners included:
Male Vocalist Of The Year – Rene Jones
Female Vocalist Of The Year – Melanie Walker
Vocal Group Of The Year – The Fox Brothers
Soloist Of The Year – Melanie Walker
Duo Of The Year – The Pearly Gates
Song Of The Year – “Tell God Goodnight” The Fox Brothers
Songwriter Of The Year – Ann Hartmann
Comedian Of The Year – Roy Fox
Musician Of The Year – Jim Frable
Southern Gospel Crown Jewel Award – The Sonshiners Quartet
Christian Country Crown Jewel Award – Rene Jones
Contemporary Christian Crown Jewel Award – Tim Voorhies
Black Gospel Crown Jewel Award – Larrice Byrd
Bluegrass/Acoustic Gospel Crown Jewel Award – The Waymasters
The USAGEM Diamond Award – The Sonshiners Quartet
The USAGEM Emerald Award – Gene and Micki Farrington
The USAGEM Ruby Award – Jim Whitaker
The USAGEM Sapphire Award – Aubrey and Lori Ghent
During the pre-awards ceremony, USAGEM President Daniel Johnson presented three awards, including: The 2009 USAGEM President’s Award which was given to Nashville CPA, Sam Bumpus; The USAGEM Media Award which was presented to the TCT Television Network; and The USAGEM Radio Servant’s Award which was presented to Lyons, New York, radio personalities Bruce and Connie Cutler.
The yearly USAGEM Awards Banquet is a production of the United States Association Of Entertainers and Musicians, a 501(C)3 non-profit charitable ministry organization.
For more information concerning the organization, please visit www.USAGEM.org. For information concerning members and artists of USAGEM, please visit www.MYUSAGEM.org.
(For more information, contact USAGEM President Daniel Johnson at (615) 480-4066 or Vice President Lynn Fox at (615) 799-7900).
