America's Leading Online Country Gospel Music News Magazine
This month featuring‌
(Psalm 33:12)
Joan Gregory
Lonnie King
Cheyenne McILvain
+PLUS Coverage of the 2015 ICGMA Conference and Awards Show!
August, 2015 Christian Servant Outreach Ministry, Inc. www.christianservantmagazine.com
Terry Davis Christian Servant Magazine - August, 2015 - Page 1
www.marlaratliff.com
Song Titles You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet Friends In High Places He Knows The Way Home Let The Hallelujahs Ring One Prayer Away Sin Is No Match For Grace Lead Me Back Still Smilin' Trust Me When I Am Broken Given Love
You can purchase Marla’s CD, Given Love, on her website! Christian Servant Magazine - August, 2015 - Page 2
Table of Contents 1. Cover 2. # 1 Song - Marla Ratliff - Friends in High Places 3. Table of Contents 4. "….we should be looking at giving, not as a burden but rather, as an investment into the Kingdom.” by Marty Smith 5. Do You Wanna Know A Secret? by Terry Davis 7. LAND OF GOSHEN by Pastor Dr. Doug DeRamus 8. Trusting the GPS by Randy Gunn 10. Country For The Good Life Top 100 13. Joan Gregory, The Sweetheart of Country Gospel Music by Tommy Smith 14. Lonnie King - Country Gospel Music 16. Cute, Feisty and Talented Little Miss Cheyenne McILvain by Tommy Smith 17. Terry Davis - God’s Soul Man by Tommy Smith 18. “Just a Thought” with Gayla Earlene 19. Gospel News From New York & Canada by Bob Terry 21. Praying Like Jabez by Jimmy R. Price 22. ICGMA 2015 Gold Cross Winners (List) 23. Winners at the 2015 ICGMA Awards Show (Pictures) 28. What Are You Selling as A Musician Today? by Chip Bricker 29. Home Maintenance Projects Are Waiting by John Randolph 31. BELIEVERS AMONG US by Brad Wilson 32. Movers and Shakers of the Country Gospel Industry by Tommy Smith Christian Servant Magazine - August, 2015 - Page 3
"….we should be looking at giving, not as a burden but rather, as an investment into the Kingdom. " By Marty Smith
How’s your financial portfolio? Is it healthy or is it on the operating table about to crash? We have been taught about the importance of having a healthy financial portfolio to prepare us for the future. It is designed to make sure you are taken care of in your golden years. You work hard all of your adult life so when you retire, you’re in good financial shape. We are investing in our own future. Let me ask you another question; how’s your spiritual portfolio? Are you pouring into your spiritual portfolio, sharing the Word of God, telling others about Jesus or are you just living each day not caring or thinking about that? Are you giving to other ministries or are you keeping that money to yourself? Just as we invest in our financial futures, we should be investing in the Kingdom. A few years ago, my Pastor was talking about giving. Needless to say, it got awfully quiet when the subject came up! But then he did something that I’ll never forget. He passed the offering plate around the congregation and challenged us by saying, “There are one dollar bills in the offering plate. Take out one dollar and give it to a minstry this week. You can’t keep it, you have to give it away”. That moment changed the way that I, along with many others that day, approached giving. That one dollar bill was not mine, it was given to me to give to someone else. The next week, we were able to share our “giving story”. The stories were amazing! Lives were changed with just a one dollar bill. So here’s my challenge to you; let’s say that you’ve been given twenty dollars. You now have twenty dollars in your hand. But there’s a catch…….you can’t keep it. You have to give that twenty dollars to a minstry or someone in need. I’m going to challenge each one of you to take an actual twenty dollar bill and give it to another minstry. It has to be a ministry that you’ve never dealt with before or have given to in the past. It may be a stretch for some, but by faith, I believe God is going to provide you with an extra twenty dollars in your budget this month. By giving one (1) twenty dollar bill to another ministry, one that you have never dealt with before, it will change your life. It will change how you look at things. It’s not something that we should take lightly. We should pray and ask God, “Who do I bless this twenty dollar bill”? Then, when you’ve given the money away, I want to hear your story. Email me at: martysmith@todayscrosscountry.com and tell me how it went. With your permission, I’ll share those stories in my next article. I can’t wait to hear your story! You see, we should be looking at giving not as a burden, but rather an investment into the Kingdom. It should be viewed as an opportunity to spread the Gospel even further. You’ve been given twenty dollars to give to someone else. Who will you give it to? Marty Smith is the morning host of Heaven’s Country (www.heavenscountry.com) and host of the internationally syndicated radio show, “Todays’ Cross Country (www.todayscrosscountry.com). You can email him at: marty@heavenscountry.com .
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Do You Wanna Know A Secret? by Terry Davis www.terrydavismusic.com
The Psalmist says “the secret of the Lord is with them that fear the Lord; and he will show them his covenant. Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.” (Psalms 25:14-15) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom! Friends, we all know trouble will come! Matthew 5:45 says it well, “that ye may be the children of your Father which is in Heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust”. We believers have a secret weapon, a proven way out of the trap, better still, to avoid the trap all together! His name is Jesus Christ, the Son of the true and living God! We just have to keep our eyes focused on Him!
KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS With our eyes and hearts focused on Him, we can do anything that brings glory to Him! We can do great things! But what causes us to look away? What is it that so many times cripples us and keeps us from being all that we can be for Jesus? Do you know what one of the most frequent topics Jesus spoke about during his ministry? WORRY! Worry was one of the most frequent things Christ talked to his disciples about. We are more like the disciples than we might care to think. Remember the storm on the Sea of Galilee? The men were experienced fishermen. They had seen many storms during their lifetime. They knew that storms could suddenly come up unexpectedly and that they were dangerous and in some cases, life threatening. Suddenly and without warning, a fierce storm arose and the waves began crashing over their boat and they thought that they were all going to drown. But this storm was the worst that they had ever seen. Yet at the end of the boat or the stern, there was Jesus fast asleep. They thought how could he sleep when they were about to perish in the storm? They were out in the middle of the Sea of Galilee and there was no way that they could swim back to shore. Matthew 8:24-27 describes the event: “Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!” He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves and it was completely calm. The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!” Just before this event, the disciples had seen Jesus heal a paralyzed and suffering Centurion’s servant from a distance, seen Him cure a man of leprosy, cast out many demons from several people, and healed Peter’s mother-in-law. Already they were terrified and worried that they were about to perish. Yet Jesus is fast asleep at the stern of the boat. The stern is the area of the ship where the boat is steered which indicates that he was in control of where the boat was going. Continued on next page… Christian Servant Magazine - August, 2015 - Page 5
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When they woke Jesus up, He then rebuked the storm including the winds and the waves and immediately it was calm. During the fierce storms on the Sea of Galilee, often it took hours for the wind and waves to calm, yet at Jesus’ command, at that split second, all was calm. Jesus rebuked the disciples too for their lack of faith. And the disciples were terrified because they had not imagined that someone could make even the winds and waves obey Him. The disciples had taken their eyes off Jesus and were looking only at their circumstances. Jesus spoke more about worry than heaven, hell, or sin than anything else, because he knew that we look more at our circumstances than we look at Him. But when we keep our eyes on Jesus, we know that we can depend upon Him for He is the God of nature, natural events and yes, our circumstances too. Matthew 6:25-35 should give us all the reassurance we need to know that He is always in control, no matter what things look like. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dresses like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” Tomorrow is what keeps people awake at night. We just can’t turn it off sometimes because we are simply not keeping our eyes of Jesus.
KEEP YOUR EYES ON JESUS!
Production, Recording, Distribution, Compilations Radio Promotion by Jessica Huddleston We are accepting tracks for our next compilation NOW! CALL US TODAY! (903) 566-3347 www.canyoncreekrecords.com We at Canyon Creek Records, Inc. and The Christian Servant Publishing Company, BMI, strive to help artists that believe with all their hearts that GOD has called them to use their talents for HIS glory. If being a Christian artist is your heart’s desire, then contact us at (903) 566-3347, or e-mail us at tommysmith4@juno.com. Christian Servant Magazine - August, 2015 - Page 6
LAND OF GOSHEN by Pastor Dr. Doug DeRamus You can visit Doug DeRamus at: www.facebook.com/dougderamus
Joseph in the Old Testament was a type of Jesus. When he was second in charge of Egypt, Joseph desired his brothers and Father to be near him. He brought them to Egypt and moved them to the land of Goshen (which means drawing near) Gen. 45:10. Goshen was the best land of Egypt. (Gen. 47:6) There in Goshen, Joseph placed his brethren in charge of the affairs of Egypt. All the Egyptians became Pharaohs servants and Joseph’s brethren were in charge of Egypt. We often think that they were in bondage all those 430 years while they dwelt in Egypt. However, it was only the last 90 years or so that they were placed in bondage. Goshen is a place of "drawing near". Goshen is a place that keeps you from famine and poverty. Because you are near Joseph, a type of Jesus which is the bread of life. Goshen is where you are nourished, your needs and desires are measured and provided for. Goshen is a place where you prosper. You and your possessions grow and multiply exceedingly. Goshen is a place where God's people, after the first three plagues, walked in immunity from the next six. (Ex. 8:22) Goshen is a place where light and darkness is separated. Spirit and Soul, joints and marrow, thoughts and intents. (Ex.10:21) Goshen is where the Lamb was slain and they were in THE HOUSE, protected by the BLOOD, full of LAMB. (Ex.12)
GOSHEN WAS NOT THE PROMISED LAND: As good as Goshen was, it was not their promised land. They had to come out of the best of Egypt before they could receive the best from God. They had to come out of the inheritance of Pharaoh, before they could come into the inheritance of God. "They had to come out, before they could come in". They were willing to come out more than they were willing to come in. They were only willing to come out of Egypt because they lost the good of Egypt. However, the memory of the good of Egypt, kept them from coming in, to their Promised Land. The wilderness killed the bad of Egypt out of them. All they could remember was the good of Egypt. The Promised Land killed the good of the wilderness out of their children, and there was no more manna. They were ready to possess the new land and trade a lack of knowledge (manna, "what is this") for a Promised Land provision of milk and honey where the land is supremely supportive of the SEED. The difference between living in Goshen and living in the Promised Land was who the strangers were. What is worse than being a stranger in Egypt, is being a stranger in the Promised Land. Judases thirty pieces of silver were used to buy a graveyard for the burial of strangers who died in the Promised Land. (Mt. 27:7) Christian Servant Magazine - August, 2015 - Page 7
GunnPoint Trusting the GPS Written by Randy Gunn
You can contact Randy Gunn at: randyscottgunn@gmail.com
It is my tremendous blessing to travel all over this great country of ours and visit some very remote places where I speak and compete in various equine competitions. It is my pleasure to drive down back roads and see all the wonderful parts of the beautiful land we call the United States of America; that most never get to see while driving the main highways. Some of the places are located in areas that seem to be in the middle of nowhere. Getting to these arenas would be very difficult if not for my GPS. I have the service right on my cell phone now and I can download directions to any address, anywhere just by pushing a couple of buttons. The great thing about my phone GPS is that it is a live link to a direct Satellite. What that means is I don't have to order the latest downloads to keep my GPS up to date. Because it is a live link, I am getting the absolute correct directions right to the spot I address into the system. I have found the secret is to really trust the way the GPS is directing me to go. I embark on a journey with no clue where I am going. I don't know which turn to take, which is the correct route to follow, and therefore I can't always plan my trip. I just put in the address and trust the GPS System to guide me each step of the way. I get to my destination, one direction at a time and one day at a time. I don't know where the next day will take me: But I do know where I am heading. I just get up every morning, look at the GPS and trust it to take me closer to the destination during that day. I don't even think about the trip tomorrow, I have plenty of roads to follow today. I must confess that many times I have not trusted the system. It seemed to me that the directions were not correct and I chose to not follow. Just to find out that I was wrong and the GPS was right; and had I followed it's directions, just as it prescribed, I would have saved much time, fuel, fatigue, stress and, in some cases, not had to turn around and get back to the place where I made a wrong turn contrary to the way the GPS instructed me to go. So, I have come to learn to trust the GPS. Sometimes the way it chooses seems wrong. Often it seems it is guiding me down a dark road, a bad street, a troublesome highway. When I think this is happening, without fail, it has always been correct and it did lead me right where I needed to go. One evening while I was headed to see some friends that lived outside of town in a very cool country setting, the GPS took me through the tiny town that they lived near. Then it directed me down a very narrow road, very dark, almost like an alley way. Once again I began to doubt the way it was taking me. However, I had learned so many times it had never been wrong, so I followed the way. In a few short minutes it indeed lead me out of the town to the correct street and on the road that my friends lived on. When I got off that dark alley in town, and saw the road open up and the street I was looking for, I began to see a simple lesson that related to my relationship with God. I have come to trust the GPS so much that I never try to think of how I am getting anywhere that I don't know where I am going anymore. I always go right to the Navigation System on my phone, type in the address and trust the directions to take me right where I need to go. I do it without even a doubt anymore. It is not even a thought. It is just a habit and one built out of proven trust. My most favorite verses in the Bible are these; Proverbs 3:5-6 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." Continued on next page‌
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This verse causes me to trust in an even greater GPS system for my life--God's Pointing System. Just like the Satellite that sits up high over the earth and views all the streets and avenues and addresses of each person, business, and every living thing; God sits High above the Earth looking upon us with care and can see the path ahead of us and knows how to guide us through danger and take us to where we need to be. He alone sees what is ahead of us, we cannot. He alone knows how to steer us clear of danger that is about to cross our path in life. Therefore, our trust should be completely in His direction for our life. I don't know about you, but the things that are hard for me to do consistently is always trust the GPS and not trust my sense of direction. The same is true with my heavenly GPS. It is hard for me to always seek His counsel in everything I do and every decision I make; to always type in the place, through prayer, where I want to be in life, and then trust Him to lead me there. These are habits that I continually have to discipline myself to do. However, in the darkest times of my life, when it seems that God is allowing my life to be lead down dark avenues that can bring fear of the unknown, I endeavor to put my trust in Him one more time and He has never, ever failed to bring me right to the place where I need to be. When I miss a turn with my GPS I hear the voice say, "Recalculating." It is always trying to remind me how to get back on the original course. The GPS tries to compensate for my error, ever giving me directions on how and where to turn around to get back to the most direct and less entangled route. I either was not paying attention to the street signs or exits, or chose to disregard the directions and took a different path because I relied on my own understanding of where the road should take me. God's faithfulness is just like that. When I choose to disregard His word, to live my life the way I want to, choosing my own understanding of how to get to heaven, God is always after me to make a "YoU Turn." Ever watching me and trying to give me directions that will lead back to the right path that leads to Him and real life. I saw a bumper sticker once, when I was 16 that I will never forget. It simply read; "My God's not dead, sorry about yours." The biggest difference between my phone GPS and other GPS' is that my phone GPS is hooked up to a live satellite. Other GPS' have to be uploaded with new programming every year to keep current. I used other GPS' and because they did not have the latest information they did lead me astray. That is the why it is with Jesus. I tried other gods, but they led me astray. They did not have the resurrection life of God in them, therefore they held nothing for my life and I had to guess which way to go because their way was not looking like the right way for me. Jesus is hooked up live with Father God. Nobody knows God the Father like His Son Jesus. No one is hooked up better and knows how to please the Father better than Jesus. That is why He, Jesus, can lead you and I in accordance to God's will for our life. Jesus came from God Himself, is God Himself, and knows how to impart knowledge about God to us. HE NEVER HAS TO BE UPLOADED WITH THE GOD'S NEW PROGRAMS, BECAUSE HE IS GOD AND GOD IS THE SAME YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER! Here is what the Bible, God's Word, Jesus Christ has to say about this: John 17:21 John 10:30 "I and My Father are one ." "as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You." Many GPS' won't get you to your destinations, just as no one else can get you to God other than Jesus. 1 Tim 2:5-6 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, John 14:6 Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." So, if you want to make sure you get to heaven, you had better use the real GPS--"Gods Pointing System" which is Jesus Christ. Only He can reveal the path to the Father, and Jesus will never lead you astray. Christian Servant Magazine - August, 2015 - Page 9
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SONG TITLE Friends In High Places House Of Good News God Will Roll The Water Back No Wound Too Deep Jesus Is My Rock Praise Jesus He’s Still Doing Miracles Today Without The Cross Detour First Day In Heaven They Know Me Here This I Know How To Love Like Jesus Didn’t I Walk On The Water Prescripted Addiction Crayola Skies Nail Scarred Hands God Is Easy Lovin’ He’s Coming Everybody’s Going Through Something Help Me Remember Lean On The Lord The Kid, Isaac Cole Just Might Be Going Home God Walks The Dark Hills I Will Bless Him Time Let Me Live Crazy World All Aboard The Jesus Train It’s Gonna Be Alright God’s Will Crossing Over Loving Arms It Starts Down On Your Knees You Are Love On Eagles Wings Jimmy Got Saved Sweet By & By Sunshine, Rain & Roses
ARTIST Marla Ratliff Mike Leichner Walt Mills Mary James Joy Robert Jimmy R. Price Marty Raybon Jon Dameron Mike & Doris Merritt The Woodalls Kristi Miller Sunday Drive True Heart Kenny Gardner The Parish Family with Marty Raybon
Cindy Lee Alden Tamatha Hurst Freddie Hart Kevin Rowe & Prodigal Sons Karen Peck & New River Steve Shirey CrossFire Gospel Band Johnny Jones Psalm 100 Myra Rolen Tina Wakefield Cindy Hughlett Gena Roberts Hamilton Reed Brothers Dale Friedrich David House Kali Rose Pony Express Terry Davis The Wacaster Family Cassidy Taylor Russ Murphy Randy Gunn Gina & Jimmy White Debbie Bennet
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# 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80
SONG TITLE The Wheel In The Middle Of The Wheel I Know That Jesus Loves Me Remember The Day If It Satisfies You Lord What He’s Done For Me Creed Trophy Of Grace When I Got Saved A World To Believe In Safely In The Arms Of Jesus I Know He Hear’s Me Broken Road Don’t Give Up On Me Bring Jesus Back To School The Work Of A Carpenter Let Your Rain Fall Pray It Away Fly On It’s Time To Work Things Out New Again The Promiseland The Truth Is Smile Clean Slate Your Word Will Be The Last Word Don’t Forget To Pray I’m From The U.S. Of A. Less Traveled There He Is Take This Bible His Blood You’re The Only Bible Don’t Be Discouraged They Wouldn’t Forgive Me On The Other Side Of This You’re My Moma WWJD-Good Nough For Me Every Step Of The Way Secret Place I’ve Got A Mansion
ARTIST Rusty Gilliam Carla Jones Brandon Poole Wyatt Nations Frankie Wilson Miles Pike Mike Manuel Charles Scarlette The Downs Family Bruce & Betsy Mullen Steve Richard & Laura Dodd Lance Stone Julie Reese Tommy Smith Greg McDougal Jan Harbuck Clinton Gregory Kathy Treat Chuck Day & Linda Davis Jim Sheldon with Rachel Taylor James Payne Johnny Rowlett Bev McCann Arkin Terrell Tammy Norris Wade Hammond Roger Barkley, Jr Mike Sanford Dennise Ditman Dan Duncan The Helmsmen Dean Krell Randle Jeter McCray Dove Band Weston & Christy Hinson Carol Barham John Penney Mary Fay Jackson Jo Fox Dallas West
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# 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 100
SONG TITLE If God Says I’m Blessed Raise Up Your Hands The Wretch Love Held My Savior To A Tree Out The Window Please Don’t Say No That’s Where You Brought Me From When I Pray It’s In Your Hands Lord The Wall Governor Of Mercy Love Is A Cross That’s Him Was That You Lord He Knows The Way Home Heaven Come Down I’m Gonna Fly Away Cowboy Church God Bless The Soldiers I Know
Christian Servant Magazine congratulates Tommy Brandt on his well-deserved ICGMA 2015 producer of the year award. Tommy has not only excelled as one of the best Christian Country singers in our industry, he has taken his years of experience and started coaching and working with a lot of new up and coming young Christian Country artists. Tommy not only produces a top quality project for these artists but also teaches them how to be the best music ministers for God they can be. Once again Tommy congratulations and know that your peers love you. To learn more about Tommy Brandt go to: www.tommybrandt.org
ARTIST Gene Farington Kelly Southerland Mark Carman Del Way Kinfolk Robert Mateiski Jamie Coulter Jimmy Jack Whitaker Glorya Wilson Rebecca Linda Smith Terry & Teresa Baker John Berry Paul Winchester Lonnie King Ashlen Jackson Kenzie Kelton French Marlon Sharp Loretta Hummel Terry & Debra Luna
The ICGMA 2015 Producer of the Year Award goes to
Tommy Brandt Christian Servant Magazine - August, 2015 - Page 12
By Tommy Smith
I have known Joan and her husband Bobby for a little over fifteen years. You’ll never find two nicer Christian people than these two. They would do anything to help someone in need and drive as far as it takes to do so. They always have nice things to say about everyone and will shy away from anyone who tries to gossip about those in our Christian music industry. Joan has a very reserved personality, a real lady from the south. Bobby, he’s crazy like me, always playing jokes on his friends, or at least he tries. He always has a smile on his face. Both are the kind of Christians you just can’t wait see again and to be around. Joan’s great singing ability comes from her hard work and her strong faith in Christ. She has been singing in church since the age of three and recorded her first song “ I Believe In The One In The Sky” at the age of four. You can catch a sound bite of the song on Joan’s website. Bobby and Joan live in Alamo, TN. and are members of the Hornbeak Baptist Church, Hornbeak, TN. She is the pianist for the Church when she is not touring. Joan says that she is very thankful that God uses her talent to touch and lead those to Christ, who might not have been brought in, otherwise. Life has not always been a bowl of cherries for the Gregory’s. They lost a daughter at the age of twelve. Joan said she really struggled with that for a long time but having gone through it herself, has helped her to comfort others that have had that same tragedy in their lives. Bobby is battling cancer right now, but is positive that with the prayers of his friends and his strong trust that God still heals today, that he is going to be alright. Joan’s favorite passage from the Bible can be found in Philippians 4:13, “ I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me”. If you truly want a blessing, invite Joan out to sing at your church or at one of your camp meetings. Be listening for her new national radio release, “ Shall We Gather At The River”. She sings her heart out on this old hymn and I’m sure it is going to go a long way up the charts. Visit Joan’s website and sign in on her guest book. Website: www.joangregory.net or email her at: joangregory@charter.net To talk to Joan in person call her at 731-696-4957. Please keep her husband Bobby in prayer. God does still heal today !!
Christian Servant Magazine - August, 2015 - Page 13
Lonnie King Country Gospel Music
As a record producer and promoter I always get very excited when I have a chance to work with someone like Lonnie King. He is not only a great singer, songwriter, but also a very accomplished musician. He loves working for Christ and really has a heart to serve Him. Like so many of us he still likes his Country music, Country. When he writes and sings for the Lord it comes straight from the heart, you can feel it. He still sings tasteful Country and uses that as a tool to introduce Jesus to those who may otherwise never come to know him. Lonnie always includes Country Gospel songs in his shows. He lets his audience know that Jesus still lives and that He loves them. Lonnie is soft spoken, mild mannered, and is filled with love for his fellowman. Just the right stuff to lead thousands to CHRIST. What a blessing and privilege it is to be working with Lonnie. ~Tommy Smith/CEO Canyon Creek Records
Lonnie was born in Pineville KY. He lived in Springboro, Ohio for several years, and Jeffersonville, Ohio for 2 years. Lonnie's father retired from GM and moved the family to Gray Hawk, KY. Lonnie now resides in Ferguson, KY. a small town in Pulaski County, where he operates a recording studio (King Kut Recording) and is raising 7 adopted children, some with special needs. Lonnie's father George Johnson was very instrumental in getting Lonnie started in the music business. He bought Lonnie a guitar for his 10th birthday. He showed him how to tune the guitar and Lonnie took it from there. He and a few of his young childhood friends threw together a garage band and played a few shows. One of which was the school assembly at Springboro Elementary. The band played 2 songs to thunderous applause. That's all it took for Lonnie to know that playing music was how he wanted to make a living. Later on in life, Lonnie played for several popular groups such as, Thoroughbred Band, Jim Stone, Slick Nickel, Hurricane Creek, a Nashville based group and New Canyon. Lonnie has opened shows for some of Country's brightest and beloved stars, such as Keith Whitley, Foster and Lloyd, Ralph Stanley and Ray Stevens. Lonnie has also headlined many large events with the groups he has played with, such as, The Casey County Apple Festival, Jamestown 4th of July Celebration, Somerfest in Somerset KY, and a great many clubs in KY and TN. Lonnie and his beloved wife Margaret King who passed away in 2014 started attending her childhood church in the 80's. The pastor was Bob Howell. Bob would request Lonnie to do a special song at church from time to time. Lonnie would write songs that he felt like God wanted him to write and perform. Before he knew it, he had enough songs to record a Country Gospel album, and that's just what he did. Lonnie recorded his first album “Waitin' For The Call” with producer, Steve Sturm, who plays pedal steel for Travis Tritt. Continued on next page…
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Then Lonnie followed up with the second album called, “Christian Friends” and a third album “God's Gated Neighborhood”, both also produced by Sturm. All three albums have been well received and performed in many churches in the United States. Lonnie has appeared on several Country Gospel Music award shows and has won several awards and nominations for his music. Lonnie can be seen on WLJC TV and up coming Southern Gospel Praise in Gainesville, TX. Lonnie has recently released his first song Nationally, “Was That You Lord” with Canyon Creek Records, Tommy Smith out of Tyler, TX. He hopes to release another song soon. Lonnie wants to thank everyone that has made this possible and is looking forward to singing at your next event. God Bless You can visit Lonnie King on the web at www.lonnieking.com.
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Ava Kasich True Texan, True Country Gospel Ava Kasich is not only a great Country Gospel singer but she is also one of God’s warriors. Her ministry is all about Christ and not all about her. She has got that special personality that just makes you feel good to be around her. Always smiling, always laughing. We were all sitting back stage at the 59th annual International Country Gospel Music Award show and I noticed that she watched and listen to every singer or group that performed. Most in our industry do their thing and then they’re gone. I was so proud for her when they announced her as winner of the ICGMA 2015 Gold Cross Female Artist of the year. She was shocked, but she truly deserved it. To learn more about Ava contact her at: Ava L Kasich, 918 Bois D’ Arc, Whitesboro, Texas. or call 903-564-1923, email her at: singin4him@verizon.net. Even better purchase her CD’s or watch her videos at www.avalkasichministries.org
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Cute, Feisty and Talented Little Miss Cheyenne McILvain by Tommy Smith What a blessing it is to see another young artist come to CHRIST and offer their talents to Him instead of the world. This young teenage sweetheart has done just that and she means it. Her name is Cheyenne McILvain. This thirteen year old is just not saying, “ I want to serve you Lord”; she is out there doing it every weekend. Working local oprys, churches, retirement centers, and anywhere that God would lead her. Cheyenne’s heart is in letting other young people know that the world is not the answer to bringing happiness and fulfillment into their lives, Christ is the answer! She is a wonderful speaker, singer, and Christian entertainer. Everyone she comes into contact with falls in love with her bubbly and bright personality, including me. Cheyenne entered a talent contest about a year ago at Glorya Wilson’s “AgapeFest”. She won that contest and the grand prize was a national release to radio on Canyon Creek Records Radio Compilation. Her new single “Angels In Waiting” went out to radio just last month and promises to be a big door opener for her. She presents the song in a very touching and heartfelt way. DJ’s, be looking for it on Canyon Creek Volume 32. Cheyenne’s mom, Cherie, is really behind her one hundred percent and is doing everything possible to make sure that Cheyenne gets the right vocal and musical training so that her dreams and ministry will blossom and be all that it can be for Christ. I hope that the Lord keeps me around long enough to see what this young lady’s ministry has accomplished by the age of twenty. I believe she is going to be a great soul winner. Check her out on Facebook and ReverbNation. You may contact Cheyenne ptsbusinesssolutions@gmail.com or go to her website www.cheyennemcilvainmusic.com.
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God’s Soul Man by Tommy Smith
Terry Davis is a perfect example that when you put Christ first in your life, great blessings are bound to take place. Terry’s parents made sure that Terry was in church every Sunday morning and every Sunday night. He started singing in the Choir at a very young age. He says one of the earliest blessings he received was learning how to sing and write songs from his mentor’s and church music directors, Colbert and Joyce Croft. Colbert and Joyce are responsible for writing one of the largest selling and preformed Gospel songs of our time “ I Can’t Even Walk, Without You Holding My Hand”. Terry was raised in the Gulf Coast shores of Alabama. He not only had a garage band at a very young age in Alabama but also was a Lineman for the McIntosh High School football team. Terry’s Mom and Dad owned a restaurant and food service business. All members of the family, including Terry, had their duties and responsibility to perform in the family business. Terry said it was because he had to work hard at a young age, that has helped him to become successful in his own business today. Terry and his wife, Lynne, own over seventeen Burger Kings and half a dozen Taco Buenos fast food restaurants in Texas. Terry never forgets that God has made all these things possible for him and his family. He takes these blessings and uses them to help others. He’s always giving to charities that take care of children, the elderly, and those who have simply fallen on hard times. “The more God gives me, the more I give back and the more I give, the more he gives me!” Terry has had four number one songs like, “Wanted Man”, “The River”, “Sweet Child Of Mine” and “No One Ever Loved Me Like Jesus”. Terry has also been blessed with many accolades from the Country Gospel music industry; 2008 Horizon Male Artist and 2009 Male Vocalist of the year as awarded by the Country Gospel Music Guild, 2009 Male Horizon Artist of the year by the International Country Gospel Music Association and the 2010 Male Vocalist Golden Harp award from the Country Gospel Music Guild, the 2011 Best Album of the year, 2010 & 2011 Best Video of the year and also the 2012 Gold Cross Male Artist and 2014 Gold Cross Songwriter of the year from the International Country Gospel Music Association. Terry and Lynne, started out as High School sweethearts and she has been by his side every step of the way. Though God has blessed Terry and Lynne over and over again, there has also been tragedy in their life. They lost their 28-year-old son Wayne Clinton Davis to a tragic car wreck. Their world had turned dark with hurt and sadness and yet they never stopped giving to others and never stopped loving or serving Christ. They kept up the good fight against evil and they know that heaven is real and soon they will be united with Wayne again. Until then, they are out to reach lost souls for Christ. It is their prayer that all would come to know and trust in Jesus. Now that is real faith with works!!
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"Just A Thought" with Gayla Earlene Visit Gayla Earlene at https://www.facebook.com/gayla.earlene
IF CHRISTIANS WOULD WORK LIKE THE DEVIL THEN THE DEVIL WOULD NOT HAVE A CHANCE! As we look around us, we see our world in moral decay. It's literally rotting away on its way to hell, the acceptance of homosexuality, the killing of babies, Satanism, and people killing each other. You say, “What can I do about it, I'm only one person?” Well if each one of us would strive to share God's true love with one person, and that person's life is changed, that person will share his love with somebody else and then his or her life is changed. We aren't all called to be Billy Graham but we are called to be!! Oh it isn't that easy but who said it would be? “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature' ". Mark 16:15. We as Christians love our Lord and loving Him is so easy but sharing that love with the lost is work. Are we so lazy that we do not want to work, and we leave it to somebody else to do it? I'm telling you, the devil and his minions never stop working, and they never acquire enough. Isn’t that evident in what's happening around us? Come on Christians get out there, stand up for God and stand up strong, get a little John the Baptist going on!!! We CAN make a difference!!
If Christians would work like the devil, then the devil would NOT have a chance. "Keeping Christ In Our Country" www.gaylaearlene.com
God said, “I made plans for you while in your mother’s womb.”
JESSE REECE I watched the young twenty-two old Jesse Reece walk out on stage and the Holy Spirit quickened my spirit and said this “one”, I have called to serve God and he will be true to the calling. I called Jesse later to feel him out and see just what plans he had for his ministry. He did not hesitate to say “I have been called to let young people know they can live a moral life and have more joy through Christ than they will ever find following the world. This is my calling; this is my song”, he said. I could tell he meant what he said and I think with in a few years God is going to bless Jesse’s ministry the same way he blessed King David. Go to Jesse’s Facebook page and check him out. Pastors I would advise you to bring him to your church and let him minister to your youth. Contact Jesse at: 205-367-2206 or visit his website at www.jessereece.tmgartist.com. Jesse Reece - Winner - Crossover Artist of the Year - 2015 ICGMA Awards Christian Servant Magazine - August, 2015 - Page 18
Gospel News From New York & Canada by Bob Terry - (716)580-3727 - bobgterry@gmail.com Well we are into August, 2015 now and its as dead as a door nail here in the Buffalo, NY area and also across the border into Canada. So, I think I will tell you about a young man who was ahead of his time in Country Gospel Music. His name was Mason Griggs, who I meet in 1991. Mason brought me a cassette that he and his Band “God’s Country” had made and wanted to know if I could give it some air play. After listening to the Cassette my reaction was “I can’t play this on a Gospel Program, it’s Honky tonk music”. It wasn’t long after listening to the tape that I began to like what I heard. Tell you what, when Mason was inducted into the “North Louisiana Gospel Music Hall of Fame”, October of 2012 his Mother wrote a biography of Mason to be put into the program. By permission, here is that article: BIOGRAPHY FOR MASON EUGENE GRIGGS Mason Griggs was raised in the back woods of West Monroe, Louisiana. Gospel music was his main source of entertainment on the radio and from his father’s voice. But there were times when Country music would slip through from a radio station or from the record player. Mason and his younger brother, Andy (who is Country Star, Andy Griggs) would sit for hours at a time and listen to tunes that would stretch from Jimmy Swaggart to Hank Williams, Jr. By the time Mason was 8 years old he had grabbed his Dad’s guitar and learned to play a few chords. He also knew every word to Gospel and Country tunes by varied artists such as Johnny Cash and Buck Owens. Even at this early age Mason knew what he was meant to do, pick that Guitar, write music and sing. Mason played the guitar left handed and his dad’s instrument was a right handed guitar. Mason would lay it in his lap and turn it so that he could play it left handed. At about 12 years of age Mason got his own 12 string guitar. It was also a right handed instrument which he turned in his lap to play left handed. That’s the way he played the guitar from then on, even when he was in a standing position, people marveled. Mason played the guitar everyday. It helped him grieve as his Dad passed away when Mason was 13 years old. By 14 years of age Mason had an exceptional touch with an anointed gift for song writing. The first song he ever wrote was entitled “Jesus”. His second song was entitled “Blue” which was about a faithful dog. By then Mason was the talk of the school, Church and family. When Mason graduated from Ouachita Parish High School of Monroe, and then was attending Northeast Louisiana State University. He formed a Country Gospel Band (God’s Country) and had stars in his eyes about being the first “Honky Tonk Christian” singer. That he was! As Bob Terry said “He was way before his time”. The Band played all over North Louisiana at Churches, Community Events and Festivals. Needing their own songs, not only to sing but to perform at shows, the group went to Nashville, TN. and recorded their original “Glory Road” album. Continued on next page…
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Continued from previous page.
Mason was then 20 years old and that was certainly the highlight of his life. When they returned to Monroe, Mason was so thrilled from recording in Music City that he couldn’t even sleep the next night. “God’s Country” which was composed of Mason Griggs, Ty Holloway, Mike (Flipper) Blaney and Jeff Hodge, (later Burt Rogers joined the group) spent the next year opening up for popular Southern Gospel Groups. They had such a unique sound that the other groups were amazed. Mason continued to write Country Gospel songs. Mason was later offered an Artist development opportunity with a manager out of Nashville. This put him at a crossroads. Although Mason’s ear loved Country Music, his soul was set on singing for the Lord. He turned the development deal down in the fall of 1991. In December of that same year a congenital heart condition suddenly claimed his life. Mason was just 21 years old. Mason touched more lives than we will ever know. His tremendous personality and smile would light up a room. Although he was small in stature, he was respected and looked up to by many. His spirit was like a “Mighty Oak Tree”. He had an old soul. He was a legend in his own time. Christian Servant Magazine is very proud of
Joy Roberts Joy Roberts took home the ICGMA Female Vocalist of the year award for 2015. We have been watching her ministry for the last couple of years and it is no surprise to all of us here at the magazine that she would take home this very deserving award. Joy and her husband Cotton have worked very hard this year spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Joy’s Country Gospel music. Her single releases to radio have been touching hundreds of thousands as she belts out vocally those anointed lyrics, backed by her true Country Music sound. We call it Country Music for the good Life. Joy’s song “Straight and Narrow” made it to # 1 in Power Source magazine and number #2 in Cashbox Magazine. Her latest release of “Jesus Is My Rock” is already at # 5 in Cashbox and looks like it’s destined to be # 1. Once again Joy, congratulations from all your fan’s and all of us at Christian Servant Magazine. Visit Joy at: www.JoyRobertsMinistries.com
That’s the story of Mason Griggs. I had him on my Sunday Morning radio show just a few days before his passing. If Mason was alive today, in my mind he would be known as the “Father of Country Gospel Music”. Until next month, I’m Bob Terry reminding you that “God loves you and so do we. Let others see Jesus in You”.
The Parrish Family www.theparishfamilymusic.com
It is always a blessing when the Parish Family comes to perform at our International Country Gospel Music Association convention in West Plains, Mo. each year. When they sing, the Holy Spirit takes over the audience and you can just feel the presence of Heaven in the building. The groups’ members Ronnie, Kesha, and Mark Parish are in it for all the right reasons not only to serve the Lord with their talent, but also to please Him by living the Christian life they sing about. Because they do, they have the respect and admiration of not only their fans but from every artist in our music ministry industry and there are hundreds of us. Go to the web and bring up their latest video “Prescripted Addiction” joined by lead singer of the Country group “Shenandoah”, Marty Raybon. This video took home the award for video of the year at the ICGMA 2015 Award show and convention. They also brought home the 2015 ICGMA award for their latest album “Old House”. You can contact the Parish Family at: kesron@msn.com or call them at, 229-861-2917. Go to their website: www.theparishfamilymusic.com and sample their music and watch their video’s. Then bless their ministry by purchasing their CD’s. You’ll get a real blessing from them!
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Praying Like Jabez by Jimmy R. Price www.jimmyrprice.com
Several years ago I remember a Bible study that we did in our church that centered around a scripture and a particular prayer by a man named Jabez. 1 Chronicle 4:10 says, “And Jabez called on the God of Israel, saying, Oh that thou wouldest bless me indeed, and enlarge my coast, and that thine hand might be with me, and that thou wouldest keep me from evil, that it may not grieve me!” And God granted him that which he requested. With all that is going on in our world today, we need to be praying like Jabez did. As a pastor of a small rural church, I am somewhat limited to the number of people that I can reach, based on the population of my community and the time I have available to minister. However, as a singer/songwriter, I have been given the opportunity to potentially reach an unbelievable number of folks over the radio, internet, etc. Thankfully a great friend Tommy Smith, of Canyon Creek Records and Christian Servant Outreach Ministries, pointed this out to me a few years ago. All of us who have been given a “calling” and privilege to share the Gospel through music should consider this prayer Jabez prayed. 1. “Jabez called on the God of Israel.” For our ministries to be effective, we must also call on the Lord. Without Him we cannot carry out His will for our lives, let alone the ministry He has called us to do. 2. “Oh that thou would bless me indeed.” We need to pray for God’s anointing (blessing) on our music so it will touch others and be a blessing to those who listen. 3. “And enlarge my coast.” With radio stations all over the country and world, and internet radio becoming more popular, we can send the Gospel literally everywhere. 4. “And that Thine hand will be with me.” Brothers and Sisters, we desperately need God’s hand with us to guide and strengthen us, lest we think we can do it alone, and in the process fail and get discouraged. 5. “And that Thou would keep me from evil.” When we minister in the name of Christ, we must understand that Satan hates us and wants to destroy us and our witness. We need to ask God to put a hedge around us so that we are set apart (sanctified) for His service. 6. “That it may not grieve me.” Pride, arrogance and jealousy have no place in Gospel music ministry. Those attitudes hurt us, hurt others and hurt the cause of Christ. Love, joy, peace, etc. are the “fruits” of the Spirit that we artists must demonstrate! 7. “And God granted him his request.” The Bible tells us in James 4:2-3, “ye have not because ye ask not….ye ask and receive not, because ye ask amiss….” Fellow ministers and artists, God granted Jabez’s requests because he not only asked, but he asked for the right things and in the right way. We need to: Call upon the name of the Lord Ask Him for His anointing Ask Him to enlarge our borders Pray for His hand on us Pray for Him to keep us from evil so Satan will not hurt our ministries. It’s not about us. It’s all about Him. It’s not about having #1 records and selling Cd’s. It’s not about winning awards… It’s about lifting up the Wonderful Name of Jesus, sharing the Awesome Gospel and encouraging each other to do the same. Then….God will grant our request, too! Christian Servant Magazine - August, 2015 - Page 21
I.C.G.M.A. 2015 GOLD CROSS AWARD WINNERS Female Horizon Award Kristi Miller
Instrumentalist of The Year Brad Allen
Bluegrass Artist of The Year The Waymasters
Male Horizon Award Kelly Sutherland
Songwriter of The Year Mike Manuel
Female Vocalist of The Year Joy Roberts
Song of The Year “Jesus Broke That Bottle” Chuck Hancock
Video of The Year Prescripted Addiction (Two Awards) 1 for Parish Family, 1 for Marty Raybon
Male Vocalist of The Year Weston Hinson
Producer of The Year Tommy Brandt
Gold Cross Female Artist of The Year Ava Kasich
Album of The Year “Old House” - The Parish Family
Gold Cross Male Artist of The Year James Payne
Promoter of The Year Tommy Smith
Crossover Artist of The Year Jesse Reece
Radio Station of The Year (Tie) HLE Radio & Heaven's Country
Duo of The Year Mike & Doris Merritt Group of The Year The Reed Brothers Band of The Year Kevin Rowe & The Prodigal Sons
Bob Wilson Radio Personality of The Year Marty Smith Comedian of The Year Barry McGee / Harvey Tater
TV Show of The Year Larry's Country Diner ICGMA Award Of Excellence Marilyn Duncan Living Legend Award Freddie Hart Joe Paul Nichols Lifetime Achievement Award Terry Beene Print Media Award Christian Voice Magazine Broadcast Media Award The TCT Television Network ICGMA Hall Of Fame Inductees Del Way & Dan Duncan
Christian Servant Magazine - August, 2015 - Page 22 Visit our website at www.icgma.org for a complete coverage and list of all nominees.
Winners at the All photos copyright Š Michelle Cianflone 2015
Kristi Miller - Female Horizon
Ava Kasich - Female Artist of the Year
Kelly Sutherland - male Horizon
Brad Allen - Instrumentalist of the Year
Chuck Hancock - Song of the Year
Christian Servant Magazine - August, 2015 - Page 23
Winners at the All photos copyright © Michelle Cianflone 2015
Dan Duncan - Hall of Fame Inductee
Del Way - Hall of Fame Inductee James Payne - Male Artist of the Year
Mike - Doris Merritt - Duo of the year
Weston Hinson - Male Vocalist of the year
Jesse Reece - Crossover Artist of the year
Larry’s Country Diner - TV Show of the Year Christian Servant Magazine - August, 2015 - Page 24
Winners at the All photos copyright Š Michelle Cianflone 2015
Marilyn Duncan - Award of Excellence
Mike Manuel - Songwriter of the year
The Reed Brothers - Group of the year
Terry Beene - Joe Paul Nichols Lifetime Achievement Award
The Parrish Family - Video of the Year and Album of the year
Kevin Rowe / Prodigal Sons - Band of the Year Christian Servant Magazine - August, 2015 - Page 25
Winners at the All photos copyright Š Michelle Cianflone 2015
Barry McGee - Comedienne of the year
Tommy Smith Promoter of the year
Randal Wilds - Christian Voice Magazine Print Media of the Year
Heaven’s Country and HLE Radio Radio Stations of the Year Marty Smith - Bob Wilson Radio Personality of the Year
Freddie hart - Living legend Award Christian Servant Magazine - August, 2015 - Page 26
Winners at the All photos copyright © Michelle Cianflone 2015
Other winners photo unavailable: Waymasters - bluegrass artist of the year
Other Winners Not Present: Tommy Brandt - Producer of the year Marty raybon - Video of the year TCT (Total Christian televison) - broadcast media award
Joy roberts - female vocalist of the year
Chuck Hancock
Songwriter Extraordinaire Christian Servant Magazine congratulates Chuck Hancock for his well-deserved ICGMA 2015 Song of the Year Award. The award winning song is titled “Jesus Broke That Bottle”. Not only did Chuck write the song but he performed the vocal work. The song did something that many songs never do and that is to chart # 1 on all four major Country Gospel charts. Way to go Chuck, your fans and fellow artists all love you. You can contact Chuck at: www.chuckhancock.com or call 478-232-8595
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What Are You Selling as A Musician Today? by Chip Bricker (Chip Bricker has a Bachelors Degree in Marketing from Baylor University and a Masters in Consumer Behavior. Chip has also played for many music stars and produced or played on more than 20 #1 singles as well as more than 100 charting Singles in various genres of music. Contact: chipbricker@cableone.net)
I’ve been playing music commercially for over 30 years and have often asked, what is my job today/tonight? While in a music marketers conference a few months ago, the speaker told us that we don’t actually sell music anymore. We sell other things using the music. After a lot of studying and fact checking, I found out he was right. Actual music sales, hard copy plus today’s legal digital downloads, are about 28% of what they were in 1990. That scared me. Me being a music producer, musician and marketer… The speaker stated that we are selling 1 of 4 things today; 1. Food/beverage 2. A Message 3. Rears in chairs. (tickets) 4. Cattle Lulling I sat and listened as he defined the categories.. Food / beverage Several venues hire musicians to enhance the atmosphere increasing the sale of whatever food and or beverages are sold by the establishment. A Message This one seemed to hit home with me. In a church environment the musician is to sell (preach) the desired message wanted by the leaders of that church venue. Trust me, some pastors will tell you point blank what to and what not to share with their congregation. But that’s another series. He also stated that messages could be used in political forums and “pump you up” type atmospheres. i.e. an Amway convention. Rears in Chairs This is simply selling tickets to or placing rears in seats of the venue. No matter if tickets are free or paid, what you are selling here is folks filling seats. This would be like a theatre show or a Branson type venue. Cattle Lulling Back in the day they would hire musicians to sit above the cattle pens at Old West Rodeos and play soft music to keep the cattle calm and not cause a fight. Apparently there are still those jobs today for musicians. Maybe not over a cattle pen, but something like that. I know, you are saying that music does still sell. Yes it does. But not at the rate it once did. So what can we sell along with our music today? The best sellers in Christian Music today are albums of hymns New takes on PD hymns. Most are bought by folks over 60 yrs of age. The folks that either don’t understand the new digital world or those that prefer to have a hard copy of the music on hand. Either way, we as Christian musicians need to have something that we sell with our music. Hopefully it is the message of Jesus Christ. I also understand that you must put rears in chairs in order to sell a message along with the music presented. Whether live or on recording, make sure what you are selling with your music is clear and concise and glorifies Christ. The above definitions are views by the established music industry today. Not sure what we as Christians can do to change this, but we can prepare our hearts to put our music in the hands, hearts and ears of as many people as possible. “GETTING YOUR MUSIC OUT THERE” coming in our next article. Christian Servant Magazine - August, 2015 - Page 28
Home Maintenance Projects Are Waiting by John Randolph "...We will not neglect the house of God." - Nehemiah 10:39
When our family first moved out to East Texas, we purchased a 47-year-old farmhouse that had been built by the farmer that had originally purchased the land in the early 1940's. This was the second house Cindy and I had purchased or owned in our short 10 years of marriage. Our first house was a house that we had built right after we wed in 1996. That house was perfect! It was a house that we built and designed from the ground up. We were on site the day that the first shovel went into the ground to begin to move dirt to pour concrete and lay the foundation. We picked the colors, flooring, and the layout of the house all the way down to the window coverings that we had made for each window. The day that we walked into that house, it was perfect. As for our 47-year-old farmhouse that, overtime, became a 50-year-old farmhouse? Not so much! Age, wear and tear and ultimately neglect had taken its toll on every 2 x 4, piece of sheet rock and even parts of the attic which showed the scars of a fire that had apparently broken out in the house 10 years prior to our purchase. Recently as I opened up God's word for my morning devotion time which happened to be the first time in over a week - no, sadly that's not a typo - I started to pick up where I left off in my study of Nehemiah at the beginning of Chapter 11. The only problem is that I never made it past the last line of the last verse of Chapter 10 and I was quickly reminded by my Father about the image of what happens when a house is neglected - especially one that is 50 years old. As time had passed, our house in Grand Saline started to show a lot of lines of wear and tear. Anytime something started to go wrong, if it was not addressed immediately it never failed that there was always something more that needed to be fixed. On the surface it only looked like one problem, but when you began to peel back the layers there was always something more. The bathroom sink is leaking? Don't worry I'll get to it. Six weeks later as I pulled out the sink I realized that the counter itself had rotted from the leak. The back of the house isn't staying cool enough? No problem I'll get to it. Three months later as I crawled into the attic I realized that the back of the house was a late addition add-on by the previous owners and had never been insulated. While air vents existed, no air ducts had ever been run to them so there was no air flowing into that part of the house. It was always something plus something times more divided by even more. Continued on next page‌ Christian Servant Magazine - August, 2015 - Page 29
Continued from previous page.
That is all I could think about this morning as that simple nine word verse stopped me in my tracks. "...We will not neglect the house of God." If we are not doing daily maintenance and upkeep, constantly inspecting the areas of our hearts - which is God's house - the neglect and wear and tear will definitely begin to show through. On top of this, much like the repairs on a 50-year-old farmhouse, when you begin to peel back the layers of a 30 or 40 or 50 or 60-year-old heart that has gone days or weeks being neglected and away from the word of God and time with the Ultimate Builder, very rarely is it just the problem that you see on the surface. Many times you end up having to do more reconstruction on some parts that nobody else sees. So, if you've been like me - too busy with the chaos of life - and you've been neglecting God's house, maybe today is the day that you strap on your tool belt (God's word), grab your level and spend some time doing a whole lot of maintenance and possibly some reconstruction. The beautiful thing is the Architect and the Original Builder can sit with you and clearly articulate what His perfect plan (Romans 12:2) was for this house the day that He created it. No guesswork needed! Now, let's go get some work done! To learn more about John, his music and his ministry, go to www.johnrandolphmusic.com. To reach John to discuss this article or the prospect of him coming to minister at your church, email bookings@musicwithamessagepromotions.com or call 469-995-0455. John has a brand new CD titled “I Choose Now” due out this month with 10 brand new songs. This project is John’s first full-length project since his debut CD “Soakin’ Up The Son,” which was nominated for Album of the Year in 2013. To pre-order the new CD and receive the 10-songs plus three more new songs that will only be available on the pre-ordered version, go to the website above and click the “Pre-Order” tab on the top right side of the website.
In my fourteen years of radio I have never seen any unknown artist added to as many radio stations play list so quickly as Country Gospels newest male vocalist “Wyatt Nations”. This young man had never been in a recording studio before and in his own words said it was a very frightening experience. He said he started writing songs for Christ because of the many jams that God had pulled him out of. I wanted the world to know that no matter what you have done wrong in life, or no matter how great the sin God loves you and will forgive. Wyatt said, “I never sought after a singing career. I was happy with just writing songs with a testimony for Christ.” He said one day he received a message from Christ in his spirit to do the vocal work himself. God told me that I wrote these songs from the heart and people will hear them that way. His first release “If It Satisfies You Lord” did just that, touched thousands. Wyatt has finished his new Country Gospel CD “No Greater Love” he has written most of the cuts on the project himself except for a couple written by veteran Christian songwriter Eugene Montgomery. If you love Gospel music that is anointed by the Holy Spirit I suggest that you add this project to your collection. You can order it from these companies: iTunes, cdbaby, Amazon.com or directly from Wyatt at: wyattnations.com or call 806-729-0751. You may also email or write him at: wyattnations@yahoo.com, and Wyatt Nations 8255 Cleburne Hwy, Grandbury, Texas, 76049. Wyatt may have been unknown when he put out his first release, but be assured we all know him now.
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BELIEVERS AMONG US by Brad Wilson
I always find it interesting when I meet new people and find out they are “believers.” This idea was a seed that started my business partners and I thinking about something a few years ago. The wonderful TV series “TOUCHED BY AN ANGEL” was cancelled. Another brilliant idea from the gate keepers in Hollywood! When that happened it was obvious to us that there were many people in the world that would miss that show and who wanted faith friendly entertainment like that. So we all got our heads together and with God’s guidance developed a faith based TV drama series called “BELIEVERS AMONG US.” We were only able to do a hand full even though we have more ready to go. Unfortunately as so many things in life do, our work depends on financing. Thank God though we were able to do four very good episodes in the series. Each episode dealt with a real life problem. In the end of each episode God performed a miraculous miracle in the life of the person we were dealing with and that person became a true believer in Christ. At the beginning of the next episode the person in the former episode that became a believer was carried over to the beginning and encounters the next person who will become a believer. Sort of a passing of the “believer torch” to the next person saying “you don’t know this yet but you are about to become a believer.” We were SO blessed to have the series shown on just about all of the Christian TV networks around the world. TBN (whose ratings are bigger than NBC at times) invited me on their afternoon program to talk about the series. They too were airing it and were very excited to have this type of programming. The next day I received emails from around the world, Egypt, Germany, South Africa…literally all over the world. People were thanking us for the series and this type of entertaining ministry. To be honest even though I had been in the film business for many, many years it was at that moment my destiny became clear in what God wanted me to do AND what HE had been training me for all of those years. Today with God’s help I remain on that path. I hope you get a chance to see the series someday. The website is www.believersamongus.com and the complete series is available at www.christiancinema.com.
Visit Brad Wilson and Higher Purpose Entertainment at: www.higherpurposeentertainment.com Christian Servant Magazine - August, 2015 - Page 31
Movers and Shakers of the Country Gospel Industry by Tommy Smith
I have always believed if your going to release a Christian song to radio you should mail out to as many stations as possible. I have always done this with Canyon Creek Records even though I have had other record companies tell me they just send out to the charting stations because they believe that most stations will just throw the CD in the trash without listening to it. I believe that our music is not about charts but about being a blessing to people. They will never have a chance to be blessed if we cut corners. We have always mailed out close to 800 radio stations in the USA and because we do, there are many DJ’s like the one in this article that have been playing and blessing audiences with your music for years. This DJ from Louisiana has a heart for God and we both share a very special love for Cajun music. May I introduce to you Mr. Camey Doucet.
The best Christian Cajun DJ, Singer, and Songwriter in Louisiana
Camey Doucet Camey Joseph Doucet was born on April 4, 1939 in Crowley Louisiana. He was drafted into the Army when he was 21 years of age and served for two years as a five-ton truck driver. After the Army he returned to Crowley where he met his wife Deanna who he married on January 8, 1966. While in Crowley he worked for CONOCO as a jug captain, the Crowley Police station as a patrolman and a few other odd jobs. He always loved music and eventually joined his first rock band "Big Brother". During this time he began working at KAJN 1560AM, first in a sales position then as a disc jockey. He left "Big Brother" and created a Cajun band called "Camey Doucet, Wayne Toups and the Crowley Aces" and then later he created "Camey Doucet, Jimmy Thibodeaux et Musique". He was also hired by Sam Walton to perform at all grand openings of the South Louisiana Wal-Mart stores. Camey left KAJN and went to work for KSIG in Crowley. He was at KSIG for 13 years before moving to Beaumont to take over the late Johnnie Janot's position at KLVI for a short time. Camey went back to KSIG for a few more years then began working at KROF where he has been employed for the past 29 years. Camey won Contemporary Cajun Artist of the Year for "One Day at a Time" in 1986, was inducted into the Louisiana Hall of Fame in 1991, won CFMA Cajun Music Hall of Fame in 1997, CFMA's Le Cajun Award in 1990 and another CFMA award for promoting Cajun music and culture in 2001. He was also inducted into the Lake Charles CFMA chapter Cajun Music Hall of Fame in 1995 and is on the Wall of Fame at Fred's Lounge for a lifetime of Cajun music excellence for promoting and preserving Cajun culture from the Cajun Culture Association in 2009, the Louisiana Association of Broadcasters Lifetime Achievement award in 2011 and has many other honors. He was also in the Guinness Book of World Records in 1975 for being incased in a 5,000 pound block of ice for 38 minutes as a promotional event while employed at KAJN. In addition to singing and playing instruments on his albums he also wrote a majority of his own songs and is a BMI songwriter. Continued on next page‌ Christian Servant Magazine - August, 2015 - Page 32
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One of his songs "The Buffalo Song" made a national debut on the television show "Jake and Fat Man", but he is best known for "Mom I'm Still Your Little boy" recorded at Floyd Soileau's studio in Ville Platte. He has recorded five albums and a few 45's in Cajun, Rock, Country and Gospel music. Over the years Camey has performed with many well known artists such as George Jones, Joel Sonnier, Clint West, Wayne Toups, Happy Fats, Doug Kershaw, Cedric Benoit, Amadee' Breaux, and many more. Camey and Deanna now live in Lafayette and have two children. Their son Mark is married to Stacie Duplantis from Rayne and have Quintuplets, Hannah, Hailey, Harley, Hunter and Haven. Their Daughter Nancy is married to Mark Leger from Crowley and they have two children, Kelsey and Dylan. You can catch Camey at www.talkradio960.com , 960AM on Saturday mornings and Sunday mornings 96.5FM and 960AM. He also has a gospel program "Flight to Heaven" from 1-3 pm on Sundays also on 960AM and www.talkradio960.com. Camey says it's the best gospel music this side of Heaven. We abundantly thank our sponsors as our magazine is solely dependent on our generous sponsors to make our monthly publication possible. Numbers 6:24-26 King James Version (KJV)
The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. If you have enjoyed our publication, won’t you consider a tax deductible sponsorship role by supporting the continuation of the monthly Christian Servant Magazine? Your sponsorship will be acknowledged in the publication.
Contact Tommy Smith at: tommysmith4@juno.com or call him at: (903) 566-3347 for more details. God Bless You!
Christian Servant Magazine a division of Christian Servant Outreach Ministry, Inc. A 501(c)(3) Non Profit Organization Publisher: Christian Servant Outreach Ministry, Inc. Editor in Chief: Tommy Smith Creative Director: Anna Smith Design Director & Creative Digital Director: TLC Solutions Address all Editorial, Business and Production Inquiries to: Christian Servant Magazine, 15661 Hwy 64 E.,Tyler, TX. 75707 • (903) 566-3347 For Sponsorship Information contact: Tommy Smith • (903) 566-3347 • or Email: tommysmith4@juno.com www.christianservantoutreachministry.com • www.christianservantradio.com • www.christianservantmagazine.com Copyright © 2015 Christian Servant Outreach Ministry, Inc. dba Christian Servant Magazine • ALL RIGHTS RESERVED All articles are copyrighted and may not be reprinted or published without the express written permission of: Christian Servant Magazine, 15661 Hwy 64 E.,Tyler, TX. 75707 Christian Servant Magazine - August, 2015 - Page 33