'Ill Not Turn My Back On Him Now' Song of the Year 2002

for helping make our recording of "I'll Not Turn My Back On Him Now" a NUMBER ONE SONG! and for the confidence in the Inspirations which was so overwhelmingly and graciously demonstrated to us by the voting results of the Singing News Fan Awards presented at the 2002 National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. Our prayer is that we may continue to earn and deserve your trust.
Favorite Gospel Song I'll Not Turn My Back On Him Now ~ Inspirations ~ from the recording PURE VINTAGE . Favorite Bass ~ Mike Holcomb ~ Inspirations .

Marvin Norcross Award ~ Martin Cook ~ Inspirations

© Singing News 2002
Traditional Male Quartet Dove Brothers Quartet Mixed Quartet Hoppers	Trio Greater Vision Soloist Ivan Parker
Male Singer Gerald Wolfe ~Greater Vision	Female Singer Peg McKamey Bean ~ McKameys
Young Artist Jason Waldroup ~ Greater Vision

Tenor Brian Free ~ Brian Free & Assurance Lead Gerald Wolfe ~ Greater Vision	Baritone Rodney Griffin ~ Greater Vision Bass Mike Holcomb ~ Inspirations

Pianist Roger Bennett ~ Legacy Five Musician Roger Fortner ~ McKameys Band Kingdom Heirs Band	Alto Sheri Easter ~ Jeff & Sheri Easter Soprano Kim Hopper ~ Hopper Songwriter Rodney Griffin

Horizon Individual Scott Inman ~ Poet Voices	Horizon Group Carolina Boys

Album Live At First Baptist Atlanta Greater Vision	Video Live At First Baptist Atlanta Greater Vision

Syndicated Radio Program Gospel Greats Small Market DJ Jon Wishon WWWC, Wilkesboro, NC	Medium Market DJ Beth Jarrells WSTS, Fairmont, NC Large Market DJ: Rodney Baucom WXRI, Winston Salem, NC

Super Fans ~ Paul & Ceil Buchanan




Related Story Below: "I'll Not Turn My Back On Him Now" reaches top of radio charts By Tim Gardner The Inspirations have always been known for producing quality songs. In fact, they have placed more songs on the Singing News radio airplay charts than any Gospel group, and tenor Archie Watkins has had more charting songs than any singer in history. Archie has been featured on three number one songs--"Touring That City," "Jesus Is Mine" and his latest, "I'll Not Turn My Back On Him Now." This great tune has become one of the quartet's most popular songs. Southern Gospel Music fans can't seem to hear it enough. The Sandy Knight-penned tune was America's number one song as reported by the Singing News radio airplay charts for February 2002. It was the nation's number one single release for October 2001. After debuting at number 74 (out of the Top 80 songs) for October, it rose to number 18 for November--an amazing leap of 56 spots in just one reporting period! It then reached number six in December and number two for January 2002. It dropped only one spot to number two nationally for March 2002. It is number seven for April 2002, making it one of the few songs to remain in the Top Ten for five consecutive months. It is also a finalist for the Southern Gospel Music Association's Song of The Year. The other song finalists included: Didn't It Rain-Dove Brothers; God Wants To Hear You Sing-Greater Vision; I Believe-Gold City; I Love To Call His Name-Kingdom Heirs; I've Won-McKameys; Is Anything Too Hard For God?-Whisnants; Stand Still-Isaacs; Thank God For The Preacher-Mike Bowling; and That's No Mountain-Crabb Family. Archie said of this powerful song: "I was born in a small, four-room house in the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. Dad and Mom (Clarence and Edith Watkins) walked two miles to attend church with Dad carrying me on his back. Very few people knew where my family lived, but God did. He came to where I was and saved me so that I could someday go where He is. I'm so thankful that He chose to use me to sing for Him. God saw something in me that I could not see in myself. That's why the last two lines of this song touches my heart so deeply--He gave me my first breath, I'll give Him my last, and I'll Not Turn My Back On Him Now." Archie added: "And I'm thankful to the Lord for allowing me the opportunity to sing this great song and for it to be so well-received by the people." Noted for his natural tenor vocals and trademark singing stance on song endings, Archie is the all-time dean of Southern Gospel tenors. He has been voted Favorite Male Singer three times and Favorite Tenor four times by subscribers of Singing News, the printed voice of Southern Gospel Music. He has also helped the Inspirations win the Singing News Favorite Gospel Group award on several occasions. In addition to "I'll Not Turn My Back On Him Now," "Touring That City," and "Jesus Is Mine," the Inspirations also reached number one status nationally on Singing News radio airplay charts with the classic songs, "Jesus Is Coming Soon" and "When I Wake Up (To Sleep No More)." "I'll Not Turn My Back On Him Now" is the lead cut on the Inspirations "Pure Vintage" project. The recording is on the Horizon Label and is produced by Martin Cook. "Pure Vintage" is available for purchase at the Inspirations record table during concerts and through this web site. NOTE: A "Number One" dinner was held for The Inspirations and some of our best friends on Thursday evening, February 28, 2002, near the Crossroads - Horizon headquarters in Arden, North Carolina.
Related Story Below
The Inspirations have never been known for having the flashiest covers or photos on their recordings, but with their move to the Crossroads Music Group, the folks at Horizon Records decided to do something about changing that. And what a change! First, the creative production staff chose a name for the recording which captures the feel of the songs the boys chose: PURE VINTAGE. The next step was to translate the concept of "Pure Vintage" into a suitable photograph for the tray cards. After scouting several locations, the idea of shooting the actual photos in a fifties-style diner seemed the perfect solution. Sugar Daddies Diner which is located near the Crossroads Building was approached about a possible shoot. Thankfully, the owner agreed; so the Inspirations, the Crossroads team, and the photographers climbed on the Inspirations bus and drove to the Airport Road near Arden, NC (I-26 near Exit 9) and the shoot began. The Inspirations have always dressed alike, so the Crossroads production staff told the boys to put on their Carolina blue suits and hurry inside. Of course, some of the Inspirations have a little trouble hurrying, but this gave Sugar Daddies staff time to prepare a few props for the shoot, mainly some of their famous and delectable "genuine 50's style" milkshakes complete with cherries resting on top of mounds of whipped cream. Within a few minutes everyone was gathered inside, but no one had told the Inspirations that the milkshakes were meant to be props. Assuming that the shakes were meant for refreshment, the boys quickly shucked the wrappers off the straws and began to enjoy the unexpected bonus. By the time the staff saw what was happening, it was way too late; so when you see the CD and cassettes covers, you will see only the remnants of some of the best real ice cream shakes ever made since the 50s! The next time you see the boys at a concert, you will notice that the shakes were "calorie free"! (NOTE: Yeah, right! LOL) .
The folks at Sugar Daddy's Diner near Arden, NC (which now sadly has closed) couldn't have been more patient or kind as the Inspirations, the PR Staff for Crossroads/Horizon and the photographers descended on the 50's style diner for a photoshoot for the Inspirations first Horizon recording. NOTE: There was a vintage car rally the day we returned to make these photos, and our camera lens only allowed us to capture the ones which were parked nearest the entrance. Pure Vintage.

	Mike and Matt play waiter! The boys didn't get the message that the milkshakes were only props!



Another Related Story: ARDEN, NC(Crossroads Press Release) - Southern Gospel's multi-award winning group, The Inspirations, announce the release of their debut project on Pamplin-owned Horizon Records. Their latest project, "Pure Vintage," was released on August 7, 2001. The soundtrack is also available in a new CD format with 2 background music versions of each of the 10 songs included, plus the words. Each of the 10 songs has a music only accompaniment version, as well as a stereo version with original background vocals which may be panned to the desired volume. "Pure Vintage" features a new line-up of songs recorded in the traditional manner, and they provide the musical consistency that the Inspirations have carried for almost forty years. "Year after year we have seen the many changes that have occurred throughout Southern Gospel Music," said Martin Cook, original member and pianist for the group. "We have been the line that has been drawn right down the middle. We've seen gospel go above the line and below the line, but we have been right up the middle." It has been the group's practically unchanged, non-tainted and enduring sound that has withstood the test of time that represents the name of their latest release. "Pure Vintage" is the debut project for the Inspirations since signing on with Horizon Records. Mike Holcomb, bass for the Inspirations, claimed, "We are thrilled to be with Horizon Records because they will broaden our reach. We are not good at sales, promotion or making it look good. That is why we felt it was a good move to sign on with Horizon Records." "Pure Vintage" was produced by Martin Cook at Pamplin's Southern Gospel Division Studios in Asheville, NC. .

[ Journey Ahead Named Album of the Year ~ 2004 Singing News Fan Awards ] [ 'We Need To Thank God' Song of the Year 2003 ] [ 'Ill Not Turn My Back On Him Now' Song of the Year 2002 ]

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