This Is Love, the highly anticipated new studio recording from GRAMMY-nominated, Dove Award-winning StowTown recording group THE ERWINS, has now been released. The eight-song collection showcases a genre-spanning sound which has quickly become synonymous with the Texas-based siblings.
Hallmarked by The Erwins’ tight family harmonies wrapped in modern musical influences, This Is Love was produced and arranged by Wayne Haun and features tracks penned by Kenna Turner West, Joseph Habedank, Sue Smith, Tony Wood, Dixie Phillips and Kevin Winebarger, among others.
Debut single “The God I Know” is a soaring ballad proclaiming Christ’s peace to a pandemic-weary world, “The God I Know” embodies the project’s thematic inspiration found in 1 Corinthians 13:13, “And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
“We’ve bathed each of these songs in prayer as we selected and recorded them,” Keith Erwin shares. “It’s essential for us to consider three things with every project we record: we want to make sure Christ is magnified and glorified; that the sound of the album is authentic and something we personally enjoy; and that there’s a song for everyone. No matter someone’s age or what they’re facing in life, we hope our music reminds people of how much Jesus loves and cares for them.”
Joseph Habedank’s latest single, “Goliath”, is something we can all relate to: facing down the giants in our lives. Here’s Joseph talking about the writing of the song:
“After a concert, I like to go back to my hotel room and unwind watching TV. I saw a commercial for a TV show called Goliath that I had never seen before. I thought it was an amazing idea for a Gospel song. I started thinking about all the giants we face in our lives, and I took the idea to Daniel Doss and Sue Smith. I walked into the co-writing session, and told them I wanted to write a song about Goliath. Daniel said, “that’s so crazy. I’m reading a book about Goliath right now.” I just knew it was a God thing.
We wrote this, and I forgot about it. When I’m writing for an album, I typically write 50 to 100 songs. I’ll never forget sitting at the Dallas Airport listening to the demo from Daniel, and I knew we had to cut it even though we had already picked the songs for the Deeper Oceans project. Sue was in the audience the first time I performed this song. She said it was so fun to see the audience react to the last line: I know my Goliath is coming down.
“Many thanks to the DJs that are playing it and to Sue and Daniel for writing it with me.”
One of the highlights, for me, at the end of the year, is to receive the annual release from Singing News. The songs that are picked never cease to throw up a few classics. Straight away, you’re hooked by the driving banjo and vocals of Triumphant Quartet with “Going There.” Next up are the unmistakable voices of Legacy Five and “What Kind of Man.” The song is a ballad, telling of Jesus’ mercy and forgiveness at Calvary. It’s so well written and produced. Gold City and the Mark Trammell Quartet provide enjoyable songs, while I was quite so keen on the offering from Joseph Habedank, “Shame on Me.” Other artists include Greater Vision, The Old Paths, and Kingdom Heirs, who perform the lively “Come to the Well.” Pick of the ballads must be the final track on the album. The Whisnants produce a lovely song of worship with some beautiful vocals. Perhaps I was expecting too much from 2020’s choices. But, at times, some of the songs did seem rather lethargic. However, I still rate this collection as 7/10.
The Gospel Music Association presented the 51st Annual GMA Dove Awards exclusively on TBN on Friday, October 30, 2020. Artists that took the stage included Tauren Wells featuring Christine D’Clario, Jenn Johnson and Jekalyn Carr (a historic multi-genre collaboration), Jeremy Camp, for KING & COUNTRY featuring Lecrae, We The Kingdom, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Apollo LTD, Jonathan McReynolds, Travis Greene, Pastor Mike Jr., The Sound, Switch, and Leeland featuring Mandisa, Sinach, and Maverick City. Here are the the winners:
ARTIST OF THE YEAR: for KING & COUNTRY
Watch them perform thier song “Amen”
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR: We The Kingdom
CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN ARTIST OF THE YEAR Tauren Wells
GOSPEL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Tasha Cobbs Leonard
SOUTHERN GOSPEL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Joseph Habedank
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR – ARTIST: Zach Williams
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR – NON-ARTIST: Jason Ingram
SONG OF THE YEAR: “Way Maker” (songwriters) Osinachi Kalu Okoro Egbu
POP/CONTEMPORARY SONG OF THE YEAR: “Rescue” – Lauren Daigle – (songwriters) Jason Ingram, Lauren Daigle, Paul Mabury
SOUTHERN GOSPEL SONG OF THE YEAR: “The Power Of An Empty Tomb” – The Erwins – (songwriter) Joel Lindsey
CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL SONG OF THE YEAR: “People” – Jonathan McReynolds
GOSPEL WORSHIP SONG OF THE YEAR: “Something Has To Break” (Live) – Kierra Sheard featuring Tasha Cobbs Leonard
WORSHIP SONG OF THE YEAR: “The Blessing” (Live) – Kari Jobe, Cody Carnes, Elevation Worship
ROCK/CONTEMPORARY SONG OF THE YEAR: “Legendary” – Skillet
INSPIRATIONAL SONG OF THE YEAR: “Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me” – Selah
RAP/HIP HOP SONG OF THE YEAR: “Follow God” – Kanye West
TRADITIONAL GOSPEL SONG OF THE YEAR: “I’m All In” – Maranda Curtis
RAP/HIP HOP ALBUM OF THE YEAR: MOOD // DOOM – Social Club Misfits
ROCK/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Victorious – Skillet
POP/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Citizen of Heaven – Tauren Wells
Tauren Wells ft. Jenn Johnson, Christine D’Clario, and Jekalyn Carr – “Famous For (I Believe)”
INSPIRATIONAL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Firm Foundation – Selah
CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: LONG LIVE LOVE – Kirk Franklin
TRADITIONAL GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: The Return – The Clark Sisters
SOUTHERN GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Pure Love – Legacy Five
WORSHIP ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Awake – Hillsong Worship
GOSPEL WORSHIP ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Broken Record – Travis Greene
CHRISTMAS ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Christmas – Phil Wickham
SHORT FORM VIDEO OF THE YEAR: “God Only Knows” – for KING & COUNTRY featuring Dolly Parton
LONG FORM VIDEO OF THE YEAR: “Awake (Live)” – Hillsong Worship
RECORDED MUSIC PACKAGING OF THE YEAR: Rescue Story – Zach Williams
INSPIRATIONAL FILM OF THE YEAR: I Still Believe
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Daywind recording artist Joseph Habedank is a GRAMMY® nominated, Dove Award winning singer/songwriter and has been named Gospel Music’s Favorite Soloist by way of the Singing News Fan Awards for three consecutive years (2019, 2018, 2017). Joseph has a unique and equally powerful testimony that has been featured on FoxNews.com‘s Spirited Debate, TBN’s Praise the Lord, and in such publications as Billboard Magazine, CCM Magazine, and Glenn Beck’s The Blaze. He has shared his songs in some of America’s greatest churches and venues, including the Brooklyn Tabernacle, Charles Stanley’s First Baptist Atlanta, The Grand Ole Opry, and the historic Ryman Auditorium.
Watch the offical video and “story behind the song” Here:
I’ve got to be honest, I look forward to this annual release, each year. The selection gives the listener a real taste of the overall excellence of the Southern Gospel genre. This album kicks off with the unmistakable sound of Karen Peck & New River, and “I Know I’ll Be There.”. It’s a rather poignant song, but lovely all the same. Joseph Habedank almost moves into modern country with “Jailbreak,” before the Triumphant Quartet brings things back with a super song, based on John 3:16. Greater Vision provide a foot tapping rendition of “Rolled Back the Stone,” while Tribute Quartet offer a similar beat to “Meeting in the Middle of the Air.” If you love the sound of a good bass singer, then you’ll love “Heaven Just Got Sweeter For You,” by The Kingdom Heirs. A superb vocal performance on a song dedicated to those grieving over the loss of a loved one. My favourite song on the album has to be “Beat Up Bible” by the Down East Boys. I remember hearing it last year, just as it hit the #1 spot on the Singing News Chart. Great harmonies and a terrific song. Whether you’re a long term Southern Gospel fan, or someone just dipping your toe into this music, you can’t go wrong with this release. 9/10.
The Beyond Amazing Tour commenced in Yadkinville, NC on December 30, 2018. The multi-city U.S. tour features Brian Free & Assurance, Karen Peck & New River, Joseph Habedank, Emily Ann Roberts and Evangelist, C.T. Townsend. The tour is described as one of the biggest and most powerful tours in the history of Gospel Music. In addition to the roster of incredible talent, the Wilmington Celebration Choir performs behind each artist.
The BEYOND AMAZING DVD showcases all of the incredible talent from the tour including a powerful message from C.T. Townsend. The unique blend of artists on this tour collaboration is something special rarely experienced in Christian music. www.daywind.com
Last month, the Gospel Music Association (GMA) handed out honours in 39 categories at the 48th Annual GMA Dove Awards plus special industry recognitions at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville. The main winners were as follows:
ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
MercyMe, Fair Trade Services
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Zach Williams, Provident Label Group
SONG OF THE YEAR:
“What A Beautiful Name” (writers) Ben Fielding, Brooke Ligertwood, (publisher) Hillsong Music Publishing
CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
Casting Crowns, Provident Label Group
GOSPEL ARTIST OF THE YEAR:
CeCe Winans, Pure Springs Gospel
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR (ARTIST):
Bart Millard
BLUEGRASS/COUNTRY/ROOTS ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Sing It Now: Songs of Faith and Hope: Reba McEntire (producer) Reba McEntire, Jay DeMarcus, Doug Sisemore
RAP/HIP HOP ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
The Waiting Room: Trip Lee, (producers) Gabriel Azucena, James Foye III, John McNeil, Joel McNeil, Alex Median, Allen Swoope, Almondo Cresso, Chris Mackey, Joseph Prielozny, Tyshane Thompson
ROCK/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
HARDLOVE – NEEDTOBREATHE, (producers) NEEDTOBREATHE, Joe Levine, Dave Tozer, Ed Cash, Ido Zmishlany
POP/CONTEMPORARY ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Lifer – MercyMe (producers) Ben Glover, David Garcia
SOUTHERN GOSPEL ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Resurrection – Joseph Habedank, (producer) Wayne Haun
CONTEMPORARY GOSPEL/URBAN ALBUM OF THE YEAR:
Let Them Fall In Love – CeCe Winans, (producers) Alvin Love III, Tommy Sims
Never for Nothing 