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MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – (January 16, 2012) – The administrators and staff of AbsolutelyGospel.com (formerly SoGospelNews.com) are proud to announce the nominees for the 2012 Absolutely Gospel (SGN) Music Awards.  As in year’s past, the nominees were chosen by the staff of AbsolutelyGospel.com and select media representatives.  Starting on February 1, 2012, the fans will get a chance to vote for their favorites in certain categories.

“Despite the major changes in our editorial staff this year, the site has seen very impressive growth this year, and we know part of that is because of our talented writing staff,” mentioned Deon Unthank, Presidnet/CEO of AbsolutelyGospel.com. “Our staff did such a great job with nominations this year, and we are so proud of the work that they did.”

Chris D. Unthank, Editor-In-Chief of AbsolutelyGospel.com said, “This year’s awards represent impressive record breaking and a lot of ‘first-times’ for our awards program, and we couldn’t be more thrilled! We applaud our staff and those other media representatives who voted for thinking outside of the box this year and really embracing what our awards program is all about.”

The awards program sees two records broken this year. The Isaacs broke the record for the most nominations by an artist in a single year – this year earning 12 nominations. In addition, producer/songwriter/and Ernie Haase & Signature Sound pianist Wayne Haun earned a staggering 15 nominations – also breaking a record for the most nominations in a single year by an individual.

In addition, for the first time in the 10 years of the Absolutely Gospel Music Awards – a song that wasn’t released to radio (also known as an album cut) earned a nomination for Song of the Year – the Booth Brothers’ critically acclaimed song “What About Now.” In addition, last year’s Songwriter of the Year (Professional) winner Kenna West earned a nomination for the 2012 Pacesetter Award – the first time a professional songwriter has earned a nomination in that specific category.

Social networking paid off in a big way for artists in the Fan Favorite Artist of the Year category – the only category chosen strictly by the fans and readers of AbsolutelyGospel.com. Surprise nominations from acts like Sharron Kay King, The Ladd Family, and Mark209 saw a huge surge of votes due to their support from fans on social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter.

“It’s just amazing to us that after 10 years we’re still going strong and producing an awards program that seems to top itself every year,” mentioned Chris Unthank. “We are so excited about celebrating our 10th Anniversary this year. We can’t wait to announce what all we have in store!”

As far as nominations go, the aforementioned bluegrass/Southern Gospel hybrid group The Isaacs landed a record-setting 12 nominations this year, more than any other artist. The group earned nods for Song of the Year (for “Why Can’t We”), Album of the Year and Country Album of the Year (for Why Can’t We), Mixed Group of the Year, Country Song of the Year (for “Mama’s Teaching Angels How to Sing”), Best Live Performer, and the premier award of the Absolutely Gospel Music Awards, 2012 Pacesetter. In addition, sisters Becky Isaacs Bowman and Sonya Isaacs Yeary both earned nominations in the Female Vocalist of the Year category and shared a nomination for Songwriter of the Year (Artist). Brother Ben Isaacs landed nominations for Producer of the Year (Artist) and Musician of the Year as well.

The Booth Brothers followed behind The Isaacs with an impressive 10 nominations – including a 2012 Pacesetter mention.

Following behind those artists were The Perrys with nine nods and Karen Peck & New River with eight nods.  Greater Vision and the Gaither Vocal Band both landed six nominations.  Two artists received five nominations – Triumphant Quartet and the Collingsworth Family.

Beyond the Ashes earned four nominations, while several artists received triple mentions, including the Bowling Family, Wilburn & Wilburn, the Martins, Gold City, and Jason Crabb. Brian Free & Assurance, Eighth Day, Mark209, Red Roots, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Sisters, the Freemans, Jeff & Sheri Easter, Gordon Mote, Tribute Quartet, the Dove Brothers, and Channing Eleton were each nominated for two awards.

As stated previously, songwriter, producer and Signature Sound’s pianist Wayne Haun broke the record for the most individual nominations earned in a single year. In addition to landing in the Producer of the Year (Artist) category, Wayne earned the other 14 of his nominations for his songwriting and production work this year. – including four separate nominations in the Album of the Year category (for producing The Perrys’ Blue Skies, Collingsworth Family’s Part of the Family, Karen Peck & New River’s Reach Out, and Beyond the Ashes’ Treasures Unseen).

The Booth Brothers’ Jim Brady and The Isaacs’ Ben Isaacs both landed six individual nominations. Both men were nominated for Producer of the Year (Artist) this year. 

Songwriter Joel Lindsey received five nominations this year. Rodney Griffin, Bill Gaither, Kenna West, Sue C. Smith, David Moffitt, Becky Isaacs Bowman, Sonya Isaacs Yeary, Lari Goss, Michael English, and
Joseph Habedank all landed three individual nominations for their work in 2011.

The Pacesetter Award is awarded to any artist, individual, or organization that has shown great strides in the industry and has raised the bar for others. This year’s nominees for the 2012 Pacesetter are previously mentioned artists the Booth Brothers and The Isaacs, forward-thinking record label Crossroads Music Group, internet and television program Gospel Music Today with Ken & Jean Grady, and hit-songwriter Kenna West.