THE SOUTHERN GOSPEL PLAYERS



AVAILABLE NOW ~ in the online store ~ CLICK HERE TO ORDER

THIS PROJECT WAS VOTED 2005 ALBUM OF THE YEAR
in the U.S. Gospel News/Southern Gospel Fan Fair Awards!

FEATURING SOUTHERN GOSPEL MUSIC'S BEST MUSICIANS INCLUDING:
Mike Hopper • Ricky Free • Doug Riley • Randy "Scoot" Shelnut Jr. • Adam Borden • Randy Miller • Randy Shelnut • Steve "Rabbit" Easter • Stewart Varnado • Tim Lovelace • Andrew Ishee • David Johnson • Roger Fortner • Channing Eleton • Milton Smith • Aaron Crabb • Jeff Tolbert • Jason Crabb • Mike Riddle • Adam Crabb • Ben Isaacs • John Bowman • Sonya Isaacs • Becky Isaacs Bowman • Tim Surrett • Corey Pearson •

WITH SPECIAL GUEST VOCALISTS:
Loren Harris • Dottie Rambo • Squire Parsons • Josh Garner • Gene McDonald


Dottie Rambo & Stewart Varnado at UpFront Studios in Nashville, TN.

SONGS INCLUDE:
1.  Don't Try This At Home
2.  We'll Understand It Better By And By
3.  Too Much To Gain To Lose
4.  Call Me Gone
5.  I've Got That Old Time Religion
6.  Camping In Canaan
7.  Beulah Land
8.  Are You Washed In The Blood?
9.  Will The Circle Be Unbroken?
10. I Go To The Rock
11. Oh Happy Day
12. Joy Unspeakable

It's a known fact that Southern Gospel Music has some of the most talented musicians that you will ever hear. Put them up against any other musicians in any other musical form, and you will quickly realize they will not be taking a back seat to anyone. And on July 20, 2004, these musicians will be showcased with the release of what is being touted as the ultimate Gospel instrumental recording. Stewart Varnado Presents The Southern Gospel Players is a unique project that showcases the best of the best in Southern Gospel musicians. It is certainly a rare recording and one that Gospel collectors will be no-doubt adding to their collections, not just because of it's one-of-a-kind rarity, but also because it's just plain ole good! Singing News Editor Danny Jones comments, "Never before in the history of Southern Gospel Music has one recording gathered together so many great - and I mean great - musicians. From the opening note of 'Don't Try This At Home' until the closing bar of 'Joy Unspeakable,' this effort is nothing but pure God-given talents on display."

Recordings featuring various artists and groups collaborating vocally are not new. In years past, there have been All-Night Sing recordings featuring various artists. KingsGold was a popular tour several years ago that featured performances and recordings of Gold City and the Kingsmen together. Most recently, the award-winning Greater Vision Quartets recording showcased bass singers from other groups joining the popular trio. But never has there been an undertaking of this size to showcase so many Southern Gospel musicians together in one recording effort. Over 30 musicians and artists joined forces to make this project a huge success.

When Stewart Varnado set out to make this recording dream a reality, he knew it would be fun, but also a challenge. "In other forms of music," he shares, "there are projects featuring the best players of their genre, and there was nothing like that in Southern Gospel. I wanted to do this because it was a once-in-a-lifetime thing, all of us musicians are friends and get along together, there is no competition among us, and people enjoy out-of-the-ordinary projects. It was a huge undertaking," he says of the coordination and logistics of putting together a project of this magnitude, "but it was worth the hard work."

In putting this recording together, Stewart tried to use as many people as he could, and tried to draw musicians from as many groups as possible. Multi-talented Tim Lovelace was honored to take part in what he affectionately dubs "the-get-together-group-therapy-pick-until-you-turn-purple" recording session. "I'm always excited about getting together with other musicians," Tim says, "and I appreciate the invitation to participate in this. I also appreciate Stewart's musicianship and his heart for this industry and for his musician friends." Because Tim plays so many instruments, he basically had his pick of what to play, but he chose the piano, and many of his jazz licks are found in the songs on which he is featured.

Tim says that there are so many good pickers in this industry, it's neat to be able to work with them all. Stewart's fellow Dixie Echoes group member Randy "Scoot" Shelnut agrees. "All of us were excited to be a part of this," he shares. "It was the first time for a lot of these musicians to be showcased. Everyone was gung ho about the project." Scoot was involved in a lot of the computer and technological end of this project, helped with mixing, and also played bass and drums on several songs.

Ricky Free was also one of the drummers on the project. "Stewart approached me about the project, and asked me who I'd like to work with, and I told him, but it wasn't until he called again and had it set up that I realized he was serious about doing this. I was happy to do it." Ricky's session included playing with the likes of studio musician Jason Webb on piano and Adam Borden of Gold City on bass, who just happens to be Ricky's favorite bass player. Palmetto State pianist Andrew Ishee actually played organ on this recording, and Gold City's pianist, Channing Eleton, played the accordion, Cajun style. To schedule everyone to record at one time would have been a logistical and geographical nightmare. This project took literally months of coordination and dealing with schedules to complete. Modern technology lent a helping hand, however. For example, masters of the basic tracks were sent to the various musicians, and they did their recordings at their convenience. Ricky did his part of the recording in Atlanta. Tim Lovelace recorded his tracks at Randy Shelnut's studio, having swung down to Pensacola, Florida during the Christmas holiday. A lot of the basic tracks were put on ADAT and sent to artists to record when time permitted them. Parts of this project were literally recorded in a dressing room, motel room, backstage at a concert hall, and in the back of a bus.

The project features a variety of songs and styles. There are a few guest vocalists here and there, including Squire Parsons on his classic "Sweet Beulah Land," Dottie Rambo performing on her song, "I Go To The Rock," and a great rendition of the Hinsons hit, "Call Me Gone," sung by Loren Harris, Josh Garner, Scoot Shelnut, and Gene McDonald. It is truly a "who's who" of Gospel musicians on this project, and one that really is a collector's item. Even before it's release, there has been talk already of a sequel. Tim Lovelace hopes so, because he has some unfinished business in which to attend. "I stood around all day hoping that Stewart would ask me to play the bagpipes on a number. But he didn't. So, I'm hoping that might be in the works for the next one," Tim says hopefully, mustering a smile while brushing away a tear. "Just as long as I don't have to play gypsy accordion."

Stewart is truly delighted at the outcome of this musical endeavor. "This recording is a dream come true for me," he explains. "When I listen to the musicians on these tracks, I am amazed at the talent with which God has blessed each of these players. They are the best at what they do. I hope everyone who listens will enjoy the end result." Get ready to be blessed and impressed by the finest players in Gospel Music. Stewart Varnado Presents The Southern Gospel Players is one project that you must add to your CD collection. For more information, check out the project on www.stewartvarnado.com

Story from July 2004 Singing News Magazine
Written by Barbara Huffman

In the studio working on the new "Southern Gospel Players" recording. From L-R: Adam Borden (Gold City); Corey Pearson (Diplomats); Ricky Free (Brian Free & Assurance); Scoot Shelnut & Stewart Varnado (Dixie Echoes); and engineer/owner of Red Hill Digital Recording Studio, Jason Singleton.