NASHVILLE, Tenn. (December 6, 2012) – Multi-talented New Haven Records and RSI Music Group recording artist Gordon Mote was recently invited to perform at the artist induction ceremonies of both the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Country Music Hall of Fame, underscoring the Academy of Country Music award winner’s rare position as a top crossover performer whose talent is winning acclaim across multiple genres of music.
“It is a rare talent that finds favor in both the Gospel and Country music worlds. We are honored that Gordon Mote calls New Haven Records ‘home,’ and we are thrilled about the ever-broadening attention that Gordon’s music and ministry is receiving,” says Ken Harding, president of New Haven Records.
The Academy of Country Music award winner recently performed when Aretha Franklin, Ricky Skaggs, Dallas Holm, The Hoppers, Love Song and Rex Humbard were inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame at a ceremony recorded for broadcast at TBN’s Trinity Music City auditorium. Mote performed Holm’s gold-selling hit, “Rise Again,” which is featured on Mote’s recent CD, Songs I Grew Up Singing, an inspiring musical diary of landmark songs that not only shaped his music and ministry but also inspired a generation of Gospel music lovers. Near the end of Mote’s performance, Holm joined Mote onstage for the final verse and chorus, resulting in a rousing standing ovation.
Mote also performed at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Medallion Ceremony, during which country superstar Garth Brooks, songstress Connie Smith, and blind session keyboardist Hargus “Pig” Robbins were inducted. In a packed-to-capacity ceremony at the museum’s famed Ford Theater, Mote, sightless since birth, emulated Robbins’ trademark keyboard licks while accompanying Crystal Gayle as she performed “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue.” The ceremonies included a star-studded audience, with James Taylor, Bob Seger and George Strait among the performers.
“Being asked to perform at both induction ceremonies was a real honor for me,” Mote says. “The Country Music Hall of Fame event was especially amazing, because we were honoring my mentor, Pig Robbins.”
“Pig is the person most responsible for my career as a session player,” continues Mote. “Back in 2001, Pig asked me to fill in for him when he got sick at the last minute. When I showed up, the session was for Alan Jackson’s Drive album, which eventually garnered five No. 1 Country hits! I will never forget cutting ‘Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning)’ right after 9/11. What an amazing experience for this young keyboard player! I’m sure that Pig’s induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame was a highlight of his career, but simply getting to participate in it was a highlight of mine.”
Photo caption, top: During the recent 2012 Country Music Hall of Fame induction ceremony, Gordon Mote, right, accompanies Country superstar Crystal Gayle, left, paying homage to Pig Robbins’ original keyboard performance on “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue,” a song made famous by Gayle. Robbins, a renowned Nashville studio session player, was among the 2012 Hall of Fame inductees. (Peyton Hoge photo)
Photo caption, bottom: Gordon Mote, left, and Dallas Holm, right, perform during the induction of Dallas Holm into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame (Jim Sulcer photo)
About Gordon Mote:
Vocalist and keyboardist extraordinaire Gordon Mote has been blind since birth, but his words and music reach beyond the ears to the heart. More than his undeniable talent, Mote’s fans appreciate his ability to communicate the love of Christ to a world in need of hope.
Mote began playing piano at the age of 3 and toured with his family’s singing group until his undeniable talent made him an award-winning Nashville session player.
For the past six years, Mote has lent his considerable vocal and keyboard skills to the Gaither Homecoming concert stage, winning the admiration of hundreds of thousands of loyal Gospel music fans. Mote can also be heard on recordings from Country music’s biggest names, including Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson, Rascal Flatts, Lionel Richie and Alison Krauss. Mote, who was recently featured as the cover story in the October 2012 issue of Singing News, was recently voted “Top Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year” at the 44th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards and was named Music Row Magazine’s 2012 Top Studio Instrumentalist.
Mote’s latest New Haven Records release, The Star Still Shines, combines Southern Gospel, Inspirational, and Country music-flavored renditions of new and traditional Christmas songs and carols. Mote is currently in the studio working on a new CD, tentatively scheduled for release in Fall 2013.
About New Haven Records:
New Haven Records is a Nashville-based music corporation that includes label, publishing, and film companies. For more than two decades, they have focused on the uniquely American genres of Black Gospel, Southern Gospel, and Country & Bluegrass Gospel. New Haven’s product is distributed to the mainstream through Sony and to the Christian marketplace through Provident Music Distribution. For additional information, go to www.newhavenrecords.com.
