Daywind Music Group Celebrates Radio Success for 2013

HENDERSONVILLE, TN – December 23, 2013 –Thanks to radio stations nationwide, 2013 has been a year of hit songs for the Daywind Music Group and its family of artists and songwriters. Daywind artists recorded 11 of the Singing News Top 40 Songs of the Year in 2013. Daywind songwriters also tallied 11 of the Top 40 songs. 18 of the Top 40 songs for the year featured a Daywind artist, a Daywind songwriter, or both.

Leading the pack was Diane Wilkinson who wrote 4 of the Top 40 songs of the year, including singles for the Kingdom Heirs (2), Tribute Quartet, and 11th Hour. Wilkinson was also recognized as Songwriter of the Year at the NQC Music Awards and Songwriter of the Year (non-performing) at the Singing News Fan Awards. Greater Vision, Brian Free and Assurance, and the Browders each had 2 songs in the Top 40 for the year. Other artists and songwriters to achieve cumulative chart recognition include Karen Peck and New River, the Nelons, Mark Trammell Quartet, the Perrys, Kenna Turner West, Jason Cox, Ronnie Hinson, Matthew Browder, Kyla Rowland, Marcia Henry, and Gerald Crabb.

Daywind artists and songwriters reached the top position in the Singing News charts 9 times in 2013. Number 1 songs included “I Want To Be That Man,” co-written by Ricky Free and recorded by Brian Free and Assurance (February); “Just Preach Jesus,” written by Diane Wilkinson and recorded by the Kingdom Heirs (April); “I Got A Hold Of God This Morning,” written by Kyla Rowland and recorded by the Perrys (May); “Praise You in This Valley,” written by Matthew Browder and recorded by the Browders (July); “Good News From Jerusalem,” written by Diane Wilkinson and recorded by the Tribute Quartet (August); “Calvary’s Cry,” co-written by Kenna Turner West and Jason Cox and recorded by Brian Free and Assurance (September); “Just Beyond the Sunset,” written by Diane Wilkinson and recorded by the Kingdom Heirs (October); “Looking For The Grace” by Greater Vision (November); and “He Is Alive,” written by Matthew Browder and recorded by the Browders (December).

2014 is off to a great start with Daywind Music Group represented on 20 of the Top 40 songs and the top 3 new releases for January. “Southern Gospel radio stations have been very receptive to the Daywind singles and are eager to hear what is coming in 2014. We are excited to start the New Year with another number 1 song, ‘Revival’ by Karen Peck and New River,” stated Amanda Martin, Daywind’s Director of Media Relations.

Daywind President Ed Leonard said, “We are blessed that so many of the top artists and songwriters in Southern Gospel music have chosen to call Daywind home. They are putting so much effort into their craft and drawing on God’s inspiration to create music of hope and faith. We are thankful for the songs, the artists, the songwriters, our friends at radio. We will continue serving radio and the world by producing top quality Southern Gospel music.”

Daywind Records is home to great Southern Gospel artists Brian Free and Assurance, Legacy Five, Greater Vision, the Hoskins Family, the Blackwood Brothers, Wilburn and Wilburn, the Browders, Adam Crabb, Karen Peck and New River, Amber Thompson, the Nelons, and Watts, Rowsey, & Bean. Red Hen Records is home to Red Roots, Zach & Rodney, and Michael Lee. Thoroughbred Records is home to the Chigger Hill Boys & Terri. Daywind recordings are distributed to Christian retail by New Day Christian Distributors (www.newdaychristian.com) and to the general market by Select O Hits.

Daywind Music Publishing is home to great songwriters Ronny Hinson, Dianne Wilkinson, Marty Funderburk, Sue Smith, Kenna Turner West, Jason Cox, Kyla Rowland, Belinda Smith, Ricky Free, Scott Inman, John Darin Rowsey, Lee Black, Ben Storie, Gina Vera, David Browder, Matthew Browder, Sonya Browder, Tommy Browder, Aaron Crabb, Adam Crabb, Amanda Crabb, Karen Peck Gooch, Mike Richards, Natalie, Nika, and Nicole Taylor (Red Roots), Gina Boe, Caleb Collins, Janice Crow, Marcia Henry, Russell Mauldin, Rick Schweinsberg, Micah Schweinsberg and CCM writers Sam Tinnesz, Aaron Rice, Michael Fordinal, Justin Kintzel, and Hearts of Saints.

For more information on Daywind Records, visit www.daywindrecords.com or contact Amanda Martin at 1-800-635-9581.

For more information on Daywind Music Publishing, visit www.daywindpublishing.com or contact Rick Shelton at 1-800-635-9581.