Pigeon Forge, TN.(November 5, 2014) – SGN Scoops and Creekside Gospel Music Convention was proud to present the 2014 Diamond Awards on Tuesday, November 4, 2014 at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The gala celebration was hosted by Tim Lovelace and included appearances by The Blackwoods, Karen Peck and New River, the Dixie Melody Boys, the Freemans and many others. The evening was also filmed by WATC, Channel 57 of Atlanta, Georgia, to be aired/streamed at a later date.
The big winners of the night were Karen Peck and New River, who were honored with Song Of The Year, Album Of The Year, Mixed Group Of The Year and Trio Of The Year. Karen Peck Gooch was the 2014 Female Artist Of The Year.
Ken and Jean Grady of Gospel Music Today were award winners and Jean also contributed to the planning of the program. “It was a Southern Gospel star-studded night in Pigeon Forge at the Creekside Gospel Music Convention Diamond Awards. What a blessing to see so many artists and friends for the annual Awards show.  Although it was a lot of work, it was well worth it as the artists sang and the artists and industry professionals received their awards.â€
Rob Patz, CEO of Coastal Media Group and publisher of SGNScoops, commented, “The Diamond Awards are always a special time of honoring the Gospel artists that fill our world with the music we love,†said Patz. “It’s great to take this opportunity to thank them and to be able to share the ceremony with fans across the nation and the world by internet. We are grateful to Tim Lovelace, our special musical guests and t
o WATC for recording the Diamond Awards. We had a great time at the ceremony and we hope everyone will tune in and watch!”
“What an awesome night at the Diamond Awards at Creekside Gospel Music Convention 2014. What a blessing to be a part of such a great event!†said Vonda Easley, from Strictly Southern With Vonda Easley. Vonda is also a vocalist with Hope’s Journey and part of the SGN Scoops staff. “The music was amazing and the winners were deserving. I loved it!â€
Jonathan Edwards, from Faith’s Journey, is part of the Creekside crew and the voice of SGN Scoops Radio. He stated, “I am always thrilled at the amount of talent that is featured on the Diamond Award program and this year was no different. I am thankful for the opportunity to be a small part of this special event.â€
Lorraine Walker, acting editor of SGN Scoops digital magazine, was unable to be present but noted that a lot of work goes into the planning and execution of the Diamond Awards. “Many people have contributed to this year’s Diamond Awards event and I am thrilled that it was such a beautiful night. My thanks to the volunteers and staff of Creekside and SGN Scoops for making the Diamond Awards an exceptional evening. Congratulations to each of the very deserving winners!”
The 2014 Diamond Award Winners Are:
J.D. SUMNER LIVING LEGEND AWARD: Ed O’Neal
MIXED GROUP OF THE YEAR: Karen Peck and New River
QUARTET OF THE YEAR: Brian Free and Assurance
TRIO OF THE YEAR: Karen Peck and New River
DUET OF THE YEAR: Aaron and Amanda Crabb
FEMALE SOLOIST OF THE YEAR: Karen Peck Gooch
MALE SOLOIST OF THE YEAR: Jason Crabb
SUNRISE AWARD: 11th Hour
SONG OF THE YEAR: Revival – Karen Peck and New River
ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Revival – Karen Peck and New River
CHRISTIAN COUNTRY GROUP OF THE YEAR: The Freemans
CHRISTIAN COUNTRY FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Christy Sutherland
CHRISTIAN COUNTRY ALBUM OF THE YEAR: James and Jeff Easter – Like Father, Like Son
ANTHONY BURGER INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR: Gordon Mote
DOTTIE RAMBO SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR: Jeff Steele
BLUEGRASS GOSPEL ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Doyle Lawson & Quick Silver
VIDEO/DVD OF THE YEAR: Lead Me Home – The Freemans
FAVORITE ARTIST WEBSITE: LeFevre Quartet
FAVORITE INDUSTRY WEBSITE: Gospel Music Today
PAUL HEIL AWARD (Broadcasting): Ken and Jean Grady- Gospel Music Today
CHRISTIAN COUNTRY MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Jason Crabb
LOU HILDRETH AWARD: Tim Lovelace
PUBLISHER’S CHOICE AWARD: Donna Blackwood
The  Creekside Gospel Music Convention is being held now at the Smokey Mountain Convention Center, Pigeon Forge, Tennessee from November 3rd through 6th, 2014. The CGMC is presented by SGN Scoops and Coastal Media Group at Pigeon Forge and is the home of The Diamond Awards and other special events. For more information on Creekside Gospel Music Convention visit http://www.creeksidegospelmusicconvention.com/
Thanks to Robert York for the Diamond Awards pictures.
About SGNScoops: SGNScoops Digital is a fully-downloadable monthly magazine that exists to promote the gospel by unveiling what is intriguing and real about Southern Gospel and Christian Country music. SGNScoops offers music news and views as well as concert and book reviews, inspirational articles and features reaching beyond our gospel music world. SGNScoops is the home of the Diamond Awards, a fan-based annual awards program recognizing the best in Southern Gospel and Christian Country music. Â SGN Scoops is always digital, always free. For more information: http://www.sgnscoops.com/