Louisville, KY - The SGMG (Southern Gospel Music Guild) recognized Booking Agency CEO, Beckie Simmons-Bates; Record Company Executive, Chris White and Syndicated Radio DJ, Paul Heil with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Honor at a special reception held during the 2009 National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky. SGMG President, Judy Nelon presented the honors where a group of industry friends and colleagues gathered to share in the special occasion. The afternoon celebration included congratulations and numerous stories from Gerald Wolfe; Singing News Editor-In-Chief, Jerry Kirksey; Jeff & Sheri Easter; Shelia Heil; BSA's Melinda Hames; Mickey Gamble; Steve French and Dr. Jerry Goff. The Lifetime Achievement Honor is given to an individual who exhibits and upholds the SGMG Mission Statement which states, "With Jesus Christ as our cornerstone, to create a cooperative environment designed to encourage excellence, education, awareness and growth, while preserving the essence of Southern Gospel Music" over a lifetime. Beckie, Chris and Paul concluded the event with separate speeches of appreciation to the southern gospel industry, their colleagues and the SGMG. The afternoon of recognition was sponsored by the SGMG.

Judy Nelon, SGMG president and organizer of the lifetime honor, stated, "The opportunity to highlight the work of our peers with the SGMG Lifetime Achievement Honor was especially fun this year with the honorees representing three of the most important roles in our industry: a talent agent, record label CEO and broadcaster. The VIP suite was filled with a diverse group of well wishers, and I am delighted with the three choices that have made significant contributions to the southern gospel music industry."

Beckie Simmons-Bates continued, "When your journey takes you in a particular direction that you feel is the roadmap for your life, you certainly never think of doing it with the goal of being recognized for it. My desire has always been to further this music that I so love. I am so grateful for those relationships that have made this all possible; the artists, staff, my family and peers, all of whom I have come to love and respect. It's easy to work with people who feel like family and that's what I feel we are--one big family--the family of God. To be honored in this way, by my peers, makes this so very special! Thanks to the SGMG and all of you for the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Honor. I am overwhelmed!"

Chris White added, "I would like to say that I was humbled to be honored in this way by our industry. It is somewhat overwhelming to realize I have been doing this long enough to receive a Lifetime Achievement Honor. There are hundreds of people to thank. I will just say I owe so much of my success to all the people around me. The artists, our staff and my partners Mickey Gamble along with Jeff and Vickie Collins. Certainly, my wife Kimberly has been so instrumental in keeping me balanced and encouraged for a lot of years. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to serve this industry and the building of his Kingdom through our music."

Paul Heil concluded, "I am deeply honored, yet humbled by this recognition from leaders in the Southern Gospel music industry through the Guild. God has certainly been good to Shelia and me over these past thirty years that we have been producing The Gospel Greats radio program and have been involved in Southern Gospel music in many other ways. We're delighted to be helping share the Gospel through some of the greatest music in the world. And we're honored to call so many artists and other industry people our friends and colleagues. To God be the glory. "

For more information on the SGMG, log on to <a href="http://www.sgmg.org" target="blank">www.sgmg.org</a>.