The Singing News Fan Awards pre-awards dinner is held each year in a banquet room located upstairs in Freedom Hall. Lynne Brower wife of Phil Brower is the person who is in charge of the dinner. Lynne does an excellent job each year of having the room exquisitely decorated. She also handles the catering of the food for this buffet served occasion.
Dr. Wayne Rhear and his wife Judy of Jackson, TN, receive the Super Fan award from Singing News' Les Butler.Wayne and Judy are known throught out the industry for their love and unending support of our traveling groups of artists.
Current Singing News publisher Jim Cumbee presents former Singing News publisher Maurice Templeton with a silver clock to commemorate the time Maurice had invested in Southern Gospel Music and Singing News magazine.
Award host Paul Heil presents the Favorite Radio "Small Market" of the year award to John Whisnant of WCIS radio, Morganton NC
Singing News elite editorial staffers. L/R Editor -n- Chief (whatever that means) Jerry Kirksey, The "Recipe Queen" Carolyn Kirksey, and Editor Danny Jones all three showed up, mostly for the free dinner.
This is a tough audience for any singer, a room full of singers, musicians, DJ's, song writers, and media folks, but Kim Greene Hopper did not let the tough audience faze her. She blew them away with her beautiful and powerful voice.
This is the Brumley Gang from the badlands of Powell, MO. L/R Patriarch of the gang Mr. Bob Brumley, and sidekicks Micki and Daune Garren.
Kingdom Heir, Arthur Rice and wife Angie. Arthur and Angie are both connected with Dollywood. Arthur of course sings there and Aggie is a long time employee in the business office of Dollywood.
Aaron Wilborn and son Jim. Jim is an airline pilot. Ain't no way I would climb into an airplane with that kid flying the thing...... Especially knowing what kind of genes he's carrying.
Of all people I would have never believed anyone would ever catch 'Paul Heil" telling a fishy fairy tale.... Sheila said, " It got away anyway so no one will ever know the truth"
McCray Dove with his prize catch, daughter "Kaley."
Still on their honeymoon "??" Years later, Les and Frances Beasley. As mom would say, "I do declare that Frances don't ever age a minute."
To the thousands gathered at NQC for the Fan Awards Karen exclaimed, "I ain't no blonde." Rickey her husband told me, "That's right, she ain't no blonde, she's a brunette with a bleach job." Since Rickey is not only Karen's husband but also her hair stylist, I guess the old saying is true. 'Only your stylist knows for sure.'
More to Come.......later Jerry..... It's OK if you pray for my Mac.....
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