Singing News Fan Awards for Favorite Musician
Encyclopedia
The Favorite Musician award is awarded yearly in the Singing News Fan Awards
ceremony to honor the musician Singing News
magazine readers select as their favorite that year.
won the award. In 1990, the award was renamed in Burger's honor, as the Favorite Instrumentalist / Anthony Burger Award. As part of this change, Burger handed out but was no longer eligible to win the award.
In the 1997 awards, the category was split into two. Up until 1997, a pianist had virtually always taken home the award; in 1997, the Favorite Musician award was re-structured to be handed out to any musician other than a pianist, while the pianist award became a separate category. In the 2007 awards, the categories were again combined.
Singing News Fan Awards
The Singing News Fan Awards is an annual award ceremony held on the Saturday night program of the National Quartet Convention and honors the achievements of professional Southern Gospel artists, songwriters and DJ's.-Award Selection:...
ceremony to honor the musician Singing News
Singing News
The Singing News is an American magazine which focuses on the Southern Gospel music industry....
magazine readers select as their favorite that year.
History
The award was instituted in the 1971 Fan Awards and included all musicians. It was renamed Favorite SG Instrumentalist in 1989, the tenth and final year Anthony BurgerAnthony Burger
Anthony John Burger was an American musician and singer, most closely associated with Southern Gospel music.-Early life:...
won the award. In 1990, the award was renamed in Burger's honor, as the Favorite Instrumentalist / Anthony Burger Award. As part of this change, Burger handed out but was no longer eligible to win the award.
In the 1997 awards, the category was split into two. Up until 1997, a pianist had virtually always taken home the award; in 1997, the Favorite Musician award was re-structured to be handed out to any musician other than a pianist, while the pianist award became a separate category. In the 2007 awards, the categories were again combined.
Favorite Musician (1971-1996)
- 1971: Howard Goodman, The Happy Goodman FamilyThe Happy Goodman FamilyThe Happy Goodman Family was a Southern Gospel group founded in the 1940s by Howard "Happy" Goodman.The Happy Goodman Family began to be known for their singing around 1950. During the 1940s and 1950s there were various combinations of all eight brothers and sisters, with Howard being constant...
- 1972: Howard Goodman, The Happy Goodman FamilyThe Happy Goodman FamilyThe Happy Goodman Family was a Southern Gospel group founded in the 1940s by Howard "Happy" Goodman.The Happy Goodman Family began to be known for their singing around 1950. During the 1940s and 1950s there were various combinations of all eight brothers and sisters, with Howard being constant...
- 1973: Martin Cook, The InspirationsThe InspirationsThe Inspirations are a professional Southern gospel quartet from Bryson City, North Carolina.-Career:The quartet began in 1964 when Martin Cook, a teacher at Swain County High School, invited several young men to his home for evenings of singing. Later they began traveling around the area and...
- 1974: Jimmy SwaggartJimmy SwaggartJimmy Lee Swaggart is a Pentecostal American pastor, teacher, musician, television host, and televangelist. He has preached to crowds around the world through his weekly telecast...
- 1975: Darrell Stewart, Florida BoysFlorida BoysThe Florida Boys Quartet is a Southern Gospel vocal quartet founded in about 1946 by J. G. Whitfield. Originally named The Gospel Melody Quartet, the group was re-named in 1954.- History :...
- 1976: Martin Cook, The InspirationsThe InspirationsThe Inspirations are a professional Southern gospel quartet from Bryson City, North Carolina.-Career:The quartet began in 1964 when Martin Cook, a teacher at Swain County High School, invited several young men to his home for evenings of singing. Later they began traveling around the area and...
- 1977: Darrell Stewart, Florida BoysFlorida BoysThe Florida Boys Quartet is a Southern Gospel vocal quartet founded in about 1946 by J. G. Whitfield. Originally named The Gospel Melody Quartet, the group was re-named in 1954.- History :...
- 1978: Darrell Stewart, Florida BoysFlorida BoysThe Florida Boys Quartet is a Southern Gospel vocal quartet founded in about 1946 by J. G. Whitfield. Originally named The Gospel Melody Quartet, the group was re-named in 1954.- History :...
- 1979: Tommy Fairchild, Blackwood Brothers
- 1980: Anthony BurgerAnthony BurgerAnthony John Burger was an American musician and singer, most closely associated with Southern Gospel music.-Early life:...
, The KingsmenThe Kingsmen QuartetThe Kingsmen Quartet is an American Christian music group.-Musical career:The Kingsmen are a Southern Gospel vocal quartet based out of Asheville, North Carolina. Many legends of Southern Gospel have been members of The Kingsmen... - 1981: Anthony BurgerAnthony BurgerAnthony John Burger was an American musician and singer, most closely associated with Southern Gospel music.-Early life:...
, The KingsmenThe Kingsmen QuartetThe Kingsmen Quartet is an American Christian music group.-Musical career:The Kingsmen are a Southern Gospel vocal quartet based out of Asheville, North Carolina. Many legends of Southern Gospel have been members of The Kingsmen... - 1982: Anthony BurgerAnthony BurgerAnthony John Burger was an American musician and singer, most closely associated with Southern Gospel music.-Early life:...
, The KingsmenThe Kingsmen QuartetThe Kingsmen Quartet is an American Christian music group.-Musical career:The Kingsmen are a Southern Gospel vocal quartet based out of Asheville, North Carolina. Many legends of Southern Gospel have been members of The Kingsmen... - 1983: Anthony BurgerAnthony BurgerAnthony John Burger was an American musician and singer, most closely associated with Southern Gospel music.-Early life:...
, The KingsmenThe Kingsmen QuartetThe Kingsmen Quartet is an American Christian music group.-Musical career:The Kingsmen are a Southern Gospel vocal quartet based out of Asheville, North Carolina. Many legends of Southern Gospel have been members of The Kingsmen... - 1984: Anthony BurgerAnthony BurgerAnthony John Burger was an American musician and singer, most closely associated with Southern Gospel music.-Early life:...
, The KingsmenThe Kingsmen QuartetThe Kingsmen Quartet is an American Christian music group.-Musical career:The Kingsmen are a Southern Gospel vocal quartet based out of Asheville, North Carolina. Many legends of Southern Gospel have been members of The Kingsmen... - 1985: Anthony BurgerAnthony BurgerAnthony John Burger was an American musician and singer, most closely associated with Southern Gospel music.-Early life:...
, The KingsmenThe Kingsmen QuartetThe Kingsmen Quartet is an American Christian music group.-Musical career:The Kingsmen are a Southern Gospel vocal quartet based out of Asheville, North Carolina. Many legends of Southern Gospel have been members of The Kingsmen... - 1986: Anthony BurgerAnthony BurgerAnthony John Burger was an American musician and singer, most closely associated with Southern Gospel music.-Early life:...
, The KingsmenThe Kingsmen QuartetThe Kingsmen Quartet is an American Christian music group.-Musical career:The Kingsmen are a Southern Gospel vocal quartet based out of Asheville, North Carolina. Many legends of Southern Gospel have been members of The Kingsmen... - 1987: Anthony BurgerAnthony BurgerAnthony John Burger was an American musician and singer, most closely associated with Southern Gospel music.-Early life:...
, The KingsmenThe Kingsmen QuartetThe Kingsmen Quartet is an American Christian music group.-Musical career:The Kingsmen are a Southern Gospel vocal quartet based out of Asheville, North Carolina. Many legends of Southern Gospel have been members of The Kingsmen... - 1988: Anthony BurgerAnthony BurgerAnthony John Burger was an American musician and singer, most closely associated with Southern Gospel music.-Early life:...
, The KingsmenThe Kingsmen QuartetThe Kingsmen Quartet is an American Christian music group.-Musical career:The Kingsmen are a Southern Gospel vocal quartet based out of Asheville, North Carolina. Many legends of Southern Gospel have been members of The Kingsmen... - 1989: Anthony BurgerAnthony BurgerAnthony John Burger was an American musician and singer, most closely associated with Southern Gospel music.-Early life:...
, The KingsmenThe Kingsmen QuartetThe Kingsmen Quartet is an American Christian music group.-Musical career:The Kingsmen are a Southern Gospel vocal quartet based out of Asheville, North Carolina. Many legends of Southern Gospel have been members of The Kingsmen... - 1990: Gary Jones, Gold CityGold CityGold City is an American Christian music group that is based in Gadsden, Alabama.-Early years:The Mississippi-based Christianairs were renamed Gold City in Dahlonega, Georgia at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve to begin the year 1980 with bass Dallas Gilliland, tenor Bob Oliver, lead singer...
- 1991: Gary Jones, Gold CityGold CityGold City is an American Christian music group that is based in Gadsden, Alabama.-Early years:The Mississippi-based Christianairs were renamed Gold City in Dahlonega, Georgia at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve to begin the year 1980 with bass Dallas Gilliland, tenor Bob Oliver, lead singer...
- 1992: Jeff Stice, Perfect Heart
- 1993: Roger BennettRoger BennettRoger Bennett was an Arrernte man from Central Australia, an actor, and a playwright. His best known works are Up the Ladder and Funerals and Circuses....
, Cathedral QuartetCathedral QuartetThe Cathedral Quartet, often known as simply The Cathedrals, was an American southern gospel quartet that lasted from 1964 until their retirement in 1999.... - 1994: Roger BennettRoger BennettRoger Bennett was an Arrernte man from Central Australia, an actor, and a playwright. His best known works are Up the Ladder and Funerals and Circuses....
, Cathedral QuartetCathedral QuartetThe Cathedral Quartet, often known as simply The Cathedrals, was an American southern gospel quartet that lasted from 1964 until their retirement in 1999.... - 1995: Roger BennettRoger BennettRoger Bennett was an Arrernte man from Central Australia, an actor, and a playwright. His best known works are Up the Ladder and Funerals and Circuses....
, Cathedral QuartetCathedral QuartetThe Cathedral Quartet, often known as simply The Cathedrals, was an American southern gospel quartet that lasted from 1964 until their retirement in 1999.... - 1996: Roger BennettRoger BennettRoger Bennett was an Arrernte man from Central Australia, an actor, and a playwright. His best known works are Up the Ladder and Funerals and Circuses....
, Cathedral QuartetCathedral QuartetThe Cathedral Quartet, often known as simply The Cathedrals, was an American southern gospel quartet that lasted from 1964 until their retirement in 1999....
Favorite Musician (non-pianist) (1997-2006)
- 1997: Steve "Rabbit" Easter (steel guitarist)
- 1998: Steve "Rabbit" Easter (steel guitarist)
- 1999: Steve "Rabbit" Easter (steel guitarist)
- 2000: Steve "Rabbit" Easter (steel guitarist)
- 2001: Mike Hopper, The HoppersThe HoppersThe Hoppers are a Southern Gospel group from North Carolina.The Hoppers are a family ensemble which first began performing together in 1957. They appeared at the inauguration ceremony for Ronald Reagan in 1981...
(drummerDrummerA drummer is a musician who is capable of playing drums, which includes but is not limited to a drum kit and accessory based hardware which includes an assortment of pedals and standing support mechanisms, marching percussion and/or any musical instrument that is struck within the context of a...
) - 2002: Roger Fortner, The McKameysThe McKameysThe McKameys are a professional Southern Gospel group based in Clinton, Tennessee, who record on the Horizon Records label.The McKameys are Ruben and Peg Bean, Sheryl Farris, Connie Fortner, Roger Fortner, Eli Fortner...
(lead guitarist) - 2003: Tim Lovelace
- 2004: Tim Surrett, The KingsmenThe Kingsmen QuartetThe Kingsmen Quartet is an American Christian music group.-Musical career:The Kingsmen are a Southern Gospel vocal quartet based out of Asheville, North Carolina. Many legends of Southern Gospel have been members of The Kingsmen...
- 2005: Tim Surrett, The KingsmenThe Kingsmen QuartetThe Kingsmen Quartet is an American Christian music group.-Musical career:The Kingsmen are a Southern Gospel vocal quartet based out of Asheville, North Carolina. Many legends of Southern Gospel have been members of The Kingsmen...
- 2006: John Pfeifer, Pfeifers (trumpeter)
Favorite Pianist (1997-2006)
- 1997: Roger BennettRoger BennettRoger Bennett was an Arrernte man from Central Australia, an actor, and a playwright. His best known works are Up the Ladder and Funerals and Circuses....
, Cathedral QuartetCathedral QuartetThe Cathedral Quartet, often known as simply The Cathedrals, was an American southern gospel quartet that lasted from 1964 until their retirement in 1999.... - 1998: Roger BennettRoger BennettRoger Bennett was an Arrernte man from Central Australia, an actor, and a playwright. His best known works are Up the Ladder and Funerals and Circuses....
, Cathedral QuartetCathedral QuartetThe Cathedral Quartet, often known as simply The Cathedrals, was an American southern gospel quartet that lasted from 1964 until their retirement in 1999.... - 1999: Roger BennettRoger BennettRoger Bennett was an Arrernte man from Central Australia, an actor, and a playwright. His best known works are Up the Ladder and Funerals and Circuses....
, Cathedral QuartetCathedral QuartetThe Cathedral Quartet, often known as simply The Cathedrals, was an American southern gospel quartet that lasted from 1964 until their retirement in 1999.... - 2000: Roger BennettRoger BennettRoger Bennett was an Arrernte man from Central Australia, an actor, and a playwright. His best known works are Up the Ladder and Funerals and Circuses....
, Legacy FiveLegacy FiveLegacy Five is a Southern Gospel Quartet founded by former Cathedral Quartet members Roger Bennett and Scott Fowler after the owners of the Cathedral Quartet, Glen Payne and George Younce, decided to retire in 1999. Group members attribute their success to the changing face of gospel music and... - 2001: Roger BennettRoger BennettRoger Bennett was an Arrernte man from Central Australia, an actor, and a playwright. His best known works are Up the Ladder and Funerals and Circuses....
, Legacy FiveLegacy FiveLegacy Five is a Southern Gospel Quartet founded by former Cathedral Quartet members Roger Bennett and Scott Fowler after the owners of the Cathedral Quartet, Glen Payne and George Younce, decided to retire in 1999. Group members attribute their success to the changing face of gospel music and... - 2002: Roger BennettRoger BennettRoger Bennett was an Arrernte man from Central Australia, an actor, and a playwright. His best known works are Up the Ladder and Funerals and Circuses....
, Legacy FiveLegacy FiveLegacy Five is a Southern Gospel Quartet founded by former Cathedral Quartet members Roger Bennett and Scott Fowler after the owners of the Cathedral Quartet, Glen Payne and George Younce, decided to retire in 1999. Group members attribute their success to the changing face of gospel music and... - 2003: Roger BennettRoger BennettRoger Bennett was an Arrernte man from Central Australia, an actor, and a playwright. His best known works are Up the Ladder and Funerals and Circuses....
, Legacy FiveLegacy FiveLegacy Five is a Southern Gospel Quartet founded by former Cathedral Quartet members Roger Bennett and Scott Fowler after the owners of the Cathedral Quartet, Glen Payne and George Younce, decided to retire in 1999. Group members attribute their success to the changing face of gospel music and... - 2004: Roger BennettRoger BennettRoger Bennett was an Arrernte man from Central Australia, an actor, and a playwright. His best known works are Up the Ladder and Funerals and Circuses....
, Legacy FiveLegacy FiveLegacy Five is a Southern Gospel Quartet founded by former Cathedral Quartet members Roger Bennett and Scott Fowler after the owners of the Cathedral Quartet, Glen Payne and George Younce, decided to retire in 1999. Group members attribute their success to the changing face of gospel music and... - 2005: Roger BennettRoger BennettRoger Bennett was an Arrernte man from Central Australia, an actor, and a playwright. His best known works are Up the Ladder and Funerals and Circuses....
, Legacy FiveLegacy FiveLegacy Five is a Southern Gospel Quartet founded by former Cathedral Quartet members Roger Bennett and Scott Fowler after the owners of the Cathedral Quartet, Glen Payne and George Younce, decided to retire in 1999. Group members attribute their success to the changing face of gospel music and... - 2006: Roger BennettRoger BennettRoger Bennett was an Arrernte man from Central Australia, an actor, and a playwright. His best known works are Up the Ladder and Funerals and Circuses....
, Legacy FiveLegacy FiveLegacy Five is a Southern Gospel Quartet founded by former Cathedral Quartet members Roger Bennett and Scott Fowler after the owners of the Cathedral Quartet, Glen Payne and George Younce, decided to retire in 1999. Group members attribute their success to the changing face of gospel music and...
Favorite Musician (2007-today)
- 2007: Roger BennettRoger Bennett (Southern Gospel performer)Roger Bennett was a Southern Gospel pianist, singer, songwriter, and co-founder of the award winning Gospel Quartet Legacy Five. Prior to forming Legacy Five, he served nearly 20 years as pianist for The Cathedrals....
, Legacy FiveLegacy FiveLegacy Five is a Southern Gospel Quartet founded by former Cathedral Quartet members Roger Bennett and Scott Fowler after the owners of the Cathedral Quartet, Glen Payne and George Younce, decided to retire in 1999. Group members attribute their success to the changing face of gospel music and... - 2008: Jeff Stice, Triumphant QuartetTriumphant QuartetThe Triumphant Quartet is a United States Southern Gospel group that performed at the The Miracle Theater in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. They sang at the theater from 2003–2005, when it was known as The Louise Mandrell Theater...
- 2009: Jeff Stice, Triumphant QuartetTriumphant QuartetThe Triumphant Quartet is a United States Southern Gospel group that performed at the The Miracle Theater in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. They sang at the theater from 2003–2005, when it was known as The Louise Mandrell Theater...
- 2010: Jeff Stice, Triumphant QuartetTriumphant QuartetThe Triumphant Quartet is a United States Southern Gospel group that performed at the The Miracle Theater in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. They sang at the theater from 2003–2005, when it was known as The Louise Mandrell Theater...