Singing News Fan Awards © Singing News

Each year, thousands of Singing News subscribers make their choices known during the annual balloting.
The actual Award Ceremony is held each September during the National Quartet Convention
 at Louisville's Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center's Freedom Hall.

for the votes of confidence which has been so graciously demonstrated to us so many times over the years by the Singing News subscribers.

Favorite Bass, 2008 ~ Mike Holcomb

Favorite Southern Gospel Song
I Have Not Forgotten ~ Inspirations

.Our prayer is that we may continue to earn and deserve your trust.

We also thank you for the confidence in the Inspirations
which was so graciously demonstrated to us by the
Singing News Fan Awards presented in 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006 & 2008.

2006 Favorite Southern Gospel Traditional Male Quartet

Favorite Male Quartet, 2005 ~ Inspirations ~
Favorite Bass, 2005 ~ Mike Holcomb ~

Favorite Gospel Album ~ 2004 ~ Singing News Fan Awards
'The Journey Ahead'

Favorite Gospel Song ~ 2003 ~ Singing News Fan Awards
'We Need to Thank God' ~ Inspirations ~
from the recording Highway To Heaven
Writers: Niles Borop & Jeff Steele (Centergy Music Group)

Marvin Norcross Award ~ Martin Cook ~ Inspirations 

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Join us in Louisville for the National Quartet Convention

Related Stories Below

Behind The Scenes: The Highway To Heaven Photoshoot

Guess whose 1955 Chevrolet Belair Coupe this is!
Hint #1: The owner is one of the Inspirations' best buddies.
Hint #2: His wife likes to jog, and that's her in the distance in the next pic below.
Hint #3: We think she's a very special lady!
Hint #4: A lot of SGM fans think she's pretty special, too!
Hint #5: We think he must be, too, to drive this pure vintage car in from
another state the evening before the shoot! (get it? PURE VINTAGE! LOL)
~ See answer below ~

Who says photoshoots are easy?
Actually, the morning's work was hot,
but otherwise relatively painless
as Wendy and her crew worked quickly
and professionally .

The crew provided plenty of towels
to keep the ole bearhunter's head-shine
at a minimum and plenty of bottled water
to replace the shine! LOL

Thankfully, the Chevy owners
just naturally look good!
ANSWER: Thanks, Ruben & Peg > >

   The Inspirations have never been known for having the flashiest covers or photos on their recordings, but with their move to the Crossroads Music Group, the folks at Horizon Records decided to do something about changing that.

    And what a change! First, the creative production staff chose a name for the recording which captures the feel of the songs the boys chose: PURE VINTAGE. The next step was to translate the concept of "Pure Vintage" into a suitable photograph for the tray cards.

    After scouting several locations, the idea of shooting the actual photos in a fifties-style diner seemed the perfect solution. A Diner located near the Crossroads Building was approached about a possible shoot.

    Thankfully, the owner agreed; so the photographers, the Inspirations, and the Crossroads team climbed on the Inspirations bus and drove to the location.

    The Inspirations have always dressed alike, so the Crossroads production staff told the boys to put on their Carolina blue suits and hurry inside. Of course, some of the Inspirations have a little trouble hurrying, but this gave the Diner's staff time to prepare a few props for the shoot, delectable "genuine 50's style" milkshakes complete with cherries resting on top of mounds of whipped cream.

    Within a few minutes everyone was gathered inside, but no one had told the boys that the milkshakes were meant to be props. Assuming that the shakes were meant for refreshment,   the Inspirations quickly shucked the wrappers off the straws and began to enjoy the unexpected bonus.

    By the time the staff saw what was happening, it was waaaaay too late; so when you see the CD and cassettes covers, you will see only the remnants of some of the best real ice cream shakes ever made since the 50s! The next time you see the boys at a concert, you will notice that the shakes were "calorie free"! (NOTE: Yeah, right! LOL)
.

Related Stories Below

   The folks at Sugar Daddy's Diner near Arden, NC (which now sadly has closed) couldn't have been more patient or kind as the Inspirations, the PR Staff for Crossroads/Horizon and the photographers descended on the 50's style diner for a photoshoot for the Inspirations first Horizon recording.

   NOTE: There was a vintage car rally the day we returned to make these photos, and our camera lens only allowed us to capture the ones which were parked nearest the entrance.
Pure Vintage.

 ARDEN, NC (Crossroads Press Release)    Southern Gospel's multi-award winning group, The Inspirations, announce the release of their debut project on Horizon Records. Their first Horizon project, "Pure Vintage," was released on August 7, 2001.

    "Pure Vintage" features a new line-up of songs recorded in the traditional manner, and they provide the musical consistency that the Inspirations have carried for almost forty years.

    "Year after year we have seen the many changes that have occurred throughout Southern Gospel Music," said Martin Cook, original member and pianist for the group. "We have been the line that has been drawn right down the middle. We've seen gospel go above the line and below the line, but we have been right up the middle."

    It has been the group's practically unchanged, non-tainted and enduring sound that has withstood the test of time that represents the name of their latest release. "Pure Vintage" is the debut project for the Inspirations since signing on with Horizon Records.

    Mike Holcomb, bass for the Inspirations, summed the new collaboration this way,: "We are thrilled to be with Horizon Records because they will broaden our reach. We are not good at sales, promotion or making it look good. That is why we felt it was a good move to sign on with Horizon Records."

Behind The Scenes: The Inspirations At the Studio

[ Eva Mae LeFevre ] [ S/N Fan Awards ] [ Singing at Sea ] [ 40th Year Celebration ] [ Abraham & Red ] [ Byron Fouty: True Hero ] [ Guest Opinion ] [ SGMA ] [ Email Hoaxes & Scams ]

[ THE INSPIRATIONS ] [ Insps Tour Schedule ] [ Inspirations Press Info ] [ Family & Friends Tour ] [ Inspirations News ] [ Singing In The Smokies ] [ ORDER INFO ] [ CDs~DVDs~Music, etc ] [ ONLINE MUSEUM ] [ THE CHAPEL ] [ Ministry Links ] [ Southern Gospel Links ] [ About HeavensEdge ] [ FUNNY PAGES ]