Diamond Award Winners

For you Southern Gospel fans out there, here is a list of the 2006 Diamond Award winners as announced during the recently completed National Quartet Convention:

2006 Diamond Award Winners
The 2006 SGN Scoops Diamond Award Winners

J.D. Sumner Living Legend Award - Gloria Gaither
Group of the Year- Gaither Vocal Band
Trio of the Year - Karen Peck and New River
Duet of the Year - The McRaes
Soloist of the Year - Ivan Parker
Male Vocalist of the Year - Guy Penrod
Female Vocalist of the Year - Sonya Isaacs
Songwriter of the Year - Kirk Talley
Anthony Burger Instrumentalist of the Year - Anthony Burger
Sunrise Award - Sounds of Victory
Video of the Year - Gaither Video - Canadian Homecoming
Song of the Year - "I'm Amazed" - Jason Crabb and Brookly Tabernacle Choir
Album of the Year - Gaither Vocal Band - Give It Away
Lou Hildreth Award - Paul R.Boden
Paul Heil Award - Southern Spin Radio
Favorite Industry Website - Singing News http://www.singingnews.com
Favorite Artist Website - Mark Lowry - http://www.marklowry.com
Christian Comedian of the Year - Mark Lowry
Bluegrass Gospel Artist of the Year - The Isaacs
Impact Award - SoGospelNews.com

I am particularly happy for Guy Penrod, whom I feel is the best vocalist in southern gospel music, and perhaps ANY style of music, and for the incredible singer/mandolin player Sonya Isaacs and her great family band, the Isaacs, with whom I worked several concerts and interviews (both in studio and through telephone) back in my radio days.