Mark Five Records Releases Classic Catalog on Digital And Streaming Platforms

In the early 1990’s, Mark Five Records had a roster of young artists that would prove to be some of Gospel Music’s most popular groups. Groups like The Anchormen, The Martins, The Rochesters, recorded for the label. The label experienced their greatest success with Perfect Heart, whose debut single “Somebody Touched The Lord” raced up the charts to Number 1 and was the song of the year in 1991.

With the Perfect Heart Reunion that took place at the Memphis Quartet Show earlier this year, Mark Five owner Rick Sandidge had remastered some of the groups most popular songs and released them on a compilation cd, entitled Remastered. Recently, Sandidge has released many of the label’s recordings to digital sales outlets, such as iTunes and Amazon Music, as well as streaming services (Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora), including Perfect Heart’s first 5 albums (2 of which were never available on cd), as well as music from the artists I mentioned previously as well as solo recordings from Jeff Stice, Mark Lanier and Willie Wynn.

As someone who loves the history of our genre, one of my pet peeves is that much of the great music that was recorded by these artists has been unavailable/out of print for much too long. Thankfully, the release of the Mark Five Catalog is a great benefit to many fans who have desired to have a better quality product. It’s also beneficial to fans who totally missed out of this era of SG and they can now enjoy it.

Although there are currently no plans to release any of these recordings on cd, the Remastered cd is available to order by clicking here.

Southern Gospel Music Hall Of Fame Member “Little” Willie Wynn Releases New Solo Project

One of the most iconic voices to ever come along in Southern Gospel Music, “Little” Willie Wynn has made a name for himself throughout his career as one of the finest tenor singers to ever sing Gospel Music. Willie came to the attention of the Gospel Music world through his lengthy tenure with The Oak Ridge Boys,  from 1958 to 1973. Willie also sang with The Statesmen, and his own groups The Tennesseans and Sweetwater. His heartfelt singing and dynamic delivery made him a favorite of Gospel Music fans throughout his career.    In 2000, He was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame with the Oak Ridge Boys. Willie was also recognized for his contributions to Gospel Music and was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2011. He’s been called “The Tenor Singer’s Tenor Singer” and “The Man With A Million Friends”.

For the first time in a number of years, Willie went back into the studio to record a new solo project. That project, Willie Wynn and Friends, has just been released. Produced by Woody Wright, this recording features new arrangements of many of Willie’s most well known and loved songs,  like Mama’s Last Amen, My Friends, While I’m Here, What You’ve Done For Me, and many others. There are also new songs, including an autobiographical song called The Oak Ridge Boys & Me, featuring the group themselves on background vocals.

 

Also Ponder Sykes & Wright (who first sang together as members of Willie’s group, The Tennesseans) are featured on several songs, along with other former Tennesseans Elmer Cole and Dave Maddox. Bill Gaither, Ben Speer and Gene McDonald provide support vocals, as well as Willie’s great friends Darrell Holt, Gary Clark and J.T. Hicks from the group Sweetwater. The musician crew is a who’s who of some of Nashville finest players.

This is truly a recording that should be in the library of every Gospel Music fan. I’m looking forward to posting the Album Review in the coming weeks. To order this historic recording and hear samples from the project, visit www.williewynn.com.