The Dysart Family

The Dysart Family, a family group from Missouri, offer Southern Gospel fans a diverse and powerful selection of music with their fine mixed quartet harmonies and unique family blend. Lewain and Lorena Dysart, and their five children, are thrilled to have the opportunity to share songs of worship with a greater audience with this first recording for the label.

Their song selections come from noted writers like Rodney Griffin (“Enjoy Your Day”) and Ben Storie (“Up and Away,” the first single). LeWain and daughter Kendra also contribute original titles like “He Will Be with You,” featuring Kendra’s powerful vocals, and “Jesus Speaks Peace,” a beautiful ballad about the comfort Christ offers.

LeWain Dysart comments on the new relationship with Crossroads: “The Lord has given our family the special privilege of sharing the gospel in song across the United States. My wife Lorena, our five children, and I, are delighted to be included in the Crossroads family of artists. Our prayer, where ever we go, is that as we worship our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, that all those present will join us.”

The album is available now for pre-order here.

At age fourteen, Barry Rowland started singing in the Rowlands with his uncle, Ron Martin, and his mother, legendary songwriter Kyla Rowland. Yet four years later, at eighteen, he ran away from home. He recalls, “I was basically running away from God; I was trying to get away from her and her preaching to me—her consistent discipline, references to the Bible. I felt like it was just being thrown down my throat, and I was running away from it.” He adds, “I didn’t realize at the time, in my immaturity and selfishness, how her heart was breaking.” Yet God used this in a way nobody could have predicted—for the night he ran away was the night his mother wrote the unforgettable anthem “One Scarred Hand.”

Four years later, “like the prodigal son,” he says, “I came back to myself, and began to build my relationship back with her and back with God.” He stayed off the road for several years; he was 25 before he started singing again in his home church, and 28 before he started singing again with his mother. After eight more years on the road with her, he launched Barry Rowland and Deliverance. “It was time,” he says, “to share what Christ has done in my life. Through four years of being in the hog pen, I have a testimony. I already had a testimony of salvation, but He really gave me a testimony of knowing who He is, through His mercy and grace.”

Crossroads Production Manager Jeff Collins states, “I’ve known Barry for several years through his mother Kyla as they recorded over the years here at Crossroads. But over this past year, through many good conversations, I’ve gained even more respect for this fine young man. His sincerity to honor the Lord in all he does, his attention to detail and his desire to lead people to Christ are all reasons we are thrilled to have Barry, Tammy, Shawn, and Venessa as part of our Crossroads recording family. Expect to see great things from this talented group!”

Barry Rowland expressed that he was looking forward to working with Crossroads, adding, “Through this, we’re praying and hoping that there’ll be no limits as to who can be reached and touched through our ministry.”

Their first CD with Crossroads will release in May 2011.

Back Row, Left to Right: Tammy Rowland, Shawn Rupert Seated, Left to Right: Barry Rowland, Jeff Collins

Tim Surrett (Kingsmen, Isaacs, Balsam Range) will be producing their Mountain Home debut. He offers: “I have known and watched the family grow musically over the last few years and am so impressed by their talents as musicians and individuals. They are a great group of folks and I am so excited about being part of this project.”

Grammy® Award-winning banjo player Marc Pruett adds: “Mountain Faith presents sincere Christian music in the best of acoustic formats. They bring joy to their listeners through their youthful approach and skilled technique. It is a blessing to have Mountain Faith in our music community.”

“After meeting with these great people and listening to their wonderful music,” shares Crossroads Production Manager Jeff Collins, “I was ready to get them on board to our Mountain Home label family. Go ahead and make a note of it—you will be hearing great things from Mountain Faith! With Tim Surrett producing, and with their inspiring song writing, Mountain Faith is poised to become a gospel bluegrass heavy hitter!”

Their Mountain Home debut project will release in May 2011.

Photo, bottom Row: L-R: Jeff Collins, Sam McMahan. Top Row L-R: Paul Harrigill, Summer Brooke McMahan, Brayden McMahan, John Morgan.

Singer / songwriter Mark Bishop has just signed a publishing agreement with Chris White Music and Asheville Music Publishing. This publishing agreement will begin with his May 2011 Sonlite Records release I Still Need Him.

During his years singing lead with The Bishops, Mark wrote numerous radio hits. His songs have continued to reach the top of the charts since he launched a solo career as a Sonlite Records artist in 2002.

Crossroads Production Manager Jeff Collins stated, “Mark is more a part of the family than he is one of our artists, and now to be able to bring him in as a writer just makes the relationship stronger.”

Greg Bentley, Director of Publishing for Chris White Music and Asheville Music Publishing, stated, “This is something I have been anticipating for a few years now. I’ve always enjoyed working with Mark on his projects to this point. Now to work with him on the publishing side is going to be exciting. Mark has a way of telling a story in song like no one else can. He can put a whole life story into four minutes, and it still makes sense! We look forward to working with Mark on getting his songs out to other artists and to the choral music world.”

Photo, Left to right: Greg Bentley, Jeff Collins, Mark Bishop

Several Christmas songs written for Southern Gospel artists often take a good bit of time to connect the Gospel with the Christmas story. “Love at First Sight” shows the listener exactly from where the true love comes, not from Hollywood as some may claim. The belief of love at first sight speaks of the connection with the Father’s eyes.

Check out the rest here.

“Love at First Sight” can be found on the Akins’ latest release, here. Thanks for the mention, Andy!

Click link to download http://crossroadsmusic.com/listen/

The Boxcars are Adam Steffey, Keith Garrett, Ron Stewart, Harold Nixon, and John Bowman and will be performing the new release all week at IBMA:

Tuesday 10:20 pm – IBMA Official Showcase

Tuesday 11:35 pm – Mast Farm Inn Showcase NCC #213-214

Wednesday 6:00 pm – CD Release Party (invitation only) Suite #2204

Wednesday 11:45-12:15 – Class Act Showcase – Suite #2204

Friday 4:00 pm–4:30pm Jam w/ members of The Boxcars – 3^rd floor

Friday 7:20 pm – FAN FEST

Also nominated this year is Balsam Range in the IBMA’s Emerging Artist of the Year category. The title track to their album, Last Train to Kitty Hawk was #1 on the BU chart last year and the band’s new release, Trains I Missed, will be available September 21st on the Mountain Home label.

Other exciting nominations include Adam Steffey for Mandolin Player of the Year and Ron Stewart in two individual musician categories, Banjo Player and Fiddle Player of the Year. Great job Adam and Ron!

Thanks to all of the voters for supporting these to fine groups and players.