WHAT’S INSIDE:
Q&A with
David Smallbone
of Smallbone
Management
INDUSTRY Q&A: David Smallbone,
Smallbone Management
By Michael Nolan
News
Celebrations
and Milestones
Radio Movement
Appearances
in Film/TV
Top Adult
Contemporary Songs
Top Gospel Songs
Top Rock Songs
Overall Chart Toppers
Top Artists
on Social Media
For more than 40
years, David Smallbone
of Smallbone
Management has been
a steadfast presence
in Christian music
circles. David began
his early career in the
industry as a concert
promoter in his
homeland of Australia
before organically
David Smallbone (center) with the Smallbone family
transitioning to artist
management, thanks to his talented brood of kids. Starting with daughter Rebecca St.
James and continuing today with sons Joel and Luke’s band for KING & COUNTRY, David’s
management style has always emphasized quality of ministry over quantity of sales. We
took time to talk with David about lessons learned and coming attractions.
Though you’ve been successful for decades now, your early days were quite different.
Smallbone: The first two years were really hard for us in America. (Continued...)
Movement
New Day Christian
Distributors and Word
Entertainment entered into an
exclusive distribution relationship.
Effective Jan. 2, 2017, all new releases
and catalog titles from Word
Entertainment will be exclusively
distributed in the physical format
to Christian retail by New Day.
The agreement extends to Word
Entertainment’s record and film
partners and all artists on the Word
and Curb Christian rosters.
NEWS
Centricity Music announced a
partnership with North Point Music,
a division of North Point Community
GOSPELMUSIC.ORG
Church in Atlanta, Ga. Centricity will
release three new worship projects
from North Point Music worship
leaders, musicians and songwriters
in 2017.
Integrity Music extended its longtime
writing and recording relationship
with Darlene Zschech. The renowned
worship leader and songwriter will
release a new album in March.
First Company Management
welcomed Jason Davis as artist
manager and partner. Davis was
previously the founder and president of
One One 7 Entertainment and partner
and co-founder of Los Angeles-based
Radar Label Group.
Full Circle Music announced the return
of its popular Music Makers Bootcamp,
slated to take place at the legendary
Sound Kitchen Studios in Franklin,
Tenn., Jan. 26-28.
Matthew West launched the Story
House Collective poised to provide
storytellers, artists, songwriters, authors
and other creatives the opportunity
to tell their stories through a variety
of mediums. The multifaceted media
company will also house West’s
nonprofit ministry, popwe.
DECEMBER 2016
Movement
J. David Huffman joined Worthy
Media Group, parent entity of Worthy
Publishing, to launch the company’s
new Live Events division. Huffman
was previously co-owner of Creative
Trust, where he worked with artists like
Steven Curtis Chapman and Third Day.
Tampa-based Financial Guidance
Group, Inc. (FGG) opened a Nashville
branch located at 710 Evans Street,
Franklin, Tenn. The family-owned
financial planning company will
provide the same client-centered
service they are known for in the
Tampa area with an added emphasis
on helping musicians, producers and
others in the entertainment industry.
Rejoice! MSF (Musical
Soul Food Radio
Network) signed an
exclusive syndication
and sales deal with
Gospel icon Hezekiah
Walker.
NRT Radio Network launched two
new radio stations: NRT Radio Positive,
a groundbreaking format that spins
positive and clean mainstream songs
alongside general market-friendly
Christian music; and RadioGC, the
first and only radio format of its kind
that combines Christian, mainstream
Country and Southern Gospel.
Alt-pop duo
Shinebright
announced that
they will cease
to record and
tour. Their final
concert took place in November.
Newly established music company D3
Entertainment inked a distribution
deal with Sony/Provident Distribution.
D3 Music Group plans to sign artists,
record and release new music
and provide creative oversight of
specialized projects.
Sam Fisher joined Maximum Artist
Management. Fisher brings his
own roster of artists to the growing
management company, including
GOSPELMUSIC.ORG
KB, Seth & Nirva, Hank Murphy and
author/speaker D.A. Horton.
Songwriter/producer
Seth Mosley renewed
his exclusive contract
with Centricity
Publishing.
Full Circle Music announced the
launch of publishing company Songs
for FCM, led by GRAMMY®-winning
producer Seth Mosley. The company
signed its first artist, former Sanctus
Real lead singer Matt Hammitt, and
will operate under Kobalt Music
Publishing Global. The company also
recently signed Riley Friesen to a
publishing deal.
Veteran Christian music booking agent
Scott Huie announced the Brentwood
relocation of his H20 Artist Agency
after more than 20 years in Atlanta. The
move marks Huie’s return as exclusive
booking agent for Newsboys, whom
he previously represented for more
than 15 years. The agency’s roster also
includes Peter Furler, Ryan Stevenson,
Rush of Fools, Seventh Day Slumber,
Trevor Morgan, Classic Imperials and
Karyn Williams.
Provident Music Group announced
the promotion of Ben Howard, who
previously served as Senior Vice
President for the film division, to
Executive Vice President of Provident
Films.
New York-based RCA Inspiration
announced a shift to begin operations
in Nashville under the umbrella of
Provident Music Group. The label also
recently named veteran entertainment
executive Phil Thornton as Senior
Vice President and General Manager.
Thornton will be based out of the
Nashville office.
PledgeMusic officially acquired
NoiseTrade. The deal includes
NoiseTrade founder Derek Webb’s
appointment as PledgeMusic’s
Nashville General Manager.
CELEBRATIONS/MILESTONES
Kim Walker-Smith announced that
she and her husband are expecting
their third child next summer.
NEEDTOBREATHE’s
Josh Lovelace and
his wife, Whitney,
welcomed their second
child and first daughter
Nov. 16. Margo James
was born in Lovelace’s
hometown of Knoxville, Tenn.
“American Idol” Season 8 finalist Scott
MacIntyre and his wife, Christina,
welcomed their first child Sept. 21.
They named their son Christian, who
weighed in at 6 lbs., 6 oz.
Integrity Music songwriter and artist
Travis Ryan and his wife, Hayley,
welcomed their fourth child. Their
daughter, Monroe Grace, was born
Sept. 20.
Thousand Foot Krutch
frontman Trevor
McNevan and wife Erin
welcomed their second
child June 17. Jade
Autumn Lynn McNevan
weighed 7 lbs., 14 oz.
and joins big brother Cohen (3).
Multi-Platinum selling Casting Crowns
reached a significant milestone,
surpassing 10 million albums sold to
date.
The record-breaking debut from
Lauren Daigle, How Can It Be, recently
achieved Gold status.
MercyMe celebrated another RIAA
Gold certification as 2014’s Welcome
To The New hit the half-million mark
becoming the band’s sixth Gold album,
in addition to a double Platinum
album and a Platinum video.
DECEMBER 2016
Movement
Chris Tomlin’s version
of “Good, Good Father”
was recently certified
Gold by the RIAA. His
popular Worship Nights
in America tour will
expand to a nationwide outing in 2017.
Tenth Avenue North received its first
Gold certification for the band’s debut
album, Over and Underneath.
Anomaly, 2014’s career-defining album
from Lecrae, was certified Gold by the
RIAA.
Hillsong UNITED’s 2013 album, Zion, was
recognized with RIAA Gold certification
for more than 500,000 in sales. The
album includes Platinum-selling song
“Oceans (Where Feet May Fail).”
Skillet’s 2013 album, Rise, received
RIAA Gold certification. In addition, the
band’s 2006 release, Comatose, was
certified Platinum by the RIAA—their
second Platinum album alongside
2009’s Awake.
NewSong is celebrating the 15th
anniversary of the group’s No. 1 pop
smash “The Christmas Shoes.” In
honor of the milestone, the group
released The Best Christmas Ever! and
is currently sharing seasonal tunes on
their annual Very Merry Christmas Tour
alongside Matthew West, Love & The
Outcome and more.
Ivan Parker was named Favorite Soloist
at this year’s Singing News Fan Awards,
marking his 14th Favorite Soloist honor.
Big Daddy Weave was honored with
the Rich Mullins Artist Impact Award
GOSPELMUSIC.ORG
for their longtime contributions to
the music and ministry of Christian
radio at the annual Christian Radio
Broadcasters (CMB) conference.
Skillet recently became
RADIO
the first Christian
band to hit No. 1 on the Mainstream
Rock Chart when their single “Feel
Invincible” reached the top spot.
Casting Crowns garnered their 11th No.
1 single at radio with “One Step Away”
from their latest chart-topping studio
project, The Very Next Thing.
Grammy®-nominated singer/songwriter
Ryan Stevenson’s single, “Eye of the
Storm,” (feat. GabeReal) marked Gotee
Records’ first No. 1 on Billboard’s
National Christian Audience and
Mediabase Christian Audience charts.
Jeremy Camp was honored by
Billboard as the solo artist with
the most No. 1 songs on Billboard’s
Christian Airplay Chart. Camp garnered
his ninth No. 1 hit on the chart with
“Christ In Me.”
Salem Media Group’s “Today’s
Christian Music Network” is adding
the Kevin and Taylor Morning Show
to its lineup. Kevin and Taylor will be
heard from 7am to 10am throughout
the Christmas music season before
launching full-time into a five-hour
morning drive slot in early January.
Salem appoints Jeff Mitchell General
Manager for Dallas stations.
Jenn Manning joins KSBJ/Houston
as Senior Director, Special Events and
Ticket Servant.
Salem Media Group announced
today that Gregg Stiansen has been
appointed as General Manager for its
Philadelphia cluster of radio stations
(WFIL-AM and WNTP-AM).
WRVL/Lynchburg (The Journey)
GM Barry Armstrong is retiring.
The Journey PD Mike Weston will
become GM.
Alan Mason is upped from Chief
Operating Officer to President at EMF
overseeing KLOVE and Air1.
EMF is purchasing WETN/Wheaton,
Illinois (250w at 88.1 in western
Chicago) for $150k. The seller is
Wheaton College. It’s expected
WETN will flip to Air1 early next year.
KNWI/Des Moines (Life 107.1) has
filled its Program Director opening by
promoting Morning Show Host Taylor
Hohulin to PD.
WONU/Chicago (Shine.FM) will launch
Spark 98.7 HD3, a new Hot CHR format
on December 1st.
Moody Global Ministries has broken
ground for the construction of the
Chapman Center on the Chicago
campus. The four-story, 50,000-squarefoot building will primarily serve as
Moody’s global media center, and
home to Moody Radio.
WMIT/Asheville (106.9 The Light) and
WFGW/Knoxville (106.7 The Light)
were named recipients of the NRB
2017 Milestone Award.
Radio Movement Provided by
HisAir.net
APPEARANCES IN FILM/TV
Lauren Daigle is slated to perform on
“Good Morning America” Dec. 29. This
follows her national television debut on
NBC’s “TODAY” show.
The Isaacs recently made an
appearance on “FOX & Friends” sharing
music from the group’s new album,
Nature’s Symphony in 432.
“Through Your Eyes,” the latest No. 1
single from Britt Nicole, can now be
heard on Forever 21’s in-store playlist
throughout their 723 locations around
the globe.
Former Gotee Records artist JamieGrace was brought onstage to sing
with Adele at one of the British
vocalist’s recent tour stops at the
Staples Center in Los Angeles.
DECEMBER 2016
s
2017 GRAMMY® Nominee
Nominees for the 59th Annual GRAMMY® Awards were announced Tuesday, Dec. 6. Winners will be
announced Feb. 12 at the 2017 award show in Los Angeles. Congrats to all of the Gospel/Christian nominees!
BEST GOSPEL
PERFORMANCE/SONG
“It’s Alright, It’s
OK,” Shirley Caesar
feat. Anthony
Hamilton
“You’re Bigger
[Live],”
Jekalyn Carr
“Made A Way
[Live],”
Travis Greene
“God Provides,”
Tamela Mann
BEST
CONTEMPORARY
CHRISTIAN MUSIC
PERFORMANCE/SONG
BEST
GOSPEL ALBUM
“Trust In You,”
Lauren Daigle
Listen,
Tim Bowman, Jr.
“Priceless,” for
KING & COUNTRY
Fill This House,
Shirley Caesar
“King of
the World,”
Natalie Grant
A Worshipper’s
Heart [Live],
Todd Dulaney
Be One,
Natalie Grant
Losing My
Religion,
Kirk Franklin
Youth Revival
[Live], Hillsong
Young & Free
Demonstrate
[Live],
William Murphy
Love Remains,
Hillary Scott &
The Scott Family
“Thy Will,”
Hillary Scott &
The Scott Family
“Chain Breaker,”
Zach Williams
“Better,”
Hezekiah Walker
The family pitched in doing things like mowing lawns,
cleaning houses, raking leaves. At that point, I was 40 years
old and had been in music in some form for 25 years, starting
in bands. When Rebecca’s thing started to hit, we went on
the road together because we were sick of being apart. My
youngest son, Josh, was six or seven, and we had to put
him on a chair so he could run the spotlight. We threw [our
children] in the deep end by necessity.
Although your wife, Helen, maintains a relatively lowprofile, she’s really been involved all along.
Smallbone: When we were struggling, she would get a call
from her mother once a month and, through tears, her mum
GOSPELMUSIC.ORG
BEST
CONTEMPORARY
CHRISTIAN MUSIC
ALBUM
BEST ROOTS
GOSPEL ALBUM
Poets & Saints,
All Sons &
Daughters
Better Together,
Gaither Vocal
Band
American Prodigal,
Crowder
Nature’s
Symphony In 432,
The Isaacs
Hymns,
Joey+Rory
Gordon Mote
Sings Hymns
and Songs
of Inspiration,
Gordon Mote
God Don’t Never
Change: The
Songs of Blind
Willie Johnson,
Various Artists
would say, “It’s not working in America. It’s time to come
home.” But it wasn’t [laughs]. She always supported me,
always believed. She’s really the hero in this whole thing—
aside from the fact that she wanted to have seven children
with me [laughing]. She was willing to live hand-to-mouth for
basically three years.
Now for KING & COUNTRY is tremendously popular. Is
your approach significantly different than it was when
you started?
Smallbone: I do devotionals most nights on the road, and my
challenge is “let’s aim for excellence in what we do, but let’s
be faithful in the small and large.” That means that ministry
DECEMBER 2016
Social Media
TOP 20 ARTISTS ON FACEBOOK
TOP 20 ARTISTS ON TWITTER
TOP 20 ARTISTS ON INSTAGRAM
Tercer Cielo
16,463,388
Ricardo Montaner
7,914,286
Hillsong United
1,393,263
Jesus Adrian Romero
10,924,851
Juan Luis Guerra
6,767,868
Erica Campbell
1,294,108
Thalles Robertoo
9,049,958
Thalles Robertoo
1,294,946
Lecrae
1,042,221
Alex Campos
7,654,512
Kirk Franklin
1,141,355
Kari Jobe
874,076
Juan Luis Guerra
7,580,511
Lecrae
1,120,195
Tercer Cielo
867,957
1,110,217
Tamela Mann
826,965
Marcos Witt
6,050,349
Hillsong United
Lilly Goodman
6,046,834
Jesus Adrian Romero
1,094,971
Lilly Goodman
807,887
Hillsong United
5,716,016
Marcos Witt
1,050,313
Jesus Culture
798,571
Ricardo Montaner
5,369,318
Alex Campos
1,048,435
Marcela Gandara
796,821
Skillet
5,237,889
Chris Tomlin
930,036
Marcos Witt
759,067
Don Moen
5,156,690
Tercer Cielo
899,724
Christine D’Clario
712,633
Marcela Gandara
4,667,942
Marcela Gandara
688,685
Hillsong Worship
685,090
Casting Crowns
4,643,450
Lilly Goodman
677,882
Alex Campos
669,897
Hillsong Worship
4,345,801
Kari Jobe
660,959
Bethel Music
660,062
Danilo Montero
4,175,456
Marco Barrientos
653,566
Hillsong Y&F
619,346
Mary Mary
3,811,485
Danilo Montero
624,164
Marco Barrientos
595,423
TobyMac
3,653,722
TobyMac
590,678
Danilo Montero
Chris Tomlin
3,419,807
Jesus Culture
569,522
Tasha Cobbs
537,697
Marco Barrientos
3,370,895
Mary Mary
567,008
Miel San Marcos
536,533
Daniel Calveti
2,892,406
Michael W Smith
544,608
Mary Mary
529,184
decisions will prevail over business decisions. We’ve believed
that if the ministry decisions are right, the money is going to
be there to cover the bills.
Some people dig themselves into debt in launching their
careers, but your story is quite different.
Smallbone: Both Rebecca and for KING & COUNTRY from day
one have been in the black. And I’m not quite sure how that
happened, but I’ve marveled at it. for KING & COUNTRY’s tour
started the week after Rebecca retired.
What’s it like to have the dual relationships of sons as
business partners?
Smallbone: It does surprise me how we’re all able to work
GOSPELMUSIC.ORG
591,131
together. for KING & COUNTRY is owned by three people—
myself, Joel and Luke. We each get voted out about a third of
the time, but honestly it probably only gets to that situation
maybe twice a year. If there ever needs to be a referee, the
kids will go to their mother and she’ll get me sorted out real
quick.
for KING & COUNTRY travels with 20 people on the road,
but you consistently keep ticket prices affordable. How do
you manage expenses?
Smallbone: We have a pretty wide demographic. We try to
keep our prices down so that everyone who wants to come
can afford to. That goes back to the days when we didn’t have
much money to attend concerts.
DECEMBER 2016
ry
Top 20 Adult Contempora
Songs
ADULT CONTEMPORARY PROVIDED BY CMTA
RANK ARTIST
1
2
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9
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SONG TITLE
Bobby Helms Jingle Bell Rock
Chris Tomlin
Joy To The World
Burl Ives A Holly Jolly Christmas
Jose Feliciano Feliz Navidad
Aaron Shust O Come, O Come Emmanuel
TobyMac Christmas This Year
Nat King Cole The Christmas Song
Trans-Siberian Orch. Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24
Brenda Lee
Rockin’ Around The Christmas...
Zach Williams
Chain Breaker
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12
13
14
15
16
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18
19
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SONG TITLE
Bing Crosby White Christmas
Andy Williams It’s The Most Wonderful Time...
Casting Crowns Away In A Manger
Chris Tomlin Jesus
Third Day O Come All Ye Faithful
Vince Guaraldi Trio Linus & Lucy
Johnny Mathis It’s Beginning To Look A Lot...
Lauren Daigle Light Of The World
One Sonic Society Great Are You Lord
Michael W. Smith Christmastime
Date: 12/16/2016
BDS ENcore Format Playlist Report
Top 20 Gospel Songs
GOSPEL PROVIDED BY CMTA
RANK ARTIST
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2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
SONG TITLE
Travis Greene Made A Way
Donnie McClurkin
I Need You
Damon Little I Won’t Be Defeated
Jekalyn Carr You’re Bigger
Tamela Mann God Provides
J.J. Hairston/YP You Deserve It
Fred Hammond Father Jesus Spirit
Charles Jenkins Winning
Anthony Brown/GT Bless The Lord
Sounds Of BlacknessRoyalty
BDS ENcore Format Playlist Report
GOSPELMUSIC.ORG
RANK ARTIST
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12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
SONG TITLE
Cece Winans Never Have To Be Alone
GEI Hang On
Fantasia I Made It
VaShawn Mitchell Joy
William Murphy Arise (You Are Good)
Brian Courtney Wilson I’ll Just Say Yes
Jermaine Dolly You
Bri (Briana Bab...)
Jacob’s Song
Hezekiah Walker Better
Kim Burrell/Pharrell I See A Victory
Date: 12/16/2016
DECEMBER 2016
Top 20 Rock Songs
ROCK PROVIDED BY CMTA
RANK ARTIST
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SONG TITLE
Capital Kings
I Can’t Quit / Ft. Reconcile
Artifex Pereo
Paper Ruled All
Before Their Eyes Midwest Modesty
Lacey Sturm I’m Not Laughing
NYVES Not Enough
Attalus Coming Clean
For All Eternity The Divide
Capital Kings Live For The Drop
Thrice
Black Honey
Danger Scene
Drive
RANK ARTIST
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SONG TITLE
Glasslands Fame / Ft. Ryan Kirby
Owl City Humbug
Everything In Slow... Coma
Skillet Feel Invincible
Cash Hollistah Jump. Fame / Ft. Lando
Disciple Erase
Thousand Foot Krutch Heat Miser
Twenty One Pilots The Judge
XXI Way You Love Me
Tauren Wells Undefeated / Ft. KB
Date: 12/16/2016
BDS ENcore Format Playlist Report
Top 20 Overall Songs
OVERALL PROVIDED BY CMTA
RANK ARTIST
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9
10
SONG TITLE
Zach Williams Chain Breaker
Chris Tomlin
Jesus
One Sonic Society Great Are You Lord
Big Daddy Weave The Lion And The Lamb
Natalie Grant
King Of The World
Danny Gokey Rise
Lauren Daigle Come Alive (Dry Bones)
Crowder My Victory
We Are Messengers Magnify
Burl Ives
A Holly Jolly Christmas
BDS ENcore Format Playlist Report
GOSPELMUSIC.ORG
RANK ARTIST
11
12
13
14
15
16
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18
19
20
SONG TITLE
Aaron Shust O Come, O Come Emmanuel
Bobby Helms Jingle Bell Rock
TobyMac Christmas This Year
Jose Feliciano Feliz Navidad
Chris Tomlin Joy To The World
NEEDTOBREATHE Testify
Trans-Siberian Orch... Christmas Eve/Sarajevo 12/24
Casting Crowns Away In A Manger
Bing Crosby White Christmas
MercyMe What Child Is This
Date: 12/16/2016
DECEMBER 2016
GET TO
KNOW
DAVID
SMALLBONE
IF YOU WEREN’T DOING
WHAT YOU’RE DOING:
I’d probably be selling real
estate in Australia and being
miserable.
WHAT YOU MISS ABOUT
AUSTRALIA:
Extended family
SOMETHING YOU NEVER
WANT TO EAT AGAIN:
Lobster
The film Priceless marks new territory for you and your family.
PARENTING TIP YOU’VE
EMBRACED:
Discussing consequences
What’s the origin of the film?
WHAT YOU DO TO KEEP UP
YOUR PHYSICAL ENERGY:
Walk a lot
FAVORITE GADGET:
Tractor
Smallbone: The film world is the music world on steroids.
Smallbone: My wife and Joel originally came up with the Priceless idea. About four-anda-half years ago, for KING & COUNTRY started sharing the Priceless message as a way to
challenge girls about their self-worth.
All along, your son Ben, who directs the film, has been honing his skills in video.
Smallbone: We had given him a video camera about 20 years ago… Ben has traveled all
over the world shooting for Chick-fil-A and other companies. He met a guy who had a
story about human trafficking that seemed to fit what was already being said.
So the family got together and said, “Let’s make a movie”?
Smallbone: About three years ago, we proposed to make the Priceless movie… The
beginning of last year, we brought in a Hollywood producer and started filming in August…
It really has been a faith experiment. It cost a million to make. We had four investors. It
went a half-million over budget, and we had to find a half-million dollars in about two
weeks. I don’t recommend [film-making] to the faint-hearted. But we always felt God had a
plan, and it’s important that we were able to do it as a family. And it’s a great education for
the next movie we’ll do.
Are there secrets to success in this business?
Smallbone: I think working very hard, finding people you can work with, perhaps people
who are more gifted in some way than you are, being prepared to listen. The main thing is
to build a team.
What’s your role these days?
Smallbone: My main role is encourager, doing devotions, sharing about all the things I’ve
learned through the school of hard knocks. We’ve got about 20 on the road now with for KING &
COUNTRY. I challenge them: “You guys, you have to be spiritually healthy. If there’s any issues
you’re dealing with or addictions, go and tell a trusted friend. I need you to be healthy so we can
max out this ministry.”
For more info, visit www.forkingandcountry.com.
GOSPELMUSIC.ORG
DECEMBER 2016