Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Creekside Gospel Music Convention – Showcasing Beautiful Pigeon Forge, Tennessee


By Lorraine Walker

Preparations are underway for the exciting new Creekside Gospel Music Convention,
to be held in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. The Smoky Mountain Convention Center will
host this musical event on October 29, 30 and 31, with three days of the best in Southern
Gospel Music. The Convention will also spotlight the 2012 Diamond Awards Show, as
well as honor Lou Hildreth, celebrating her 75 years in the gospel music industry. All of
this and more will take place in Sevier County, one of the most beautiful settings that the
Smoky Mountains has to offer.

Rugged mountain trails, trickling streams and fall foliage bursting with color are only
one side of Sevier County that visitors to Creekside Gospel Music Convention will enjoy.
Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg together form one of the greatest tourist destinations in
Tennessee, showcasing the entertainment of theme parks and attractions, shopping malls
and flea markets, and restaurants offering everything from home-cooking to fine dining.
Convention attendees can participate in nature escapes and city experiences, as well as
music and ministry, reveling in a retreat to rejuvenate body, mind, soul and spirit.

Among the many attractions Sevier County has to offer, visitors can experience:

Pigeon Forge Restaurants: So with varieties to suit every taste, you’ll want to stay longer
to try them all. A few of the restaurants include: Alamo Steakhouse, All American
Pancake House, Dixie Stampede and Show, Genos Restaurant, Great American Steak
Buffet, Log Cabin Pancake House, Mandarin House, Bellacinos, Sagebrush Steakhouse,
Smokies Breakfast House, and many more.

Sevier County Attractions: When you aren’t listening to the award-winning artists at
the Creekside Gospel Music Convention concerts, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg have
a myriad of attractions to keep you and your family entertained. From ziplines and
helicopter rides to comedy and musical theatre, attendees will need to plan ahead to
fit everything into a fun-filled schedule. Museums, adventure parks, Dollywood and
miniature golf are a few of the vacation destinations in this County that promises good
times for the entire family.

The Great Smoky Mountains: Nature lovers and city slickers alike will find their minds
refreshed by spending time in the beauty of the Mountains. The Great Smoky Mountains
National Park (GSMNP), established in 1934, is home to the world’s greatest variety of
mammals, birds, fish, reptiles and amphibians. According to the National Park Service
website, over 1500 bears live in the GSMNP, or approximately two bears per square
mile. It is also the "Salamander Capital of the World,” providing a home for over 24
species of salamanders. The park’s streams host 60 types of fish. Nature trails and scenic
overlooks provide visitors with a chance to park their cars, step outside and inhale the
complete Mountain experience.

History and Education: For those who want to know more about the history of Sevier
County, there are many original farm buildings, mills and churches that still stand in
the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Discover how the original land-owners
were asked to leave their homesteads as the Park was established. Go further back into
history and explore the land of the Cherokee nation, natives removed from the area in the
1830s. To learn more about the past dwellers of this lovely land, visit the Great Smoky
Mountains Institute at Tremont, an environmental education centre celebrating ecological
and cultural diversity.

The Creekside Gospel Music Convention offers a terrific vacation destination and
attendees should make their plans now to experience everything that Pigeon Forge and
the Smoky Mountains have to offer. Embrace the beauty of God’s creation in the majesty
of the mountains, the fellowship of family and friends while participating in neighboring
attractions, and the refreshment of a spiritual retreat as you enjoy the musical ministry
that is Southern Gospel.

For more information on The Creekside Gospel Music Convention, visit: http://
www.creeksidegospelmusicconvention.com/
For more information, and to register your vote for The 2012 Diamond Awards,
visit: http://www.sgnscoops.com/2012-diamond-awards/
For more information on the GSMNP, visit http://www.nps.gov/grsm/index.htm.
For more information on black bears in the GSMNP, visit http://www.nps.gov/
grsm/naturescience/black-bears.htm#CP_JUMP_95932 ,
Also visit the website for the Great Smoky Mountains Association, which is a
nonprofit organization authorized by Congress to support the Park's educational,
scientific, and historical programs. http://www.smokiesinformation.org/
For more information on the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont, a non-
profit residential environmental education center, visit www.gsmit.org
You can get there from here! Easily accessible from major cities, find the distance
from your city to Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg:
● Atlanta, GA — 197 miles
● Charleston, SC — 344 miles
● Charlotte, NC — 215 miles
● Memphis, TN — 433 miles
● Nashville, TN — 221 miles
● Raleigh, NC — 335 miles
● Washington, DC - 489 miles


Monday, July 2, 2012

Creekside Gospel Music Convention Welcomes Ken & Jean Grady, Ava Kasich, Jim Sheldon and Shannon Knight!

Plans for the Creekside Gospel Music Convention are in full swing! We are excited to announce Ken and Jean Grady of Gospel Music Today will be part of the event. “We’re excited about the Creekside Gospel Music Convention,” Ken shares, “We’ve worked with Rob Patz many times and we’re expecting a first class event.
Branson’s favorite female voice,  Ava Kasich confirmed her attendance as well: “I am so thrilled to be a part of The Creekside Gospel Music Convention in Pigeon Forge, TN!  What a wonderful time of fellowship and the greatest music in the world- SOUTHERN GOSPEL MUSIC!!!  I am honored to be nominated for the 2012 Diamond Award for Christian Country Album of the Year for STONES. See you there!”
Christian Country artist, Jim Sheldon announced he would join the celebration too! “The folks at SGNScoops do such a great job with this awards program. I am honored to be included and totally shocked and excited to see my name in three categories for the Diamond Awards,” Sheldon offers.
Crossroads/Skyland Label recording artist, Shannon Knight is looking forward to meeting gospel music fans during the Creekside Gospel Music Convention! Shannon appears weekly on the Trinity Broadcasting Network and has appeared with The Daryl Williams Trio on Gaither Homecoming Videos. Shannon is very excited about appearing at the Creekside Gospel Music Convention where he will be performing songs from his brand new solo project, BROKEN AND BLESSED. Shannon will also be performing his radio single, “Good News” which is soon to be released to radio. Shannon looks forward to meeting with all of the gospel music fans at this great event!
Make plans to join SGNScoops this October 29, 30, 31 in Pigeon Forge, TN at the Smoky Mountain Convention Center. We will celebrate Ms. Lou Wills Hildreth’s 75 years in gospel music; enjoy gospel music and this year’s Diamond Awards show.  All events are free to the public. For booth information, email Rob Patz at rob@sgnscoops.com. Also visit http://www.creeksidegospelmusicconvention.com/ for more information. See you there!