Singing News Fan Awards (1970 - Present)
The Singing News Fan Awards are annual Southern Gospel awards presented by Singing News Magazine. The awards are entirely fan-based. Readers of Singing News nominate their favorite artists in various categories. The nominees are then narrowed down to the top ten and then to the top five for each category. The readers then choose their favorite for each category from the top five. The awards are then handed out in a ceremony at the National Quartet Convention.
The fan awards began in 1970. Over the years many categories have been added and dropped. As of 2017, nineteen awards are voted on by the fans and given to the artists. The following is a list of the awards, the years they were given, and the recipients.
Favorite Album (1970-1971, 1989-Present)
Favorite Alto (1985-Present)
Favorite Artist (2008-Present)
Favorite Band (1977-2006, 2011-Present)
Favorite Baritone (1971-Present)
Favorite Bass (1971-Present)
Favorite Female Singer (1970-2015)
Favorite Group (1970-1980, 1982-1996, 2007)
In 1981 this award was split into two categories Favorite Traditional Male Quartet and Favorite Mixed Quartet. It reverted back to a single group award in 1982 and remained a single award through 1996. From 1997 through 2006 the award was again split into categories, this time with three separate awards Favorite Traditional Male Quartet, Favorite Mixed Quartet, and Favorite Trio. In 2007, the Singing News once again combined the categories into one Favorite Group award. However, due to popular demand, the award was once again split into three categories for 2008, with a 4th category, Artist of the Year, also being added.
Favorite Lead (1971-Present)
Favorite Male Singer (1970-2015)
Favorite Mixed Group (1981, 1997-2006, 2008-Present)
Favorite Musician (1971-1997, 2007-Present)
From 1998-2006, the favorite musician was divided into two categories favorite pianist and favorite musician - non-pianist. Those awards are listed separately. In 2007, Singing News decided to once again combine the award.
Favorite Musician Non-Pianist (1998-2006)
Favorite New Artist (2016-Present)
In 2013, new categories were added for New Traditional Quartet, New Mixed Group, New Trio, and New Soloist. In 2016, those categories were merged to one category named New Artist.
Favorite New Mixed Group (2013-2015)
Favorite New Soloist (2013-Present)
Favorite New Traditional Quartet (2013-2015)
Favorite New Trio (2013-Present)
Favorite Non-Performing Songwriter (2013-Present)
Favorite Pianist (1998-2006)
Favorite Radio Station
2016 WJBZ (Knoxville, TN)
Favorite Soloist (1997-2006, 2008-Present)
Favorite Song (1970-Present)
Favorite Soprano (1985-Present)
Favorite Songwriter (1986-Present)
Favorite Syndicated Program (1991-2005)
Paul Heil Gospel Greats won all fifteen of the awards given in this category.
Favorite Tenor (1971-Present)
Favorite Traditional Male Quartet (1981, 1997-2006, 2008-Present)
Favorite Trio (1997-2006, 2008-Present)
Favorite Video (1986-1989, 1992-2005)
Favorite Young Artist (1988-Present)
Horizon Group (1988-2012)
Horizon Individual (1988-2012)
SGPA Promoter Award
2008 Bill Bailey
2012 Ralph Dean
Templeton/Norcross Award (1981-1996, 1998-2005, 2008-2012)
This Award was given to the person, persons, or group who provided distinctive service to Southern Gospel Music. The winners of this award were selected by the staff of the Singing News Magazine, not the fans. From 1981 to 2008, the award was known as the Marvin Norcross Award. In 2009, the award became the Templeton/Norcross Award to honor Maurice Templeton in addition to Marvin Norcross.
Awards were also given in the following categories:
Favorite Large Market Disc Jockey (1988-2006; 2012-2015)
Favorite Medium Market Disc Jockey (1988-2006; 2012-2015)
Favorite Small Market Disc Jockey (1988-2006; 2012-2015)
Super Fan Of The Year (1987-2006)
