Singing News
History
The Singing News is a monthly magazine devoted to Southern Gospel Music. It was founded by J G Whitfield in 1969. Originally published as a newspaper, the format was eventually converted to a colorful magazine.
In January 1970, The Singing News began publishing a monthly airplay chart. This chart was ultimately expanded to report the Top 80 songs each month. 1970 was also the first year of the Singing News Fan Awards.
Whitfield sold the magazine to Maurice Templeton in 1986. Templeton in turn sold shares in the magazine to diversify ownership including shares to Jerry Kirksey who served as the magazine's editor for many years. In 2006, Templeton and the other owners sold the magazine to Salem Communications.
Danny Jones assumed the position of editor after Jerry Kirksey's retirement.
In January 2012, a weekly airplay chart was launched with ten reporting stations initially submitting actual "spins."
Sea Walker Media Corporation purchased the magazine and other Singing News branded properties in 2021.
Related articles: Singing News Fan Awards, Singing News Top 80, Singing News Number One Songs.