Award Winning Southern Gospel Musicians Featured 5th Year in a Row By The Inspiration Networks

Award Winning Southern Gospel Musicians Featured 5th Year in a Row By The Inspiration Networks

35th Annual 'Singing News Fan Awards' Thrill More Than 20,000 Southern Gospel Music Fans

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The Inspiration Networks will feature one of the nation's top drawer Southern Gospel music specials when it presents the 35th Annual Singing News Fan Awards on Saturday, Oct. 15th and 22nd from 9:00 to 10:00 pm Eastern Time. The two-part special will air on INSP -- The Inspiration Network.

The awards, taped September 15th, at the Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky, during the 2005 National Quartet Convention, inspired a packed house of more than 20,000 Southern Gospel music fans and motivated Singing News subscribers to vote for their favorite musician.

"Millions of our viewers have a great love for Southern Gospel music, and thousands of these people read The Singing News magazine each month. They love The Singing News Fan Awards, and we are thrilled to be able to provide this national exclusive special," said Ron Shuping, senior vice president- programming for The Inspiration Networks.

Held each year in the Freedom Hall in Louisville, the annual event drew top names from across the Southern Gospel genre. Artists featured on the special include Jason Crabb, Lauren Talley, Brian Free and Assurance, Greater Vision, The Perrys, and The Crab Family, among others.

"We are pleased to be in our third year partnering with the NQC televising this outstanding awards special," Shuping said. "INSP is 'the official network of the National Quartet Convention (NQC).' Our Saturday night lineup features our original series, Gospel Music, Southern Style, which features exclusive performances recorded during the NQC. We look forward to many years of carrying this outstanding awards program, and other great programs and specials featuring Southern Gospel music."

The telecast is produced in cooperation with Crossroads Music. INSP began working with Crossroads, and its president, Chris White, on a formal basis in 2004. "Crossroads has held the broadcast rights for NQC in recent years and Chris offered INSP the opportunity to partner with him and NQC to reach a broader southern gospel audience," Shuping said. "It's been a real pleasure to work with Chris. He has a tremendous grasp of the Southern Gospel audience, and a deep understanding of the national interest in the NQC and The Singing News Fan Awards. His insights and vision have greatly enhanced our Saturday night programming. We look forward to working with Crossroads Music and Chris for many years to come."

For more on the Awards and INSP Programming go to http://www.insp.com/ .

The Inspiration Networks includes cable television networks INSP-The Inspiration Network, Inspirational Life Television (i-Lifetv), La Familia Cosmovision (LFC) and INI-Inspiration Network International. INSP is carried on more than 2,500 U.S. cable systems serving 22 million households. The network targets the millions who embrace inspirational values. It features original music programs, children's shows, teens' programs, and a variety of respected ministry programming. Since 1990 the cable industry has relied upon INSP for inspirational programming with true diversity and ethnic balance. i-Lifetv is a digital inspirational lifestyles TV network launched in June, 1998 now serving over 8.5 million subscribers. It is distinct from INSP. It features programming on marriage, family, finances, and life-enriching programs. La Familia Cosmovision is a digital network that features family- friendly programming for Hispanic families. INI is delivered direct to home (DTH) serving 45 million households in Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. INI is a blend of U.S. and European ministry programmers. Also, 50% of INI's schedule is original and exclusive programming with programs for children, teens and the international family.

The Singing News Magazine is the country's largest Christian music publication. The first issue was published in May 1969 and has given Southern Gospel Music Fans up to date information on every facet of our industry, including concerts, conventions, banquets, new recordings and the latest chart action. Monthly editorial coverage provides a comprehensive picture of what's happening in the Southern Gospel music industry and in the lives and careers of its popular singing groups and artists.

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT: Mark Brown 972/267-1111-O 972/762-9696-M

Source: The Inspiration Networks

CONTACT: Mark Brown, +1-972-267-1111, or mobile, +1-972-762-9696, for The Inspiration Networks

Web site: http://www.insp.com/

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