Truett Students Land Record Deal in National Quartet Convention
Cleveland, GA (September 21, 2010) – Seniors Dustin Simmons, Monroe Bennett, and Doug Pitman won second place in a singing competition and garnered a record deal during the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.
The group, named Omega, snagged second place out of thirty-seven groups present at the convention. The southern gospel musicians have known about the convention for years as it is the biggest event in the industry and finally decided to enter the contest. Omega won a deal for a ten track CD at Chapel Valley Studios with Sanctuary Records, in addition to national and radio releases of their songs.
Omega consists of Truett-McConnell students Dustin Simmons, Monroe Bennett and Brewton-Parker student Doug Pitman. All three are music majors and have been singing together for two years. This is Simmons’ and Bennett’s second semester at Truett but the group was actually birthed at Brewton-Parker College.
“We were all just singing around a piano one night and decided to start a group. Two years later, here we are!” Simmons states.
Omega also recognizes the importance of their education. They state that their education has taught them to use the gifts God has blessed them with and they are thankful to be at a Godly place like Truett-McConnell College.
As for landing a record deal, Omega is clearly ecstatic. “We are floored that God has chosen us to take part in this ministry and use our music to spread the gospel to people all over the country. We can’t wait to see where God takes Omega,” Simmons exclaims.
The group will go into the studio first week in October to start recording their tracks. Their first goal is to nationally release this first album and from there, they hope to sing full time after graduation and perform at least 200 shows a year in churches, festivals, and other events. Their main purpose, however, is to impact lives through ministry. Simmons remarks, “Seeing a person saved is an amazing thing, we just want our music to touch lives.”
For more information about Truett-McConnell College, call 706-865-2134 or visit us online at www.truett.edu
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Written by: Vicky Kaniaru
Truett Student Wins Fifth Place in Singing Contest
Cleveland, GA (September 21, 2010)-Truett McConnell student Traci Lawson won fifth place out of fifty-two contestants in a solo singing contest at the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, Kentucky.
The contest took place this past Friday, September 17, 2010 and was held at the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Lawson spent the day listening to her fellow contestants perform and at 2:30 p.m., the contest concluded and the judges deliberated. After the deliberation, the judges announced that the top five contestants had the same score. They would have to have a “sing off” to break the tie. Lawson was the first to perform.
After the judges deliberated, Lawson garnered 5th place. Lawson is excited to have had this opportunity.
“I know God has a plan for me, and maybe it just wasn’t then. I’m glad I got the opportunity to sing though. It gave me the experience of singing in front of a crowd and got my name out there! I even had a producer from Indiana come up to me and say that he would love to work with me sometime and we exchanged business cards.” Lawson states.
The singer states that she will keep trying for a record deal and refuses to give up. Lawson states, “I know that the Lord has something amazing in store for me. I just have to be patient and trust in Him.
For more information about Truett-McConnell College, call 706-865-2134 or visit us online at www.truett.edu
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Written by: Vicky Kaniaru
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