ADVISORY BOARD
Hi Everyone! Thanks for stopping by. A little about me, I've been in radio since 1990. I started out in Southern Gospel music, but have always leaned toward a country sound. What you hear on Heaven's Country is like no other radio station in the world. It's a God given vision. We are often imitated, but never duplicated. I love being a Radio DJ! God has bless me with so much! I am privileged to play be on the radio everyday. I am also honored to have been named Radio Personality of the Year numerous times.
So do me a favor, won't you? Download our free radio app to your iPhone or Smart phone and join me weekday mornings at 7 AM Central/6 MTN Mountain Time, Monday through Friday. I'll be talking about current events, I've got your Weird News of the Day, and I'll take your calls all throughout the morning. You never know what's gonna happen when you tune in to Mornings with Mar-Tay LIVE weekday mornings on Heaven's Country! Take It From The Top!
Songwriter Gerald Smith is originally from Statesboro GA and has resided in Nashville tn since 1986. a prolific songwriter, smith has penned such number one songs as “What Part of No” for Lorrie Morgan and “Every Second “ for Collin Raye. he has also had cuts by George Strait, George Jones, Johnny Rodriquez, Clinton Gregory, Taylor Made, The Bankesters, The Rigneys, Darin and Brooke Aldridge, Evie Tausen, Justin McBride , Becky Hobbs , Moe Bandy, Joe Stampley and many more.
Gerald also appeared on numerous occasions as the "Georgia Quacker" on the syndicated TB Show "Hee Haw" and "Nashville Now" with Ralph Emery back in the late 70’s and 80’s. He has performed on stage with Roy Acuff, Mike Snider, Lulu Roman, Percy Sledge and many more. In addition to the country cuts, Gerald has also had 6 top 20 Christian Country hits which he sang himself and 5 country number 1’s in the country genre sang by other artists
Gerald is presently writing for Melody Roundup Music in Nashville and is also a performing artist on Melody Roundup Records. his single “You Play Like Chet" went to number 8 in the Americana Roots chart and number 16 in the new music weekly chart. his album and single is #1 in the Arkansas roots chart. Gerald was inducted in the North American Country Music Hall of Fame in 2011 and was given the legendary songwriter award and recently received a 3 million air play award from BMA for airplay on “What Part of No”.
Tammy’s roots in gospel music run deep in the Mississippi-Louisiana mud. Her music ancestry is a mix of bluegrass, gospel, country, rock and blues. All of these influences can be easily identified if you listen to her award winning family group “The Dunaways” now in their 25th year.
Tammy predates The Dunaways as a solo artist by more than a decade, and began her journey as a church pianist at the ripe old age of seven.
Throughout the 1990’s she owned and operated Truth Records with husband Randall. She worked as a producer for many projects and did a whole lot of engineer time in the studio. During this era she was also the host of a radio show “The Back Porch” which featured Country flavored gospel music.
The Dunaways began recording in 1996 and released their first single to radio “Elijah” which debuted at #12. Many hit songs, honors, and awards have followed this family through their long career. Tammy (the songwriter) has penned many of the family’s recordings and remains active writing for the family. She is a published songwriter with additional hit songs under her belt from other artists as well. The family is still to date very active on Christian radio, television appearances, and can be heard in multiple markets internationally.
Tammy comes to the table with a lifetime of living gospel music. Her experiences are rich in ups and downs, highs and lows, victories and disappointments. She has learned the ropes hands on as artist, songwriter, producer, and mentor. One of her favorite things in the world is helping others in whatever way she can.
Dennis & Sheila Powers are excited and grateful to have the pleasure to be working with Cardinal Country and Gospel Music Association. Sheila has been in gospel music for 21 years.
She has owns executive talent agency for 21 years. She was a main owner in the NQC. She is still an owner in Journey records in Nashville, TN. Dennis Powers has been in southern gospel music for 48 years . He was an owner in the NQC and was an owner in the Southern Gospels Music Gild. He also, is still an owner in journey records in Nashville, TN. They owned the Skyline Boys quartet for 21 years , was with BMI , Dominion Agency with producer Michael Davis & Associates, and Crossroads with producer, Jeff Collins. Dennis, Sheila and The Skyline Boys Quartet have been with several prominent recording studios throughout Nashville.
They have been on television such as TBN ( jubilee celebration), southern gospel radio stations nation wide, and we're charted within those stations, as well as Dollywood , Silver Dollar City ect... they were also nominated for Horizon group of the year 2005 and 2006
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They have traveled nation wide in the southern gospel music industry. They are excited and looking forward to working with Cardinal Country and Gospel Music Association.
JK NICK NICHOLS
JK Nick Nichols is a professional Musician, Songwriter, and Entertainer has been performing professionally for over 25 years. He has opened for such legendary acts with his band Southern Crescent as T.G Sheppard, Gene Watson, and O.B. McClinton, Dixiana, and The Masters 5. Nick began writing while attending Clemson University, and has numerous songs pitched to such artists as Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Micky Guyton, Brett Eldredge, Jason Aldean, Alan Jackson, Trace Adkins, George Strait, Wynona Judd, Travis Tritt, Ronnie Milsap, Tricia Yearwood, Jamie O’Neal, Lee Greenwood, and Clay Walker.
He resides in the greater Nashville area where he is currently writing regularly with hit song writer Gerald Smith (What Part of No Don’t You Understand-Lori Morgan and Every Second, Every Minute, Every Hour of Every Day-Collin Rae) and other great writers such as twice Grammy nominated songwriter Jan Buckingham (Queen of Denial and Blue Roses, both #1 hits for Pam Tillis) and Bob Pennington, both former Warner brothers staff writers.
He and his co-writing partner Amy Chenoweth have a song just included on the new Nashville artist Rowdy McCarran’s first project, Eyes Wide Open, entitled “Too Far Gone” The title track, “Eyes Wide Open” was also written by Nick with two additional songs included on the CD as well.
Richard Lynch has just announced his new single and video, a duet written by Nick and Dr. Kenneth Grant which includes duet partner and Nashville Superstar Rhonda Vincent.
Kent Maxson, award wining songwriter, artist began to play in writer’s venues through out Nashville, honing and developing his songwriting skills. Soon he was writing with country superstar Garth Brooks and a list of Nashville’s finest songwriters, among them, Kent Blazy, Kim Williams, Tommy Lee James, Kin Vassy, Red Lane, David MacKechnie, Billy Lee and Buddy Mondlock. Kent’s music has been performed on international radio and TV and has won multiple industry awards, including an RIAA Gold Record for his hit single, “From Where I’m Sitting”, as recorded by Gary Allan.
Kent Maxson Highlights:
● Kent Maxson’s music has been performed on international radio and television
● Kent Maxson Won the RIAA Gold Record for his hit song, ‘From Where I’m Sitting’
● 1998 GRAMMY NOMINATIONS LIST - For his song, "From Where I'm Sitting."
● Kent Maxson’s Song, ‘From Where I’m Sitting’ is featured on the Television Show, "Nashville Entertainment Weekly" each week to 2 Million Middle Tennessee Viewers on TJTV Channel 49
● 2010 JOHN LENNON SONGWRITING CONTEST – Honorable Mention Country Division for the song, “Whittler’s Corner.”
● 2010 GREAT AMERICAN SONG CONTEST – First Place Country Division for the song, “Dirt”
● 2010 GREAT AMERICAN SONG CONTEST HALL OF FAME – For the song, “Dirt”
● Kent Maxson co-wrote two songs with Garth Brooks on his latest CD, “Nothing Better To Do”
Irlene Mandrell was born in Corpus Christi, Texas, and is the youngest sister of the world famous country trio, The Mandrell Sisters. Irlene and her sisters come from a musical family. She began playing the drums professionally when she was eleven. Irlene is a Country Music Hall of Fame Walkway of Stars inductee. She has received many awards including two comedy acts of the year awards from Music City News.
Though music has always been her mainstay, Irlene has enjoyed an extraordinarily varied career as an actress, model and performer. Her first television series, Barbara Mandrell and The Mandrell Sisters that aired on NBC and also in the UK, had forty million viewers. The show featured good-humored interplay between Irlene and her sisters. Irlene has many television credits.
She is a successful spokesperson, recording artist and author. Her book, “God Reigns Miracles” has become an inspirational favorite. She has also released an album with her daughters singing backup and her son drumming. This album “ Thanks To You” is dedicated to those who serve our Country.
I was born and raised in Nashville,TN. My family was musically talented. My gifting afforded me to perform music in school. I joined the U.S. Air Force during the last years of Vietnam. After leaving the US Air Force, I went to work at a premier studio in Nashville as an engineer. Through my career I have worked at various studios mastering the crafts of a producer and engineer.
My music career has spawned over 40 years expounding my knowledge as a professional in the industry. Some of my credits include Johnny Cash, James Taylor, Dr. Hook , Alabama, June Carter Cash, Charlie Daniels, Jimmy Buffett,Anne Murray, and many more. My musical travels have included New York, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Chicago and Nashville just to name a few. Music is my passion.
