MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Deon and Susan Unthank, administrators of SoGospelNews.com, are proud to announce the hosts and first list of performers for the 2008 SGN Music Awards Celebration.

Returning to host the SGN Music Awards Celebration for a third consecutive year is singer/songwriter/comedienne Sondra Burnett. Joining Burnett as her co-hosts this year are Ian Owens (of The Imperials) and Jeff Pearles (of the King’s Heralds).

“Sondra has been a huge hit the last couple of years,” mentioned Deon Unthank of SoGospelNews.com. “Ian and Jeff are two of the funniest people in Gospel Music – we just know that the three of them will be a fantastic combination.”

Performers for this year’s SGN Music Awards Celebration include Karen Peck & New River, Gordon Mote, The Freemans, Mike & Kelly Bowling, The Imperials, Tribute Quartet, the King’s Heralds, and Sondra Burnett.

Additional performers are still being confirmed and will be announced at a later date.

“We are so excited about what we have lined up for this year’s awards program,” mentioned Deon Unthank. “This is going to be our best year yet!”

The date for this year’s SGN Music Awards Celebration is Tuesday, April 29, 2008. The event will again take place at the River of Life Church in Smyrna, Tennesse and is free to the public. The awards program will start at 7:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

Today is the final day of voting in the SGN Music Awards. As in year’s past, the nominees were chosen by the staff of SoGospelNews.com. Voting started on February 1, 2008, as the fans have been given a chance to vote for their favorites in each category.

As far as nominations go, Booth Brothers and Dove Brothers Quartet led all artist nominees this year with eight nominations apiece. Following behind the Booth Brothers and Dove Brothers Quartet was Karen Peck & New River with seven nominations. Gold City, the Isaacs, and the Perrys all received six nominations. Several artists received five nominations – including CrossWay, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, The Imperials, Mike & Kelly Bowling, and the recently disbanded TK & McRae. The Freemans earned four nods. Janet Paschal, Greater Vision, Austins Bridge, and Everday Driven all earned three nominations, while the Triumphant Quartet, Gordon Mote, Brian Free & Assurance, Daryl Williams Trio, and Legacy Five all received double nominations.

Songwriter and vocalist of TK & McRae and the newly reformed McRaes, Annie McRae, earned the most individual nominations for her work during 2007 – landing eight nominations. Ronnie Booth earned six individual nominations for his vocal and production work. Producer/songwriter Wayne Haun earned five individual nominations. Earning four individual nominations were producers David Ponder and Bubba Smith and songwriter Jim Brady. Sonya Isaacs, Michael Sykes, Gordon Mote, Lari Goss, Steve Mauldin, Michael Booth, and Nick Bruno all landed three individual nominations for their work in 2007.

The Pacesetter Award is awarded to any artist, individual, or organization which has shown great strides in the industry and has raised the bar for others. This year’s nominees for the 2008 Pacesetter are Dove Brothers Quartet, Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, production company Haun & Ward Entertainment, Annie McRae, and SGShowPrep’s Chuck Peters.

More information on the 2008 SGN Music Awards Celebration will be forthcoming, including additional performers, sponsors, etc.

For a full list of nominees, visit SoGospelNews.com for more information.