[Coweta Arts Tidbits] Jerry Yates Wins "2008 Gospel Artist of Year" Award

Coweta   Arts   Tidbits The Successor To Newnan-Coweta Arts Council News Releases Composed By: Forrest W. Schultz 770-583-3258 December 23, 2008 The 2008 Coweta Arts Scene Ends (as it began) With a Bang: Jerry Yates Wins National Music Award !! Named "2008 Gospel Artist of Year" by Roots Music Ass'n.        The 2008 Coweta arts scene began with two overwhelming triumphs -- Newnan visual artists Martin Pate and Marc Stewart each won "Best In Show" in NATIONAL art contests; and it ended with another -- Newnan Vocal & Instrumental Artist Jerry Yates won a NATIONAL music award from the Roots Music Association presented to him at the World Music Convention in Texas last week. This itself is obviously a tremendous honor for Yates and for Coweta.  But what makes it even more significant is that Yates is NOT a professional musician, nor has he ever had any formal music education or training.  He is a pastor; and he only does his music in his spare time and as a ministry in additional to his pastoral one.             Here is the press release issued by the Roots Music Association:   Yates Takes Home Big Award   November 19, 2008, Newnan, GA....Newnan, Georgia's Jerry Yates came out a big winner at the 2008 Roots Music Association's Award Ceremony, held on November 15th, in San Marcos, Texas. The ceremony, was part of the World United Music Festival and Radio Conference, presented by the Roots Music Association and the United States Entertainment Forces. The festival and conference were the premier radio and music industry networking events for professionals involved in the music industry, around the globe.  The event's focus was on the national and international radio, music industry, and related press, within the worldwide music market, providing a platform, primarily for independent musicians and artists, but including established performers, to gain exposure and be heard. Although bad weather forced the cancellation of the music festival Saturday night and Sunday, the event was not a total wash out. Rev. Jerry Yates, a solo Gospel artist, who sings, writes songs, and plays acoustic guitar, with a country blues, rockabilly style, performed Friday afternoon, showcasing his talents before a small, but enthusiastic crowd.  However, the big event for Yates came during the award ceremony, which was held in the Embassy Suites Hotel, in San Marcos, when he walked away with the 2008 Roots Music Association's "Gospel Artist of the Year Award"!  Other nominees in the "Gospel Category" included Ricky Scaggs and the Blind Boys of Alabama. "It was absolutely impossible for me to win" Yates said, after the ceremony.  "But God is known for doing the impossible, and I know it was only by His grace that I won!  I need to hurry and get back home, to see if I'm dreaming" he said. To learn more about the music ministry of Jerry Yates, listen to some of his music, and find booking information, visit www.jerryyatesministries.com or www.indieheaven.com/artists/jerryyates.  Jerry's radio promotion is managed by RhonBob Promotions, www.rhonbob.com.      Logo of World United Music Festival and Radio Conference                 Jerry Yates Playing His Guitar