Artist Action

(L-R): Gracin, contest winner Shelagh Brown, album engineer Aaron Chmielewski

Average Joe’s recording artist Josh Gracin used a unique radio promotion to find a duet partner for a song on his new album. Radio stations across the country encouraged listeners to send in their video entries for consideration. Gracin and his team sorted through countless submissions until they found Shelagh Brown.

Gracin surprised the fellow Michigan native live on Kalamazoo’s B93 (WBCT) with the news that she had been selected to join him in Nashville to record his self-penned, “Only When It Rains.” The song is slated for his album Redemption, due out this summer. See behind-the-scenes video here.

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Guy Penrod

Guy Penrod turned to Facebook for his latest promotional contest. The “March Madness Song Tournament” lets fans vote on their favorite Penrod track. A total of 46 titles from his solo and Gaither group careers were nominated by fans; with the top 16 most-popular songs rounding out the bracket. The winner gets an Apple iPod Touch, loaded with Penrod’s music.

In 2010, Penrod’s combined album sales exceeded 100,000 units of new release Breathe Deep, and The Best of Guy Penrod. Moving 54,000 units, Breathe Deep was the best-selling new Southern Gospel CD last year, and the second best-selling new Country Gospel CD.

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Pheromone/MegaForce/Sony Red recording artist Greg Hanna is gearing up for his next venture into U.S. radio with “Makin Love Real,” which goes for adds next week. He has enlisted the help of veteran radio promoters Rick Kelly, Sarah Matlock, Lisa Smoot, Jen Trail, and Jerry Duncan. Marco Promotion’s Craig Bann will handle video promotion. Webster & Associates is on board for publicity duties.

Hanna has charted several singles in his native Canada, including his 2005 Top 10 hit “In My Head.” He had success on the MusicRow chart with his last two singles: “It’s A Man’s Job,” and “What Kind Of Love Are You On.”