Rance Allen Group’s Emotional Journey To 2008 Stellar Award

ATLANTA, GA  – Tyscot Records’ THE RANCE ALLEN GROUP won “Quartet Of The Year” at this year’s 23rd Annual Stellar Awards held at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, TN. The group was nominated with “7 Sons of Soul”, “Mighty Clouds of Joy”, “Slim & The Supreme Angels” and “Pilgrim Jubilee Singers”. The award was presented for the CLOSEST FRIEND album (released – May, 2007) yielding the hit single of the same name.

“We are extremely happy about this award,” says Rance Allen. This award follows two nominations from the previous album THE LIVE EXPERIENCE released in 2004. They also performed their new single “For Your Feet” to an arousing applause in the middle of the show.

The group sat with anticipated feelings as their name was announced and the element of surprise happened – they were winners! As they rose to the stage to receive their award, they were met with a full-house standing ovation. Then a quiet moment fell as the emotional Rance approached the microphone and these heartfelt words oozed out:

“We have been nominated 8 or 9 times before. In our 37 years, this is our first Stellar Award. I would like to thank four people – God, my Grandmother, mother and my bishop GE Patterson.” He mentioned his wife [Ellen] was not there in attendance but added “Honey, I am bringing this home so you can see it.” Then the emotions got the best of him as he reflected on this joyous occasion, could no longer go on and handed the mike over to his brother Steve Allen. Many in the audience were caught up as well wiping away happy tears for the group.

Steve proceeded to acknowledge the record label – Tyscot Records, Chris Byrd [on-stage performer with the group], their manager Toby Jackson and their assistant Cecillia Wallace.

Rance overcame some health challenges in 2007 and is back on the recover road and looks as healthy as ever.

No stranger to winning other awards, in their 30-year career, The Rance Allen Group have been nominated and/or won such as The Grammy, Soul Train, Stellar, BMI and they were inducted into the International Gospel Music Hall of Fame and Museum in November, 1998. In 2005 they were recipients of the Gospel Music Workshop of America’s (GMWA) Gospel Announcers Guild Chairman’s Choice Gospel Legends Award. 

The show will air across the nation beginning January 26th. Check local listings for each city or visit www.thestellarawards.com