News & Scoops

Canaan Records Sign Mike & Kelly Bowling

NASHVILLE, TN (5-7-08) – Canaan Records is pleased to announce the signing of Mike & Kelly Bowling to an exclusive recording contract. The popular trio is comprised of Mike & Kelly Bowling along with Jeff Snyder. Mike & Kelly are noted for their tight harmonies and powerful song lyrics, which garnered them their first number one song last December for “We Have A Saviour.” Their current single, “Your Cries Have Awoken The Master,” currently holds the number two position on the National Radio Chart. Both songs will be included on the group’s debut project, entitled Faith To Believe, which will be released August 12th by Canaan Records and Word Entertainment.

“My first exposure to Mike and Kelly came by watching them from the balcony as they led a packed auditorium into the presence of the Lord. I became a fan that night and my admiration has only increased the more I have gotten to know them. We are thrilled to welcome them to our Canaan family,” commented Dave Clark, General Manager of Canaan Records.

Mike Bowling added, “When I was a child, all I wanted to do was sing and play Gospel music. Canaan Records was the leading record company and there was nothing I wanted more than to be an artist on their label with all the other greats. I was a member of the Canaan Record Club and I couldn’t wait each month to receive the featured project. Today, a dream came true when Kelly and I signed a recording contract with Canaan. The entire group is extremely excited about the opportunities ahead and being apart of the Canaan family. I can’t explain the joy of working with Dave and everyone at Canaan. Joining together makes the future of Mike & Kelly Bowling even more promising.”

Although formed a little over a year ago, Mike & Kelly Bowling are no strangers to the Christian music world having a long list of accomplishments during their vocal careers. While Mike began singing and playing piano at a very young age, he had a very impressive beginning to his professional career at only 16 years old when he embarked on a two year span singing with the legendary LeFevres. Mike then went on to earn a degree in Respiratory Therapy before returning to the music world. In 1995, he joined the New Hinsons, a perfect blend considering Mike’s vocals are very distinctively similar to those of the late Kenny Hinson. After lending his vocal abilities to several of their high-charting songs, Mike went on to join another successful family group, the Perrys. While with the Perrys, Mike was featured on songs such as "God Sent Angels," “By Faith I Can Touch Him Now" and “Not Even A Stone."

After Mike’s marriage to Kelly, he spent the next six years traveling as a soloist garnering a tremendous amount of success. In fact, he has been noted as the first Southern Gospel soloist to achieve three consecutive number one songs on the Singing News Top 80 charts (“Thank God For The Preacher,” “The Call” and “I Take Him Back”). Kelly spent more than 15 years with her family, The Crabb Family. During that time they were the recipients of three GRAMMY nominations, 11 Dove Awards, 16 number one songs and numerous other accomplishments. Kelly’s unmistakable voice can be heard on the family's hits "Don't You Wanna Go," "Good Day," "Jesus Will Do What You Can't" and "Trail Of Tears." After the birth of the Bowling's third child, Kelly realized it was time to join her husband on stage as Mike & Kelly Bowling. In October 2006, Mike & Kelly added Jeff Snyder of Owensboro, KY. Jeff brings an incredible tenor voice to this exciting trio. He is a graduate of Kentucky BibleCollege with a degree in Theology and Music.

Together, Mike and Kelly have created a sound that is as refreshing as the trio sounds of the early 70s. History will note that they have been true to the excellence of their ability without diminishing or distancing the listener. They have appeared on the Gaither Homecoming series concerts and videos, TBN, during Gospel Music Week, at GMA’s Seminar in the Rockies, presented during Gospel Music’s Dove Awards and performed at numerous other major events.

Canaan Records, a division of Word Entertainment, a Warner/Curb company, was founded in 1965. The original Canaan Records' roster was home to many legendary Southern Gospel artists including The Cathedrals, The Happy Goodmans, The Florida Boys, The Inspirations, The Nelons and The Talleys. In early 2007, the renowned label reemerged with the signing of Gospel music greats, The Hoppers. Word Entertainment leads the industry with over 50 years of music making history.

For booking information on Mike & Kelly Bowling, contact The Harper Agency (615-851-4500, http://www.harperagency.com or e-mail: .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) .) For more information on Mike & Kelly, visit http://www.mikeandkellybowling.com . For more information on Canaan Records, log onto http://www.canaanrecords.com .