What's New
Ann Co-hosted God & Country Jubilee- Nashville, TN
The final USAGEM God & Country Jubilee show of the 2011 season was held on October 28th at the Texas Troubadour Theatre in Nashville, TN. Ann had the opportunity to co-host the show with Southern Gospel artist Tank Tackett www.facebook.com/people/Tank-Tackett/1438362395 Artists on the show were Ricky Reece & Fast Forward (Bluegrass) www.ibluegrass.com/bg_bands2.cfm?b__i=1326, Mark 209 (Southern Gospel) www.mark209.com, Rene' & Edie Jones (Christian Country) www.renejones.com and The Dynamic Dixie Travelers (Black Gospel) www.myspace.com/dixietravelers. Ann and Tank also each performed a song.
Ann sings at the Grace Covenant Fellowship's annual Women's Retreat - Cullman, AL
Once again Ann was invited to be part of the team at the Grace Covenant Fellowship Women's Retreat in Cullman, AL. Approximately 50 ladies enjoyed time to get away from it all, fellowship with old friends, time to worship God, and time to learn more about God. Ann has already been invited back for next year. The dates for next year are Oct. 19th - Oct. 21st. For more information, please contact Ruth Miller at ruth.miller@gci.org.
Pictured left to right: Tammy Tkach, Barbara Dahlgren, Ruth Miller, Pat Halford, Ann, Ginny Rice, and Mary Jo Leaver
The ACGMA honored Ann with the Inspiration Award
The Alabama Country Gospel Music Association invited Ann to be their guest singer for the 2011 Awards Show. Ann had been a member of the organization previously when she and her husband resided in Alabama. Ann sang & spoke for 20 minutes and after she finished, Ken Byford announced Ann as the winner of their Inspiration Award. Ann was so honored to know that people are inspired by what she does. It was a very special surprise.
Ann sings at the 11th Annual Gospel Song Fest - Whites Creek, TN
Ann was invited to sing at the 11th Annual Gospel Song Fest sponsored by The Master's Help Ministry www.themastershelpministrynet.com in Whites Creek, TN. Ann sang ten songs over the course of the afternoon. It was an outdoor event with lots of food, fellowship, and fun. Ann enjoyed sharing the stage with all the artists and meeting the attendees. It was a beautiful day, but as the temperatures began to cool down for the evening, the campfire was a favorite place to fellowship.
ASCAP Foundation Christian Music Songwriters Workshop - Nashville, TN
Ann has been accepted to attend an ASCAP Foundation Christian Music Songwriters Workshop. Industry veteran Cindy Wilt Colville will be facilitating the workshop beginning September, 2011. The workshop will meet once a week for 5 weeks at the ASCAP Board Room in Nashville, TN. For more information about Cindy, please visit her website at www.cindywiltcovelle.com. For more information about ASCAP, please visit their website at www.ascap.com/nashville
Ann Sings at God & Country Jubilee
The United States Association of Gospel Entertainers and Musicians (USAGEM) sponsors God & Country Jubilee each 4th Friday night from May – October. Those shows are held at the Texas Troubadour Theatre on Music Valley Drive in Nashville, TN. Each show has artists from 5 different genres of Christian music. On August 26th, Ann represented the Christian-Country genre. Other artists on the show were:
Bluegrass Gospel: The Waymasters www.thewaymasters.com
Black Gospel: DeWitt Johnson www.dewittjohnson.org
Contemporary Christian: Chele Sterban www.facebook.com/chele.sterban
Southern Gospel: The Servants www.theservantsministry.com
(Pictured left to right: Darrell Frizsell, Harold Frizsell, Ann, and Chewie McMahan (members of The Waymasters)
2011 Nominations (USAGEM) - Nashville, TN
The United States Association of Gospel Entertainers and Musicians (USAGEM) held their annual Birthday Bash party at the Musicians Union Hall in Nashville, TN on August 15, 2011 from 5:00 – 7:00pm. During the party, the yearly nominations were announced. Ann placed in the top nominees for Female Vocalist of the Year, and Singer/Songwriter of the Year. These are member voted awards and the final results of the vote will be announced at the annual USAGEM convention to be held November 18th and 19th at the Texas Troubadour Theatre in Nashville, TN. www.usagem.org
Sumner County Fair - Gallatin, TN
Ann sang for 40 minutes at the Sumner County Fair in Gallatin, TN under the entertainment pavilion sponsored by the Wilson Bank and Trust. The night was cooler than expected – a welcomed blessing. Rene’ and Edie Jones stopped by and sang Ann’s song “Bible By Her Bed” – the number 7 cut on their latest CD – The Storm Chaser. For more information about Rene’ Jones, visit his website at www.renejones.com. For more information about Sumner County Fair, visit their website at www.sumnercountytnfair.com.
Bible By Her Bed, Music Video Filming
Rene’ Jones and his wife Edie invited Ann to be with them at the filming of their very first music video. The song, Bible By Her Bed, was written by Ann and is currently cut number 7 on Rene’ Jones latest CD, The Storm Chaser. The video was filmed by Aaron Thomas of Thomas Creative for Fresh Well Media owned by David and Diana Thomas. Editing comes next and then the finished video. It is still unknown when the video will be released. For more information about Rene’ Jones – The Christian Cowboy – please visit his website at www.renejones.com .
Ann had two singing/speaking engagements in the Birmingham, AL area.
On Sunday, July 24th, Ann was at Grace Covenant Fellowship Church in Hoover. She shared her music and testimony during the sermon time. After the service, the church had a cookout at the pastor's home in Helena. It was a great time of good food and fellowship. For more information about Grace Covenant Fellowship, please contact the pastor, Bob Miller, by e-mail at bob.miller@gci.org
On Monday, July 25th, Ann sang and shared testimony for 45 minutes at Saint Mark United Methodist Church in the Vestavia area, during their monthly Link Up event, sponsored by United Methodist Women. The audience blessed Ann with a standing ovation at the end of the program. She enjoyed meeting each and every one during the refreshment time. For more information about Saint Mark United Methodist Church, please visit their website at www.saintmarkumc.org.
Ann Sings at Arrington Baptist Church
Ann was invited to sing at Arrington Baptist Church during their Sunday service on June 26th. She sang & shared testimony for 20 minutes before the sermon. This was Ann's 2nd time to sing for Arrington Baptist, and she enjoyed the repeat visit. Ron & Jamye's invitation for lunch was an added treat.
Sunday Mornin' Country® Show
Ann was able to be part of Music City Christian Fellowship's annual Sunday Mornin' Country® show at the Grand Ole Opry House during CMA Fan Fest. She was one of the altos in the 75 member choir. They backed up country legends Roy Clark, T. Graham Brown, George Hamilton IV, and Jean Shepard – just to name a few. For more information about the show and MCCF, please visit their website at www.musiccitychristianfellowship.org.
Ann Starts Releasing Monthly Newsletters
Ann has started e-mailing a monthly newsletter to her fans. If you want to be included, please go to her Reverbnation page and click "Join the Mailing List". From Ann's Reverbnation site you will also find Ann's current schedule and play some of her latest music.
Click Here to sign up!
New CD Now Available
Ann's new CD project, Believers Believe, was just released (today) and is a collection of 12 original Christian-Country songs written by Ann. The album is on the Godschild Records label in Nashville, TN, and the new project can be purchased on the "Music" page of Ann's website.
Click Here to preview and/or purchase Ann's latest CD now!
Writer's Night At Cody's Pub & Eatery
Ann, along with songwriters Tammy Vice, & Larry Sorrell, enjoyed a pleasant evening playing outside on the patio at Cody's Pub & Grill. The night air was pleasant, the food was good, and the music was enjoyed by all. Guitarist Ken Rash added to the show by playing along with each writer, and Harold Hill was the host.
Disabilities Day - Rochester, NY
Ann was invited to sing at the Second Annual Inclusion Disabilities Day held at Rochester Bay Knoll Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Rochester, NY. The emphasis this year was on diabetes, and the author of Death to Diabetes, DeWayne McCulley was one of the speakers. For more information, please contact Charlotte Thoms, Coordinator, Commission for People with Disabilities at (585) 329-9295 or e-mail: disabilitiesministries@hotmail.com.
Pictured: (Left to Right) Charlotte Thoms, Mary Grace Gellakanao, Angela Bryant-Brown, and Ann Hartmann.
Back In The Studio
Ann is back in the studio working with GodsChild Records on her new 12 song CD project. This will be Ann's 3rd CD and should be ready for purchase in late Spring or early Summer. Keep checking the "Music Albums" page for availability.
www.godschildrecords.com
Writer's Night At Cody's Pub & Eatery
Ann performed in the round with two other songwriters during a writer's night at Cody's Pub & Eatery in Goodlettsville, TN on Saturday, March 26th at 7:00pm. There was also an 8:00pm and 9:00pm show with even more writers. Visit Cody's Facebook Page
2009 GMA Nomination
“Life Gets Loud” – the title cut on Mark Lowry’s latest CD project, written by Ann Hartmann and Scooter Simmons, has received a Dove nomination for Southern Gospel Song of the Year. The 41st GMA Dove Awards will be held Wed., April 21, 2010 in Nashville, TN. For more information, please visit the Gospel Music Association’s website at www.gospelmusic.org.
USAGEM Songwriter of the Year Award
Thirteen different artists, representing five different genres of Gospel and Christian music, were honored with awards by their fellow-members/artists at the Sixth Annual USAGEM Awards Banquet which was held Saturday, November 21, 2009, at the Montgomery Bell State Park Convention Center in Burns, Tennessee. The awards show, which was filmed for future television broadcasts, was hosted by The Fox Brothers.
This was the first year USAGEM accepted nominations for a “Songwriter of the Year” award. Ann landed in the top 5 nominees, with Glenn Tubb, Jim Whitaker, Daniel Johnson, and Mitch Gardner. Ann was deeply honored to learn that her peers had voted her as the 2009 Songwriter of the Year.
The yearly USAGEM Awards Banquet is a production of the United States Association Of Entertainers and Musicians, a 501(C)3 non-profit charitable ministry organization. For more information concerning the organization, please visit www.usagem.org. For information concerning members and artists of USAGEM, please visit www.myusagem.org.
Gabriel Fest, Montgomery Bell State Park
Montgomery Bell State Park Conference Center and Inn was the site of the 1st annual “Gabriel Fest” held November 19-22. The shows were produced by United States Association of Gospel Entertainers and Musicians. Daniel L. Johnson, President of USAGEM, said the organization worked with community leaders for almost one year to bring the four-day festival to Dickson County. Festival-goers were able to see and hear both well-known, established artists in Gospel and Christian music, as well as artists who are just beginning their music ministries. It was a good mix, both in style and musical genres. The tickets were $5 plus a children’s toy, and all the toys were donated to Dickson County children in need of a Merry Christmas.
Ann performed on the Friday night show, which featured Christian Country, Southern Gospel, and Bluegrass Gospel artists. Southern Gospel legends, The Hemphills, were the hosts for the evening.
For more information about USAGEM, please visit their website at www.usagem.org. For more information about The Hemphills, please visit them at www.thehemphills.com.
Ann with Tammy Tkack at Girlfriends Weekend
Cullman, AL - Once again, Ann was able to spend the weekend with approximately 50 ladies at the annual “Girlfriends” Women’s Retreat in Cullman, AL, sponsored by Grace Christian Fellowship of Birmingham, AL. This year’s theme was “Sharing the Journey.” Speakers included Tammy Tkach, Barbara Dahlgren, Ginny Rice, Ruth Miller, and Mary Jo Leaver. Ann shared her music and stories with the ladies over the two day event.
Next year’s event is scheduled for October 29 – 31. If you are interested in attending, please contact Ruth at bob.miller@wcg.org.
Ann with Mark Lowry at the National Quartet Convention
Louisville, KY - In September, Ann attended the National Quartet Convention in Louisville, KY. She was able to celebrate Mark Lowry’s newest CD project on the Gaither Gospel Series label. Ann Hartmann and Scooter Simmons are the songwriters of the title cut on Mark’s CD – “Life Gets Loud”. For more information about Mark Lowry, please visit his website at www.marklowry.com For more information about Scooter Simmons, please visit his website at www.myspace.com/scootersimmons.
Texas Troubadour Theatre
Nashville, TN - The United States Association of Gospel Entertainers and Musicians (USAGEM) sponsors a monthly "God & Country Jubilee" concert at the Texas Troubadour Theatre in Nashville, TN from May thru Nov. These concerts are held on the 4th Friday night of each month, and include Christian music from 5 different genres of Christian music: Southern Gospel, Bluegrass Gospel, Contemporary Christian, Black Gospel, and Christian Country.
Ann was the Christian Country artist for the June 26th show. The show was hosted by The Mercy Mountain Boys, and other artists that performed were as follows:
Contemporary Christian: Darren Milner
Southern Gospel: Bryan Smotherman
Black Gospel: Dewitt Johnson
Bluegrass Gospel: The Peasall Sisters
For more information about the “God and Country Jubilee”, please call USAGEM at (615)480-4066, or visit their website atwww.usagem.org
Singing At Bluebird Cafe
Nashville, TN - Tammy Vice hosted a songwriting round to benefit Autism Awareness. Ann performed "God's Got The Box" during the event. It was Ann's debut performance at the Bluebird Cafe.
For more info about the Bluebird, please visit their website at www.bluebirdcafe.com
For more information about Tammy Vice, please visit her website at www.tammyvice.com
Ann with Melanie Walker & Lydia Williams
Ann traveled to Marion, IL on Feb. 9, 2009 to be a guest on the TCT Television taping of the COME ON IN show with host, Melanie Walker. The show was devoted to the subject of grief. Ann, who lost her son in 2004, and Lydia Williams, who also lost a son, talked about how they got through the grief process. Ann also shared her song, "I Choose To Trust You" near the end of the show.
For more information about TCT, please go to their website at: www.tct-net.org. For more info about Melanie Walker, please visit her website at: www.melaniewalker.com
Life Gets Loud - Mark Lowry's New Album
Mark Lowry's new CD project, "Life Gets Loud" was released Feb. 2, 2009. The title track, "Life Gets Loud" is written by Ann Hartmann and co-writer Scooter Simmons.
For more info about Mark Lowry, please visit his website at: www.marklowry.com
For more information about Scooter Simmons, please visit his website at: www.myspace.com/scootersimmons
Writer's Night at Richard's Cafe
Whites Creek, TN - Ann was invited to be part of the songwriter's night at Richard's Cafe in White's Creek, TN. Richard's Cafe is owned by songwriter Richard Trest.
Other songwriters there were Tammy Vice and Jon Miller. A special appearance was made by artist Melanie Walker, who just recorded one of Tammy's songs - WHAT THE KING DIDN'T KNOW.
Everyone enjoyed great food and fellowship.
For more information about Tammy Vice, please visit her website at www.tammyvice.com
For more information about Melanie Walker, please visit her website at www.melaniewalker.com
For more information about Jon Miller, please visit his website at www.JonMillerOnline.com orwww.myspace.com/jonmillermusic
For more information about Richard Trest and Richard's Cafe, please visit his website at www.richardtrest.com
ICM Convention in Hendersonville, TN
Ann enjoyed another year of visiting with fellow artists and writers at the Inspirational Country Music Week (ICM) sponsored by the Christian Country Music Association (CCMA). This year's event was held at Trinity Music City in Hendersonville TN just outside of Nashville.
Ann sang on the Sam Ash Music Stage on Monday night and the Sumner County Outdoor Stage on Wednesday afternoon. She spent the week catching up on what was new with all her friends and meeting new friends. The week concluded with the awards show on Thursday night.
Ann was especially glad to get to know Marla Ratliff a little better. Marla just recorded one of Ann's songs - WE'RE NOT THERE YET. The song is on Marla's new project to be released very soon. For more information about Marla, please visit her website at www.marlaratliff.com
For more information about the CCMA, please visit their website at ccma.cc
Brotherhood Breakfast in Forestdale, AL
Ann was invited to sing at the Brotherhood Breakfast at Hillview Baptist Church in Forestdale, AL on August 17, 2008. The guest speaker spoke about the importance of walking in love, and Ann's songs encouraged that God wants us to love others the way He loves us - even when we are afraid to. Everyone enjoyed a great time of fellowship and food before church.
The Servants in concert at Rockvale Independent Baptist Church in Rockvale, TN
Ann's "Southern Gospel" friends, THE SERVANTS, were in concert at the Rockvale Independent Baptist Church on July 26, 2008. Ann attended the concert to show her support for The Servants and they allowed her to share a couple of her "Christian Country" songs with the church during their break. The concert was enjoyed by all, and food and fellowship followed.
VA in Birmingham, AL
The veterans enrolled in the Blind Rehab program in Birmingham, AL were treated to an "Ann Hartmann" concert after dinner on July 9th. As always, Ann enjoyed sharing her songs and stories with them.
For more information about VA services for blind veterans, please visit their website at www1.va.gov/blindrehab
Ann Sings National Anthem
Ann was once again asked to sing the National Anthem for the Southeastern Blind Rehabilitation Center Alumni Association's annual Banquet in Birmingham, AL. This was Ann's 3rd year to be included in this special event. The banquet was held in the ballroom at the Sheraton Hotel on June 7th.
