CrossWay On Track With ‘No Distractions’

Posted in News on October 11, 2001

The rafters at BMI's Nashville offices were ringing when new gospel quartet CrossWay performed during a reception celebrating the release of their album No Distractions on Spring Hill Music.

CrossWay, originally from Ripley, Mississippi, consists of Chris Weaver (bass), Paul Smith (baritone), Marty Hurt (lead) and Casey Cappleman (tenor). Now based in Nashville, the group has been perfecting their harmonies since they began singing together in 1998. For the past few years, CrossWay's travels have spread beyond Mississippi to several regions of the country. After winning the second annual Solid Gospel Big One Talent Contest in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, the quartet began performing full-time in a Christian theater with Steve Gatlin in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and have since shared the stage with artists such as Gold City, The Kingsmen and Jeff & Sheri Easter.

CrossWay performs Centergy Music's Niles Borop with BMI's Joyce Rice

Casey Cappleman (c) with former BMI co-workers Joyce Johnson, Gabriele Hoffman, Nancy Logan and Paul Corbin BMI's Patsy Bradley, Christy & Marty Hurt

With a vocal style reminiscent of The Cathedrals, The Statesmen and The Master's Five, CrossWay's signature sound combines smooth, "barber shop" harmonies with church-friendly anthems and toe-tappin' melodies. The group is currently nominated for Horizon Group of the Year at the 2001 Singing News Fan Awards and performed to an enthusiastic crowd at the New Artist Showcase during the National Quartet Convention in September.

(standing) CrossWay's Chris Weaver, BMI's Patsy Bradley, CrossWay's Paul Smith and Marty Hurt, BMI's Paul Corbin, CrossWay's Casey Cappleman, BMI's Perry Howard and Spring Hill Music Group's Scott Chancey; (seated) BMI's Joyce Rice and Thomas Cain

No Distractions, released on September 25, features production by Garry Jones, Bill Gaither and Michael Sykes and includes the group's first national radio single "I Won't Look At the Lions," written by BMI award-winning writer Rodney Griffin. Other BMI songwriters who contributed to the project are Roxie Ann More, Garry Jones, Niles Borop, Kyla Rowland, Dianne Wilkinson, Patti Hawkins, Kirk Talley and CrossWay's Marty Hurt. The album, distributed by Chordant Music Group, will be available in stores nationwide.

Spring Hill Music's Scott Chancey, CrossWay's Paul Smith & Casey Cappleman, producers Kevin Stokes and Garry Jones, CrossWay's Chris Weaver and Marty Hurt.

photos by Beth Gwinn

SOURCENews TAGS Christian Gospel Artists CrossWay Nancy Logan Kyla Rowland Kirk Talley