Daywind recording artists and a Daywind songwriter were among the big winners at the 2nd Annual NQC Music Awards held at the National Quartet Convention in Louisville last Friday. Popular mixed group, The Perrys, received the award for Album of the Year for their cd “Through the Night.” Dianne Wilkinson added to her distinguished career by being named 2013 Songwriter of the Year. Brian Free and Assurance received the award for Video of the Year for the music video to their #1 song “I Want To Be That Man.”

In an emotional acceptance, Libbi Stuffle thanked her group for carrying on despite tremendous adversity. Libbi’s husband and the group’s leader, Tracy Stuffle, suffered a stroke early this year and is recovering under Libbi’s care in Nashville, TN.

Dianne Wilkinson graciously thanked the crowd for the award while encouraging the audience. “More than ever, sinners need to be saved; Christians need to be encouraged; the Church needs to be awakened; and God needs to be glorified...and we don't have long to do it,” exclaimed Wilkinson, who has had several #1 songs in the past year to go along with her past hits recorded by the Cathedrals, Kingdom Heirs, Mark Trammell Quartet and many more.

Brian Free and Assurance’s video director, Scott Godsey, accepted on behalf of the group for their win. “I Want To Be That Man,” was the first #1 single from the album Nothing But Love. The album has since birthed a second #1 song, “Calvary’s Cry.” with the third single, “Nothing But Love” now playing at radio stations nationwide. The group and the recording received seven nominations overall for the NQC Music Awards.

“We are so proud of our artists and songwriters. I see behind the scenes how hard they work and how pure their hearts are. It is wonderful when their fans recognize their efforts in this way,” said Ed Leonard, president of Daywind Records.

Along with these great talents, Daywind Records is home to such artists as the Karen Peck and New River, Greater Vision, Legacy Five, and more. Daywind is distributed to Christian retail by New Day Christian Distributors (www.newdaychristian.com) and to the general market by Select O Hits. For more information on Daywind, visit www.daywindrecords.com.