Pigeon Forge, TN - Southern Gospel Music Association (SGMA) Executive Director Charlie Waller announced today the recipient of this year's James D. Vaughan "Impact Award" will be Barbara Mandrell. Waller stated, “Throughout her career she won over 75 major awards including Country Music Assoc. (CMA); Entertainer of the Year Award. Mandrell was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame recently. Her impact on Gospel music was far reaching. Mandrell persuaded the NBC executives to give her a chance to close "Barbara Mandrell & The Mandrell Sisters" television show with Gospel music; it was a hit and 40 million viewers saw Gospel music each week”. Mandrell plans to appear in person to accept the honor. The award will be presented October 7th at the annual SGMA Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The event will be held at the Pines Theatre inside Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, TN. For tickets and information call 865-908-4040.

Past recipients of the award include; Bill Gaither, James Blackwood, Les Beasley, Bob Brumley, Mosie Lister, Paul Heil, Eva Mae LeFevre, J.G. Whitfield, and Lari Goss.

Tickets are $70, which includes the admission to Dollywood, free parking, lunch, the induction ceremony and the tribute concert. Dollywood Theme Park will be open and all shows; rides and shops will be operating.

The Tribute Concert is 10 a.m. – noon featuring the Dixie Echoes, Dove Brothers and Triumphant at The Pines Theatre in Dollywood. The Pines will also host the annual celebration of inductees to the Hall of Fame at 3:45 p.m. honoring Neil Enloe, Ed Hill, Harold Lane, Don Light, Bill Lyles, Elizabeth "Lady" Mull, Billy Todd, Charlie Waller. Barbara Mandrell will be honored with the James D. Vaughn "Impact Award."

Performers appearing are Booth Brothers, Christy Sutherland, Chuck Wagon Gang, Dailey & Vincent, Dixie Echoes, Dove Brothers, Gospel Harmony Boys, Greater Vision, and the Mark Trammell Trio.

Dinner includes baked chicken, pulled barbecue pork sandwiches, all beef hot dogs with Chili, cole slaw, corn on the cob, baked beans, roasted skillet potatoes, banana pudding, unlimited Coca-cola products or Gold Peak tea.

“I encourage each of you to be in attendance for this milestone event in gospel music,” Waller said. “Come visit us in the Great Smoky Mountains and be at Dollywood Oct. 7th.”

Tickets must be purchased in advance by calling the SGMA office (865) 908-4040 to attend the tribute concert and ceremony in the Pines Theatre on Oct 7 .

The Southern Gospel Music Association is a non-profit organization that maintains the Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame, the only facility honoring this genre of music, for the historic preservation of the accomplishments of the music and its people. Museum hours match those of Dollywood. Donations are tax-deductible. For more information about the museum or its inductees, visit www.sgma.org.