Greg Bentley Honored With SGMG 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award

On Tuesday, March 12, members of the Southern Gospel Music Guild gathered at BMI in Nashville, TN, to honor industry leader, Greg Bentley, with the 2024 SGMG Lifetime Achievement Award.

A positive force in gospel music, Greg began his full-time career in the industry in 1984 as tenor for the legendary family group, The Hoppers. He went on to travel with the Down East Boys, then toured for a decade with beloved industry icon, Squire Parsons, as a member of Squire’s trio. Greg is a multiple Singing News Fan Award nominee for both Favorite Tenor and Favorite Young Artist.

Greg has been an integral part of the team at Crossroads Label Group since 1993 and has made an indelible mark on the careers of numerous artists, including The Talleys, The Kingdom Heirs, Ivan Parker, The Kingsmen, The McKameys, 11th Hour, Endless Highway, Mark Bishop and many more. He currently serves as head of publishing and artist relations for the stalwart label group.

“Greg Bentley has a heart for God and a passion for gospel music,” shared SGMG Vice President and Director of Membership, Beckie Simmons. “He approaches everything he does with professionalism and kindness and works tirelessly to serve this great industry. We are thrilled to present Greg with the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award! So deserving!”

Gospel music luminary and co-founder of Crossroads Label Group, Chris White, lauded Greg for his dedication, “I’ve known and worked with Greg for over 35 years. I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again. Greg is as solid as a rock. Yes, I’ve seen that rock crack a few times over the years, but I’ve never seen it break! His character, integrity and his devotion to everything he believes in is as good as it gets!”

Longtime member of the gospel music community and SGMG President, Elliott McCoy, stated, “As president of the Southern Gospel Music Guild, I want to express my heartfelt thanks and gratitude to Greg Bentley. His contributions to the gospel music community as both an artist and record label executive have been profoundly impactful. It is a well-deserved honor.”

Greg conveyed his gratefulness for the award. “From the time I was 12 years old and saw the Gospel Singing Jubilee on TV, I was hooked. I loved the harmonies of it and the passion in it, and I still love gospel music as much today as I did back then. I am honored and humbled to receive this award, and I appreciate the Guild, the record labels, the promoters and the artists for what they do for the Kingdom. That is the main thing; that we do it for the Kingdom.

Pictured are members of the SGMG Executive Board and the industry professionals who spoke at Greg Bentley’s Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony.

L to R:  Todd Hames, Donnie Williamson, Beckie Simmons, Judy Nelon, Ricky Carden, Chris White, Greg Bentley, Lauren Talley, Mary Alice Lovelace, Tim Lovelace, Elliott McCoy, Ed Leonard, Paul Pitts