Rusty's Acceptance Speech For the Musician of the Year Award, at the Josie Music Awards, October 22, 2023
"...Thank God, thank my family, thank my Father for moving us up there to Nashville - he chased his dreams, I'm chasing mine!" --Rusty
Trivia: This is the third time Rusty has given an acceptance speech - the first 2 were for songwriting awards.
Video by Rusty's brother, Chris Golden
Won the “Southern Roots Album of the Year” Award (for Group - William Lee Golden and the Goldens) for "Old Country Church" at the Absolutely Gospel Music (AGM) Awards, May 7, 2024; Rusty Golden - group member, keyboard, vocals.
Won the “Musician of the Year” Award (Piano/Keyboard) at the 9th annual Josie Music Awards, Grand Ole Opry, in Nashville, October 22, 2023; Presented by Josie Passatino Boone of the JMA.
Won the “Group of the Year Multi-Genre” Award (for Group - William Lee Golden and the Goldens) at the 9th annual Josie Music Awards in Nashville, October 22, 2023; Rusty Golden - group member, keyboard, vocals.
Nominated for "Best JMA Performance 2022" and "Group of the Year - Multi-Genre" 2023 awards for the Josie Music Awards, April 2023 - Group "William Lee Golden and the Goldens. Rusty Golden - group member, keyboard, vocals.
Nominated for "Favorite Crossover Artist" (for Group - William Lee Golden and the Goldens), Christian Voice Magazine Gospel Music Fan Awards, March 2023. Rusty Golden - group member, keyboard, vocals. Link to cast your vote https://www.christianvoicemagazine.com/ballot2?fbclid=IwAR1CWgvT4PKSOss1N7ebHYZCz_91QMXnbjkuFw5J8anFEz6pc_4nP6iJrug
Won the “Fan Favourite” Award (for Group - William Lee Golden and the Goldens) at the 8th annual Josie Music Awards in Nashville, 2022; Presented on stage January 7, 2023 by Josie Passatino Boone of the JMA. Rusty Golden - group member, keyboard, vocals.
Nominated for "Best Group" and "Best Country
Artist" 2022 awards in independent music awards - Group
"William Lee Golden and the Goldens. Rusty Golden -
group member, keyboard, vocals.
Recognized #1 Song
on the Top 40 Christian Country list reported by SGN Scoops,
October 2022 for song “It’s a God Thing”, by Rusty Golden & Jerry
Salley; recorded by Chris Golden.
Recognized #1 Song on the Cashbox
Magazine Christian Country Top 100 Chart, October 2022 for song “It’s a God
Thing” by Rusty Golden & Jerry Salley; recorded by
Chris Golden.
Celebrated 50 YEARS in the Professional Music Industry, 2022.
Surpassed 1 Million Social Media
Views:
Music video “Come And Dine” by William Lee Golden and the
Goldens. Rusty Golden, group member and on keyboards, harmony vocals. Dec. 2021 (https://2911.us/william-lee-golden-and-the-goldens-continue-to-celebrate-success-of-come-and-dine/
)
Recognized #1 Song on CDX TRACtion Southern
Gospel & Positive Country Chart for 7 weeks, Dec. 2021 - “Come And
Dine” by William Lee Golden and the Goldens; Rusty Golden on Keyboards,
Harmony Vocals
(https://2911.us/william-lee-golden-and-the-goldens-continue-to-celebrate-success-of-come-and-dine/
)
Presentation of Proclamation & Key to the City by Brewton, Alabama Mayor Yank Lovelace during the William Lee Golden and the Goldens performance at PorchFest, Nov. 2021. Rusty Golden - group member, keyboards, harmony vocals. (https://2911.us/william-lee-golden-and-the-goldens-receive-proclamation-and-key-to-the-city-at-brewton-porch-fest-in-brewton-alabama/) See photo below.
Recognized #1
Song on Cashbox Christian Country Chart, "A Different
Light" by Rusty Golden and Dianne
Willkinson; Performed by Chris Golden on "Sunday
Shoes" (https://absolutelygospel.com/2016/05/11/chris-golden-claims-first-number-one-song/
), 2016
Won Songwriter of the Year Award, by Absolutely Gospel, SGMA, 2010 (https://www.sgnscoops.com/2010-sgn-music-awards-handed-out/)
Awarded "Most
Played Song" by BMI for "What Salvation's Done for Me" by
Rusty Golden and Dianne Willkinson, 2010
Won "Song of the Year" Award for "What Salvation's Done For Me", by Rusty Golden and Dianne Willkinson; Performed by the Booth Brothers, 2010
Won "Progressive
Southern Song of the Year" Award for "What
Salvation's Done For Me", by Rusty Golden and Dianne Willkinson; Performed by the Booth Brothers, 2010 (https://www.sgnscoops.com/2010-sgn-music-awards-handed-out/)
Recognized #1 Song - "What Salvation's Done for Me" by Rusty Golden and Dianne Willkinson, April 2010
Won “Country Song of the Year” Award, for “I Want To Thank You”, by Rusty Golden and Jerry Salley; recorded by Karen Peck and New River; 2010 (https://www.sgnscoops.com/2010-sgn-music-awards-handed-out/)
Won "Song of the Year" Award for “I Want To Thank You”, by Rusty Golden and Jerry Salley; recorded by Karen Peck and New River; 2010 (https://www.sgnscoops.com/2010-sgn-music-awards-handed-out/)
Recognized #1 Song "Between
Twelve and Thirty-Three" written by Rusty Golden and Jim McBride, performed by The
McKameys, 2009 (https://alchetron.com/The-McKameys )
Won "Fan Favorite Award", Singing News Fan Awards 2009, for "What Salvation's Done for Me" by Dianne Willkinson / Rusty Golden
Grammy Nominated Album “Ephesians One” recorded by Karen Peck and New River, featuring Song of the Year "I Want To Thank You" written by Rusty Golden and Jerry Salley, 2009. (https://gospelmusichalloffame.org/karen-peck/ )
RIAA Certified Gold Album "Get Away Jordan" recorded by Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, featuring song "John in the Jordan" written by Rusty Golden and Jerry Salley, ( https://www.platformtickets.com/artists/ernie-haase-signature-sound)
Grammy Nominated Album “Get Away Jordan” recorded by Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, featuring song "John in the Jordan" written by Rusty Golden and Jerry Salley, 2008.
Southern Gospel Album of the Year Award Winner “Get Away Jordan”, recorded by Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, featuring song "John in the Jordan" written by Rusty Golden and Jerry Salley, 2008. (https://www.sj-r.com/story/entertainment/music/2012/09/06/hit-gospel-group-performing/41738516007/ )
Dove Awarded Southern Gospel Album of the Year "Get Away Jordan", recorded by Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, featuring "John in the Jordan" song written by Rusty Golden and Jerry Salley (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Get_Away,_Jordan)
Recognized #1 Billboard's List of Christian Albums “Get Away Jordan” recorded by Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, featuring "John in the Jordan" written by Rusty Golden and Jerry Salley, 2007. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Billboard_Top_Christian_Albums_number_ones_of_the_2000s )
Recognized #1 Song on 4 charts, "John in the Jordan" by Rusty Golden and Jerry Salley, Performed by Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, 2004. (https://www.bmi.com/news/entry/rusty_golden_thankful_for_gospel_success)
Best Keyboardist Award, Battle of the Corporate Bands at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, 2002
Recognized U.S. Billboard Top Country Albums (peak at #63), 1999, "The Pilgrim" (Performer - Marty Stuart; Piano: Rusty Golden); Canadian RPM Country Albums #21; Other noted performers on the album included Johnny Cash, vocals on "Outro", and George Jones, vocals on "Truckstop".(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pilgrim_%28Marty_Stuart_album%29)
Recognized Charting Single and video "Take Me Back To The Country" from the Rush for Gold album, 1990; Rusty Golden: Vocals, Keyboard (Whitburn, Joel, 2008. Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 164. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2)
Recognized Charting Single and video "Little Piece of Land" from the Rush for Gold album, 1990; Rusty Golden: Vocals, Keyboard (Whitburn, Joel, 2008. Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 164. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2)
Recognized Charting Single and video "Keep the Faith" from the Rush for Gold album, 1990; Rusty Golden: Vocals, Keyboard (Whitburn, Joel, 2008. Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. p. 164. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2)
Recognized Billboard's Hot Country Singles and Tracks Chart - "Sorry Girls" by The Goldens, 1988. Written by Rusty Golden; and Rusty Golden: Vocals, Keyboard.
Recognized Billboard's Top Hot Country Singles and Tracks - "Put Us Together Again" by The Goldens, 1988, Rusty Golden: Vocals, Keyboard.
Awarded Gold
Record in 1984 for songwriting contributions to the #1 album "Bobbie Sue" by the Oak
Ridge Boys, 1982. Credited for composition and lyrics: "Back In Your Arms Again" by Rusty
Golden and "Until You" by Rusty Golden and
Jimbeau Hinson.
Recognized #1 Album on the US Billboard Top Country Albums chart: "Bobbie Sue" by the Oak Ridge Boys, 1982. Rusty Golden contributed 2 songs on the album. Also noted for peaking at #20 on the U.S. Billboard 200; and at #27 on the Canadian RPM Top Albums.
Recognized #1 Song "I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love" from the album "Love Is Just a Game" by Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, 1977. Album also reached number 7 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart, with the title track single "Love Is Just a Game" reaching number 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart and number 6 on the RPM Country Tracks chart in Canada. Rusty Golden on keyboards, with album credits billed by his given name "William Lee Golden". (https://www.allmusic.com/album/love-is-just-a-game-mw0000887022/credits and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Gatlin)
L2R: Rusty Golden, Tinamarie Passantino, Chris Golden, William Lee Golden, Josie Passantino-Boone. Rusty Golden is holding the "Fan Favourite Award", presented to him on stage on January 7, 2023, by Tinamarie Passantino and Josie Passantino-Boone of the Josie Music Awards.
L2R: Rusty Golden, Chris Golden, Elizabeth Golden, Mayor Yank Lovelace, Craig Golden, William Lee Golden - holding the Proclamation and Key to the City, presented by Mayor of Brewton, Alabama, Nov. 2021
Rusty shares: "I am trying 2 juggle FOUR. That is Dianne Wilkinson and Jerry Salley (my Co-writers and Co-Winners)....the only award I took home that night that they didn't was 'SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR" - April 18, 2010 SGN Awards Show
BEST PROGRESSIVE GOSPEL SONG 2010 - "WHAT SALVATION'S DONE FOR ME"
Rusty shares: "on my right are Jim Brady & Michael Booth (Booth Brothers- who performed the song that night) and co-host SONYA ISAACS. On my left are co-host Mike Bowling and my dear co-writer Dianne Wilkinson. On a personal note, this was my first time (out of 4) to go up and accept an award that night. I spent most of this one looking at and talking about my Dad, my brother Chris and our lifelong friend Greg Gordon all 3 whom were my "dates" for the evening. I can just see in my own eyes that I was looking directly at where they were sitting. Funny (to me)."
Rusty accepting the SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR award.
Photo: SGN
Rusty shares: "JERRY SALLEY at the podium giving the acceptance speech.
That's me on the far right wondering what in the world i am going to say that I haven't already said...I would go up there to accept 4 Awards that night.
Thank You Lord.
BTW...that is presenter and super talent Sonya Isaacs on Jerry's right. She is one of my all time favorite singers in ANY genre. Like an angel. Also on the stage...Karen Peck & New River far left. Mike Bowling is standing next 2 me. He is a #1 Artist and was a co-host with Sonya that evening."
Photo: SGN
Rusty shares: "I have had 4 #1 Gospel Songs. This particular invite was for "WHAT SALVATION'S DONE FOR ME" I was awarded as both writer and publisher that night. Thanks to everyone involved."
SONG OF THE YEAR AWARD ('I WANT TO THANK YOU')
Rusty shares: "I am looking towards Heaven. Thanking GOD, hoping all my departed loved ones are cheering me on, etc. It seemed the natural thing to do when words didn't work. (Always remember that trick all you tongue twisted award winners for future reference). L 2 R: New River, Karen Peck, Sonya Isaacs (right behind KP)...Me...and my co-writer in the gray jacket JERRY SALLEY, who is either laughing or crying at my awkward pause....hahahaha."
Photo: SGN
SONG OF THE YEAR - 'I WANT TO THANK YOU'
ON LEFT : KAREN PECK & NEW RIVER (Artists)
RIGHT:: MIKE BOWLING &
JERRY SALLEY (Rusty's Co-Writer).
From FORTUNE Magazine's "Corporate Band Battle" at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cleveland, Ohio - October 4&5, 2002
Rusty performed with my friend Richard M. Scrushy (former C.E.O. / HealthSouth Corporation) and his band "PROXY" and won the Best Keyboardist award
Rusty, with his grandmother, wearing a medal presented at a Gospel Music Association award event. Rusty's grandmother, the late Rutha Mae Morgan Golden was a published poet.
