SOUNDS OF GOOD NEWS (SOGN) Productions

For over 3 Decades, SOGN Productions has been sharing the "POWER of MUSIC and MORE in the Greater Rockford, IL Region and beyond! Carl & Dianna Cole, and Son Andrew, are Overjoyed to bring Inspiration and Excellence to your Event or Function! Thank You, so much, for calling Us!

SOGN's "COLE & Company" is a Fantastic "Family" Group for All Occasions! We're READY for ANYTHING for YOU! Let us "SPRINKLE LOVE" on Your Public or Private Celebration!

Celebrating 33 years of Business & Ministry this November!

Our Business & Ministry!

In 1979 on the Day after Thanksgiving, Carl Cole (Mr. "C") was visiting his Mother ("Mom" Erma L. Cole, who just Celebrated her 81st Birthday on February 24th, 2011) during a Holiday break from his studies at Northern IL University. Little did he know that God would inspire him to create "SOGN"! The Company Celebrated its 31st Anniversary last November! To God Be the Glory, for His Mighty Acts!

"THANK YOU", "Mom" Cole, for your Inspiration and Education to make the Dream of SOGN a "Reality"!We Honor her this Month on the 24th when she will turn "Four Score and Two"! "HAPPY BIRTHDAY", MOM! WE LOVE YOU!

Here is a Picture of Mr. C's "Rockford Area Music Industry" (RAMI) "Hall Of Fame" Award...after Winning 5 Annual RAMI Awards!

Here is a shot of Mr. C receiving the 2007 IL Association of Park Districts & IL Park and Recreation Association "Community Service Award" from the Rockford Park District!

Here is a shot of Mr. C = Rockford College Adjunct Professor Carl A. Cole with his "Gospel Choir" Class @ his Birthday Celebration!

Here is a shot of Mr. C, the "YES" Club Kids & the SOGN Family @ the 2008 IL State Fair on the "Lincoln Stage" in Springfield!

Here is a Shot of Mr. C receiving the 2009 "Father of the Year" Award from the Ethnic Heritage Museum!

Here are 3 shots of Special SOGN Events:

(1) Photo of Senior Citizen Jerry Martin dancing with the "YES" Club Kids @ our 4th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration @ Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center in January! He also danced @ the 5th Annual!

(2) A shot of Mr. C briefing the "YES" Kids before the Annual Black History Celebration @ Court Street United Methodist Church in February of 2010! Click the Photo to see FAB Pics from our 2011 Celebration @ St. Paul Lutheran School!

(3) Here's a Fun Shot of the YES-IC @ our 5th Annual Dr. King Day Event (1/17/11)!

Here's a Neat Shot of Andrew, Evon Sams & Mr. C @ the Dr. King Celebration...and below is a Great shot of Mr. C hittin' notes that Day!

Who is Mr. "C"?

Mr. Carl A. Cole, affectionately called Mr. “C” by Children and acquaintances, was born September 25, 1961 in Freeport, IL. As the last of seven talented children, he was introduced to the Music Industry by his Mother…who organized regional tours with them as the “Singing Coles” (who were mentioned in the IL State History Magazine in the ’63 & ’65 Issues). On stage at 3 years old, continuing in Music and Art throughout school, playing for his first Wedding at the age of 11 yrs., Mr. C is still going strong with his Music Career, through his Rockford based Company, Sounds of Good News. For over 30 years, his versatile piano playing and singing skills have caused him to be involved in many public and private Events and Projects, and to acquire numerous awards. Much of his life has been spent working with Multi-Cultural Children and Seniors, giving Inspiration and Education in his presentations. He is also an ordained Minister, and is very active in Community and Regional Evangelism. There is no doubt that he loves what he does; and he loves doing it. In recent years, he has become a professional recording producer, as well as a prolific composer and arranger. Moreover, his smile and positive attitude can be seen regularly in newspapers and TV, while his music is playing on the radio. Most recently, he is teaching Music at Rockford College, providing music at Hospitals for Complementary Medicine as well as working with Anti-Drug, Violence & Crime Youth Projects both In and After School. One thing is for sure: if you run into him…he will be busy sharing his God-given abilities for the betterment of this World…starting in his Hometown Region!

OTHER INFORMATION: Rockford Area Music Industry (RAMI) Hall of Fame Inductee; Received the Booker T. Washington Center “Community Legend” Award; Performing Member of the Mendelssohn Performing Arts Center; Performed with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra; Served as Music Director & Pianist for New American Theatre’s 30^th Season Closer: “Ain’t Misbehavin”; Recorded at Paramount Studios in Hollywood, CA; Performed 2X at the “Taste of Chicago” Festival; Received the “American Legion” Award @ 12 yrs. Old… the Race Unity Award…the 2008 “Community Service Award” from the IL Park and Recreation Association;  and the 2009-10 African-American “Father-of-the Year”! Visits Public and Private Schools!

He is currently an Adjunct Professor @ Rockford College, teaching “Gospel Choir”; He is also the Creator and Music Director for its “Young Eagles Success” (YES) Club Vision, involving Character Building “RESPECT” Workshops for Kids as well as the “Young Eagles Soaring Inspirational Choir” (YESIC)!

SOGN COMPANY LEADERSHIP:

SOGN is very Blessed to have the Time and Talents of Carl's Lovely wife Dianna...as a Superb Vocal Performing & Recording Artist...as well as the Business Manager and Educational Coordinator! You will Celebrate her on her "Dianna-mite" Web Site at: www.WAY4U.net !

Of course every Great Music Production Company needs a Studio Engineer with Astronomical "Ears" as well as Multi-Talents in Drums, Percusiion, Bass, Guitar and occasional "Singing" when threatened! Such a Person is "Rolled-into-One" with Carl & Dianna's only Child, Andrew! SOGN is most Fortunate to have his Expertise! More about "Drew" at:

www.soundclick.com/ajcolelectionz

After 25+ years, we applaud Frank Robinson (Aurora, IL) for his Longtime Friendship and Diligence with SOGN! "Click the Pic" to Experience his Web Site!

We are PROUD to have a "Young Eagles Success" (YES) Club Anti-Drug, Alcohol, Violence & Crime Vision of Character Development and Excellence for Kids using Music! "YES" Leaders include: Mr. C, Program Director; Ms. C, Director of Education; Andrew Cole, Productions Engineer; Paula Pumphrey, Project Associate Leader (PAL); Ms. Betty Pumphrey (Paula's Mom), Parent/Guardian Special Support! Click the Logo for more information on our Program!

COLLABORATIVE PARTNERS:

SOGN is Ignited and Excited to be UNITED with St. Paul Lutheran Church (Sr. Pastor David Thies) with their Community Outreach Vision! Monthly Neighborhood "CHURCH 4U" Services on 2nd Sundays are Powerful and "Positive"! As our 501c3 Arm, Tax-Deductible Contributions can be made to "St. Paul Lutheran Church" for SOGN & the "YES" Club!

Visit: www.stpaulrockford.org

SOGN is also Proud to work with the Rockford Park District Programs to Inspire Kids through Music and "YES" Club Workshops @ the 21st Century After-School Program @ Lewis Lemon Academy as well as @ Summer Camp Sites! RPD Sponsors an Annual Field Trip to the IL State Fair on "Conservation Day" where the "YES" Kids perform each year!

Visit: www.rockfordparkdistrict.org

This year on August 20th, they shared Songs on the Beautiful Illinois Building Auditorium Stage! BRAVO to the Kids! 

http://www.agr.state.il.us/isf/events/ParkDay.htm