Craig Minor, A&R Director For Vital Gospel (Daywind/New Day), Passes Away

Hendersonville, TN -- Craig Minor, A&R Director For Vital Gospel, a division of Daywind Music Group, passed away on Monday, January 9th. Craig, age 38, leaves behind his wife of thirteen years, Diane, and his daughter, Kayla.

As A&R Director for Vital Gospel, he worked with gospel recording artists Ann McCrary, Rod McGaha and most recently, New Harvest. Craig traveled the country as a judge for the Exalting Him talent search and served as friend and sales associate to over two hundred bookstores.

Despite suffering from several afflictions (most recently lymphoma) over the past two years, Craig remained strong in his faith, and praised God through everything.

Dottie Leonard Miller, CEO of New Day Distribution, said, “ I will always remember Craig’s faith and the love he had for the Lord. What a testimony. He never gave up! We will miss him, but knowing he is not in pain and that he is with our Heavenly Father brings us peace. We will see him again, and that is our promise.”

Ed Leonard, President of Daywind, shared, “Craig was reverent, joyous, determined, creative and light-hearted. In his business life, he cared so much about his relationships with his buyers, artists and co-workers. He wanted the Gospel spread. I will miss my friend.”

“Craig Minor was one of the most amazing people I’ve ever met,” says Billboard’s Christian/gospel music correspondent Deborah Evans Price. “A consummate professional, he was instrumental in nurturing the careers of numerous artists, and his dedicated work ethic and enthusiasm help elevate the industry he loved dearly. Most importantly, Craig was a loving husband, wonderful father and an incredible friend whose faith enriched everyone’s life. I will miss his smile and that great sense of humor. Heaven’s gain is our loss.”

Visitation will be held Friday, January 12, 2007, at the Celebration of Life Church in Hendersonville, TN, from 5:00-6:00 PM. Funeral services will be held immediately following. His body will lay in rest near his family’s home in Virginia.