Award-winning gospel group The Marksmen are celebrating their 40th anniversary with the release of “God’s Masterpiece,” a two-CD/one DVD offering from Rural Rhythm Records.” (Everyday Worship — Songs & Scriptures)” is a concept album about the death, burial and resurrection stories from the Bible, according to Sam Passamano of Rural Rhythm.

“Our company is so excited to bring this wonderful new approach to sharing a moving experience in music and scripture,” he said.

The set of of music and narrated scriptures also includes a DVD of The Marksmen performing songs from “God’s Masterpiece” and a 12-page booklet with scripture quotations from the King James Bible.

Produced by Mark Wheeler, the album includes guest appearances by bluegrass group Mountain Heart members, Barry Abernathy on banjo and Jim Van Cleve on fiddle.”

“This is a project I have always wanted to do,” Wheeler said. “When it came together and I finally heard the completed version, I knew this is the project that all the years and miles that The Marksmen have traveled is for - to share His word and His music through this soul-stirring CD and DVD.”

The title track, “God’s Masterpiece,” co-written by Wheeler, reached No. 3 on the “Christian Voice” magazine chart and the radio hit “Timber and Nails” went to No. 2 on the “US Gospel News” country chart. It also saw some chart activity on the “Singing News Magazine” radio list of top tunes.

The Marksmen have received numerous awards and recognitions throughout their career, including four-time recipient of the *Country Gospel Quartet of the Year* by Country Gospel Music Guild; four times as the *Bluegrass Gospel Group of the Year* by the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA); inducted into the *Gospel Hall of Fame* by the Texas Country Music Association; and most recently, Mark Wheeler was nominated as *Favorite Male Vocalist* at the Front Porch Fellowship Bluegrass Gospel Fan Awards.

Group members also include Darrin Chambers, Davey Waller, and Mark Autry.

The album is available for purchase at all larger music retailers via RYKO Distribution.