In Case You Missed It - News and Tidbits - January 30

Here are a few news items from this week in gospel music -

• Jon Epley has joined the LeFevre Quartet as bass singer leaving the Ball Brothers. Brandon Barry was the bass singer for the group.
• Brian Free & Assurance is releasing its next album as a trio - Live Like We're Redeemed.
• The Kingsmen Quartet are continuing their search for a tenor singer. Ernie Phillips has been filling in for the past few weeks. They posted on Facebook that if you or someone you know is interested to email kingsmentenor@gmail.com.
• Daywind Records announced a talent contest with its 2nd Annual Daywind Quartet Festival. Daywind invites quartets to submit a video of an a cappella performance of a public domain song up to 2 minutes in length. The five quartet videos with the most Facebook likes will be invited to perform at the Daywind Quartet Festival in April. Attendees will vote on their favorite quartet, and the winner will a recording package from Daywind Studios. To enter, send your video to publicity@daywind.com by February 5.  
• Gold City is inviting fans to take the "Are You Ready" Challenge in memory of Doug Riley who passed away on Jan. 31, 2006. The group is asking fans to share the song with a friend and on their Facebook timelines. Find out more details on the group's Facebook page. 

Anything I've missed?

Fun Clip Friday - Brian Free and Assurance - Making of Live Like We're Redeemed

Happy Friday to everyone! Brian Free & Assurance is getting ready to release a new project "Live Like We're Redeemed" as a trio. As they went into the studio to record the album, they took a video camera with them. They have not only the new album but a new DVD to show the making of this project. The DVD features behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, stories about each song and more!

They posted the trailer for the new project on YouTube this week. Check it out here!

Daily Devotionals - The Nelons - Jason Clark #ThisDay

It's not uncommon for artists to share news, information and videos on Facebook. Social media has become such a great tool for artists in Southern Gospel. This year Jason Clark of the Nelons has started doing a daily video devotional on Facebook. Each morning the Nelons have shared the video on the group's Facebook page. It's such a great extension of their ministry and great to hear Jason teach and share his heart. It's called the #ThisDay devotional. Most of them are between five and 10 minutes. Be sure to start watching! Here's the video from today.

#ThisDay Video Devoby Jason ClarkRestless NightsDaniel 2:28"We grow best, not on mountain top of prosperity but in valley of problems"
Posted by The Nelons on Thursday, January 28, 2016

Jon Epley Joins The LeFevre Quartet

The LeFevre Quartet welcomes Jon Epley as its new bass singer. Jon has sang with the Inspirations and most recently the Ball Brothers. He will replace Brandon Barry.

Here's a statement from Jon from the release -

Jon stated, “I am so excited to be joining The LeFevre Quartet. I have been a fan of Mike LeFevre for many years, and feel that joining the vocal lineup of Mike, Jordan and Jeremy can yield great things for the glory of the Lord. The guys and their families have welcomed my wife Tiffany and myself with open arms, and that means the world to us! Their heart for the Lord, ministry, and family is an inspiration. We are looking forward to what is in store, and are extremely grateful for this opportunity.”

Congratulation to Jon and the LeFevre Quartet. Look forward to seeing this new lineup!

Mark Bishop and Forget the Sea - CD Review

Mark Bishop and Forget the Sea made a big splash at the National Quartet Convention this year. Mark Bishop along with his daughters and band have released a new self-titled project Mark Bishop and Forget the Sea.

I’ve been a longtime fan of Mark Bishop’s songwriting. I like that Mark is now involving a new generation of Bishop singers with the addition of his daughters, but also he’s reaching a new audience. I was listening to the CD in my car last week and had a friend riding with me. She’s been drug to come with me to several concerts, but gospel music still isn't something she really listens to. However, she commented how much she really liked this as we were listening in the car.

The project starts with "You Love Me Anyway" which is one of my favorites from the album. This is first single off the project and does a good job setting the tone and musical style of the album.

"Baptize Me in the Rain" is another favorite that is probably the song that stuck out to me the most. Mark gets the feature with one of his daughters joining him on the chorus. This is fun song that really showcases Mark's voice.

Mark's daughter Courtney is featured on "Take to the Sky" and "You Are, You Are." She has a unique folk sounding voice. The girls sing together a bit on "You Are, You Are." They have a great sound together. It's a song that I really feel like can crossover well into other areas of Christian music. This is definitely a highlight of the project!

"I Will Sing" features his daughter Haley. This song has a modern, praise and worship feel to me. Both of his daughters definitely got the musical gene, and look forward to hearing more from them in the future!

"Pick Me Up and Carry Me" and "Sometimes God Whispers" sound more like what listeners are used from Mark Bishop. Both are songs you can't help but clap and tap your toes along with. "Sometimes God Whispers" is probably my favorite of the two. It's a great story song that reminds of how God is always near and we can see Him in little details of life.

"Everything I Give" has a more progressive sound to it. The song is a great reminder that everything we have came from God, we brought nothing into this world, and we should be willing to give it all to Him.

This album is very different stylistically from most other Southern Gospel albums, but don't let that be a reason that you don't give it a listen. Song styles really vary within the album so I'm sure you'll find something you like!

Song List -
1. "You Love Me Anyway"
2. "Baptize Me in the Rain"
3. "Take to the Sky"
4. "The Son Is Shining"
5. "I Will Sing"
6. "Pick Me Up and Carry Me"
7. "You Are, You Are"
8. "Tinderbox"
9. "Sometimes God Whispers"
10. "Everything I Give"
11. "Ordinary Average Autumn."