In Case You Missed It - News and Tidbits - March 31

Here are news items from this week in Southern Gospel -

• Karen Peck & New River announced that Grant Gibson will join the group this week. Grant was with 11th Hour previously.
• Logan Smith will be filling in with 11th Hour during this transition time as they look for a new singer.
• The Hoppers will be inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. The induction ceremony will take place in October 2018.
• Season 4 of Main Stage started last weekend on TBN with Jason Crabb as the host. It has a refreshed format featuring performances from the 2017 NQC.

Anything I've missed?

Fun Clip Friday - Oh The Cross

It's Good Friday. And while messages and songs about the cross are important all year long, this time of year and this week they mean a little more. We take a little more time to dwell on the significance of what Christ did for us. We think about the pain and suffering He went through but it's also a time to think about the freedom and hope we now have. It's only because of the cross that our debt was paid.

Today I'm sharing one of my favorite songs about the cross from the Greenes. Enjoy for today's Fun Clip Friday!

Experiencing Hope - Brian Free & Assurance in Ward - Concert Recap

A few weeks ago, Brian Free & Assurance came to Cocklebur Baptist Church in Ward, Arkansas. This was a church I had never been to before and when my GPS told me I had arrived, judging by the cow pastures on either side of me, I knew that I had not. I thankfully found the church just a couple more miles down the road. When I got there, it seemed that no else had trouble finding it because this small country church was packed out and they were setting up more folding chairs for the night's concert.

Brian Free & Assurance - Brian Free, Mike Rogers
and Bill Shivers

Brian Free & Assurance were part of the cruise I was on in January, so it hadn't been too long since I had seen the group before. It was good to hear them in a full concert setting though instead of just a 20-minute set. It was good to hear a few more songs from Beyond Amazed along with some favorite Brian Free & Assurance songs.

It was one of those nights where from the first few words sung you could tell the presence of God was in the room. The crowd was moved by the music and lyrics of each song. It was an amazing feeling in the room that night.

Here are a few highlights of the night -

• "You Could Be the Difference" - Love hearing Mike sing this one!
• "Leave With Nothing Left" - I don't remember hearing this one live before but it was definitely a standout track to me from their most recent project. Bill does a great job on this song. 
• "He Can Take It" - This is the group's radio single right now featuring Brian. Love this song!
• "Somebody's Miracle"
• "Say Amen" - As much as I love hearing the group sing this one and seeing how the audience is moved by this sing, I have to say that what I loved most about this song that night was hearing a small girl behind me sing every word it her little high voice. I love that the music at a young age is impacting her. I'm always so thankful when I see parents and grandparents taking their young children to concerts to raise them up around this music like I was. 
• "Live Like We're Redeemed"
• "For God So Loved" - I've heard this song so many times, but that night this song struck such a chord with me that night. I love the lyric - "Hope was born through sacred blood." It's only through Jesus' shed blood on the cross that we have hope for the future. 
• "Long As I Got King Jesus"

Brian gave a little bit of his testimony of how he was already singing gospel music when he gave his heart and life to Jesus. It doesn't matter the kind of life you live or how you might serve in the church, it's taking that step of salvation to ask Him to come into your life that really matters. It's surrendering ourselves to Him. 

I'm thankful that I kept driving just a few more miles past the cow pasture to find the church that night. Thank you, Brian, Bill and Mike, for a great night of worship!

Grant Gibson Joins Karen Peck & New River

Grant Gibson has joined Karen Peck & New River. Grant fills the position with the popular group following the departure of Ricky Braddy. Grant has been singing with 11th Hour for the past five years.

Here's the full release from Karen -

Five time GRAMMY® Award-nominated and six time Dove Award-winning group, Karen Peck & New River is excited to announce the addition of Grant Gibson to the group.

Karen Peck stated “We have spent the last few weeks praying and seeking God’s will for KPNR. There is a lot to consider when choosing the right person for the job. We are happy to announce Grant Gibson as our new vocalist. Grant is very talented and has an incredible heart to serve the Lord. He has a bright future and will bring a new excitement to KPNR. We are looking forward to the next chapter in our ministry.”

Grant has been singing since he was 14 years old and professionally since 2011. He is from Jasper, Alabama, but currently resides in Hoover, Alabama. Grant received his Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Liberty University.

Grant said, “I fell in love with Gospel music soon after I came to Christ at the age of 13. Since that time, I’ve known exactly what I wanted to do. As I’ve gotten older I’ve realized that this it what God has called me to do. I first heard Karen Peck & New River at NQC in the early 2000s, and I’ve been a fan ever since. It’s truly an honor to be apart of this ministry and share the stage with Karen, Susan, Kari, and Matthew as well as working with Rickey. I’m excited to see where God takes us and the new doors He will open for New River.”

Grant’s first appearance with Karen Peck & New River will be Friday, March 30, at Mud Creek Baptist Church in Hendersonville, North Carolina.

Logan Smith will be filling in with 11th Hour for the time being. Amber Eppinette of 11th Hour added in a release from the group, “Of course, it’s always hard to see someone go, especially when they have been here for five years. Grant became not only a friend but a brother to us. I along with Jaquita are thankful for the years shared with him. We bless him in this new season and journey.”

Grant Gibson adds, “It’s been an honor the past five years to be a part of 11th Hour. I’ve seen countless people come to Christ, watched the group rise to places it had never been, and made so many new friends. The Eppinette family have become an extended family, and I’m so grateful for the opportunities they’ve given me. Amber and Jaquita will always be sisters to me, and this transition won’t change that. Life is full of seasons, and this season of my life is coming to an end. I ask that you continue to pray for 11th Hour and myself as we continue to seek God’s will.”

11th Hour will be auditioning to fill the lead vocal position starting immediately. Interested vocalists should send resumes to 11thhourgg@gmail.com.

2018 Singing News Fan Award Nominations

The Singing News Top 10 nominations were announced yesterday. Here is the full list of nominees in each category and a few thoughts/ commentary as well.



Favorite Artist
Booth Brothers
Collingsworth Family
Greater Vision
Hoppers
Joseph Habedank
Karen Peck & New River
Kingdom Heirs
Mark Trammell Qt
Tribute Qt
Triumphant Qt

**Good to see a soloist represented here with Joseph Habedank. He's had an amazing year and so well deserved!

Traditional Quartet
Blackwood Brothers
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Gold City
Inspirations
Kingdom Heirs
LeFevre Qt
Legacy Five
Mark Trammell Qt
Tribute Qt
Triumphant Qt

**Good to see the Kingsmen nominated after missing the top 10 last year!

Mixed Group
Browders
Collingsworth Family
Erwins
Hoppers
Isaacs
Karen Peck & New River
McKameys
Mylon Hayes Family
Nelons
Perrys

Trio
Booth Brothers
Brian Free & Assurance
Bowling Family
Greater Vision
Guardians
Hyssongs
Jim Brady Trio
Talleys
Taylors
Whisnants

**Disappointed not to see Jeff & Sheri Easter along with 11th Hour on this list!

Soloist
Pat Barker
Mark Bishop
Jason Crabb
Joseph Habedank
Mark Lowry
Gene McDonald
Ivan Parker
Squire Parsons
Guy Penrod
Jonathan Wilburn

**Where are the female soloists? Would have loved to see TaRanda Greene and Steve Ladd here.

Young Artist
Hope Bowling —Bowling Family
Autumn Nelon Clark —Nelons
Trevor Conkle —Mark Trammell Qt
Katie Erwin —Erwins
Kari Gooch —Karen Peck & New River
Kennedy Hayes —Mylon Hayes Family
Karlye Hopper —Hoppers
Layke Jones—Jim Brady Trio
Josh Townsend—Legacy Five
Austin Whisnant—Whisnants

Tenor
Chris Allman —Greater Vision
Michael Booth —Booth Brothers
Blake Buffin —Mark Trammell Qt
Riley Harrison Clark —Tribute Qt
Brian Free —Brian Free & Assurance
Ernie Haase —Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Chris Jenkins —Kingsmen
Jerry Martin —Kingdom Heirs
Jeremy Peace —LeFevre Qt
David Sutton —Triumphant Qt

**Glad to see Blake Buffin make this list!

Lead
Booth, Ronnie—Booth Brothers
Brady, Jim—Jim Brady Trio
Casto, Gary—Tribute Qt
Fowler, Scott—Legacy Five
Hopper, Dean—Hoppers
Inman, Clayton—Triumphant Qt
Rice, Arthur—Kingdom Heirs
Shivers, Bill—Brian Free & Assurance
Trammell, Nick—Mark Trammell Qt
Wolfe, Gerald—Greater Vision

**Where are Mike Bowling and Andrew Goldman? Also, I think fans might be behind on the fact that Gerald is no longer singing full-time but playing and handling emcee work on stage for Greater Vision. I am a Gerald fan but was a little confused by the nomination.

Baritone
Billy Blackwood—Blackwood Brothers
Rodney Griffin—Greater Vision
Loren Harris —Kingdom Heirs
Scott Howard —Legacy Five
Scott Inman —Triumphant Qt
Paul Lancaster —Booth Brothers
Mike LeFevre—LeFevre Qt
Mike Rogers —Brian Free & Assurance
Josh Singletary —Tribute Qt
Mark Trammell —Mark Trammell Qt

**Would have liked to see Daniel Riley here.

Bass
Eric Bennett —Triumphant Qt
Randy Byrd —Mark Trammell Qt
Jeff Chapman —Kingdom Heirs
Tim Duncan—Canton Junction
Anthony Davis —Tribute Qt
Matt Fouch —Legacy Five
Paul Harkey —Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Butch Owens —Blackwood Brothers
Keith Plott —LeFevre Qt
Ray Dean Reese—Kingsmen

**Would have liked to see Chris West here.

Soprano
Brooklyn Blair —Collingsworth Family
Kelly Bowling —Bowling Family
Melissa Brady —Jim Brady Trio

Katie Erwin —Erwins
Connie Fortner —McKameys
Karen Peck Gooch —Karen Peck & New River
TaRanda Greene —Cana’s Voice
Kim Hopper —Hoppers
Lauren Talley —Talleys
Amber Nelon Thompson—Nelons

**So glad to see Kelly Bowling make this list this year, but where is Sonya Isaacs Yeary?

Alto
Peg McKamey Bean—McKameys
Hope Bowling—Bowling Family
Kelly Nelon Clark—Nelons
Sheri Easter —Jeff & Sheri Easter
Connie Hopper—Hoppers
Susan Peck Jackson —Karen Peck & New River
Courtney Metz—Collingsworth Family
Libbi Stuffle —Perrys
Debra Talley—Talleys
Susan Whisnant—Whisnants

Musician
Kim Collingsworth —Collingsworth Family
Trevor Conkle—Mark Trammell Qt
Aaron Dishman —Triumphant Qt
Bryan Elliott —Gold City
Gordon Mote—Soloist
Josh Singletary —Tribute Qt
Jeff Stice —Soloist
Josh Townsend —Legacy Five
Kevin Williams —Gaither Vocal Band
Gerald Wolfe—Greater Vision

Band
Dixie Echoes Band
Ernie Haase & Signature Sound Band
Gaither Vocal Band Band
Inspirations Band
Isaacs Band
Jason Crabb Band
Jeff & Sheri Easter Band
Kingdom Heirs Band
Primitive Qt Band
Southern Raised Band

**Glad that Jeff and Sheri Easter Band made this list. Jared Easter is one of the most talented musicians on the road with all the instruments he can play on stage!

Songwriter
Mark Bishop
Jim Brady
Gerald Crabb
Bill Gaither
Karen Peck Gooch
Rodney Griffin
Joseph Habedank
Scott Inman
Kyla Rowland
Dianne Wilkinson

**No changes from last year here. Would like to see Kenna Turner West here.

Album
Beyond Amazed—Brian Free & Assurance
Clear Skies—Ernie Haase & Signature Sound
Great Moments—Mark Trammell Qt
Hope For All Nations—Karen Peck & New River
Last Big Thing—Kingdom Heirs
Live In Texas Gospel Hymn Sing—Various Artists
Quartet Tribute—Tribute Qt
Resurrection—Joseph Habedank
Thankful—Triumphant Qt
What’s Not To Love—Mark Lowry
**I was surprised to see the hymn sing project make the list, but glad considering I was there that night!

Song
“Chain Breaker”—Triumphant Qt
“God of the Storms”—Tribute Qt
“God’s Got A Better Plan”—Canton Junction
“He Can Take It”—Brian Free & Assurance
“Here He Comes”—Joseph Habedank
“Hope For All Nations”—Karen Peck & New River
“Last Big Thing”—Kingdom Heirs
“Let the Church Arise”—LeFevre Qt
“Life Is Good”—Hoppers
“Present In The Presence Of The King”—Guardians

New Artist
Bowling Sisters
Children of the Promise
Josh and Ashley Franks
High Road
Kramers
Lore Family
Master’s Promise
Sherry Anne
Souls Harbor
Williamsons

**Glad the Bowling Sisters made this list!

Radio Station
KTTK Lebanon, MO
KWFC Springfield, MO
WCKB Dunn, NC
WCON Cornelia, GA
WEMM Huntington, WV
WGUS Augusta, GA
WHQA Piedmont, SC
WJBZ Knoxville, TN
WJGM Jacksonville, FL
WXRI Winston-Salem, NC

A Different Light - Mark Bishop - CD Review

Mark Bishop released A Different Light last month. Mark has become known as much for his prolific songwriting as his singing. This project showcases both with him being the writer of all 11 songs.

Normally with a solo project, there's a struggle for variety, but that's not the case with this project. I like how songs are different styles within the project.

Mark also has a few other guests join him with his brother Kenny singing with him on "He's Always Been a Friend." Chris Freeman joins him on "Couldn't Feel Any Better." I think their voices are great complements to each other. This is a fun toe-tapping song that is just one of those feel good songs.

"Finish Well, Finish Strong, Finish Empty" is a fun uptempo song that talks about how Christ gave everything for us so we should dedicate our lives to Him. This song almost comes across as a quartet number with the Kingdom Heirs joining him on the song.

The first single is "The Refrigerator Door." I'll be honest when I saw a song with that title, I wanted to immediately skip to that track to see what that song was going to be about. This actually the first single off the project. I love the message and the parallels this song makes. It paints beautiful pictures that will no doubt bring scenes from listeners' childhoods to their minds.

I love the choir backing him up on "God Is Powerful." This more progressive sounding song is definitely a standout track! "More Than Enough," the opening track, also has a little bit more of that progressive feel with great orchestration behind it. It also has a bit of a choir feel backing him up.

One of my favorites was "What It Comes Down To Is Me." It's an incredible reminder of how Jesus' blood reaches down to cover us. Jesus' sacrifice was real and personal for each of us.

I think this is one of Mark's best projects in recent years.

Songs to put on repeat - "Finish Well, Finish Strong, Finish Empty"
Song to give a second listen - "What It Comes Down To Is Me"
Song to turn up - "God Is Powerful" and "Couldn't Feel Any Better"


Song List -
1. "More Than Enough"
2. "I'm In Good Hands"
3. "Finish Well, Finish Strong, Finish Empty"
4. "He's Always Been a Friend"
5. "God Is Powerful"
6. "The Refrigerator Door"
7. "What It Comes Down To Is Me"
8. "Tell Me You Saw Me"
9. "Couldn't Feel Any Better"
10. "Fly, Fly Away Little Birdie"
11. "I'm Gonna Wish I Had Worried Less"

In Case You Missed It - News and Tidbits - March 17

Here are some recent news items in Southern Gospel -

• Prayers go out to the family of Hubert Cooke who passed away on March 12. A graveside service was held on Wednesday.
• Congratulations to Les and Frances Beasley who celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary this week!
• The Gospel Greats will be celebrating its 2,000th program. The show has spanned over 38 years.

Anything I've missed?

Experiencing the Peace of God - The Perrys - Concert Recap

When I saw that the Perrys were booked in Little Rock at the end of February, I of course put it on my calendar. I didn't realize then how the group would change over the weeks before then, how their world would be shaken with the death of patriarch Tracy Stuffle. When I got there that night, I knew it would be different seeing them again. I just didn't realize the kind of different. But when people have gone through a major loss and can stand on stage and proclaim the name of Jesus and how faithful He is, it's a special kind of worship. The hurt is fresh, but their love and dedication to God hasn't wavered. You can tell that every song maybe means even more than before. Every word that is sung is felt deep down because they are living it. Sometimes in the greatest times of grief, there's the sweetest kind of worship because we can be reassured of just how good God is. That's what the Perrys showed that night.

The Perrys sang several songs from Testament. They started the night with "Let's Stop for a Moment" and also sang their latest single "Moses and Elijah." I was so glad that Troy sang his feature, "Sing in the Valley." This is such an incredible song and fits Troy perfectly. Andrew also sang "It Carried Him," another favorite from that project. Love this song!

They pulled out a few older songs like Libbi singing "Did I Mention" and "Calvary Answers for Me." Andrew does such a great job on that song. They sang several Goodman songs, "Living in Canaan Now," "I Wouldn't Take Nothing for My Journey Now" and then "God Walks the Dark Hills." It was such a sweet spirit with Libbi singing "God Walks the Dark Hills," incredible moment.

Libbi talked about their journey over the last few weeks and how she's learned more and more about the peace and sustaining grace of God. She sang "Celebrate Me Home" while they showed pictures of Tracy with family and friends. It was such a touching tribute to Tracy and a way to honor him, his memory and share with the people a little more about his passing and the journey they have been on in the weeks prior.

They planned on closing the night with "If You Knew Him," until the pastor asked for one more song, a barn-burner, so they started the track for "I Wish I Could Have Been There." It had the entire audience on its feet clapping along.

I'm so thankful for the worship that night. It was easy to see the peace that can only come from truly knowing God and walking with Him even in the hardest of times. Sometimes the sweetest worship can come during the times of greatest grief and that's what I got to witness that night.

Fun Clip Friday - Gaither Vocal Band at Billy Graham's Service

The Gaither Vocal Band had the honor of singing at Billy Graham's memorial service last week. Here's a clip of them singing "Because He Lives" just their voices and the piano. Watch it below!

An Evening With Tribute Quartet - Concert Recap

It's been a slow seasons for concerts in Arkansas this year. Thankfully a couple of weeks ago that picked up when Tribute Quartet's bus rolled into Jacksonville, Arkansas. (With concerts picking up, hopefully the blogging will too!)

These guys get better and better each time I see them. They really are one of the top quartets in the business right now. It was good to hear so many songs from Here For You, which I still contend as the best album of 2016, along with their new quartet tribute album.

Here are a few highlights of the night -

• "Everybody Come See Jesus"
• "God of the Storms" - This is one of my favorite songs they sing. I think sometimes with the songs that are midtempo or faster we can miss the beauty of the lyrics, but this song has some incredible nuggets of wordsmithing. Riley led the congregation in "The Haven of Rest" after the song. He reminded us that with Jesus we are safe ever more no matter what we are going through.
• "Every Question Will Be Answered"
• "Power in the Blood" - When Josh steps over to the piano, it's easy to see why he was voted favorite musician last year at the Absolutely Gospel Music Awards. 
• "Come On Let's Go to That Land" - Anthony does a great job on this song, and it's always a fun one to see live.
• "Grace At Its Best" - I'm so glad they staged this song that night. Gary is not only featured on this song but also co-wrote the song with Barbara Huffman. I love to hear Gary and Riley sing this song.
• "Hold On (Jesus Will Come)" and "His Tomb Is Empty" - I hadn't heard them sing either of these live before.
• "When the Prodigal Comes Home" - Riley does such an incredible job on this song. I think it's becoming one of my favorite Tribute Quartet songs. Riley started the song back a cappella after sharing about the story of the prodigal son. It was a beautiful moment and a great reminder of just how much God loves us no matter what we have done.

Thanks, Tribute Quartet, for a great night of gospel music that reminded us of God's perfect love for us and that no matter what we're facing He is right there alongside us.