In Case You Missed It - News and Tidbits - May 14

Here are some news items from this week in gospel music -

• Congratulations to both the Nelons and Russ Taff who were inducted into the GMA Hall of Fame this week!
• The 2016 Singing News Fan Awards Top Five Nominations have now been announced. Check out the full list here. 
• Daniel Mount, who ran Southern Gospel Blog that was later renamed Southern Gospel Journal, has announced a new book. The book is called Southern Gospel Journal: An Anthology and is available in paperback and Kindle formats at Amazon. Daniel has chosen 50 of his best posts to highlight in this book. 
• The Knight Family of Fall Branch, Tennessee, has announced a 30th Anniversary Album. The group consists of Adam, Angel and Linda Knight. It will include songs such as “I Claim The Blood," “Transfer Plans,” “There's a Refuge In Jesus” and “How Great Thou Art.”  
• Congratulations to Karen Peck Gooch who was awarded with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Divinity from Toccoa Falls College on Saturday. 

Anything I've missed?

Fun Clip Friday - Nelons and the GMA Hall of Fame

Sorry I've had a blog sabbatical this week. I promise to do better next week!

Here's a clip of the Nelons' induction into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame earlier this week. Selah, Michael English and Travis Cottrell honored the group at the ceremony. Check out this video for today's Fun Clip Friday.

In Case You Missed It - News and Tidbits - May 7

Here are some news items from this week in Southern Gospel music -

• The Nelons, who will be inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame next week, were honored by their hometown of Dallas, Georgia this week. Representatives from the office of Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and Dallas Mayor Boyd L. Austin, Jr. honored the family with a commendation and a dedication setting the day of May 10, 2016, as “The Nelons Day" in Dallas, Georgia. 
• StowTown Records has announced the signing of the Little Roy and Lizzy Show to its label. 
• The Ball Brothers released this video as a tribute to mothers for Mother's Day. Check it out below -

Anything else that I missed?

Fun Clip Friday with Pat Barker's PB&J Productions and Bill Shivers

Pat Barker announced the beginning of PB&J Productions a few weeks ago. This week he released his first video interview with Bill Shivers of Brian Free & Assurance. He quizzes Bill on how well he knows his group!

Enjoy this clip for today's Fun Clip Friday post!

Because He Lives - Nelons - Concert Recap

One of the first concerts where I saw the Nelons by themselves was in Ward, Arkansas several years ago. A few weeks ago, I returned to that church again to see the Nelons. This family is one of the best in gospel music. Their incredible harmonies blow me away each time I hear them live.

It was good to see Autumn Nelon Clark take a bigger role with the group. She brings some bluegrass influence with her pure voice. She also adds another live instrument on stage, the mandolin, in addition to Jason's guitar.

Here's a line up of what they sang -

• "Life Is Like a Mountain Railroad"
• "I Just Can't Make It By Myself" - Love this new song, and it's a fun one to see live!
• "Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" - This is my favorite hymn, and I love their a cappella take on this song!
• "O For a Thousand Tongues" - Nobody can sing this song like Kelly. Always love to hear her sing this. 
• "Family Chain" - This song featured Autumn. Beautiful song!
• "I Don't Want to Get Adjusted" 
• "Hallelujah" - Love hearing them sing this a cappella!
•  "The Sun's Coming Up"
• "Then Came the Morning" - I love hearing Amber sing this song. This is a song that is included on their new Stronger Together project. 
• "I'm Going Home With Jesus" - This is always a fun one to hear them sing live!
• "Down to the River"
• "I Stand Amazed" 
• "Do Unto Others" - Another great a cappella song!
• "Excuse Me Are You Jesus" - Jason always does a great job on this song. He conveys the story of the song so well.
• "Amazing Grace" - This was a fun spin on the traditional hymn. Autumn sang the first line bluegrass style and the congregation repeated it the familiar way.
• "Precious Lord, Lead Me On" 
• "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow"
• "Grandpa Tell Me About the Good Ole Days" - Good hearing Autumn sing this one by request!
• "We Shall Behold Him" - Amber was named Female Vocalist by AbsoutelyGospel.com just a few days before this concert. After this song, you definitely see why. That last note, WOW!
• "I'll Talk to My Father" - I'm so glad someone asked Kelly to sing this one. Love hearing her sing this song!

To close the night, Jason told the story about a couple from their church, Grady and Jessie. It was during the time the Nelons were off the road and Jason was serving as worship pastor. Grady would always ask if they were going to sing his song that morning. It became an inside joke between him and Jason. Grady was such an encouragement to him and their family. Right before the Nelons came back on the road, Grady got extremely sick with a rare form of cancer. Jason went to visit with him after the doctors gave him only a short time to live. Grady asked Jason to pray that he would be able to go to church one more time. The doctors had only given him hours to live. For the Wednesday night service the church decided to bring the worship service to him. About 700 people took church to Grady that night on his front porch. They sang, testified and read Scriptures. Jason said it was one of the most powerful worship experiences of his life. Jason said he knew it was a divine night. At one point, he leaned over to Grady and asked if he was enjoying it, but Grady asked him when they were going to sing his song. After a time of invitation, they sang his favorite song, "Because He Lives."

The Nelons sang one more before the night was over, "I'll Fly Away." The crowd was on its feet clapping and singing along. 

It was an incredible night. I'm so glad the Nelons made their way back to Ward, Arkansas this year. If they are in your area, don't miss this family!