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