JEFF TURNER

This year marks a significant milestone for the Kingdom Heirs, one of Southern Gospel’s most enduring quartets. The group is celebrating 40 years as a full-time ministry in gospel music, along with four decades of performances at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

Drummer Dennis Murphy, who has been with the group for more than 35 years, recalls how the partnership with the theme park began long before it carried Dolly Parton’s name. “We were already in place at the park before it became Dollywood,” he says. “We started as a part-time gospel act in the early ’80s when it was still Silver Dollar City. After a couple of years singing on weekends and special events, management offered us a full-time position in 1985. From there, it became an incredible way to share the gospel with people from all over the world.”

The group’s theater at Dollywood holds about a thousand people, giving the Kingdom Heirs the chance to reach audiences far larger than many touring groups could sustain. Their performances have become a fixture for both first-time visitors and loyal season pass holders, helping to establish their reputation as one of the most recognizable names in the genre.

To commemorate the anniversary, the Kingdom Heirs are releasing Fortieth Anniversary, a collection of newly recorded versions of fan favorites. The album revisits songs from across their career, including a medley of three of their best-known numbers — “He Lifted Me,” “I’ve Passed Over,” and “He Locked The Gates.” Alongside these classics are fresh arrangements that highlight the group’s variety, from traditional quartet numbers to a country waltz, a soulful ballad, and other styles that showcase the breadth of their catalog.

Murphy credits the group’s longevity to the many singers and musicians who have passed through its ranks. “During our forty years we’ve been fortunate to have some incredibly talented men come through the group,” he reflects. “Our current lineup is a crowd favorite, and this project captures both the history and the energy of the Kingdom Heirs today.”

As much as the album is a look back, it also serves as a reminder of the group’s mission. “Some will recognize every song, while others will be hearing them for the first time,” Murphy adds. “Either way, these songs carry the same message they always have — one that has touched countless hearts and lives over the years.”

The Fortieth Anniversary album is scheduled for release on October 10.