Author: Texas Gospel

The Kingdom Heirs take on legendary songs on Something Good Volume 3

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

SPECIAL CROSSROADS MUSIC

Arden, North Carolina (April 7, 2023) — When a legendary group takes on legendary songs, the results are bound to be special — and indeed, the first two collections of favorites from the Kingdom Heirs were so well received that the quartet has returned to the well once more for Something Good, Volume 3, on Sonlite Records.

Like its predecessors, Something Good, Volume 3 finds the famed ensemble — now boasting a new lineup as they head toward their 40th year as Dollywood’s resident gospel group — drawing from the deep well of long-beloved yet ever-timely songs to create an album that will not only bring old memories to life, but make new ones, too.   

“Over the past 6 years, we’ve recorded a series of albums entitled Something Good,” says singer Loren Harris. “This is the third volume in that series, with the current lineup of myself on lead and Andy Stringfield on baritone along with Jacob Ellison and Jeff Chapman on tenor and bass respectively. This recording, like the two before it, has some of our favorite songs that have been recorded over the years by other groups, by groups that we may have performed with, or remakes of Kingdom Heir classics!”

From the opening “I’m Forgiven,” a spirited, horn- and piano-driven celebration of God’s mercy that dates back to the late 1970s, to the classic quartet sound of the closing “Glory Road,” first introduced in 1973 by The Kingsmen, Something Good, Volume 3 is a loving survey of Gospel music treasures, each given the Kingdom Heirs’ unique treatment. Country flavors predominate, with the pedal steel guitar and harmonica making regular appearances alongside the ever-present keyboards, but there is room for much more, too, including elaborate orchestrations that surround the quartet’s voices with a rich sonic tapestry on songs such as The Kingsmen’s “The Cross Has Won Again,” Happy Goodman Family’s “That Sounds Like Home To Me” and The Perrys’ “He Will Hide Me,” and a two-part arrangement of “Moving Up To Gloryland” that puts the Kingdom Heirs’ own unique stamp on the popular favorite. Indeed, with each song, whether it features Harris, Stringfield, Ellison or Chapman â€” or all four voices throughout — the Kingdom Heirs manage to summon echoes of earlier performances while shining through with a musical character and a spiritual richness that’s all theirs.  

Says Harris, “I think you’ll enjoy this trip down memory lane as we relive this wonderful music that we love to sing” — and if the enthusiastic reception given by their fans to the previous volumes of Something Good is any indication, it’s a trip listeners will be happy to take over and over again.Listen to Something Good, Volume 3 on Texas Gospel Canada!

The Book of Matthew

Did Jesus encourage strife and armed conflicts?

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

Floyd Rogers – Texas Gospel Volunteer, Christian writer

Matthew 10:34-39 NASB “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to turn a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a person’s enemies will be the members of his household. 37 “The one who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; and the one who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And the one who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 The one who has found his life will lose it, and the one who has lost his life on My account will find it.  

Jesus instructs his apostles in Matthew 10:34-39 as they head out on a mission. He tells them, “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. I think this is a good example of scripture that needs context. If read without context it sounds like Jesus wants strife and conflict. Is that really what Jesus says? Let’s look at the text and why it needs context to prevent misunderstanding.

The 10th Chapter of Matthew is Jesus’ instructions to his Apostles as they prepare to go on a mission to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Jesus gave them instructions and told them what to expect on this mission. Verses 34-39 take place within the context of Jesus reminding his disciples just what it means to be an apostle.

When Jesus tells them in verse thirty-four, “… I did not come to bring peace, but a sword…” is he not warning them that people may not act peacefully when they hear the Gospel the apostles preach? I don’t think Jesus is telling them to pick up a literal sword. If this were the case, why did Jesus tell Peter in  Matthew 25:52, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword will perish by the sword…”  Jesus here says he is not bringing peace, but a sward. Is it not clear he is using the same metaphor we find in Ephesians 6:17, “And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

There is no compromise when it comes to preaching the Gospel. God’s message supersedes even family members who may get upset. Being an apostle means nothing is more important than the Gospel, and in verse 39 Jesus tells his apostles, “…the one who has found his life will lose it, and the one who has lost his life on my account will find it”

I think it’s clear that Jesus is not saying he want’s strife, but that the apostles should expect it if they preach the Gospel without compromise. Memorizing verses from the Bible is good.  But without context, verses like these could sound as if they are advocating something vastly different from what the author intended.

Also on the web:


More changes for the Kingdom Heirs

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

SPECIAL DAYWIND RECORDS

On the heels of Jeff Chapman announcing he was departing The Kingdom Heirs for Gold City, Jacob Ellison has shared that he will be leaving the group.

Dollywood issued a statement on the changes with The Kingdom Heirs, saying: For 38 years, The Kingdom Heirs have been cherished members of the Dollywood family and an integral part of the Dollywood experience for our guests. We fully support them during the current time of transition for their group. We look forward to many more memories and much more inspiration from our favorite Southern Gospel group.

The 3 Heath Brothers win 13 film festival awards for “Into The Deep” music video

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

SPECIAL CROSSROADS MUSIC

Arden, North Carolina (March 29, 2023) — When they released their album, Into The Deep, the 3 Heath Brothers put a spotlight on bold, fresh sounds, new songs and lyrics that offer the eternal Gospel of hope, encouragement, worship and faith in contemporary language. Now, the spotlight has been placed on the trio’s music video for “Into The Deep,” as it’s won 13 awards across three film festivals.

The music video won Best Music Video from the Christian WorldView Film Festival, Eastern Europe Film Festival, Christian Film Festival and Christian Online Film Festival; Best Cinematography at the Christian Film Festival; and the following awards at the Christian Youth Film Festival: Best Cinematography, Best Visual Effects, Best Production Value, Best Directing, Best Original Song, Best Sound, Best Application of Scripture and Best Editing. 

Filmed in Puerto Rico, the “Into The Deep” video captures the song’s lyrics, “I’m diving in, into the water / I’m swimming out, farther and farther / Where Jesus is calling me into the deep / Now I’m going in with Jesus / I’m going in all the way” as the Brothers dive off a cliff into the ocean.

“We have dreamed about this opportunity for years and are just so honored at the response it has received from the film industry. Thank you God and to everyone who helped make this project happen. It was one of the most exhilarating and exhausting things we’ve ever done,” says Nicholas Heath. “With this video and everything we do, our goal is to encourage believers and to tell stories of faith in creative ways. We hope that the message of ‘Into the Deep’ will inspire both young and old to press on towards a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ.”

Adds Crossroads Music’s Greg Bentley, “Since we started working with the 3 Heath Brothers a couple years ago with their Who We Are album, it’s been exciting watching them grow in their ideas. As we started their latest album Into The Deep they had this concept for this music video implanted in their brains and were excited to try to capture it, which they did very well. It’s exciting to work with young people who have a vision and are extremely creative such as Nicholas, Clayton and Christian. Not only are they capturing the attention of fans in our Southern Gospel genre, but they are reaching further outside and introducing our music to people who may have never heard it. We are honored to work with the 3 Heath Brothers and look forward to their next creative venture to see where it takes us.” 

The Talleys’ live series continueswith “High and Lifted Up / Hallelujah Chorus”

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

SPECIAL CROSSROADS RECORDS

Arden, North Carolina (April 28, 2023) — Continuing on with their second retrospective series of live recordings distributed exclusively to streaming platforms, Horizon Records’ The Talleys look back to nearly 20 years ago, when they first recorded an inspired weaving together of “High and Lifted Up” and the “Hallelujah Chorus” from G.F. Handel’s epic 18th century oratorio, “Messiah.” 

With its brassy opening and  propulsive rhythm, “High and Lifted Up” might seem like an unlikely candidate for such a treatment, yet as the reception of The Talleys’ first recording of the medley showed, Roger Talley’s arrangement binds the unexpected combination together seamlessly. Gliding effortlessly between unison passages and rich harmonies, the trio offers a simple, insistent distillation of the Gospel that bridges the centuries — and, as the reaction of the audience in this more recent recording proves, lifts listeners into the full measure of joy in its message.  

“I’ve always loved many different musical styles,” notes Roger.  “Handel’s ‘Hallelujah Chorus’ always intrigued me because of its complexity and joyous feeling. We recorded an album of praise music several years ago, and I combined it with ‘High and Lifted Up’ into a showstopper moment. I love that audiences still stood up even though our version is much more contemporary than Handel’s original version. It’s still to praise our Lord!”Listen to “High And Lifted Up / Hallelujah Chorus” HERE.

About The Talleys
The Talleys began in 1984 and enjoyed many years of success, including a Dove® Award and numerous Singing News Fan Awards. Following a three-year hiatus, the Talleys began performing together in 1996 with the current lineup of Roger, wife Debra and daughter Lauren, and today the Talleys remain a mainstay of Christian music. The Talleys have enjoyed eleven number one songs, and have received numerous Singing News Fan Awards and Dove Award nominations. They are frequently recognized for their appearances on the Gaither Homecoming video series and concert tour, as well as In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley and John Hagee Ministries. They have appeared on RFD-TV’s “The Music City Show,” and have toured overseas to Norway, Northern Ireland, Italy and South Africa.