The Chuck Wagon Gang releases Come Go With Me

SPECIAL MOUNTAIN HOME MUSIC COMPANY

Arden, North Carolina (June 30, 2023) — Following the loving recreation of a vintage radio show that formed the core of 2021’s Radio Days, the Chuck Wagon Gang returns with Come Go With Me, a glistening new collection for Mountain Home Music Company that finds the present-day version of the legendary gospel group serving up equal portions of old songs and new — but all bearing the signature sound that has sustained the Gang for an unprecedented career that’s now lasted nearly 90 years.

Produced by Jeremy Stephens, leader of the popular bluegrass revivalist band, High Fidelity, and a former member of the Chuck Wagon Gang himself, Come Go With Me makes a compelling case for the timelessness of the group’s sound. Indeed, at a time when the listening audience’s appetite for the down-to-earth resonance of acoustic sounds, the sturdy simplicity of traditional styles and the abiding warmth of sincere gospel sentiments has never been larger, the elemental approach embodied in this down-to-earth yet well-crafted collection has never been more appealing.  

With Stephens on board not only as producer, but as instrumentalist alongside studio wizard David Johnson and award-winning bassist Mike Bub, the Gang serve up a set that embraces continuity through a seamless blend of material that, whether old or new, sounds tailor-made for their old-school approach. Bookended by new songs — the closing “Our Sins Are Washed Away” even comes straight from the pen of the group’s leader, Shaye Smith — the Chuck Wagon Gang visit classics like “I Dreamed About Heaven Last Night” and Dottie Rambo’s thoughtful “For What Earthly Reason” and recent arrivals like “The Mighty Word of God” and the bluegrass-flavored “I Will Not Cry Today,” presenting each in an arrangement that faithfully reflects the essence of the sound first brought to the world three generations ago, yet infuses it with new energy.  Says Smith, “We have an interesting variety of selections on Come Go With Me. Maybe for the first time ever, there are as many brand new songs as recognizable favorites. But even these old favorites are new for the Gang. I believe there is something for everyone within this album and we’ve been anticipating its release with great excitement!”

11th Hour announces upcoming album,A Collection of Hits

SPECIAL: HORIZON & SONLITE RECORDS

Arden, North Carolina (June 27, 2023) — In the lifespan of every successful musical group, there comes a point where looking back reveals a record of accomplishment that’s worth commemorating — and for 11th Hour, the Southern Gospel trio built around the powerful voice of Amber Eppinette Saunders, that time has come. The result of that retrospective assessment is A Collection of Hits, and the Sonlite Records anthology is just that — though if the truth be told, choosing the 20 tracks, including the brand new “I Am Here,” was no easy task, for whether they were chart-toppers or fan favorites, 11th Hour’s catalog is filled with songs of musical mastery and deep Christian faith.  

The album is now available for pre-save/add ahead its July 21 release.

Indeed, save for the Christmas-themed The Greatest Gift, every one of the eight albums 11th Hour has released over the past 13 years is represented on A Collection of Hits, from 2012’s Steppin’ Out to 2021’s Anthem of the Ages, and while there are five #1s — “Jesus Is In The House,” “Mountain Moving Faith,” “Can You Burn,” “He Welcomes The Beggar” and “Doin’ What’s Right,” all featuring Eppinette Saunders‘ expressive vocals — there is room for songs with messages of hope and salvation that have touched listeners and lives in ways not always reflected in the charts. The collection also serves as a guide to the growth of the group, with each of its members, present and past, accounted for at least once. There’s even a throwback to their first impactful song, “Room With A View,” that features a lead vocal from one-time member Candice Jordan — while both “I Just Came To Talk With You Lord,” on which Victoria Bowlin takes the lead, and the new single, “I Am Here,” which features the group’s newest member, Garrett Saunders, point unerringly to the trio’s bright future.  

“We are so excited about this,” enthuses Amber. “It’s hard to believe the group has been going for over 16 years! This album is a reflection of that and we are blessed to still sing these songs today. Enjoy over a decade worth of 11th Hour music on ONE PROJECT!”

Pre-save or add A Collection of Hits HERE.

About 11th Hour
Over the last ten years of traveling on the road, 11th Hour has seen God do some incredible things. With musical influences such as Karen Peck and New River, The Martins, Gold City, and The Kingsmen, 11th Hour has stayed fresh and relevant while maintaining a versatile sound, able to lead congregations in moving times of worship. After reaching high acclaim, in 2012, 11th Hour signed a recording contract with Crossroads Music. They’ve had five #1 songs on the Singing News chart and been nominated for numerous awards in Southern Gospel music such as Singing News Trio of the Year and AGM Album of the Year, while Amber Eppinette was nominated for Soprano of the Year. 

Former Gold City Member, David Hill Passes Away

JEFF TURNER

A former lead singer of Gold City died following a battle with Cancer.

Gold City posted the following on its Facebook Page:

We are saddened to report the passing of one of our own alumni. Former member, lead vocalist David Hill, graduated to Heaven after a courageous battle with cancer.
Danny Riley says, “David was a fine lead singer. Many will remember he was the original voice on Gold City’s classic, ‘I’m Not Giving Up.’ In addition to his singing, he was a great preacher, too. He was truly at home on the stage, and was a great friend. He will be missed. Please pray for his family during this time.”

Services for David Hill are set for Saturday, July 8, 2023.

The unpardonable sin

Mathew 12:30-31 30 The one who is not with Me is against Me; and the one who does not gather with Me scatters. 31 “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven people, but blasphemy against the Spirit shall not be forgiven. 32 And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

Floyd Rogers – Texas Gospel Volunteer, Christian writer

Matthew 12:30-31 speaks of the unpardonable sin.  To give context, Jesus spoke these words immediately after rebuking Pharisees who accused him of casting out demons by the power of the ruler of the demons. The Pharisees didn’t just accuse Jesus, they portrayed an act of the Holy Spirit as the devil’s work, and now Jesus speaks of those who are either with or against him. He also warns against speaking against the Holy Spirit.  With this as a backdrop, what does Jesus mean by blasphemy against the spirit? Does this mean I cannot question someone who claims to heal in God’s name?

Verse 30 tells us whoever is not with Jesus is against him. And those who do not gather with him scatter. He made this comment as he rebuked the Pharisees who were scheming against him. Consider, Jesus gathered followers and led people to the Kingdom of Heaven in the preceding verses.  Is he now saying there is no middle ground; you are either for or against God’s work?  The Pharisees motives and actions show they were against Jesus’ gathering of God’s people.  In the next verse Jesus’ words are stronger and more to the point.

In Verse 31 Jesus says all sins are forgivable, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven, and those who speak against the Holy Spirit have no forgiveness. Blasphemy can be defined as showing great disrespect; to mock and oppose the to the point of contempt. It appears this is what the Pharisees did.  Jesus addressed Pharisees who referred to an act of the Holy Spirit as being an act of the devil.  They didn’t just speak carelessly, their words showed what was in their heart. They were dead set against Jesus and the work of the Holy Spirit. This is not the same as judging the fruit of a prophet and I think we should address this.

There are people today who claim to heal by the power of the Holy Spirit. I don’t doubt that God can heal the sick. But I can still judge the fruit of the prophets who claim to heal. Jesus and his apostles had a 100% success rate in healing. We don’ see Jesus praying for someone to be healed who walked away unchanged. I don’t mock or reject the Holy Spirit. The point is God can heal a person through his or her faith no matter who is praying for them. Faith in the Holy Spirit is completely independent of recognizing a false prophet, and Matthew told us to examine the fruit of those who claim to do God’s work.

What are your thoughts?

Guardians’ Dean Hickman now cancer free

SPECIAL: DAYWIND RECORDS

Dean Hickman of The Guardians gave friends and fans an update on his health  Friday on The Guardians Facebook page.

“SHOUT OUT OF PRAISE. I want to thank all of you who have prayed for me and as we know, prayer really works. I am free of cancer and doing very good. I am still recovering from my surgeries and a recent bout with sepsis. I am so very thankful and blessed – God has been so good to me.  I hope to see many of you occasionally at future Guardian events late summer and this fall.  Also, thank you so much for your unwavering support for the Guardians. Pat Barker has been doing an exceptional job managing the road and Amy Shepard, the GUARDIANS office manager, has very effectively managed the schedule and weekly itinerary for the group. Thank you both very much and again, thank all of you for your many many prayers for me.  Love to you all.. Dean”