Author: Texas Gospel

Howard Stewart, member of original Poet Voices, dies at 67

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Daywind Records / Staff

Howard Stewart, original founding member of The Poet Voices passed away on December 18 after a lengthy hospital stay for heart complications.

Stewart was the original baritone singer for The Poet Voices. Most recently, he was part of the Chattanooga, Tennessee based group, Testimony.

Funeral services were held December 22.

A memorial singing is being held in his honor, Saturday January 29 at Walker County Civic Center in Rock Springs, GA. This will also be a fundraiser to assist the Stewart family with funeral expenses. Lemuel Howard Steward was 67.

StowTown Records Signs Sunday Drive to Roster of Artists

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SPECIAL/STOWTOWN RECORDS

Nashville, TN (January 4, 2022) – StowTown Records is excited to announce the signing of Sunday Drive, a multi-award winning group composed of Jeff Treece and his wife, Misty, and brother, Dusty. They are no strangers to gospel music and come to the label with a wealth of industry experience, including numerous radio hits. As a featured artist at the Dollywood Theme Park in Pigeon Forge, TN, they sing to several thousand fans each year.

StowTown co-founder and industry veteran, Ernie Haase, shared his enthusiasm about the addition of Sunday Drive to their stellar roster of artists, “When we started StowTown Records over 10 years ago, it was always about making music and helping friends make their music known. Sunday Drive fits our mission statement perfectly. I’ve known Jeff Treece for many years, and I have always been drawn to his musical talents. With his wife Misty on vocals, I’m blown away by their new sound and direction. The sky is the limit! We are honored to have them on the StowTown label and cannot wait for you to experience Sunday Drive!”

Their first StowTown project, Breaking Boundaries, is produced by multi-Dove award winning producer, Wayne Haun, and is slated for a Spring 2022 release. The new recording includes nine original songs by some of gospel music’s most prolific songwriters, including two songs co-written by Jeff Treece. Looking toward a bright future with StowTown, Jeff shared his excitement about the new collaboration, “Misty, Dusty and I are beyond excited about our new partnership with StowTown Records. There are moments in life when God’s perfect will is confirmed by his perfect timing, and this is one of those instances. He has ordered every step, and we are thrilled for everyone to hear this new project. Through the pens of the amazingly gifted songwriters and Wayne Haun’s extraordinary producing and arranging, we look forward to sharing this new season for Sunday Drive.”

The first radio single from Breaking Boundaries, “Grace & Goodness,” was released today, and will be available on all digital platforms on January 28, 2022, via Provident/Sony.

Beloved Gospel Music Hall of Fame Member, Rick Price, Passes Away from Covid

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BUTLER MUSIC GROUP PRESS RELEASE

DETROIT, MI (January 2022) – A small, private funeral will be held in Detroit in January, and an open Celebration of Life concert and memorial service will be held in Nashville in early Spring. 

Rick Price spent much of his early career with the Grammy and Dove Award winning Blackwood Brothers, and was subsequently inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame with the legendary quartet.

For the past 23 years, Rick has been traveling across the U.S. with his own group, carrying on the grand tradition of Southern Gospel music. In 2016 Rick changed the group name from Blackwood Legacy to New Legacy Project, recognizing that it was time to break new ground and begin adding a contemporary touch to the traditional sound. 

Always open to new opportunities to minister, the beloved group is best known for their intricate harmonies, innovative arrangements, and humorous stage presence.
Longtime manager and tour coordinator, Bobbie Frye of Kingdom Artists Media says “I’ve never seen such an outpouring of affection. Rick always made everyone feel loved and important – a part of the NLP family. While he is deeply missed, it is heartwarming to know that his family, staff, and singers are joined by thousands of others in mourning his absence. We know where he’s singing now, and our loss is heaven’s gain.”

Rick specifically requested that the group sustain the calling and vision God put on his heart so many years ago. Joined by Rick’s son, Alex Price, New Legacy Project will continue his mission to tour and minister in churches of all sizes. They are committed to carrying on Rick’s legacy.
As Rick always said, “The road to the future is paved with memories of the past.” He will never be forgotten.

A GoFundMe page has been established to help get the group on the road during these difficult times and to cover some of the funeral and medical costs that have accumulated. If you would like to contribute, you can do so here: https://gofund.me/d34991b3

Reported crimes against the church in North America this week 1/1/2022

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STAFF

This is a list of this week’s reported crimes against Christian congregations and church property in North America. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list. These are only those that have come to our attention through media reports.

MONDAY, DEC. 27, 2021

Police in St. Albans, West Virginia have arrested two men for felony destruction of property and grand larceny after

TUESDAY, DEC 28, 2021

Police in Fort Smith, Ark. have arrested a man accused of causing between $20,000 and $50,000 in damage to the Evangel Temple in Forts Smith. KNWA/KFTA reports surveillance video led to the arrest of James Leon Garner, 39. A motive for the vandalism has not been announced.

WEDNESDAY, DEC. 29, 2021

Officers arrested a Henderson, North Carolina man, 40, this week for vandalism at a church. Police say Kane Kelley. The motive behind the vandalism at the Ebenezer Church is not clear as the graffiti is Illegible. Fox Carolina posted photos of some of the graffiti. ABC13 reports the act was caught on surveillance video.

Police in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania are looking for the person or persons who caused an estimated $11,000 in damage as they ransacked a church. 6 Action News reports the damage was discovered at the Emmanuel United Methodist Church. Burglary is believed to be the motive

THURSDAY, DEC 30, 2021

Police In the state of New Jersey have responded three times in the past month to vandalism at the Mary, Mother of God Church in the city of Hillsborough.  Patch.com reports the vandal or vandals have defaced Christmas decorations, knocked over statues and stole a few items.

FRIDAY, Dec 31, 2021 (New Year’s Eve)

No Report – Holiday schedule

Happenings in Southern Gospel this week 1/1/2022

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STAFF

Texas Gospel is saddened this week to learn of the passing of Wayne Little, tenor with the Blackwood Brothers.

The Collingsworth Family is celebrating its recent 205,000 follower benchmark for the group’s Facebook page. Social media has become an important avenue for Southern Gospel Groups to share photos, videos and the latest happenings with their fans.

Happy Birthday this week to Arthur Rice, one of the most talented tenor vocalists around!

The Tribute Quartet made the top of the list on the Singing News list of top 40 songs of 2021.

Rodney Griffin reached a landmark this week.  December 28 marked the anniversary of his first appearance with the group in 1993.

Endless Highway and The Lefevre Quartet are set to do a benefit concert on January 9 for Ben Rogers.