Author: Texas Gospel

Damage at church

US congregation targeted with repeat acts of criminal vandalism

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Police in Pennsylvania are reaching out to the public for help finding whomever is responsible for repeated burglaries and vandalism at a house of worship.

“We are once again reaching out to anyone that may have information on the person/persons responsible for the ongoing Break In’s, Criminal Mischief and Vandalism at St. Joe’s Church. This senseless desecration of Church Property so close to the Christmas Holiday is devastating to the Priest and Parishioners. Please help us and the Diocese by contacting the Derry Borough Police Dept with ANY information you can provide that will assist us in stopping this,” says a post on the Derry Borough Police Department Facebook page.

There have been two attacks against the church this week in which statues were overturned, chairs in the sanctuary were damaged and a fire extinguisher was sprayed throughout the second floor.  A church representative told Texas Gospel Canada there have been at least five break-ins since Halloween.

The Cathedral Quartet

StowTown Records Releases Vault Series Edition From The Legendary Cathedrals

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Special StowTown Records

Nashville, TN (November 30, 2020) – StowTown Records has announced a brand new release from the label’s Vault Series. The latest installment of the series, Smooth As Silk, comes from the legendary Cathedral Quartet. The Vault Series features first-time digital releases of previously recorded projects.

Originally released in vinyl format back in 1979, Smooth As Silk was the first recording to feature the combination of tenor Kirk Talley, baritone Steve Lee, pianist Roger Bennett and the legendary twosome, Glen Payne and George Younce, and was the first album ever for both Talley and Bennett. The recording features the prominent quartet performing classics such as “I’m Winging My Way Back Home,” “I Know A Man Who Can” (which became a #1 song and Kirk Talley’s  signature song), “Then I Met The Master” and “It Is Well With My Soul.” Despite this success, the album was never released through a national distributor until now.

The Cathedral Quartet performed together from 1963 until their retirement in 1999.  While the group transitioned through several members throughout their 36-year ministry, fans and industry peers alike honored them for their consistent talent and their collective heart. The Cathedrals earned numerous Gospel Music Association Dove Awards, were nominated for three Grammy® Awards, had scores of chart-topping hits, received twenty Singing News Fan Awards, and were inducted into both the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame and the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame. When the group retired, they held the #1 spot on the national charts for their song “He Made A Change,” which also earned them the GMA Dove Award for Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year.

“It is truly a thrill to be able to present this incredible recording in digital format to fans worldwide,” StowTown Records President Landon Beene states. “I grew up listening to the musical magic of The Cathedrals, as I know many people did, and I am delighted that even more listeners will have the opportunity to hear this legendary group.”

George Younce’s son-in-law, StowTown co-owner and former Cathedral Quartet member Ernie Haase shares, “It was an honor to sing with George and Glen and the Cathedral Quartet, and it’s humbling to be able to re-release this music. It was a privilege to brainstorm with StowTown Records and the estate of Payne and Younce about the digital release of this project. Smooth as Silk was one of the first records I purchased after discovering The Cathedrals in 1982. When people hear it, they will understand why this record is timeless and needed to be released in digital format, and I hope they love it!”

Smooth As Silk is distributed by Provident/Sony and is available on all digital music platforms worldwide.

Smooth As Silk Track Listing:
I’m Winging My Way Back Home
I Know A Man Who Can
I’m Gonna Rise
Then I Met The Master
When I Thank Him For What He Has Done
What A Day That Will Be
Stormy Waters
It Is Well With My Soul
Love Lifted Me
‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus

Funeral arrangements announced for Aaron Wilburn

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Friends and family of Aaron Wilburn are preparing to celebrate his life. Aaron passed away Friday following a battle with COVID-19.  He was 70.

A life celebration will be held at 2 p.m., Tuesday, December 1 at Restoring Hope Church in Hendersonville, TN. Family will receive friends on Monday, Nov. 30 from 4-8 p.m. at Crestview Funeral Home and again from 12-2 p.m. at the church prior to the service.

Serving as pallbearers will be Jerry Salley, Dave Lehman, Olan Witt, Danny Jones, Jeff Easter, Jared Witt, Gary Casto, and Bobby Tomberlin.

Here is a link to his complete obituary.

ON THE WEB

Singing News Magazine: Remembering Aaron Wilburn

Southern Gospel Scoops: Please pray for the Wilburn Family

Les Butler

Les Butler of Old Time Preachers Quartet hospitalized

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Jeff Turner – Music Reporter

Family and friends of Les Butler are asking for prayer after he was admitted to Stonecrest Medical Center in Smyrna, TN on Nov. 22 for COVID-19 and pneumonia.  

Les has been a part of Southern Gospel Music for more than four decades. He’s a musician, producer and manager. He is also a former publisher of the Singing News Magazine and hosts a nationally syndicated radio program. The radio show isn’t the only place where you’ve heard his voice.  Les is a member of The Old Time Preacher’s Quartet.

Les posted an open letter to his Facebook page Wednesday.  In it he said he’s happy to have had “great worship services” while at the hospital. He’s been studying the Bible, reading books and watching Gospel music videos.

Les’ wife has also tested positive.  He said this is the first Thanksgiving the couple has been apart in the past 40 years.

Aaron Wilburn

Aaron Wilburn passes away

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Jeff Turner – Music Reporter

One of Southern Gospel’s most loved singers has died following a battle with COVID-19. A family member of Aaron Wilburn made the announcement on Facebook Friday evening saying, “Aaron made it home to the same heaven that he has written and sang about his whole life.”

Aaron will long be remembered for his humor, his time with The Happy Goodman Family, and the many Gospel songs he wrote.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Aaron Wilburn was 70.