Category: Music

More changes for the Kingdom Heirs

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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.

Prayers For Heaven’s Mountain Band

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David Ingram

Texas Gospel Canada received the following from the Family Music Group:

We’ve received news that Deborah Johnson of Heaven’s Mountain Band has gone home to be with the Lord after having a severe stroke. Please lift up her husband, Roger, and all the Johnson family in your prayers during this difficult time.

Les Butler states, “Heaven’s Mountain Band and the Johnson family are very special to me. Our relationship goes well past being their producer and label owner. They are dear friends. We have traveled together, played and sang music together and most importantly we’ve worshiped together. I’ve spent many nights in Bro. Roger and Mrs. Debbie’s home and they always made me feel like family. Of course, we are family. We will miss sister Debbie, but not for long!”

About Deborah: Deborah grew up in East Tennessee with Godly parents and eight siblings. She began singing at an early age. Deborah and Roger married very young in life. She was thankful for her Christian family. Deborah believed her greatest accomplishment was that she was “born again.” Deborah stated, “My goal is to see souls saved and make Heaven my home.”

StowTown Records Announces New Digital Album Release From Talented Vocalist Buddy Mullins

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SPECIAL STOWTOWN RECORDS

Nashville, TN (March 17, 2023) – StowTown Records has announced the digital release of a brand new album from singer/songwriter Buddy Mullins. Fearless marks the debut release from Mullins under the StowTown label, and features 12 original cuts penned by Mullins, complemented by the rich, soulful vocals that have made this talented musician so loved by audiences for decades.

Buddy Mullins is no stranger to the gospel music arena. Over the years, Mullins has been featured on the popular Gaither Homecoming Video Series and even traveled as a member of the multi-Grammy winning, Gaither Vocal Band during the ’90s. His time with the group earned him an induction into the Gospel Music Association’s Hall of Fame. In addition to the Gaither Vocal Band, Mullins has had the privilege of performing with such acclaimed recording artists as Clay Crosse, NewSong, DC Talk, Newsboys, Steven Curtis Chapman and Amy Grant. He has also been featured with noted youth author and speaker, Josh McDowell, and has been a part of the renowned Billy Graham Crusades. Currently a member of the popular vocal group, The Booth Brothers, Mullins’ musical gifts and talents, as well as his endearing personality, have made him a favorite among fans and peers alike. 

The completion of Fearless brings to fruition a labor of love for Mullins, who, along with his wife Kerri, has devoted his life to world missions. Mullins serves as CEO of Hope for the World Foundation, an organization committed to sharing God’s love for people by providing their basic needs in order to share the love of Christ. The mission, originally born in Albania to provide for the extreme needs of orphans, has expanded to reach the gypsy community, as well as the underprivileged and handicapped residents of Albania. All proceeds from the sale of Fearless will support Hope for the World. StowTown Records President Landon Beene states, “Buddy Mullins is a seasoned veteran of the gospel music industry, and working with him is always a pleasure. His heart for people is evident in both his music and ministry, and the team at StowTown Records is happy to partner with him on the digital release of Fearless.”

The message of each song on Fearless is meant to provide hope. “This project was created from all we have been going through in our world over the past couple of years,” Mullins shares. “Realizing that we have not been given the ‘spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind,’ is what these songs proclaim!”  

Produced by multi-award winning musician/arranger Jason Webb, each song reminds and encourages the listener that God is in control regardless of life’s circumstances. The recording opens with “Moment of Hope,” which conveys the triumphant message of hope in Christ. Mullins enlisted his friends, The Gaither Vocal Band, to join him on this particular song, written after the intensity of the 2020 global lockdown and worldwide pandemic. A clear celebration of life, the song proclaims that in every situation children of God can find a moment of hope. “I don’t know of a better heart in the field of gospel music than Buddy Mullins. He believes and lives out what he sings,” expressed Bill Gaither.

“This is such a special project for me,” Mullins explains, “and I was thrilled to have some very special friends join me to help to make it so special. It meant so much to have my great friends, The Gaither Vocal Band sing with me, and I’m so grateful for my producer and friend Jason Webb, who truly caught the vision for these songs and brought them to life. I’m also grateful to StowTown and Provident for helping us get this message out in a powerful way.”

From beginning to end, Fearless conveys the overwhelming message of God’s provision, love and protection. “God, who has overcome the world,” Mullins states, “wants us to walk fearlessly into the future with the promise that He is there too. I believe these songs will strengthen the spirit and soul of each listener and encourage them to live out loud with confidence in Christ.”

The Primitive Quartet’s Stay Their Arms out now on digital platforms

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CROSSROADS RECORDS

Arden, North Carolina (March 17, 2023) — Even the most storied performing career must eventually come to an end, and for The Primitive Quartet — for more than half a century, faithful practitioners of an acoustic musical ministry rooted in the traditional sounds of Appalachian mountain churches and communities — that time has finally come.  

As a farewell to their many fans — and in addition to Through The Years, their remarkable digital multi-volume retrospective series for Mountain Home Music Company  — the group has released their last set of studio recordings, Stay Their Arms to digital platforms. The collection reveals a group as musically compelling and spiritually powerful as they were at their founding in 1973.

Hewing to the sturdy, down-to-earth approach that has characterized their music since the beginning, Stay Their Arms maintains a resolute focus on heartfelt originals that retell timeless truths in ways that inspire and comfort — although, as if to reaffirm their place in tradition one last time, the Quartet includes two of the best-loved songs from the canon in Albert E. Brumley’s “If We Never Meet Again” and R. E. Winsett’s “Will You Meet Me Over Yonder.” Yet new or old, each song glows with the warmth of wood and wire — mandolin, guitar, dobro, fiddle and bass — and the simple, straightforward tones of the human voice, sincere and unadorned, exemplifying the deep appeal that earned the group the devotion of countless audiences over their many years.

“After 50 years of music ministry, our touring days are coming to an end,” says The Primitive Quartet. “We hope our music will live on and be a blessing by way of our recorded songs. We’ve released Stay Their Arms, the final recording that we made, to all digital platforms. Thanks to all who have loved and supported us these many years. We love you all!”

Retirement of Dixie Melody Boys

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SPECIAL: DAYWIND RECORDS

Ed O’Neal announced Tuesday the retirement of the name of The Dixie Melody Boys.

Mr. O’Neal has been a part of the fabric of southern gospel music for more than 60 years. He was inducted into The Southern Gospel Music Hall Of Fame in 2004 and has won the prestigious Marvin Norcross Award. He says, “The past few years have been very challenging. I appreciate the promoters and pastors who have supported The Dixie Melody Boys, especially over the last few years, and I commend the guys who have worked really hard to keep the legacy of The Dixie Melody Boys alive. They have represented Ed O’Neal and The Dixie Melody Boys with class, and I appreciate that, but after a very deliberative, thoughtful and prayerful period of time, I feel the best thing to honor the heritage of the Quartet is to retire the name.”

Mr. O’Neal is 86 and sites health as the primary reason for his decision.

Southern gospel fans won’t soon forget Ed O’Neal and The Dixie Melody Boys.