Category: Southern Gospel

The Kingdom Heirs release Fortieth Anniversary album

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SPECIAL CROSSROADS RECORDS

Arden, North Carolina (October 10, 2025) — “This year is a huge milestone for the Kingdom Heirs,” says Dennis Murphy of the legendary Southern Gospel quartet in which he’s served as drummer for more than 35 years. “Not only have we been in full-time gospel music for 40 years, but we’re also celebrating 40 consecutive seasons at Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.” 

Provided to YouTube by Syntax Creative

To celebrate, the Sonlite Records artists have released Fortieth Anniversary, a collection of newly recorded favorites plucked from the vaults, including three of their most beloved numbers — “He Lifted Me, “I’ve Passed Over” and “He Locked The Gates” — seamlessly blended into a medley filled with the joy of salvation from first note to last.

“Many people may not realize that we were already in place at the park before it became Dollywood,” Murphy notes. “We started as a part-time gospel act during the early 80’s when it was Silver Dollar City, and after a couple of years singing on weekends and special events throughout the season, management offered us the full-time position in 1985. This has been an incredible way for us to share the gospel with people from all over the world. Our theater seats a thousand and we have the opportunity to sing to more people than we could ever reach traveling full time.”

Inspired by the opportunity to share their musical ministry with audiences from around the world — a blend of one-time visitors and season pass regulars — the Kingdom Heirs have built a songbook second to none. Not surprising, then, that musical variety abounds on Fortieth Anniversary, where plenty of classic quartet numbers are leavened with a country waltz (“I’ll Know I’m Home”), a simmering, soulful “Jesus Made A Believer Out Of Me,” a gentle yet intense ballad (“My Anchor Of Hope”) and more — each a powerful, upbeat testimony to the redemptive power of Christian faith.

“During our forty years we’ve been very fortunate to have some incredibly talented men come through the group,” enthuses Murphy. “We bring an entertaining, high-energy performance to the stage every time the curtain opens, presenting the gospel with incredible songs, talented vocals, and an award-winning live band. Our current line-up of guys is, without a doubt, a crowd favorite, so Fortieth Anniversary is a classic sounding Kingdom Heirs compilation with new voices, and we have reached way back in our catalogue to revive these hits from the last 25 years. 

“Some of you will remember every song while others will be hearing them for the first time. As we share these songs, we are reminded that our music has become the institution which allows us to keep singing and sharing the gospel. We’re excited for everyone to live these songs again and be reminded of our rich history of amazing music and amazing writers. The hearts that have been touched and lives that have been changed will never be known this side of heaven!”  

Texas Gospel Canada Top 30 – October 2025

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DAVID INGRAM

Welcome to the Texas Gospel Canada Top 30 Songs of October 2025! This list is meticulously compiled based on the actual number of plays each song received in the previous month (September.) The Texas Gospel Top 30 is proudly submitted to top Southern Gospel publications including The Singing News and SGNScoops.

  1. Hold On To Hope — Southbound — Daywind/New Day
  2. I Will Sing — Hoppers — Gaither Music/Capitol Christian
  3. So Many Reasons — Tribute Quartet — Daywind/New Day
  4. Free — Brian Free & Assurance — Daywind/New Day
  5. I Know What Jesus Can Do — Browns — StowTown/Provident-Sony
  6. Still Faithful — 11th Hour — Sonlite/Crossroads
  7. So Much To Thank Him For — Mylon Hayes Family — Independent
  8. All Is Well — Exodus — Independent
  9. Standing With You — The Sound — New Day Records/New Day
  10. Stepping Stone — Tim Livingston — Diamond Mill Music
  11. Kick Up My Heels And Sing — Guardians — Daywind/New Day
  12. More Than A Hollow Hallelujah — Isaacs — House of Isaacs
  13. He Will Hold You Through It All — Endless Highway — StowTown/Provident-Sony
  14. Rise Up — Gold City — New Haven/Provident-Sony
  15. Troubled — LeFevre Quartet (with Joseph Habedank) — Daywind/New Day
  16. Joy Is Gonna Come — Erwins — StowTown/Provident-Sony
  17. Never Been Another — Whisnants — Independent
  18. Stand Tall — Hyssongs — ARS/New Day
  19. Up Above The World So High — Inspirations — Horizon/Crossroads
  20. I Am The One — Jeff Tolbert & Primitive Road — Independent
  21. The Other Side — Craguns — ARS/New Day
  22. Show Me The Way From Here — Paid In Full — StowTown/Provident-Sony
  23. Tell The Devil — Joseph Habedank — Daywind/New Day
  24. Deep Waters — Triumphant Quartet — StowTown/Provident-Sony
  25. The Way That He Found It — Justified Quartet — Big Picture Records/ARS
  26. Just To Know You — Heart 2 Heart — ARS/New Day
  27. Door Wide Open — Gordon Mote — New Haven/Provident-Sony
  28. Sow The Good Seed — Greater Vision — Daywind/New Day
  29. I Speak Jesus — Karen Peck & New River — Daywind/New Day
  30. A Million Reasons — Perrys — StowTown/Provident-Sony

The Rogers Family affirms the Lord’s eternal presence, power with “He’s Still God”

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SPECIAL HORIZON & SONLITE RECORDS

Arden, North Carolina (September 26, 2025) — For their Horizon Records debut, The Rogers Family have chosen a rollicking affirmation of the Lord’s eternal presence and power that exemplifies the group’s respect for the Southern Gospel tradition — and their mastery of the genre’s signature harmonizing.

“We’re so excited to officially release our brand new single, ‘He’s Still God,'” enthuses Rebekah Shields, who takes the lead through most of the song. “This upbeat and joyful song has quickly become one of our favorites to sing, and we pray it becomes an encouragement to you as well. No matter what life brings, it’s a powerful reminder that He’s still God… and He’s still on the throne!”

Kicked off with an interchange between legendary studio multi-instrumentalist David Johnson’s fiddle and the piano of the family’s mother, Kim Shields, “He’s Still God” features the group’s own creative arrangement. Its first verse is sung by the trio of youngsters — Rebekah, Samuel and Hannah Shields — but another verse follows as Rebekah takes the lead, and as the song progresses, the shape of the chorus is repeatedly recast, with different voices emerging to take the lead and offer the triumphant lyric:

He’s still God (He’s still God), who rolled back the troubled water
He’s still God (He’s still God) and He’s still in control
He’s still God (He’s still God) though the world may be raging
He’s still God (He’s still God) He can calm your troubled soul
When it seems (when it seems that) that you have been defeated
Speak His name (Speak His name) and you are not alone
He’s ever listening (He’s ever listening) for the cry of His children
He’s still God (He’s still God) and He’s still on the throne

With its snappy call-and-response, down home feeling and intricately intertwined voices, “He’s Still God” offers both a memorable listening experience and, for those who have not yet heard them, an outstanding introduction to The Rogers Family.

Sound Street’s “Pray, Pray, Pray” encourages children to talk to Jesus

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SPECIAL CROSSROADS MUSIC

Arden, North Carolina (September 19, 2025) — The latest single from Sonlite Records’ Sound Street might have some of the flavors of a contemporary children’s song, and it’s led by 9-year-old Johanna Vanderslice, but “Pray, Pray, Pray” affirms in its lyrics a message that every age can appreciate:

Provided to YouTube by Syntax Creative Pray, Pray, Pray · Sound Street Pray, Pray, Pray ℗ 2025 Sonlite Records Released on: 2025-09-19

Pray, pray, pray, Have a little talk with Jesus
Pray, pray, pray, On and on without ceasin’
Lay it all before Him, every night and morning
He’s gonna make a way
So pray, pray, pray
Pray

“We are beyond excited,” enthuses father Jarrod Vanderslice, who leads the trio with daughter, Jaylie, and third member, Ryan Bilbey, “for this powerful reminder that no matter the time, place, or situation, we never have to worry or fret… we can always PRAY!

“This release is extra special because it features Johanna — my daughter and baby sister to Jaylie. You may remember her small but sweet debut in our version of ‘I’m So Blessed’… but this time, the song is all hers! From the very first note, Johanna’s voice doesn’t just sing — it connects. Her ability to communicate the heart of this song is beyond her years and absolutely captivating.”

Indeed, Johanna’s conviction shines through in her endearing delivery, while producer/pianist Roger Talley leads the backing ensemble through the song’s irresistible musical signature and cheery melody to create a memorable setting.

Says Jarrod, “We hope ‘Pray, Pray, Pray’ encourages you the way we teach our own children — to talk to Jesus about everything, anytime, anywhere!”

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

Kingsmen Quartet Marks 70 Years with New Album and Tour

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JEFF TURNER

The Kingsmen Quartet is preparing to celebrate its 70th anniversary in 2026 with a series of special projects. Plans include a commemorative album, a documentary, and a tour to mark the milestone.

On September 9, 2025, the group held a historic recording session at Crossroads Studios. Several former members joined the current line-up to contribute to the anniversary album.

Alan Kendall described the atmosphere inside the studio. “We are in the midst of recording what is going to be our 70th anniversary album. Been in Crossroads Studio and have just had a blast singing some brand new songs along with some of the favourite Kingsman hits from years gone by,” he said.

One of the highlights came when past and present members came together to sing. “And one particular moment that I will always cherish, always remember is that we called several former members of the Kingsman. We actually invited all of them, but we got several former members of the Kingsman that were able to be there and we recorded a song together and I cannot wait for everyone to hear it,” Kendall explained.

The album and documentary are set to be released in time for the anniversary year. A tour celebrating the group’s 70-year legacy will take place throughout 2026.