Category: Top articles

Less travel for The Kramers this summer

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David Ingram, Texas Gospel Canada

Maria Kramer Wolfe of The Kramers said they will have limited travel for the immediate future.

“When my brother was just two years old he was diagnosed with autism but back in 2016 we noticed some new health challenges showing up that affected his behaviors,” she said.

“We noticed some vocal ticks that were very loud just a lot of anxiety and it made it very hard for him to enjoy normal daily life. We did only what we knew to do, which was to continue moving forward in ministry while also getting him the help he needed. Recently, Wesson’s health challenges have become more severe and with mom and dad being his full -time caregivers, the decision was obvious that they knew that they needed to kind of take time and focus on really helping him get better,” said Maria.

The Kramers have contacted a clinic in their home area that’s willing to help Weston.

“They specialize in his special needs and his special situation. And so we do ask for your patience, understanding and prayers as a lot of our travels are put on halt for a little bit.”

Maria is due to have her third baby this summer, so they had already scheduled in some time away from the road for welcoming a new life, but have plans to return to a normal schedule in the future.

“During this time where we’re home a little bit more, we are excited to be serving more at our home church, Grace Presbyterian Church in Peoria, Illinois,” she said.

We hope the future brings good things for the future!

Listen for the Kramer’s new song, “I Know There’s A Heaven” on Texas Gospel!

Down East Boys joyously proclaim God’s redemption is ‘Something To Shout About’

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SPECIAL HORIZON & SONLITE RECORDS

Arden, North Carolina (June 7, 2024) — Though the title track from their last EP, “There’s A Song For That,” has been riding high on the Southern Gospel charts for months, Sonlite Records’Down East Boys have been keeping fans well supplied with new material to sample on their own schedules — first with the release of early May’s majestically orchestrated “He Looked Beyond My Fault,” and now with the drop of the title track to a forthcoming full-length album, “Something To Shout About.”

Bold and assertive from its opening flourish of drums, “Something To Shout About” offers a driving, up-tempo beat that suits the joyous spirit of its message of God’s redemption. An ever-changing vocal arrangement in the verses keeps the spotlight moving between each of the quartet’s members, who take turns in offering the affirmations of Kenna Turner West and Jason Cox’s simple yet stirring lyrics:

Have you heard salvation’s story
Written for you and me
Jesus, God’s only son
Died for sin at Calvary
Was laid in a garden tomb but in three days
Death was defeated when He conquered the grave

Before joining together in the ringing chorus:

That’s something to shout about
That’s something, and you can’t help but tell the whole world how
He saved us from sin, washed us clean
Glory, hallelujah, He set us free
That’s something to shout about

“We love this new lyric,” say the Down East Boys. “If the Lord has ever touched your life then you have ‘Something to Shout About.’ This song will challenge you to tell the world what God has done for you!”Listen to “Something To Shout About” on Texas Gospel Canada!

Stowtown Records announces new music from Triumphant Quartet

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SPECIAL STOWTOWN RECORDS

Nashville, TN – Just in time for the peak summer touring season, StowTown Records announces the release of a brand-new recording, God Is Listening, from industry icons, Triumphant Quartet. With numerous Singing News Fan Awards to their credit, as well as a GMA Dove AwardŠ and a GrammyŠ nomination, this latest recording effort is sure to produce more chart-topping hits from the acclaimed foursome. 

For over two decades, Triumphant Quartet has consistently garnered awards, honors and accolades and become a household name among Gospel Music fans. Year after year, longtime friends and group founders Eric Bennett and David Sutton, along with Clayton and Scotty Inman, have continuously delivered hit after hit. With the departure of Scotty in 2023, Sean Barber has stepped in to fill the baritone position as a third decade of ministry begins for the group. God Is Listening marks the debut release with Barber in the mix, and he is already making his mark on fans with his powerhouse vocal ability.

God Is Listening is Triumphant Quartet’s first recording featuring original material in three years, and once again pairs the group with renowned producer, Wayne Haun. The recording features songs of hope and encouragement written by such prolific writers as Jimmy Yeary, Tony Wood, Sue C. Smith, Joel Lindsey, Lee Black, Scotty Inman and Joseph Habedank.

Producer and StowTown Records Executive Wayne Haun offers, “Going into the studio with Triumphant is like going to dinner at an old friend’s house. You feel relaxed and comfortable. And you know it’s gonna be good. These guys are more than friends. They’ve become extended family. Oh, and they just happen to be really good singers, too!”

The debut single and title cut, co-written by hitmakers Kenna West, Jason Cox and Jon Mohr, was released to radio in February and is already enjoying chart-topping, national airplay. With their rich history of success in radio, â€œGod Is Listening” may very well be one of the most popular to date for the Quartet. “We are very excited about this new recording and the incredible writers who shared their songs with us,” Eric Bennett states. “Our goal is to always offer audiences a true encounter with God. It’s all about sharing the victory that can only be found in the power of a resurrected Savior, and we know the message in each of these songs delivers just that.”

God Is Listening is distributed exclusively by Provident/Sony and is available at retail outlets and on all digital platforms worldwide. Stream the full project here.

Track List:

  • Unashamed
  • God Is Listening
  • Deep Waters
  • Death Couldn’t Keep Him Down
  • A Better Savior
  • Always
  • Big Ole Stone (Victory)
  • The Way He Loves Me
  • New Name Written Down In Glory
  • Friend of Sinners

The Gospel According to Mark brings scripture to life with Gospel Music’s top names

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SPECIAL STOWTOWN RECORDS by Emily Kohl

Gloria Gaynor, Rita Wilson, The Fisk Jubilee Singers, Rhonda Vincent and Ernie Haase & Signature Sound Among Star-Studded Guests

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—Uniting a veritable who’s who of Gospel, soul and country music luminaries for a uniquely inspired collection of song and spoken word, The Gospel According to Mark is set for release May 17 from StowTown Records. Created by and featuring acclaimed singer/songwriter Mark D. Conklin, the project’s 12 standout musical collaborations are interwoven with 12 Scripture vignettes voiced by iconic songstress Gloria Gaynor.  
 
Produced by Conklin—who also wrote or co-penned each musical selection—and GRAMMY winner Mark Prentice, the project offers fresh perspective on the New Testament book of Mark, chronologically conveying the account of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection. With Gaynor’s narrations anchoring every song, The Gospel According to Mark showcases musical contributions from renowned actress and singer Rita Wilson; internationally revered collegiate ensemble The Fisk Jubilee Singers; Gospel trailblazers The Fairfield Four; the “Queen of Bluegrass” Rhonda Vincent; Southern Gospel leaders Ernie Haase & Signature Sound; GRAMMY-winning recording artist John Berry; and ‘80s country hitmaker T. Graham Brown, among many others.  
 
“While serving as the director of the GRAMMY Museum Experience at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, I had the privilege of sitting down with the legendary recording artist Gloria Gaynor in 2020,” Conklin recalls. “After spending time with her album and speaking with her about her unwavering dedication to the Lord, an awakening occurred within me. It ignited a long-dormant desire to embark on my own worship project—a dream I had put off for years.”
 
“Later, as I edited the audio of my interview with Gloria for a podcast, it hit me like a bolt of lightning,” he adds. “I knew THAT voice, HER voice, was the one! To my great delight and surprise, she graciously agreed to join me on my musical journey, and I will be forever grateful.” 
 
“I’m so honored to have been asked to narrate The Gospel According to Mark and lend my voice to such an uplifting project that Mark D. Conklin has brought to life,” Gaynor shares. “To be part of such an amazing gathering of talent to share the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is truly a blessing for me.”
 
The Gospel According to Mark is highlighted by lead single “The Greatest is Love,” which is now available on digital platforms. Featuring acclaimed recording artist Wendy Moten, a runner-up on NBC’s “The Voice,” the retro rock ‘n soul track embodies the nostalgic sounds of Memphis and Muscle Shoals.

Additional album standouts include the Rita Wilson spotlight “Through the Storm”; “Oh, Lonely Day,” a stirring Good Friday anthem with vocal contributions from John Berry and Rhonda Vincent; and the soulful “Take This Cup” with The Fairfield Four—an emotive musical rendering of Jesus’ struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Conklin has also authored an exclusive devotional companion for The Gospel According to Mark. Unpacking scripturally-rooted insight behind each of the album’s 12 songs, the devotions present encouragement for daily living, reflective questions and directed prayers.

ABOUT MARK D. CONKLIN
A genre-spanning music executive, recording artist, songwriter and producer, Mark D. Conklin’s music has appeared on Billboard’s country, blues and bluegrass charts, as well as on such hit TV shows as “Grey’s Anatomy” and in various national advertising campaigns. He served as host of the GRAMMY Museum Experience Prudential Center’s three online conversation series: â€œOff the Record,” “Behind the Songs” and “Mini Masterclass.” In this role, Conklin interviewed more than 200 artists, including Mary Wilson of the Supremes; Earth, Wind & Fire’s Philip Bailey; DJ Khaled; BTS; Ellie Goulding; Luke Combs; and Kane Brown. Returning to his first love as a singer/songwriter, the New Jersey native released his roots-country EP, Starting Over, in 2020.

ABOUT STOWTOWN RECORDS
StowTown Records was founded in 2011 by Ernie Haase and Wayne Haun and welcomed partners Landon Beene and Nate Goble in 2014. A powerhouse independent Gospel music label, StowTown is home to renowned pop/Inspirational artists David Phelps, Charles Billingsley, Cana’s Voice, TaRanda Greene, Jody McBrayer and Tiffany Coburn, as well as acclaimed comedian Tim Lovelace, and some of Southern Gospel’s biggest names, including Ernie Haase & Signature Sound, Booth Brothers, Triumphant Quartet, Doug Anderson, The Browns, The Erwins, Legacy Five, The Kramers, Sunday Drive, The Perrys, The Steeles, The Taylors, and Zane & Donna King. Distributed worldwide via Provident/Sony Distribution, StowTown Records artists have garnered GRAMMY® nominations, multiple GMA Dove Awards and chart-topping releases. A burgeoning leader in multi-genre entertainment, the company’s StowTown Worship imprint serves the Church with a diverse range of music and resources and features renowned genre pioneer The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir as its flagship artist.

For further information visit:
markdconklin.com, stowtownrecords.com, turningpointpr.com.
Follow Conklin on Instagram and Facebook.

The Kingsmen celebrate No. 1 song, “Unstoppable God”

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SPECIAL Horizon & Sonlight Records

Arden, North Carolina (June 6, 2024) — Legendary quartet The Kingsmen recently stopped by the offices of Horizon Records to celebrate their No. 1 song, “Unstoppable God,” which topped May’s Singing News chart.

“What a crazy, amazing ride these last few years have been!” says The Kingsmen’s Thomas Nalley. “This song is a reminder that, through all of life’s ups and downs, our God is in control. No matter what obstacles are put in our way, His will and His power are UNSTOPPABLE!”

Horizon Records’ Greg Bentley adds, “It has been an honor for Horizon Records to represent The Kingsmen for more than 30 years now. With eight number one songs and multiple top fives through this time, The Kingsmen show no signs of slowing down. Their current lineup of Thomas Nalley, Cole Watson, Alan Kendall, Brady Jones and Ray Dean and Brandon Reese is as strong as ever — and “Unstoppable God” reaching the top spot proves that. We look forward to another 30 years representing this legacy of Gospel music!”

“Unstoppable God” is the title cut from the group’s latest album released in February. The quartet’s latest radio single from this album, “Praying For The Prodigal” is quickly climbing the charts.

Listen to Unstoppable God on Texas Gospel Canada!