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Artist Feature: The Erwins

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AMY TURNER

In the small town of Edgewood, Texas, a unique musical legacy continues through the harmonies of The Erwins, a Southern Gospel group composed of four siblings who have spent their entire lives on the road sharing their music.

Keith, Kody, Kris, and Katie Erwin grew up in a family where ministry and music were inseparable parts of daily life. Their father, a full-time evangelist for nearly five decades, brought his children along as he traveled across the United States, allowing them to develop their musical gifts from the moment they could speak.

For years, the three brothers performed as a trio until 2013, when their sister Katie joined them on stage, transforming The Erwins into a mixed group. Today, they maintain a demanding schedule of more than 270 performances annually at concerts, revivals, and conferences throughout the country.

Each member brings their own strengths to the group. Keith, who serves as the lead singer, balances his musical career with family life, having welcomed his son Landry Thomas in December 2020 with his wife Lindsey. When not performing, he finds time for fishing, golfing, and basketball.
Kody, married to Cayla and father to daughters Laney Brooke and Ivey Reign, handles the technical aspects of their performances, managing the sound system during shows. His off-stage interests mirror his brother’s, including fishing, golfing, and softball.

Kris, the group’s songwriter, wrote his first composition “Watch and See” in 2018. He creates the setlists for their performances and produces their lyric music videos. In his spare time, he enjoys movies, biking, and reading.

Katie, who married Logan Headrick in October 2022, manages the group’s social media presence. She maintains an interest in shopping and fashion trends when not traveling with her brothers.
“Singing is all we know and all we want to do,” Keith explains. “It’s our life and our joy to serve the Lord with the voices He has given us. We will gladly go through any door He chooses to open, no matter how big or small. We know the Lord doesn’t need us, but He chooses to use us, and for that we are thankful.”

This new generation of Southern Gospel performers from Edgewood continues to share their music, carrying forward a family tradition of ministry through song.

The Kingsmen’s Musical Journey: A Retrospective Collection

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

JEFF TURNER

Southern Gospel fans have something special to explore with the release of Decades Vol. 3 & 4 by The Kingsmen. This new collection, released through Horizon Records, spans the group’s history, showcasing their musical journey and including reworked versions of classic songs.

Alan Kendall of The Kingsmen shared the group’s excitement over this new release, stating that the overwhelming response to their previous compilation, Decades Vol. 1 & 2, inspired them to dive back into their archives. The new volume covers decades of music and features both older recordings and updated renditions performed by the group’s current lineup, which includes Thomas Nalley, Cole Watson, Brady Jones, and Kendall himself.

Here’s a bit of the Kingsmen on Saints will Rise from earlier this year (Courtesy YouTube)

Three songs in the collection, “Saints Will Rise,” “So High,” and “The Judgement,” have been re-recorded by the current members. According to Kendall, these classic songs were chosen to be updated for a fresh 2024 sound while preserving their timeless quality. The Kingsmen, a group known for their long-lasting influence in Southern Gospel, are approaching their 70th anniversary, making this collection a reflection of both their past achievements and present vitality.

With nearly seven decades of history, The Kingsmen have become a well-known name in Gospel music, earning a reputation as a “school of Southern Gospel” due to the many talented singers who have been part of the group. The latest collection includes contributions from around two dozen Kingsmen alumni, highlighting their extensive impact. This set is intended to appeal to both long-time followers of the group and those new to their music.

The Cross has Won Again (Courtesy YouTube)

Kendall notes that Decades Vol. 3 & 4 holds a total of 39 tracks, featuring a mix of hits, rare recordings, and favorite selections from members of the group. Among these are some unique recordings, including a studio version of “The Cross Has Won Again” from 1992, which was previously released only to radio stations. Additionally, songs from The Kingsmen’s earliest albums from 1960 and 1961 are now available in digital format for the first time.

For fans of instrumental Gospel music, there is also a special 2007 recording of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” performed by Brandon Reese, Nick Succi, and Grant Barker. Previously, this track was only available on a limited-edition live album. Another rarity in the collection is a 1965 transcription of an appearance on Bob Poole’s Gospel Favorites, featuring a dialogue between the show’s host, Bob Poole, and long-time Kingsmen pianist, Ray Talley.

Kendall emphasizes the historical and musical value of the set, describing it as a must-have for those who appreciate the heritage of Southern Gospel music. For listeners, Decades Vol. 3 & 4 is not just a look back, but a reminder of the faith and talent that have sustained The Kingsmen’s music for nearly 70 years.

The Journey of Jim and Melissa Brady in Southern Gospel Music

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

JEFF TURNER

Jim and Melissa Brady have become a duo with a familiar voice in Southern Gospel music. For over a decade, they have combined their talents, faith, and dedication to create a ministry that has reached many people. Their story is not just about music—it is about partnership, commitment, and faith.

Courtesy jimandmelissabrady.com

Melissa Brady has spoken about the unique dynamics of their relationship, saying, “We’ve had people ask and they go, ‘Oh, you and Jim are very different,’ in that he likes to watch football, I like to read books, I listen to music softly, he loves to listen to it really, really loud. And so that might be a surprise to some people.” Even though they are different in many ways, Jim and Melissa are united by the things they hold most dear. “We love each other, we love God, we love music, and that’s what it all comes down to,” Melissa said, explaining the foundation of their partnership.

Both Jim and Melissa grew up in families that valued music. Jim began singing with his family at the age of five and started writing songs when he was 16. Melissa also had a strong background in music, performing with her family, The Shulers, from a young age. When Jim and Melissa got married, they quickly began performing and traveling together. For nearly ten years, they were part of The Shulers, touring across the country. Then, Jim received an important opportunity when The Booth Brothers, a rising group in Southern Gospel, asked him to join. Melissa encouraged him to take the offer.

“It was an opportunity I felt I couldn’t pass up,” Jim said, “and thankfully, Melissa was 100% supportive.” This decision became a turning point in Jim’s career. Over twelve and a half years with The Booth Brothers, the group saw great success and received more than 100 industry awards. Jim earned multiple Baritone of the Year and Songwriter of the Year awards, establishing his place in Southern Gospel music.

The Booth Brothers – Photo courtesy Boothbrothers.com

During Jim’s years with The Booth Brothers, Melissa was a steady source of encouragement. Although Jim often performed over 100 concerts a year, the two found ways to continue singing and ministering together whenever they could. Melissa’s career also grew during this time. She wrote songs, contributed columns to several magazines, and hosted the Something Beautiful Women’s Conference. She performed with well-known Gospel groups like The Hoppers and The Martins. As their love for songwriting developed, they created a catalog of over 200 songs. Melissa’s skills as a songwriter were widely praised, and her song “Homecoming Day” was named Song of the Year by Absolutely Gospel.

Jim has often praised Melissa’s talents. “I know I am probably rather biased,” Jim said with a smile, “but when Melissa steps on stage to sing, or when she puts a pen to paper to write a song, or when she walks into her kitchen filled with family, the energy of the room rises because of her enthusiasm and her love for people. She has so many God-given talents, and I am so blessed to call her my wife and ministry partner.”

In the summer of 2014, Jim and Melissa began a new chapter in their ministry. They formed The Jim Brady Trio, which allowed them to perform together more often. After four years as a trio, they decided to transition to a duet in 2019. This change brought them closer as a couple and allowed them to connect more directly with their audience.

Now, as a duet, Jim and Melissa Brady continue to travel every weekend, sharing their music and their faith. Their concerts reflect their story—a story of commitment to each other, to God, and to the Gospel music they both love. Their journey shows how two very different people can come together to create something special. Jim’s enthusiasm and Melissa’s quiet strength complement each other, both on stage and off. As Melissa says, it all comes down to love: love for each other, love for their faith, and love for the music that continues to inspire them and others.

Autumn Nelon Streetman’s Journey to Parenthood

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

AMY TURNER

Autumn Nelon Streetman and her husband Jamie are preparing to welcome their son Rhett into the world, and they recently shared a unique moment of mutual understanding about the physical challenges of pregnancy.

In a candid and lighthearted conversation, Autumn highlighted the often-overlooked difficulties women experience during pregnancy. Her experience inspired a creative demonstration to help her husband truly comprehend what she has been going through.

“You know, I feel like guys don’t really understand what women go through when you’re pregnant for nine months. Like I can’t bend down and tie my shoe. You know, I’m out of breath when I walk up 10 steps,” Autumn explained.

Determined to help Jamie understand her daily struggles, Autumn devised an innovative approach. With the help of a friend, she taped a 20-pound bag of flour to Jamie, challenging him to complete a series of workouts.

“And so I was like, you know what, Jamie? Let’s let you have a taste of what it’s like to carry around a baby for nine months,” she recounted. Surprisingly, Jamie performed remarkably well during the experiment.

As the couple anticipates the arrival of their son, their playful approach to understanding each other’s experiences demonstrates the power of empathy and communication in preparing for parenthood.

The community is invited to keep Autumn and Jamie in their prayers as they prepare to welcome their precious baby boy, Rhett, into the world.

A Roadside Moment Transforms into Musical Message of Compassion for Doug Anderson

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

AMY TURNER

Doug Anderson, known as the Baritone vocalist for Ernie Hasse and Signature Sound, has released his second solo album since 2018 featuring his newest single, “Until It Was Me.” The song, found on his album titled Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, emerged from a simple yet profound experience that many people overlook.

Texas Gospel asked the Grammy nominated, multi Dove award winning singer about his songwriting process. He said it usually begins with an overwhelming stream of ideas. “I usually have about 1000 ideas a day and if one of those ideas is good then it’s been a good day,” he explains. This particular song grew from a personal moment of unexpected reflection during a frustrating drive to Nashville.

Stuck in heavy traffic, Anderson initially passed an older woman struggling with a tire problem. Later that same day, when he experienced his own tire failure, the situation dramatically shifted his perspective. “I didn’t think anything about the danger or the inconvenience that happens when you go through something like that until it was me,” he reflects.

The song’s core message challenges listeners to look beyond their immediate circumstances. “Sometimes we need to check ourselves and be honest,” Anderson says. “Can we be better? People are counting on us and we need to help others.”

With help from collaborators Wayne Haun and Jeff Bumgardner, Anderson transformed his roadside experience into a musical statement about compassion. The song encourages people to pause in their busy lives and consider others.

“Take the time to share a smile, a handshake or a hug,” Anderson urges. “You might be the only bright spot in someone’s life today.”

The response has been overwhelming. Anderson reports receiving messages from people who have found new perspectives through his music. “People look at themselves and have compassion for the world again,” he says.

“Until It Was Me” represents more than just a song. It is a reminder that empathy can emerge from the most unexpected moments and reflects what we are told in Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you,” and also Matthew 25:40, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of Mine, you did it for Me.” NASB

Listen for Doug Anderson’s Until it was Me throughout the day on Texas Gospel Canada!