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Heart 2 Heart welcomes new members

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SPECIAL HERITAGE COMMUNICATIONS

Southern gospel group Heart 2 Heart is excited to announce the addition of two new vocalists. Riley and Ashleigh Dotson have been performing on stage with Heart 2 Heart the past few months, and will make their permanent place in the group official at this year’s National Quartet Convention in Pigeon Forge, TN. 

The Dotsons have been welcomed by longtime group members, David and Deana Kiser and Rhonda House and are no strangers to gospel music. Ashleigh is the daughter of David and Deana, and she has grown up surrounded by the music of Heart 2 Heart. Her love for music and her beautiful voice are a welcome addition to this ministry. Many will remember Riley Dotson as a member of Carolina The Band. He brings his powerful vocal ability and guitar talents to the group. 

David says, “This new season brings a different look and sound to our group, but it’s very much a blessing to be bringing part of our family on stage with us to minister together.” 

Ashleigh shares her excitement for this transition. “Riley and I prayed that God would guide our paths to eventually minister together, and we had shared in secret that Heart 2 Heart felt like home. God just has a way of making things happen, and we love that we are now a part of this group.” 

Riley adds, “I’m excited to share my passion to sing with my wife and be a part of the ministry, Heart 2 Heart. I haven’t been singing for a few years, and it’s a breath of fresh air to be back doing what I love.” 

Heart 2 Heart will celebrate the Dotsons’ debut at National Quartet Convention in Pigeon Forge, TN on Sunday, September 24, 2023. For more information on the ministry of Heart 2 Heart, visit their website at www.heart2heartmin.com or follow them on social media.  

Amber Nelon Kistler released from hospital

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Jeff Turner – Texas Gospel contributor

Amber Nelon Kistler of the Nelons was admitted to the hospital over the weekend with blood clots in both lungs.

“We are so grateful for each of you praying for her over the past few days,” said her husband Nathan.

“Amber and I were going to get on a plane tomorrow to DC, and I just kept thinking about the fact that if she had gotten on that plane with these blood clots in her lungs, that could easily have killed her. God has a reason for why he allows the things he does in our lives and we don’t always understand why he does that. I’m just very thankful that the Lord has protected us over and over again,” he said.

Daywind Records, The Nelons record label, tells Texas Gospel Canada Amber was released Monday.

The Inspirations’ Reunion LIVE will trace the quartet’s storied history

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SPECIAL CROSSROADS MUSIC

Arden, North Carolina (August 8, 2023) — In an epic encounter that brought together The Inspirations’ past and present, current and former members of the storied Southern Gospel group gave a performance for the ages at the 2022 National Quartet Convention â€” and now listeners everywhere can enjoy this unique, uplifting set in the majestic The Inspirations’Reunion LIVE collection from Horizon Records.

The album is now available for pre-save/add/order ahead of its September 29 release.

The excitement of the audience can be felt from the set’s very first moment, as it erupts into applause at emcee Josh Franks’ introduction and the opening notes of the current lineup’s lively rendition of “Living On Higher Ground,” and the energy in the hall remains at top level throughout the program. In an exquisitely crafted sequence, the quartet — Isaac Moore, Roland Kesterson, Luke Vaught and Wyatt Austin â€” gives way one by one to the group’s first generation, each man taking his original position and performing one of his signature songs. Indeed, time seems almost to stand still as Archie Watkins, Troy Burns, Eddie Dietz, Mike Holcomb, Marlin Shubert, Matt Diebler and Melton Campbell made their way to the stage, offering, alongside today’s members, endless reminders of why The Inspirations have had such a profound impact on Christian music. The band, too — Vaught on piano, guitarist Roger Fortner, Dale Jones on pedal steel and guest Jeff Tolbert (Primitive Quartet) on bass — unerringly delivers the classic sound that has kept the quartet at the forefront of Southern Gospel over the decades.  

From start to finish, The Inspirations’ Reunion LIVE testifies to the heartfelt joy of the Gospel’s good news, delivered by an aptly named brotherhood of men who have spent their lifetimes immersed in an unsurpassed musical ministry. Says founding member and legendary tenor singer Archie Watkins, “I am so excited that we got to do this! It was wonderful being on the stage at the National Quartet Convention with all the guys, and to see how the crowd just soaked it in was a blessing. I cannot thank Luke enough for how he put this event together. No one knows the history of our group like he does, and he really made the event come alive. I hope the fans love the recording as much as we did getting to record it!”

Triumphant Quartet Announces New Member

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SPECIAL STOWTOWN RECORDS

Nashville, TN (August 3, 2023) â€“ Longtime, multi-award winning StowTown Records recording artist, Triumphant Quartet, is pleased to announce the addition of vocalist Sean Barber to the group. Sean plans to relocate with his wife to the beautiful mountains of East Tennessee. They are looking forward to being a part of the Triumphant Quartet family.

Sean shares, “I cannot put into words how excited I am about this opportunity. I have great respect for Triumphant and the rich legacy they have built over the last 22 years. My wife, Tanessa, and I are truly honored to be a part of the Triumphant family and look forward to what God has in store.” Triumphant Quartet co-founder, Eric Bennett, echoed Sean’s enthusiasm, “To everything there is a season (Ecclesiastes 3:1), and this is a new season for Triumphant as we welcome Sean to the group. He is an incredible talent, and we look forward to how the Lord is going to use him and the exciting things He has in store for our ministry as we move forward.”

For more information about Triumphant Quartet, go to www.triumphantquartet.com. Their current project, Hymns & Worship, is available at retail and digital outlets worldwide via Provident/Sony. 

The Primitive Quartet wraps up Through The Years series with live collection

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SPECIAL CROSSROADS MUSIC

 The Primitive Quartet and Mountain Home Music Company’s Through The Years series has been bringing the beloved gospel group’s music to new generations of listeners through streaming services and digital sales platforms for the first time. These releases continue the group’s half-century legacy as a bluegrass gospel artist — one that has now performed their last live show. The Quartet wrapped up their full time touring on May 20, with one final concert.

To commemorate this long career and to close the series, Mountain Home is releasing Through The Years Live, a collection that will allow listeners to continue to feel as though they’re enjoying a performance from the storied group. The collection stands as a great reminder of the energy and spirit the Primitive Quartet brought to the stage.

Through The Years Live features fan favorite songs like “My Hope Is In The Blood” and “Didn’t He Shine” as well as traditional songs like “He Will Set Your Fields On Fire” and “I’m Going There,” all from the several live albums the group has released over the years.

As a whole, the Through The Years series — curated by the Crossroads Label Group’s Greg Bentley and The Primitive Quartet’s Mike Riddle â€” encompasses eight volumes covering nearly 40 years of historic releases, including a Christmas collection. Rarely has such an archival exploration been directed exclusively at digital platforms, and the combination of historical interest and forward-looking accessibility serves to guarantee that not only will long-time fans of the storied group have their favorites close at hand, but that the vital musical ministry of the Primitive Quartet will be available for discovery by generations of fans yet to come.