Martin Cook, Founder of The Inspiratons, dies

STAFF REPORTS

Martin Cook, the founder of The Inspirations has died after being diagnosed with a cancerous brain tumor. His obituary says he died at his son’s home in Georgia.

Mr. Cook started the legendary group while he was a chemistry teacher at Swain County High School in Bryson City, North Carolina. In 1964, four of his students joined him and the storied journey of The Inspirations began. 

Mr. Cook was inducted into the SGMA Hall of Fame in 2003.  His contributions to southern gospel music will long be remembered and celebrated. 

Martin Cook was 85.

Happenings in Southern Gospel this week, 2/19/2022

JEFF TURNER

Greater Vision announced it will be part of a Canada & New England Cruise set for September 10-17, 2022.

The Browns have a part-time videographer and editor position open.  We suspect there’ll be some new music videos on the horizon.

This week Ernie Haase & Signature Sound released a new lyric video from for latest release Good to be Home

The Jay Stone Singers Saturday announced the group had to cancel a performance in North Carolina due to, “circumstances beyond our control.” 

The Inspirations made a wedding announcement this week:

The Inspirations were chosen as the cover group this month for The Singing News!

Harold Rochester of The Rochesters celebrated his 88th Birthday this week!

Debra Talley was a guest on the Aging Angst ad Alleluias podcast. Here’s a link if you want to give it a listen.

Congratulations are in order for The LeFevre Quartet’s Jay Parrack and family.  Jay’s daughter Keely tied the knot this month. We wish the new couple the best as they begin this journey!

Reba McEntire is set to release My Chains Are Gone: Hymns and Gospel Favorites. The 12-track record, which includes some of McEntire’s favorite hymns, features several guest artists, including Trisha Yearwood and Kelly Clarkson on “Softly and Tenderly,” as well as The Isaacs on both a medley of “In the Garden” and “Wonderful Peace,” as well as on “It Is Well With My Soul”

Texas Gospel Canada celebrates six years

WILLIAM DESJARDINS

Six years goes by quickly! That may be an understatement as we approach our six-year anniversary of broadcasting.

The idea of launching Texas Gospel Canada started when former employees of a now-defunct radio station began talking about wanting to be back in gospel broadcasting. The founding members had never owned a station. They also had never been part of an online station. They determined opening an online station in Canada was the best path to follow after researching costs involved and technical needs.

Texas Gospel Canada has never accepted a donation, nor have we ever sold commercial advertising.  We understand that the costs involved with traditional over-the-air stations make having an income a necessity for those who still broadcast terrestrially. Because of this we encourage listeners to support local stations if they are fortunate enough to live in an area where one exists. The low cost of internet broadcasting was the main part of the decision to go online rather than on air.

The station launched on Feb 17, 2016 using online services from a company that offered free streaming in exchange for commercials aired on the station. While we appreciated the no-cost streaming offered, there were numerous technical issues that resulted in a search for a new home.  In 2017 we switched to a streaming service called Torontocast and have been very happy with the technical improvements and station growth since then. This has allowed us to focus on broadcasting and ministry rather than the engineering and paperwork required to supply the stream.

Throughout the first two years of broadcasting we began added features from well-known Christian broadcasters such as Decision Moment from The Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada, Bible Minute from Back to the Bible Canada and others. Here is a link to a list of some of the short features we broadcast today.

In early 2021 we received a call from The Singing News in response to previous communications about becoming a charting station.  The Singing News welcomed us as a new charting station.  This gave us a voice in what Southern Gospel songs make the chart, something that helped us get new music for our listeners.  It is definitely a win-win agreement!

We want to thank all listeners who have emailed us encouraging words over the years of operation and hope to serve you and others across Canada with the best Southern Gospel music in years to come.

Best of Gospel Harmonies airing while Alan Cook recovers

DAVID INGRAM

Texas Gospel Canada has been airing “best of” versions of Alan Cook’s Gospel Harmonies programs for a few weeks.  We wanted to let listeners know the reason.

Alan Cook is dealing with serious back trouble. He has been in the hospital since January 12. A post to his website asks listeners to keep him in your prayers.

Alan has produced the program for more than 40 years spotlighting the very best in current releases and classics spanning the past six decades. We hope he recovers soon and look forward to new programs soon on Texas Gospel Canada.

Siler Family debut album released

SPECIAL MAIN STREET MUSIC

Nashville, TN (February 4th, 2022) –The Siler Family’s debut project on Penn Street Records, entitled There’s Always Hope, is available now.

There’s Always Hope is filled with uplifting, inspiring lyrics and fun, happy music. This project will be a bright spot in the day, and a reminder that Jesus is hope and joy. Produced by Scotty Inman, the seven song EP features music from the pens of Kenna Turner West, Joseph Habedank, Dianne Wilkinson, Lee Black and many more. The first radio single, ‘Jesus Can,’ is playing at Southern Gospel radio now.

Based out of Virginia, Toby and Christi Siler have enjoyed a long history of singing within Southern Gospel music. Once their twins, Jarrod & Jewel, began to demonstrate a love and talent for the music themselves, the family set out to fulfill the Lord’s calling on their lives together. The family group were the winners of the Pursuit 2020 online talent contest, and have been featured on numerous Gospel music events across the country.

There’s Always Hope is available for purchase on all digital & streaming platforms, as well as mainstreetme.com

To stay up-to-date on current happenings, follow The Siler Family on social media, or visit thesilerfamily.com.