Category: Top articles

Karen Peck & New River: Behind the Scenes with The Night Owls

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AMY TURNER

Karen Peck & New River, six-time Grammy nominees, have become a powerhouse in Gospel music. Their latest song, “Be Ready,” released in June, is in the top lineup at Texas Gospel Canada. But what do these award-winning singers do when they’re not in the studio?

Enter The Night Owls, a fun and engaging Facebook Live series led by Susan Peck Jackson. Each Friday night, Susan, along with Grant and Matthew, brings fans behind the scenes for a candid look at life offstage. The series has become a favorite among fans for its humor and realness.

Susan shares, “We have a lot of fun, and we’re always laughing at each other… Grant, Matthew, and myself do The Night Owls on Friday night, and so it’s late, like 11 or 12 o’clock at night. They get on there and start talking, and I just oversee everything.”

The live series isn’t just about fun, though. Susan keeps things in check, saying, “When they start talking about things that they shouldn’t, I’ll call them down.”

Don’t miss Karen Peck & New River’s Night Owl Diaries on Facebook Live this Friday night—tune in for laughter, insight, and the occasional late-night surprise!

Greater Vision’s Exciting Season: New Music and Performances

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AMY TURNER

Greater Vision is preparing for an exciting season of new music and performances. Their latest release, “Your Healing is on the Way,” is already popular among fans, but there’s more to come. Chris Allman, a key member of the group, is enthusiastic about what’s on the horizon for Greater Vision.

“Greater Vision has a lot of stuff coming up,” Allman shared. “We’ve got a brand new project we’ll be releasing at convention, so we’ve got some new music there, and I’m very excited about that.” The group’s commitment to creating fresh and meaningful music is evident, as Allman added, “We’re always excited to turn out new music that we’ve written and have even received from other writers.”

The group is also looking ahead to a special time of year—Christmas. Allman revealed plans for a festive collaboration, saying, “As a lot of people have already seen on social media, we are doing a Christmas tour with the Mylon Hayes Family, and of course, they have a tremendous project that they’ve been working on. They’ll be releasing that pretty soon, and then we’re gonna be doing music off of that along with the music that we did in London with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.”

This holiday season is shaping up to be a memorable one for fans of Greater Vision. The upcoming Family and Friends Tour will showcase both new and beloved Christmas music, and Allman expressed the group’s excitement about it. “We’re very excited about Christmas coming up and a brand new tour, the Family and Friends Tour.”

With new projects and a special tour in the works, Greater Vision continues to bring inspiring music to their audiences, staying true to their mission of uplifting and encouraging listeners through their songs.

Lauren, Amber & Kenna Deliver a Powerful Trio with a Heavenly Debut

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Amy Turner

Southern Gospel fans are in for a treat this October with the release of A Little Bit Of Heaven, the debut album from the powerhouse trio Lauren, Amber & Kenna. The group is made up of three remarkable voices: Lauren Talley, renowned for her work with the award-winning Talleys and as a gifted soloist; Amber Eppinette Saunders, the dynamic lead vocalist of 11th Hour; and Kenna Turner West, a celebrated songwriter and vocalist in the Southern Gospel scene.

Their upcoming album promises to bring an exciting blend of their talents, and one of the highlights is their latest radio single, “Won’t Be Me.” Lauren Talley shared her enthusiasm for the song, saying, “Won’t Be Me is one of the most fun songs to sing that you can imagine, and my girl Amber Eppinette Saunders sings her face off on this song.” Talley’s admiration for her fellow vocalist shines through as she humorously explains, “For those of you that aren’t sure, that’s a very good thing. She sings the roof off of this track.”

While Amber takes center stage with her soaring vocals, Lauren enjoys stepping into a different role on the track. “I get to sing harmony, which I haven’t gotten to do in about four years since I’ve been a soloist. But I get to sing alto on this track, so that’s fun,” she adds. Talley’s excitement for this collaboration with Amber and Kenna is palpable, and fans can expect the trio to deliver powerful performances throughout the album.

Won’t Be Me showcases the unique chemistry between these three artists, each bringing their own strengths to the table. With the blend of their voices and talents, A Little Bit Of Heaven is sure to capture the hearts of Southern Gospel listeners.

Listen for A Little Bit Of Heaven on Texas Gospel Canada!

Gospel Singer/Preacher Sonny Clardy shares about the importance of Prayer

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Amy Turner

Audio: Sonny Clardy shares about the importance of prayer

Prayer is a fundamental part of a Christian’s life, connecting us with God and allowing us to seek His guidance, forgiveness, and peace. The Bible stresses the significance of prayer, encouraging believers to “bring everything to God in prayer” (Philippians 4:6). This act of communication not only builds a relationship with Him but also aligns our hearts with His will. Jesus Himself emphasized the need for persistent prayer in Luke 18:1, underscoring that we should never give up praying. Whether it’s confessing sins (1 John 1:9) or praying for others (1 Timothy 2:1), prayer is a gift from God that brings spiritual strength and comfort.

Sonny Clardy, a long-time advocate for the importance of prayer, reflects on how it has shaped his Christian journey: “There’s so many songs that you hear today on gospel radio about prayer, so many groups and solo artists are singing songs about the power of prayer and how important prayer is in our lives.” For Clardy, prayer has been a cornerstone since he was 13 years old, and his favorite verse, 2 Chronicles 7:14, continues to resonate deeply. “I’ve always loved that scripture…if my people that are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray, then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.”

This verse serves as a reminder that prayer is not just about personal needs but is a collective call for healing, especially in today’s world. Clardy emphasizes that “in today’s society, it is so important—we need that healing of our land from the Lord Jesus.” His plea is for all of us to unite in prayer, not only for our country but also for the people we love. “Therefore it be important for me and for you, for all of us to join together…to pray for one another and the ones that we love.”

Ultimately, prayer draws us closer to God, and as Clardy concludes, “Be close to Him by praying as much as you possibly can.” His words encourage believers to stay committed to prayer, recognizing that through it, God can bring healing, peace, and transformation to our lives and the world around us.

The Kingsmen release second treasured classic, “The Judgement”

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Amy Turner with information from Horizon & Sonlight Records

When Thomas Nalley became the tenor vocalist for The Kingsmen in October 2022, his talent for ballads was already well-known. Alan Kendall, the group’s baritone, praises Nalley’s performance, noting how he has lived up to his reputation, especially with “Unstoppable God” hitting #1 in May. Kendall was confident that “The Judgement” would be a perfect fit for Nalley, and his nightly performances have proven him right.

“The Judgement,” like their previous single “Saints Will Rise,” is a reimagined classic from The Kingsmen’s repertoire. This track is part of their upcoming Decades compilation and has been released early on streaming platforms due to its strong reception.

The song begins with foreboding piano chords that set the stage for its narrative about the judgment of sinners and Satan, culminating in a powerful orchestration that highlights God’s omnipotence. This new version not only evokes the grandeur of the original but also showcases The Kingsmen’s enduring talent and spirit, appealing to both long-time and new fans.

Kendall expresses excitement about the re-release of “The Judgement,” a song that hasn’t been fully available for nearly 25 years. He is thrilled that the current lineup of The Kingsmen has brought this cherished song back to life for everyone to enjoy.

“The Judgement” is now available for streaming in Dolby Atmos spatial audio on Apple Music, Amazon Music, and TIDAL. You may also hear “The Judgement” on Texas Gospel Canada!