STAFF WITH INFORMATION FROM DAYWIND RECORDS
Greater Vision has been in the studio this week working on orchestrations for a forthcoming project. It’s a Trey Ivey arrangement.
Little is known about the final project, but we know they got the brass section recorded earlier.
We’ll look forward to a new project down the road from Greater Vision.
Listen for the group’s latest release, “You Are My King,” on Texas Gospel Canada!
SPECIAL MAIN STREET MUSIC
Nashville, TN (June 8th, 2022) â Poet Voices is pleased to announce the addition of KC Armstrong to the acclaimed quartet.
The retired Sergeant First Class will be stepping into the bass role and audiences are quickly falling in love with his powerful, room-filling vocals. Not only does KC bring with him notable experience within Southern Gospel music, but he was also a member of the prestigious United States Air Force Singing Sergeants, and finished his military career with the United States Army Chorus. This opportunity has afforded him numerous distinguishments throughout the years, including performing for Presidents Clinton, Bush, Obama and Trump. As part of these decorated groups, he was also honored to have performed for the funerals of Presidents Reagan, Ford, and Bush.
Currently residing in Knoxville, TN, KC and his wife Chara have three children: Adaline, Brogan and Calvin, and a chocolate lab named Sophie.
Legendary songwriter Phil Cross first introduced Southern Gospel to Phil Cross & Poet Voices in the early 1990s. Considered progressive for its time, fans quickly fell in love with this group and its unique presentation of the Gospel, which yielded an array of honors and five chart-topping songs, including Song of the Year for ‘I Am Redeemed.’ Poet Voices continues to raise the bar in all aspects of its music and production, striving to provide a fresh and exciting concert experience each and every time. Audiences can expect to hear a variety of hit songs from the quartet such as ‘Jesus Built A Bridge,’ and ‘One Holy Lamb,’ as well as songs from Cross’ pen made popular by other groups such as ‘Wedding Music,’ ‘When I Get Carried Away,’ and ‘Champion Of Love.’
Poet Voices’ most recent radio single, ‘Everybody’s Song,’ is currently climbing the national radio charts, as part of the latest album release Everybody Needs Jesus.
To stay up-to-date on current happenings, follow Poet Voices on social media, or visit poetvoices.net.
JEFF TURNER
The southern gospel community is remembering Byron Steward, a man who played southern gospel music for more than 30 years including time he spent with spent with Gold City and Tony Gore & Majesty.
Steward passed away Saturday June 4.
Gold City’s Dany Riley said on the group’s Facebook page, âBryon was a great man. We loved working with him and having him on our bus. We are all saddened at his passing, but we have that hope that says to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. We know Byron is with Jesus, healed and at peace.â
Funeral services took place Tuesday in Hackleburg, Alabama at the Chigger Hill Freewill Baptist Church, according to his obituary.
Byron Steward was 48.
STAFF
Arthur Rice of the Kingdom Heirs is beginning a new chapter of his life as he leaves the group to become a church music director.
Arthur sang one last time with The Kingdom Heirs Monday. He offered these thoughts to the group, the audience at The Showstreet Palace Theatre and an audience of thousands watching online.
âGodâs been faithful to us, âhe told the crowd as he spoke about the groupâs future.
âWeâve been through some things that, we shouldnât be here. I mean, the world looked at us and said, âyaâll are done.â But you know what, God wasnât done with us. And these boys are going to go on. Godâs always got a plan. Heâs always got somebody. And these boys are going to go on and be solid as a rock,â he said.
We wish Arthur well as he begins his new role at Trinity Baptist Church in Asheville, NC.
The Kingdom Heirs posted the following press release to the groupâs website:
Hello friends and dear supporters of the Kingdom Heirs. We would like to thank each of you for your devoted commitment to us over the years. Your loyalty is the greatest example of God’s grace that we know. Today we come to you with news that may come as a shock. Please know the decisions that were made were out of a prompting from the Holy Spirit that could not be ignored. Months ago, Arthur Rice was approached by a church in need of a music director. This church is very dear to Arthur, but as we all know, so is the Kingdom Heirs. After months in earnest prayer over this huge decision, Arthur received confirmation from the Lord to accept the position.
There is no one capable of “replacing” Arthur Rice being that he has a legacy in Southern Gospel that few can compare to. When the group was made aware of Arthurs resignation, it was greeted with a lot of tears and a lot of love. Group owner and bass guitar player Kreis French says, “I was surprised because I had thought this group of guys would take me through to the end, and Arthur has been a friend and mentor for 27 years. But I realize that God sometimes has different plans than we do. I am happy for him and his family.”
We will miss Arthur’s spectacular vocals as lead, the daily laughs both on and off stage, and his encouraging presence. However, we wish him and his family all the joy and success as he embarks on this new adventure.
Upon asking Arthur about this move he said, “In 1995, I moved across the mountains to a new home and a new family. The Kingdom Heirs have been my family for the past 27 years. We’ve had many ups and downs, triumphs and tragedy, but through it all God has been faithful. Even when others thought we’d never survive, we never lost hope or even gave the devil a chance to put doubt in our minds. We were determined to finish what The Lord had begun in us. Even during the pandemic when most groups were sidelined, God provided us a place to present a message of hope. I’d never even thought about retirement, as long as the Lord would allow me to sing I had a message to give. And then about 7 months ago, God started dealing with my heart about a change. No one likes change and especially after this long. Surely I was misunderstanding what was going on. So I started really praying and seeking God’s will. I had no idea what it was or what He wanted me to do but as the days, weeks and months moved on the Lord confirmed He had something else for me to do. About two months ago I started a conversation with a church. After much prayer and careful consideration, I have accepted a position to serve as music director. I will be announcing where in a few days. I’ve realized that this opportunity is the right path and direction for me and my family. We covet your prayers as we move forward.
To Kreis and Dennis; we’ve been through a lot together but our friendship and resolve has never faltered. To the rest of the guys, y’all are my boys; ain’t nobody any more consistent, day in, day out. Solid as a rock. It’s been an honor serving with you all. To the fans; thank you for loving us through it all, the best is yet to come. To Dollywood; thank you for a platform to tell the world about Jesus. What an incredible place to work. Please be praying for the guys as they move forward. I’ve heard them and it’s going to be awesome. Hook forward to continuing to help produce some music for them. I love y’all.”
So, what is next for the Kingdom Heirs? After time spent in prayer, the group has a solution that is hoped to result in a very smooth transition onward and upward. Loren Harris is moving to Lead and Andy Stringfield will be singing Baritone and playing keys.
French says “Going forward, there is excitement within the group as we adjust to our new roles. Our goal has always been and will continue to be to spread the word in the most upbeat and positive way possible. We plan to continue to travel and perform at Dollywood for as long as the Lord allows.”
Though we have done everything we can to make this an easy transition, there is a lot of work to be done when forming a new and solid sound. As Arthur so well worded, we have faced so many “ups and downs, triumphs and tragedy,” BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL! We each desire your prayers as we move forward in God’s calling on our lives.
With so much love, The Kingdom Heirs
CROSSROADS RECORDS
Arden, North Carolina (May 23, 2022) â Horizon & Sonlite Records artists The Kingsmen and Endless Highway and producer Jeff Collins were honored for their work in the Southern Gospel genre at last week’s Absolutely Gospel Music Awards held at the Historic Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tennessee.
The Kingsmen’s latest album, More To The Story, was named Traditional Recording Of The Year. Classic, powerful, and filled with the gospel spirit that has carried the Kingsmen far beyond their western North Carolina origins over more than 60 years of performance, More To The Story â produced by GRAMMYÂŽ-nominated Jeff Collins â offers a spirit-lifting, crowd pleasing jewel in the ever-growing catalog of the legendary quartet.
“We are honored to be named among our very deserving peers. This album is special in many ways because it came from our time during the pandemic. Many of these songs speak of encouragement and hope that there’s better days through Christ. We do not take lightly the fact that our peers and listeners still love our music after 65 years,” says the Kingsmen’s Chris Jenkins.Â
Endless Highway’s album Come Home won the award for Country/Roots Recording Of The Year. The album, produced by multi-awarded and 3-time GRAMMYÂŽ-nominated Wayne Haun, is a diverse and compelling work that proclaims faith and encourages hope.
“We are simply overwhelmed and honored that our project, Come Home, was recognized among the projects of the most talented artists in our industry,” says Endless Highway’s Jason Griggs. “We are grateful to our incredible team at Crossroads for all of their support and investment in our ministry. We would also like to thank the incredibly talented Wayne Haun for lending his creative genius to the production of this project.”Â
Jeff Collins, who produced albums for the Kingsmen, Kingdom Heirs, The Inspirations, 11th Hour, Mark Bishop, Down East Boys and Kenna Turner West throughout the last year, was named Producer of the Year.
“What an honor to receive the AGM award for Producer of the Year! I don’t take for granted the trust that artists put in me for their productions, and I’m excited each time I produce,” says Collins. “Thanks to our team at Crossroads, great songwriters, talented artists, and incredible fans! And thank you to God and His blessings, and for allowing me to have a career in Gospel Music, the best music on earth!”
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