New Song Release: “PRAISE” by Taranda Greene

JEFF TURNER

One can’t listen to Taranda Greene sing and not feel the very essence of this song – she is all about praising her Lord! As long as she’s been singing, PRAISE has been the cry of her heart.

The psalmist encourages us to make a joyful noise unto the Lord, and when this powerhouse voice starts singing about Jesus, one can literally feel the joy that she’s experiencing!

Taranda is joined by Jason Hoard in her new release PRAISE. Jason brings that smooth tenor harmony. Our guess is that you’ll be singing right along with them!

“I won’t be quiet; my God is alive! How could I keep it inside? Praise the Lord, O my soul!”

Feel the joy and let your soul sing along! Taranda’s new song was added today (30 July) to the music rotation on Texas Gospel Canada!

“You’ll Find Him There”: A Musical Journey of Discovery

JEFF TURNER

In the bustling world of music, where rhythms collide and melodies intertwine, there emerges a song that transcends mere notes. “You’ll Find Him There,” the latest offering from EHSS (Ernie Haase & Signature Sound), invites listeners on a soul-stirring journey—a quest for the divine that echoes across time and space. The song was added to our music rotation today (30 July.)

“And after the earthquake, a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire, a still small voice.” — 1 Kings 19:12

These words from the Book of Kings, serve as the foundation for “You’ll Find Him There.” The song captures the essence of Elijah’s encounter with the Almighty—a moment when chaos gave way to quiet revelation. EHSS, renowned for their harmonious blend of voices, brings this biblical narrative to life through music.

The quartet’s signature four-part harmony takes center stage in “You’ll Find Him There.” As the notes rise and fall, listeners are transported to the very heart of Elijah’s quest. The song’s upbeat tempo mirrors the urgency of the prophet’s search, while the harmonies evoke both longing and hope.

“There’ll be a big earthquake moving under your feet, and though the ground will shake, still the Lord you will not see. You’ll hear a still, small voice that gently fills the air – YOU’LL FIND HIM THERE!”

In these lines, EHSS encapsulates the seismic shifts of life—the moments when our foundations tremble. Yet, amidst the chaos, there exists a whisper—a divine presence that defies the clamor. The still, small voice beckons us to listen, to seek beyond the visible, and to find solace in the unseen.

As “You’ll Find Him There” resonates through speakers and hearts alike, it reminds us that even in life’s cacophony, God’s presence endures.

Gordon Mote Earns Dual GMA Dove Award Nominations

JEFF TURNER

Gordon Mote, a celebrated artist in the Southern Gospel music scene, has been honored with a nomination for the GMA Dove Award in the Southern Gospel Album of the Year category for his project “Where You Lead Me.” In an interesting twist, Mote finds himself competing against another project he worked on as a producer: “Shine: The Darker The Night, The Brighter The Light” by The Gaither Vocal Band, which also received a nomination in the same category.

Reflecting on the nominations, Mote shared his gratitude and surprise: “Well, I’m honored and very surprised if we’re being honest. You know, when you make a record, whether it’s as an artist or you’re producing something, it takes so many people to get it done. We are so blessed to have so many incredibly talented people who work in this business, who are friends. I’m very, very grateful.”

Mote’s humility and appreciation for his collaborators shine through as he acknowledges the collective effort behind his music: “Never take any of this for granted. Just the fact that radio still cares what I’m putting out there is an honor, the people who are listening and being blessed by it.”

The nominations bring not only personal satisfaction but also a broader recognition: “The cool thing about being nominated for a Dove award or a Grammy or whatever is that it does get people’s attention and you’ll get people to listen to it that maybe wouldn’t listen to it except that they hear that you were nominated for some award for the music. So there’s a lot of reasons to be excited. I am very excited and honored and grateful.”

As Mote stands poised to potentially receive the accolade for his outstanding contributions, the Southern Gospel community celebrates his achievements and looks forward to the upcoming GMA Dove Awards ceremony.

Tribute Quartet Earns GMA Dove Award Nomination for “Quartet Tribute, Volume 3”

JEFF TURNER

Tribute Quartet has been honored with a nomination for the prestigious GMA Dove Award in the Southern Gospel Album of the Year category for their acclaimed project, “Quartet Tribute, Volume 3.” This nomination highlights the group’s commitment to preserving the legacy of Southern Gospel music while bringing it to contemporary audiences.

The current hit single from the nominated album, “He Pilots My Ship,” has resonated deeply with fans, showcasing the group’s exceptional vocal harmonies and heartfelt performances. This song, along with the rest of the album, pays homage to the quartets that have significantly influenced Southern Gospel music.

Gary Casto, the lead singer of Tribute Quartet, expressed the group’s excitement and gratitude for the nomination. “We are truly excited to find out that we have been nominated for a Dove Award for Southern Gospel Album of the Year,” Casto said. Reflecting on the origins of the Tribute Quartet series, he added, “Several years ago, Gerald Wolf had the idea of us going into the studio and paying tribute to all the quartets that paved the road for folks like Tribute. To be able to bring some of those classic songs back to life and take ’em to the folks night after night is a great honor.”

Casto also emphasized the significance of this recognition, stating, “Once again, I can truly say on behalf of Tribute Quartet, we count it a great honor to be nominated for a Dove Award for Southern Gospel Album of the Year.” The group’s dedication to their craft and reverence for the history of Southern Gospel music is evident in every track of “Quartet Tribute, Volume 3.”

As the anticipation builds for the GMA Dove Awards, Tribute Quartet’s nomination stands as a testament to their talent, hard work, and the enduring appeal of Southern Gospel music. Fans and newcomers alike can look forward to more inspiring performances from this remarkable group.

Tragedy Strikes Beloved Gospel Music Family: Members of The Nelons Lost in Plane Crash

Jeff Turner / Constance Scully

Texas Gospel Canada has learned of the deaths of Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber and Nathan Kistler, and their assistant, Melodi Hodges who were involved in a plane crash Friday. The pilot, Larry Haynie, and his wife, Melissa, also died.

Autumn Nelon Streetman, who also performs with the Nelons, was not on board. She confirmed the death of her parents and sister on Instagram. She thanked fans for their “prayers, love, and support” hours after the fatal crash.

Gaither Management said the passengers were making their way to Seattle to join a cruise ship on which The Nelons were set to perform. A National Transportation Safety Board official said the crash happened around 1 p.m. Friday north of Gillette, Wyoming. Preliminary reports indicate the aircraft went down due to an “auto-pilot issue.”

The Nelons have been nominated for three Grammy awards and were inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016.

A Statement from Gaither Management Group:

One of the best-loved Gospel music families in America, The Nelons were involved in a tragic, fatal plane crash on Friday afternoon on their way to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska. Killed in the crash were Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber and Nathan Kistler, and their assistant, Melodi Hodges, along with the pilot, Larry Haynie, and his wife, Melissa. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident.

Autumn, Jason and Kelly’s youngest daughter, and her husband, Jamie Streetman, were not on the plane and arrived safely into Seattle and were notified of the accident. They were brought to the hotel where artists were gathered with Bill and Gloria Gaither to pray, sing, and embrace them in their grief, pledging to support them in whatever needs arise.

Autumn and Jamie will return home for now to Kelly’s brother, Todd Nelon, and his wife, Rhonda, to begin the hard tasks that lie ahead. Please keep them, the Kistler family, the Haynie family, and the family of Melodi Hodges in your prayers.

A Statement from Autumn Nelon Streetman:

As many of you have heard by now, my father and mother, Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, along with my sister, Amber, and brother-in-law, Nathan, as well as our dear friends Melodi Hodges, Larry, and Melissa Haynie, were involved in a tragic plane crash on Friday. Thank you for the prayers that have been extended already to me, my husband, Jamie, and our soon-to-be-born baby boy, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark. We appreciate your continued prayers, love, and support as we navigate the coming days.

A Statement from Autumn Daywind Records:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 27, 2024) One of America’s most cherished Gospel music families, The Nelons, was involved in a tragic plane crash on Friday afternoon. The family was en route to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska when the accident occurred. The crash claimed the lives of Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, their daughter Amber and son-in-law Nathan Kistler, their assistant Melodi Hodges, and the pilot Larry Haynie and his wife Melissa. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the accident.
 
Daywind Music Group’s Ed Leonard states, “The Daywind Music Group family is devastated by the news of the passing of several members of the Nelons in a plane crash on Friday. We pray that God’s peace and love cover the surviving member, Autumn Nelon Streetman, and her husband, Jamie, along with the Clark, Hodges, Kistler, and Haynie families, following the loss of Kelly Nelon Clark, Jason Clark, Amber Nelon Kistler, Nathan Kistler, and their close friends Melodi Hodges, Larry Haynie, and Melissa Haynie, who traveled with them on the flight. In this time of unimaginable grief for these families, we know that our beloved artist and their friends are in the arms of Jesus Christ whom the Nelons spent their entire careers singing about as they spread His Gospel around the world. We stand on His promises today as we grieve the loss of our precious Daywind family members.”

Autumn Nelon Streetman, the youngest member of the Nelons and daughter of Kelly Nelon Clark and Jason Clark, and Autumn’s husband, Jamie Streetman, were not on the plane and arrived safely in Seattle. They were notified of the accident and brought to the hotel where fellow artists, including Bill and Gloria Gaither, gathered to support them. The community joined together to pray, sing, and offer their heartfelt condolences, pledging unwavering support during this difficult time.

Autumn and Jamie will return home to be with Kelly’s brother, Todd Nelon, and his wife, Rhonda, as they begin to navigate the challenging days ahead. The Nelon family, along with the Kistler, Haynie, and Hodges families, need your thoughts and prayers.