Category: Top articles

Jerry Martin resigns from The Kingdom Heirs

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The Kingdom Heirs Saturday announced the group’s longtime Tenor, Jerry Martin, has resigned his position with the group.

“Being with the Kingdom Heirs was a dream job for me!  Getting to take the stage with these elite singers and musicians has been fun and rewarding.  My decision to resign and basically retire from performing was a hard decision as I have been singing professionally for 28 years.  It’s something I never took lightly and I can say that I am very proud of the work I did in this industry,” said Jerry.

Jerry has been with the group since 2011, but his departure does not mean he’s leaving the music business. He is planning Martin’s Vocal Academy where he plans to teach and coach aspiring vocalists.

Kingdom Heirs Manager Kreis French said they are not yet taking auditions.

The group’s latest song is Just Drink the Water. It debuted in the Singing News Top 80 December 2020.

The Healer in the Grave earns The Talleys a #1 spot on our December Southern Gospel Chart

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David Ingram & Jeff Turner, Texas Gospel Volunteers

The powerful voice of Lauren Talley, an up-tempo sound and lyrics co-written by Lauren, Kenna West and Lee Black have brought The Healer in the Grave to the #1 spot on our top 20 list this month. The complete list is at the bottom of this page. The song ends 2020 on an upbeat for the Talleys in spite of COVID-19 and other issues that have made the year one of the most challenging.

The Talleys announced early in 2020 that they would retire as a touring group at the end of the year. This marks the close to a 24-year stretch of Gospel concerts. We’re hoping for some more studio releases from the Talleys and looking forward to new solo music from Lauren.

Here is the January 2021 Texas Gospel Canada Top 20:

1The healer in the graveThe TalleysHorizon/Crossroads
2Made rightKaren Peck and New RiverDaywind/New Day
3Better off thereThe BrownsStowTown/Provident-Sony
4Great God AlmightyThe SoundNew Day Records/New Day
5Leavin’The LittlesIndependent
6Your help is on the wayJason CrabbDaywind/New Day
7Look at all I lostThe Old PathsSonlite/Crossroads
8Mountain top for meThe Crabb FamilyDaywind/New Day
9Three men on a mountainErnie Haase & Signature SoundStowTown/Provident-Sony
10I know Him better nowJim Brady TrioDaywind/New Day
11Sing joy to the worldSacred HarmonyDream Big!
12The lambCollingsworth FamilyStowTown/Provident-Sony
13Hallelujah HomecomingWilburn and WilburnDaywind/New Day
14JordanNelonsDaywind/New Day
15A wretch like meLauren TalleyHorizon/Crossroads
16Just drink the waterThe Kingdom HeirsSonlite/Crossroads
17Never a timeThe PerrysStowTown/Provident-Sony
18Eye of the stormTriumphant QuartetStowTown/Provident-Sony
19Hope for the worldJordan Family BandSkyland/Crossroads
20This side of HeavenMichael BoothDaywind/New Day

Down East Boys cancel concerts, play it safe with COVID-19

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Jeff Turner, Music Reporter

The Down East boys have canceled concert dates set for Florida this weekend after they learned at least one group member may have been exposed to COVID-19.

“Well not the way we wanted to start 2021 but we have canceled our FL dates for this weekend,” says a Facebook post on the group’s page.

The Down East Boys and churches at which they were scheduled to perform decided it would be good to call off the concerts out of an abundance of caution. They did stipulate that no group members have tested positive.

The latest song from the Down East Boys, Amazing Amounts of Amazing Grace, peaked at #5 in the Singing News November Chart and is still in the top 20.

Paul Heil, host of The Gospel Greats, dies at 73

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Paul Heil, the founder and host of what could easily be considered the premiere Southern Gospel radio program in North America has died.

Heil’s The Gospel Greats has been aired on more than 200 Southern Gospel stations since its debut in August 1980. The Gospel Greats website says his program was also carried via Satellite networks.

Heil was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2014 and was awarded the 2016 “Radio Impact Award – Southern Gospel” at the 47th Annual Dove Awards. He was also a founding member of the Southern Gospel Music Guild.

His funeral is set for Saturday, Jan 2, 2020 at Lancaster Church of the Nazarene. The service will be livestreamed, at https://www.facebook.com/lancasternaz according to his obituary.

Paul Heil was 73.

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A look in the studio as The Isaacs record Songs for the Times

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The Isaacs latest project has a perfect title for release in 2020: Songs for the Times. It has a mix of traditional music such as “Ain’t No Grave” and Andre’ Crouch’s song, “Through it All,” alongside newer selections including the recent single “The Wilderness.” Each cut fits the theme of the project’s title.

Texas Gospel Canada spoke with Lilly Isaacs about the project. She said it was an act of hope for all of their friends and fans. They took advantage of the downtime during the pandemic and put it to good use.

“We loved involving all of our fans in selecting songs, watching the entire project being recorded, and the comments were just exciting. We feel like we did this together with all the people that have supported us throughout the years. We pray blessings and hope for this new coming year, “said Lilly.

The Isaacs recently shared a look behind the scenes as they turned their concept into reality. We thought you might enjoy seeing how a Gospel music session looks from the musician’s perspective.

A post from the Isaacs says It feels like there is a lot of hurt going on in the world right now, and sometimes we all might feel like were alone. Just remember “God won’t lead you where he won’t keep you..and he’ll be with you in the wilderness”

Enjoy hearing songs from this new project throughout the week on Texas Gospel Canada!

Tracklist:

1. Ain’t No Grave (Gonna Hold My Body Down)

2. Through It All

3. The Wilderness

4. Just Over Yonder

5. The Love Of God

6. The Times They Are a Changing

7. Peace In Trusting

8. Give Him What You Got

9. Medley Of Hymns (Old Rugged Cross, Softly And Tenderly, In The Garden, Nearer My God To Thee)

10. Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around (feat. Jason Crabb and Angela Primm)