Category: Top articles

Mark Jacoby to Step Away from Justified Quartet After 15 Years

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

After 15 remarkable years of music and ministry, Mark Jacoby will be stepping away from his role as baritone and co-owner of Justified Quartet at the end of 2025.

A founding member of the group, Mark has been part of Justified Quartet since its beginning in Akron, Michigan. Over the years, his strong voice, steady faith, and leadership have helped shape the group’s sound and purpose.

Justified Quartet is known for its classic Southern Gospel style, blending rich harmonies with messages of hope and faith. Their music reflects a deep commitment to “sharing the Word of Christ through song,” combining professional excellence with heartfelt sincerity. The group’s songs include both traditional hymns and original compositions that celebrate faith, redemption, and service.

In July 2024, Justified Quartet introduced a refreshed lineup, welcoming Anthony Patton (lead) and Tony Goforth (tenor) alongside founding members Caldwell and Jacoby.

Their albums, I Love To Tell (2013), Take A Stand (2019), and How Great the Debt (2022,) are just part of the group’s successes through the years. Each release has been praised by Southern Gospel reviewers for its craftsmanship and spiritual depth.

Mark’s faith, dedication, and friendship have left a lasting mark on Justified Quartet. As he and his wife Deana prepare for the next chapter of their journey, fans and friends are encouraged to pray for them and for the future of Justified Quartet as the group continues its mission in song.

The Kingdom Heirs release Fortieth Anniversary album

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SPECIAL CROSSROADS RECORDS

Arden, North Carolina (October 10, 2025) — “This year is a huge milestone for the Kingdom Heirs,” says Dennis Murphy of the legendary Southern Gospel quartet in which he’s served as drummer for more than 35 years. “Not only have we been in full-time gospel music for 40 years, but we’re also celebrating 40 consecutive seasons at Dollywood, Dolly Parton’s theme park in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.” 

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To celebrate, the Sonlite Records artists have released Fortieth Anniversary, a collection of newly recorded favorites plucked from the vaults, including three of their most beloved numbers — “He Lifted Me, “I’ve Passed Over” and “He Locked The Gates” â€” seamlessly blended into a medley filled with the joy of salvation from first note to last.

“Many people may not realize that we were already in place at the park before it became Dollywood,” Murphy notes. “We started as a part-time gospel act during the early 80’s when it was Silver Dollar City, and after a couple of years singing on weekends and special events throughout the season, management offered us the full-time position in 1985. This has been an incredible way for us to share the gospel with people from all over the world. Our theater seats a thousand and we have the opportunity to sing to more people than we could ever reach traveling full time.”

Inspired by the opportunity to share their musical ministry with audiences from around the world — a blend of one-time visitors and season pass regulars — the Kingdom Heirs have built a songbook second to none. Not surprising, then, that musical variety abounds on Fortieth Anniversary, where plenty of classic quartet numbers are leavened with a country waltz (“I’ll Know I’m Home”), a simmering, soulful “Jesus Made A Believer Out Of Me,” a gentle yet intense ballad (“My Anchor Of Hope”) and more — each a powerful, upbeat testimony to the redemptive power of Christian faith.

“During our forty years we’ve been very fortunate to have some incredibly talented men come through the group,” enthuses Murphy. “We bring an entertaining, high-energy performance to the stage every time the curtain opens, presenting the gospel with incredible songs, talented vocals, and an award-winning live band. Our current line-up of guys is, without a doubt, a crowd favorite, so Fortieth Anniversary is a classic sounding Kingdom Heirs compilation with new voices, and we have reached way back in our catalogue to revive these hits from the last 25 years. 

“Some of you will remember every song while others will be hearing them for the first time. As we share these songs, we are reminded that our music has become the institution which allows us to keep singing and sharing the gospel. We’re excited for everyone to live these songs again and be reminded of our rich history of amazing music and amazing writers. The hearts that have been touched and lives that have been changed will never be known this side of heaven!”  

The King James Boys Shine Light on “The Best Selling Book Of All Time”

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SPECIAL PINECASTLE RECORDS

Nashville, Tenn. – Bluegrass Gospel powerhouse The King James Boys are keeping the momentum alive with their brand new radio single, “The Best Selling Book Of All Time.” Available now on all digital and streaming platforms, the moving anthem is pulled from their latest chart-topping album Get A Transfer. Fans can stream or download the new single and full album HERE.

Written by Christopher Burton, “The Best Selling Book Of All Time” highlights the eternal message of the Bible. Its lyrics serve as a reminder that the Good Book was written by all people and continues to guide lives across every generation and walk of life. The recording features band members Randy Spencer (guitar, lead vocals), Cole Spencer (bass, harmony vocals), Curtis Lewis (banjo) and Will Hart (mandolin, harmony vocals). The new single follows on the heels of their chart-topping anthem “The News That Never Changes,” which is currently No. 1 on the Bluegrass Today Gospel Weekly Airplay Chart, where it has spent multiple weeks at the top since its late-spring release.

The momentum continues for Get A Transfer, which has become one of the biggest projects of The King James Boys’ career. The album has spent 23 consecutive weeks in the No. 1 position on the Roots Music Report Gospel Bluegrass Album Chart, where it debuted earlier this year, and earned a glowing 5-star review from the publication. The collection has also produced multiple hits including the lead single “Glory Ride” and fan-favorite “Ready and Waiting.”

Based in the upstate of South Carolina, The King James Boys have been carrying the message of Bluegrass Gospel for over 30 years. Since their beginnings in 1994, the group has dedicated their mission to preserving and promoting the gospel through heartfelt harmonies, uplifting performances and a sound rooted in tradition. Over the years, they’ve earned a reputation as one of the genre’s most consistent voices, blending their faith with a genuine passion for connecting with audiences everywhere. Today, they continue to build on that legacy with sincerity, energy, and an unwavering commitment to the music’s timeless message.

With a jam-packed touring schedule throughout 2025, The King James Boys are taking their message nationwide. Looking ahead, they’re set to kick off 2026 aboard Danny Stewart’s Bluegrass Cruise, departing from Port Canaveral, Florida, January 15-19. To learn more about The King James Boys, find upcoming tour dates, or stream/purchase Get A Transfer, visit their official website at www.thekingjamesboys.com.

Protecting the Home from False Teaching

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JEFF TURNER

In 2 John 10, believers are told not to welcome into their homes anyone who does not bring the true teaching about Christ. In the first century, travelling teachers relied on the hospitality of others while spreading their message. This was common, and Jesus Himself sent out His disciples in a similar way, instructing them to stay with those who welcomed their message.

However, the Apostle John warns that if a teacher arrives with a distorted view of Christ, believers should not provide them with lodging or support. This does not mean Christians should avoid sharing the gospel with people from other religions or groups. Rather, it means they should not give these individuals a base from which to promote false ideas. Offering hospitality in such a situation could indirectly help spread teachings that oppose the truth about Jesus.

Psalm 1 warns against joining in with those who mock God, and this principle also applies here. Protecting the home from false influence is a safeguard for the faith community.

But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed!

Galatians 1:8

Texas Gospel Canada Top 30 – October 2025

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DAVID INGRAM

Welcome to the Texas Gospel Canada Top 30 Songs of October 2025! This list is meticulously compiled based on the actual number of plays each song received in the previous month (September.) The Texas Gospel Top 30 is proudly submitted to top Southern Gospel publications including The Singing News and SGNScoops.

  1. Hold On To Hope — Southbound — Daywind/New Day
  2. I Will Sing — Hoppers — Gaither Music/Capitol Christian
  3. So Many Reasons — Tribute Quartet — Daywind/New Day
  4. Free — Brian Free & Assurance — Daywind/New Day
  5. I Know What Jesus Can Do — Browns — StowTown/Provident-Sony
  6. Still Faithful — 11th Hour — Sonlite/Crossroads
  7. So Much To Thank Him For — Mylon Hayes Family — Independent
  8. All Is Well — Exodus — Independent
  9. Standing With You — The Sound — New Day Records/New Day
  10. Stepping Stone — Tim Livingston — Diamond Mill Music
  11. Kick Up My Heels And Sing — Guardians — Daywind/New Day
  12. More Than A Hollow Hallelujah — Isaacs — House of Isaacs
  13. He Will Hold You Through It All — Endless Highway — StowTown/Provident-Sony
  14. Rise Up — Gold City — New Haven/Provident-Sony
  15. Troubled — LeFevre Quartet (with Joseph Habedank) — Daywind/New Day
  16. Joy Is Gonna Come — Erwins — StowTown/Provident-Sony
  17. Never Been Another — Whisnants — Independent
  18. Stand Tall — Hyssongs — ARS/New Day
  19. Up Above The World So High — Inspirations — Horizon/Crossroads
  20. I Am The One — Jeff Tolbert & Primitive Road — Independent
  21. The Other Side — Craguns — ARS/New Day
  22. Show Me The Way From Here — Paid In Full — StowTown/Provident-Sony
  23. Tell The Devil — Joseph Habedank — Daywind/New Day
  24. Deep Waters — Triumphant Quartet — StowTown/Provident-Sony
  25. The Way That He Found It — Justified Quartet — Big Picture Records/ARS
  26. Just To Know You — Heart 2 Heart — ARS/New Day
  27. Door Wide Open — Gordon Mote — New Haven/Provident-Sony
  28. Sow The Good Seed — Greater Vision — Daywind/New Day
  29. I Speak Jesus — Karen Peck & New River — Daywind/New Day
  30. A Million Reasons — Perrys — StowTown/Provident-Sony