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Squire Parsons, Gentle Voice of “Sweet Beulah Land,” Dies at 76

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JEFF TURNER

Squire Parsons, whose rich baritone became synonymous with heartfelt gospel music, died Monday after suffering a heart attack.

Parsons leaves a legacy reaching far beyond the Southern Gospel stage. Born in Newton, West Virginia, in 1948, Parsons was steeped in music and faith from childhood. His father, a choir director and deacon, taught him the fundamentals of singing using shape notes-a tradition that would shape Parsons’ musical journey and ministry.

Courtesy YouTube: Trinity Baptist Church, Ashville, NC

After earning a degree in music from West Virginia Institute of Technology, Parsons served as a high school teacher and church music director before joining the renowned Kingsmen Quartet in 1975 as their baritone singer. The Kingsmen Monday night posted to facebook, “A true gentleman larger than life, Squire Parsons was loved by the Kingsmen and literal millions. Join us as we extend our heartfelt prayers and condolences to the Parsons Family during this time of loss.”

Though singing was a passion for Parsons, it was his songwriting-and especially his signature anthem, “Sweet Beulah Land”-that cemented his place in gospel history. Inspired by memories of his father leading congregational singing, Parsons penned the song in a moment of spiritual reflection, and it quickly became a beloved classic, sung at countless church services and special occasions across the nation.

Courtesy YouTube

Parsons’ catalog includes hundreds of songs such as “Master of the Sea,” “He Came to Me,” and “I Call It Home.” His music, marked by tenderness and spiritual conviction, has won him numerous accolades, including Singing News Fan Awards for Favorite Baritone and Songwriter, as well as the respect of peers and fans alike.

Despite health challenges that led to his retirement from touring in 2019, Parsons continued to write and minister, often accompanied on stage by his son, Sam. He remained dedicated to projects close to his heart, such as setting the Psalms to music, further enriching the gospel repertoire.

The first time I met Squaire in person was at a concert in Nederland, Texas. I don’t remember the year, but It was probably around 1988. I was recently out of college, had no money and looked kind of scrappy. After I interviewed him for KDLF radio, a station that is no longer on the air, we talked about his past as a band director, Gospel music, and about Gospel radio. He gave me one of his latest CDs and encouraged me to continue in Gospel music.

Parsons once said he wanted to be remembered as “just an old sinner saved by grace who loved to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ through music”. His songs, especially “Sweet Beulah Land,” continue to offer comfort and hope, ensuring that his gentle voice and message continue for generations.

Squire Parsons was 76.

Caleb Banks of Phillips & Banks Shares His Health Journey

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CAROLYN TURNER

Caleb Banks, a member of Phillips & Banks, has recently opened up about his ongoing health challenges. Banks, who grew up in Kingsport, Tennessee, has always had a strong connection to music and ministry, performing with his family’s group, the Banks Family, from a young age.

Banks has faced health issues throughout his life. He has lived with diabetes for many years. However, in recent times, his health problems have become more serious. Banks shared, “If you follow our ministry page, you can see that I’ve been going through a lot of health problems in the last couple of years. I’ve been a diabetic my whole life, but just recently I’ve been diagnosed with stage four kidney disease and diabetic retinopathy and things with blood pressure and the list goes on.”

These new diagnoses have brought many difficulties. Banks has also struggled with mental health during this time, “You know, through it all, I’ve had bouts of depression and anxiety and things that I’ve never experienced before…”

Despite these struggles, Banks says he has found comfort in his faith. He said, “…but let me tell you this, that I’ve also experienced the grace of God and the faithfulness of God like I never had before. It’s funny when we walk through these trials and things, we have to trust the Lord with things that we’ve never had to before. And not once has he ever left me and once has he ever forsaken me. And I don’t believe that he ever will. I know the Lord is good and that he’s working all things for my good. And I want to encourage you, he’s doing the same thing for you today.”

Banks asks for continued prayers and remains hopeful for the future.

Texas Gospel Canada Top 30 – May 2025

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DAVID INGRAM, SR.

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

1 Karen Peck & New River – That’s What Faith Looks Like
2 PromisedLand Quartet – The Hour I First Believed
3 Chronicle – God Has a Way of Workin’ It Out
4 Legacy Five – Bigger on the Inside
5 The Nelons Feat. Autumn Nelon Streetman – God Won’t
6 Scotty Inman – Motel Bible
7 Mark Bishop – A Lovely Tapestry
8 LeFevre Quartet – Troubled (feat. Joseph Habedank)
9 Mark Trammell Quartet – Can He, Could He, Would He
10 The Taylors – God Has Heard Your Cry
11 Peach Goldman – Life giving us life
12 The Inspirations – My Name’s Already There
13 Poet Voices – I Remember Lost
14 The Kingsmen – I Just Stopped By On My Way Home
15 Greater Vision – I’d Rather Hear Preachin
16 Kramers – He Remembers My Sin No More
17 Jay Stone Singers – Count for Something
18 Fields of Grace – Somebody’s Storm
19 Mercy’s Well – Nothing Greater Than Grace
20 The Hyssongs – We Still Believe
21 Guardians Quartet – Kick Up My Heels and Sing
22 Master’s Voice – 2nd Opinions
23 Lee Park Worship (feat. Todd Smith) – Goodness and Mercy
24 Steve Ladd – Everyday Saints
25 The Isaacs – More Than A Hollow Hallelujah
26 Tiffany Nicole – Kitchen Sink
27 Jeff & Sheri Easter with The Archers – Sunshine On A Cloudy Day
28 REAL Southern Gospel Qt – Blessed Assurance in the Blood
29 Rigth Road Quartet – All of God’s Children
30 The Bibletones – Golgotha’s Call

Impact of AI on Southern Gospel Music

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JEFF TURNER

Leading music publishers from the southern gospel genre recently met to discuss the implications of artificial intelligence or AI on songs, songwriters and song demos within the industry. The meeting was said to be highly productive. Rick Shelton, Vice President of Daywind Music Publishing sums up their thoughts.

“It’s my personal belief that songs intended to reach souls with the Gospel must becreated by souls who are living in relationship with Jesus. If the angels can’t sing the songs of the redeemed, how can we allow algorithms to write the songs of the redeemed?” Said Shelton.

The consortium agreed on several key points:

1- The songs promoted should reflect the heart and efforts of human creators.

2- The integrity of the songwriting and pitching process must remain beyond reproach, applying equally to both music and lyrics.

3- The intended use of AI is never to create the lyric or melody itself, but rather to provide a demonstration of what the original song sounds like.

4- To alleviate concerns artists may have regarding the originality of the songs submitted for their consideration, the publishers are willing to provide a signed statement with each submission, affirming its authenticity.

Furthermore, the publishers said they were committed to an on-going dialogue and education with the songwriters they represent regarding recognition of ethical boundaries.

Members of this committee are Rick Shelton of Daywind Music Publishing, Greg Bentley and Chris White of Crossroads / Chris White Music, Regi Stone and Randy Cox of Blank Slate Music, Joel Lindsey of Sunset Gallery Music and Dave Clark of Sunday Best Music.

Gospel Music Community Mourns the Loss of Garry Jones

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JEFF TURNER

The gospel music world is grieving the loss of one of its most respected musicians and producers. Garry Jones, an award-winning artist, passed away on Sunday evening, April 27, after a brief battle with metastatic cancer. He was 62 years old.

Jones built a long and celebrated career in gospel music, first gaining national attention as a member of the Pensacola, Florida-based group, the Dixie Echoes. However, it was his work with the renowned Gold City Quartet that left a lasting mark on the genre.

Daniel Riley of Gold City reflected on the deep influence Jones had on the group’s legacy. “I credit Gary Jones with creating the iconic Gold City sound,” Riley said. “As he started getting into producing the group in the latter part of the 80s, it became very popular. Sound that was different than what everybody else was doing.”

Jones’ impact on Gold City continued for many years, with Riley sharing personal memories of their time together. “The last time I’d seen Gary was when we were inducted into the gospel music hall of fame. He came to that, you know, I hadn’t talked to him, he’d moved to Texas and, you know, we lost touch.”

The connection between Jones and the group was renewed when Josh, a former member of Mercy’s Mark—a group Jones had also been part of—joined Gold City. Riley explained, “Josh had stayed in touch with him. And when Josh came with us, it sort of opened that dialogue again.”

This renewed relationship eventually led to Jones returning to work with Gold City once more. “We got to thinking and I talked to Michael Sykes who started this record with us. Where we are right now, we just thought, you know, if we could get Gary in here. And Michael’s like, man, that’s the perfect fit for where you guys are.”

Riley expressed how meaningful it was to see Jones return to the work he loved. “It’s just another cool story of how Gary got back involved. He was in a place in his life that he needed this. He had sort of gotten away from the production and all that. And when he got involved, he really got involved.”

Jones’ career extended beyond Gold City. He was also remembered for his time with The Old Friends Quartet and Canton Junction. Notably, he was a founding member of both Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, as well as Mercy’s Mark.

At this time, funeral arrangements for Mr. Jones have not yet been finalized. The family has asked for prayers and support in the difficult days ahead.