Category: Top articles

A Roadside Moment Transforms into Musical Message of Compassion for Doug Anderson

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AMY TURNER

Doug Anderson, known as the Baritone vocalist for Ernie Hasse and Signature Sound, has released his second solo album since 2018 featuring his newest single, “Until It Was Me.” The song, found on his album titled Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, emerged from a simple yet profound experience that many people overlook.

Texas Gospel asked the Grammy nominated, multi Dove award winning singer about his songwriting process. He said it usually begins with an overwhelming stream of ideas. “I usually have about 1000 ideas a day and if one of those ideas is good then it’s been a good day,” he explains. This particular song grew from a personal moment of unexpected reflection during a frustrating drive to Nashville.

Stuck in heavy traffic, Anderson initially passed an older woman struggling with a tire problem. Later that same day, when he experienced his own tire failure, the situation dramatically shifted his perspective. “I didn’t think anything about the danger or the inconvenience that happens when you go through something like that until it was me,” he reflects.

The song’s core message challenges listeners to look beyond their immediate circumstances. “Sometimes we need to check ourselves and be honest,” Anderson says. “Can we be better? People are counting on us and we need to help others.”

With help from collaborators Wayne Haun and Jeff Bumgardner, Anderson transformed his roadside experience into a musical statement about compassion. The song encourages people to pause in their busy lives and consider others.

“Take the time to share a smile, a handshake or a hug,” Anderson urges. “You might be the only bright spot in someone’s life today.”

The response has been overwhelming. Anderson reports receiving messages from people who have found new perspectives through his music. “People look at themselves and have compassion for the world again,” he says.

“Until It Was Me” represents more than just a song. It is a reminder that empathy can emerge from the most unexpected moments and reflects what we are told in Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you,” and also Matthew 25:40, “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it for one of the least of these brothers or sisters of Mine, you did it for Me.” NASB

Listen for Doug Anderson’s Until it was Me throughout the day on Texas Gospel Canada!

Anthem Edition Unveils New Gospel Music Collection

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AMY TURNER

Anthem Edition, a quartet with a rich musical history, is set to release their latest project “Promises Kept” on January 10.

The new EP represents a fresh chapter for the band, featuring two new members: Cameron Edens on tenor and Andrew Utech on bass, joining founding members Tim Rackley and Doug Roark. This lineup change brings renewed energy and passion to their musical ministry.

“Promises Kept” showcases seven songs that highlight the group’s commitment to delivering messages of faith and hope. The collection includes their recent singles “Graveyard” and “Still Under His Feet.”

Producer Roger Talley notes the project’s distinctive sound, emphasizing its high-energy approach. The album features a mix of musical styles, from country-flavored tracks to arrangements punctuated by horns and harmonica.

The opening track, “Every Promise Made Is a Promise Kept,” sets the tone with its spirited message of God’s faithfulness. Other standout tracks include the contemplative “I Am Loved” and the closing song “They Need To See,” which offers a powerful testimony.

Anthem Edition’s journey began in 2003 as The Old Paths, and they have since become a recognized name in Gospel music. Their previous album “Right Now” produced two number-one hits and earned them a Singing News Fan Award for Favorite New Quartet.

Finding Hope Beyond Loss: The Story Behind “I Know There’s A Heaven”

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JEFF TURNER

In times of deep loss, many find comfort in God’s promise of eternal life. This truth is the backbone of The Kramers’ latest release, “I Know There’s A Heaven,” a song born from personal grief .

Maria Kramer Wolfe, a member of The Kramers, shares the touching story behind their current single.

“I Know There’s A Heaven is a song that we did to honor my grandma that passed with COVID,” she explains. Yet through the pain caused by the loss of her grandmother, Maria found a greater purpose.

“That’s a special unique situation that brought a lot of people together because it was so traumatic,” she continues. “But I do find that it’s so comforting for people who are mourning to just focus on this earth not being our home and that heaven is our home.”

This message of hope aligns perfectly with 2 Corinthians 5:1, “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.” NASB.

The song serves as a reminder that while grief is real and loss is painful, there is comfort in knowing that death is not the end for those who believe.

A Simple Question Sparked a Musical Legacy

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JEFF TURNER

A chance conversation between two gospel music artists led to the creation of what would become the Quartet Tribute series. Gary Casto of Tribute Quartet shares how a brief exchange with Gerald Wolfe at the Great Western Fanfare in Visalia, California changed their musical direction.

After performing on stage, Casto sought Wolfe’s opinion about their program. Wolfe’s straightforward advice was that they needed to include some old quartet songs in their performances.

“Gerald was sitting in the artist’s circle and when we walked out off the stage, he walked out with me and I said, ‘Gerald, what are we missing in our program?'” Casto recalls. “He says, ‘You’ve got to do some old quartet songs.'”

What happened next shows how quickly good ideas can turn into action. Casto immediately asked Wolfe to produce the project, then walked straight to Day Wynn, the A&R director of their record company. The entire plan came together in moments.

The enthusiasm was clear on all sides. When Casto approached Wynn with the concept, the response was immediate and positive. The project moved from idea to reality at remarkable speed, with plans to begin within a week of that initial conversation.

This spontaneous exchange between artists backstage would lead to a significant project, showing how sometimes the biggest ventures can start with just a simple question.

The Lore Family Marks Two Decades of Ministry with New Album

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JEFF TURNER

What began as a humble family singing ministry in a small Southern Ohio congregation has evolved into a two-decade journey for The Lore Family, who released their fourth Horizon Records album “Faith Over Fear” on November 15.

The collection marks the group’s tenth overall project, a milestone that lead vocalist Darren Lore reflects on with gratitude. “Those first few years of recording, singing and ministry went by so quickly,” he says, recalling how his children Fayth and Samuel grew up performing alongside him and his wife Sandy on various stages.

This video is a YouTube link

Today, The Lore Family consists of Darren and Sandy Lore, their daughter Fayth, and her husband Jake Whisnant. Based in Portsmouth, Ohio, the quartet has expanded far beyond their initial tri-state regional circuit of Ohio, Kentucky, and West Virginia to perform across the United States.

Their latest album showcases the group’s musical versatility while maintaining their Christ-centered message. The project features four singles released throughout 2024, opening with “God Said You’re Gonna Make It,” a decades-old favorite performed as a duet by Darren and Sandy Lore. The collection moves through various musical territories, from Fayth Lore Whisnant’s soulful ballad “By Grace” to Jake Whisnant’s bluegrass-influenced rendering of the title track.

The album’s scope extends to orchestral arrangements on tracks like “There Was A Day When” and “I Wish They Could See Me Now,” while Sandy Lore delivers an energetic performance on the rhythmic “Shaking Off The Dust,” slated to be the next focus track. Darren Lore’s songwriting features prominently, contributing half of the album’s material.

The group’s evolution has earned them appearances on prominent stages including the National Quartet Convention, Dollywood, and Silver Dollar City. Their radio releases consistently rank in the Singing News Chart’s top 20 and receive regular airplay on Sirius XM’s enLighten channel. For two consecutive years, fans voted them among the top 5 Favorite New Mixed Groups in the Singing News Fan Awards.

Despite these accolades, Darren Lore maintains that the group’s focus remains on ministry rather than achievements. “Change is inevitable in every life and ministry—but God has remained faithful and true,” he reflects. “We pray that this project outlives us. Each song has a specific message that will stand the test of time.”

The Lore Family’s “Faith Over Fear” is available now on all major music platforms.