Category: Top articles

Joseph Habedank on Adapting Methods to Reach a Broader Audience

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JEFF TURNER

Southern gospel music continues to evolve, offering a spectrum of styles from deeply traditional to more progressive sounds. Joseph Habedank, known for leaning toward the progressive side, recently discussed the direction of his latest project, Autobiography, in a conversation with gospel legend Gerald Wolfe.

While Habedank’s sound may have evolved, his core message remains unchanged. “Yeah, I was just talking to Gerald yesterday about, you know, we don’t change our message ever, but we do change our method,” Habedank shared. He emphasized the need for adapting approaches to reach a diverse audience, saying, “The Bible talks about this… preach the gospel to every creature, not just, you know, young people, old people, middle-aged people, not just Americans, everybody.”

This shift in method has proven successful for Habedank, who has witnessed significant growth in his ministry. “So far, especially in the past year, we’ve watched just amazing growth and we’re so grateful, so grateful for that,” he said.

With Autobiography, Habedank continues to balance the timeless message of gospel with a fresh, progressive sound, aiming to reach listeners from all walks of life.

Tribute Quartet Revisits a Fan Favorite with “Come On Let’s Go To That Land”

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JEFF TURNER

Since their formation in 2006, Tribute Quartet has made a significant impact on Southern Gospel music, receiving multiple Dove Award nominations along the way. The group, composed of Gary Casto, Josh Singletary, Gus Gaches, and Ian Owens, has built a reputation for their tight harmonies and energetic performances.

Over the years, they’ve continued to honor the traditional sounds of gospel with their Quartet Tribute series. With three volumes under their belt, the group decided to revisit one of their earlier works for their latest radio single. The song, “Come On Let’s Go To That Land,” from Quartet Tribute, Volume 1, has made a fresh return to the airwaves.

Gus Gaches explained the decision to recut the track, sharing how much the song has resonated with the group and their audiences. “We’ve always loved that song. And when we decided that Ian and I were going to go back in and do the vocals on the Quartet Tribute Volume One project, it was one of the ones that we were the most excited about because it just always resonated live.”

The quartet had been performing the song live with Ian Owens, and the response was undeniable. “Once we got the recut, we were like, goodness, people need to hear this,” said Gaches. “And sure enough, we started playing it… and people… begin [saying], ‘Oh my goodness, there’s such an energy with that.’”

The excitement surrounding the track has only grown since its release as a radio single. “We’re excited about it—letting everybody hear it and experience what we’ve known for a while now,” Gaches said. “It’s great.”

Tribute Quartet’s decision to revisit “Come On Let’s Go To That Land” is a testament to the timeless power of gospel music and their ongoing passion for sharing it with their listeners.

Lauren Talley’s Gift to the Holidays: A New Christmas Album

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TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF / HORIZON RECORDS

Arden, North Carolina (October 8, 2024) — “I’m as proud of this record as any I’ve ever done,” says Lauren Talley of her upcoming album, A Lauren Talley Christmas, now available for pre-save ahead of its November 8 release. “From a production standpoint, bringing familiar songs to life in a fresh way is always a challenge, as is finding new songs that stand alongside the classics. I feel like we really got to expand our creativity here!”

Under the direction of her father and producer, Roger Talley, Lauren combines tradition and originality with finesse. This mix includes the uplifting new track, “Love Reaches Round the World,” as well as unique renditions of Carrie Underwood’s playful “Stretchy Pants” and the heartfelt “Who Would Imagine a King,” popularized by Whitney Houston. The arrangements span lush strings and lively rhythms, infusing each track with the season’s warmth. Throughout, Talley’s voice remains center stage, conveying the heart of each piece with grace and authenticity.

Among the album’s highlights is its focus track, bringing in a special collaboration that holds a sentimental touch for Lauren. “I’m especially excited to have The Inspirations lend their powerhouse vocals to ‘The Son Came Down,'” she notes, adding, “a song I’ve loved since they recorded it 15 years ago.” Lauren’s mother, Debra Talley, contributes an emotive narration, adding a meaningful layer to the song’s new interpretation.

The album also resurrects nostalgia with a reimagined 1988 arrangement of “Sleigh Ride,” a tune fondly remembered by fans of The Talleys. From the joyful swing of “Stretchy Pants” to the soulful medleys of “Go Tell It On The Mountain” and “Rejoice!,” the collection embodies the joyous spirit of the holiday. “My hope,” Lauren says, “is that A Lauren Talley Christmas is an explosion of joy!”

About Lauren Talley

Lauren Talley’s artistry and impact in Christian music stem from a deep-rooted musical legacy. She made her debut on stage as a toddler, and since then, her journey has blossomed. As a core member of The Talleys, she has helped shape Southern Gospel, achieving eleven chart-topping singles and earning a Dove Award in 2015 for “Hidden Heroes.” Lauren’s voice has reached audiences across seven solo projects, including her dual-album release in 2019, Glorious God: Songs of Worship and Wonder and Loudest Praise: Hymns of Mercy, Love, and Grace. Her 2017 record, The Gospel, reached the top of Billboard’s Christian Inspirational chart, while her book Songs in the Night complements her 2010 album of the same title.

In addition to performing solo, Lauren lends her voice to Gaither Homecoming videos and RFD-TV’s The Music City Show. She has appeared on In Touch with Dr. Charles Stanley and is a popular speaker at women’s conferences nationwide. Her impact was honored in 2014 with an honorary doctorate in Worship Arts from John Wesley University.

When she’s not recording or performing, Lauren supports upcoming artists as a vocal coach and studio producer, giving back to the industry she loves. And despite her busy schedule, she always makes time for sweet tea, Tennessee football, and family.

“My job as a communicator is to give people the truth of the Gospel,” says Lauren. “I want people to know that Jesus is everything — He’s the Answer the world is searching for, He’s the solution to all problems and He’s the only One in whom we have real hope. He called me to give people His message when I was 12 years old, and fulfilling that call is all I’ve ever really wanted.”

A Lauren Talley Christmas is now available for pre-save.

Exploring Second Chances in The Guardians’ Latest Gospel Song

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JEFF TURNER

The Southern Gospel group The Guardians has long been a beacon in gospel music, known for their harmonious blend and inspiring messages. Comprised of John Darin Rowsey, Pat Barker, Scott Mullins, and Paul Lancaster, the group has captivated audiences with heartfelt lyrics and harmonies that reach beyond the stage, touching lives with a message of faith and hope. They are no strangers to the power of gospel music, using it to uplift listeners and spark conversations on spirituality.

Their latest release, Another Life to Give, is a personal and spiritual project that revisits a song written by John Darin Rowsey nearly 40 years ago. This song has held a unique place in the heart of Dean Hickman, a founding member of The Guardians and their first tenor. As Dean recalls, it’s a song that he connected with deeply since they first recorded it with the legendary Larry Goss.

First tenor and founding member, Dean Hickman (The Guardians Website)

“John wrote that maybe 40 years ago, it’s been one of my favorite, the first song we ever recorded with Larry Goss,” Hickman shared. The song’s message, which reflects on what one might do with a second chance in life, resonates deeply with both Dean and fans of The Guardians. “If I had another life to give,” he mused, “you know, when I mess it up, when I do something better, when I be a better soul winner, what would I do?”

Dean’s reflections on the song delve into a common but complex thought—what it might mean to have another chance to live out one’s faith more fully or to take a different path. He shared the uncertainty that accompanies such reflections, saying, “sometimes that’s a scary thought, because would we go down this tree of life and make turns that we think are better and they’re not.”

This theme of renewal and second chances speaks to the heart of the gospel message, reminding listeners of the opportunity to grow and deepen their faith every day. For Hickman, this song’s reflection on whether he could “do it better and…be a greater somewhere for God” if given another life speaks to the universal desire to leave a meaningful legacy.

Another Life to Give is much more than a song for The Guardians; it’s an invitation to consider how each of us can use our lives to make a difference, drawing closer to a purpose that aligns with the gospel. The Guardians’ music continues to reach souls and inspire new reflections on life’s purpose, making this song an especially poignant addition to their enduring legacy in Southern Gospel music.

Chosen Road’s Grassroots Mission to Support Hurricane Victims

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JEFF TURNER

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, the bluegrass gospel group Chosen Road found themselves faced with the question: How can we help? For founding members Jonathan Buckner and Zachary Alvis, along with fellow band members Tyler Robertson, Bradly Parsons, and Chris Stockwell, the decision to act felt as natural as their connection to the music and people of Appalachia. Watching friends and neighbors impacted by the storm, they felt a strong call to assist those in need.

Buckner, one of the band’s founding members, recalls the conversation that sparked their relief efforts: “We thought, what can we do to make a difference? We’ve got to do something. If it wasn’t for Western North Carolina and East Tennessee, the kind of music that we play wouldn’t even exist. And the people of those regions have literally fed our family for 15 years.” With the devastation close to home and a deep sense of gratitude for the communities that had supported their music over the years, Chosen Road embarked on a mission to give back.

The idea initially started small. Buckner explains, “We started talking on the bus, and we said, well, we could just stop on the way back from Nashville… fill the bus up with supplies, drop it off on our way in.” What began as a modest goal quickly transformed into something much bigger. With a single social media post, they invited fans and friends to contribute. Within 24 hours, they had raised approximately $15,000—enough to fill not only the bus but also a trailer with essential supplies.

“We delivered those Tuesday morning at 5:45,” Buckner recounts. “We pulled up in Carter County, Tennessee, to Happy Valley High School. Standing outside were about 30 high school students and teachers who had been waiting on us to get there since 2:30 that morning. They were just crying tears of joy, and we were crying because we were just overwhelmed by what we had just seen God do.”

From that initial delivery, their efforts grew into a grassroots movement that has since mobilized aid across the country. Their commitment inspired others to take action, with individuals and organizations from various states sending tractor-trailers full of supplies. “People we haven’t even known have reached out,” Buckner says. “We’ve been able to deliver literally thousands and thousands of pounds of supplies—food, cleaning supplies, water. It’s just been amazing to watch God work through this whole thing, and we’re just so thankful that He allowed us to be a part of it.”

For Chosen Road, the music has always been about community and faith. Through this journey, they’ve shown how those same values can extend beyond the stage, uniting people to care for one another in the face of hardship.