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The Kingdom Heirs announceupcoming album, No Better Time

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SPECIAL CROSSROADS RECORDS

Arden, North Carolina (September 10, 2024) —  “2023 was a year of change for The Kingdom Heirs,” Dollywood’s resident Southern Gospel group observe at the start of the liner notes to No Better Time, their upcoming album for Sonlite Records, now available for pre-save/add ahead of its November 1 release. What follows proves that they’re masters, not just of legendary singing, but of understatement.  “In our 40-plus years of ministry, we had never seen anything quite like it. Within a six month span, we replaced three out of four of our front line vocals and added a guitar player/vocalist. This project is nothing short of a miracle from God along with help and encouragement from so many people!”

Indeed, though the turnover has been substantial since last year’s collection of genre classics, Something Good, Vol. 3, the release of three singles in advance of the full project reassured longtime and recent fans alike that the Kingdom Heirs sound and spirit were as strong as ever. From the classic, jaunty opening piano of the “The Lord’s Been Good to Me” to the more contemporary flavor of the closing “Yesterday, Today, Forever Faithful,” No Better Time offers up a rounded portrait of multi-dimensional artistry placed in the service of the Gospel.  

Yet while a string section makes appearances on radio favorite “Until Prayer Changes Me” and the meditative “Already Free,” and horns enliven the title track, country flavors, soulful harmonies and traditional touches predominate on numbers such as the up-tempo “All The Way To The Gates,” recent single “I Want To Live Like Jesus,” the gently syncopated “We’ll Be Moving” and focus track “I Went Down.”  And though there are somber moments in the empathetic “Life Hurts, God Heals” and “He Still Is,” with its aching tenor lead vocal, most of No Better Time’s themes are perfectly summed up in the chorus of its title track:

No better time than the present
No better time than the now
No better time than the moment
To be touched by His power
And see once again He’s so faithful
He’s always changing lives
No better way, no better day, no better time 

“This album is something every member of our group should be very proud of,” the liner notes affirm. “Each guy was involved in every aspect of the finished product. There also would not be a ‘finished product’ if not for all the songwriters who submitted material that took a considerable amount of time to process. There were so many great songs, and we feel that we chose the best of the best. Thank you, songwriters, for your talent and commitment to keep sharing words that change people’s lives! 

“Last but certainly not least, THANK YOU to our family and friends, who not only support what we do, but more importantly, you BELIEVE in what we do! Without each one of you who are sitting in our audience on a daily basis or sitting at home praying for us daily, this ministry would be nothing more than a bunch of guys playing music! We love you and thank you…YOU make this possible!!”

Why Wouldn’t I Run by Lee Park Worship: A Fresh Take on Faith-Filled Music

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JEFF TURNER

Lee Park Worship continues to bridge the gap between modern worship and traditional church music with their new single, Why Wouldn’t I Run. This unique blend of sound and message speaks directly to the heart of worshippers, combining fresh, modern tones with the deep roots of the faith.

The song came together through an inspiring collaboration between Shane Dunlap and two of southern gospel’s finest songwriters, Sue Smith and Nathan Woodard. Shane shared how the song came to life in a moment of inspiration during a writing session. “Sue Smith is phenomenal. She’s one of my dearest friends. And then Nathan Woodard is just, he’s just great too. So we were sitting in the writing room and we were trying to come up with some kind of an idea. But we had something that we were going with. And then Sue mentioned, she’s like, I look at it like, you know, why don’t we just run to him? And I looked at Nathan and he looked at me. And we immediately, I mean, it clicked. We’re like, we’re writing that. Why wouldn’t I run. And so we wrote it and we had the song in an hour and a half. It was pretty cool. It was really magical and we sang it the next week at church.”

Why Wouldn’t I Run captures the heart of turning to God, expressing the simplicity and urgency of running to Him. With its powerful message and captivating melody, it’s already making an impact in worship settings.

Listen for Why Wouldn’t I run on Texas Gospel Canada!

Fan’s Suggestion Sparks Joseph Habedank and Chris Blue Collaboration

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JEFF TURNER

Do fans have an impact on what Southern Gospel artists do? In the case of Joseph Habedank’s latest song, Jesus Walked In, the answer is a resounding yes!

Joseph Habedank’s collaboration with The Voice winner Chris Blue came directly from a fan suggestion. Joseph recalls the moment it all came together: “I met Chris Blue on the Gaither tour, and I have to tell you, he quickly became not only one of my favorite singers, but one of my favorite people.” The two were part of the Gaither Homecoming cruise when inspiration struck in an unexpected way.

A fan came to the front of the stage and motioned for me. So I went down, and the person said, ‘Would you ever consider doing a song with Chris Blue?’ And I said, ‘Absolutely I would. He’s one of my favorites,'” Joseph shared. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. “I literally went back to my seat. Chris Blue was sitting right behind me. I turned around and said, ‘Hey, you want to do a song together?’ And he said, ‘Absolutely, let’s do it.'”

That fan’s suggestion sparked a collaboration that led to Jesus Walked In, a song that blends the talent of two artists from different musical worlds, bringing together the rich tradition of Southern Gospel and Chris Blue’s soulful voice.

This unexpected partnership shows that fan engagement can play a significant role in shaping an artist’s journey. Sometimes, all it takes is a single suggestion to create something extraordinary. In this case, a fan’s request gave Southern Gospel a new, powerful song that’s sure to bless many.

Jon Epley: The Heartfelt Songwriting and Baritone Voice of Greater Vision

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JEFF TURNER

Jon Epley, the baritone singer for Greater Vision, isn’t just known for his powerful vocals. Since joining the group in April 2017, Jon has occasionally contributed his songwriting talents, adding a special touch to the group’s musical repertoire. One of his recent works, “Your Healing Is On the Way,” is Greater Vision’s newest song, offering a message of hope and comfort to those who need it most.

Though Jon doesn’t consider himself a prolific songwriter, he finds the creative process deeply rewarding. “I just don’t sit down and write a lot, but whenever I do get a chance to write a song, it’s always so fun to me for the Lord to just pour the lyrics into me,” Jon shares. His process is one of inspiration and devotion, often beginning with a moment at the piano where he explores chord progressions and melodies. “I just really enjoy the process. So I don’t do it a lot, but I enjoy it whenever I get to do it. And it’s always a blessing when the Lord does give me a song,” he adds.

Greater Vision, founded in 1990 by Gerald Wolfe, has made an indelible mark on Southern Gospel music. Known for their rich harmonies and heartfelt lyrics, the trio continues to be a leading group in the genre. Jon’s role as a songwriter adds to the group’s depth, bringing fresh, spiritually uplifting music to audiences.

With his heartfelt songwriting and steady baritone voice, Jon Epley continues to contribute to the legacy of Greater Vision, a group that remains a favorite in the world of Southern Gospel music.

Triumphant Quartet heads to Ontario as latest release tops SN charts

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JEFF TURNER

Triumphant Quartet is once again making waves in the Southern Gospel world. Their latest radio single, God Is Listening, will be sitting at the #1 spot on the Singing News Magazine Top 80 chart for the month of October, according to a recent email from the group. This accomplishment is a testament to their powerful message and musical impact that continues to resonate with audiences across the country.

Fans of the quartet can experience their live performances this month as they take their concert tour to two key locations in Ontario. On Saturday, September 14, 2024, Triumphant will be performing at The Metropolitan Bible Church in Ottawa, Ontario, with the concert starting at 6 p.m. The following day, Sunday, September 15, 2024, they will appear at Wesley Acres – Douglas Memorial Center in Bloomfield, Ontario, for a morning concert beginning at 10 a.m. Both venues are sure to be filled with worship and joy as fans gather to celebrate the message of God’s listening ear through the music of Triumphant.

Additionally, a special congratulations is in order for Sean Barber, who has just celebrated his one-year anniversary as the bass singer for the quartet. His deep, resonant voice has been a key addition to the group, and his contributions over the past year have helped solidify Triumphant’s continued success.

If you can’t make either performance, you can hear Triumphant’s music throughout the day on Texas Gospel Canada!