Tag: Anthem Edition

Anthem Edition turns up the tempo with country-tinged gospel release

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

Anthem Edition has released a new single that marks a noticeable shift in tone from the group’s previous work, trading reverence for momentum and leaning into country instrumentation to carry its message.

The track, “Something’s Going On ‘Round Here,” follows “In Christ Alone,” a more stately and reflective release. Where that song settled into solemnity, the new single opens with a guitar lick and builds through three verses, passing the vocal lead between members as the energy climbs.

The song is built around the figure of Jesus moving through Galilee, rendered not as a theological treatise but as word-of-mouth excitement, the kind of talk that spreads through a town before anyone fully understands what they are witnessing. Its chorus lands somewhere between storytelling and invitation: Something’s going, going on ’round here / Folks are gatherin’ in from far and near.

Much of the track’s texture comes from studio musician David Johnson, who plays both resonator guitar and fiddle. The instrumentation gives the song a country flavour that sets it apart from the smoother production often associated with Southern Gospel, and reportedly gives it a different kind of life in live performance. Tim Rackley, one of the group’s founding members, has said the song has already begun building energy at concerts where it has been tested.

The single was written by Kenna Turner West, Jason Cox, and Belinda Smith, three writers with established records in Gospel music. The song is available in Dolby Atmos spatial audio on Apple Music, Amazon Music, and TIDAL.

Anthem Edition has a longer history than its current name suggests. The group formed in 2003 as The Old Paths, founded by Rackley and Doug Roark. It operated as a trio before expanding to a quartet, eventually signing with Sonlite Records in 2012. That period produced two number-one hits and a Singing News Fan Award for Favourite New Quartet.

The group went on hiatus in 2015 and returned to touring in 2017. In late 2022, it rebranded as Anthem Edition and brought on Andrew Utech as bass vocalist. Tenor Cameron Edens joined in the fall of 2023, completing the current lineup.

Anthem Edition releases new song “He Is Who He Is”

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AMY TURNER

Anthem Edition has released “He Is Who He Is,” their first song of 2026. The new track from Sonlite Records arrives while the title song from their 2025 album, Promises Kept, continues to chart on Southern Gospel airplay.

Mark Mathes wrote “He Is Who He Is.” The song features a classic quartet sound with bluegrass elements. David Johnson plays banjo on the opening chorus.

Tim Rackley, the group’s lead singer, described the song’s appeal and message. “‘He Is Who He Is’ is a fun song to sing, and will be a favourite for everyone that loves quartet music,” he said. “It also has a powerful message in it, because He says ‘I AM WHO I AM’ and ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ (Exodus 3:14), and in Malachi 3:6 He confirms: ‘For I, the Lord, do not change.'”

The opening chorus includes these lyrics:

He is who He is, He was who He was

He did what He did, He still does what He does

The Alpha, Omega, the Babe from Bethlehem

The Spring of Living Water, and He is the Great I Am

Piano, pedal steel and electric guitar follow the opening chorus. The song contains two verses and multiple choruses.

The song is available in Dolby Atmos spatial audio on Apple Music, Amazon Music and TIDAL.

Doug Roark and Tim Rackley founded Anthem Edition in 2003 as a trio called The Old Paths. The trio became a quartet and gained national attention. The group signed with Sonlite Records, part of Crossroad Music, in 2012. Their album Right Now produced two number one hits and earned them a Singing News Fan Award for Favourite New Quartet.

The group stopped touring in 2015 and returned in 2017. They changed their name to Anthem Edition in late 2022. Andrew Utech joined as bass vocalist at that time. Cameron Edens joined as tenor in the fall of 2023.

Anthem Edition’s New Gospel Album Promises Kept

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

2024 has proven to be a transformative year for Anthem Edition, the gospel quartet formerly known as The Old Paths. Following the success of their 2023 holiday album, Here Comes Christmas, the group has undergone changes, including the addition of tenor singer Cameron Edens, and the release of three singles: “Graveyard,” “Still Under His Feet,” and “Running.” The group’s latest project is Promises Kept and is released through Sonlite Records.

Tim Rackley, founding member and lead singer of Anthem Edition, says this album represents a meaningful milestone for the group. “This album is special to us,” said Rackley. “It marks the first time we’re making music together as a team with Cameron Edens and Andrew Utech, alongside our longtime brother, Doug Roark. These songs are a testament to God’s unwavering faithfulness, and we can’t wait for you to experience the message of hope and promise we’ve poured our hearts into.”

The album opens with the energetic track “Every Promise Made Is a Promise Kept,” written by Kenna Turner West and Jason Cox. Featuring a country-inspired arrangement and lively quartet harmonies, the song’s lyrics introduces the album’s central theme of God’s steadfast faithfulness:

There’s never been a time that He’s not faithfulNever been a day His words aren’t trueNever been a moment that our God won’tDo just what He said He’d doHe’s never ever failed to keep one yetEvery promise made is a promise kept.

Roger Talley, the producer of Promises Kept, praised the group’s dedication and renewed energy during the project’s creation. “I thoroughly enjoyed producing this new EP for Anthem Edition,” Talley shared. “They approached this project with a renewed passion and more energy than they have ever had before. We found some great new songs to express their commitment to singing the Gospel with a new excitement that I can’t wait for you to hear. A unique feature of this project is the number of uptempo songs they have chosen. For anyone who has ever complained about too many slow songs, this project is for you!”

With Promises Kept, Anthem Edition builds on their storied history while embracing a new chapter with Edens and Utech as part of their lineup.

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.

Anthem Edition’s New Single ‘Running’ Explores Resurrection

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JEFF TURNER

A powerful retelling of Lazarus’s resurrection takes center stage in “Running,” the latest single from Anthem Edition. Released on October 25, the song marks the third preview of their upcoming EP, Promises Kept.

The track features bass vocalist Andrew Utech leading a dynamic narrative of one of Christianity’s most dramatic moments. Under Roger Talley’s production, the song opens with an energetic percussion and guitar groove before expanding into a full quartet arrangement.

Built around a call-and-response structure, the chorus captures the jubilant moment of Lazarus emerging from the tomb: “He went running like a new man out of that grave / He went shouting like a soul who’s just been saved.” The lyrics then draw a parallel between Lazarus’s physical resurrection and spiritual rebirth, shifting to a first-person perspective: “I went running like Lazarus out of that grave.”

Lead singer Tim Rackley explains the song’s significance: “As Lazarus comes running out of the grave, the song delivers a compelling message of resurrection and freedom, reminding us that through Christ, we too can run from death to life.”

The single follows the group’s previous release “Graveyard,” which is currently climbing the Southern Gospel charts. “Running” maintains the quartet’s focus on resurrection themes while showcasing their trademark harmonies and contemporary gospel arrangements.