Tag: Gospel Music

Gospel Music Community Mourns the Loss of Garry Jones

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

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.

The Message Behind “Things We Cannot Change”

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

The song Things We Cannot Change carries a message of faith and hope. For The LeFevre Quartet, the song is a reminder that no matter what happens in life, Jesus Christ provides strength and guidance.

Mike LeFevre explains why the group was drawn to the song:”One of the main things that attracted us to the song Things We Cannot Change is the positive message. As Christians, we deal with things every day that we don’t necessarily expect, but through Jesus Christ, He has equipped us to deal with these things. And so, I love this song. It’s a positive message. It’s all about Jesus.”

Life is full of unexpected moments. A day that starts off as routine can suddenly take a turn in ways we never imagined. Mike LeFevre reflects on this reality, “I’m sure we’ve all had a day where we started out and everything was supposed to be normal, but that day eventually turned out to be anything but normal, anything but what we expected. And it’s natural for human beings to try to fix the things that are going on around them. But as Christians, if we live by faith and realize that He is our source, we have the problem fixer on our side. This song is a great reminder that through all the things that we cannot change, He can take care of them.”

New bass vocalist Daniel Ashmore also shares his perspective on how quickly life can shift, “When I think of the song Things We Cannot Change, I think about life and how quickly things can change. One minute you’re on the mountaintop, the next minute you’re in the valley, and you don’t know what’s going to happen. You never know what’s going to change. A loved one may get cancer. Your car breaks down on you. You have no means to pay for it. Your best friend may let you down. Your government will let you down. People will let you down. Through all of that, there’s one who doesn’t change. It’s the same one who created this world. He’s not changed a bit. He’s still God. He still can help you in your situation. So no matter what you’re going through, just remember, through the things you can’t change, there’s one you can run to that will never change.”

The song includes a powerful lyric that states, “He is a Light when we cannot see.” Mike LeFevre reflects on the importance of these words:”There’s a line in that song that says, ‘He is light when we cannot see.’ And I can tell you from over the years that I’ve lived in this world, that there’s been plenty of times I couldn’t see. And He has been my light because you don’t know what direction to go. You don’t know where you’re headed, and you feel so lost. Just a strange place you find yourself sometimes. I love that line that says He’s a light when we cannot see.”

Through Things We Cannot Change, The LeFevre Quartet delivers a message of unwavering faith. Life may bring unexpected challenges, but God remains constant. He is the light in the darkness, the problem solver, and the unchanging presence in a world full of uncertainty.

2 Corinthians 12:9 – “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Kentucky Music Hall of Fame Welcomes Gospel Songwriter Rodney Griffin

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

JEFF TURNER

The Kentucky Music Hall of Fame expanded its prestigious ranks this weekend, inducting gospel music songwriter Rodney Griffin as part of its Class of 2024. The Saturday night ceremony showcased Kentucky’s continued recognition of diverse musical genres, including southern gospel.

“It was really a surprise to me,” Griffin shared about his induction. The renowned songwriter noted the Hall of Fame’s rich musical heritage, pointing out that “it’s full of country bluegrass rock and roll artists from Kentucky.”

While gospel music representatives are fewer among the inductees, Griffin expressed appreciation for the genre’s inclusion. “For them to in 2024 still recognize our genre with that honor was really nice,” he said.

Griffin, who was supported at the ceremony by his fellow Greater Vision members, sees the recognition as more than a personal achievement. He hopes it will serve a greater purpose: “It’s good to try to be a light to those who’ve never heard gospel music so if somehow through this the Lord can reach somebody then that’ll be a good thing.”

This honor adds to Griffin’s legacy in gospel music, cementing his place among Kentucky’s most influential musical artists.

Texas Gospel Canada Top 30 – October 2024

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

DAVID INGRAM

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

1 There’s A Hole In The Heart – Nelons – Daywind/New Day
2 Red Words – Erwins – StowTown/Provident-Sony
3 It Won’t Be Long – Poet Voices – StowTown/Provident-Sony
4 Praying For The Prodigal – Kingsmen – Horizon/Crossroads
5 Take All Of Me – 3 Heath Brothers – Horizon/Crossroads
6 Your Healing Is On The Way – Greater Vision – Daywind/New Day
7 Covered – Jim & Melissa Brady – Daywind/New Day
8 You Have Always Been My Shepherd – Legacy Five – StowTown/Provident-Sony
9 Shoulder To Shoulder – Chitans – Horizon/Crossroads
10 I’ll Get Over It – Endless Highway – Sonlite/Crossroads
11 Fall Into Place – Jeff & Sheri Easter – Gaither Music/Capitol Christian
12 Storms I Never See – Peach Goldman – StowTown/Provident-Sony
13 He Made A Way – Whisnants – Independent
14 Until Prayer Changes Me – Kingdom Heirs – Sonlite/Crossroads
15 Walk On Water – Crabb Family – Daywind/New Day
16 He Sent Him For Me – Inspirations – Horizon/Crossroads
17 There Is – Hyssongs – ARS/New Day
18 Be Ready – Karen Peck & New River – Daywind/New Day
19 Sheltered In The Arms Of God – Kim Hopper – Daywind/New Day
20 Come And See – Mylon Hayes Family – Independent
21 Jeans And Jesus – The Sound – New Day Records/New Day
22 Wasted Words – Craguns – ARS/New Day
23 Middle Of Nowhere – Southbound – Daywind/New Day
24 After All – Mark Trammell Quartet – Crimson Road
25 Why Wouldn’t I Run – Lee Park Worship – Vital Records/New Day
26 Blood Bought Child Of The King – Exodus – Independent
27 Breaking Boundaries – Sunday Drive – StowTown/Provident-Sony
28 Jesus 1 Death 0 – TrueSong – Daywind/New Day
29 When God Dips His Pen Of Love In My Heart – Phillips & Banks – Independent
30 Man On The Middle Cross – Scotty Inman (with Jason Crabb and Charlotte Ritchie) –
Daywind/New Day

Les Butler

Les Butler of Old Time Preachers Quartet hospitalized

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

Jeff Turner – Music Reporter

Family and friends of Les Butler are asking for prayer after he was admitted to Stonecrest Medical Center in Smyrna, TN on Nov. 22 for COVID-19 and pneumonia.  

Les has been a part of Southern Gospel Music for more than four decades. He’s a musician, producer and manager. He is also a former publisher of the Singing News Magazine and hosts a nationally syndicated radio program. The radio show isn’t the only place where you’ve heard his voice.  Les is a member of The Old Time Preacher’s Quartet.

Les posted an open letter to his Facebook page Wednesday.  In it he said he’s happy to have had “great worship services” while at the hospital. He’s been studying the Bible, reading books and watching Gospel music videos.

Les’ wife has also tested positive.  He said this is the first Thanksgiving the couple has been apart in the past 40 years.