Tag: Nelons

Nelon Family Establishes New Scholarship for Students

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JEFF TURNER

The Nelon family has announced a new scholarship opportunity for students pursuing higher education. Named the “We’ve Always Had a Song Scholarship,” this initiative honours the family’s legacy and their love for education.

Todd Nelon shared details about the scholarship, explaining its significance to his family.
“We are now offering, in honour of our family, the Nielons, a college scholarship. It’s called ‘We’ve Always Had a Song Scholarship’ and in what better way could we honour Kelly and Amber and the family because they loved school,” said Nelon. “So we decided to start a scholarship because, you know, we have always had a song.”

The scholarship is open to all students, whether they plan to attend college or trade school. Applicants are encouraged to share information about themselves, including their goals, career aspirations, intended degree programmes, and the school they plan to attend.
Those interested in applying should send their information to Rhonda Nelon via email at rhondanelon@gmail.com.

For those wishing to contribute financially to the scholarship fund, information is available on the Facebook pages of Todd Nelon and Autumn Nelon.

This scholarship represents an opportunity for deserving students to pursue their educational dreams with support from the Nelon family.

New Arrival Brings Double Celebration for Nelon Family

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TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF

Autumn Nelon Streetman and her husband Jamie are celebrating the arrival of their son, Rhett James Streetman, born on Sunday, 1 December. Rhett made his entrance at 7:55 p.m., weighing a healthy 7 pounds, 9 ounces.

The day held even more significance as it also marked the birthday of Autumn’s mother, Kelly Nelon Clark, adding a special layer of joy to the occasion.

Speaking about her hopes and dreams for Rhett, Autumn shared, “You know, my mom was such a good mom, and so I’m gonna try to do everything that she’s taught me. But seeing him get here, seeing who he looks like, who he favours—his first steps, the first foods he eats, reading to him at night, singing lullabies to him—all the things.”

Both mother and baby are doing well, with dad Jamie equally thrilled about their new family addition.

Our heartfelt congratulations to Autumn and Jamie on their bundle of joy!

Autumn Nelon Streetman: Finding Strength in Community

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JEFF TURNER

In a heartfelt update, Autumn Nelon Streetman shares how she has been coping with recent events. Despite the challenges, Autumn expresses immense gratitude for the outpouring of support she has received.

“Wednesday, late. And Thursday, I had a house full of people helping me get my registry, everything that was sent to me from people. They helped me unbox,” she recalls. “Sonia Isaacs was there, Becky Isaacs was there, Jim and Melissa Brady were there, Joseph and Lindsay Habbinck, Terry and Jean MacDonald, and then a couple of the Isaacs nannies were there. And they just helped me go through all my boxes and help me get my nursery set up. And they didn’t have to do that, you know, and I really appreciate it.”

Autumn’s appreciation extends beyond the physical assistance she received. She feels deeply touched by the emotional support and constant check-ins from friends and family. “The amount of people that have called and texted every day and just checking in on you. I mean, really, I feel so loved and supported through this. And we don’t feel alone at all. I know that we are blessed, very, very blessed. And I can’t say thank you enough to everybody.”

Despite the personal hardships, Autumn remains hopeful and focuses on the future as release of The Nelons’ forthcoming project, Loving You approaches. The release is scheduled for August 30. The album’s first song is appropriately titled, “There’s A Hole In The Heart.” Itpromises to resonate deeply with fans, capturing the group’s enduring spirit and faith.

As Autumn continues to navigate this difficult period, her gratitude and resilience stand as a testament to the strength she draws from her community.

Tragedy Strikes Beloved Gospel Music Family: Members of The Nelons Lost in Plane Crash

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Jeff Turner / Constance Scully

Texas Gospel Canada has learned of the deaths of Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber and Nathan Kistler, and their assistant, Melodi Hodges who were involved in a plane crash Friday. The pilot, Larry Haynie, and his wife, Melissa, also died.

Autumn Nelon Streetman, who also performs with the Nelons, was not on board. She confirmed the death of her parents and sister on Instagram. She thanked fans for their “prayers, love, and support” hours after the fatal crash.

Gaither Management said the passengers were making their way to Seattle to join a cruise ship on which The Nelons were set to perform. A National Transportation Safety Board official said the crash happened around 1 p.m. Friday north of Gillette, Wyoming. Preliminary reports indicate the aircraft went down due to an “auto-pilot issue.”

The Nelons have been nominated for three Grammy awards and were inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2016.

A Statement from Gaither Management Group:

One of the best-loved Gospel music families in America, The Nelons were involved in a tragic, fatal plane crash on Friday afternoon on their way to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska. Killed in the crash were Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber and Nathan Kistler, and their assistant, Melodi Hodges, along with the pilot, Larry Haynie, and his wife, Melissa. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident.

Autumn, Jason and Kelly’s youngest daughter, and her husband, Jamie Streetman, were not on the plane and arrived safely into Seattle and were notified of the accident. They were brought to the hotel where artists were gathered with Bill and Gloria Gaither to pray, sing, and embrace them in their grief, pledging to support them in whatever needs arise.

Autumn and Jamie will return home for now to Kelly’s brother, Todd Nelon, and his wife, Rhonda, to begin the hard tasks that lie ahead. Please keep them, the Kistler family, the Haynie family, and the family of Melodi Hodges in your prayers.

A Statement from Autumn Nelon Streetman:

As many of you have heard by now, my father and mother, Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, along with my sister, Amber, and brother-in-law, Nathan, as well as our dear friends Melodi Hodges, Larry, and Melissa Haynie, were involved in a tragic plane crash on Friday. Thank you for the prayers that have been extended already to me, my husband, Jamie, and our soon-to-be-born baby boy, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark. We appreciate your continued prayers, love, and support as we navigate the coming days.

A Statement from Autumn Daywind Records:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 27, 2024) One of America’s most cherished Gospel music families, The Nelons, was involved in a tragic plane crash on Friday afternoon. The family was en route to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska when the accident occurred. The crash claimed the lives of Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, their daughter Amber and son-in-law Nathan Kistler, their assistant Melodi Hodges, and the pilot Larry Haynie and his wife Melissa. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) is currently investigating the accident.
 
Daywind Music Group’s Ed Leonard states, “The Daywind Music Group family is devastated by the news of the passing of several members of the Nelons in a plane crash on Friday. We pray that God’s peace and love cover the surviving member, Autumn Nelon Streetman, and her husband, Jamie, along with the Clark, Hodges, Kistler, and Haynie families, following the loss of Kelly Nelon Clark, Jason Clark, Amber Nelon Kistler, Nathan Kistler, and their close friends Melodi Hodges, Larry Haynie, and Melissa Haynie, who traveled with them on the flight. In this time of unimaginable grief for these families, we know that our beloved artist and their friends are in the arms of Jesus Christ whom the Nelons spent their entire careers singing about as they spread His Gospel around the world. We stand on His promises today as we grieve the loss of our precious Daywind family members.”

Autumn Nelon Streetman, the youngest member of the Nelons and daughter of Kelly Nelon Clark and Jason Clark, and Autumn’s husband, Jamie Streetman, were not on the plane and arrived safely in Seattle. They were notified of the accident and brought to the hotel where fellow artists, including Bill and Gloria Gaither, gathered to support them. The community joined together to pray, sing, and offer their heartfelt condolences, pledging unwavering support during this difficult time.

Autumn and Jamie will return home to be with Kelly’s brother, Todd Nelon, and his wife, Rhonda, as they begin to navigate the challenging days ahead. The Nelon family, along with the Kistler, Haynie, and Hodges families, need your thoughts and prayers.

Amber Nelon Kistler released from hospital

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Jeff Turner – Texas Gospel contributor

Amber Nelon Kistler of the Nelons was admitted to the hospital over the weekend with blood clots in both lungs.

“We are so grateful for each of you praying for her over the past few days,” said her husband Nathan.

“Amber and I were going to get on a plane tomorrow to DC, and I just kept thinking about the fact that if she had gotten on that plane with these blood clots in her lungs, that could easily have killed her. God has a reason for why he allows the things he does in our lives and we don’t always understand why he does that. I’m just very thankful that the Lord has protected us over and over again,” he said.

Daywind Records, The Nelons record label, tells Texas Gospel Canada Amber was released Monday.