Tag: reviews

Discover Steve Ladd’s Inspirational Song ‘Everyday Saints’

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

Steve Ladd is getting ready to release a new EP. Ladd shared that his part in the project is complete, and the background vocals, mixing, and mastering are currently being finalized. He also mentioned that they are trying to get a special guest for one of the songs, which he is excited about but cannot yet reveal.

Ladd’s previous album, “Come Up Clean,” featured Jason Crabb as a guest artist, something he is very proud of. This new EP will include a song titled “Everyday Saints”. The lyrics of “Everyday Saints” tell stories of ordinary people who demonstrate love and grace in their daily lives. One verse describes a veteran who volunteered for service and now helps others with practical needs. Another tells the story of a woman who takes care of foster babies. The song suggests that these everyday actions are examples of what Jesus would do. The lyrics emphasize that these individuals are not seeking recognition but are simply living out their faith.

Steve Ladd has a long history in Christian music. From a young age, growing up in Ohio as the son of an evangelist, he felt called to minister through song. He has been a part of acclaimed Christian music groups such as Gold City, The Anchormen, and Anthem Edition. For over ten years, Ladd has travelled both within Canada and internationally, sharing inspirational songs like “Come Sunday Morning,” “One More River,” and “Preach the Word”.

Professionally, Steve Ladd has received recognition, including being inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame and receiving a “New Artist of the Year” nomination. His song with Jason Crabb reached Number One on the charts, and he has had seven Top 40 singles. His album “Come Up Clean” reached the Top 20 on the iTunes Christian music chart upon its release. Ladd has also been featured in significant Christian platforms such as the Gaither Homecoming Series and Trinity Broadcasting Network, and he appeared on National Public Radio. Notably, he was the featured vocalist with The Stamps Quartet on Alan Jackson’s Grammy-winning album “Precious Memories Volume II”. He has also toured with gospel music legend Michael English.

Reflecting on Steve Ladd’s talent, Michael English, a Grammy and Dove-winning Gospel Music Artist, said, “Steve’s a talented man with one of the greatest hearts I’ve known, and an even greater heart for Ministry”. This sentiment describes Ladd’s dedication to his music. His upcoming EP and the song “Everyday Saints” continue his journey of sharing messages of faith and encouragement through his songs.

Mark Bishop Celebrates a New Kind of Love with “Grandkids”

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

JEFF TURNER

Mark Bishop, a well-respected figure in Southern Gospel music, has released a new song called “Grandkids”. This is his first new music with Sonlite Records since his album “Home” from last year. The song is a heartfelt tribute to the special experience of having grandchildren.

Before he became a grandfather, Bishop heard many people say that the love for a grandchild was unlike any other. He remembers thinking, “‘wait… I love my wife and my daughters as much as I could love anyone… so it’s like that right?’ They said, ‘no… it’s a whole new love.’ I immediately dismissed it, thinking, ‘yeah, right.'”. However, Bishop now understands this unique bond, saying, “But it turns out that they were right”. He explains that “It really is a whole new love,” and “that ‘new’ love… that’s what this song is about”.

The song “Grandkids” starts with a piano melody that appears before each part. The first verse and chorus feature Bishop’s voice accompanied by gentle finger-picked guitar. As the song progresses, more instruments and harmonies are added, but they never become too loud, keeping the focus on Bishop’s personal delivery. The lyrics describe simple and joyful moments like “Chasing butterflies without a hope of catching one” and “Holding onto little hands, wading in the creek”. It also paints pictures of “Sitting on the front porch swing… falling fast asleep”. The song is meant to bring joy to anyone who has grandchildren or looks forward to having them.

Mark Bishop has had a long and successful career in Gospel music, spanning forty years in 2024. He is a Grammy-nominated and Dove Award-winning artist. Before his solo career, Bishop was part of the family group The Bishops from 1984 to 2001, along with his father and brother. The Bishops were popular, appearing on television shows like TNN’s Nashville Now and The Grand Ole Opry. They had many successful songs and received numerous awards.

Many of The Bishops’ well-known songs were written by Mark Bishop. He continues to be a busy songwriter, creating music for his own albums and for other artists in the genre. After The Bishops retired, Mark started his solo career in 2001 and continued to have chart-topping songs. He was recognized as “Soloist of the Year” at the Singing News Fan Awards in 2005. His album “Beautiful Day” was nominated for a GRAMMY Award in 2020. In 2022, he received the “J.D. Sumner Living Legend Award”. Through his music, Mark Bishop aims to help people see the importance of God in their everyday lives. With “Grandkids,” he shares a deeply personal experience of love and joy.

Anthem Edition’s New Gospel Album Promises Kept

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

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.

Veteran Gospel Trio Paid In Full Releases New Album “Louder”

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

JEFF TURNER

Southern gospel trio Paid In Full has unveiled the trio’s latest studio album, “Louder,” in collaboration with StowTown Records. The release marks the group’s second project with the label, following their 30th anniversary digital release in 2021.

Distributed exclusively by Provident/Sony, Louder is available on all digital platforms worldwide.

The album, produced by 41-time Dove Award winner Wayne Haun, features six tracks written by renowned industry songwriters. Standout songs include “I Can’t Do It By Myself,” which explores themes of grace and mercy, and the title track “Love Is Louder,” described by group member Jeff Crews as an upbeat melody with a message of God’s faithfulness.

Lance Moore, the group’s lead vocalist, co-wrote “Better With A Friend,” a country-flavoured track emphasizing unity and companionship. Moore states, “Life is filled with uncertainty, but God is always faithful, and He is the greatest Friend we will ever have.”

Paid In Full, formed in 1991, has built a reputation for delivering polished performances both on and off stage. Early in their career, they caught the attention of gospel legend Jake Hess, who mentored the group and appeared on their 1998 recording.

Provided to YouTube by StowTown Records I Can’t Do This By Myself · Paid In Full Louder ℗ 2024 StowTown Records Released on: 2024-12-13

StowTown Records President and CEO Landon Beene expressed enthusiasm for the project, praising the trio’s work ethic and musical quality. The album is available on all digital platforms worldwide, distributed by Provident/Sony.

Paid In Full, consisting of Bradley Littlejohn, Jeff Crews, and Lance Moore, began their professional ministry while in high school. They have since performed alongside notable gospel acts such as The Gaither Vocal Band and The Cathedrals. The group continues to focus on sharing their faith through music in various venues across the country.

Karen Peck & New River Teases New Album After Months of Preparation

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

JEFF TURNER

Southern Gospel fans are eagerly anticipating the next release from Karen Peck & New River, a group that has been a staple in the genre since its formation in 1991. With six Grammy nominations and Karen Peck Gooch’s 2021 induction into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame, the group has consistently delivered powerful and uplifting music.

Karen Peck & New River has been hard at work on their forthcoming album, though the title remains undecided. “We have quite a few songs that could be a title,” Karen Peck Gooch shares. “‘Be Ready’ is a great title.” While the title is still being finalized, one thing is certain: the group is confident in the direction of the new project. “I really think that we’re in good shape as far as the focus and the direction we’re heading with this album.”

Fans can expect the same heartfelt messaging that has made the group a Southern Gospel mainstay. “We just want our music to be relevant,” Gooch adds. “We want to keep moving forward because we can’t stay where we are.”

As the release date approaches, anticipation grows for what promises to be another meaningful and impactful album from Karen Peck & New River.