Tag: Southern Gospel Radio

Chris Freeman celebrates 50 years in Gospel Music

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SPECIAL ESQ ARTIST MANAGEMENT

June 26, 2024 –Nashville, TN – This June marks a monumental occasion in Gospel music as Chris Freeman celebrates her 50th anniversary since embarking on her distinguished career with The Hinsons, 2006 Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductees. This golden milestone is a testament to her enduring talent and dedication, as well as a celebration of the profound impact she has had on the Gospel music community. To honor this remarkable 50-year milestone, we are thrilled to announce that Chris’s acclaimed album, The Hinson Side of Me, originally released in 2016 and her only solo recording, is now available on streaming platforms for the very first time via Symphonic Distribution. Stream here.

Chris’s journey began as Chris Hawkins in 1974 when, at the age of 17, she moved from California to Nashville to join The Hinsons, a group renowned for their captivating harmonies and inspiring messages. With her powerful voice and heartfelt delivery, Chris quickly became a beloved figure in the Southern Gospel scene, winning numerous awards, including being voted the Queen of Gospel Music consecutively in 1976 and 1977, and multiple Singing News Fan Awards for Favorite Alto. Chris is loved for her emotive vocal performances and genuine connection with her audience. Her singing has been described as “soul-stirring,” “profoundly moving,” and “a beacon of faith and hope.” She spent seven years recording and touring with The Hinsons, and in 1980, she married Darrell Freeman of the Ohio-based family Gospel group, The Pathways. In 1983, Chris and Darrell moved to Hendersonville, TN, becoming The Freemans. For over four decades, The Freemans have been a driving force in the world of Gospel music, infusing their Southern-Country Gospel style with rich family harmony and a timeless message. Alongside their children Misty and Caylon, and Darrell’s cousin, Joe Freeman, this powerhouse ensemble has recorded over twenty-five albums and earned numerous accolades, including multiple number one hits on the Singing News charts. They have continued to uplift and inspire audiences with their unwavering faith and musical artistry.

Chris reflects on this significant milestone, saying, “It’s hard to believe it’s been 50 years since I first joined The Hinsons. I was just 17 years old and joining them was one of the most challenging yet rewarding decisions of my life. I loved them with all my heart and learned so much during those years. Leaving them to marry Darrell was a difficult decision, but it was part of God’s plan for me. Together, Darrell and I have built a legacy with The Freemans, continuing to spread God’s word across the country. We are blessed with two wonderful children and four grandchildren, and I truly believe the best is yet to come. All I can say is, ‘My, how blessed I am.'”

The Hinson Side of Me is Chris’s first-ever solo recording, featuring mostly songs identified with her time with The Hinsons. This album highlights Chris’s roots while infusing her own unique style. She is joined by several guest artists, including the late Larry Hinson, Weston Hinson, Bo Hinson, Ronny Hinson, Mike Bowling, The Isaacs, and others, as she puts her own spin on The Hinsons classics.

The Hinson Side Of Me Track List:

Burdens Are Lifted Away (feat. Larry Hinson, Weston Hinson)

Ain’t That What It’s All About (feat. Bo Hinson, Steve Wood)

That I Could Still Go Free (Gene McDonald, Three Bridges)

Homesick To Go (feat. Mike Bowling)

How Wrong You Are (feat. Ronny Hinson, Steve Wood)

I Never Shall Forget The Day (feat. Jeremiah Yocum, Redemption Singers)

Too Many Times (feat. The Isaacs)

Call Me Gone (Larry Hinson, Weston Hinson)

I’ll Never Forget (Bonus Track 1982 The Pathways)

New Brian Free and Assurance expected soon

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DAVID INGRAM

Brian Free & Assurance has been spending time behind the mics at Daywind Studios for an upcoming project. Daywind says the new CD will be titled, Grateful for the Gospel.”

“That’ll be the title of the album. That’s one of the song titles, of course. And that one, we’ve already finished up our part on that,” said Brian.

Creating music and deciding what goes on an album takes longer than you may realize, but Brian said they are getting close to finishing. He said, “I think we’re on song number three, finishing up song number three now. We’re a little bit behind.”

The group hopes to have the new CD ready sometime in July.

Listen for Brian Free and Assurance’s latest release Meet Me at the Cross, throughout the day on Texas Gospel Canada.

StowTown Records releases label debut from Poet Voices

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SPECIAL STOWTOWN RECORDS

Nashville, TN – As the summer season gets into full swing, StowTown Records has announced the release of a brand-new recording from beloved quartet, Poet Voices. It Won’t Be Long marks the debut release from the group on the StowTown label and features the quartet at its finest. 

Throughout the past three decades, Poet Voices, led by renowned singer/songwriter, Phil Cross, has thrilled audiences with hit after hit after hit. The group has earned Singing News Fan Awards, Gospel Music Association Dove Award© nominations and honors, as well as multiple number one songs. Over the years, the faces and names who collectively complete the Poet Voices lineup may have changed, but under the leadership of Cross, the group has consistently delivered songs of hope and encouragement, delighting music lovers from all walks of life. The current lineup includes Cross and longtime group member Donny Henderson, along with tenor Jeff Snyder and bass KC Armstrong. Always striving to obtain musical excellence, Cross has never wavered in his commitment to remain true to his traditional roots, never compromising the message of the Gospel.

Produced by celebrated industry veteran, Wayne Haun, pianist and arranger, Trey Ivey, and multi-talented Poet Voices group member, Donny Henderson, this latest recording effort carries on the rich tradition of Poet Voices’ musical excellence. The project includes several previously released Cross-penned hits with fresh arrangements, as well as some brand-new songs, including the title cut written by Cross and Henderson. This upbeat, toe-tapper is already enjoying airplay at radio stations nationwide and is receiving rave reviews as it grabs listeners with its catchy melody and encouraging message. Others that are sure to become fan-favorites include “Jesus Brought Me Out,” “I Remember Lost” and “The Last Amen.” 

Phil shares his excitement about releasing new music on the StowTown label, “I am so thrilled and blessed about the new Poet Voices music. This is our first StowTown project, and it’s absolutely the recording I’ve always dreamed of for Poet Voices. Included are some new songs Donny Henderson and I have written that we can’t wait to share. The project also contains an inspiring new song written by Kirk Talley. Then, a big highlight for me is the awesome, new treatment the incredible producers did on a few Poet Voices songs from the past. I really don’t have the words to express my enthusiasm for this recording! We are certainly praying God encourages and touches hearts with this new music.”

Longtime Poet Voices fans will enjoy walking down memory lane with the remakes of classics like “Jesus Built A Bridge,” “One Holy Lamb” and “I Am Redeemed,” radio hits that helped Poet Voices become a household name. “These are such great songs that have stood the test of time,” states StowTown President and CEO Landon Beene. “It is wonderful to have the opportunity to bring back to life these timeless classics. No doubt, there are individuals who have never had the privilege to hear these songs, so we are excited to be able to present the message of these songs with fresh, reimagined arrangements and introduce the music of Phil Cross and Poet Voices to many new listeners.”

While some gospel music enthusiasts may not yet be familiar with the music of Poet Voices, as the brand-new release title conveys, It Won’t Be Long before they are introduced and become avid fans!

Distributed exclusively by Provident/Sony, It Won’t Be Long is available on all digital platforms worldwide. Listen for new music from Poet Voices on Texas Gospel Canada!

Anthem Edition continues strong after name change

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JEFF TURNER

It’s been a while since Anthem Edition switched to their current moniker. In 2022 the group was known as The Old Paths, by 2023 they had become Anthem Edition. We asked Tim Rackley how that was going.

“Well, actually, you guys remember we changed our name last year to Anthem Edition, formerly The Old Pads, and we just have gotten great feedback and response from everyone, accepting the name. Now, we still have a few that still call us Old Paths, which that’s okay,” he said.

Rackley says When you go under something as long as the did, it’s actually a brand, but the group appreciates everyone’s understanding of the name change.

“And we’re still making good quartet music,” he added.

Though the group’s name is new, it has been touring for more than two decades bringing great Gospel music to their audiences. Over the next few weeks the group is touring Alabama, North Carolina and Georgia in the United States.

Listen for Anthem Edition’s latest song, He Bought Me, on Texas Gospel Canada.

Karen Peck and New River’s song delivers a solid message

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DAVID INGRAM

Six-time Grammy nominated, nine-time GMA Dove Award winning Karen Peck Gooch says she believes New River’s song “Be Ready” is a song of hope.

“I think with everything that’s happening in the world, we can see that there’s so much division and now more than ever, we need to get the message out of hope and our only hopes through Jesus,” she said.

This is the theme of the group’s new song, Be Ready. Speaking on that theme, Karen said, “If we will make sure that we know Jesus and make sure that everyone’s saved, we just wanna make sure that everyone knows that the word says that the only way we get to heaven is through the blood of Jesus.”

The lyrics are a strong point of the song, but that’s not to diminish the music. The group has evolved throughout the past 30 years together and continues to deliver a progressive Southern Gospel Music sound mixed with traditional styling that has made them a fan favorite.

Listen for Be Ready by Karen Peck and New River throughout the day on Texas Gospel Canada!