Tag: Southern Gospel Radio

Happenings in Southern Gospel this week 12/18/2021

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

JEFF TURNER

Jonathan Wilburn, half of Wilburn and Wilburn and former lead singer for Gold City (around 1996,) recently announced he will pursue a solo career.

11th Hour is holding its Christmas Concert Sunday, Dec. 19 at OKC Bethesda Church in Oklahoma.

The Hoppers are preparing for “Gospel Music Nights” Saturday, Jan. 22 in Taylors, SC.

Karen Peck and New River is officially on “Christmas Break.”  The group last week finished a new album.  Listen for cuts from the new project in 2022 on Texas Gospel!

Gold City has added a new concert to the 2022 schedule: February 11 at Harvest Church in South Carolina.

The Mark Trammell Quartet is set to appear at the Manley Baptist Church in Morristown, Tennessee on Dec. 31 for “The Big New Year’s Eve Gospel Music Hymn Sing.”

The Rochesters are celebrating 66 years of Gospel music this week

11th Hour’s Chandler Padgett got Married Saturday!  We wish well for Chandler and his new bride Riley.

Landry Thomas Erwin, son of Keith and Lindsey Erwin, celebrated his first birthday this week.

Greater Vision has some good news for folks who love music in Vinyl… well, sort of.  This week they announced they had 500 vinyl editions of the group’s “The Journey” project pressed.  They made the announcement Tuesday morning.  By 6:30 that evening they had sold out.  No word if they plan another vinyl release.

Texas Gospel Canada is saddened to learn of the passing of James Easter.

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

DAVID INGRAM

James Easter, a long-established name in Bluegrass Gospel Music, has passed away.

James was a Gospel musician, writer and minister.  He was a founding member of The Easter Brothers along with his brothers Russell and Edd. For more than six decades they sang Gospel music and recorded at least 22 albums. (Note: We’re confident The Easter Brothers recorded more, this accounting includes the ones in our Gospel music library.)

James was the father of Jeff Easter of Jeff and Sheri Easter.  Jeff announced his father’s passing on Facebook with a brief post saying, “A tired and weary soldier has fought the battle true, he now lays down his weapon, his fighting is all through.” Daddy is now resting in the arms of Jesus. Thank you for all of your prayers for our family.”

James’ death comes just under three years since the passing of Edd Easter, and a little more than a year since the passing of the elder Easter Brother Russell.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

Pastor Robb Tripp, son of LaVerne & Edith Trip, dies at 57

Published on by Texas Gospel5 Comments

Janet Johnson

Robb Tripp, pastor of the Fireplace Fellowship Church in Hendersonville, Tennessee, passed away the afternoon of December 7, 2021.  He was the son of LaVerne & Edith Trip and well-known among Southern Gospel artists.

A post by the family on the church’s Facebook page says, “Robb will truly be missed but we will continue the work he has been faithful to do these last 18 years!”

A home going Celebration of Life Service is set for Friday, December 10. A livestream will be provided.

Pastor Robb Tripp was 57.

Dianne Wilkinson, loved Southern Gospel songwriter, passes away

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

Jeff Turner

Southern Gospel music lost one of its most prolific songwriters late Tuesday.  Dianne Wilkinson went to be with her Lord after losing a a battle with an illness.

“She is going to the place she has written about to see the One who came to save us and all those that she loves that have gone on before, pray for us. It’s hard to say goodbye but we have the blessed hope of seeing her again. I’ll update everyone when I can. Would be a good day to kick up gold dust for this precious Saint,” said her niece in a post to Dianne’s Facebook page.

Dianne quickly rose to the attention of Southern Gospel fans and singers in the 1970’s. By December 2016 she had published her 1,000th song. Through the years she’s been nominated for prestigious awards including SGMA songrwriter of the year, Singing News fan awards, NQC Songwriter of the year, and others.  In 2013 she received the Southern Gospel Music Guild Lifetime Achievement Award putting her in the company of artists such as Ronnie Hinson, Rodney Griffin, Phil Cross and Squire Parsons.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

ON THE WEB:

Singing News: Beloved Award-Winning Songwriter Dianne Willkinson passes away

Southern Gospel Scoops: Heaven just got sweeter

James Easter taken to ICU with COVID-19

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

David Ingram

James Easter of the Easter Brothers has been admitted to the ICU as he battles COVID-19 according to a statement released Tuesday by Daywind Records.

James is the father of Jeff Easter of Jeff and Sheri Easter. A post on their facebook page says, “Yesterday, they admitted our daddy, James, to the hospital because he tested positive for Covid. This morning, they are moving him to ICU so that he can get the best possible care. Through the years, we’ve witnessed thousands of benefits from collective prayer and we are asking this morning that you would join us in praying for him, for his healing, for his nurses’/doctors’ wisdom, for peace and strength. —Jeff and family”

An update from Jeff and Sheri says James’ wife Denise has also tested positive for COVID-19.

No other information has been released. Texas Gospel Canada will update this story as we learn more.