Tag: Southern Gospel Radio

Gospel Music Community Mourns the Loss of Garry Jones

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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.

Embracing the Holy Life through God’s Spirit

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AMY TURNER

The Bible teaches us in Romans 7:6 that we are no longer held under the old law, but now live by the Spirit. The law once controlled our actions, but it could not truly change us. Like traffic rules, laws may tell us what to do, but they cannot change how we feel inside. For example, a speed limit cannot take away our desire to drive fast, and signs that tell us to merge cannot make us kind to others on the road.

Real change comes from the inside. This is what God’s Spirit does in us. While the law could only force people to obey outwardly, God’s Spirit helps us to want what is right deep in our hearts. We begin to obey not just because we must, but because we truly want to.

Living a holy life is no longer a heavy task—it becomes something we enjoy. When we fail, we feel sorrow. And when we grow, we are happy, because we want to be more like Jesus. This new way of life is shaped by God’s Spirit, leading us with love, not just rules.

The Chuck Wagon Gang Welcomes New Bass Player Ronnie Parker

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JEFF TURNER

The Chuck Wagon Gang, one of gospel music’s longest-running groups, has announced a new addition to their band. Ronnie Parker has joined as their new upright bass player. Many talented musicians applied for the role, but Ronnie’s skills and experience made him stand out.

Ronnie Parker was raised in a musical family and picked up the upright bass at just ten years old. By the age of 13, he was already playing professionally with the bluegrass gospel band, New Highway. His early start and deep roots in gospel and bluegrass music made him a perfect fit for The Chuck Wagon Gang.

The group is working on a new project. Shaye Smith spoke about the special sound that fans have come to love and how it’s created both on stage and in the studio.

“Well, when we come into the studio, we still keep the acoustic guitar and the upright bass, which we use on stage when we sing live,” Smith explained. “But when we come in the studio, there are other instruments added that add to the thickness of the sound.”

She shared how subtle additions bring a new depth to their recordings. “There’s a little mandolin on a few of them, a little bit of fiddle. There’s a couple of songs with a little banjo on them, so that that gives a thicker texture, kind of helps pick it up a little bit.”

With Ronnie Parker joining the line-up and a fresh project in the works, The Chuck Wagon Gang continues to honour their rich history while adding new layers to their sound.

Love One Another: A New Commandment from Jesus

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AMY TURNER

In the final hours before His death, Jesus gave His disciples a powerful command. In John 13:34, He said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” While the idea of loving others was already known in Jewish teachings, Jesus introduced something different.

This command was not just about kindness or good behaviour—it was rooted in a deeper connection. Much like a young man saying “I love you” in a wedding vow brings new meaning to familiar words, Jesus gave fresh depth to the call to love. He was forming a new bond with His followers, and this new relationship called for a higher standard.

What made His instruction new was the example He gave. The disciples were not simply to love in the way people normally do; they were to love as He had loved them—with sacrifice, patience, and humility.

Today, that same command applies to all who follow Him. We are called to love others in the way Jesus loves us. Isn’t this what we find in 1 John 4:11, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

Finding Peace in God’s Care

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AMY TURNER

Psalm 34:8–10 invites us to experience for ourselves how good God truly is. It tells us that those who trust in Him are blessed and cared for. The passage encourages all who honour God to trust that their needs will be met. Even strong creatures like young lions may go hungry, but those who look to God will not be left without what is truly good.

God understands exactly what we need, both for now and for eternity. He does not keep anything from us that would help our spiritual growth. While life may bring struggles, those hard times are never wasted—they are used by God for our eternal benefit.

David, who wrote these words, reminds us God’s people are always under His care. This does not mean we escape suffering, but it does mean everything we face has a purpose.

Philippians 4:19 tells us, “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” So let go of worry—our God is always good.