Arden, NC (Crossroads) July 13, 2010 – This year, the Kingdom Heirs and Sonlite Records are both enjoying their 25th year in Southern Gospel music. Along the way, they have celebrated several number one songs, with the most recent being “He Locked The Gates.”
The Kingdom Heirs’ Steve French states, “We’ve had a good run through the years, with many songs in the charts, including several number two’s. However, it’s always exciting when you see your efforts land at that number one position. You know people have not only enjoyed your music but, we realize that we have touched lives with the message as well.”
“Its hard to believe that we’ve been doing this for 25 years now,” said Crossroads executive Chris White. “The Kingdom Heirs were one of the very first groups signed to the Sonlite label, and they have been a mainstay ever since.There has been a lot of loyalty from both parties through all these years, and that’s hard to find in the world we live in today. I truly appreciate what they have meant to the label through all the good times and even a few bad times,” White added.
“He Locked The Gates” is from the project When You Look At Me. The Kingdom Heirs’ latest release, 25th Anniversary, is a collection of 11 hit songs that were recorded by the group throughout the years. It truly is a collector’s dream. Both projects are available at many retail outlets across America, as well as at www.crossroadsmusic.com.
The Hayes Family is in the studio all day today, working on a project that will come out later this year. Here, Hayes members Janet Hayes Haas (on piano) and Mylon Hayes (on bass guitar) join studio musicians Tony Creasman (on drums) and David Johnson (on guitar), laying down a track. Scott Barnett is the audio engineer.
The Crist Family has completed tracks, vocals, and mix for their next project, Oasis. From tender ballads to majestic anthems to a track with an African Men’s chorus, Oasis has something for everyone.
This is the first Crist Family release with live orchestration. “It makes a huge difference,” lead singer Rich Crist said. “We’re thrilled with what Jason Webb has done on this project. His arrangements are fantastic!”
Two members of the seven-person family ensemble, altos Breana and Lisa Crist, have their first feature songs on a Crist Family project. The title track, “My Oasis,” features Breana, while Lisa takes the lead on “Until He Comes.”
The project’s most unique track is “Rhythm of Grace.” “I had a concept,” Rich Crist shares, “to take an African Men’s chorus and interpret ‘Move to the Rhythm of Grace’ in Swahili, in and around our group in different segments of the song—and singing the actual English lyric as well. It was a real risk, it’s a real step out of what is comfortable, but sometimes you never know until you take a risk.
“I would not say that it would be a traditional Southern Gospel song—but the Crist family has always had a very wide style. That’s kind of who we are. Of course, we would never in a million years want to abandon some of the traditional stuff. We love it just as well! But we have members that are forty years apart in age. This song is one that I believe everybody’s gonna love, even though it is so different.”
Michael Jason Frost and wife, Jennifer, announce the birth of their daughter, Jael Esther Frost, born July 7, 2010, weighing 7 lbs. 5 oz. Jael was born at the new Dolly Parton Birthing Center in the LeConte medical facility in Sevierville, TN. Jael is the couple’s first child.
Michael is a singer / songwriter signed with Crossroads’ Pinnacle label. His single, “Sing Like It’s the Last Time,” is currently in The Singing News chart. A follow-up single, “The Preacher’s Son,” has just been sent to radio via the Crossroads Airplay Sampler.
Michael and Jennifer are both featured performers at The Miracle Theater in Pigeon Forge, TN.
Crossroads has added Gary Skelton to their ever growing Pinnacle label and has recently finished a new project from the soloist to be released this October. The Church Hill, TN native is very excited about his new venture with Crossroads.
“After being gone from a music ministry for some time, God has called me back. I am so glad He has given me the opportunity to work with the Pinnacle label and the folks at Crossroads to bring my ministry to a lost world.”
Jeff Collins, who oversees the Pinnacle label, comments, “I’ve enjoyed getting to know Gary over the past year or so. He is very down to earth and tells it like it is and I like that! He has a fierce desire to take the Good News of Christ to people where ever he can through his music ministry. He and his wife Barbie are dedicated to growing his music ministry and Crossroads/Pinnacle is honored to be a partner in that process.” Gary’s new project, Whosoever, will be available this fall on the Crossroads website, www.crossroadsmusic.com.
When the Talley Trio were looking for songs for their upcoming release, they called Jerry Salley, who had written and sent them “The Broken Ones.” Salley’s contribution to this project is another story-song, “Someone Had to Die.”
The Talley Trio has started work on their next project. Here’s a video of them working out the arrangement and laying down a track for the old Hemphills song “Good Things”:
The Crist Family was recently in the studio, cutting vocals for their upcoming CD, Oasis. During a break, Rich was able to spare a few minutes to talk about the project.
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Last weekend, Kingsmen owner / bass singer Ray Dean Reese announced that Randy Crawford is returning to the baritone/lead position vacated by Phillip Hughes’ April departure. Crawford previously sang with the Kingsmen from 2001-2003; he returns comes to the Kingsmen after a stint with Brian Free & Assurance.
The announcement states: “Randy is an extremely gifted vocalist as well as a fine Christian gentleman. He has an earnest heart for ministry and a passionate desire to see souls won for Christ. Originally from Lexington, Kentucky; he will be relocating to the mountains of Asheville, North Carolina immediately.”
“I am beyond excited to be back with the Kingsmen,” Crawford said. “The Kingsmen organization has always been one of class and professionalism. Simply put; they represent the best in gospel music. Ray and the guys have welcomed me back to the family and we are ready to be about the Father’s business.”
Revelation, the trio from Northern Ireland who signed with Crossroads last month, recently opened for David Phelps’ European tour. Their performances were well received, and earned this review from Irish blogger Phil Boles:
They received a very warm and enthusiastic response from the home crowd. Their set included songs such as “At Calvary,” “Days of Elijah,” “Oh What A Saviour” and my personal favourite from their set, “I Could Sing About Heaven.” Thomas McCalmont really nailed “Oh What a Saviour,” coming the closest to Ernie Haase on this song than anyone I have heard. I am looking forward to their next project with Crossroads. They blended together very well, sounded extremely polished and also interacted with the audience nicely. A great opening act!
