NEWS THIS WEEK

The Gospel Music Association created a Spotify playlist to showcase 76 songs nominated for Dove Awards this year. Click HERE to access the playlist.

Steven Curtis Chapman was invited to become a member of the Grand Ole Opry earlier this week by Opry member and longtime friend Ricky Skaggs. 

Sunday Tradition, a television program launched in 1954 by J. Bazzel Mull, was recognized for its impressive 70-year run (and counting) recently at a concert in Knoxville, Tennessee. The presentation was made to current program host Tommy Spencer by Tennessee State Representative Lowell Russell and Tennessee Lieutenant Governor Randy McNally.

REMEMBERING

Linda Sue Jones of The Melody Trio passed away on Thursday, July 31. Jones and the group are best remembered for their performance of “So Much To Thank Him For,” a popular song in the 1990s. A memorial service for Jones will be held on Sunday, August 4 in Roan Mountain, Tennessee.

Southern Gospel DJ Johnny Bryant passed away last Friday, July 26. A memorial service for Bryant was held on Tuesday, July 30 in Greenville, North Carolina.

An airplane crash in Wyoming last Friday, July 26 claimed the lives of Jason & Kelly Nelon Clark, Nathan & Amber Nelon Kistler, Nelons assistant Melodi Hodges, and pilot Larry Haynie and his wife, Melissa. The seven people were on their way to Seattle, Washington to join the Gaither Homecoming cast for a cruise to Alaska. Autumn Nelon Streetman and her husband Jamie were not on the plane and arrived safely in Seattle where they were notified of the accident. 

• A memorial service for Larry & Melissa Haynie will be held tomorrow, August 3, in Roopville, Georgia. LIVESTREAM (at 2:00 PM EDT)
• A Celebration of Life service for Jason & Kelly Nelon Clark and Nathan & Amber Nelon Kistler will be held on Tuesday, August 6 in Roopville, Georgia. LIVESTREAM (at 1:00 PM EDT)
• A memorial service for Melodi Hodges will be held on Thursday, August 8 in Claudville, Virginia.
• A memorial service honoring the lives of Nathan & Amber Kistler will be held at on Saturday, August 10 in Morganton, North Carolina.
• Todd Nelon has established a fund to provide financial assistance for Autumn Streetman as she has experienced not only the loss of her family but also her livelihood as a result of the tragic plane crash. Click HERE if you would like to give online. Checks may be mailed to: Autumn Streetman, 5566 Clipper Bay Drive, Powder Springs, GA 30127.

RELEASED THIS WEEK

There are no new releases this week.

Click HERE to listen to this month’s new streaming releases on YouTube Music.

UPCOMING RELEASES
The dates listed here are distribution dates when music will officially be available through retail and online outlets. Some titles may be available sooner direct from the artists.

August 9 – Joseph Habedank – I’m Free: Songs That Wrote My Story (DVD/CD)

August 15 – The Larry DeLawder Family – The Final Say (CD/USB/Digital)

August 20 – Zach Williams & Lisa Molloy (illustrator) – A Little More Like Jesus (Children’s Book)

August 30 – Sound Street – Good Seed (CD/streaming)

August 30 – Jackson Smith – A Step Of Faith (CD/USB/streaming)

August ???? – Southbound – Songs I Grew Up Singing (CD only)

August ???? – Guardians – Title TBA

August ???? – Brian Free & Assurance – Grateful For The Gospel (EP/streaming)

August 30 – The Nelons – Loving You (CD/streaming)

September 10 – Russ Taff – Cover Story (digital download for Kickstarter supporters, contingent on goal being met)

September 13 – Mark Lowry – There Is Hope: The Other Songs I’ve Written (CD/DVD)

September ???? – Greater Vision – Title TBA

October ???? – Ernie Haase & Signature Sound – Title TBA (Live CD/DVD from the 2024 Memphis Quartet Show)

November 1 – Kingdom Heirs – No Better Time

November 8 – The Kingsmen Quartet – Decades Volumes 3 & 4 (CD/streaming)

November 13 – Joseph S. Bonsall – I See Myself: Musings And Memories Of A Blessed Life (hardcover)

Late Fall ???? – Gerald Wolfe’s Gospel Music Hymn Sing – Christmas Title TBA (CD/DVD)

December – Russ Taff – Cover Story (CD/Vinyl for Kickstarter supporters, contingent on goal being met)