The Hoppers: New Award Honors & Global Embrace by European Audiences Give Fall 2011 A Memorable Start
Written by SGN Scoops on October 18, 2011 – 5:01 pm -
(Nashville, Tennessee) – October 2011 – Freshly back from sold-out European concerts throughout Ireland, Scotland and Holland, The Hoppers repacked their bags for Pigeon Forge, Tennessee – the home of both Dollywood and the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame.
With excitement still fresh in the wake of Connie Hopper’s induction last year into the SGMA Hall of Fame, this year’s trip to the 2011 Singing News Fan Awards in Pigeon Forge produced a stunning triple crown win for the family.
The Hoppers’ awards of 2011 included:
• Favorite Mixed Group – an honor The Hoppers have now garnered as a 12th time recipient.
• Favorite Female Vocalist – Kim’s 8th acceptance of this top honor.
• Favorite Soprano Female Vocalist – Kim’s 14th repeat honor in this category.
Claude and Connie Hopper were also this year honored in Louisville during the National Quartet Convention with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Honor by the Southern Gospel Music Guild. SGMG President Clarke Beasley noted at a reception of industry VIP and friends, “Claude and Connie Hopper are the ultimate examples of class and dignity. The impact they’ve had in Gospel Music and in the lives of countless numbers of people is immeasurable.”
Equally exciting as Singing News Fan Awards and new honors for the group was their encounter of the throngs of Southern Gospel fans throughout Europe who eagerly packed The Hoppers’ overseas concert schedules. Many were seeing them in person for the first time after years of following their legendary family history and music. The special blessing of their time with friends new and old who live an ocean away was not lost on group matriarch Connie: “It is amazing that whether we are singing to an audience of Irish, Scottish, or Dutch, the presence of the Lord unites us all. Though we were nearly 4,000 miles from home, we were made to feel ‘at home’ as these wonderful people throughout the Europe tour opened their hearts to us as if we were family.”
Added Dean: “There were so many spiritually overwhelming moments for us. We were touched by the warmth of the people and the love they have for God and the music we were raised on back home.”
Capping the thoughts on their European successes, Claude Hopper – known for his homespun stories and Southern gentleman dialect – might have summed it up ideally: “It’s a big feat for a farm boy to make his way across the ocean! It’s an even bigger feat for that same farm boy to tell his jokes and get such great laughs out of those gracious folks in Europe who might have some trouble deciphering this Carolina dialect. After 54 years and many miles, I got to experience time with people who once seemed eons away – and now have become familiar faces that we love and appreciate.”
The Hoppers are already planning return concerts in Europe, including adding appearances in Norway and Sweden. They are also scheduled to perform in concert in South Africa in 2012
Tags: Claude Hopper, Connie Hopper, Dean Hopper, Europe, hoppers, Kim Hopper, mike hopper, southern gospel, Southern Gospel News
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TUNE-IN: JASON CRABB hosts HARMONY HONORS
Written by SGN Scoops on July 21, 2011 – 12:30 pm -
The SGMG Harmony Honors were presented on Monday, July 18, 2011 at TBN Music City Auditorium.
NASHVILLE, TENN. (July 21, 2011) – The HARMONY HONORS were presented at TBN’s Music City Auditorium on Monday, July 18 with a night of exciting performances and special presentations to distinguished honorees CLAUDE AND CONNIE HOPPER and JEFF AND SHERI EASTER. The ninth annual event was presented by the Southern Gospel Music Guild and hosted by Grammy® Award-winning vocalist JASON CRABB. The evening featured an all star line-up of musical performances and appearances by THE BOWLING FAMILY, THE HOPPERS, JEFF & SHERI EASTER, KAREN PECK & NEW RIVER, KEVIN WILLIAMS, LEGACY FIVE, LES BEASLEY, THE MARTINS, THE NELONS, TRIUMPHANT QUARTET and SGMG PRESIDENT CLARKE BEASLEY.
Special Harmony Honor presentations were made to Claude and Connie Hopper, celebrating 50 years of marriage and music ministry, and Jeff and Sheri Easter, celebrating 25 years of marriage and music ministry. These special tributes were highlighted by video tributes from friends including BILL GAITHER, MARK LOWRY, and THE BOOTH BROTHERS.
SGMG Harmony Honors Special Presentation L-R: Jeff, Morgan & Sheri Easter, Clarke Beasley (SGMG President), Host Jason Crabb, Dean & Kim Hopper, Les Beasley (NQC President), Mike Hopper, Connie & Claude Hopper. Photo by Aaron Crisler/The Judy Nelon Group
SGMG President Clarke Beasley stated: “The entire SGMG (Southern Gospel Music Guild) was thrilled with the Harmony Honors presentation, and those who attended were really treated to an example of our music at its finest as the performances were strong and the production was first class. We felt it really made a strong statement about the level of talent with which our music is blessed, and we are eager for the response the telecast will receive.”
TBN will broadcast The Harmony Honors on FRIDAY, JULY 22, 2011 at 9 PM CST/10 PM EST.
Photo by Aaron Crisler/The Judy Nelon Group
Viewers are encouraged to email comments@tbn.org to thank them for airing the show.
For more information, visit www.SGMG.org.
Photo by Aaron Crisler/The Judy Nelon Group
Tags: bill gaither, Clarke Beasely, Claude Hopper, harmony honors, Jason Crabb, Jeff & Sheri Easter, judy nelon group, Karen Peck & New River, Kevin Williams, legacy five, Les Beasley, Mark Lowry, TBM Music city Auditorium, the booth brothers, The Bowling Family, The Hoppers, The Martins, the nelons, triumphant quartet
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Claude Hopper on Gospel Music Today
Written by Rhonda on October 7, 2010 – 9:16 am -The guests on the current edition of Gospel Music Today are Claude Hopper of The Hoppers, David Ragan of The Inspirations, and songwriter Kyla Rowland. The Feature Group is 2_R-More. The latest Gospel Music Today webcast is online now at www.gospelmusictoday.com
Tags: Claude Hopper, David Ragan, Gospel Music Today, Kyla Rowland
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Hoppers announce new literary series and the launch of book, “Time Spent With God”
Written by Rhonda on September 8, 2010 – 4:21 am -
MADISON, NC – America’s Favorite Family of Gospel Music, The Hoppers, is proud to announce the establishment of the Hopper Heritage Series, a long-term family commitment to publishing extraordinary Christian book titles and materials that encourage, inspire and energize believers in Christ.
According to the group’s founder, Claude Hopper, the first of the series—Time Spent With God—will be nationally released Sept. 12th – 18th, at their booth at the National Quartet Convention (NQC), Kentucky Fair & Expo Center, Louisville, KY.
Time Spent With God is a “thoughtful and moving daily devotional,” penned by North Carolina author and speaker Sandy Blackburn. Virginia Hopper Steele, Claude Hopper’s sister, wrote the book’s foreword.
“The Lord has given Sandy Blackburn one of His most gracious gifts,” said Virginia in the foreword, “by enabling her to write about everyday happenings in life. God has taught her through the insights of everyday life experiences—and through the study of the Scriptures—and from her heart and hand flow wonderful writings that will both inspire and encourage others.”
Claude describes the book as being Biblically-sound, thought-provoking and uplifting, adding that the group’s goal, through this new literary effort, is to encourage believers, while reaching out to others with the Good News.
Current plans are to include the launch of a new book title each year, as part of the Hopper Heritage Series.
After its release at NQC, the book, Time Spent With God, will be available at the Hoppers’ appearances across the country and overseas, and for sale on their website, www.thehoppers.com.
All proceeds derived from Time Spent With God will be applied to the Hopper Heritage Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging, supporting and celebrating Southern Gospel music and contributing to the education of a new generation of Christian leaders.
For more info on the NQC, see www.natqc.com.
Additional information:
Time Spent With God
Author: Sandy Blackburn
Foreword by Virginia Hopper Steele, sister of Claude Hopper,
founder and manager of The Hoppers
Softcover, 232 pages
ISBN: 978-0-9824939-8-4
Retail $16.00
“A powerful collection of writings that will both encourage and inspire.”
— Connie Hopper, The Hoppers
“Time Spent With God will surely take you on an intimate spiritual journey. We encourage you to get onboard.”
— Claude Hopper, The Hoppers
Tags: Christian Books, Claude Hopper, Hopper Heritage Series, Sandy blackburn, The Hoppers, Virginia Hopper Steele
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