Southern Gospel News SGN Scoops Digital

The Whisnants In Concert

The Whisnants In Concert

People’s Tabernacle Church, 64 Airways Blvd, Savannah, TN will welcome, “THE WHISNANTS”, on Sunday, June 10, 2018 at 6:00PM.

The Whisnants, from Morganton, NC have performed all across the nation and around the world including a performance for President Donald Trump.  The trio has celebrated 14 #1 songs including the current #1 Song for the month of June, “He’s Never Moved”. Pastor Josh & Ashley Franks will also appear. For more information visit www.ptcsavannah.com or 731-727-8242

Thanks living with Matt Fouch and Aaron Hise

Matt Fouch with Legacy Five – photo by Craig Harris

I’ve heard it stated a million different ways: “Thank you.” I’m guilty of saying it without truly meaning it. I know I’m not the only one. So often, we’re obliged to express our thanks by simply saying two words. It’s easy to just spit them out and not even really remember why we said it in the first place. We say it to the barista at the coffee shop. Ladies say it when someone opens a door for them. Men say it when someone compliments their golf game. Children say it, often at the prompting of Mom or Dad, when they’re given a gift. As a parent, I’ve worked to instill in my two children to say “thank you” every chance they get. I hear them say it many times; but sometimes, there’s a magical moment when I hear them say it from their heart. How my heart swells with pride to see genuine gratitude in their eyes.

Legacy Five’s Matt Fouch

I’ve entitled my article for this month Thanks-Living for this reason: There are times when we express thankfulness in our heart by our words, and there are other times that we express gratitude in our lives. One of the greatest ways we can express this is in song, and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to discuss all things Thanksgiving with two friends who just happen to be outstanding artists: Matt Fouch of Legacy Five, and Aaron Hise of the Whisnants.

The atmosphere of the Thanksgiving season is surrounded by things we all love: food, family, and more food! We can throw in some football for all who love sports, and the day just can’t get much better. Family traditions often are born during this time of the year. “We always get together on Thanksgiving Eve. It’s such a fun night!” Matt shares. Aaron added, “Our family’s tradition has always been to get together an extra day to celebrate the holiday. We love the tradition of just having more family time.”

Aaron Hise with the Whisnants

As many readers have probably experienced, having more family around usually provides some free entertainment. Aaron’s story is too good not to share: “The most memorable Thanksgiving that I have ever experienced was when my mom had fixed the most beautiful dinner for me, my dad, and my brother. I was nine years old and my brother was 13. We both had been playing ball outside and came in for dinner. When we got to the table, the turkey had been placed on the edge of the table before we said the blessing. As we were praying, my brother was trying to make me laugh by poking my side. Well, when I tried to get away, I bumped the table just hard enough to make the turkey fall right onto the ground. Needless to say, we called the ‘ten second rule’ and enjoyed a great turkey!”

Aaron Hise of The Whisnants

I haven’t had that kind of experience but one memorable experience for me, was as a boy with my cousin. We were given the daunting task of being the Thanksgiving-trash-taker-outers. We wore that badge with pride all day long. We were taking out one set of bags filled to the top and I opened one of the trash cans, when like a SCUD missile, the biggest opossum I’d ever encountered shot out of the trash can with every tooth in his face showing as he flew right by me. I’ll never forget it, and I’ll never blindly open a trashcan again!

Naturally, the subject of Thanksgiving-themed songs came up, and I asked Aaron and Matt what some of their favorite songs were along the theme of thankfulness. “The Easter Brothers put it best when they said, ‘There’s a roof up above me, I’ve a good place to sleep, there’s food on my table, and shoes on my feet. You gave me Your love, Lord, and a fine family, thank you, Lord, for Your blessings on me!’”1 Aaron said. Matt added, “Soul’d Out Quartet recorded a song called, “Thank You Lord.” My wife Candice and I had a beautiful moment one day just driving in the car and listening to this song.”

Obviously, when you get three grown men talking to each other, the subject of food came up. Aaron laid it all out for us. “All of the traditional items will be served this year: turkey, ham, green bean casserole, homemade yeast rolls, dressing, gravy, homemade macaroni and cheese, sweet potato casserole, deviled eggs, and the list keeps going on!” Matt added many of the same traditional menu items, but said that there was one thing he couldn’t live without on Thanksgiving: “Cool Whip for the pumpkin pie. I like a little pie with my Cool Whip.”

We could all put down a mile-long list of all the blessings we’ve enjoyed this year, but Matt Fouch and Aaron Hise each added specific things that they were thankful for. Matt tells us, “I’m thankful for the peace that passes all understanding! In the midst of a crazy life in a crazy world, as believers, we can have a peace beyond our human comprehension.” Aaron added, “I’m especially thankful this year for the family that God has blessed me with. Suzanne (Aaron’s wife, who sings with The Taylors) and I are expecting our first child in March (2016). We’re beyond excited!” That’s definitely something to be grateful for!

I mentioned as we began the article about the word Thanks-Living. Are we just saying “thank you,” or are we living  “thank you?” My prayer for myself and for each of our readers is that we won’t just take one special Thursday that’s set aside, and rattle off an impromptu prayer to God for the many blessings He’s given us, but that we, like David the Psalmist, will take time to meditate and think upon the Lord’s goodness to us. His mercy endures forever, and his faithfulness is sure. My sincere thanks to Aaron Hise of the Whisnants and Matt Fouch of Legacy Five for their time and effort this month. Happy Thanks-Living, everyone!

By Matt Baker

First published by SGNScoops Magazine in November 2015

1. “Thank You Lord For Your Blessings On Me,” Easter, James and The Easter Brothers. Copyright 1975. Renewed 2003. LeFevre- Sing Publishing Company/BMI. (website c.October 21, 2015). www.musicnotes.com/sheetmusic/mtd.asp?ppn=MN0085124

Honoring our Southern Gospel Dads…

Today we honor Jeff Whisnant.  We at SGN Scoops are praying for a speedy recovery for you.  Hope you have an awesome Father’s Day Jeff!

Austin and Ethan sing a song that honors Dads and our Heavenly Father.

Take a listen:

The Whisnant’s….

Keep Praying For Jeff Whisnant

Continue to pray for Jeff Whisnant for complete healing.

Heres a video of Ethan filling in for his Dad!

Great Job!

Watch Video Here

(Video by Rick Towe)

Update on Jeff Whisnant… Please Pray NOW!

From The Whisnant’s FB Page:

Pray Now!

Very urgent prayer request! Jeff is in emergency surgery right now in Kentucky. The Dr’s are trying to save his vision. Please ask the “Great Physician” to take over. – John Whisnant

SGN Scoops Tweet of the Day….

Tweet of the Day!  Twitterless? Lol

Happy 28th Anniversary to Twitterless Jeff and @susandwhisnant ! pic.twitter.com/i3xkpAsE76

— Gerald Wolfe (@geraldwolfe1) May 28, 2016

SGN Scoops’ NQC Review: Ernie Haase and Signature Sound, Greater Vision, Gold City

Ernie Haase-Ernie Haase and Signature Sound

SGN Scoops had several roving reporters at NQC this past week, and we are thrilled at the pictures and interviews they obtained. You will be

Devin McGlamery-Ernie Haase and Signature Sound

seeing the fruits of their labors in upcoming SGN Scoops magazine editions, but we wanted you to see some of these live shots now.

Thanks again to all of our writers and photographers, as many of them are also artists that participated in events at the National Quartet Convention. We hope you have enjoyed all of their contributions over the last few days.

Artists that appear hear are members of Ernie Haase and Signature Sound,

Ernie Haase-Ernie Haase and Signature Sound

Devin McGlamery-Ernie Haase and Signature Sound

Paul Harkey, Devin McGlamery-Ernie Haase and Signature Sound

Mark Trammell, Blake Buffin, Nick Trammell-Mark Trammell Quartet

Amber Eppinette, 11th Hour

Grant Gibson, 11th Hour

Chip Pullen-Gold City

Thomas Nalley, Gold City

Scott Inman-Triumphant

Gerald Wolfe-Greater Vision

Chris Allman-Greater Vision

Mike Bowling-The Bowling Family

Hope Bowling-The Bowling Family

Greater Vision, Gold City, 11th Hour, The Bowling Family, Karen Peck and New River, The Whisnants, Mark Trammell Quartet, Triumphant Quartet.

Thanks to Craig Harris for these great photos from Saturday night at NQC.

For more artist features, photos and stories, stay tuned to SGNScoops’ Facebook page.

Jeff Whisnant-The Whisnants

Susan Whisnant-The Whisnants

Matthew Gooch, Austin Whisnant

Karen Peck-Karen Peck and New River

Karen Peck-Karen Peck and New River

Ricky Brady, Kari Gooch, Susan Peck Jackson-Karen Peck and New River

This Week in Gospel Music features the Whisnants

The Whisnants

Be sure to tune into This Week in Gospel Music with your host, Mickey Bell. This week Mickey talks to the sweet and popular Susan Whisnant about her August plans for surgery.

We really

Susan Whisnant

hope this doesn’t take her off the road!

Mickey has great music, great features, plus guests Keith Erwin of the Erwins and Rob Patz of SGN Scoops. Find out how the Erwins and Sgn Scoops are teaming with This Week in Gospel Music to give

Lore Family

you a chance to win a week of free tickets to the 2015 National Quartet Convention.

We are still adding more stations! Stations can sign up here: bit.ly/stationsignup . Program Directors can check out more information at  www.thisweekingospelmusic.com.

The Erwins

Rob Patz of SGN Scoops

Connect with Mickey Bell on his facebook page here:

Mickey Bell

https://www.facebook.com/thisweekingospelmusic

SGN Scoops at the National Quartet Convention

Clarke Beasley

Gary Casto of Tribute Quartet

Pictures by Craig Harris of SGN Scoops…one of our roving reporters on the scene at the National Quartet Convention!

Connie Hopper of The Hoppers

Bryan Walker of The Perrys

Legacy Five

Ray Dean Reese and The Kingsmen

The Whisnants

Aaron Hise of The Whisnants

Aaron Hise of The Whisnants

By Matt Baker 

While I was on the road full time, I made some great friends in the gospel music industry. Some friends were people I loved to cut up with and still do. Some I gained great amounts of wisdom from. Some poured incredible amounts of encouragement into my heart and life. The singer featured in this article has been all three of those to me. Aaron Hise of the Whisnants has anchored the lead part for the group for many years now, and he is a big reason that the Whisnants have enjoyed great success on the stage, as well as the airwaves. I had the chance to ask him a few questions recently:

Matt Baker: You’re a northern Indiana boy. How did you end up in North Carolina with the Whisnants?

Aaron Hise: While I was living in southern Illinois, I was filling in for a local quartet. One night we sang with the Poet Voices and Phil Cross asked me if I’d be interested in singing full time. Of course, I said yes. So Phil and I exchanged numbers and I never thought I’d hear from him again. Well, that was Friday, and on Monday morning Phil called and explained that Tim Greene of the Greenes was sick and they needed someone to fill his position. So I thanked Phil and immediately called Tony Greene. As I spoke to Tony he explained the details of what they were looking for and what they needed. Again…this was Monday morning. Tony then overnighted four CD’s and marked the songs I needed to learn.

I drove to Boone, North Carolina, on Wednesday morning. That afternoon we ran through a couple songs, got on the bus that evening and sang in Pearl, Mississippi on Thursday night. I stayed with the Greenes for four and a half months and loved it! While my venture with the Greenes was coming to an end, the gentleman that was currently with the Whisnants came off the road. Tony mentioned it to me and said he’d call Jeff and set up an audition. I had my audition in December of 2000, got the job and I’ve been here ever since. To this day, I’ll always be grateful to Phil Cross, Tony Greene and of course Jeff Whisnant for giving this Indiana boy a chance.
MB: Who were some of your early Gospel music influences and heroes?

AH: Being from Indiana we didn’t get a lot of Gospel Music but when we did it was mostly quartets. My very first concert I attended was in 1983 at the South Bend High School in South Bend, Indiana, featuring the Kingsmen and the Cathedrals. I was hooked! To this day, I’ve always admired Glen Payne. Not only for his voice, but how he carried himself on and off the stage. My Dad, Ron Hise, will always be my hero for instilling a love and respect for Gospel music into my life. His love for sharing Jesus through this music became a love of my own through his influence.

MB: You’ve been with the Whisnants for quite a while now. Do you have a favorite place/venue to sing at? Why?

AH: There are several different venues that I love, but one of my favorite places will always be the National Quartet Convention. Singing at an event where so many of the Gospel greats have sung before still excites me to this day. We are also blessed to be a part of many Bible Conferences through out the year. One in particular, Mims Baptist Church in Conroe, Texas, is another favorite. Being a part of their Conference every January always starts my year out right, they are a true blessing.

Aaron and Suzanne Hise

MB: Most folks who follow Gospel music know that you’re married to Suzanne (Taylor) Hise of the Taylors. How did you two meet? 

AH: Suzanne and I met at a concert in Kankakee, Illinois, where both of our groups were singing that night. I told Susan Whisnant that I was going to talk to Suzanne and I’m glad that I did. A month later at the National Quartet Convention we met up again and went out a couple of times. At the time, Suzanne was still in college and like myself, very busy. So we decided to slow down and get to know each other as friends. I knew she would be graduating from Liberty University that May. So I messaged her and asked if I could take her out for dinner to celebrate. She said yes and we started dating. Suzanne said yes again when I asked her to marry me on November 8th, 2012. We were married May 21, 2013.
MB: Because of your busy schedules, time together at home is precious. What are some of your favorite activities that you both enjoy to make the best of your time at home?

AH: We are like most Gospel Music couples in that we love our time at home. We enjoy going to see movies or staying at home to watch our favorite TV shows. We love to take road trips to Pigeon Forge, Asheville, or even the Coast. We love going out on dates to our favorite restaurants. Suzanne loves to cook as well, so she usually tries to cook dinner at least once a week while we’re home. She’s a great cook!

MB: What’s your favorite Whisnants’ song that you get to sing and why?

AH: My favorite song that I have had the privilege to sing is “I’m Trusting The Blood.” When Joel Hemphill sent us the song, I knew I wanted to sing it. I’m a simple guy and I love simple songs that still have a message and say something. Sadly enough, there are people that are putting their trust in things to gain salvation. Worldly deeds are not going to get them to heaven. The bible clearly says, “Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission of sin”. I truly love this song and we sing it every night.

MB: Share with us your funniest road story.

AH: There are too many to list, Matt! Here’s one: We were singing at a church that was having a special celebration in their family life center. Like any church event there’s always food involved. During intermission, a gentleman came to the product table while eating a hot dog. While he was walking back and forth admiring the CDs, he literally dropped ketchup, mustard, onions, and chili all over my product table. Needless to say, he didn’t buy anything!

MB: Night after night, folks come by your table and share testimonies of how The Whisnants’ music blesses them. Share a story with us that motivates you each weekend out on the road.

AH: Recently, we had an 87-year-old man come forward and give his heart to Christ. After the concert, the pastor told us that this same man had told him that he would never give in to Jesus Christ. While singing, “I’m Trusting The Blood” that man came forward and said “I Give Up.” That is one night that I will never forget!

MB: You started out in Gospel Music while you were very young. What advice would you give to an aspiring Gospel singer? 

MH: Have a love for this music, a love for people, and most importantly a love for the Lord. Pray that this IS what the Lord wants to you do. Do your best to listen and learn from your favorite singer or singers. Oh yeah, and practice.

MB: You’ve got one last song to sing. What song would it be and why? 

AH: “And Life Is Worth The Living, Just Because He Lives.” In that line alone, we have all been given the hope that our Savior is alive and coming back for all of those who place their trust in Him!

I hope you’ve enjoyed this short chat with one of my favorite singers. And judging by all those Number One songs they’ve been blessed to have, many of you who read this and listen to Gospel music, have made him one of your favorite singers as well. Keep Aaron and the rest of the Whisnants in your prayers as they minister each week across the country!

Find out more about Aaron Hise and The Whisnants here: http://www.whisnants.com/

Matt Baker writes for SGM Radio website.

First published in August 2014 on SGM Radio website.

For current features, visit http://www.sgmradio.com/