Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Victory on the Hill Promotions introduces Gospel concert series to South Carolina

York, South Carolina (March 27, 2020) – Victory on the Hill invites you to a series of Southern Gospel concerts heading to York and Blacksburg, South Carolina this summer. The Singing in the South concert series will begin with award winning artists, Jeff and Sheri Easter on Sunday, July 12, 2020, at the iconic Sylvia Theatre located in York.

Jeff and Sheri Easter

Victory on the Hill will be promoting concert every other month featuring the best in Southern gospel music.  This concert series will feature some of the biggest names in the industry such as: The Nelons, The Hoppers, Adam Crabb, The Mark Trammell Quartet, and many more.

Owner and founder of Victory on the Hill Promotions, Andrew Brunet, is thrilled about this opportunity to bring this series to York and Blacksburg.

Andrew Brunet

“This is a dream that I never believed I could have or achieve,” states Brunet. “I’m honored to be able to bring some of my favorite artists to the upstate of South Carolina. I am so excited to see what God’s going to do. This is all about Him and seeing people’s lives touched and changed.”

For tickets and more information you may call Andrew Brunet at: 803-374-4069 or visit Singing in the South Concert Series’ Facebook page or Victory On The Hill Promotions, LLC website HERE

Sarah Reith of Southern Raised Band

Sarah Reith of Southern Raised is the first in a new series featuring younger artists in Southern, Bluegrass and Country gospel music. We hope you enjoy the journey as we travel into the lives and hearts of the new generation of gospel artists.

Southern Raised call themselves a Christian acoustic band and their sound certainly crisscrosses over all types of music, hitting Southern and Bluegrass a little more often than others, but you can hear a lot of influences in their style. The Ozark mountains cast their shadow as well as the infiltration of a Celtic resonance. The sibling harmony is sweet and the instrumentation is adept.

The members of Southern Raised are all close in age, but among family members Lindsay, Sarah, Emily, and Matt Reith, Sarah was chosen for this feature. She is the second oldest of the four, and has been nominated for her excellent vocals and banjo picking. Since the group started in 2007, they have all received several nominations for songs, vocals and instrumentation, and Sarah plays a major part in this groups’ popularity.

Justin McLeod: What was the first musical instrument that you learned to play?

Sarah Reith: I was eight years old when my older sister started piano lessons. She took them for a couple of weeks and of course ‘lil sis wanted to take lessons if big sis was, so I started piano as my first instrument.

Sarah Reith of Southern Raised

JM: What instruments do you currently play?

SR: I play banjo, piano, violin and a little guitar, but my true love is banjo.

JM: What are the positive things about being part of Southern Raised and what are the challenges?

SR: I love the opportunities we’ve had to meet so many sweet loving people and the friendships we’ve made over the years. One of the more difficult moments behind the scenes is the all-night drives we occasionally have to do to make it to our next venue. Our bus is currently out of commission, so sleeping in a vehicle all night while someone is driving can be interesting. But the hardest part is being away from my fiancé and not getting to see him as often.

JM: What is it like to travel with family?

SR: I love traveling with my siblings. We were raised to be best friends and we truly all are best of friends. They’re wonderful people to work with, and to do what you love with the people you love is great. Sometimes it can be challenging, working up new arrangements and ideas with siblings, since growing up we’ve all had the same musical influences so we end up having the same ideas. So we try to think out of the box and be creative.

JM: What song do you like the most, out of all the Southern Raised tunes?

SR: One of my favorite songs we sing is an original one that Lindsay co wrote, called “Letting Go.” The message in that song really ministers and speaks to my heart every time I sing it. It’s so encouraging that we can let go of the hardships, difficulties, trials or whatever it is we are holding onto and know that God will lead, that he never fails us and we can fully and completely trust him.

JM: Is there a song you’ve always wanted to record but never have?

SR: I’ve always wanted to do a hymns project. Some of my favorites are “Blessed Assurance,” “I Love to Tell the Story,” “Rock of Ages,” and my very favorite hymn is, “It Is Well With My Soul.” My fiancé just surprised me for Valentine’s Day and taught himself the right hand on the piano and played “It Is Well With My Soul.” It was so special. (Editor’s Note: Congratulations to Sarah and David Noland who got married in April!)

Sarah Reith and David Noland

JM: If you could create a perfect musical group, who would be in it?

SR: I would put my musical inspirations together in a band: Alison Krauss, Jens Kruger, Mark Hall, and my arranger would be John Williams, he’s so phenomenal.

JM: What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

SR: I love to read; you just can’t beat a good book snuggled up by the fire. I enjoy watercolor painting, quilting, sewing, kayaking, and hiking. Within the last year it’s changed to spending any spare time with a very special someone.

JM: What is your favorite scripture verse?

SR: My favorite verse is Psalms 66:16 “Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.” This became my verse after we started ministering through singing. This is why we do what we do, to declare what mercy and grace God has bestowed upon each one of us. It’s a joy to “declare” it through singing.

JM: Can you describe a typical Southern Raised concert for our readers?

SR: We would love to see each one who is reading this at a Southern Raised concert down the road sometime. We have a wonderful time praising God together. We mix in our classical background with our current music and style. We’re also doing some songs off a new table project that is Americana in flavor. A couple of my favorites are an Armed Force patriotic medley we do and the lyrics to “Heaven’s Shore” to the familiar melody of “Shenandoah.”

JM: Do you have a dream you’d like to share?

SR: Yes. I have always loved old cars and trucks. It has been my dream for years to one day own one. My ultimate dream one is a 1950’s baby blue truck. I’ll just keep dreaming!

The Freemans grace the cover of the May 2019 SGNScoops Magazine

A special thank you to Sarah Reith of Southern Raised for candid and personal responses. For more information on Southern Raised, you can find them online at southernraisedbluegrass.com.

By Justin McLeod and Lorraine Walker

Justin McLeod is a regular writer for SGNScoops Magazine.

First published by SGNScoops Magazine in May 2019.

Read the June SGNScoops Magazine Online HERE

The Hoppers Inducted into North Carolina Music Hall of Fame

The Hoppers pose backstage priort to the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony

GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame members THE HOPPERS can add another Hall of Fame to their list of honors. The beloved Gospel music family was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame on October 18, 2018 during a ceremony in Kannapolis, NC

The group was inducted alongside other noted North Carolinians: John Tesh, Chris Daughtry, Dolphus Ramseur, Luther Barnes, Calvin Richardson and Blind Boy Fuller.

“Living my entire life in the state that I love calling home, I feel so appreciative and blessed that our family was honored by our recent induction into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame,” said Connie Hopper.”

During the event, The Hoppers also performed for the capacity crowd, giving the audience just a little glimpse into this family’s iconic career.

The Hoppers pose with fellow NC Music Hall of Fame Inductee, John Tesh
L-R: Connie & Claude Hopper, John Tesh, Kim Hopper, Mike Hopper, Karlye Hopper, Dean Hopper

The Hoppers join other noted inductees through the years, such as Tony Brown, Tori Amos, Shirley Caesar, Ronnie Milsap, Stonewall Jackson, Randy Travis, Mike Curb, Nina Simone, Eric Church and many more.

The Nelons “The Americana Sessions” Available Now

The Nelons The Americana Sessions Available Now

Beloved Family Group Performs Iconic Classic Songs

 The Americana Sessions is available now at www.TheNelons.com, iTunes, Amazon and other digital retail outlets.

Kelly Nelon Clark and The Nelons (Jason Clark not in picture)

FULL TRACK LISTING:

1. Gentle on my Mind
2. Colors of the Wind
3. Coat of Many Colors
4. You Needed Me
5. Daddy and Son
6. Bridge Over Trouble Waters
7. Oh, Senendoah
8. Take Me Home, Country Roads
9. An American Trilogy
10. Mama Tried
11. Battlefield

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