Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

Karen Peck Gooch inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame

Karen Peck Gooch at the GMA Hall of Fame honors. (Chip Woods Photography)

Last evening, May 9, 2018, Karen Peck Gooch of Karen Peck and New River was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame, during a star-studded ceremony. The evening was also a fund raiser for the Hall of Fame.

Karen Peck Gooch has been singing gospel music for 30 years, received many nominations and awards, traveled around the world with her music, and yet still retains humility and a sweet spirit that draws just as many fans as her beautiful voice.

Ed Leonard introducing Karen Peck Gooch at the GMA Hall of Fame honors. (Chip Woods Photography)

Karen wrote this on her Facebook page following the ceremony. “Tonight was a highlight of my career. Special thanks to Ed Leonard for presenting me with the GMA Induction. Special thanks to The Isaacs and Jason Crabb for singing for me. (They were incredible!) Special thanks to Jackie Patillo and the GMA for being a friend to all of us! It was awesome having Rickey Gooch, Matthew Gooch, Kari Gooch, Susan Peck Jackson, David Jackson, Sue Peck Music, Bill Music, Kelly Nelon Clark, Grant Gibson sitting at my table. Peggy G. Fauscett, Pamela Cooper Unthank, Harper Agency, Daywind Music, NQC, and so many fellow artists were there to support me and I will never forget it! I love every one of you! Thanks to Chip Woods for the amazing pictures and Megan Clark for doing our makeup!

Karen Peck and New River

“I am so thankful to the Lord for allowing me to live my dream. 38 years ago I started singing professionally. I will forever be grateful to Alphus LeFevre and Rex Nelon for their incredible leadership and for their love for the Lord and this great music. I pray that the Lord will give me many more years of service to Him! Our best days are ahead! ❤️”

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Jim Murray of the Imperials

By Philip Foster

I doubt there are many people in Gospel music who will not recognize the name Jim Murray.   Every once in a while, it seems that someone will come along in Gospel Music who stands out from all the rest. Such a person, in my opinion, is Jim Murray.

I have wanted to interview Jim for some time now, but the opportunity never presented itself. Recently, I had the good fortune of connecting with Jim and asked if he would be willing to have an interview. To my great surprise and pleasure, he agreed.

The first time I heard Jim was while attending a Gospel concert at PCVS School in Peterborough, Ontario. The mighty Imperials were in the city playing at the high school. The Imperials were the crème de la crème back in the day. I have mentioned before, that in these early years, groups like the Imperials, the Blackwood Brothers, the Speer family, the Cathedrals and so many more, were a major influence on this young Christian man. I was literally mesmerized listening to the Imperials, but especially a young tenor named Jim Murray.   Jim was hitting what seemed like impossible notes and doing it with such ease and a gentle power, with songs such as “Even The Praise Comes From You,” or “Behold The Man,” or “I’ll Meet You in the Morning.” I didn’t know much about four-part harmony in those days and didn’t know a tenor from a baritone, but I did know what was good!

Every time I came out of these concerts, I knew beyond a doubt what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to be involved in some capacity with Southern Gospel Music. Never in a million years did I ever once think that I would be talking to men like Jim Murray and having the pleasure of conducting an interview with him. What a gracious and gentle man of God.

Jim was born in March of 1944. His hometown is Lansing, Michigan and he now resides in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, where he is the Minister of Music and Senior Adults. (what church??) I asked Jim how old he was when he first started to sing. “I remember singing in the little children’s choir in Lansing, Michigan. I would have been about five years old. My first solo singing engagement was for our Sunday School program when I was about six or seven years old. I can’t remember the song, but I’m sure it was a short solo.”

Murray shares that his parents were very supportive of his career. “Even though I never got a degree from university, I have gathered some wisdom from my 50-plus years on the road. “They came to concerts as long as they could and were always there to encourage me in my efforts for the Lord, through music.” I asked Jim if he took vocal training.   “Yes, I studied voice for two years at Michigan State University with Dr. Gene Greenwell who at one time had been with the Metropolitan Opera Company.” Dr. Greenwell gave Jim what he says was the best advice he’s ever received. “Dr. Greenwell told me, “If you don’t take care of your voice, no one else will.”

“Even though I’ve had three throat surgeries on my vocal chords, I have been able to sing with God’s help,” says Murray. “I’m not as high as I once was, but as I have always said, it’s not how high you sing, but how well you sing up high. Most people don’t know if you are singing a high C or a high D. They just know if it sounds good or not!”

Murray had already gained much experience by the time he joined the Imperials. “The first group I sang with was a gospel group called the Melodaires. We were in high school together and that’s when I was introduced to Southern Gospel Music. After that, I sang with the Orrell Quartet out of Detroit Michigan. Then in 1964, I got married and moved to Dallas, Texas, where I sang with the Stamps trio. From there I moved to Arlington, Texas, and sang for a short while with Bob Wills and the Inspirations. It was in 1966, that I joined Jake Hess and the Imperials. I sang with the Imperials for 20 years from 1966 to 1986.”

Jim Murray and Family

While he was with the Imperials, Jim would back up such singers as Jimmy Dean, Elvis, Pat Boone and Carol Channing. During that 20-year span, Jim was part of over 50 albums, five Grammys and 15 Dove Awards. Eventually, the Imperials started to drift from their trademark four-part harmony, into a more aggressive pop style and Jim decided to move on to other things. In 1998, the Imperials were inducted into the Gospel Music Association’s Gospel Music Hall of fame. (1)

I asked Jim if he enjoyed any other genre of music. “Yes, my father was a real jazz, big band buff and so I was raised on Stan Kenton, Glen Miller, the Dorsey Brothers, Dave Brubeck along with the Ray Coniff singers and so many more I can’t name here.” Other family members were also blessed with vocal talent. “My mother was a very good alto singer. My older son Brent sings very well and my wife Loretta had a very nice alto voice; in fact, we did an album together several years ago and traveled and sang together for over 12 years.”

When asked if he had a favorite singer or group, he answered, “Over the years there have been, so many groups that have been so spectacular in our industry. I really enjoyed the Blackwood Brothers and the Statesmen back in the day. Now I enjoy the Booth Brothers, of course the Gaither Vocal Band and Legacy Five along with the Mark Trammell Quartet and Ernie Haase and Signature Sound and……as you can see, I have a lot of favorites.”

Of course, Jim sang with the Gaither Vocal Band and is on the Gaither Vocal Band Reunion DVD. My final question to Jim was, “What do you want people to remember about you?”He replied, “I hope they look beyond the gift that God has given me and remember that I loved my family and that I wanted to be in the center of the Lord’s will for my life. My life verse is Psalm 27:1. “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (KJV)

Since my initial conversation with Jim and his willingness to do this interview, I learned the tragic news that his beautiful wife Loretta had passed away and was promoted to Heaven. Quite honestly, I didn’t know what to do. Of course, I most certainly did not want to bother Jim during this sorrowful time. After a few weeks passed by, I nervously touched base with him again. I offered Jim my sincere condolences and he was very gracious, thanking me for my sensitivity and informed me that he still wanted to do the interview.

Jim and Loretta were married 50 years and had raised two sons, James Brent and Christopher Michael. Jim said to me, “I would love for you to pay tribute to Loretta as she was the one who was so supportive and encouraged me throughout the years.” He explained that Loretta had been ill, and expressed how empty he now feels with the sudden change that has been forced upon him. As we chatted on the phone, it was such a joy to know that beautiful Loretta is cheering Jim on and anxiously waiting for that glorious day, when all God’s children will be forever reunited!

As I write these articles and I know I have mentioned this before, the hardest thing for me is trying to sum up a career that spans well over 50 years, into a few paragraphs. It’s impossible to do. I would encourage the reader to contact Jim and thank him for all the years he has ministered and all the amazing songs he has recorded. Thank him by ordering some of his anointed music. You will be glad and blessed that you did! You can contact Jim at one of the numbers or email below.

(1) WIKIPEDIA in 1998, The Imperials were inducted into the Gospel Music Association‘s Gospel Music Hall of Fame. All five original members, Jake, Armond, Gary, Sherrill, and Henry; as well as Terry Blackwood, Sherman Andrus, Joe Moscheo, Jim Murray, and Russ Taff were there to accept the induction.

Even the praise comes from you     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m9mJfY8Qomk

Behold the Man                                 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIKrUPk4keo

I’ll Meet You in the Morning           https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEiVahHmVeEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cEiVahHmVeE

Contact Jim Murray at: Minister of Music and Senior Adults, Victory Baptist Church, 1777 Tate Lane, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

Email Jim Murray at: jimmurray@vbcmtj.org         mailto:jimmurray@vbcmtj.org

Questions? Comments? You can email Phil Foster at prossfoster@gmail.com

Written by Philip Foster, first published by SGM Radio in July 2014.

For more artist features on SGM Radio website, please visit http://www.sgmradio.com/

LIMITED TICKETS STILL AVAILABLE FOR ‘A NIGHT OF HONOR’ FOR CLAUDE & CONNIE HOPPER PRESENTED BY ABRAHAM PRODUCTIONS

(Nashville, Tenn.) – A limited number of tickets are still available for ‘A Night of Honor’ for Claude & Connie Hopper set for October 11, 2013 in Greensboro, NC at Crosspoint Church. The concert, presented by Abraham Productions, will feature an all-star line up set to pay tribute to Claude & Connie for their years of dedication and faithfullness to the call of God on their lives.

Set to perform during the evening are Ivan Parker, Karen Peck & New River, Talleys, Whisnants and The Hoppers.

For more information on available tickets, please CLICK HERE.

The Hoppers were formed in 1975 in Madison, NC and have grown to become ‘America’s Favorite Family of Gospel Music’ traveling the globe presenting the Gospel message for over 55 years. Showing no signs of slowing down, today the line-up consists of family members Claude & Connie, son Dean and his wife, Kim, and son Mike Hopper.

The Hoppers are members of the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame, SGMA Hall of Fame and have been honored with multiple Gospel music industry awards.

Their latest project, Count Me In, was released earlier this year and contains 11 songs including “I Wish We’d All Been Ready’ to which they recorded a concept video. (CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE VIDEO)

Connect with The Hoppers:
• www.TheHoppers.com
• www.Facebook.com/TheHoppersOfficial
• www.Twitter.com/HoppersMusic
• www.YouTube.com/HoppersOfficialUtube

THE HOPPERS, GOSPEL MUSIC HALL OF FAME MEMBERS, TAKE “SOMETHING GOOD” TO EUROPE

(NASHVILLE, TN) – The Hoppers, Gospel Music Hall of Fame members, will take their signature family harmonies overseas to Europe for four unforgettable nights of music, family and fellowship as they make appearances in Northern Ireland and the Netherlands during their “Something Good” tour in support of their latest release, Count Me In.

Multi-award winning family group The Hoppers – known as America’s Favorite Family of Gospel Music – have been singing to global audiences for over 55 years with appearances ranging from presidential religious inaugural ceremonies and New York’s Carnegie Hall to singing conventions and church platforms. They have performed throughout the United States as well as in Israel, Europe and Africa. Their unique blend of harmonies and song choices have created a legacy of musical excellence embraced by leading pastors and event organizers. Known as America’s Favorite Family of Gospel Music, they are favorites on the Gaither Homecoming videos and tours, and their recordings frequently land near the top of the BILLBOARD sales charts and The Singing News radio charts.

In 2012, the group was inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame alongside Aretha Franklin, Ricky Skaggs, Love Song, Rex Humbard, and Dallas Holm.

Comprised today of family members Claude & Connie, son Dean and his wife, Kim, and son Mike Hopper, The Hoppers were formed in 1957 in the rural-farm town of Madison, NC, and have grown continuously for decades, touching countless lives around the world. A cancer survivor, Connie has been honored with the prestigious Marvin Norcross Award, in addition to numerous industry and fan honors; and she has been inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Sons Dean and Mike have continued the family legacy with their musical talents and business abilities; and Kim, Dean’s wife, hails from her own nationally acclaimed musical family, The Greenes. She is noted for the excitement she brings to any live performance, and her unmistakable, rafter-ringing soprano vocals have taken The Hoppers to new heights for many years.

The Hoppers are celebrating over 55 years of music so don’t miss this chance to catch America’s favorite family of Gospel music, THE HOPPERS!

Monroe Hopper, Founding Member of The Hoppers, Passes Away

(May 18, 2013) Madison, NC – Monroe Hopper graduated to his heavenly home in the morning hours of Friday, May 17, 2013 at the age of 86. In 1957, Mr. Hopper was a founding member of The Hoppers in 1957, then known as The Hopper Brothers.

Mr. Hopper was born on December 26, 1926 in Rockingham County, NC. In addition to helping form the Hoppers, he was a US Navy Veteran and a pioneer leader in establishing the Hopper Heritage Foundation, which assists young men and women in pursuing their educational goals.

“Monroe was my best friend,” said brother Claude Hopper. “Anything I needed anything – on the farm, on the road, at the house – my first call was always to Monroe. He took care of things back home while The Hoppers were traveling. I will miss my brother, my best friend.”

Monroe made his last public appearance in mid-2012 as The Hoppers were inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame alongside Aretha Franklin, Dallas Holm, Ricky Skaggs, Rex Humbard, and Love Song.

Survivors include his wife of 39 years, Joyce Gurganious Hopper; children, Jimmy Hopper (Linda), David Hopper (special friend, Sandra), Sharon Hopper (Mike Gonet), Cathy Bell (Frank), Virginia “Ginger” Horn (Bill); brothers, Will R. Hopper (Peggy), Claude D. Hopper (Connie), B. Wayne Hopper (Shirley), Richard D. Hopper (Shirley), Steve D. Hopper (Pat); sisters, Virginia H. Steele, Octola H. Currin and Catherine H. Pearson; eight grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. He is also survived by the mother of his children, Janie Hopper; mother-in-law, Colleen Gurganious; sisters and brothers-in-law, Jenny and Margaret Hopper, Clarence and Jean Barnes, Don and Kay Rouse, and many nephews and nieces.

The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m., Monday, May 20, 2013, at Ellisboro Baptist Church with Reverend Darrell Brumfield officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with military honors by the Rockingham County Honor Guard and the North Carolina National Guard.

The family will receive friends from 6 until 8:30 p.m., Sunday, May 19, 2013 at Colonial Funeral Home.

Memorials may be made to Hospice of Rockingham County, 2150 NC Highway 65, Reidsville, NC 27320; Ellisboro Baptist Church, c/o Nell Knight, 1734 Ellisboro Road, Madison, NC 27025; or The Hopper Heritage Foundation, 2811 Hwy 220, Madison, NC 27025.

New Video and Audio Projects from Hall of Fame Singer Releasing in March

Nashville, TN – New DVD and CD projects from Hall of Fame vocalist and five-time Grammy winner, Larnelle Harris, will be released via Seaboard Records/Captial Christian distributors (formerly EMI CMG) on March 26. The projects entitled Larnelle Live in Nashville feature a live concert performance from Harris along with guests Sandi Patty, Steve Green and Steve Amerson. In addition to singing several of his hit songs, Harris also performs new tunes on the audio and video projects, including a brand-new duet from Harris and Patty. The duo’s previous two duets, “More than Wonderful” and “I’ve Just Seen Jesus,” both won Grammy Awards. Among other highlights, Harris is joined by Green and Amerson in a special “Three Tenors” performance segment which the trio debuted last year at Carnegie Hall.

Harris is the only person in history to be a member of three distinct hall of fame organizations: the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and the Amateur Radio Hall of Fame. In addition to his five Grammy and eleven Dove Awards, including being named Male Vocalist of the Year three times by the Gospel Music industry, Harris has garnered nineteen #1 national radio singles and countless top 10 hits. Songs such as “How Excellent Is Thy Name,” “I Miss My Time With You,” “I’ve Just Seen Jesus,” plus many others, including his signature song, “Amen,” are now considered modern gospel classics. From the White House to the 38th Parallel, Harris has impacted audiences across the globe with his music. He was the first gospel artist to perform inside the Kremlin after the fall of the Soviet Union. He is one of a handful of celebrities to receive the Ad Council’s Silver Bell Award for Distinguished Public Service in recognition of his song “Mighty Spirit” as the theme song for the longest-running Public Service Announcement in television history.

In addition to his numerous solo concert dates, Harris is also featured on various tours this year including the God of All Glory Tour, The Ralph Carmichael Legacy Tour, Gaither Homecoming tour and the Sandi Patty & Friends tour, the latter of which CCM Magazine reviewed and described Harris as having a “larger-than-life stage presence with impeccable vocal prowess.” Harris and Patty will join award-winning pianist Dino for several concert dates this year as well.

The CD will retail for $9.99 and the cost of the DVD will be $14.99. Retailers can place orders by calling 1-800-877-4443 or emailing distribution@emicmg.com. For more information on Harris, visit www.Larnelle.com.

Mansion Entertainment Announces Production and Distribution Agreement with Southmen Quartet

Franklin, TN (March 4) – Mansion Entertainment, label home to GRAMMY and Dove award nominated artists, is proud to announce the signing of a  long-term production and distribution agreement with legendary quartet, The Southmen.

In 1974, Jim Hefner, a young and visionary singer from Virginia, debuted what would become one of Gospel Music’s most beloved quartets, The Southmen Quartet. Today, joining founding member Jim is the legendary singer and member of the Gospel Music Hall Of Fame, Buddy Burton, as well as, the equally talented Larry Beck, Larry Parker, Roy Bray, and Johny Washburn.

Bill Traylor, President of Mansion Entertainment states, “I love the traditional quartet sound that started the phenomenon, which today we call Southern Gospel Music. The Southmen Quartet is the ambassador of that beautiful 4-part harmony sound that so many people enjoy. We are so pleased to have the opportunity to work with such legends and radio will love it too, especially my good friend, Robin Clayton, at WLRC in Walnut, MS.”

Southmen’s newest release from Mansion Records will be available in May, 2013.

For more information about the Southmen Quartet and their upcoming tour dates, please visit www.southmenquartet.com.

Hall of Fame Vocalist Larnelle Harris to Release New DVD and CD

Nashville, TN -The new documentary and live concert television special featuring Hall of Fame vocalist Larnelle Harris is premiering this week at various times on TBN, the largest religious television network in the world. The 90-minute special features a short documentary on Harris as well as a live concert filmed earlier this year in Nashville, Tennessee. The concert features Harris along with guests Sandi Patty, Steve Green and Steve Amerson. Harris and Patty are debuting their new duet entitled “Then Came the Morning” on the show. The duo’s previous two duets, “More than Wonderful” and “I’ve Just Seen Jesus,” both won Grammy Awards. Harris is also joined by Green and Amerson in a special “Three Tenors” performance segment.

The television show will also be available as a dvd and cd entitled “Larnelle Live,” with pre-orders being offered to consumers on the website www.LarnelleLive.com. Plans are also in the works to distribute the dvd and cd via retail stores, the details of which will be announced at a later date. The dvd and cd feature some of Harris’ biggest radio hits as well as several new songs.

Harris is the only person in history to be a member of three distinct hall of fame organizations: the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and the Amateur Radio Hall of Fame. In addition to his five Grammy and eleven Dove Awards, including being named Male Vocalist of the Year three times by the gospel music industry, Harris has garnered nineteen #1 national radio singles and countless top 10 hits. Songs such as “How Excellent Is Thy Name,””I Miss My Time With You,” “I’ve Just Seen Jesus,” plus many others, including his signature song, “Amen,” are now considered modern gospel classics. From the White House to the 38th Parallel, Harris has impacted audiences across the globe with his music. He was the first gospel artist to perform inside the Kremlin after the fall of the Soviet Union. He is one of a handful of celebrities to receive the Ad Council’s Silver Bell Award for Distinguished Public Service in recognition of his song “Mighty Spirit” as the theme song for the longest-running Public Service Announcement in television history.

Harris continues to tour worldwide, recently singing for a gathering of the United Nations Ambassadors. In addition to his numerous solo dates, Harris also travels with various tours including the Gaither Homecoming tour and the Sandi Patty & Friends tour, the latter of which CCM Magazine recently reviewed and described Harris as having a “larger-than-life stage presence with impeccable vocal prowess.”   Additionally, Harris and Steve Green often tour together and Harris, Green and Amerson recently performed a “Three Tenors” concert at Carnegie Hall.  Harris and Patty will join pianist Dino and the 200-voice CMI Choir for two special engagements, July 1 and 2, in St.Louis and Branson, Missouri, respectively.

For more information on Harris, visit www.Larnelle.com.  For pre-order information of the new cd and dvd, visit www.LarnelleLive.com.

Dottie Rambo’s Talent And Memory To Be Honored With A Star On Music City’s Walk Of Fame

Reba Rambo-McGuire and her mother (and honoree), Dottie Rambo. Taken in March of 2008.

Nashville, Tenn. – Music City, Inc. today announced the newest inductees into the Music City Walk of Fame, presented by founding sponsor Gibson Guitar: Kix Brooks, Alan Jackson, Manuel, Dr. Bobby Jones, Dottie Rambo, Les Paul and Dan Miller. The honorees will be recognized officially with the unveiling of commemorative sidewalk markers on Sunday, November 6, beginning at 12:00 p.m. in Walk of Fame Park in downtown Nashville. The induction ceremony, which is sponsored by Great American Country (GAC), is free and open to the public.
 
The induction of this class will bring the total number of stars along the Walk of Fame to 58. The Music City Walk of Fame, located on Nashville’s Music Mile, is a landmark tribute to those from all genres of music who have made significant contributions to preserving the musical heritage of Nashville and have contributed to the world through song or other industry collaboration.
 
Permanent sidewalk medallions with each honoree’s name displayed in a star-and-guitar design will be installed in the sidewalk along the Music Mile. The plaques for this class of inductees will be inlaid in Walk of Fame Park on Demonbreun, between 4th and 5th Avenues South.
 
“Each of these inductees into the Walk of Fame has definitely left their creative mark on Music City in their own unique way,” said Butch Spyridon, president and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau. “It is the creative collaboration shown by these talented individuals that make Nashville, Music City.”
 
Dottie Rambo, known throughout the industry as the Queen of Gospel Music, is a world renowned singer, songwriter and musician.  Throughout her 60+ year career, Rambo wrote over 2,500 songs, both for herself and for some of the music industry’s most notable stars.  Her legendary songs have been recorded by music icons such as Elvis Presley, Barbara Mandrell, Carol Channing, Whitney Houston and Dolly Parton.
 
Her own musical career included being a songwriter, soloist and leader of her family trio ‘The Singing Rambos,’ later known as simply ‘The Rambos,’, which brought her opportunities to work with Barbara Mandrell and Porter Wagoner among others.  Some of her more noted works include “I Go To the Rock,” “He Looked Beyond My Fault” and “I Will Glory In The Cross.”  
 
Her accolades include Grammy and Dove awards, the ASCAP Lifetime Achievement Award, being inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and she and ‘The Rambos’ are also members of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame.
 
Rambo died in a tragic bus wreck in 2008 as she traveled between tour stops. 
 
The legendary songwriter’s daughter, Reba Rambo-McGuire, will accept the special honor on her mother’s behalf this Sunday at the induction ceremony.
 
McGuire expressed, “Our family is overwhelmed with gratitude for the prestigious honor and recognition of mom’s creative artistry. This permanent landmark represents the legacy of a pioneering spirit who blazed a trail for songwriters, singers, musicians and poets.”

Rick Busby Forms Trio

Introducing the exciting sounds and beautiful harmony of the Rick Busby Trio. Rick Busby; the five-time nominated Favorite First Tenor for the Singing News Fan Awards (1986-1990), Dove Award nominee for Male Vocalist of the Year(1987), and Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee (1999) for his vocal contribution while with The Florida Boys Quartet from Pensacola, Florida.
 
While Rick was the first tenor with The Florida Boys they achieved three #1 songs, “When He Was On The Cross I Was On His Mind,” “I Lean on You, Lord,”  “Paid In Full,” and five other Top Ten Songs. The Florida Boys’ “When He Was On The Cross I Was On His Mind” was also awarded “Song of the Year” in 1986 and 1987, and Top 20 Song of the Century. In 1988 Rick then joined forces with Heaven Bound. While Rick was their First Tenor, Heaven Bound achieved two #1 songs; “Can the World See Jesus in Me” and “It’s the King” along with four other songs in the Top Ten Chart for the Singing News Magazine.
 
Joining Rick is his beautiful wife Cyndi Busby who sings alto. Cyndi who has been married to Rick since January of 1990 has one of the most unique and talented alto voices in the industry. Rick and Cyndi have been singing together for the past 11 years in evangelism and local church work.
 
Rick and Cyndi have joined their superb talents, and extensive experience with the fantastic, soaring vocals of baritone/music minister Mike Manning, of Metter, Georgia. Together they have created a unique sound, and ministry of song and encouragement for the Body of Christ. As of this press release, they are currently in the process of selecting new material for their upcoming debut album. Their ministry is available for concerts, church events, and singing conventions of any size and venue.
They can be reached at 912-347-2502 or 706-833-5906.