Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

New Speer Family continues to “Let the Songs Go On” again

New Speer Family continues to “Let the Songs Go On” again

Brian Speer just knew he needed to get back on stage.

It didn’t matter that it had been 36 years since he stopped traveling with his legendary family. It didn’t matter that he really didn’t know what direction he would take or who would sing with him. He just knew he needed to keep the Speer Family legacy alive.

“After all of Brian’s people were gone, he woke up one day and said, ‘I think we need to do a quartet,’” Brian’s wife, Allison Speer, says. “It shocked me! We had never talked about it and had never discussed it.”

Ben Speer

But something had been burning in Brian’s heart ever since his uncle, Ben Speer, and his aunt, Rosa Nell Speer-Powell, the last surviving members of the Speer Family, died in 2017. He knew someone should carry on the legacy of the Southern gospel pioneers who were active from 1921-1998.

Brian Speer

With Allison, who has had a successful solo ministry for 35 years, fully on board with the idea, the New Speer Family was born, first performing last summer in Lawrenceburg, Tenn.

We caught up with the New Speer Family before their concert at Sand Spring Baptist Church in central Kentucky, less than an hour’s drive from Allison’s childhood home of Parksville. 

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New Speer Family Revives and Refreshes Iconic Songs on A Singing Heritage Debut Release Available Now

New Speer Family Revives and Refreshes Iconic Songs on “A Singing Heritage”
Debut Release Available Now

Palmetto State Celebrates Number One Song

NASHVILLE, TN:  The all new vocal line up of Palmetto State was in the studio this week working on a brand new project.  The session was interrupted when Beckie Simmons, Dixie McKeithen and Melinda Hames from BSA World stopped by to celebrate the group’s recent success.  The charts in both Cashbox Magazine and Christian Voice Magazine have group’s radio single, “Moment of Grace” in the number one spot for the month of July and August.   According to group member, Paul Lancaster, “Moment of Grace is such a great song.  Every night we watch people connect with the message.  It just really gets to the heart of what Christianity is all about.  In spite of all of our faults or what we’ve done wrong, it only takes a moment to have an encounter with God’s love and that can forever change everything”.   The new Palmetto State project will be released by the end of this year.

Photo Info:

(Pictured from left to right, back row:  Palmetto State’s Casey Martin, Paul Lancaster, Jeremy Easley, Mike Allen, Larry Strickland & David Staton.  Front row: BSA World’s Melinda Hames, Beckie Simmons & Dixie McKeithen)

Ed O’Neal Returns Tanned And Ready To Sing

Ed O’Neal recently returned from a vacation to Hawaii. While he was basking in the sun, the Dixie Melody Boys were out on the road as a trio and then joined by a special guest. “We are a quartet so we really missed Ed.” said Steven Cooper. Filling in was Gaither Homecoming artist and bass singer for Palmetto State, Mike Allen. “We were glad to have Mike with us. I think it was good for him to. He used Ed’s bunk and I caught him looking for any notes Ed had left him on singing bass. No, all kidding aside Mike did an incredible job. We were honored to have him. Thanks to Larry and Palmetto State for letting us borrow him. ” added Matt Felts.
While in Hawaii, Ed was a part of the wedding of Blake and Lindsey Bush. Lindsey’s parents are Jim and Mary Snyder, concert promotors in Marion, Illinois. Fans were glad to know that Ed would be coming back and not retiring. “In fifty years, I have only missed three weekends. It was a great time but I’m excited to be back. It did however make me think about a Hawaii tour.” laughed Ed O’Neal.

Matt Felts Releases Civil War Project, Angels On The Battlefield

Nashville: Popular Southern Gospel artist Matt Felts has released a new project, Angels On The Battlefield, featuring original Civil War hymns. The historic album features songs familiar to the soldiers of both the North and South, each played on period instruments by Nashville best musicians. The album also includes gripping narrations that honor the role faith played during America’s greatest conflict. Felts was joined in the studio on select songs by an all-star cast including Johnny Minick, Mike Allen and Aaron Minick. “This project has been years in the making. I wanted this to be as accurate to what you would have heard if you joined soldiers around a campfire.” Felts stated.

To purchase a copy of this highly anticipated album or to learn more, go to www.AngelsOnTheBattlefield.com

PALMETTO STATE POISED TO EXPAND REACH

NASHVILLE, Tenn.—The historic Palmetto State Quartet announces the newest incarnation of this enduring vocal ensemble that defies the quartet label. The group assembles not four, but five vocalists, and breaks out of any traditional mold by refusing to define its members by vocal part. The diverse lineup includes: Mike Allen, a fixture
on the popular Gaither Homecoming television series, who had never signed on officially with any one group until now; Jeremy Easley, the X-Factor season-one, top-15 finalist (male vocalist ages 15–30 category) who received a standing ovation from Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger, and L. A. Reid; Paul Lancaster, long-time Palmetto State member and former member of the Mullins, winner of two Dove Awards with gospel music siblings, the Martins; Casey Martin, popular keyboardist for an array of secular and gospel artists, brings a soulful influence and plays an integral part in the PSQ presentation; David Staton, Grammy-nominated songwriter, singer, producer, and adroit industry thought leader; and Larry Strickland, who sang with the famous Stamps Quartet in the ’70’s when they backed up Elvis Presley, and has beenseen on the OWN network show, The Judds. “Ask any of these guys and they would tell you that singing with other great singers causes you to step it up. And once in a while you hit this magical combination where the
whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” according to Strickland. Besides their stellar talent, each member brings a unique new audience to the gospel music they love and its message they cheris With so many tie-ins to pop culture that cross musical genres, this group is uniquely positioned to attract and influence new listeners. This will be welcome news to music promoters and presenters of gospel music globally. Not since Strickland’s Elvis days with the late J.D. Sumner and the Stamps has there been another vocal group that has featured two great bass singers.
Most recently, PSQ has been touring with the Judds, singing backup to Wynonna’s powerful voice and introducing southern gospel music to a whole new audience. “We are not interested in anyone labeling us a ‘super group’. What we hope is that churches will leverage whatever we’ve been blessed to do in order to reach out to various crowds that typically aren’t planning to come to church or a gospel concert,” said Staton. And with some strategic use of traditional advertizing and social media, church leaders may be surprised the number of first-time attendees who drop in to check out the great music and happen to hear some very good news. The members of Palmetto State are committed to effectively sharing the gospel in a clear, compelling manner and consider that their top priority.
Palmetto State is booked exclusively through the Becky Simmons Agency at
+1 615.595.7500 or Info@BSAworld.com

Brandon Barry Joins LeFevre Quartet

Nashville, TN: The LeFevre Quartet welcomes new bass singer, Brandon Barry to their line-up. For the past several months, popular Homecoming artist, Mike Allen has been filling the spot on a temporary basis. According to Mike LeFevre, “Mike Allen has been so gracious to fill in for us and we will miss not having him here. I would like to thank him publically for being such a blessing to us and everyone we’ve sang to while he’s been here. We are very excited to have Brandon on board and can’t wait to see how God will use him in this ministry.” Brandon has been with several groups, most notably The Stamps Quartet. The new vocal line up for The LeFevre Quartet is Jeremy Easley (Tenor), Jordan LeFevre (Lead), Mike LeFevre (Baritone) and Brandon Barry (Bass).

Mike Allen Talking About SGNScoops Magazine

Branson Gospel Music Revival To Be Held At Tri-Lakes Center Next Week

Four-day event to include Dino, HisSong and others and will benefit Convoy Of Hope Disaster Relief

BRANSON, Mo. – (June 23, 2011) – The Branson Gospel Music Revival (formerly Convention) is returning to Branson, Missouri for the third time next week. The four-day annual event heads to a new venue this year, the Tri-Lakes Center, 2527 State Highway 248 in Branson.

Taking place Tuesday, June 28 – Friday, July 1, the gospel celebration consists of daily matinee and evening concerts featuring approximately 75 Gospel musicians from across the United States.

Dino, HisSong, Beyond the Ashes, Kenny Bishop, Ann Downing, Mike Allen, The Williamsons, Praise Incorporated, 2nd Generation, Voices of Glory, Jay Stone Singers, McMillan and Life, Rod Burton, Lynda Lynn, Sunday Edition, Mystery Men, and more will be part of the Revival, which organizers say puts the spotlight on the gospel message.

Also returning will be the popular SGN Scoops Diamond Awards, as well as the Tribute to Albert Brumley and  “Piano Praise” segments. Additionally, a  “New Faces” afternoon concert geared toward teens and those “young at heart” has been added. A Branson GMR Prayer Team, who will pray with audience members and artists alike during the week, is a new addition this year as well.

“We continue to learn and grow and are striving to make this an even more enjoyable event, one that continues to attract new people to this great city every summer,” co-owner and host Rod Burton stated. “Meanwhile, our focus continues to be on fostering a time of refreshing and encouragement for our artists as well as the audience.”

Having won the “Pacesetter of the Year” award from AbsolutelyGospel.com for the second consecutive year, Burton and his wife and partner, Kelly Burton, look forward to building on the success of what they still consider a very new event.

“It has been a true honor to receive some Gospel industry accolades,” Kelly mentions. “What we hope that sort of recognition translates to is more people coming to hear the truly fantastic artists who gather here with us in Branson every summer, so they can receive the message of faith being offered through gospel music.”

On that note, the couple has announced that Wednesday, June 29, will be “Disaster Relief Night” at the Revival, with a portion of all ticket and program book proceeds going to aid victims of Branson and Hollister area flooding as well as the recent catastrophic tornado in Joplin, Missouri. Donations will be made to the Assemblies of God relief organization Convoy of Hope, which has already provided substantial assistance throughout the region.

Concerts are scheduled daily Tuesday, June 28 through Friday, July 1 from noon-4:00 p.m. and again from 6:00 p.m.-10:30 p.m. Ticket prices start at $18.00 per day for adults and can be purchased by calling the Tri Lakes Center at 1-800-785-1550 or 417-336-0219.

More information about Branson Gospel Music Revival can be found at www.BransonGMR.com or by calling 615-530-3726.

Homeland Quartet Charts for First Time with Latest Single

{EHA-Nashville,TN} Bill Traylor, Ben Speer, Joe Thrasher, and Mike Allen are not newcomers to tremendous Southern Gospel success. The four men have individually made huge marks on the stage, winning multiple awards, and sharing their talents on television, radio, and the largest venues in the country. Although the Homeland Quartet has been together for quite sometime, Traylor, the manager of the group, has been more involved working diligently with those artists he represents as Vice President of The Mansion Entertainment Group. With the assistance of successful promotional company, Patterson Promotions, the quartet debuts on March 2011 Singing News Chart, at #67 with When He Set Me Free. Homeland Quartet will appear in an EHA-Nashville concert, along with Eyewitness at Gethsemane Baptist Church in Louisville, KY, May 14, 2011.