Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

The Hoskins Family

The Hoskins Family

This is a story of “coming apart before one falls apart,” literally, and about how God has worked in every aspect of it all. It is a story of faithfulness to God and understanding the need to follow Him and obey His direction. It’s a story of courage and knowledge to know when to quit, and yet not give up. It’s a story of a family totally committed to doing God’s will and a beautiful story of a new beginning.
The beginning of this century introduced the Southern Gospel audience to the rich family harmony and exciting stage presence of the Hoskins Family. The family’s first Top Forty song was written by Angie Hoskins Aldridge and titled “Mission Of Love.” It came from a 1998 album by the same title. Their second album, Hope, in 2000, generated their first top five hit, “Joyful Morning,” which came in at number three, and as they say, the rest is history!
The Hoskins have always been a church-going family. When the church doors opened they were there. They sang in the choir, they taught Sunday School, they played the instruments and whatever else was necessary for services to be complete. They were the “Preacher’s Kids and Grandkids.”

Angie Hoskins

Rick and Reva Hoskins have known no other way of life, but to serve God and sing. They have sung all their lives and naturally their daughter Angie inherited their talent. The three sang in the church where Reva’s parents pastored, until God opened their ministry to a wider audience by allowing their songs to be played on Gospel radio.
Following their introduction to mainstream Southern Gospel audiences through radio, they were immediately added to the larger venues in Southern Gospel. Churches of every size and denomination clamored for dates to have them in service.
After eight years on the road, in 2006 the Hoskins Family stopped touring and took a break from their music ministry. We recently caught up with Angie and talked about what the Lord has been doing with and for the group.

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JOEL AND LABREESKA HEMPHILL: SWEETHEARTS FOR A LIFETIME

Labreeska and Joel Hemphill

By Sandi Duncan Clark

In 1957, life was more relaxed, things moved a little slower and almost everyone went to church on Sundays and for revivals. This was especially true in the south. That spring, Joel Hemphill met the love of his life, LaBreeska Rogers at a church revival in West Monroe, Louisiana and it didn’t take long for him to make her his wife. The young couple began a lifetime of ministry and they have been sweethearts and partners in ministry for more than fifty three years.

Music played a major role in the life of young Joel Hemphill, the son and grandson of ministers of the Gospel. LaBreeska was part of the famous Goodman family, and when she was nine years old, she sang at the Ryman Auditorium with the Goodmans. Immediately following their marriage, the happy couple began singing together in their home church and for revivals around the area.

When the three Hemphill children came along, they joined the family’s music ministry, forming one of the premier family groups in Southern Gospel music. Joey was only ten when he joined his Mom and Dad on stage playing drums. Trent followed at age fourteen, playing bass guitar. Candy soon joined in and with her strong soprano, she quickly became a featured voice in the group. Her first recorded song with the family was “I Came On Business For The King,” written by her father.

The Hemphills were traveling extensively then, and decided to move Nashville, Tennessee, to be more centrally located. Their music was original, written by Joel, and their close family harmony and exciting band found them much in demand by concert promoters and church pastors. Their many top-charting songs were penned by Joel, and at the same time, the children were honing their song writing craft.

The Hemphills had many number one songs in the industry charts over the years. Joel’s songs were sought after by every artist planning studio time for a new recording. The Goodmans, the first professional group to record Joel’s music, (“Pity The Man,” “He Filled A Longing,” “I Found A Better Way,” etc.), The Blackwoods, The Speer Family, The Gaithers, The Florida Boys and The Cathedrals all recorded songs written by Joel Hemphill.

In 1990, the Hemphill children chose to develop their individual ministries, and once again, as in 1957, Joel and LaBreeska Hemphill were two sweethearts in the ministry. Singing and preaching dates filled their calendar, yet God chose to change their direction.

Joel had successful surgery for colon cancer, yet the enemy launched a battle of clinical depression and for two years, Joel faced debilitating days, for the most part being home-bound, often bed-ridden. On November 8, 1992, his home church anointed Joel and prayed for his healing. From that day till this, Joel and his doctors agree the healing miracle came for God.

Joel and LaBreeska became even more excited about the Lord and pursuing the ministry. Joel’s sermons had new meaning, and where he had not written a new song in over two years, he received two new songs from the Lord on that Sunday, and six new songs the following week.

LaBreeska wrote a book about that dry spell in their ministry, titled, “Partners In Emotion.” She shares that although Joel was the one suffering from the trauma, she and the entire family were greatly impacted. When asked how Joel’s illness and depression affected her, LaBreeska shared, “It hit me in the pit of my stomach. I have prayer time very early every morning and I just talked to God about it. I prayed throughout that battle and was able to be the strength Joel needed to get through till the healing came.”

In October of 2010, Joel experienced a new health issue. He tells the story, “The doctors found cancerous tumors in my bladder, and did two surgeries to remove them. I completed six chemotherapy treatments and will return to the doctor on February 1^st for a biopsy,” Joel said. “Unlike my first battle with cancer, I have no depression and no doubt that this is another avenue added to our ministry, whereby we can testify to God’s amazing grace and healing.”

Joel has written several insightful books dealing with Biblical doctrine. His most recent book, “GLORY TO GOD, IN THE HIGHEST,” strips the teachings of many Roman and Greek philosophies from the Christian doctrine, and presents Joel’s research into those influences.

Joel and LaBreeska continue to minister, both with preaching and singing. They find joy in presenting the Gospel as “Sweethearts for a Lifetime,” and as an evangelistic team, “Partners in Ministry,” ironically, the title of one of their recordings!

And to quote LaBreeska Hemphill, the beautiful wife of Joel Hemphill, as she laughingly states, “More correctly, we’re the Sweethearts of the Geritol Generation!”

Contact information: Joel & LaBreeska Hemphill , P.O. Box 656, Joelton, TN 37080-0656,(615) 299-0848 (Office Phone,) (615) 299-0849 (Office Fax,) Joel and Labreeska  E-mail: jhemphill@wildblue.net
Website: www.thehemphills.com

By Sandi Duncan Clark

First published February 2011 by SGN Scoops Digital Magazine

For more features on your favorite artists visit SGN Scoops for the latest edition of SGN Scoops digital magazine. www.sgnscoops.com

The Return Of The Hoskins Family

The Hoskins Family

By Sandi Duncan Clark

This is a story of “coming apart before one falls apart,” literally, and about how God has worked in every aspect of it all. It is a story of faithfulness to God and understanding the need to follow Him and obey His direction. It’s a story of courage and knowledge to know when to quit, and yet not give up. It’s a story of a family totally committed to doing God’s will and a beautiful story of a new beginning.

The beginning of this century introduced the Southern Gospel audience to the rich family harmony and exciting stage presence of the Hoskins Family. The family’s first Top Forty song was written by Angie Hoskins Aldridge and titled “Mission Of Love.” It came from a 1998 album by the same title. Their second album, Hope, in 2000, generated their first top five hit, “Joyful Morning,” which came in at number three, and as they say, the rest is history!

The Hoskins have always been a church-going family. When the church doors opened they were there. They sang in the choir, they taught Sunday School, they played the instruments and whatever else was necessary for services to be complete. They were the “Preacher’s Kids and Grandkids.”

Michael and Angie have been married for 20 plus years, and are proud parents of Abby and Chad.

Rick and Reva Hoskins have known no other way of life, but to serve God and sing. They have sung all their lives and naturally their daughter Angie inherited their talent. The three sang in the church where Reva’s parents pastored, until God opened their ministry to a wider audience by allowing their songs to be played on Gospel radio.

Following their introduction to mainstream Southern Gospel audiences through radio, they were immediately added to the larger venues in Southern Gospel. Churches of every size and denomination clamored for dates to have them in service.

After eight years on the road, in 2006 the Hoskins Family stopped touring and took a break from their music ministry. We recently caught up with Angie and talked about what the Lord has been doing with and for the group.

“We realized when we made the decision to come off the road that people would have questions and want to know what was going on,” Angie told us. “That’s only natural, and yet you would not believe some of the rumors that got started. The truth is, we were under a lot of stress with sickness in the family. My grandfather, Rev. Charles Deaton was very ill with pulmonary fibrosis, and my mom was helping care for him and my grandmother. Before we left the road, Mom had already been off the road for six months and we just needed to help out and be there for them. We have always been a very close knit family and my grandparents were like a second set of parents to me.”

“When Grandpa died it really hit us hard, and then my grandma’s health began to fade more. We all were worn down and needed to be refreshed, so we made the only right decision for us at that time,” she finished.

During the years the Hoskins were off the road, Angie shared that she couldn’t listen to Southern Gospel. “I listened to some praise and worship, but didn’t go to a Gospel concert or listen to any Southern Gospel,” she confessed. “I couldn’t. While I knew in my heart that I was where God wanted and needed me to be, I still felt that drawing deep inside and I knew that one day I would be involved in the music again.”

As time passed, healing and refreshing began happening for the family. They learned to cope with the passing of their loved ones and to absorb the knowledge of meeting them again. They became involved in the ministry of their church once again, teaching, singing and playing instruments.

At the same time, Angie and her husband, Michael, learned that their daughter, Abby has heart disease. It was about three years ago, following tests done during gallbladder surgery, that the doctors found a small hole in Abby’s aorta. The family trusted God for a special touch on Abby’s life, and being together during that time made it easier to work through.

“We had no idea Abby had a heart problem and but as we’ve watched her grow in God and in her spiritual and personal life, we realized this is just another thing that God has done for us,” Angie testified in total confidence of God’s grace for Abby’s healing.

For almost six years the only music we heard from the Hoskins family came from stations playing their older music, which happened often since their songs were so encouraging and inspiring. Then about a year ago, we began hearing something new from them on Gospel radio.

Angie disclosed that about this time she attended a Gaither Homecoming concert and the love and desire to perform began to resurface. “I felt that tug… I wanted to be back in the music again.”

“It was also about this time that Pauline Patterson called. She asked what we were doing, and said that radio personnel and fans were asking where we were. She suggested that we send out a song to see what would happen” Angie divulged. “When I told Mom and Dad they were thrilled. God had been speaking to them too. We sent out one song and it charted, so we sent out another and it charted too.”

Angie said that “testing the waters” with these two songs, confirmed to her family that they should again be involved in the music ministry. Not long afterward, the family began singing a few dates a month.

Just to reinforce this new awakening, a call from Daywind’s Norman Holland opened the door for a new recording early this year. “Norman suggested that we pull some of our original charting songs and three new songs for a new album, which we released earlier this year,” Angie explained. “It’s been a whirlwind since then, and we are more assured than ever that we are exactly where we need to be.”

Getting back on the road again seems natural to the entire family. Having Abby Aldridge join the group feels just as natural. Now, with three generations on stage, it makes this time even more precious, according to Angie. “I’ve talked about this before since coming back but the family has a new awareness, a new anointing and a feeling of refreshing.”

On the new recording, Abby is featured on “God Is Big,” a song written by Annie McRae. She is joined on this song by Angie and Joyce Martin Sanders. The song debuted at number 22 on the Singing News National charts, which is the highest any Hoskins song has ever hit the charts. Next month, “God Is Big” will come in at number nine! As Abby has honored God with her young talent, the strength in her vocals displays God’s reality in her life. It surely seems that God is smiling on the Hoskins Family as they continue to honor Him!

The line-up now is all family: Rick, Reva, Angie and Abby. “As we began this new venture, we had our pastor with us, but as time has progressed, our dates have increased and our schedule doesn’t coincide with his ministry schedule at our church,” Angie said. “We still try to be there as often as possible; all of us love the work there, but God is opening more opportunities to see souls come to know Him through our music. We also have a young man, Logan Clawson, traveling with us helping with our sound equipment.”

In speaking with the Hoskins Family, each one shared their salvation story. As before stated, Rick Hoskins’ father was a minister. “My dad got saved when I was 12, so I was raised up in the house of the Lord. Dad started singing in church and formed a bluegrass Gospel group called The Country Gospel Aires. I got saved when I was 16 and shortly after that Dad asked if I would like to join his group. At this point I became hooked on Gospel music. God has blessed me through the years and I am so thankful to be a child of the King!”

Reva shared, “I was saved at a very young age. I don’t have a dramatic testimony; I can’t say I was saved from alcoholism or anything like that, but when God saved me, He really saved me. I feel very blessed to say I have never been out in sin, since I was always in church with my Dad and Mom.”

“I have always been a Christ follower and a born again Christian since the age of 12,” Angie affirmed. “Being born into a church-going family and a pastor’s granddaughter, it’s just part of your life; but I remember the Sunday afternoon sitting at a baptizing when God tugged at my heart and I ran to the altar and followed up by letting my grandfather baptize me. I remember this like it was yesterday.” She finished, “I can’t imagine my life without God. I could not make it a day without Him.”

Abby told us, “As a young girl, God has shown Himself to be very real to me. I’ve always been a “church girl,” but I really surrendered myself at age 14. I was diagnosed around that time with heart disease and I’ve learned to trust Him with my whole life.”

Traveling as a family has its fun times and unique times, as most of us can attest from experiences we have on family vacations. Being able to laugh during tough times can help when you’re traveling.

When asked for something about each member that was funny or something that no one else knew, Angie quickly jumped on this, beginning with, “My Mom and I have a history of falling. A while back my Mom went to the nail salon to have her nails done, and started to sit down. Well, she missed the chair and grabbed at the manicurist table. She went down, the chair crashed and when the table landed, artificial nails went everywhere! We all laughed with her, not necessarily at her.”

Reva Hoskins and her grandson, Chad. He loves traveling with the family and playing football.

Angie laughed as she said, “We are a laughing family, and sometimes we laugh at the most inopportune or unusual times or things. My Dad is our driver and he won’t let anyone else drive. Of course that could be because the only other members of the group are his wife, his daughter and his granddaughter, except for Logan, our sound guy. Anyway we pulled up to a venue. Dad got out and started unloading. No one had shown up to let us in, so, like normal, Dad went around and checked all the doors. He found one open so they carried everything in and started setting up. A little while later Mom received a phone call asking why we weren’t at the church. Well, Mom said ‘We are…What do you mean?’”

Angie continued, “Long story short, we were at the wrong venue! So they tore down and carried everything out. Then we headed on to our real date!”

Angie unashamedly, shared her own “unknown” paragraph. “Well, I’m not a crafty person; no Martha Stewart or Paula Deen. I’m so bad actually, that when I was a senior in high school, we had to make a shirt in Home Economics for the end of the year project. I did a sweatshirt, and when I got finished, it had three sleeves!”

Something that no one knows about Abby as well as Logan, since he has only been with the group for a short time, is that they attend the same school and have known each other all through school. “They are good friends, and they will graduate from high school this year,” Angie disclosed.

Angie also shares that she and Michael have an eleven-year-old son, Chad, who will be traveling with the group next year. “Chad will be taking part in a state operated virtual school and will be on the road with us next year. Chad is our ‘Football Star,’” Angie bragged. “His football team has had back to back League Championships for the past five years. Chad fills the center position for his team, and Michael and I are so proud of him.” Michael, who is part owner in his family’s business, is also the offensive line coach for Chad’s little league team.

As the Hoskins Family continues the rich spiritual and musical heritage of their families, fans all across the country are happy to have this family back on the road sharing their music. This is just another chapter in the story of that legacy; and the story of “coming apart and coming back together,” to further the Kingdom of God.

For more information on the Hoskins Family, visit http://www.hoskinsworld.com/

By Sandi Duncan Clark, for SGN Scoops digital magazine.

First published August 2014 in SGN Scoops.

For current issues of SGN Scoops please visit https://www.sgnscoops.com/

July 2014 SGNScoops Magazine

July 2014 SGNScoops Magazine

In this month of family vacations, celebrating freedom and enjoying summer, we hope you take a moment to see what we’ve done on SGN Scoops! We present to you a magazine filled with freedom, hope and all that is good in today’s Southern Gospel and Christian Country music!

July brings a whole host of features, including our cover story on America’s Favorite Gospel Music Family, The Hoppers. Craig Harris takes an in-depth look at the past, present and future of The Hoppers through the eyes of each of the family. Learn why Claude is smiling more these days and Karlye is studying hard. Read about Dean’s and Michael’s role in the group business and why Kim is humbled by her career. Take a close look at the ‘Mother’s Heart’ of Connie Hopper and why she smiles even more widely at the thought of what may be in store for Lexus. A terrific summer read!!

Dixie Phillips fills us in on another of Southern Gospel’s families, the Wilbanks; Marcie Gray tells us all about the Southern Gospel Music Associations’ Hall Of Fame and new contributor Dan Duncan interviews Christian Country artist James Payne. Speaking of Christian Country, don’t miss Natalie Taylor’s first-hand account of Red Roots’ appearance at Creation Festival NE 2014.

Jennifer Campbell shares her experience as part of a short-term missions trip to New York City. Lorraine Walker highlights Triumphant, who have just released a new praise CD, and Cross Pointe, whose new video can be seen on the right of the SGN Scoops website.

Don’t miss the activities of Lou Wills Hildreth as she shares her Love, Life and Legends column; David Staton’s ‘Can You Handle The Truth;” life moment devotions by Dr. Jeff Steele, Kelly Nelon Clark and Sherry Anne; and the must-read Younger Perspective by Erin Stevens who interviews Riley Harrison Clarke. Lorraine also brings us closer look at D.A. Callaway, the man behind Silver Dollar City’s Southern Gospel Picnic!

Other highlights include ‘Event Planner’, a concert review of the Karen Peck and New River Homecoming by Lynn Mills; super New Music reviews by our own Sandi Duncan Clark; and the new DJ Spotlight by everyone’s favorite southern DJ, Vonda Easley. And don’t miss Sandi’s “Letter From…” in the first part of the magazine.

Our publisher, Rob Patz, gets to the heart of things with a few thoughts on ‘Freedom’ in his Publisher’s Point. He also gets to interview his good friend, Pauline Patterson, in his column, ‘What America Wants To Know About…”.

Laurette Willis brings our thoughts back from summer sloth to healthy activities with her column, ‘Present Your Bodies.’

All this plus a Creekside Update, SGN Scoops Top 100 and much, much more! Read what is encouraging, uplifting, creative and gifted about our Christian artists and their ministries.

We hope you have time this month to put your feet up on your lounger, grab your iced tea (or coffee!) and open up SGN Scoops July magazine. You won’t be sorry!

June 2014 SGNScoops Magazine

October 2013 SGNScoops Magazine

The staff at SGNScoops proudly presents the October Edition of SGNScoops Magazine. Gracing our cover this month is Ed O’Neal and the Dixie Melody Boys. We will be honoring Ed later this month at the Creekside Gospel Music Convention in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. You can find out how to be a part of that in the latest Creekside update in this issue. Other ministries highlighted are, The Lesters, 11th Hour, Ivan Parker and the Dove Brothers. Catch the Younger Perspective with Amber Nelon, and Christian Country News featuring Mikayla Lynn. This month we congratulate our publisher, Rob Patz for twenty years in the Gospel Music Industry. Don’t miss this story- especially the side-bar containing notes of congratulations from industry professionals, friends and peers. This issue wraps up an era of Quartet Conventions in Louisville and also re-caps a recent Women of Faith conference. Believe it or not….There is more! Don’t miss encouragement from Dr. Jeff Steele, Reflections With Sherry Anne, Life, Love and Legends by Lou Wills Hildreth and with get the latest music reviews by Sandi Duncan Clark. The latest in Southern Gospel Music is tastefully presented and laid out professionally, by Pete and Staci Schwager and is tucked behind a beautiful cover designed by Stephanie Kelley. SGNScoops Magazine is free! Please share with friends, family and fans.

July 2013 SGNScoops Magazine

Welcome to the July edition of SGNScoops Magazine. We are pleased to showcase the legendary ministry of the Kingsmen Quartet! The Kingsmen have been singing the gospel since the 70’s. Our cover story reflects on the heritage of the Kingsmen and gives their latest news. Also in this issue, enjoy reading about the latest in the ministries of Renaissance Revival, Steve Ladd, and Tribute Quartet. Enjoy the Younger Perspective featuring Ms. Hope Bowling of the Bowling Family. Get a re-cap on the Memphis Quartet show, a concert review on Triumphant Quartet and don’t miss the review on the 18th Annual Father’s Day Concert too. Make sure you catch up on the latest developments of the Creekside Gospel Music Convention and make plans to be with us in October as we honor Ed O’neal and host the Diamond Awards. And- there is more! See what music is hot this month, get Christian fitness tips, be encouraged by Dr. Jeff Steele and get the inside scoop on the Women’s Homecoming taping with Ms. Lou Hildreth- all in this free issue of SGNScoops Magazine. Thanks to our SGNScoops team and we say, welcome to our newest staff writer, Craig Harris! Please enjoy and share!

June 2013 SGNScoops Magazine

We’re excited about the June issue of SGNScoops Magazine. What a BUSY month! Scattered all over the country, our writers have captured some of the most exciting events and happenings in Gospel Music. A lot of cool things have been going on in the ministry of the Kingdom Heirs. The Kingdom Heirs are featured as the cover story this month, so don’t miss their story. Also this month, Adam Crabb talks about his new album, Ava Kasich shares a powerful testimony, the Jay Stone Singers and Sacred Calling share their latest too. Enjoy the latest in Christian Country news with Paul Summers, and get a younger perspective with Dustin Leming. Be encouraged by Dr. Jeff Steele’s devotion and be inspired by Lou Hildreth’s Life, Love and Legends. Laurette Willis of Praise Moves shares an article regarding Christian Fitness. The June issue is a special edition due to all of the events covered. Enjoy the inside scoop on the Great Western Fan Festival, Singing in the Sun, Inspiration Pop 2929 Movie Premier, as well as a Union Street concert review. Don’t miss the inside scoop and look ahead to the Gospel Legends Reunion too. This issue also includes June Music Reviews and a book review on New York Times Best-Selling Author, Ken Abraham’s WHEN YOUR PARENT BECOMES YOUR CHILD. June is indeed a busy month of spotlighting the world of Southern Gospel Music! SGNScoops Magazine is free, so please share with your friends, fans and family!

May 2013 SGNScoops Magazine

We are proud of the May issue! In fact, it’s not even summer yet, but this issue sizzles! Aaron and Amanda Crabb spice up the cover, and their interview will most definitely melt hearts! Also in this issue, catch the latest from Red Roots, the Pine Ridge Boys, and Mark Bishop. Get the scoop on Devin McGlamery and also Greater Vision’s new music projects, and catch the Younger Perspective with Adam Brown. Get to know Christian Country’s rising star, Abby Paskvan, and the West Coast’s Keepers of the Faith. You heard the news about the upcoming Cathedral Reunion, but get the inside scoop from Ernie Haase, Mark Trammel and Scott Fowler. Dr Jeff Steele delivers a word of encouragement, Lou Hildreth honors Tim Riley and Jeff Hawes honors his mom. Catch up on the latest Creekside Gospel Music Convention plans, see who made the top ten list for Diamond Awards and see what songs are topping the charts. As always….digital, free and good! The scoop is nestled inside a beautiful magazine and is now available in in two formats. You choose- PDF or flip-style and please share with friends, family and fans.

April 2013 Editon Of SGNScoops Magazine

We are stoked about the April edition of SGNScoops Magazine! The beloved, ever popular Triumphant Quartet is gracing the cover this month! Also in this issue, get the inside scoop on Ann Downing’s latest recording experience and enjoy part 2 of Lorraine Walker’s series on John Lanier. Our focus on Christian Country Music shines the spotlight on Barbara Lowman, and we’re highlighting 2 special young folks this month-Zach Flowers and Olivia Collingsworth. In addition to the latest gospel music happenings, April’s issue includes several articles of Christian interest. Sandi Duncan Clark reviews a book titled “Question Everything” and Dixie reviews “The Grasshopper Effect,” a book about small churches. John Mathis Jr. and Jennifer Campbell encourage our hearts with articles of inspiration and don’t miss a special word of encouragement by our new staff writer, Dr. Jeff Steele. This month offers music reviews, an honor to Mark Lowry, a concert review of The Easters and special coverage of the Tracy Stuffle Benefit Concert. Rhonda Frye encourages West Coast Southern Gospel fans to attend the Great Western Fan Festival later this month, and Lorraine Walker tells our readers about the tourist hot-spots in Pigeon Forge, home of the Creekside Gospel Music Convention. Thank you to our talented staff of writers and design team for another beautiful issue of SGNScoops Magazine. Remember…we’re always free, and always good! By all means… Please share with your friends, fans and family on your websites and social media outlets!