Southern Gospel News SGNScoops Digital

A Visit With The Connells

We recently got to chat with this amazing family group from Anniston Alabama.

We asked:

For each member: What is your favorite activity when you are off the road? 

Karen: Reading, Facebook (keeping in touch with family and friends old and new.) I enjoy watching the Food Network, but it hasn’t helped my efforts in the kitchen yet; some sketching, and I’d like to learn more about photography.

Hannah: I like to read, shop, and go on adventures with my family.

Heather: I love to watch old Hollywood movies.

These guys have recently released a new song to radio entitled, “When Fear Overtakes My Faith.”  Karen’s recent health battle which led to her liver transplant was difficult for the family and they lived the message of their current single.

Karen added, “While recovering from my  transplant, I feel like I learned a lot of things and benefitted from it for more than just a new liver. I gained a whole new appreciation for those around me from family to the medical experts including all those in between. I learned that God is always speaking to us if we’ll just listen and realize that He can use an older hospital janitor to deliver a message to you (true story!) as well as He can use a mega church pastor. Sometimes not even a “body” at all. You just KNOW if you’re listening for him. Another thing I learned is compassion. I always thought I was compassionate before, but beyond the “I’ll be praying,” to “God be with Joe;” that was about it. Throughout my illness, surgery, and recovery so many people have reached out to us, putting feet on their prayers. I’ve been humbled at the generosity and sincerity of so many. My prayer is that I would be SINCERELY compassionate and do more than recite a small prayer out of duty. My personal goal is to live a healthier lifestyle, take the best care possible of my liver, to be able to actually enjoy being active with my family, to cherish the remaining time my girls are at home, and to eventually see sons-in-law, grandbabies, and Disney World a few more times.”

The Connells will be appearing at Southern Gospel Weekend.

Are You Ready For Southern Gospel Weekend 2019

Find out more about the Connells HERE.

Here’s a video of the song.

Southern Gospel Weekend To Be Featured On Andrew Brunet and Friends

Southern Gospel Weekend 2019 to be featured on Andrew Brunet and Friends

(January 27, 2019) — Andrew Brunet and Friends is honored to have the opportunity to spotlight Southern Gospel Weekend, on Jan. 29, 2019. Southern Gospel Weekend is an event that takes place in Oxford, Alabama on March 21 – 23. The show will feature special call-in interviews with Rob Patz, publisher of SGNScoops; the Connells, Clearvision Quartet, the Williamsons, McKay Project and many more.

Andrew Brunet, TV show host shares this: “You will definitely want to tune in as it will give great insight on what Southern Gospel Weekend is all about and give you a sneak peek on the artists that will be performing there. Special thanks to Rob Patz of SGN Scoops for giving us a chance to help promote such an awesome event.”

Andrew Brunet

The episode will air on Tuesday evening, January 29th, 2019, from 7-9 PM on BikerTV.org, as well as Roku, on the BikerTV Channel.

To find out more information about Andrew Brunet and Friends, you can visit their Facebook page.

Find out more about Southern Gospel Weekend HERE.

SGNScoops’ Fast Five with The Connells

The Connells

Five Questions From SGN SCOOPS and Five Answers from THE CONNELLS……

Check it out below!

Question 1: For each member: What is your favorite song to perform live and why?

Karen: Probably “His Life for Mine.” First of all, I just absolutely love watching Hannah and Heather carry this song. It thrills me to no end that they sing with passion and KNOW who they are singing about. Secondly, the song has touched me on a very personal level since I first heard it. How in the world is it possible? Why in the world would He trade his life for mine? All I know is He did and I am grateful.

Hannah: “When God Has Another Plan,” is my favorite song to sing. I like to sing this song because it helps people going through a hard time. So many times we think we have life figured out, but many times God has a bigger and better plan for us. It reminds me to trust God with things going on in my life and it will work out better.

Heather: “Did I Mention,” because it’s a song of thankfulness to God for remaining faithful to His children. It has become my anthem of praise to God because I have seen His faithfulness time and time again.

Question 2: For each member: What is your favorite activity when you are off the road? 

Karen: Reading, Facebook (keeping in touch with family and friends old and new.) I enjoy watching the Food Network, but it hasn’t helped my efforts in the kitchen yet; some sketching, and I’d like to learn more about photography.

Hannah: I like to read, shop, and go on adventures with my family.

Heather: I love to watch old Hollywood movies.

The Connells

Question 3:  For each of you: Please tell us one personal and spiritual goal you have for this year!

Chris: My personal and spiritual goals are one goal. I have been trying to keep a spiritual journal of the time God speaks and what He shares with me during my prayer time and bible study. This helps me to know His direction and to reflect on the blessings He has so richly provided.

Karen: While recovering from my recent transplant, I feel like I learned a lot things and benefitted from it for more than just a new liver. I gained a whole new appreciation for those around me from family to the medical experts including all those in between. I learned that God is always speaking to us if we’ll just listen and realize that He can use an older hospital janitor to deliver a message to you (true story!) as well as He can use a mega church pastor. Sometimes not even a “body” at all. You just KNOW if you’re listening for him. Another thing I learned is compassion. I always thought I was compassionate before, but beyond the “I’ll be praying,” to “God be with Joe;” that was about it. Throughout my illness, surgery, and recovery so many people have reached out to us, putting feet on their prayers. I’ve been humbled at the generosity and sincerity of so many. My prayer is that I would be SINCERELY compassionate and do more than recite a small prayer out of duty. My personal goal is to live a healthier lifestyle, take the best care possible of my liver, to be able to actually enjoy being active with my family, to cherish these remaining years my girls are at home, and to eventually see sons-in-law, grandbabies, and Disney World a few more times.

Hannah: This year my goal is to get even closer to God and have the boldness to share my family’s testimony of God’s faithfulness to us.

Heather: To have continual encounters with God and to share our testimony.

Question 4: Can each of you tell us who your favorite artists are currently and whose music has been the greatest influence on your singing?

Chris: I enjoy the solid quartet sound of the Kingdom Heirs, Mark Trammell Quartet and Triumphant. The greatest musical influence in my life has been Leroy Abernathy. I was blessed to be a vocal student of Leroy’s for three and a half years. He taught this shy and backwards young man the importance of being more than you think you can be. He taught me to give all that I have to every note, remember to keep the tone placement, and knowing the importance of every lyric you sing.

Karen: There are really too many to name, but I seem to be drawn to the songs of Brian Free and Assurance. I will always love the Cathedrals. Most influential would have to be the Nelons. Growing up our family would always listen to them. I would always listen for Kelly’s voice learning to sing harmony somewhere along the way. Now my girls are enjoying her influence with their own vocal pursuits.

Hannah: Some of my favorite singers are Melissa Brady, Karen Peck, and Kelly Nelon. There have been many groups out there that have influenced my singing. I have always wanted to sing, and have wanted to sing Southern Gospel, my whole life. The Hoppers were probably my first influence because when I was little I would sing along with their music putting on a little concert for my parents. Some of my favorites Heather and I would always do was “Shoutin’ Time,” and “Yes I Am.”

Heather: My favorite singers are Karen Peck, Karen Wheaton, George Younce, and Vestal Goodman. Kelly Nelon has been one of the biggest influences in my life whether it has been with words of encouragement or through her music. Being her vocal student, I have learned so much from her and found confidence in my singing because of her. I will always be thankful for the influence she has on my life.

Question 5: For each member: What is a song that you wish you had written?

Chris: Many times, I have found myself singing the lyrics to Leroy Abernathy’s classic song “Prayer Is the Key To Heaven.” This is one of those songs that drives home the simple but profound truth that prayer must be coupled with faith if the doors of Heaven are to be opened. I have long admired those who can help us to see the simplicity of faith in a profound way.

Karen: Oh my! Where to start? I’m not sure there’s any that I wish I had written, but there are several that are very meaningful to me. Most recently: “Say Amen,” by Brian Free and Assurance and “God’s Been Good,” by Legacy Five. I LOVE both of those as they fit me and my story. One other that truly speaks to me and has for years is Don Moens’ “I Will Sing.” Many times this song has spoken to my heart.

Hannah: I wish I would have written “Four Days Late,” because it is such a powerful and touching song.

Heather: I wish I had written “It Is Well.”

The Connells will be appearing at Southern Gospel Weekend.

Find out more about the Connells HERE.

For more Gospel music news click HERE.

Update on Karen Connell

Keep Praying!

Update: Karen if feeling much better. They discovered an infection in the fluid in her abdomen and in her blood stream. They are treating the infection with antibiotics. Her kidney functioning has returned to normal and she has been walking and setting in a chair today. It looks like we will be here at UAB for several more days. Thank you to each of you who have lifted us up in prayer. By His stripes we are healed.

Chris

Urgent Prayer Request for The Connell’s

From Heather’s Facebook:

Please pray for us! Momma and Daddy are headed to the emergency room at UAB.

Please Pray Now.

Benefitt Singing for The Connell Family!

A wonderful night of singing is taking place right now in Birmingham, Alabama. ClearVision Quartet, Surrendered, and Exodus are singing to a spirit-filled congregation. The reason for this concert is to help friends, The Connell’s. Karen Connell recently had a liver transplant in Birmingham, Alabama. Tonight’s concert is to help with expenses during the families stay in the hospital.

Chris Connell and his daughters, Hannah and Heather are here.

Chris has a report on his wife:

Here are a few pics from the night…

Rob Patz and Cody McCreary of Hope’s Journey

Tony Shephard of ClearVision

The Connells

Mary and Susan of Exodus

There’s Power in Prayer- The Connells

Update on Chris Connell  from Hannah:

God is so good! Last April when my daddy went to his cancer doctor in Miami they told him they had found some hotspots. Since that visit I have been praying that they would go away. This morning daddy called and said that he got a clear report and the hotspots are gone! Thank you so much to everyone that has prayed. There is definitely power in prayer!

Praise The Lord!

Prayers for Karen Connell

Update from daughter, Hannah this morning:

Please keep “Momma Karen” of the Connells in your prayers. She has been admitted to UAB hospital  in Birmingham, Alabama. They are running tests to try and determine what is wrong. She went to the doctor with what she believed was a bad virus but doctors decided to keep her and run some tests .

We love the Connells….

Singing at The Sizzlin- Boaz, Alabama

Singing at The Szzlin- Boaz, Alabama

The Singing at The Szzlin took place last night in Boaz, Alabama. Surrendered and The Connell’s both did an awesome job. Surrendered is the host group each month at The Western Sizzlin in Boaz and in Gadsden, Alabama.

Here is a clip of The Connells from last night!

Enjoy!

More News HERE