Singers at Ken Dutter/Flathead Festival score with audience despite fewer groups, soloists

Fewer singers = more songs per singer = “a comfortable, good evening” of gospel music at the Ken Dutter/12^th annual Flathead Gospel Music Festival on Sunday evening, March 20, at Kalispell’s Christian Center.

That was a formula that worked for a responsive audience of 300-400 music lovers, and made the evening a delightful affair.

Going in, the sponsoring Montana Gospel Music Association (MGMA) had concerns about whether the quality of music would be reduced because of the shorter program of participants.

There was realization that continuation of a troubled economy (14 percent unemployment in Flathead County) had taken a toll on some of the usual group’s membership, and that its impact would be reflected in the lesser quantity of participants. Didn’t happen.

All of the musicians gave a good accounting of themselves, and it was, in the words of one long-time attendee, “a comfortable, good evening.”

The festival kept its tradition of introducing first-time participants (two of them!) while the tone of the evening may have been a bit more subdued than often.

At the same time, there were familiar groups whose absence was noted, and their contributions were missed.

The Stillwater Christian School choir, 70 singers strong in last year’s first appearance at the festival, was invited but declined because its appearance would have meant two concerts in three evenings.

The Adventists Quartet’s leader and bass singer, Rob Vixie, has moved to WashingtonState because of closure of Columbia Falls Aluminum. Other Brothers has had difficulty replacing a lead/tenor singer who went toCalifornia for work; Sound Foundation is missing a member whose husband has taken employment in Oregon. And soloist Niles Granrud has had voice difficulties.

Add to that the late cancellation of the Spare Parts trio, because of a member’s pink eye – in both eyes, no less.

Still, that was offset by the initial appearance of the duo Hand to Heart, Pastor Darrell Newby and Tom Miller, as well as the last-minute addition of soloist Jessica Ekegren of Kalispell, who was added to the roster 35 minutes before the concert, when she appeared from Oregon, where she is going to college.

It was the stuff that just added to the event, which is a benefit to assist MGMA in its mission of bringing professional Southern Gospel groups to the Flathead and producing concerts. And a responsive and generous audience certainly helped make the evening a success.

Each attendee/listener will have his or her own favorite songs from the evening. For this reviewer, there were three:

• Singer/pianist/songwriter Danae Carlson, director of vocal music at Columbia Falls High School, with her own song, “I Don’t Want to Go.”
• Sound Foundation’s founders Becky Bennett and Shelbey Dutter, joined by Doren Renfrow of Other Brothers, singing “Count Your Blessings.”
• Blest Quartet’s rendition of “Praise the Lord,” with Kent McLellan’s expressive lead singing, which drew the only standing ovation of the night.

Other highlights of the evening included the warm welcome for Mary Dutter, whose late husband Ken was so instrumental in starting and hosting professional concerts in the valley, and the finale. That’s when the only women on the program — Carlson, Bennett, Dutter, Ekegren, Glenda Milne of Accounted For and Kayleen Kohler, MGMA’s vice president and an original member of Blest – led the audience in “Amazing Grace” to conclude the evening.

Here’s the evening’s program, with a few comments:

HEAVEN’S PEEK

Ron Youde, Scott Bailey, Tim Stutzman, Conrad Adam

A New Name in Glory, I’m So Glad That I Know Jesus, Wonderful Shepherd

HP’s balanced presentation was one of their strongest. This men’s group may have the longest continuity of any male quartet in the valley.

DANAE CARLSON

I Don’t Want to Go, Covered by the Blood

Danae was again warmly received; her original work brings a fresh dimension to the program.

SOUND FOUNDATION (+ a BROTHER)

Becky Bennett, Shelbey Dutter, Doren Renfrow

Count Your Blessings, Love Is in the Room, Your Love Is Amazing

Bennett and Dutter are the foundation of a group that has a history of producing top-flight, tight harmony, and they did it again as Renfrow, from Other Brothers, filled out the third part, as well as taking a lead on “Love Is In the Room.”

JESSICA EKEGREN

Strength in Happiness

Jessica, who providing her own accompaniment, dedicated this original song to her younger sister Andrea who is in the U.S. military. Jessica is living in Fruitland,Idaho, while attending Tobacco Valley Community College, across the Snake River in Ontario, Oregon.

BLEST QUARTET

Dave Wirkus, Jason Bridwell, Kent McLellan, Dean Conklin

Because He Lives, Midnight Cry, Praise the Lord

Another strong performance: An audience sing-a-long on “Because He Lives,” Bridwell and Wirkus taking leads on “Midnight Cry,” (which has become a Blest signature song), and McLellan’s powerful lead on “Praise the Lord.”

HAND TO HEART

Darrell Newby/Tom Miller/Doren Renfrow

A Beautiful Life, Pass Me Not, Victory in Jesus

Pastor Newby is a well-known and much-loved figure with seniors in the Valley, and Miller has sung with both Ken Dutter’s Mountain Heirs and a worship trio. They were joined by Renfrow and produced a popular set.

RYAN COVERDELL

So Much God, The Blood Is Still There

Ryan has sung in just about all of the Festivals, which started in 2000, and he gave a good rendition of one of his favorites, “So Much God.”

ACCOUNTED FOR

Glenda Milne, Pete Milne, Dana Burns, Petey Milne

After a While, Mercy Met Grace, I Wanta Go There

The Trout Creek gang wrapped up the schedule by taking a  classic, “I Wanta Go There.” By singing it a cappella, they had freedom from an accompaniment track, took lots of liberty with rhythm, pauses, and repetition, and provided the most levity of evening – including finding Pete Sr somewhere out in  front of his group in his own rhythm.

— By Dean Conklin

 

 

 

 

Accounted For and Blest Quartet provide music, MGMA reaps benefit in two-group concert Feb. 20

Montana Gospel Music Association (MGMA) opened its 2011 season with two quartets, Accounted For and Blest, providing the music in a benefit for the association.

“This concert helped our association get some much-needed financial recovery,” said Dean Conklin, association president. “It also met a need by providing some Southern Gospel music after a three-month void from last year’s final concert and a long winter of snow, wind and cold.”

Both groups enjoyed the opportunity to present more songs than the usual three they might sing when opening an MGMA concert with a professional group. And both groups took the opportunity to sing some songs for the first time, as they divided their work into two sets.

Judging by the standing ovations each group received, it was an evening enjoyed by the approximately 400 persons in attendance.

Accounted For’s first set:

Inside The Gate (new), O Happy Day, Just A Little Talk with Jesus, Teach Me Lord To Wait, Ole Brother Noah (new), Excuses,

Boundless Love.

Blest’s first set:

Trading This Old Cross, Solid Rock, When He Saved Me, He Saw It All, Midnight Cry, Under God.

Accounted For’s second set:

Leave Your Sorrows, To Count For Jesus (new), I’m Gonna Serve My Lord, That’s What Grace Is For, Justified, Who Can Do Anything (with daughter Cooper), This Ole House.

Blest’s second set (shortened due to length of program)

Because He Lives (new), His Grace Is Sufficient (new), Praise the Lord.

 

Blest Quartet and Accounted For Highlight MGMA’S Mid-Winter Concert in Kalispell on Sunday, Feb. 20th

KALISPELL – The Flathead Valley’s Blest Quartet and Accounted For, a
mixed quartet based in Trout Creek, are the featured groups presenting the
Montana Gospel Music Association’s Mid-Winter Concert at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb.
20, at Christian Center, 255 Summit Ridge Drive.

“Both of these quartets have established themselves with our Southern
Gospel audiences, and both of them have opened concerts for touring
professional groups we bring to the Flathead Valley,” said Dean Conklin,
president of MGMA. “In addition each of them has recorded a CD of their music.”

The Feb. 20 event is the second annual such mid-winter event sponsored
by MGMA as a fund-raiser to support its mission of bringing the professional
groups to Montana, and also giving local groups an opportunity to sing. There is
no admission charge to the event, but an offering will be received instead.

Blest, formed in 2004, has built its reputation on a combination of
progressive southern gospel songs such as those sung by the Booth Brothers
and at Gaither Homecomings in addition to hymns. Its self-titled CD “Blest” was
produced by the original members of the group. Current members include lead/
baritone singer Jason Bridwell and Kent McLellan, a baritone/lead singer, as well
as two original members, tenor Dave Wirkus and Conklin, a bass singer.

Accounted For, formed by the Milne family of Trout Creek in 2002, started as a trio
with Pete, a lead singer, and his wife Glenda, a harmony singer, and their son
Peter (or P.T.), a bass singer. Two others sang with the group, then
Dana Burns settled in as baritone. This line up later recorded its CD, “This Ole
House.” Accounted For sings more traditional quartet music, including songs
made popular by the Cathedrals Quartet.

Among the professional quartets already scheduled to sing during the
2011 season are the LeFevre Quartet. Liberty Quartet, and Palmetto State
Quartet.

LEGACY FIVE STIRS CROWD IN NOV. 15 CONCERT

A responsive crowd of about 550 people enjoyed a long evening with Legacy Five on Monday, Nov. 15 at Kalispell’s Christian Center Activity Center to wrap up the Montana Gospel Music Association’s 2010 season.

Upon taking the stage for its first set, Legacy Five sang for well over an hour, including songs from recent CDs as well as some of the quartet’s classics. Bass singer Glenn Dustin did a lot of the work in the early part of the concert.

Scott Fowler, co-founder of the group along with the late Roger Bennett,  and baritone Scott Howard provided much of the comedy as well as increasing their share of lead singing.

One of the first-half highlights was Tim Parton’s keyboard solo, which drew the first of several standing ovations over the evening.

At times it seemed that everything was going to be long, as the group gave a long explanation of its available products – CDs, clothing, cruises and even coffee. That was followed by a long intermission break.

About 35 minutes after the final first half song, the second half got under way – at about the time most MGMA concerts are wrapping up.

“I’ve Been Changed,” one of Legacy Five’s classics, drew a standing ovation, as did another of the quartet’s earliest classics: “I Stand Redeemed,” sung by Gus Gaches, the new tenor who is the only one of the four singers who has not been with the group since it was formed about 10 years ago by Fowler and Bennett, who both had spent years with the former Cathedrals Quartet.

Accounted For of Trout Creek opened the concert and turned in one of their best performances over several years. Pete (lead) and Glenda Milne (harmony), along with son Peter (bass) and Dana Burns (baritone) will join Blest Quartet on Feb. 20 for MGMA’s second Mid-Winter Concert, which is a benefit for MGMA.

LEGACY FIVE returns to Flathead Valley on Monday, Nov. 15

KALISPELL – Legacy Five, one of America’s most honored Southern gospel groups, returns to the Flathead Valley with its new tenor singer, Gus Gaches, for a 7 p.m. concert on Monday, Nov. 15, at Christian Center’s Activity Center, 255 Summit Ridge Dr.

“We knew last year when Legacy Five was here that tenor Frank Seamons was leaving the quartet at year’s end to spend more time with his family in Texas, and that Gus would be succeeding him in 2010. So, after waiting nearly a year, we’ll have the opportunity to hear the new sound of Legacy Five,” said Dean Conklin, president of the sponsoring Montana Gospel Music Association (MGMA). “Seamons was with the group for six years.”

Legacy Five, based in Nashville, Tenn., made its debut in 2000, and three of the original four singers are still singing. They are lead singer Scott Fowler, baritone Scott Howard, and bass Glenn Dustin.

The group was formed by Fowler and the late Roger Bennett, a pianist. Both had been with the late George Younce and the late Glenn Payne as part of the Cathedrals Quartet. When Younce and Payne retired – and retired the Cathedrals’ name – Fowler and Bennett decided to form a new group to carry on the Cathedrals’ legacy.

A footnote: Fowler and Bennett were part of the Cathedrals in their first appearance in Kalispell in 1997 – a concert widely recognized as the beginning of professional southern gospel concerts in the Flathead Valley.

Legacy Five has earned national recognition, awards, and award nominations as a favorite traditional male quartet and for its songs and albums, as well as recognition for all four singers. “Jubilee,” an album recorded by Legacy Five, the Booth Brothers (who also have appeared in Kalispell on several occasions) and Greater Vision was chosen in September as southern gospel album of the year by readers of Singing News magazine.

Fowler, Dustin and pianist Tim Parton – who succeeded Bennett in 2007 – were all finalists for awards as was Gaches, as a newcomer. Gaches first sang in a family group (Stedfast), then five years with Calvary Construction Company, four years with the Imperials, and three years with the LeFevre quartet.

Admission to the concert is free; an offering will be received.

Opening the concert will be Accounted For, including three members of the Milne family of Trout Creek, Montana – lead singer Pete Milne, harmony singer Glenda Milne and their son, Peter, bass, along with Dana Burns, baritone.

The Activity Center, site of the concert, is on the west side of Christian Center.

www.legacyfive.com www.MtGospelMusic.com

 

Karen Peck and New River delight Kalispell audience with warmth while ministering

Once she started to sing, the Kalispell audience of southern gospel music lovers at Christian Center’s Activity Center on Sunday night Oct. 17quickly remembered why they had missed Karen Peck and New River so much for so long.Karen’s soaring soprano voice – she has a HUGE range – as well as its warmth and expression also blended delightfully with her sister Susan Jackson’s alto and the tenor of Jeff Hawes, the “new guy,” to produce a sum of music that’s greater than its parts. And that’s something, when you consider that Karen was nominated for the Dove Award as female vocalist of the year.

Their lyrics, harmonies and dynamics spun a tapestry that was felt as well as heard and led to a time of ministry as the concert sponsored by the Montana Gospel Music Association moved toward its conclusion.

The singing (after a lengthy video introduction) began with “Why Can’t All God’s Children Get Along,” which was nominated for a Dove Award as song of  the year, and continued with a lengthy list of No. 1 songs the group has produced.
That list includes “Four Days Late,” with other favorites including “Hold Me While I Cry,” as well as “Ephesians Chapter One” and an exhuberant “We Shall Wear a Robe and Crown,” which had the auditorium rockin’.

After the break, Jeff Hawes, who joined the group in January, took the keyboard and played as he sang “I’d Rather Have Jesus.”
Karen invited three original members of Blest Quartet to join her trio in singing “I Want to Know How It Feels,” so Kayleen Rash Kohler, Dave Wirkus and Dean Conklin joined the group on stage.

It was a special moment for Kayleen, who has been struggling to regain her singing voice – a process that may take a year, after surgery last spring on her throat. Karen recognized that and asked Kayleen to stay, pray with her and ask her to sing “Amazing Grace” with the trio.
“I just looked over at Susan, and she knew what I meant, and she said ‘Go for it,’ so I did” Karen reflected after the concert. “It was just something I felt I should do.”

That was the beginning of prayer for people in the audience of  about 325 who had come with needs, burdens, and requests. Then people testified of  several things – being brought back from death situations, being freed of addiction to alcohol, and restoration of families. Then Karen spoke to people in need of  salvation, and more than a half-dozen folks responded.  A little more singing, and the concert concluded.

The new Blest Quartet – Jason Bridwell, Kent McLellan, Wirkus and Conklin – had opened the evening’s singing with “When He Saved Me,” the a cappella version of  “The Solid Rock,” and “Praise the Lord.”

MGMA presents, Monday, Nov 15th, Legacy Five!

‘LEGACY FIVE’
Nashville, Tennessee
A Premiere Southern Gospel Quartet

7pm Monday, November 15

Christian Center

(in the Activity Center – west entrance)

255 Summit Ridge Rd. Kalispell, MT

~ FREE ADMISSION ~

(An offering will be received)

www.MTGospelMusic.com

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Legacy Five, has been one of America’s favorite quartets since first taking the stage in January 2000. The group is led by Scott Fowler, who first visited Kalispell in November 1997 as the baritone singer for the legendary Cathedral’s Quartet.

In that first year, the group recorded their first project titled “Strong in the Strength” which garnered a Favorite Album of the Year nomination. The group’s first single release from that album titled “I Stand Redeemed” was also nominated for Song of the Year and reached number two on the radio charts. Tenor Josh Cobb won the Horizon Individual award and Roger Bennett was voted the Favorite Pianist. Legacy Five was obviously off to a very successful start.

Over the next three years, the group continued to prosper as they received numerous other award nominations and released several top ten radio singles. The group then traveled overseas to record another well-received album with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. The “London” project wasnominated for Favorite Album of the Year and it produced their first number one radio single titled “I Found Grace.”

In 2004, the group all but swept the Singing News Fan Awards that year, winning the Favorite Group, as well as Favorite Pianist, Favorite Baritone and Favorite Bass. They also launched their highly successful Celebration events, bringing together gospel music’s finest artists and some 2500 Legacy Five fans to the Gaylord Opryland Resort in Nashville, TN, for the Memorial Day weekend.

Legacy Five followed those accomplishments up with more of the same success, releasing the well-received recording “Monuments”, as well as a live video recorded at the National Quartet Convention. Newcomer Frank Seamans was voted the Horizon Individual for 2005 and the group was nominated in several categories for 2006.

Over the next two years, the group released two more specialized recordings… the theme-oriented “A Little Taste of Heaven” and “A Cappella,”both produced by Tim Parton. They also expanded the Celebration franchise to include the Labor Day weekend for 2006, both events attracting sell-out crowds.

The Christmas project titled “A Little Christmas” and the “Know So Salvation” CDs were released to rave reviews. At the 2007 National Quartet Convention (NQC), Scott Fowler was voted as Favorite Lead Singer and Glenn Dustin garnered the Favorite Bass Singer award for the second time. The “Live in Music City” project was voted Favorite Album of the Year and Roger Bennett was posthumously awarded the Favorite Pianistfor the 12th consecutive year.

At the 2008 NQC, Legacy Five was voted the Favorite Male Quartet in America!

For the 2010 Singing News Fan Awards, Legacy Five had 7 Top-Five nominations and won 2010 ‘Album of the Year’ for ‘Jubilee’ shared with Greater Vison & Booth Brothers! Their latest CD releases are ‘Jubilee 2′ and ‘Give The World A Smile’.

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You’ll want to be part of this crowd! It’s a DON’T MISS concert! We hope to see YOU at this fine MGMA sponsored premiere ‘Southern Gospel‘ event! Legacy Five packed the house at previous Kalispell concerts in 2005, 2008, & 2009. We’re anticipating another big turnout for this event. Doors open at 6:15pm. BRING A FRIEND and please arrive EARLY for the best seats!

Sincerely,
Bill McGuffie

for your MGMA Board of Directors

Karen Peck and New River return to Kalispell for Southern Gospel concert on Sunday, Oct.17

Karen Peck and New River, one of the most honored groups in SouthernGospel music, returns to the Flathead Valley after a long absence for a concert at7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 17, at Christian Center’s Activity Center, 255 Summit RidgeDrive.

“This highly regarded, award-winning trio is participating in GaitherHomecoming Concerts on the preceding three nights in the Tri Cities, Portlandand Tacoma,” said Dean Conklin, president of the sponsoring Montana GospelMusic Association. “So we were delighted to be able to have them here as theyhead home to Dahlonega, Georgia.” It has been at least six years since Peck andNew River made their first trip to the Flathead.
Karen Peck and her sister Susan have been singing together since NewRiver was formed in 1991. The two, along with their oldest sister Sandra, grewup going with their parents to all-night gospel sings in Atlanta. Karen got herprofessional start with the Nelons.
The third member of the group is Jeff Hawes, a young singer who’s anative of Flat Rock, Arkansas, and graduated from Troy University in Alabama.He was a high school English teacher before taking the full-time job withNew River, after high placings in the televised Gospel Dream talent contestin Nashville, and an Orlando, Florida, competition; winning the 2009 WilburnTalent Contest in LaGrange, Ga., and finishing in the top 10 in the 2009 National Quartet Convention talent contest. Avalon’s Jeremi Richardson chose him to singwith the Cleveland (Tenn.) Carolers in the 2008 Christmas season.
Karen, a soprano, has won numerous Southern Gospel awards, as hasSusan, an alto. As a trio they won Grammy Award nominations in both 2008 and2009 as well as Dove Award nominations, and have won Southern Gospel albumof the year awards for “Ephesians One” and “Journey of Joy.” New River has had10 No. 1 songs, including “Four Days Late” and “I Wanna Know How It Feels,”in addition to 11 other Top 10 songs, including “Let Freedom Ring” and “TenThousand Angels.”
As usual with MGMA concerts, admission to the concert is free; anoffering will be received.
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Karen Peck and New River also will be appearing at 7 p.m. Wednesday,Oct. 13, at Central Assembly in Great Falls.

Sweet time with Sweet Presence!

They came, they sang, and they completed the concert — the July 2007 concert that was wiped out by a massive rain and wind storm in the Flathead Valley. Then Sweet Presence went into its scheduled Aug. 15 concert at Family Life Christian Church in Kalispell and completed an evening’s presentation with uplifting southern gospel music.

The Schabers (Dolly, Ernie and son Corey) have a different blend since the last time they visited the Flathead, because as a trio now rather than as a quartet, Corey has moved up from singing bass into the mix of lead and harmonies. And it’s pleasant.

The heart of Sweet Presence’s most recent concert was their newest CD, titled “You’re Still God.”

In addition to the title tune, “Campmeeting Days” and  “Hallelujah Meeting” were strong, upbeat songs that drew a good response from the crowd of less than 200.

“He’s Gonna Touch Me” also got good response, and was reprised by request at the end of the concert during a time of pray for people with needs.

“In the Garden” was a more traditional piece, and “That’s No Hill for a Climber” featuring Dolly was well received, as well.

“When I Walk into Heaven and “Stand on the Word” also got strong response.

Although the turnout for the concert was less than expected, Montana Gospel Music Association recognizes that the Sunday evening concert was at the beginning of the Northwest Montana Fair that was featuring the Oak Ridge Boys and Mercy Me, and that construction may have had some impact on traffic from Meridian Drive to the Foy’s Lake Road.

Still, it was a sweet evening of southern gospel music, a refreshing oasis between concerts in July and October.

Karen Peck and New River – Oct 17th – Christian Center

Montana Gospel Music Association Presents…

An Exciting Musical Concert Event

‘KAREN PECK & New River’

Southern Gospel Music Group

Awards & Accolades

• Fan Favorite Artist of the Year – KPNR – SGN Music Awards – 2010
• Song of the Year – I Want To Thank You – SGN Music Awards – 2010
• Progressive Southern Album – No Worries – SGN Music Awards – 2010
• Country Song – I Want To Thank You – SGN Music Awards – 2010
• Favorite Trio – KPNR – SGM FanFair Fan Awards – 2009, 2008, 2007
• Album of the Year – Ephesians One – Diamond Awards – 2009
• Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album Nominee – Ephesians One – Grammy Awards – 2009
• Country/Bluegrass Song of the Year – Hey – SGN Music Awards – 2009
• Favorite Female Vocalist – Karen Peck Gooch – SGM FanFair Fan Awards – 2009
• Mixed Group of the Year – KPNR – SGN Music Awards – 2009
• Song of the Year – Whispered Prayers – Diamond Awards – 2009
• Susan Peck Jackson – Favorite Alto – SGM FanFair Fan Awards – 2008
• Favorite Song – Last Night – SGM FanFair Fan Awards – 2008
• Progressive Southern Album – Journey of Joy – SGN Music Awards – 2008
• Progressive Southern Song – Last Night – SGN Music Awards – 2008
• Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album Nominee – Journey of Joy – Grammy Awards – 2008

NUMEROUS OTHER AWARDS & NOMINATIONS 2001-2007 (See website)

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 17, 2010

7:00 PM

Christian Center

255 Summit Ridge Dr. Kalispell, MT

** FREE ADMISSION! **

(An offering will be received)

The name of multi Grammy nominated Karen Peck and New River has become synonymous with Southern Gospel Music. Karen’s flawless, delightful soprano voice has made its way into the hearts of Gospel Music lovers across the country and garnered an unprecedented 11 Favorite Soprano Fan Awards from the readers of The Singing News Magazine, Southern Gospel Music’s leading fan and trade publication. Karen, Susan and Jeff have also received many awards from other magazine publications and Internet publications. Over the past two years, New River has had five consecutive #1 songs in Southern Gospel Music.

In 1981, a dream became a reality when Karen was invited to travel with her favorite group, The Nelons. She remained with The Nelons for 10 years, gaining the respect of industry peers and fans alike with her exceptional vocal ability and caring personality.

In 1991, the realization of yet another dream came to pass when Karen and her sister, Susan, with Karen’s husband Rickey, organized the musical entourage of Karen Peck and New River. Today the New River team consists vocally of Karen, Susan, and Jeff Hawes. Additionally, Karen’s husband, Rickey, serves as the group’s road manager and sound technician. Susan’s husband, David, is the founder and owner of the Jackson Steel Guitar Company. Dawn Hughes has traveled with the group since year 2000 as Karen Peck and New River’s assistant making New River a complete family affair.

With appearances on such prestigious stages as The Grand Ole Opry, The Gaither Homecoming concerts, Opryland Theme Park, Dollywood and Six Flags Over Georgia, New River has firmly established their place at the forefront of Southern Gospel Music. Over the past decade, they have been featured on many television networks, with appearances on TBN’s Praise The Lord, the Grand Ole Opry Live and the popular Gaither Gospel video Series. The group has enjoyed many honors and accolades. They have received numerous industry and fan award nominations. Their album Journey of Joy received a Grammy nomination for 2008 and was also nominated for three Dove Awards. This album has three consecutive #1 songs including Hey, Last Night, and Whispered Prayers. They have consistently received radio airplay at stations nationwide. Hit releases have flowed their way in bunches, and they have enjoyed many Number One songs. A few of their other popular hits include: Hold Me While I Cry, Just One Touch, I Wanna Know, God Likes To Work, Daddy’s Home, When Jesus Passes By, God Still Answers Prayer, and Christian In The House. Additionally, the group’s Number One hit, Four Days Late, was also named Song of the Year by readers of The Singing News Magazine in 2001 and the SGMA Awards and continues to be a favorite among audiences.

No doubt, that same message of hope and encouragement continues to flow through the lips and lives of Karen Peck and New River with their Daywind release, Ephesians One, released in September 2008. The album, featuring #1 song I Want To Thank You, was nominated for a Grammy in 2009.

New River sets a new standard for musical perfection with rich vocal harmony that is shaded with the sophistication of Southern Gospel, country and progressive musical sounds. New River today stands not only as a talented and successful recording artist, but more importantly, effective messengers presenting the Gospel, through Jesus Christ.

Come be a part of this high energy, awesome musical event! It’s another don’t miss  Flathead Valley MGMA sponsored ‘Southern Gospel’  event! SPREAD THE WORD, INVITE YOUR FRIENDS and please arrive EARLY for the best seats! Doors open at 6:15 pm. SEE YOU THERE!

Read more about MGMA and upcoming concerts on our MGMA website: www.MTGospelMusic.com