HOPPERS / HONOR THE FIRST FAMILIES OF GOSPEL MUSIC CD

Classic hits from the award-winning Hoppers, paying tribute to the Chuck Wagon Gang, Gaithers, Happy Goodman Family, Rambos and Speer Family.

Song Titles:

Be An Overcomer

Lord Lead Me On

God Walks The Dark Hills

I’m Longing For Jesus To Come Back

One More River

He Is Mine and I Am His

I Wouldn’t Take Nothing For My Journey Now

I’d Rather Have Jesus

He Looked Beyond My Fault

Some Glad Day

Gentle Shepherd

Release Date: April 6, 2018.

HOPPERS - Honor The First Families Of Gospel Music

Gospel Music Hall of Fame members and award-winning family group The Hoppers have just recorded an all-new CD and DVD in commemoration of some of Gospel music’s legendary pioneers who paved the way before them. Produced by Gospel music icon Bill Gaither, along with award-winning, veteran producer Michael Sykes, “The Hoppers: Honor The First Families Of Gospel Music” pays tribute to classic hits originally recorded by The Chuck Wagon Gang, Gaithers, Goodman Family, Rambos and the Speer Family.

Group matriarch Connie Hopper remembered these classic groups’ impacts on The Hoppers. “The Chuck Wagon Gang was the first Gospel music I heard on the radio growing up. Later, after we began traveling and singing, I had the opportunity to meet Rose, Anna and Roy Carter. It is our privilege to honor The Chuck Wagon Gang on one of their great classics ‘Lord, Lead Me On.’”

Other classic tunes chosen for the release include “God Walks The Dark Hills,” “Gentle Shepherd,” “I’d Rather Have Jesus,” “I Wouldn’t Take Nothing For My Journey,” the first radio single “Be An Overcomer,” “He Looked Beyond My Fault” and more.

“Bill [Gaither], along with all The Hoppers, agreed we should musically stay true to the songs as they were first recorded by the original artists,” stated soprano Kim Hopper. “Vocally we are very different from these artists, so naturally we gave these songs a different sound.”

That acclaimed Hoppers’ sound was inspired by many of these pioneering Gospel music families. Group leader and bass singer Claude Hopper shared a special moment inspired by the Speer Family. “In 1956 I attended my first concert in Winston Salem, North Carolina. The Speer Family was among the featured artists that night. Dad Speer was singing the song ‘I’m Bound For That City.’ He walked the stage rubbing his hand through his white hair and singing with such passion and conviction I thought he was going to that city that night, and I wanted to go with him. That concert inspired me to sing this music. Sixty-one years later I’m still doing it.”

A family group who has been blazing musical trails for over 60 years, The Hoppers are a mainstay in Gospel music. For decades their recording and performing have been inspiring new generations of up-and-coming artists, just as they were inspired by the artists they honor on this new CD and DVD. Join the Hoppers as they “Honor The First Families Of Gospel Music.”

(Adapted from Provided Material)