(Nashville, TN – October 22, 2012) – One of Gospel music’s most awarded and acclaimed family groups The Hoppers are excited to release their all-new studio recording, Count Me In, today October 23. Family members Kim, Dean, Connie, Claude and Michael Hopper joined hands with industry veteran producer Michael Sykes, along with co-production from Kim and Mike, to bring this collection of songs to life.
“Michael Sykes took us under his wing and revived a bit of old-school soul in all of us,” described Connie. “You can hear the emotion and conviction in our wavering voices throughout this album, and we intentionally didn't edit any of that emotion out. We set a path for ourselves, musically, to simply do something different...something that hopefully makes you feel God's Spirit.”
“We discovered we didn't have to go about this in the standard ‘ABC recording fashion,’” explained Kim. “Instead, we dove head first into recording vocals with only a click track, later adding the instrumentation and definitive melody around our voices. This is contrary to what we normally do, and it gave such a freedom in tracking! We were able to do so much more with the emotion of each song.”
That passion is evident on Count Me In, complete with lush orchestration and unmistakable, seamless harmonies. The release features stirring power ballads, for which the group has long been known, with new offerings such as “He Didn’t Just Carry the Cross He Carried Me” and “I Am Whatever You Need.” For Hoppers’ fans whose favorite tunes are the group’s contagious upbeat melodies, the new release includes “Mighty Is the Word,” “I’ll Take You Home” and the title cut and first radio single “Count Me In,” currently climbing the airplay charts.
From catchy choruses to reflective strains, the recording captures some special moments for the avid Gospel music fan with a cover of the Bill and Gloria Gaither classics “I Just Feel Like Something Good Is About to Happen” and “I Will Serve Thee,” an easygoing version of “If I Can Help Somebody” and a re-make of the thought-provoking ballad “I Wish We’d All Been Ready,” which finds Connie delivering a heartfelt, earnest vocal alongside the family’s signature blends and emotional interpretations.
“We've found that what you sing doesn't just have to line up with what you believe, it has to be your burden- your heart- as you sing it,” stated Dean. “The Hoppers have definitely evolved musically over the past 55 years, but so has circumstance. Count Me In is our representation of where we are now with a nod to where we've been and, most importantly, where we are going. This album is such a monumental thing for us.”
The Hoppers are recent inductees into the Gospel Music Association’s (GMA’s) Hall of Fame, and they have just returned from The Singing News Fan Awards where Kim was awarded Favorite Soprano and Favorite Female Singer only a couple of weeks after being named Favorite Soprano at the first annual National Quartet Convention (NQC) Awards, held in Louisville, Ky.
The group enjoyed recent success with the release The Gaither Gospel Series: The Best of The Hoppers (Gaither Music Group). The DVD soared to #2 on Billboard’s video chart while the CD entered the Billboard Heatseeker chart at #4. Additionally, the CD entered the Nielsen SoundScan southern gospel chart at #1 and the Contemporary Christian chart at #10.
The Hoppers maintain a heavy touring schedule, performing on the Gaither Homecoming video series, at the National Quartet Convention, at the Great Western Gospel Music Fan Festival, at the Cove and at Singing in the Sun in addition to around 150 solo dates annually.
Count Me In, distributed exclusively through EMI CMG Distribution, is available at online outlets, including iTunes. It is also be available in retail stores where Christian music is sold. For further information regarding The Hoppers, please visit www.thehoppers.com.
Please visit www.Facebook.com/TheHoppersOfficial to view special behind-the-scenes videos from The Hoppers’ time in the studio, or visit them on Twitter: @CDeanHopper, and @HoppersMusic.
Track Listing:
Mighty Is the Word
That’s What I Love About Him
I’ll Take You Home
He Didn’t Just Carry the Cross He Carried Me
I Just Feel Like Something Good Is About to Happen
If I Can Help Somebody
Count Me In
I’ll Worship Only at the Feet of Jesus
I Am Whatever You Need
I Will Serve Thee
I Wish We’d All Been Ready
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