CLAUDE HOPPER REACTS TO SGMA HALL OF FAME INDUCTION ANNOUNCEMENT

To say that I am surprised to be announced as an inductee to the 2014 SGMA HALL OF FAME class would be an understatement. There are many individuals more deserving, but I am very grateful. I've lived my life trying to help people and show them Jesus. Thank you SGMA. I am honored and humbled.

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Hall of Fame Vocalist to be honored with Governor's Award

Hall of Fame Vocalist to be honored with Governor's Award Larnelle Harris will be the first Christian artist to receive the honor since the awards began 29 years ago For Immediate Release -- Hall of Fame vocalist and five-time Grammy winner, Larnelle Harris, will receive the 2014 Kentucky Governor’s Artist Award in a public ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda in Frankfort, Kentucky this October. The prestigious award is given to Kentuckians who have made significant contributions to the arts in the Commonwealth, across the country, and around the globe. Harris will be the first Christian vocalist to receive the Artist Award since its inception 29 years ago. “It is always an honor to be recognized by your home state,” said Harris, who was born in Danville, Kentucky and resides in Louisville.  “I am humbled by this award and sincerely appreciate the Kentucky Arts Council for their recognition.” The Governor's Awards in the Arts are presented in nine categories during National Arts and Humanities Month. At the October ceremony, Harris’ hometown of Danville will also be honored with the Government Award for playing an integral role in the success of creating an arts-and-culture-focused atmosphere that benefits its residents and attracts tourists from across the nation. "It is my great honor to recognize these individuals, both native sons and daughters of Kentucky and others who have chosen to make their homes in Kentucky and enrich our state's unique culture," said Governor Steve Beshear. Harris is the only person in history to be a member of three distinct hall of fame organizations: the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and the Amateur Radio Hall of Fame. In addition to his five Grammy and eleven Dove Awards, including being named Male Vocalist of the Year three times by the gospel music industry, Harris has garnered nineteen #1 national radio singles and countless top 10 hits. Songs such as "How Excellent Is Thy Name,""I Miss My Time With You," "I've Just Seen Jesus," plus many others, including his signature song, "Amen," are now considered modern gospel classics. From the White House to the 38th Parallel, Harris has impacted audiences across the globe with his music.   He was the first gospel artist to perform inside the Kremlin after the fall of the Soviet Union.  He is one of a handful of celebrities to receive the Ad Council's Silver Bell Award for Distinguished Public Service in recognition of his song "Mighty Spirit" as the theme song for the longest-running Public Service Announcement in television history. Harris continues to tour worldwide, with upcoming tour dates at Carnegie Hall and in Paris, France scheduled for this fall. In addition to his numerous solo dates, Harris also travels with various multi-artist tours including this fall’s Compassion International Savior Tour, the Gaither Homecoming tour, the God of All Glory tour, and the Sandi Patty & Friends tour, the latter of which CCM Magazine recently reviewed and described Harris as having a “larger-than-life stage presence with impeccable vocal prowess.”   The Kentucky Arts Council, the state arts agency, creates opportunities for Kentuckians to value, participate in and benefit from the arts. Kentucky Arts Council funding is provided by the Kentucky General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information, visit http://artscouncil.ky.gov/. For more information on Harris, visit www.Larnelle.com.

New CD & DVD projects from Hall of Famer Larnelle Harris

New Video and Audio Projects from Hall of Fame Singer Releasing in March

Nashville, TN - New DVD and CD projects from Hall of Fame vocalist and five-time Grammy winner, Larnelle Harris, will be released via Seaboard Records/Captial Christian distributors (formerly EMI CMG) on March 26. The projects entitled Larnelle Live in Nashville feature a live concert performance from Harris along with guests Sandi Patty, Steve Green and Steve Amerson. In addition to singing several of his hit songs, Harris also performs new tunes on the audio and video projects, including a brand-new duet from Harris and Patty. The duo’s previous two duets, “More than Wonderful” and “I’ve Just Seen Jesus,” both won Grammy Awards. Among other highlights, Harris is joined by Green and Amerson in a special “Three Tenors” performance segment which the trio debuted last year at Carnegie Hall.

Harris is the only person in history to be a member of three distinct hall of fame organizations: the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame and the Amateur Radio Hall of Fame. In addition to his five Grammy and eleven Dove Awards, including being named Male Vocalist of the Year three times by the Gospel Music industry, Harris has garnered nineteen #1 national radio singles and countless top 10 hits. Songs such as "How Excellent Is Thy Name," "I Miss My Time With You," "I've Just Seen Jesus," plus many others, including his signature song, "Amen," are now considered modern gospel classics. From the White House to the 38th Parallel, Harris has impacted audiences across the globe with his music. He was the first gospel artist to perform inside the Kremlin after the fall of the Soviet Union. He is one of a handful of celebrities to receive the Ad Council's Silver Bell Award for Distinguished Public Service in recognition of his song "Mighty Spirit" as the theme song for the longest-running Public Service Announcement in television history.

In addition to his numerous solo concert dates, Harris is also featured on various tours this year including the God of All Glory Tour, The Ralph Carmichael Legacy Tour, Gaither Homecoming tour and the Sandi Patty & Friends tour, the latter of which CCM Magazine reviewed and described Harris as having a “larger-than-life stage presence with impeccable vocal prowess.” Harris and Patty will join award-winning pianist Dino for several concert dates this year as well.

The CD will retail for $9.99 and the cost of the DVD will be $14.99. Retailers can place orders by calling 1-800-877-4443 or emailing distribution@emicmg.com. For more information on Harris, visit www.Larnelle.com.

Merry Christmas from The Hoppers

From the Hoppers email newsletter of December 20, 2012:

GMA - Hall of Fame

What: The Hoppers Induction into GMA Hall of Fame

When: Sunday December 23 - 7:00PM est.

Where to watch: The Hoppers.com // Hoppers official you tube channel

"Fifty-five year veterans of Gospel music, The Hoppers, were recently inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall Of Fame.

Their inspiring evolution as a group and pressing impact on the genre speak for themselves, but the powerhouse performances and heart-gripping testimonies are what have aided in their recognition.

Please join us in congratulating and supporting The Hoppers as they continue spreading the love of Christ in the same manner as they have for more than half a century...

Our special guests will be Jason Crabb, The Talleys and Gene McDonald.
Join us for this very special event Sunday December 23 at 7:00PM

During a three hour dental appointment a few days ago, (replacement of a 30 year old bridge) conversation with the dental assistant led to she and her husband living in Europe when he was in the military.
She actually got a job in Italy where her husband was stationed and they traveled through Europe by train when they had free time. I told her that Rome is on my bucket list. She mentioned Austria and I immediately had a distinct remembrance of when Claude and I were there.
As we entered a small Austrian town our guide told us about the birth of perhaps the best known and most widely sung Christmas carol, "Silent Night". Joseph Mohr, the assistant priest of St. Nicholas parish church in Oberndorf, Austria, wrote this song when the organ malfunctioned on Christmas Eve in 1818. Had he not penned these famous lines and persuaded organist Franz Gruber to set them to music for the guitar and voice, the service that evening would truly have been silent.

Though the little town of Bethlehem may have been relatively quiet when Jesus was born, it was probably not silent.
Crowds of weary travelers were constantly arriving to be counted in the census. They walked the streets searching for places to stay, grumbling as they were turned away from the inns. Tired children whined, women with aching feet complained. And even in the stable where Mary and Joseph took refuge, the donkeys and cows would have continued to produce a variety of grunts and snorts.

Mohr's song speaks not of a natural silence. It captures a moment of peace, a holy hush that surely settled over Bethlehem as all of heaven viewed with wonder the birth of the God/ Man. Jesus. The Potter had entered into the clay that he himself had made, and He now rested in the arms of His own creation.
Phil, 4:8 tells us that "whatsoever things are TRUE, HONEST, JUST, PURE, LOVELY AND OF GOOD REPORT; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things". Even in the dreaded dentist chair we can think on the good things. If you have not invited Jesus into your heart, why not ask Him in today.
That's why He came.

Christmas blessings,

The Hoppers..
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Click here for more HopperHappenings
Blessings..
The Hoppers

Visit The Hoppers Official You Tube Channel

The Hoppers | 2811 US Hwy 220 | Madison | NC | 27025

The Hoppers Induction Into GMA Hall of Fame Online Event Sunday December 23 - 7:00PM est

Fifty-five year veterans of Gospel music, The Hoppers, were recently inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall Of Fame.

Their inspiring evolution as a group and pressing impact on the genre speak for themselves, but the powerhouse performances and heart-gripping testimonies are what have aided in their recognition.

Please join us in congratulating and supporting The Hoppers as they continue spreading the love of Christ in the same manner as they have for more than half a century...

Our special guests will be Jason Crabb, The Talleys and Gene McDonald.

Join us for this very special event Sunday December 23 at 7:00PM

Where to watch:
The Hoppers.com // Hoppers official you tube channel


Click here for more HopperHappenings: http://www.thehoppers.com/happenings.html
Blessings..
The Hoppers

Visit The Hoppers Official You Tube Channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/HoppersOfficialUtube?feature=mhum