Friends Remember Lari Goss

Pictured: Lari Goss and Gerald Wolfe

Lari Goss, native of Cartersville, Georgia, passed away on January 10, 2015 at the age of 69. Most recently residing in Brentwood, Tennessee, Goss is survived by his wife Carolyn, sons Benjamin (B.J.) (Julie) Goss, Nicholas (RaeAnna) Goss, Jonathan Goss and Cameron Goss; brother, Roni (Linda) Goss; grandchildren, Samantha, Joseph, Alexandria, Christian and Eva Mae Goss.

Funeral services for Goss were held on Thursday, January 15 at Brentwood Baptist Church. Many of his friends from the music industry and across the country were there to give tribute, along with officiating Pastors Jim Cymbala and Stan Mitchell.

Goss was well known as arranger, producer, writer, orchestrator, keyboardist and musical genius in all areas of the Christian and secular music world. He began his career in the Goss Brothers and continued in music for over 60 years. Multi-award winner, including a Grammy award, several Doves and an induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, this gentleman’s resume includes the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, Christ Church Choir, many symphonies, orchestras, and artists world-wide. Goss was also an ordained minister.

Lari Goss will be mourned by many throughout the music industry and by all whose lives have been touched by the music that Lari Goss molded into artistry. Many of Lari’s friends have already expressed their condolences and memories on social media, but some have shared them with SGN Scoops:

Rodney Griffin:
How do I sum up in one paragraph the influence Lari had on our music? It’s impossible. Looking back at all the “hits” he arranged over the years..70’s, 80’s, 90’s ’til today, it’s hard to see where his influence starts…and ends. I look at it this way…if you remember a song that you fell in love with, he probably produced it. Way beyond his years, even as a young teenager, he was writing orchestrations. He was not just filling in the parts, but mapping out those lush chords of transition that revealed the “heart” of the song. If you met him, you’d understand. His soft spoken demeanor, and friendliness to all reflected his heart. My greatest memory will be watching him create a “mood” with one of my songs on the piano…knowing he was hearing the full orchestration in his mind. His eyes would leak as he’d say, “I think this is going to be good.” What an understatement! We’re blessed every night as we sing along with tracks he created. Genius. Just enough power in the track, and just enough melodic calmness…kinda like God…always including His power, yet always reminding us of His quiet assurance. Lari listened to God…obviously. Let’s pray for the Lord to fill the huge void left with Lari’s home going with another creator who will closely listen to God every time he sits down at the piano…and live for Him every time he stands up.
Pictured: Rodney Griffin and Lari Goss

Kelly Nelon Clark:
Words can’t express the hurt and sadness over the loss of our friend Lari Goss. I have spent a lifetime with him, from The LeFevres till now and love him like family. The very first time I went into the studio at LeFevre Sound I was terrified but Lari and the Goss brothers made me feel so at home. It was always my dream to have him work with us so Amber could work with him and be a part of that genius mind of his. He did that on The A Capella Sessions. He is irreplaceable! I always said if you can’t sing with Lari you can’t sing! Heaven is singing loudly now!
Pictured:Judy Nelon, Ed O'Neal, Lari Goss, Norman Holland, Kelly Nelon Clark

Brian Free and Assurance Cover Feature on SGN Scoops August Edition

Here it is, the middle of Summer and we have so much to share with you, we can’t hardly stand it! So take a deep breath and your glass of sweet tea and enjoy the August edition of SGN Scoops!

This month we have to share with you the cover story of Brian Free and Assurance and how this group with very different backgrounds have come together to produce such wonderful music. If you like their new release, “Say Amen!” as much as I do, you are really going to enjoy this feature.

Artist features include the Chuck Wagon Gang by Marcie Gray, Marty Raybon by Dan Duncan, the Drummond Family by Tina Wakefield, the Hoskins Family by Sandi Duncan Clark and Kelly Nelon Clark talks about acting in the Dancer with Lorraine Walker. Erin Stevens talks to Levi Bowman and Angela Griffin reviews concerts with Guy Penrod, the Nelons and the Collingsworth Family. While we are on the subject of families, Melissa Wright writes about the popular Bowling Family!

Also inside the covers are thoughtful articles by Jeff Steele, Kelly Nelon Clark, Sherry Anne and Jennifer Campbell. Laurette Willis brings another edition of her fitness column and David Staton asks us again if we can handle the truth.

Vonda Easley introduces us to DJ Alan Butler, Rob Patz quizzes Sharron Kay King, Lynn Mills covers another amazing concert event and Hannah Webb talks about being a part of the American Bible Challenge. Hannah Webb, Dan Duncan and Melissa Wright are our newest writers and I know you will enjoy their contributions.

NELONS PARTNER WITH MANNA

Atlanta, GA – Popular multi-award winning vocal group, The Nelons, have teamed with MANNA Worldwide to help rescue 60 orphans in Guatemala. The Central American nation has countless orphans throughout the country, but the future for 60 children will be dramatically impacted thanks to a brand new orphanage, sponsored by Jason Clark and his wife, Kelly Nelon Clark. Opening during the summer of 2014, The Nelons and MANNA Worldwide are partnering to raise the remaining funds needed to launch this rescue operation.
In the fall of 2013, Jason and Kelly, along with daughters, Amber and Autumn, led a survey trip to Guatemala. “During this time,” Jason recalls, “God began to prepare our hearts and inspire us to dream the impossible. We’ve been involved in various Global Mission Ministries throughout the years; however, providing for 60 children’s lives seemed truly impossible to me. The great thing is that God has already begun performing miracles! We have a building, a wonderful partnership with MANNA Worldwide, overseers, volunteers and a missionary family to help run this huge operation. We are beyond thrilled at the privilege of rescuing children and having the opportunity to care for them. We are helping develop these precious young lives for the glory of Christ. What a true honor this is for us.”
MANNA Worldwide has been caring for and feeding children over the last 14 years. The organization operates in 40 countries with 118 nutrition centers, medical clinics, and schools. They also currently operate 17 orphanages that care for children around the world. MANNA Worldwide has a consistent, proven track record for ministry and is committed to providing for the well being of more than 13,000 children every day. Bruce O’Neal, the founder and President of MANNA Worldwide remarks, “Partnering with The Nelons is a wonderful example of the body of Christ coming together to care for the less fortunate in the world. I could not be more pleased that MANNA and The Nelons will be working together in Guatemala.”
“During our trip to Guatemala,” Kelly shares, “we fell in love with the people of this country, especially the children. It moved me to tears to watch my girls play and share with these precious kids who just need to know they are loved. I told Jason at that very moment, that we just had to do more.”
The Guatemalan orphanage being built will be ready to house children on the first floor starting this summer. This partnership between The Nelons and MANNA Worldwide will be long-term, in an effort to sustain the orphanage. “With their years of experience and integrity in the field, MANNA is the perfect organization to partner with us in launching The Nelon Kid’s project at Hogar de Ninos de Mana (MANNA’s Children Home),” Jason states. “We will be sharing information about our work in Guatemala with our friends all across the country. We’d like all our friends to have the opportunity to be a part of this heart-moving work. We’ll be taking another trip to visit the Orphanage once we get up and running later in the year, and we would love to take a lot of our friends with us. We’ll be sharing more information about that trip in the weeks to come. Together, we can help so many kids that simply cannot help themselves.”
More information regarding this particular project, as well as MANNA Worldwide is available at www.mannaworldwide.com/Nelons or at www.theNelons.com.

Hosts and Performers Announced for 2014 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards

Awards Program Set for Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Nashville, TN (February 12, 2014) The administrators and staff of AbsolutelyGospel.com are proud to announce this year’s hosts and first list of performers for the 2014 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Celebration.

The hosts for this year’s Awards Celebration are two of the industry’s most respected and beloved women. Hosting the awards together this year are Karen Peck Gooch and Kelly Nelon Clark.

Karen Peck Gooch is no stranger to the Absolutely Gospel Music Awards program having performed on the live show many times and serving as co-host of the 2012 AGM Awards program. She, along with her group Karen Peck & New River, has won an impressive 22 Ovations over the years, including last year’s Album of the Year title for her solo recording How You Walk the Miles. This year, the group is nominated for an impressive nine awards, including Song of the Year (for “Revival)” and Album of the Year (for Revival).

Kelly Nelon Clark is one third of the Grammy nominated and Dove award winning trio The Nelons. Just last year, The Nelons were awarded the 2013 People’s Choice Silver Telly Award for their short-form video of “Excuse Me, Are You Jesus?” – a song that is nominated for Song of the Year in this year’s Absolutely Gospel Music Awards. The Nelons are also nominated for three additional awards this year, including Mixed Group of the Year and Fan Favorite Artist of the Year.

“We are so excited about utilizing these two talented ladies for our awards program this year,” mentioned Chris Unthank, editor-in-chief of AbsoluletyGospel.com. “These ladies are naturals on the stage and real fan favorites. We know they will do an amazing job as our hosts.”

In addition, the first list of performers is now available. Performing on this year’s Awards Celebration are The Isaacs, Tribute Quartet, Sisters, the Bowling Family, Beyond the Ashes, The Browders, The Freemans, Adam Crabb, the Sneed Family, Jeff & Sheri Easter, and the aforementioned Karen Peck & New River and The Nelons.

In addition, the program is returning the multi-artist tribute to a legend in the Gospel music community this year. The tribute will be hosted by Jeff & Sheri Easter and feature a bevy of special guests.

Voting is now open in the 2014 AGM Awards in 12 of the 24 fan voted categories. Fans can vote from now until February 22, 2014 for their favorite songs, albums, and artists. For more information, visit www.absolutelygospel.com.

More information on the 2014 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Celebration will be forthcoming, including additional performers and sponsors. The date for this year’s Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Celebration is Tuesday, April 15, 2014. The event will again take place at the River of Life Church in Smyrna, Tennessee and is free to the public.

December Issue Of SGN Scoops Available Now

Our gift to you.... December's Issue of SGNScoops Magazine!
Our Christmas edition is stuffed with Christmas goodies! Enjoy the cover story on the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir and also enjoy reading about the ministries of the Old Paths Quartet, Hope's Journey and Gold City Quartet. Christmas is about giving, so don't miss special guest writer, Kelly Nelon's story about the Nelons latest mission trip. Also don't miss the story about Steve Ladd's sharing!

This issue includes Christmas Music Reviews as well as Christmas Inspirational articles on Unopened Gifts and Christmas Traditions. Check out concert stories in the Isaacs and the Lesters and don't miss Ben Wolfe's younger perspective on things. Get caught up with Christian Country News, enjoy Life, Love and Legends with Lou Hildreth and read about plans for 2014 Creekside Gospel Music Convention and Diamond Awards.

To make this Christmas Season special for our readers, we have surveyed many of your Southern Gospel Favorites and collected their favorite lines of Christmas carols and songs. December's issue is most definitely a joyful one! Please read and share with your friends, families and fans and also let our staff know how much they are appreciated! Merry Christmas from the SGNScoops Family!

Find The Magazine Here!