Statement from Steve French of the Kingdom Heirs:

“After being in full time Southern Gospel music for 30 years, I feel it’s time for me to close this chapter of my life, and begin the next chapter to see what God has in store. Gospel music has taken me places I would have otherwise not been able to go, and meet the wonderful people I’ve met over the years. It’s been an incredible journey and the Lord has really blessed me. I’d always dreamed of retiring at 55, and guess what.. I turned 55 in September! If it’s one thing I’ve learned through all of this, it’s that God will give you the desires of your heart – maybe not in the way you pictured it, but He will give them to you in the way that He sees fit. Thank you all for your support, and please continue to support the guys now more than ever. The Father is doing a great work in them, and I have a feeling it’s about to get even better! As for me, I plan to travel, and maybe look into building a new home somewhere out west. You never know what the next 55 will hold! Ah, the joys of retirement!”

Crossroads, Kingdom Heirs, and Old Paths Celebrate #1 Hits

September 11th, The Kingdom Heirs, The Old Paths, and representatives of Sonlite Records, a division of Crossroads Entertainment & Marketing, gathered at the Cardinal Restaurant in Louisville, Kentucky to celebrate two recent #1 hits. The Old Paths’ radio single “God’s Great,” written by Rodney Birch, was #1 on the June 2013 Singing News Top 80 chart. The Kingdom Heirs’ #1, “Just Beyond the Sunset,” written by Dianne Wilkinson, is #1 on the current October 2013 Singing News Top 80 chart.”What a run it’s been,” said Kingdom Heirs baritone and manager Steve French. “It took us several years to ever reach that #1 position but now we’ve had eight to make it to the top. That’s what happens when you have great songs, a great production, and the best radio department in the business!”Old Paths baritone and manager Douglas Roark added, “We never imagined coming out of the gate with #1 songs. But to have two in a row, back to back, is just unbelievable. We owe so much to our record company, Crossroads Entertainment and especially to Jim Stover for doing such a great job representing our songs in the world of radio. We couldn’t be more excited!”
Chris White, President of Sonlite Records, commented: “It’s not often that you get to work with what may be two of the best quartets to ever have sung a note in our business. That’s what we’ve got with the Kingdom Heirs and The Old Paths. As well, they are both very serious about how they present the music with their abundance of talent and with the message these songs contain. We’re thrilled with our association with each of these artists.”
The Old Paths’ follow-up single, “He’s My Song,” has been heating up the charts; it has already reached the #6 position on the November 2013 chart. Meanwhile, the Kingdom Heirs’ new single, “The Borrowed Tomb,” is off to a strong start, as the #1 most added song for Singing News’ November 2013 Top New Releases chart.
Photo:
From left to right: Dennis Murphy (Kingdom Heirs), Tim Rackley (The Old Paths), Jerry Martin (Kingdom Heirs), Andy Stringfield (Kingdom Heirs), Jeremy Peace (The Old Paths), Kreis French (Kingdom Heirs), Douglas Roark (The Old Paths), Steve French (Kingdom Heirs), Chris White (Crossroads), Daniel Ashmore (The Old Paths), Jeff Chapman (Kingdom Heirs)

Kingdom Heirs Celebrate #1 Hit "Just Preach Jesus"

Sonlite Records President Chris White recently presented The Kingdom Heirs with plaques commemorating their recent #1 hit song, "Just Preach Jesus." The song reached #1 on the April 2013 Singing News Radio Airplay Chart.

"A little over 25 years ago, the Kingdom Heirs' first single, 'Test Of Time,' went to #2, just missing #1," White said. "Many years later, we still hadn't reached the top of the charts, beginning to wonder if we ever would. Now, the group has had a very impressive run to the top and 'Just Preach Jesus' may be the best so far. Its message makes it both timely and timeless."

Kingdom Heirs manager Steve French agreed, adding: "'Just Preach Jesus' is a song of encouragement for our preachers and pastors. The key to our sermons and what we tell the world about is the same for today as it was for 2000 years, and that's to tell a lost world about Jesus."

The Kingdom Heirs' current single, "Just Beyond the Sunset," is quickly following "Just Preach Jesus" to the top of the charts. The month it released to radio, it was the song selected by the most radio DJs as a pick hit; in only its second month on the chart, it has already climbed to #20.



CAPTION: From left to right: Steve French, Arthur Rice, Jeff Chapman, Kreis French, Chris White, Dennis Murphy, Andy Stringfield, Jerry Martin.



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About Crossroads:


Crossroads is a market leader in the Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, and Performance Track fields. Established in 1993, following the combination of Horizon Music Group and Sonlite Records, Crossroads now operates several divisions including Crossroads Label Group (Horizon Records, Sonlite Records, Mountain Home Music, Skyland Records, Pisgah Ridge Records, Crossroads Records, and Organic Records), Crossroads Distribution, Crossroads Radio Promotions, Crossroads Publishing Group and Crossroads Recording Studios. Led by a strong executive team of Christian and Bluegrass music veterans, Crossroads combines cutting-edge technology with creative innovation to connect fans with our artists’ life-changing music.

11th Hour and Crossroads Sign Long-term Agreement

Arden, NC - September 4, 2012 - One of the industry’s most talked-about new artists, 11th Hour, has just entered a long term recording agreement with Crossroads Entertainment & Marketing. The group is off to a strong start, already receiving multiple top 40 hits in the Singing News radio airplay charts and a recent top 10 nomination for Horizon Artist Of The Year in the 2012 Singing News Fan Awards.

“What a blessing," says group member Amber Eppinette. "Crossroads is such a reputable company, representing the finest Christian music artists. Being considered a part of their family is such an honor. 11th Hour’s prayer is to always be found doing the will of God and we are very thankful He has led us to Chris White and Crossroads. We look forward to a long and successful relationship for many years to come!"

Crossroads executive Chris White states, "I got a call from Steve French with the Kingdom Heirs late on a Sunday night. He said, 'We just worked with a group you need to sign. They are incredible!' Since we don’t sign very many new artists these days, I hesitated, but then I thought that they must be special for him to call me. Truth is, they are, and I’m glad I took Steve’s advice."

The new record, titled Steppin’ Out, is scheduled for an October 16th street date. Look for the project at your local retailers or visit online at www.crossroadsmusic.com.