The Nelons Explained
The Nelons |
Landscape: | yes |
Alias: | The Rex Nelon Singers (until 1985) |
Origin: | Georgia |
Genre: | Southern gospel |
Past Members: | Rex Nelon Kelly Nelon Clark Jason Clark Amber Nelon Kistler Karen Peck Gooch Jerry Thompson Charlotte Ritchie Janet Paschal Todd Nelon Jeff Stice Stan Whitmire Amy Roth Katy Peach Paul Lancaster Kelly Benton |
The Nelons, formerly the Rex Nelon Singers, were an American southern gospel group based in Atlanta, Georgia. Group members included Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband Jason Clark, and Kelly's daughters Amber Nelon Kistler and Autumn Nelon Streetman. The Nelons were inducted into the Gospel Music Association (GMA) Hall of Fame in 2016.[1]
Three members of the quartet were killed in an airplane crash in July 2024. The surviving member, Autumn Nelon Streetman, was not on board the aircraft.[2] Kelly Nelon Clark, Jason Clark, and Amber Nelon Kistler all died in the crash in a remote part of Campbell County, Wyoming, just north of Gillette.
Group history
The Nelons were started by founding member Rex Nelon as The Rex Nelon Singers in 1977.[3] The group was a spin-off of the family group The Lefevres. They became known as The Rex Nelon Singers in 1976 because the Lefevre family members had left the group. The group's first number-one song was "Come Morning" on the Singing News Chart,[4] and was awarded the Southern Gospel Song of the Decade for the 1980s. Another widely recognizable song by the group is "We Shall Wear a Robe and Crown."
Over time the group included Karen Peck, Janet Paschal, Jerry Thompson, Charlotte Ritchie, Kelly Nelon Clark, Todd Nelon, Jeff Stice, Martin Gureasko, Rodney Swain, Stan Whitmire, Ray Fisher, Vernon Lee.
The Nelons have been nominated for many awards in the southern gospel music industry including Grammys, Dove Awards,[5] Singing News Awards,[6] Absolutely Gospel Awards,[7] [8] Diamond Awards, and Christian Voice Awards.[9]
In 2014, the Nelons were a trio made up of Kelly Nelon Clark,[10] Jason Clark, and Amber Nelon Thompson.[11] In 2014, Amber was chosen as Female Vocalist of the Year at the Absolutely Gospel Music Awards.[12] Kelly Nelon Clark, Jason Clark, and Amber Nelon Kistler died in a plane crash on July 26, 2024.[13]
Personnel
- Rex Nelon – bass (1977–1999)[14]
- Kelly Nelon Clark – alto (1977–1991; 1993–2024)[14]
- Rodney Swain – lead (1977–1984)[14]
- Janet Paschal – soprano (1977–1981)[14]
- Jerry Thompson – tenor/lead (1977–1992, 1993–1998)
- Karen Peck – soprano (1981–1990)
- Martin Gureasko – pianist (1990–1992)
- Stan Whitmire – pianist (1986, 1993–1996)
- Charlotte Ritchie – soprano (1991–1993, 1994–1996)
- Kelly Benton – soprano (1992–1994)
- Amy Roth – soprano (1996–1999)
- Melody Williams – soprano (1999–2001)[14]
- Katy Peach (then Katy VanHorn) – soprano (2001–2002)
- Amber Nelon Kistler – soprano (2002–2024)[14]
- Paul White – lead (1992–1993)
- Tammy Britton – alto (1991–1993)[14]
- David Hill – lead (1998–1999)
- Paul Lancaster – tenor (1999–2001)
- Jason Clark – lead (1997–2024)
- Todd Nelon – baritone (1981–1994)
- Dan Clark – bass (1999–2002)
- Kevin Davis – piano (2000–2012)
- Autumn Nelon Streetman – alto/2nd soprano (2014–present)
- Ray Fisher – piano (1980–1986)
- Danny Crawford – piano (portions of 1986 and 1987)
Discography
Albums:
as Rex Nelon Singers
- 1977: The Sun's Coming Up
- 1978: Live
- 1978: I've Never Been This Homesick Before
- 1979: Feelings
- 1980: Expressions of Love
- 1981: Sing The Gospel
- 1981: One More Song
- 1981: One Step Closer
- 1982: Feeling At Home
- 1983: We Shall Behold The King
- 1984: Precious Old Story of Love
- 1984: I've Got My Foot On The Rock
As The Nelons
- 1985: In One Accord
- 1986: Journeys
- 1987: Thanks
- 1988: Get Ready
- 1989: Let The Redeemed Say So
- 1990: The Best of Times
- 1991: One Less Stone
- 1991: A New Generation
- 1992: Right On Time
- 1993: Kelly Nelon Thompson & The Nelons
- 1994: A Promised Reunion
- 1994: He's My Comfort
- 1994: Triumphant
- 1995: Hallelujah Live
- 1996: We're Glad You're Here
- 1997: We've Got To Praise Him[15]
- 1997: Thanks Live
- 1997: All Rise Live
- 1998: Peace Within The Walls
- 1999: A Journey
- 2000: Following After
- 2001: Season of Song 1 Nelon Classics
- 2002: United for Christ
- 2003: Season of Song 2
- 2004: The Light of Home
- 2008: You Are God
- 2010: Beside Still Waters[16]
- 2012: Come On Home
- 2012: Evening in December
- 2014: Hymns: The A Capella Sessions[17]
- 2016: Stronger Together EP[18]
- 2016: Family Harmony[19]
- 2016: A Nelon Family Christmas
- 2017: The Americana Sessions
- 2018: A Winter Carol
- 2020: Peace At Last
- 2022: We Need A Little Christmas
- 2023: Beautiful
- 2024: Loving You
Compilations
- 1984: Best & Whole Lot More
- 1997: Timeless Collection
- 1998: The Collection
- 1998: Out Front – Best of Rex Nelon
Kelly Nelon solo
- 1983: Her Father's Child
- 1985: Praise Him Now
- 1988: Called By Love
- 1990: KNT
- 1992: Steadfast Heart[20]
Accolades
Notes and References
- http://www.newreleasetoday.com/news_detail.php?newsid=1314/ "The Nelons to Join Gospel Music Hall of Fame"
- Web site: Speakman . Kimberlee . 3 Family Members, Part of the Grammy-Nominated Gospel Quartet The Nelons, Die in Plane Crash . 2024-07-28 . People . en.
- Book: W. K. McNeil. Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music. 18 October 2013. Routledge. 978-1-135-37700-7. 317–.
- Book: Family Ties: The Hoppers, The Nelons. Billboard. 26 September 1998. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. 37–. 0006-2510.
- Book: Ryman to Ring out with Gospel. Billboard. 25 November 1995. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. 59–. 0006-2510.
- Web site: S / Singing News Fan Awards . Southern Gospel History . November 10, 2015 . May 22, 2016.
- Web site: 2016 Absolutely Gospel Music Award Nominees Announced . Absolutely Gospel Music . January 5, 2016 . May 25, 2016.
- Web site: 2014 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Winners . Music Times . April 20, 2014 . May 25, 2016.
- Web site: Letter . First . Your Source for Information & Inspiration . Christian Voice Magazine . May 21, 2016 . May 25, 2016.
- Book: Cathedrals, Nelsons honored by Southern Gospel Assn. Billboard. 5 June 1999. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. 1–. 0006-2510.
- http://www.sgmradio.com/2014/02/10/young-artist-spotlight-amber-nelon-thompson/ "Young Artist Spotlight – Amber Nelon Thompson"
- http://www.musictimes.com/articles/5601/20140420/2014-absolutely-gospel-music-awards-winners.htm "2014 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Winners"
- Web site: Beloved Gospel Family The Nelons Involved in Fatal Plane Crash . CCM Magazine . 27 July 2024 . 27 July 2024.
- Web site: N / Nelons . Southern Gospel History . May 12, 2016 . May 25, 2016.
- Book: Gospel's Nelons are full of praise on Homeland set. Billboard. 26 April 1997. Nielsen Business Media, Inc.. 9–. 0006-2510.
- http://www.sgmradio.com/2011/01/25/cd-review-the-nelons-%E2%80%9Cbeside-still-waters%E2%80%9D/ " CD Review: The Nelons- 'Beside Still Waters'"
- http://www.hallels.com/articles/2058/20140623/the-nelons-hymns-the-a-cappella-sessions-album-review.htm "The Nelons “Hymns: the A Cappella Sessions” Album Review"
- Web site: The Nelons Release "Stronger Together –Limited Edition EP" : News : Hallels. www.hallels.com. 2016-05-22.
- Web site: The Nelons "Stronger Together" and "Family Harmony" Albums Review. Yap. Timothy. August 15, 2016. www.hallels.com.
- sghisory.com
- http://www.homecomingmagazine.com/article/nelons-bill-gaither-and-larry-gatlin-win-telly-awards/ "Nelons, Bill Gaither and Larry Gatlin win Telly Awards"