The Hoppers are (L-R): Dean, Kim, Claude, Connie, and Michael Hopper.

What started as an ordinary summer day in 1958 became the start of “America’s Favorite Family of Music.” As Connie Shelton stopped at a traffic light, Claude Hopper knocked on her window and asked her to join he and his family as the Hopper Brothers’ pianist. In the time needed for the light to change from red to green, Claude got the answer he was looking for.

Once Connie came along, the group added her name to theirs and began travelling as the Hopper Brothers and Connie. The two were married a short time later and are now known the world over simply as The Hoppers. Through the years, The Hoppers have seen artists like members of The Talleys and Janet Paschal join their ranks before continuing careers elsewhere. Soon, Claude and Connie found the musicians they needed living under their own roof.

As sons Dean and Michael grew, so did their desire to join the family business. Both joining the group as drummers (Dean would eventually move to Lead as Michael became the full-time percussionist), the Hopper house at one time was simply described as “loud”. The final member of the group joined in 1989. Kim Hopper had been singing with her own family group for ten years before marrying Dean. Now, many people look back at Kim joining The Hoppers as a pivotal point in their history.

Accolades for the group began pouring in during the 90’s. For the first time in their careers, The Hoppers had #1 songs on the radio, award nominations came in, and the group was widely considered as the best in the business. Over time, the group and its members have received more than 60 awards and countless nominations – not including their induction into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame coming in August 2012.

The current lineup for The Hoppers has been together for 23 years and there are no signs of slowing down anytime soon. As Michael put it, “We’ve all signed lifetime contracts”. Although such statements can be said tongue-in-cheek, many Southern Gospel fans are hoping those words ring true. In fact, the group has just announced (see video below) a new project set for a release this fall – just in time for National Quartet Convention in September – and a brand new single, “Count Me In”. In addition, they will also release their first-ever concept video in October.

As veterans of NQC, The Hoppers are undoubtedly one of the must-see artists during the week. While fans are excited to hear them perform and stop by their booth to say hello, the group seems just as eager to spend a week in Louisville, KY. While touring in Georgia, the family found time to share their history, a little bit of family life, and tell you what makes NQC so different.

Follow along with The Hoppers by visiting them here:

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The LeFevre Quartet (L-R): Brandon Barry, Jordan LeFevre, Mike LeFevre, and Harold Reed

Not only does he bare the same name as Southern Gospel legends, The Lefevre Trio, but Mike LeFevre also carries on the tradition of great music from a passionate heart. Born and raised in Southern Gospel, Mike knew at an early age this was more than just something to do, it was a calling.

As a child, Mike remembers the days of wanting to join his well-known family members, “It was my dream to sing with The LeFevres … but by the time I was old enough they were retiring!” Despite the missed chance to join his extended family on stage, Mike was soon standing alongside uncle Alf LeFevre and learning all he could. “He really showed us the ropes and took us out on the road and got us started,” Mike said reminiscing about his younger days, “I credit a lot of my early years in Gospel music to uncle Alf.”

With the days of traveling with his uncle long behind him, Mike LeFevre continues to make an impact in Southern Gospel music. In 2005, Mike formed The LeFevre Quartet. In just a short period of time, the group grabbed the attention of the Gospel music community as if they had a legendary name like … LeFevre.

While some might remember Mike from his years with The Singing Americans, Gold City, or Brian Free & Assurance, arguably the time to shape his career the most came away from the microphone. Stepping away from being a touring musician for a while, there were more important people in his life to be with, “I spent about eight years in church with my family learning about God,” said Mike, “…and it was time WELL spent.”

As Mike sat in the congregation, a particular sermon seemed to hit home. When the pastor spoke about God-given gifts and how we should be using them, the future ahead was clear for Mike and his family.

Now teaming with lead singer and son Jordan LeFevre, Brandon Barry singing bass, and tenor Harold Reed, The LeFevre Quartet can look at a packed tour schedule (which always includes a visit to NQC!), the friends that wait for them at each stop, and know they are truly blessed to be living out a calling. As the group headed toward their next stop, Mike found some time to talk about the week of National Quartet Convention, how he got to where he is today, and the importance of family along the way.

Keep up with The LeFevre Quartet by visiting them here:

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Music is a family affair for Jeff & Sheri Easter.

How long does it take to truly know someone? Is there a required amount of time two people need in order to officially know one another? For Jeff and Sheri Easter, the time to meet, greet, and fall in love seemingly took only minutes. Ten months later, the two were married and now find themselves just as smitten 27 years later.

Entrenched in Southern Gospel music since birth, Jeff and Sheri have been sharing their passion for music since 1988. Until that time, Jeff had travelled with groups such as: the Easter Brothers, Gold City, and the Singing Americans, while Sheri was singing with The Lewis Family. Their decision to set out on their own was welcomed by all and has been very successful. The duo has won multiple Dove Awards, received two Grammy nominations, and a host of awards from Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, and Country music organizations.

While they may be recognized in multiple genres, it is important they are not defined by a particular category. With just a listen, it is obvious that Jeff & Sheri have a sound uniquely their own – one influenced by several forms of music. Rather than being strictly Gospel or Bluegrass or another classification, the Easters would rather be known for a message of love and positivity.

Their love for others and their music was no doubt passed along from talented families. As Jeff and Sheri’s family has grown, that tradition has continued with the next generation. Their son Madison joined the group in 2003 as full-time guitarist and Morgan started as the third vocalist when she was only 14 years old. Even the youngest child, 6-year-old Maura, has been seen gracing the stage on occasion.

The Easter Family (L-R): Jeff, Sheri, Madison, Shannon, Morgan, and Maura Easter

Despite being full-time musicians, parents, business partners, and part-time mechanics and comedians (although those titles mainly belong to Jeff), they found some time amid a packed schedule to talk about National Quartet Convention and how their ministry has grown. It’s easy to notice their honest hearts, a wonderful sense of humor, and a love for their profession and peers.

Wherever they may be (and we’re thrilled for a return to NQC!) or the style of songs they may sing, we can all appreciate the music that is simply, Jeff & Sheri Easter.

Tribute Quartet (L-R): Gary Casto, Riley Harrison Clark, Anthony Davis, and Josh Singletary

If you’re going to give your group a name in honor of the greats, legends, and leaders of your industry, you better represent it well. Albeit a collection of young and talented artists, Tribute Quartet delivers a sound filled with classic harmonies and smooth tones worthy of the ones they grew up admiring.

Formed in 2006, it did not take this group long to garner the attention of Southern Gospel Music and its fans. In just two short years, the group began their collection of awards with the “2008 Breakthrough Artist of the Year” from the Singing News and voted as the “2008 Horizon Group of the Year” only months later. Since then, the group has continued to see success with various nominations, a full travel schedule, numerous songs on the charts, and the joy of fulfilling their ministry.

Gary Casto, lead singer, emcee, and West Virginia native, has managed the Tribute Quartet for nearly six years. Following the retiring of The Wilburns, Casto, along with pianist and baritone Josh Singletary, found the needed talent to get the quartet on the road. As time passed, a few faces have changed, but Casto seems thrilled with the current lineup completed by tenor Riley Harrison Clark and police officer turned bass singer, Anthony Davis.

In a brief conversation with these characters (watch for yourself), it is evident that the message of the ministry is their highest priority. While the guys love to laugh and enjoy themselves wherever they might be, they know each performance is an opportunity to share the message of Christ through song.

Tribute Quartet will have another chance to share their gift in September, as they will make two trips to the Main Stage at National Quartet Convention. Before they get there, the group found time from their Nashville office to discuss the experience of NQC, the importance of a Happy Meal, and being able to “love what we sing and sing what we love”.

Socialize with Tribute Quartet along their travels

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Primitive Quartet (L-R): Michael Riddle, Reagan Riddle, Jeff Tolbert, Larry Riddle, Randy Fox, and Norman Wilson

For some artists, singing and playing music is a lifelong craft that comes with carefully planning and practice. Yet for others, coming together just happens naturally.  For the Primitive Quartet, count them as the latter.

In 1973, 2 sets of brothers planned a simple fishing trip and brought along a few stringed instruments to gather around the campfire for some evening entertainment. As time would tell, they left with something more than another fisherman’s tale to share with the world.

Skip ahead to 1978 and the Primitive Quartet had begun singing with the ever-popular Inspirations. After a few years of visiting area churches, the group had caught more than the ear of a few pastors. The Inspirations were already established within Southern Gospel and Bluegrass communities, so once they found some friends to join them on tour, the young group was able to sing full-time and leave jobs as teachers and construction workers. Little did they know, those days began a nearly 40-year ministry.

The quartet’s rich history can be traced back to their early days of Mom and Dad joining the church choir for monthly gatherings, or as Reagan Riddle puts it, “I think God was preparing us for what he had in store for us … I just had no idea.” Much like the early days of those family-style singings, their ministry reflects the same values today as the group is often met with warm welcomes at homes and familiar churches.

Listen as Reagan describes the early years of traveling with The Inspirations. 

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As they plan their visits across the countries with countless friends, the Primitive Quartet always seems to make the annual visit to National Quartet Convention in Louisville, KY. “We want to hang around and enjoy the fellowship of other people. It’s a great week,” said Reagan.

While out on the road, the group is always reminded that what they do is never work. Said Reagan, “God has kept the joy in this for me. I love it!” That joy is reflected in the times where making music just seems like the best thing to do, “We’ll even get together and pick in the parking lot at midnight sometimes,” added Reagan while speaking about his time at NQC.

As the group plans for their 26^th year at National Quartet Convention, it’s clear that the fellowship among friends and fans is what gets them excited. “It’s amazing that people come out like they do,” added Reagan, “it’s the only music in the world that gives people hope – and that’s in Christ Jesus. I think that’s what people are reaching out for, that hope.”

Reagan explains why NQC is a week unlike any other for the Primitive Quartet. 

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Even though more than 40,000 people will gather for the event in Louisville, the size of the crowd doesn’t seem to deter the Primitive Quartet as they say that’s one of the easier venues to perform. Laughing, Reagan said calmly, “It’s another opportunity for us. We just get up there and do our thing as we would in a local church. We’ll do the best we can and pray that God touches it … and when God comes on the scene, everybody will sense that.”

As artists and fans gear up for National Quartet Convention in September, the Primitive Quartet will surely be ready. The group already travels more than 50,000 miles each year as they visit more than 150 dates, and they know that NQC is another great opportunity to share the hope of Jesus Christ.

Some folks may get nervous and sweat at the thought of a huge venue with peers, fans, and loved ones hanging on their every word, but for some, it just comes naturally.

For more information on the Primitive Quartet, visit their website, LIKE them on Facebook, and read their newsletter for the latest news, information, and tour dates.