Festival Of Praise Concerts

The Hoppers are coming for our 4rd Annual “New Years Days” Concert.

With humble beginnings as rural farm-boys, The Hoppers (originally known as the Hopper Brothers and Connie) were formed in 1957 by founding member and owner, Claude Hopper. The group, green in experience, consisted of Claude, his four brothers Will, Steve, Paul and Monroe, and his future wife, Connie. Over the years, the Hopper Brothers and Connie welcomed and then parted with musicians and singers who have gone on to their acclaimed service in Christian Music. Connie and Claude’s two sons, Dean and Michael, eventually joined the group full-time as lead vocalist and drummer.

In 1981, The Hoppers were chosen to represent the genre of Southern Gospel Music at the Religious Inaugural Celebration for President Ronald Reagan.

While The Hoppers achieved tremendous success through the first three decades of ministry- the era of the ‘90s began a new leg of their journey with the addition of Dean’s wife, Kim, as soprano and a streak of hit number one songs including: “Milk and Honey”, “Here I Am”, “Anchor to the Power of the Cross”, and ” Mention My Name”. The pace of the group, with God’s help, was hitting new strides. In addition to radio success, The Hoppers have received numerous accolades including Mixed Group of the Year from the Heart’s Aflame Awards, Diamond Awards, Singing News Fan Awards, and the SGMA; as well as four Dove Award nominations. In 1998, Connie was presented with the prestigious Marvin Norcross award, which is given to those with excellence in “Devotion to family, service to Church, and contributions to the Gospel Music Industry”. Michael received the Musician of the Year award from the Singing News Fan Awards, along with Kim who has had the privilege of being given the title of Female Vocalist and Favorite Soprano for well over a decade by the same association.

The Hoppers have been traveling the country, and more recently, the world spreading the Gospel while performing fan favorites like “Jerusalem”, “Yes I Am”, “Shoutin’ Time”, “Yaweh”, “The Ride”, and “Blame it on Love”. The group has always tried to remain stalwart in their sharing of hope and God’s unmatchable love, while keeping their faith in Christ and family. Their prayer is to extend this message to all who do not know him, and encourage those who do.

Group accolades

Favorite Mixed Group Award 1997-98-99-00-01-02-03-05-08-09

Mixed Vocal Group SGMA 1982-83-98-99-00-01

"Hearts-A-Flame" Mixed Group Award 95-96-97

Connie Favorite Alto Award 1998-99-00 and the

Prestigious Marvin Norcross Award in 1998

Queen of Gospel Music 83-84 Person of the year 2005

Kim Female Vocalist "Hearts-A-Flame" 95-96-97

Female Vocalist SGMA 99 Young Artist

Singing News Soprano 97-98-99-00-01-02-03-04-05-06-07-08-09

Female Vocalist Singing News 99-00-01-07-08-09

Female Vocalist Voice Diamonds 99

Michael Favorite Musician 2001-2005

Favorite Artist Web Site 2005

Gold City is coming to 7th Annual KW Gospel Sing

The discovery of gold in Dahlonega, Georgia in 1828 set off the first major gold rush in America. It also inspired the name for Gold City, one of Christian music's best-known and well-loved entertainers.

Gold City has won every significant Southern Gospel music award- many more than once. Among their more than 60 accolades are numerous awards for Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Group of the Year, and Individual of the Year.

Gold City's unmatched sales and critical success have come from an endless string of powerful, memorable anthems of the faith, coupled with traditional Southern Gospel vocals.

Possessing some of the tightest four-part harmonies in the genre, Gold City 's uniquely identifiable sound has led to an endless string of #1 radio songs. "Midnight Cry," "It's Still The Cross," "He Said," "I'm Not Giving Up," "Calvary Conquers It All," "I'm Not What I Was," and "There Rose a Lamb" are Southern Gospel classics.

The group has had major success over the years with many of its members going on to solo careers or starting other groups. Among those were Brian Free, Mike Lefevre, Ivan Parker, Mark Trammell, Jonathan Wilburn, Jay Parrack and others. Each specific group of men has spread the gospel through the music they recorded and performed.

The quartet has had numerous number one radio hits over the years, making songs like "Midnight Cry," "It's Still The Cross," "He Said," "I'm Not Giving Up," "Calvary Conquers It All," "Show Me The Cross," "There Rose a Lamb," "Preach The Word," and most recently, "I Cast My Bread Upon The Water" classics in Southern Gospel circles.

"The most important thing for Gold City throughout the years is that the group has kept the Lord first, and we are no different today," Daniel stresses. "We seek to honor Him in our music and in our lives. I believe that's why Gold City is still here, because we do put Him first in all the music and make Him number one on our priority list."

"Gold City is just a group of young men who love the music they sing - but even more than that, they love the message in the music," said Riley definitively. "The Southern Gospel landscape has changed a lot over the last 26 years, but the message never changes. And this new generation of men is as excited as ever to be sharing it."

Tickets available at the following locations.

Blooms and Tunes - Elmira
38 Arthur Street South

Elmira, Ontario

N3B 2M7

Phone: 519-669-5652

Toll-free: 1-877-217-2075

Owners: Barry Detweiler & John Morris

Gospel Lighthouse - Waterloo
110 King St.S.

Waterloo, ON

Ph - (519)885-4500

www.gospellighthouse.ca

Northside Baptist Church - Waterloo
1373 Lobsinger Line,