American southern gospel group
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] 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 Lefevres . They became known as The Rex Nelon Singers in 1976 because the Lefevre family members left the group. The group's first number-one song was "Come Morning" on the Singing News Chart,[ 4] [citation needed 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.[ 5]
The Nelons have been nominated for many awards in the southern gospel music industry including Grammys , Dove Awards ,[ 6] Singing News Awards,[ 7] [ 8] [ 9] Christian Voice Awards.[ 10]
In 2014, the Nelons were a trio made up of Kelly Nelon Clark ,[ 11] [ 12] [ 13] a plane crash on July 26, 2024.[ 14]
Personnel
Current Members
Rex Nelon – bass (1977–1999)[ 5] Kelly Nelon Clark – alto (1977–1991; 1993–2024)[ 5] Rodney Swain – lead (1977–1984)[ 5]
Janet Paschal – soprano (1977–1981)[ 5] Jerry Thompson – tenor/lead (1977–1992, 1993–1998)
Karen Peck – soprano (1981–1990)Martin Gureasko – pianist (1990–1992)
Gary Eubanks - bass guitar (1991-1992)
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)[ 5]
Katy Peach (then Katy VanHorn) – soprano (2001–2002)
Amber Nelon Kistler – soprano (2002–2024)[ 5] Paul White – lead (1992–1993)
Tammy Britton – alto (1991–1993)[ 5]
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)
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
References
^ "The Nelons to Join Gospel Music Hall of Fame" . February 02, 2016 Staff Reports. Newreleasetoday.com .^ Speakman, Kimberlee. "3 Family Members, Part of the Grammy-Nominated Gospel Quartet The Nelons, Die in Plane Crash" . People . Retrieved July 28, 2024 . ^ W. K. McNeil (October 18, 2013). Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music ISBN 978-1-135-37700-7 ^ "Family Ties: The Hoppers, The Nelons". Billboard 37 –. ISSN 0006-2510 . ^ a b c d e f g h "N / Nelons" . Southern Gospel History . May 12, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016 .^ "Ryman to Ring out with Gospel". Billboard 59 –. ISSN 0006-2510 . ^ "S / Singing News Fan Awards" . Southern Gospel History . November 10, 2015. Retrieved May 22, 2016 .^ "2016 Absolutely Gospel Music Award Nominees Announced" . Absolutely Gospel Music . January 5, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016 .^ "2014 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Winners" . Music Times . April 20, 2014. Retrieved May 25, 2016 .^ Letter, First (May 21, 2016). "Your Source for Information & Inspiration" . Christian Voice Magazine . Retrieved May 25, 2016 . ^ "Cathedrals, Nelsons honored by Southern Gospel Assn". Billboard 1 –. ISSN 0006-2510 . ^ "Young Artist Spotlight – Amber Nelon Thompson" . SGM Radio . February 10, 2014 by Rebecca Little Burke^ "2014 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Winners" . Music Times .^ "Beloved Gospel Family The Nelons Involved in Fatal Plane Crash" . CCM Magazine . July 27, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024 .^ "Gospel's Nelons are full of praise on Homeland set". Billboard 9 –. ISSN 0006-2510 . ^ " CD Review: The Nelons- 'Beside Still Waters'" . SGM Radio. January 25, 2011^ "The Nelons “Hymns: the A Cappella Sessions” Album Review" . Hallals ^ "The Nelons Release "Stronger Together –Limited Edition EP" : News : Hallels" . www.hallels.com . Retrieved May 22, 2016 .^ Yap, Timothy (August 15, 2016). "The Nelons "Stronger Together" and "Family Harmony" Albums Review" . www.hallels.com . ^ sghisory.com
^ "Nelons, Bill Gaither and Larry Gatlin win Telly Awards" . Homecoming Magazine , by Deborah Patterson June 5, 2013
External links
