The cover of an album by The Ambassadors Quartet, of Hopkinsville, Ky. is a connection Leslie Chrisman has with the father she never knew, Howard Johnson. He’s at the lower right in the photo.

One woman’s search for her father leads to gospel roots

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. — There are times when the word “amazing” cannot begin to capture how God can work in our lives.

This story is not one to chronicle the life of someone singing about Jesus Christ, even though that has played a role. I don’t know much about Howard Johnson, who sometimes went by the name “Sherrill” and played bass guitar for The Ambassadors Quartet in Hopkinsville, Ky. He was only 58 when he died in 1994.

But I learned a little bit about Mr. Johnson as the result of a daughter’s persistence in trying to learn more about the father she never knew. It seems like something out of Cold Case — without the crime — coupled with the some results that can only be attributed to God working. Continue reading “Finding more than a song” →

Joseph Habedank is happy singing these days.

Tough love, unexpected guest and faith in Christ set free from addiction

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

(Note: This feature originally appeared in the February, 2019 SGN Scoops Magazine)

RADCLIFF, Ky. — Joseph Habedank leans back, microphone in his right hand, left arm outstretched. He pours his entire soul into delivering the message he lives every day.

Heaven’s best takes all the scars
For the worst in all of us
That’s the glory of the cross
The wonder of His love
That’s the beauty of the blood! (Joseph Habedank, Tony Wood & Michael Farren. Copyright Christian Taylor Music/BMI, division o Daywind Music)

They aren’t just words of beauty for one of Southern Gospel’s favorite soloists. They’re life. And he’s grateful beyond measure. Continue reading “Joseph Habedank lives in The Beauty of the Blood” →

His Heart performs at Sand Spring Baptist Church, near Lawrenceburg, in 2018. From left are Kyle Harris, Jeremy Dickerson, Bill Sowder and Bob Abbott.

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

His Heart, a Southern Gospel quartet based in Mt. Vernon, Ky., has been named the 2019 Artist in Residence by the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame.

Hall of Fame director Avery Bradshaw made the announcement on March 26. The Hall of Fame is located on U.S. 25 North, near Renfro Valley, just off Interstate 75 at Exit 62. Continue reading “His Heart Named Artist in Residence by Kentucky Music Hall of Fame” →

The Infinite Realm has been playing gospel music with a unique sound since 1969. They are, seated, from left: Paul Wright, drums; Steve Brown, tambourine; Neal Wright, keyboard/bass; and Dave Sherman, lead guitar. Back row: Dave Taylor, acoustic guitar; Ricky Mahoney, bass/piano/mandolin; Ken Boyer, sound engineer; and Tony Gossom, 12-string guitar. All but Boyer have vocal parts.

Infinite Realm never lost the desire to present the gospel in song

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

BEDFORD, Ky. — There’s a subtle irony in the way The Infinite Realm sings gospel music.

The group is a bit of a throwback, with a repertoire heavy on popular hits of the late 60s and early 70s. But when the group began singing those same songs, they were considered cutting edge or groundbreaking.

But that might be the appeal of a group that might be one of Kentucky’s best-kept secrets despite first coming together in 1969.

Fifty years ago, four students at Trimble County High School started singing gospel with a style heavily influenced by The Oak Ridge Boys and Imperials. “They were the hottest thing in gospel music,” smiles Dave Taylor, a founding member of the group who is still singing and playing guitar. Continue reading “Still playing after all these years” →

The Perrys perform at Sand Spring Baptist Church. From left are Andrew Goldman, Troy Peach, Libbi Stuffle and Jared Stuffle.

Perrys still going strong but remember Tracy Stuffle in every program

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. — When The Perrys sang at Sand Spring Baptist Church Thursday night, two things were certain about the longtime favorite gospel group.

First, The Perrys are going strong. “We are probably more busy than in years past,” baritone Troy Peach said. “People have realized The Perrys are still here. The Perrys aren’t going anywhere. They are still singing the great old songs.”

But secondly, The Perrys will always have the memory of Tracy Stuffle when they are on stage. The long-time bass singer died Feb. 4, 2018 after a battling the effects of a stroke for nearly five years. He was only 51 years old, but his memory lives through a Perrys concert with numerous references to his work and influence during the program and a video tribute during the evening. Continue reading “Great future building on the past” →

Victory Road performs at the Kentucky State Fair last August. From left are David Stevens, David Jones, Larry Dennison, Jerry Franklin and Tim Edwards on keyboard.

Gospel veterans host concert with Hilltop Trio on Feb. 24

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

If anything, Victory Road’s concert at Taylorsville’s First Baptist Church is just another revolution of a circle that keeps turning.

And growing.

“I met David (Jones, the group’s tenor) back in 1981 at First Baptist,” says David Stevens, the group’s lead singer and rhythm guitarist. “That was kind of the beginning of our quartet.” Continue reading “The music keeps turning for Victory Road” →

The Legacy Five, from left, Scott Fowler, Josh Feemster, Scott Howard and Matt Fouch, get together in singing “When the Saints Go Marching In” at Sand Spring Baptist Church on Jan. 24.

Legacy Five gives a night of tradition and patriotism

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

LAWRENCEBURG, Ky. — Rooted in one of the greatest traditions in gospel music, The Legacy Five has embarked on a 2019 schedule that will see the group pay tribute to history, yet do so embracing the changes of the times.

I was fortunate to talk with Scott Fowler, one of the quartet’s founding members, after a concert at Sand Spring Baptist Church on Jan. 24. It was a performance that drew a good crowd on a bitterly cold night and prompted several extended standing ovations. Continue reading “Unchanging message in changing times” →

I was seated next to former University of Kentucky basketball coach Billy Gillispie during the Kentucky High School State Tournament in 2009. That’s my wife, Stephanie, sitting in front of us, checking her camera for photos.

(This is also appearing on our sports website, 110forChrist. Enjoy.)

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com and 110forChrist.com

I had seen the day coming for quite some time. I’d been the sports editor at The Anderson News since 2002 and sports writer for the same paper for 17 years before that. I’d won over 100 awards for journalism, with over 60 of those trophies or plaques being for first place in various competitions.

I’d meet literally hundreds, probably thousands, of people through my work. I’d written stories on people playing in the NFL and had written stories about horseshoe pitchers and people playing pickleball. Continue reading “I left a job I had loved” →

Jim and Melissa Brady and Steve Ladd sing “Through It All” near the end of the annual New Year’s Eve concert at Sand Spring Baptist Church.

On night of major change in my life, Sand Spring concert provided timely reminder

By John Herndon, KentuckySings.com

I so needed Monday night.

Let’s make that soooooooooooooo neeeeeeeeeded what I experienced Monday night.

It was Dec. 31, 2018. When I left my office at The Anderson News in Lawrenceburg, it marked the end of a run that lasted almost 34 years. I’d started writing as a freelancer and worked my way up to to sports editor.

When the last day is a holiday deadline, meaning an earlier deadline, it was easy to get worn down. It was a great run but you just know when it’s time to step away. Continue reading “Holding to the hope in times of change” →