05.18.13:
Monroe Hopper passed away yesterday morning. He was the orginal Bass singer for the Hopper Brothers & Connie.
Inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2012. Also a founding member of The Hopper Heritage Foundation.
We'll miss you Uncle Monroe....
12.13.12: Levi Bowmen of the Isaacs talks with Karlye Hopper - oldest daughter of The Hoppers' Dean & Kim Hopper. Karlye talks about her own stage experiences as well as a very candid "most embarassing moment". You'll love this interview with Southern Gospel's next generation! Click Here
10.22.12:
I first heard "I Wish We'd All Been Ready" in the early seventies and haven't heard it performed since. I had never given any thought to recording the song, but the message stayed with me through the years. While choosing material for Count Me In, I asked our producer if he remembered this particular tune. Without a breath, he rolled out the intro on his keyboard, as the lyrics came from memory... I Wish We'd All Been Ready is now fully orchestrated.
As we look at today's turmoil, in the home and around the world, we know this message is timeless.
Matthew 24:44 says, BE READY for in an hour as ye think not the Son Of Man cometh.
Connie....
10.22.12: The making of our very first concept video "I wish we'd all been ready".
"Count me in" NEW CD release today October 22, 2012
10.19.12: In the studio & behind the scenes 2 -- Video footage from the Farm & Tracking room studios. Create - arrange & recording of "I just feel like something good is about to happen" & "I wish we'd all been ready".
CD available at your favorite retail outlet October 22, 2012
** "Hey, friends! It's the COUNTDOWN to COUNT ME IN GIVEAWAY! Count Me In is the latest release from The Hoppers, and we want you to win a FREE copy! *Note -- CD project recording time -- March 2010 to May 2012
10.17.12: In the studio & behind the scenes 1
10.13.12: Congratulations to Kim for her recent awards!! NQC Music Awards Soprano Singer 2012 -- Singing News Fan Awards Favorite Soprano & Female Singer 2012.
09.18.12: Catching up with Connie --- We recently caught up with singer and author Connie Hopper, known not only for her singing and songwriting, but also for her warmth, sincerity and insight. Here she shares what inspires her and how the Hoppers enjoyed their years with the Gaither Homecoming tour. You can also read all about the Hoppers' latest album, Count Me In, in the Sept/Oct 2012 issue of Homecoming. Click Here For Full Article
09.18.12: What makes Kim Hopper tick? -- Kim Hopper has one of the most powerful voices in Southern Gospel music today, and she performs with one of the genre's best-loved groups, the Hoppers. Here she gives an inside look at some of the things that make her smile, both on and off stage. Click Here For Full Article
08.22.12: On behalf of the Hopper Heritage Foundation, let me express my appreciation for your participation in our annual golf scramble. It was a huge success. The final numbers are not in, but it looks like we raised approximately $30,000.
Throughout the years, your generous support of the foundation has assisted many young men and women in answering the call of God in their lives. We continue to support the academic scholarship funds of several institutions of higher education. Locally, we provide scholarship support to Rockingham Community College and Oak Ridge Military Institute. Our partnership with Oakland City University continues to be strong. Finally, we continue to fund support for international students through Compassion International.
To date, we have provided over $100,000 in scholarships. Most of those gifts have received matching gifts, multiplying the impact. Yet, the mission we seek to serve continues to be challenging because of the economy and rising cost of an education. Therefore, we seek your continued support in prayers and financial gifts.
Once again, I appreciate your partnership with us as we seek to support young men and women who are devoting their lives to God's service. Click here for more information.
Sincerely,
Claude D. Hopper
08.13.12:
07.26.12:
"Dear friends,
Like the loyal folks that you are, you've stayed with us through our unfortunate spam attack via Facebook.
After multiple submissions and pleas from many parties, the authorities of this famed social networking site have completely refused us any and all access to the Page we've held ownership of for the past five years.
That being said, The Hoppers wish to ask you (If you are a member of Facebook) to abandon our old page and refer all of your friends to our new one!
"The Official Facebook" of America's Favorite Family of Gospel Music! We encourage you to take a moment to select "Like" on our new online profile, and we thank you for your support and time!
As a friendly reminder, from a victim of online hacking, please keep passwords updated or changed regularly as to assure any/all online ventures are secure. Countless people are victimized by the cruel, tactless online spammers, join us in protecting our Internet Safety.
05.07.12: Highlights from Great Western Fan Festival 2012
05.04.12: Highlights from April 2012
04.20.12: Hopper Heritage Golf Classic May 7-8 @ Deep Springs Country Club in Madison, NC. For more information visit Hopper Heritage Foundation.org
03.20.12:
11.10.11: Download your favorite Hoppers Project - Single Song or Sound Track @ "ShopTheHoppers.com". Starting Friday 11.11.11. The downloads section of our Brand New Online Store will be active.! Looking for your favorite Hoppers sound track? Browse from over 80 titles & counting. Join our "ShopTheHoppers" community by creating an account. Members will receive special offers and discount pricing on items throughout the year. Sign up for our alerts and be the first to know when items are added to the store. *Please check back often. Content added every week.
10.24.10: We had a wonderful time at this years Hopper Heritage Foundation Golf Classic. Thank you to all who attended. We'll see you in 2011. Photos here..
Something New Is Happening with the Legendary Hoppers This Week;
Awarded Family Group Joins Producer Lari Goss for All-New Recording Two Years in the Making
NASHVILLE, TENN. (August 23, 2010) – THE HOPPERS, one of Gospel music’s most acclaimed and awarded family recording artists, have just completed an all-new studio recording entitled SOMETHING'S HAPPENING (Spring Hill Music), which will hit the streets August 24th. The new release, produced and arranged by legendary composer and producer Lari Goss, has been in the works for nearly two years.
“When you are in the studio, you’re always trying to make sure you are getting it right,” describes soprano Kim Hopper. “Singing before an audience is entirely different. When on stage, you want to paint pictures for the audience as you sing. This recording process gave us a chance to go in and re-do what we had recorded based on what we found worked live. We changed the flow of lines and were able to capture on the recording something closer to what we do in concert.”
The group has captured some unique moments on the new release, which includes songs penned by Bill Gaither, Rusty Golden, Dianne Wilkinson, Joel Lindsey, Tony Wood, Kyla Rowland, Nancy Harmon, Larry Hinson and Gerald Crabb among others. One of those stand-out moments is Connie’s collaboration with Goss on the title cut.
“We had listened to the song ‘Something’s Happening,’” adds Connie. “Kim liked it. Lari loved it but said that it needed something between the verses—something describing what’s going on. He said, ‘Connie, why don’t you go write that?’ This is what we came up with.”
“Lari is a well that never runs dry,” describes Dean. “He pieces the story together regardless of the style of song and has such knowledge. He is constantly thinking from the top to the bottom of the process…seeing the song from beginning to end. It’s like God’s given him a three-dimensional view into a song with the heart that he has in each stroke of the pen while writing arrangements.”
One of the unique vocal arrangements on the release is “Living in the Arms of Mercy,” which finds drummer Mike Hopper behind the microphone, taking the high part alongside Dean and Kim for an unexpected blend from this family. “Nobody’s Too Bad or Too Good” features a solo from Dean and Kim’s daughter Karlye. Group patriarch Claude Hopper is featured on a re-make of the classic “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow.” The group also joins artists Greater Vision, The Booth Brothers and Legacy Five for the song “Statement of Faith,” a song recorded collaboratively and released by each of the groups on their individual recordings in addition to being released into the choral market through LifeWay.
The release of Something’s Happening falls on the heels of the successful launch of THE GAITHER GOSPEL SERIES: THE BEST OF THE HOPPERS (Gaither Music Group). The DVD soared to #2 on Billboard’s video chart while the CD entered the Billboard Heatseeker chart at #4. Additionally, the CD entered the Nielsen SoundScan Southern Gospel chart at #1 and the Contemporary Christian chart at #10.
The Hoppers maintain a heavy touring schedule, performing on the Gaither Homecoming stage, at the National Quartet Convention (over 60,000 attendees), the Great Western Gospel Music Fan Festival (8-9,000 attendees), at the Cove and at Singing in the Sun in addition to around 150 dates annually.
SOMETHING'S HAPPENING, available through EMI CMG Distribution, will be available at online outlets, including iTunes and Amazon.com among others, and also in retail stores where Christian music is sold. For further information regarding The Hoppers, visitwww.thehoppers.com.
08.19.10: Kim Hopper update -
With the doctors’ consent, Kim and the rest of the Hoppers boarded the Gaither Homecoming cruise to Hawaii this past Saturday. Naturally, she is still easing around and keeping in her stateroom, but we are very pleased to report that she has not missed a concert yet! We hope and pray that she only continues to progress with no further setbacks and we ask that you do the same. Kim is set to rejoin the group full time upon their arrival back to the mainland.
NEW GAITHER GOSPEL SERIES: THE BEST OF THE HOPPERS ROCKETS UP BILLBOARD CHARTS
NASHVILLE, TENN. (August 10, 2010) – Just one week after its long-awaited release, The Gaither Gospel Series: The Best of The Hoppers made an impressive debut, with the DVD soaring all the way to #2 on Billboard’s video chart while the CD entered the BillboardHeatseeker chart at #4. Additionally, the CD entered the Nielsen SoundScan Southern Gospel chart at #1 and the Contemporary Christian chart at #10.
One of the most awarded and respected groups in southern Gospel music, The Hoppers have spent more than 50 years recording Gospel music and traveling worldwide, performing fan favorites like “Jerusalem,” “Yes I Am,” “Shoutin’ Time” and “Yahweh,” to name a few of the 18 tracks found on this new collection.
The Best of the Hoppers, hosted by Bill Gaither, highlights many of the group’s unforgettable and heartwarming performances from the Homecoming Series over the past two decades. Claude, Connie, Dean, Kim and Mike Hopper crack open the family scrapbook with never-been-seen-before family insights as they re-trace their extraordinary musical journey.
"For 50 years, we've put our heart and soul into the messages of our songs,” recalls group member Connie Hopper, “and we’ve worked to make those lyrics translate onto our videos." Dean Hopper, a second generation member added: "As I looked back over this list of songs and the memories they bring to mind, I experienced a ‘chills-up-your-spine moment’ as I considered all of the opportunities we have had. We couldn't be more grateful."
The Best of The Hoppers aired as a part of a television feature on Great American Country (GAC), the RFD Network, TBN, Daystar, FamilyNet, Gospel Music Television, Gospel Music Channel, Liberty, CTN, Total Living Network (TLN) and Crossroads & Vision Television in Canada among other outlets.
The Best of the Hoppers (Gaither Music Group), distributed by EMI CMG Distribution, is available online and everywhere Christian music is sold.
08.09.10: Hello, folks! Well, we are pleased to tell you that Kim is feeling fine and eating well. The duration with medical centers and most of the medication is now finished. Her stint in the hospital, obviously, led her to a slow recovery process, but we hope to have her back very soon. She plans to make her first return with the group this month on the Gaither Homecoming cruise to Hawaii, however, that will be determined this week by her doctors. Your prayers are requested that she will be able to make this trip safely, and (if you were in attendance these past few months) we thank you for your understanding, as well as in advance for future concerts where she will, most likely, be unable to spend much time at our product tables. Thank you all once again for your calls, notes, flowers, and prayers!
God Bless,
Dean Hopper
08.04.10: The Gatlinburg Gathering is Expanding!!!
Abraham Productions has announced that The Gatlinburg Gathering on Labor Day Weekend is expanding to 4 huge days, September 2-5! The event is held in the beautiful Great Smoky Mountains of Gatlinburg, TN, and features incredible Southern Gospel Music and speakers. This year they have added an additional day and will kick off on Thursday night with The Booth Brothers, The Collingsworth Family, The Perrys, The Pfeifers, The Harvesters Quartet, and Michael Booth of the Booth Brothers will be giving the message! Friday night will feature Greater Vision, Ivan Parker, Gold City & Tim Riley, The Talley Trio, The Down East Boys Qt., and Herb Reavis will be speaking! Saturday night includes Brian Free & Assurance Qt., The McKameys, The Greenes, The Primitive Qt., The Crist Family, and Mike Whitson! The final night is an extremely power-packed Sunday with The Triumphant Qt., The Hoppers, Karen Peck & New River, The Chuck Wagon Gang, The Whisnants and, most recently added, Legacy 5. Dr. Jack Lassiter will bring the message.
There will be FREE showcases every afternoon with up and coming artists, plus some major names too like Ivan Parker, The Greenes, The Hoppers and others! Plenty of shopping, great restaurants and spectacular music!
From the Flooding in Nashville, TN, to the Oil Spill in the Gulf Coast, we know it is hard making your vacation plans. So when you do, why not join us “For The Vacation You Need With The Music You Love!” Tickets are on-sale now to. For tickets, hotel recommendations or general questions call us Toll-Free at 1-888-238-6858 or go to abrahamproductions.com
Hope to see you at The Gatlinburg Gathering on Labor Day Weekend!
02.16.10: The Hoppers Enjoy Sold Out Concerts On West Coast
Knoxville, TN - Popular musical family, The Hoppers kicked off their first West Coast Tour in over a decade this month with tour dates during the remainder of February in Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington and Idaho. The “Still Shoutin’ 2010 West Coast Tour,” managed by IMC Concerts, began this week with two sold-out events on Friday and Saturday in Mesa, AZ, and Yuma, AZ. IMC Concert Promoter Landon Beene, who is coordinating a number of events during the West Coast trip, is overwelmed by the response to these concerts. "We are thrilled by the support of the Gospel music fans in Arizona and throughout the West Coast,” Beene stated. “They let us know they love The Hoppers and good Gospel music. We were thrilled with the response to these first few dates and anticipate great success throughout the remainder of the Tour.”
The Hoppers make their way to California and into the Northwest later this week. Tour stops will include Tuesday night in Highland, CA, as well as Thursday in Modesto, CA, Friday in Portland, OR, and Saturday in Richland, WA. Tickets are still available for these three events by calling 1-800-965-9324. Tickets are also available online at www.itickets.com. According to Beene, fans who purchase VIP Seating have the opportunity to enjoy a special catered reception with The Hoppers before the concert. “We’ve had a tremendous response to this special opportunity,” Beene explains. “Fans enjoy the great seats, as well as the opportunity to come to the concert early and enjoy good food and fellowship with The Hoppers.”
NASHVILLE, TENN. (August 23, 2010) – THE HOPPERS, one of Gospel music’s most acclaimed and awarded family recording artists, have just completed an all-new studio recording entitled SOMETHING'S HAPPENING (Spring Hill Music), which will hit the streets August 24th. The new release, produced and arranged by legendary composer and producer Lari Goss, has been in the works for nearly two years.
NASHVILLE, TENN. (August 10, 2010) – Just one week after its long-awaited release, The Gaither Gospel Series: The Best of The Hoppers made an impressive debut, with the DVD soaring all the way to #2 on Billboard’s video chart while the CD entered the BillboardHeatseeker chart at #4. Additionally, the CD entered the Nielsen SoundScan Southern Gospel chart at #1 and the Contemporary Christian chart at #10.