Meet the Hoppers
Dean Hopper
Lead vocalist Dean Hopper is the eldest son of founding members Claude and Connie. His journey with the family group began behind the drum kit, where he served as the band’s drummer in the early years. In 1981, he stepped from the rhythm section to the front line as a featured vocalist and bass guitarist—a transition that would eventually establish him as one of the most recognizable voices in Southern Gospel music.
Over the decades, Dean’s voice has become a favorite among audiences and fellow musicians alike. While many of his peers have long admired and praised his distinctive vocal ability—often noting that his talent has been somewhat underrated—he has nevertheless earned numerous nominations and industry recognition throughout his career. His contributions to gospel music have also been formally recognized through his family’s induction into both the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame. Earlier in his career, he was also named one of the Outstanding Young Men of America, a prestigious national honor.
In 1989, Dean released his solo recording Solo But Never Alone, a project that was remarkably forward-thinking for its time. The album featured a collaborative “We Are the World”-style recording that brought together several leading voices in gospel music, including Janet Paschal, Kenny Hinson, Heaven Bound, and The Nelons. The project highlighted Dean’s vision for unity within the gospel music community and showcased his deep respect for fellow artists in the genre.
Dean has spent more than four decades traveling and singing across the country with his family, yet many people never fully realize the countless responsibilities he carries behind the scenes. Whether coordinating the hiring and management of an event’s technical crew or stepping in to handle the sound and production himself, he is often the quiet architect ensuring that every performance runs smoothly. Much of his work happens out of the spotlight, but it is essential to the success and professionalism of every event in which the group participates.
In January 2001, Dean and his brother Mike opened The Farm recording studio, located just a few miles from The Hoppers’ office. The facility serves as a full-service studio offering recording, mastering, and digital editing services, and it has hosted numerous artists and projects over the years.
Alongside his musical career, Dean pursued higher education and earned a business degree from Oakland City University, graduating in May 2003. His combination of musical talent, technical knowledge, and business leadership has helped shape both the ongoing success of The Hoppers and the broader gospel music community.
Kim Hopper
One of the most dynamic and beloved voices in gospel music today is that of Kim Hopper. As a small child, Kim first began singing with her brothers as part of the talented musical family group The Greenes. She traveled and performed with her family for ten years before marrying Dean Hopper in November of 1988. The following year, she joined The Hoppers, where her unmistakable voice quickly became one of the defining sounds of the group.
Beginning in 1998, Kim began receiving some of the industry’s most prestigious honors, including Female Vocalist of the Year and Soprano of the Year. Her dominance in the soprano category would become historic, as she went on to win Soprano of the Year for an unprecedented twenty-five consecutive years—an achievement that reflects both her extraordinary vocal ability and the deep admiration of her peers and listeners alike.
Kim’s influence extends far beyond her work with The Hoppers. Her solo appearances have taken her across the globe and onto some of gospel music’s most respected stages. She traveled to Africa to lend her voice to the Gaither Homecoming choir, performed at Shadow Mountain Community Church in both patriotic and Women of Country Music tribute presentations, and has appeared multiple times on the stage of the GMA Dove Awards. On one televised engagement, she even stepped into a role originally intended for Dolly Parton—a testament to the versatility and respect her voice commands.
Yet, those who know Kim best will say that her greatest impact happens far from the stage lights. To say she is loved by fans and friends alike is an understatement. Night after night, after concerts have ended, Kim often spends hours beside the group’s product table listening to the stories of those who seek her out—stories of illness, loss, hardship, and hope—while long lines patiently form behind them. With a deeply maternal spirit, she welcomes each person with warmth, prayer, and encouragement.
That same compassion has been reflected in her life at home. For nearly two decades, Kim and Dean have quietly opened their home to numerous young women from difficult or broken situations, offering them stability, guidance, and a place to heal until they could stand on their own feet or their circumstances were restored. It is a ministry rarely seen from the stage, but one that has profoundly changed many lives.
In addition to the many young women they have cared for, Kim and Dean are the proud parents of two daughters of their own: Karlye Jade, born in October 1994, and Lexus Jazz, born in January 2005.
Kim’s extraordinary empathy and compassion have also been shaped by personal loss. Her father passed away suddenly in November of 2004, an event that deeply affected the entire family. Many believe the emotional strain of that loss contributed to Kim entering pre-term labor with their second daughter shortly thereafter. Tragically, just six years later, Kim would also lose her younger brother. These experiences, while heartbreaking, helped shape the remarkable depth of compassion that Kim carries today—fueling her empathy for strangers, her desire to uplift those in need, and her unwavering commitment to her faith in Christ.
