Karen Peck and New River
Encyclopedia
Karen Peck and New River is a southern gospel
trio based in Gainesville, Georgia
.
, and these concerts left an indelible mark on the youngsters who made a pact that someday they would share a musical ministry of their own.
One of the groups often featured at the Atlanta concerts was The Lefevres
, who later became known as The Nelons. It would be a mild understatement to say that Karen had aspirations of singing with this talented family. In fact, that aspiration became her greatest desire, and in 1981, this dream became a reality when Karen was invited to travel with her favorite group. She remained with The Nelons for 10 years, gaining the respect of industry peers and fans alike with her exceptional vocal ability and caring personality.
Finally in 1991, the realization of yet another dream came to pass when Karen and her sister, Susan, with Karen’s husband Rickey, organized the musical entourage of Karen Peck and New River. Today the New River team consists vocally of Karen, Susan, and Jeff Hawes. Additionally, Karen’s husband, Rickey, serves as the group’s road manager and sound technician. Susan’s husband, David, is the founder and owner of the Jackson Steel Guitar Company.
Karen Peck and New River have garnered 11 Favorite Soprano Fan Awards from the readers of The Singing News Magazine, Southern Gospel Music’s leading fan and trade publication. Karen and group have also received many awards from other magazine publications and Internet publications. They have had five consecutive No. 1 songs in southern gospel music.
The group have appeared on such prestigious stages as The Grand Ole Opry, The Gaither Homecoming
concerts, Opryland
Theme Park, Dollywood
and Six Flags
Over Georgia, New River. Over the past decade, they have been featured on many television networks, with appearances on programs such as TBN
’s Praise The Lord, and the Grand Ole Opry Live. The group has enjoyed many honors and accolades.
Their album “Journey of Joy” received a Grammy nomination for 2008. “Journey of Joy” was also nominated for three Dove Awards. This album has three consecutive No. 1 songs: “Hey”, “Last Night”, and “Whispered Prayers”. A few of their other popular hits include: "Why Can't All God's Children Get Along", "I Want to Thank You", “Hold Me While I Cry”, “Just One Touch”, “I Wanna Know How It Feels”, “God Likes To Work”, “Daddy’s Home”, “When Jesus Passes By”, “God Still Answers Prayer”, and “Christian In The House”. Additionally, the group’s number one hit, “Four Days Late”, was also named Song of the Year by readers of The Singing New Magazine in 2001 and the SGMA Awards and continues to be a favorite among audiences.
In September 2008, Daywind released Ephesians One. The album, featured the No. 1 song “I Want To Thank You”, which was nominated for a Grammy in 2009. In 2009, Daywind released their album "No Worries, and in 2010, the DVD/CD "Live at Oake Tree" was nominated for a 2010 Grammy Award
(their third Grammy nomination). July 2011 brought the release of "Reach Out". “Each time we go into the studio to record a new album,” Karen shares, “we’re at a different place in our walk with Christ than the last time we prepared for a recording. Therefore, obviously, each recording pulls at a different heart string, yet the message of hope is always present. That’s what life in Christ is all about. As a result of various circumstances each of us have faced over the past years, we’re at a point in our lives where we realize that anything we achieve or accomplish is all because of Christ. It is an honor to serve Him.”
Magazine Top 40 Singles
Southern Gospel
Southern Gospel music—at one time also known as "quartet music"—is music whose lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music...
trio based in Gainesville, Georgia
Gainesville, Georgia
-Severe Weather:Gainesville sits on the very fringe of Tornado Alley, a region of the United States where severe weather is common. Supercell thunderstorms can sweep through any time between March and November, but are concentrated most in the spring...
.
Music career
The youngest of three daughters, Karen was exposed to the traditional sounds of gospel music at a very early age. Her parents often took Karen and her sisters, Susan and Sandra, to the all-night sings in AtlantaAtlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, and these concerts left an indelible mark on the youngsters who made a pact that someday they would share a musical ministry of their own.
One of the groups often featured at the Atlanta concerts was The Lefevres
The LeFevres
The LeFevres, or The Singing LeFevres, were an American Southern gospel singing group, active for nearly 50 years in the middle of the twentieth century....
, who later became known as The Nelons. It would be a mild understatement to say that Karen had aspirations of singing with this talented family. In fact, that aspiration became her greatest desire, and in 1981, this dream became a reality when Karen was invited to travel with her favorite group. She remained with The Nelons for 10 years, gaining the respect of industry peers and fans alike with her exceptional vocal ability and caring personality.
Finally in 1991, the realization of yet another dream came to pass when Karen and her sister, Susan, with Karen’s husband Rickey, organized the musical entourage of Karen Peck and New River. Today the New River team consists vocally of Karen, Susan, and Jeff Hawes. Additionally, Karen’s husband, Rickey, serves as the group’s road manager and sound technician. Susan’s husband, David, is the founder and owner of the Jackson Steel Guitar Company.
Karen Peck and New River have garnered 11 Favorite Soprano Fan Awards from the readers of The Singing News Magazine, Southern Gospel Music’s leading fan and trade publication. Karen and group have also received many awards from other magazine publications and Internet publications. They have had five consecutive No. 1 songs in southern gospel music.
The group have appeared on such prestigious stages as The Grand Ole Opry, The Gaither Homecoming
Gaither Homecoming
Gaither Homecoming is the name applied to a series of videos, music recordings and concerts, which are organized, promoted and usually presented by Christian music songwriter and impresario Bill Gaither...
concerts, Opryland
Opryland
Opryland may refer to:* Opryland USA - defunct theme park located in Nashville, Tennessee* Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center - formerly known as "Opryland Hotel", located in Nashville, Tennessee...
Theme Park, Dollywood
Dollywood
Dollywood is a theme park owned by entertainer Dolly Parton and the Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation. It is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Dollywood has 3,000 people on its payroll, making it the largest employer in that community....
and Six Flags
Six Flags
Six Flags Entertainment Corp. is the world's largest amusement park corporation based on quantity of properties and the fifth most popular in terms of attendance. The company maintains 14 properties located throughout North America, including theme parks, thrill parks, water parks and family...
Over Georgia, New River. Over the past decade, they have been featured on many television networks, with appearances on programs such as TBN
TBN
TBN may mean:* The Bot Net* The Barter Network* The Baseball Network* The Brewing Network* The Buffalo News* Toronto Bicycling Network* Total Base Number, an indicator for the alkalinity of lubricant oil* Trombone* Trinity Broadcasting Network...
’s Praise The Lord, and the Grand Ole Opry Live. The group has enjoyed many honors and accolades.
Their album “Journey of Joy” received a Grammy nomination for 2008. “Journey of Joy” was also nominated for three Dove Awards. This album has three consecutive No. 1 songs: “Hey”, “Last Night”, and “Whispered Prayers”. A few of their other popular hits include: "Why Can't All God's Children Get Along", "I Want to Thank You", “Hold Me While I Cry”, “Just One Touch”, “I Wanna Know How It Feels”, “God Likes To Work”, “Daddy’s Home”, “When Jesus Passes By”, “God Still Answers Prayer”, and “Christian In The House”. Additionally, the group’s number one hit, “Four Days Late”, was also named Song of the Year by readers of The Singing New Magazine in 2001 and the SGMA Awards and continues to be a favorite among audiences.
In September 2008, Daywind released Ephesians One. The album, featured the No. 1 song “I Want To Thank You”, which was nominated for a Grammy in 2009. In 2009, Daywind released their album "No Worries, and in 2010, the DVD/CD "Live at Oake Tree" was nominated for a 2010 Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
(their third Grammy nomination). July 2011 brought the release of "Reach Out". “Each time we go into the studio to record a new album,” Karen shares, “we’re at a different place in our walk with Christ than the last time we prepared for a recording. Therefore, obviously, each recording pulls at a different heart string, yet the message of hope is always present. That’s what life in Christ is all about. As a result of various circumstances each of us have faced over the past years, we’re at a point in our lives where we realize that anything we achieve or accomplish is all because of Christ. It is an honor to serve Him.”
Members
- Karen Peck Gooch (born March 12, 1960), soprano, 1991–present
- Susan Peck Jackson (born February 4, 1957), alto (Karen's sister) 1991–present
- David White (tenor) 1991–1993, 1994–1999
- Eric Morris (tenor) 1993–1994
- John Rowsey (tenor) 1999–2002
- Jason Jackson (tenor) 2002–2004
- Paul Lancaster (tenor) 2004
- Devin McGlamery (tenor) 2004–2009
- Jeff Hawes (tenor) 2010–present
Discography
- 1991: Karen Peck and New River
- 1992: Restoration
- 1993: Daddy's Home
- 1994: Alabama Live
- 1995: Live and Unlimited
- 1996: Right on Time
- 1997: Makin' a Difference
- 1999: Turn It Loose
- 2000: A Taste of Grace
- 2001: Triumph
- 2003: For His Glory
- 2004: Faith, Hope, & Love
- 2005: Good to Be Free
- 2006: Carry Faith (Karen Peck solo)
- 2007: Journey of Joy
- 2008: Ephesians One
- 2009: No Worries
- 2010: Live at Oak Tree
- 2011: Reach Out
Compilations
- 2000: A Southern Gospel Decade
- 2007: The Best of Karen Peck and New River
Singles
Singing NewsSinging News
The Singing News is an American magazine which focuses on the Southern Gospel music industry....
Magazine Top 40 Singles
- "Special Love" #8
- "Why Should I Worry" #4
- "Why Can't All God's Children Get Along" #2
- "Ephesians Chapter One" #9
- "I Want to Thank You" #1
- "Whispered Prayers" #1
- "Hey" #1
- "Last Night" #1
- "Hold Me While I Cry" #1
- "River of Peace" #8
- "Just One Touch" #3
- "Get About God's Business" #11
- "That's Why The Call It Grace" #6
- "Rejoice In The Lord" #27
- "Now That You Know" #13
- "I Wanna Know How It Feels" #3
- "The Truth Is" #24
- "Four Days Late" #1
- "Christian In The House" #33
- "UFO" #19
- "God Likes to Work" #1
- "Whenever The Wind Blows" #22
- "Rain & Shine" #2
- "When Jesus Passes By" #2
- "Bend In The River" #6
Awards
- Absolutely Gospel (SGN) Music Award
- 2011: Mixed Group of the Year
- 2011: Female Vocalist of the Year
- 2011: Fan Favorite Artist of the Year
- 2011: Progressive Song of the Year – "Why Can't All God's Children Get Along"
- 2010: Country Song of the Year – "I Want to Thank You"
- 2010: Song of the Year – "I Want to Thank You"
- 2010: Album of the Year – No Worries
- 2010: Fan Favorite Artist of the Year
- 2009: Country/Bluegrass Song of the Year – "Hey"
- 2008: Progressive Southern Song of the Year – "Last Night"
- 2008: Progressive Southern Album of the Year – Journey of Joy
- 2006: Progressive Southern Album of the Year – Good To Be Free
- 2004: Progressive Southern Song of the Year – “That's Why They Call It Grace”
- 2003: Female Vocalist of the Year
- 2002: Song of the Year – “Four Days Late”
- 2002: Progressive Southern Song of the Year – “Four Days Late”
- Favorite Soprano for 11 Consecutive Years
- Favorite Female Vocalist for 18 Consecutive Years
- Diamond Awards
- 1992: Sunrise Award Recipient
- 2005: Trio of the Year
- 2009: Song of the Year - “Whispered Prayers”
- 2009: Album of the Year - Ephesians One
- 2009: Mixed Group of the Year
- Southern Gospel Music Fan Fair Awards
- Female Vocalist of the Year – 2004, 2005, 2006
- 2009: Trio of the Year
- 2009: Favorite Soprano
- 2007: Favorite Soprano
- 2007: Favorite Alto – Susan Peck Jackson
- 2007: Song of the Year – "Hold Me While I Cry"
- 2007: Trio of the Year
- 2002: Female Vocalist of the Year
- 2001: Song of the year – "Four Days Late"