The Hoppers are a Southern Gospel

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...

 group from North Carolina

North Carolina

North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...

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The Hoppers are a family ensemble which first began performing together in 1957. They appeared at the inauguration

Inauguration

An inauguration is a formal ceremony to mark the beginning of a leader's term of office. An example is the ceremony in which the President of the United States officially takes the oath of office....

 ceremony for Ronald Reagan

Ronald Reagan

Ronald Wilson Reagan was the 40th President of the United States , the 33rd Governor of California and, prior to that, a radio, film and television actor....

 in 1981. They won awards for Mixed Vocal Group at the Southern Gospel Music Awards in 1982 and 1983.

Kim Greene of The Greenes joined the group in 1989 after marrying vocalist and former drummer Dean Hopper the year before. Their first major hit at Christian radio

Christian radio

Christian radio is a category of radio formats that focus on transmitting programming with a Christian message. In the United States, where it is more established, many such broadcasters play popular music of Christian influence, though many programs have talk or news programming covering...

 was "Here I Am", in 1990; they would score many further hits, including "Milk and Honey," "Mention My Name," "Anchor to the Power of the Cross," "Heavenly Sunrise," "That's Him," and "Yes I Am."

Mike Hopper married Denice in 1996, who became the group's pianist. In 1998, their version of "Shoutin' Time" became their biggest hit, and the group performed with Bill

Bill Gaither

William J. Gaither is an American singer and songwriter of southern gospel and Contemporary Christian music. Besides having written numerous popular Christian songs with his wife, Gloria, he is also known for performing as part of the Bill Gaither Trio, and the Gaither Vocal Band...

 and Gloria Gaither

Gloria Gaither

Gloria Gaither is a Christian songwriter, author, speaker, editor, and academic. She is the wife of Bill Gaither and also sang in the Bill Gaither Trio, one of the most influential groups in recent Christian music.-Early Years:...

. They won several further Southern Gospel Music Awards in following years. In addition member Connie Hopper won the career Marvin Norcross Award

Singing News Fan Awards for Marvin Norcross Award

The Marvin Norcross Award is awarded yearly in the Singing News Fan Awards ceremony to honor an individual selected by the staff of the Singing News magazine who has made distinct contributions to Southern Gospel over his or her career.- Honorees :...

 in 1998. They also performed on the album Tribute To Dottie Rambo, which was a nominee for "Special Event Album of the Year" at the Dove Awards of 1999

Dove Awards of 1999

The 30th Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on March 24, 1999 recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 1998. The show was held at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by John Tesh.-Song of the Year:...

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In recent years, the Hoppers have enjoyed great success with the edgier "Jerusalem" widening their audience to include contemporary and inspirational music fans.

The group has appeared on 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...

 tour frequently, and Claude and Dean Hopper are members of the board of directors of the North Carolina Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Mike Hopper has appeared on the television program Touched by an Angel

Touched by an Angel

Touched by an Angel is an American drama series that premiered on CBS on September 21, 1994 and ran for 211 episodes and nine seasons until its conclusion on April 27, 2003. Created by John Masius and produced by Martha Williamson, the series stars Roma Downey, as an angel named Monica, and Della...

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In 2007, the Hoppers signed to the shortly revived Canaan Record Label. Their release, "The Ride", was originally recorded independently, then re-released on the Canaan label. January 2009 brought the first recording under the Canaan umbrella titled, "North America, Live!". With distribution under the Spring Hill Music Group label, the Hoppers have released "Something's Happening" to retail this past August.

Kim Hopper has released two noteworthy solo projects, "Imagine" under the Spring Hill Label, and most recently (August 2008) "I Just Wanted You To Know" with Canaan Records.

Group accolades
Favorite Mixed Group Award 1997-98-99-00-01-02-03-05-08-09
Mixed Vocal Group SGMA 1982-83-98-99-00-01
"Hearts-A-Flame" Mixed Group Award 95-96-97

Connie Favorite Alto Award 1998-99-00 and the
Prestigious Marvin Norcross Award in 1998
Queen of Gospel Music 83-84 Person of the year 2005

Kim Female Vocalist "Hearts-A-Flame" 95-96-97
Female Vocalist SGMA 99 Young Artist
Singing News Soprano 97-98-99-00-01-02-03-04-05-06-07-08-09
Female Vocalist Singing News 99-00-01-07-08-09
Female Vocalist Voice Diamonds 99

Michael Favorite Musician 2001-2005
Favorite Artist Web Site 2005

Members

• Claude Hopper - current Bass vocals
• Connie Hopper - current Alto vocals
• Dean Hopper - drums, current Lead vocals
• Kim [Greene] Hopper - current soprano vocals (1989-present)
• Mike Hopper - drums, vocals
• Lewis Wells - piano (2006-2008)
• Josh Simpson" - piano (2004-2005; 2011-present)
• Denice Hopper - piano (1996-2003)
• Rex Foster - piano (Dates Needed)
• Shannon Childress - piano, vocals (1986-1997)
• Greg Bentley - guitar, vocals (1985-1988)
• Sharon Watts - vocals (1983-1986)
• Johnny Porrazzo-piano, vocals (1972-1975)
• Debra Talley - vocals (1979-1982)
• Kirk Talley
  Kirk Talley
  Kirk Talley , is an American Southern Gospel performer/songwriter.-Early career:Born in Johnson City, TN, Talley began performing Southern Gospel Music in 1972. He was a member of the groups "The Hoppers", The Cathedrals and the Talleys. He joined the Cathedrals in 1979 and with the lineup of...
  
  - vocals (1976-1980)
• Roger Talley - piano, vocals (1974-1983)
• Steve Keen- piano, vocals (1983-1985)
• Karlye Hopper- vocals (2007-present)
• Jacob Crisp- piano (2009-2011)

Discography

• "Gospel Favorites" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, HopperSing Records, 1962)
• "5th Anniversary" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, HopperSing Records, 1963)
• "The Best of the Hopper Brothers and Connie" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, HopperSing Records, 1968)
• "Try A Little Kindness" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, HopperSingRecords, 1969)
• "Just Old Time Christians" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, HopperSing Records, 1971)
• "The Unseen Hand" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, HopperSing Records, 1972)
• "Jesus Taught Our Hearts To Sing" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Calvary Records, 1972)
• "Our Kind of Gospel" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Calvary Records, 1973)
• "Sing For...Impact International" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, HopperSing Records, 1973)
• "Sing Gospel Classics" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Trail Records, 1974)
• "Thank God For The Old Rugged Cross" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Trail Records, 1974)
• "Greater Than Before" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Supreme Records, 1974)
• "A Live and a Singin" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Trail Records, 1974)
• "I'm Going There" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Hymnstone Records, 1974)
• "Lord Help Me Bury The Hatchet" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, QCA Records, 1975)
• "Higher" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, QCA Records, 1976)
• "A Unique Experience" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, QCA Records, 1977)
• "Highly Seasoned" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Supreme Records, 1977)
• "Collector's Edition" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, HopperSing Records, 1977)
• "Something Going On" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Supreme Records, 1978)
• "Garment Of Praise" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Trail Records, 1979)
• "Home Grown" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Supreme Records, 1979)
• "Live" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Supreme Records, 1980)
• "God Will Provide" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Trail Records, 1980)
• "Home Is Where The Heart Is" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Supreme Records, 1981)
• "Blessings" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, HopperSing Records, 1982)
• "Come To The Wedding" (Lifeline Records, 1982)
• "Think On The Good Things" (Lifeline Records, 1983)
• "Traveling Right" (HopperSing Records, 1984)
• "I Know What Lies Ahead" (Lifeline Records, 1984)
• "Citizen of Two Worlds" (HopperSing Records, 1985)
• "Smoke of the Battle" (HopperSing Records, 1986)
• "Whosoever Will" (HopperSing Records, 1987)
• "Stand For Jesus" (Sonlite Records, 1987)
• "He's Still God Live" (Sonlite Records, 1988)
• "On These Grounds" (Sonlite Records, 1990)
• "Heavenly Sunrise" (Sonlite Records, 1991)
• "Mention My Name" (Sonlite Records, 1993)
• "One More Time" (Sonlite Records, 1993)
• "Never Thirst Again" (Sonlite, 1994)
• "A Christmas Story Live" (Sonlite Records, 1994)
• "Anchor to the Power of the Cross (Homeland, 1995)
• "Timepieces Vol. 1" (Sonlite, 1997)
• "40 Years Forever To Be Remembered" (HopperSing Records, 1997)
• "Forever Settled" (Homeland, 1997)
• "Timepieces Vol. 2" (Sonlite, 1998)
• "One Foundation" (Homeland, 1998)
• "Joy for the Journey" (Homeland, 1999)
• "Shoutin' Time: The Best of the Hoppers" (Homeland, 2000)
• "Classics:Live in Greenville" (Homeland, 2000)
• "Power" (Spring Hill, 2000)
• "Great Joy" (FarmHouse Productions, 2001)
• "Steppin' Out" (Spring Hill, 2002)
• "Imagine" (Spring Hill, 2003)
• "Great Day (Spring Hill, 2003)
• "Generations" (Spring Hill, 2005)
• "Classic Hits" (Sonlite, 2005)
• "The Ride" (Hoppers Music/Canaan Records, 2006/2007)
• "I Just Wanted You To Know" (Canaan, 2008)
• "North America Live" (Canaan, 2009)
• "Unforgettable" (Hoppers Music/Mansion Entertainment, 2009)
• "The Best of the Hoppers: from the Gaither Homecoming Series" (Gaither Music Group, 2010)
• "Something's Happening" (Hoppers Music/Spring Hill, 2010)
• "Hymns: A Classic Collection" (Hoppers Music, 2011)