The Nelons
{{Short description|American southern gospel group}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = The Nelons
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
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| landscape = yes
| alias = The Rex Nelon Singers (until 1985)
| origin = Georgia
| genre = Southern gospel
| years_active = 1977-2024
| label =
| associated_acts =
| website = {{URL|thenelons.com}}
}}
The Nelons, formerly the Rex Nelon Singers, were an American southern gospel group based in Atlanta, Georgia. Group members included Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband Jason Clark, and Kelly's daughters Amber Nelon Kistler and Autumn Nelon Streetman. The Nelons were inducted into the Gospel Music Association (GMA) Hall of Fame in 2016.[http://www.newreleasetoday.com/news_detail.php?newsid=1314/ "The Nelons to Join Gospel Music Hall of Fame"]. February 02, 2016 Staff Reports. Newreleasetoday.com.
Three members of the quartet were killed in an airplane crash in July 2024. The surviving member, Autumn Nelon Streetman, was not on board the aircraft.{{Cite web |last=Speakman |first=Kimberlee |title=3 Family Members, Part of the Grammy-Nominated Gospel Quartet The Nelons, Die in Plane Crash |url=https://people.com/3-family-members-part-of-gospel-group-the-nelons-die-in-plane-crash-8684822 |access-date=2024-07-28 |website=People |language=en}} Kelly Nelon Clark, Jason Clark, and Amber Nelon Kistler all died in the crash in a remote part of Campbell County, Wyoming, just north of Gillette.
Group history
The Nelons were started by founding member Rex Nelon as The Rex Nelon Singers in 1977.{{cite book|author=W. K. McNeil|title=Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=beGNAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA317|date=18 October 2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-135-37700-7|pages=317–}} The group was a spin-off of the family group The Lefevres. They became known as The Rex Nelon Singers in 1976 because the Lefevre family members left the group. The group's first number-one song was "Come Morning" on the Singing News Chart,{{cite book|chapter=Family Ties: The Hoppers, The Nelons|title=Billboard|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_GgoEAAAAMBAJ|date=26 September 1998|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_GgoEAAAAMBAJ/page/n36 37]–|issn=0006-2510}} and was awarded the Southern Gospel Song of the Decade for the 1980s.{{citation needed|date=October 2015}} Another widely recognizable song by the group is "We Shall Wear a Robe and Crown."
Over time the group included Karen Peck, Janet Paschal, Jerry Thompson, Charlotte Ritchie, Kelly Nelon Clark, Todd Nelon, Jeff Stice, Martin Gureasko, Rodney Swain, Stan Whitmire, Ray Fisher, Vernon Lee.
The Nelons have been nominated for many awards in the southern gospel music industry including Grammys, Dove Awards,{{cite book|chapter=Ryman to Ring out with Gospel|title=Billboard|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_Pw0EAAAAMBAJ|date=25 November 1995|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_Pw0EAAAAMBAJ/page/n58 59]–|issn=0006-2510}} Singing News Awards,{{cite web | title=S / Singing News Fan Awards | website=Southern Gospel History | date=November 10, 2015 | url=http://mywww.sghistory.com/index.php?n=S.Singing_News_Fan_Awards | accessdate=May 22, 2016}} Absolutely Gospel Awards,{{cite web | title=2016 Absolutely Gospel Music Award Nominees Announced | website=Absolutely Gospel Music | date=January 5, 2016 | url=http://www.absolutelygospel.com/agm/2016/01/05/2016-absolutely-gospel-music-award-nominees-announced/ | accessdate=May 25, 2016}}{{cite web | title=2014 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Winners | website=Music Times | date=April 20, 2014 | url=http://www.musictimes.com/articles/5601/20140420/2014-absolutely-gospel-music-awards-winners.htm | accessdate=May 25, 2016}} Diamond Awards, and Christian Voice Awards.{{cite web | last=Letter | first=First | title=Your Source for Information & Inspiration | website=Christian Voice Magazine | date=May 21, 2016 | url=http://www.christianvoicemagazine.com/GMFA10.html | accessdate=May 25, 2016}}
In 2014, the Nelons were a trio made up of Kelly Nelon Clark,{{cite book|chapter=Cathedrals, Nelsons honored by Southern Gospel Assn|title=Billboard|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_tQ0EAAAAMBAJ_2|date=5 June 1999|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_tQ0EAAAAMBAJ_2/page/n25 1]–|issn=0006-2510}} Jason Clark, and Amber Nelon Thompson.[http://www.sgmradio.com/2014/02/10/young-artist-spotlight-amber-nelon-thompson/ "Young Artist Spotlight – Amber Nelon Thompson"]. SGM Radio. February 10, 2014 by Rebecca Little Burke In 2014, Amber was chosen as Female Vocalist of the Year at the Absolutely Gospel Music Awards.[http://www.musictimes.com/articles/5601/20140420/2014-absolutely-gospel-music-awards-winners.htm "2014 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Winners"]. Music Times. Kelly Nelon Clark, Jason Clark, and Amber Nelon Kistler died in a plane crash on July 26, 2024.{{cite web |title=Beloved Gospel Family The Nelons Involved in Fatal Plane Crash |url=https://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/beloved-gospel-family-the-nelons-involved-in-fatal-plane-crash/ |website=CCM Magazine |access-date=27 July 2024 |date=27 July 2024}}
Personnel
=Member History=
- Rex Nelon – bass (1977–1999){{cite web | title=N / Nelons | website=Southern Gospel History | date=May 12, 2016 | url=http://sghistory.com/index.php?n=N.Nelons | accessdate=May 25, 2016}}
- Kelly Nelon Clark – alto (1977–1991; 1993–2024)
- Rodney Swain – lead (1977–1984)
- Janet Paschal – soprano (1977–1981)
- Jerry Thompson – tenor/lead (1977–1992, 1993–1998)
- Karen Peck – soprano (1981–1990)
- Martin Gureasko – pianist (1990–1992)
- Gary Eubanks - bass guitar (1991-1992)
- Stan Whitmire – pianist (1986, 1993–1996)
- Charlotte Ritchie – soprano (1991–1993, 1994–1996)
- Kelly Benton – soprano (1992–1994)
- Amy Roth – soprano (1996–1999)
- Melody Williams – soprano (1999–2001)
- Katy Peach (then Katy VanHorn) – soprano (2001–2002)
- Amber Nelon Kistler – soprano (2002–2024)
- Paul White – lead (1992–1993)
- Tammy Britton – alto (1991–1993)
- David Hill – lead (1998–1999)
- Paul Lancaster – tenor (1999–2001)
- Jason Clark – lead (1997–2024)
- Todd Nelon – baritone (1981–1994)
- Dan Clark – bass (1999–2002)
- Kevin Davis – piano (2000–2012)
- Ray Fisher – piano (1980–1986)
- Danny Crawford – piano (portions of 1986 and 1987)
- Autumn Nelon Streetman – soprano (2014-2024)
Discography
Albums:
:as Rex Nelon Singers
- 1977: The Sun's Coming Up
- 1978: Live
- 1978: I've Never Been This Homesick Before
- 1979: Feelings
- 1980: Expressions of Love
- 1981: Sing The Gospel
- 1981: One More Song
- 1981: One Step Closer
- 1982: Feeling At Home
- 1983: We Shall Behold The King
- 1984: Precious Old Story of Love
- 1984: I've Got My Foot On The Rock
:As The Nelons
- 1985: In One Accord
- 1986: Journeys
- 1987: Thanks
- 1988: Get Ready
- 1989: Let The Redeemed Say So
- 1991: One Less Stone
- 1991: A New Generation
- 1992: Right On Time
- 1993: Kelly Nelon Thompson & The Nelons
- 1994: A Promised Reunion
- 1994: He's My Comfort
- 1994: Triumphant
- 1995: Hallelujah Live
- 1996: We're Glad You're Here
- 1997: We've Got To Praise Him{{cite book|chapter=Gospel's Nelons are full of praise on Homeland set|title=Billboard|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_DA8EAAAAMBAJ|date=26 April 1997|publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc.|pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_DA8EAAAAMBAJ/page/n8 9]–|issn=0006-2510}}
- 1997: Thanks Live
- 1997: All Rise Live
- 1998: Peace Within The Walls
- 1999: A Journey
- 2000: Following After
- 2001: Season of Song 1 Nelon Classics
- 2002: United for Christ
- 2003: Season of Song 2
- 2004: The Light of Home
- 2008: You Are God
- 2010: Beside Still Waters[http://www.sgmradio.com/2011/01/25/cd-review-the-nelons-%E2%80%9Cbeside-still-waters%E2%80%9D/ " CD Review: The Nelons- 'Beside Still Waters'"]. SGM Radio. January 25, 2011
- 2012: Come On Home
- 2012: Evening in December
- 2014: Hymns: The A Capella Sessions[http://www.hallels.com/articles/2058/20140623/the-nelons-hymns-the-a-cappella-sessions-album-review.htm "The Nelons “Hymns: the A Cappella Sessions” Album Review"]. Hallals
- 2016: Stronger Together EP{{Cite web|url=http://www.hallels.com/articles/15266/20160430/the-nelons-release-stronger-together-%25E2%2580%2593limited-edition-ep.htm|title=The Nelons Release "Stronger Together –Limited Edition EP" : News : Hallels|website=www.hallels.com|date=October 2, 2014 |access-date=2016-05-22}}
- 2016: Family Harmony{{Cite web|url=http://www.hallels.com/articles/15986/20160815/the-nelons-stronger-together-and-family-harmony-albums-review.htm|title=The Nelons "Stronger Together" and "Family Harmony" Albums Review|last=Yap|first=Timothy|date=August 15, 2016|website=www.hallels.com|url-status=}}
- 2016: A Nelon Family Christmas
- 2017: The Americana Sessions
- 2018: A Winter Carol
- 2020: Peace At Last
- 2022: We Need A Little Christmas
- 2023: Beautiful
- 2024: Loving You
Compilations
- 1984: Best & Whole Lot More
- 1990: The Best of Times
- 1997: Timeless Collection
- 1998: The Collection
- 1998: Out Front – Best of Rex Nelon
Kelly Nelon solo
- 1983: Her Father's Child
- 1985: Praise Him Now
- 1988: Called By Love
- 1990: KNT
- 1992: Steadfast Heartsghisory.com
Accolades
- 1999: Rex Nelon — Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame inductee
- 2013: People Choice Silver Telly Award — "Excuse Me Are You Jesus" [http://www.homecomingmagazine.com/article/nelons-bill-gaither-and-larry-gatlin-win-telly-awards/ "Nelons, Bill Gaither and Larry Gatlin win Telly Awards"]. Homecoming Magazine, by Deborah Patterson June 5, 2013
- 2016: Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductee
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{official website|thenelons.com}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Nelons}}
Category:1977 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)
Category:Musical groups established in 1977
Category:Family musical groups