The Nelons

The Nelons
Also known asThe Rex Nelon Singers (until 1985)
OriginGeorgia
GenreSouthern gospel
Years active1977—2024
Websitethenelons.com

The Nelons, formerly the Rex Nelon Singers, were an American southern gospel group based in Atlanta, Georgia. 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.

Three members of the quartet, Kelly Nelon Clark, Jason Clark and Amber Nelon Kistler, died in an airplane crash in a remote part of Campbell County, Wyoming, just north of Gillette in July 2024. The surviving member, Autumn Nelon Streetman, was not on board.

History

The Nelons were started by Rex Nelon as The Rex Nelon Singers in 1977. 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, and was awarded the Southern Gospel Song of the Decade for the 1980s.[citation needed] 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, Singing News Awards, Absolutely Gospel Awards, Diamond Awards, and Christian Voice Awards.

In 2014, the Nelons were a trio made up of Kelly Nelon Clark, Jason Clark, and Amber Nelon Thompson. In 2014, Amber was chosen as Female Vocalist of the Year at the Absolutely Gospel Music Awards. Kelly Nelon Clark, Jason Clark, and Amber Nelon Kistler died in a plane crash on July 26, 2024. The Nelons' final album, Loving You, was posthumously released on August 30, 2024.

Personnel

Member History

  • Rex Nelon – bass (1977–1999)
  • 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)
  • Todd Nelon – bass guitar, lead/baritone (1979–1995)
  • Ray Fisher – piano (1980–1986)
  • Karen Peck – soprano (1981–1990)
  • Stan Whitmire – pianist (1986, 1993–1996)
  • Brian Beatty (1980s)
  • Martin Gureasko – pianist (1990–1992)
  • James Gordon – bass guitar/drums (1990–1991)
  • Gary Eubanks - bass guitar (1991-1992)
  • Charlotte Ritchie – soprano (1991–1993, 1994–1996)
  • Kelly Benton – soprano (1992–1994)
  • Amy Roth – soprano (1996–1999)
  • Monica Moore (Deer) - soprano (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)
  • Mickey Bell – piano (1997–2000)
  • David Hill – lead (1998–1999)
  • Paul Lancaster – tenor (1999–2001)
  • Jason Clark – lead, bass guitar (1995–2024)
  • Dan Clark – bass (1999–2002)
  • Kevin Davis – piano (2000–2012)
  • Danny Crawford – piano (portions of 1986 and 1987)
  • Autumn Nelon Streetman – soprano (2014-2024)

Discography

Albums:

as Rex Nelon Singers
As The Nelons

Compilations

Kelly Nelon solo

Accolades

References

  1. ↑ "The Nelons to Join Gospel Music Hall of Fame". February 02, 2016 Staff Reports. Newreleasetoday.com.
  2. ↑ Speakman, Kimberlee. "3 Family Members, Part of the Grammy-Nominated Gospel Quartet The Nelons, Die in Plane Crash". People. Retrieved July 28, 2024.
  3. ↑ W. K. McNeil (October 18, 2013). Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music. Routledge. pp. 317–. ISBN 978-1-135-37700-7.
  4. ↑ "Family Ties: The Hoppers, The Nelons". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. September 26, 1998. pp. 37–. ISSN 0006-2510.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "N / Nelons". Southern Gospel History. May 12, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  6. ↑ "Ryman to Ring out with Gospel". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. November 25, 1995. pp. 59–. ISSN 0006-2510.
  7. ↑ "S / Singing News Fan Awards". Southern Gospel History. November 10, 2015. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  8. ↑ "2016 Absolutely Gospel Music Award Nominees Announced". Absolutely Gospel Music. January 5, 2016. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  9. ↑ "2014 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Winners". Music Times. April 20, 2014. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  10. ↑ Letter, First (May 21, 2016). "Your Source for Information & Inspiration". Christian Voice Magazine. Retrieved May 25, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Cathedrals, Nelsons honored by Southern Gospel Assn". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. June 5, 1999. pp. 1–. ISSN 0006-2510.
  12. ↑ "Young Artist Spotlight – Amber Nelon Thompson". SGM Radio. February 10, 2014 by Rebecca Little Burke
  13. ↑ "2014 Absolutely Gospel Music Awards Winners". Music Times.
  14. ↑ "Beloved Gospel Family The Nelons Involved in Fatal Plane Crash". CCM Magazine. July 27, 2024. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  15. ↑ "Daywind Records Releases Final Album From The Nelons; Recorded Just Before Plane Accident". CCM Magazine. August 30, 2024.
  16. ↑ "Final album completed shortly before members of The Nelons gospel group's deaths released". WSB-TV. August 30, 2024.
  17. ↑ "Gospel's Nelons are full of praise on Homeland set". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. April 26, 1997. pp. 9–. ISSN 0006-2510.
  18. ↑ " CD Review: The Nelons- 'Beside Still Waters'". SGM Radio. January 25, 2011
  19. ↑ "The Nelons “Hymns: the A Cappella Sessions” Album Review". Hallals
  20. ↑ "The Nelons Release "Stronger Together –Limited Edition EP" : News : Hallels". www.hallels.com. October 2, 2014. Retrieved May 22, 2016.
  21. ↑ Yap, Timothy (August 15, 2016). "The Nelons "Stronger Together" and "Family Harmony" Albums Review". www.hallels.com.
  22. ↑ sghisory.com
  23. ↑ "Nelons, Bill Gaither and Larry Gatlin win Telly Awards". Homecoming Magazine, by Deborah Patterson June 5, 2013