Author: GMReditorialteam
Pause Time or Rewind? Pause time. I’m enjoying my solo career and traveling with my wife, Maegan, and our dog, Toby! Early Bird or Night Owl? Night Owl- I stay up way too late, but I get up early… Music or Podcast? Music for sure. Although, I do enjoy a good podcast conversation. Text or Phone Call? Text. I like talking to people, but prefer text. Ice Cream Cone or Ice Cream in a Cup? Ice Cream in a cup. I always pour a little milk on it. Build a…
I’ve found myself the last few days just being pulled… not pushed, not pressured—but pulled closer. Closer to Him. And if I’m being real, it’s come with a little bit of wrestling. Because the more I seek after Jesus… the more I see the parts of me that still want my way, my timing, my control. And that’s not always easy to face. But I’m learning again—maybe deeper than ever—that less of me really does mean more of Him. Less noise. Less striving. Less trying to have all the answers. And more listening… more trusting… more surrender. I’ve been digging…
When you walk into the Truthseekers Homecoming in Marion, Illinois, you could potentially be walking into Gospel music history. This event was the birthplace of the Second Half Quartet, the location of many live album recordings and the first tour stop of the Gospel Music Hymn Sing back when the hymn sing began touring. This event is truly a unique place. But more than that, this homecoming feels like a family and has the slogan of “It’s more than just singing.” For 41 years, the promoters have always emphasized the Lord’s leading in every concert, and more often than not,…
Gospel music is known for songs of faith, annual singings, artists whose voices transcend the genre, and its bass singers. Ian Owens of Tribute Quartet may be one of the most notable voices in Gospel music to date. His voice not only rounds out the legendary Tribute Quartet, but he can hit notes that are beyond the reach of many. As we continue through 2026, Ian is reaching a milestone of his own in Gospel music, and we are all here to celebrate it with him. To know Ian is to be his friend, and through his journey—on and off…
The turn of the twentieth century was a time of exponential change and rapid transformation for society. New technologies burst on the horizon. Radio, television and aircraft were all in their early stages of development and we can trace the roots of Gospel music to those early years of the 1900’s. Quartets were formed for the sole purpose of traveling and selling the newest songbooks, and oftentimes, they would travel to singing schools and conventions to sell the latest edition. It was at one of these singing schools where the Lesters story begins. In 1922, Harvey Lester went to the…
The older I get, the more I hate being alone. Over the last 45 years of ministry, both preaching and singing, I have travelled many, many miles and stayed countless times by myself in hotel rooms. There is nothing good about it. God never designed man to journey alone. From creation, God established relationships as channels through which purpose, strength, and progress are released. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 teaches that destiny thrives better in the company of divinely connected helpers than in isolation. Many destinies struggle, not because of lack of prayer or effort, but because of wrong associations or the absence…
This story took place on a Sunday and is one of the most embarrassing things that has happened to me. We were set up at the church but the service was delayed because of a tornado watch. I’m standing in the lobby, talking to this young man. The conversation was about USB’s and CD’s – it had nothing to do with the topic we landed on. Out of the blue, he looks at me and says, “So you guys made it just in time for mater season!” I thought, odd subject change, but ok. I’ll follow it. So I replied,…
In 2006, I picked up a copy of a new project from Daywind Records. The title of the DVD was “Torch – A Live Celebration of Southern Gospel’s Next Generation,“ and it featured a collection of young artists in their 20’s and early 30’s. The event was recorded live during the 2005 National Quartet Convention in Louisville, KY, and its concept has not been duplicated since. During my research for this article, I found that the project is still available for purchase on daywind.com, and it can be streamed on Apple Music as well. If you have never experienced…
You might be reading the title thinking, “Maria, are you crazy? I would hate to forget to close my garage door!” If you stay with me for a couple minutes, it’ll all make sense… In 2015, we started going to Florida during the winter months to minister. It was a smarter move for us because The Kramers are based in central IL, and not too many gospel concerts happen in the winter there. When we first began, we would stay January-March. We needed to find a reputable hair salon in Florida so we could still look presentable on the platform. …
If I had to sum up the month of May in one word, it would be family. From Mother’s Day to Memorial Day, and the countless celebrations between, May is packed full of gatherings with the ones we love. It can be a stressful time, juggling all of the activities. But having a full calendar is a reminder of how blessed we are to have so many people in our lives. When I think of family and blessings, I look back on a recent conversation I had with Brian Lesters of the Lesters. I don’t know if you know Brian…