2006

Hope’s Call

Donna Beauvais, you are quickly becoming a sought after producer in Southern Gospel Music. Aren't you in the process of producing Hope's Calls CD?

Yes, I am..and I LOVE it! With our project, the effort is very collaborative. Kevin Ward wears the head honcho hat on the production end of our CDs. Jess and Eddie and I work together co-producing with Kevin! We all have a very creative side and when we get started we just have a lot of fun together!

What's that like?

It is a blast. I am for sure the most picky of the 4 of us....Eddie is the most laid back yet solid because he is so relaxed in there...Kevin is the most enduring and creative...and Jess is the most focused on redecorating or making a meal. She would rather be in the kitchen cooking I think...not that she doesn’t enjoy recording...but she’d also like to make us Chicken Cordon Bleu...lol.

What's the biggest challenge?

Well...I think for me (Donna), it would be balancing my leadership role as a producer...because I spend so much time producing other groups when we are not on the road and in those situations, I am normally completely in charge. I have to remember I am sharing production with 3 other people...and each one of them is awesome and so talented. In our case I believe there is strength in numbers.....and the project is more complete by the grace of GOD because of all the individuals He has placed in the creative path to bring it to fruition. If the whole group answered the question "what is the biggest challenge," I believe we would all say the toughest part is song selection...That can be overwhelming! But God sure has given us some amazing messages! We cannot wait to sing the new songs.

What's the biggest advantage?

The best advantage to producing our own project is we know our musical style and ministry heart and direction quite well...so prayerfully we can bring to this CD what fits our ministry and hopefully that will make us more effective in delivering these songs to the people God lets us communicate with.

How is it different from producing other groups?

Well...The question "What is the biggest challenge" would also be the answer for this question...HA...I am very actively involved in the process of production...so when I work with other groups I am running in and out of the vocal room...waving my arms...directing timing...changing chords...etc...With our own process, I try to wait and let everyone decide things together...cause it is likely they are already realizing what I am thinking. I have the most wonderful family and the most talented kids!

And Who are some other groups that you have produced?

I have been doing a lot of producing lately. Recently I have been blessed to work with Sunday Edition, Mercy’s Well, Psalm 101, Young Harmony, Vertical Praise, The Browders, Amazed, Mission of Love and more. I am getting ready to produce a new project with a group of kids whose parents are very well known in gospel music! I COULD not be more excited! I will let you now more about that as soon as I can!

Your last CD "Bright New Day" has been a huge success. How is the new CD different from the last one?

In many ways this new album is similar in the sense that it majors in a message of LOVE, MERCY, and most importantly HOPE! It is progressive, as was "Bright New Day," but we tried, as we did with "Bright New Day," to record something for everyone. We sing to a variety of people, and we want to speak in some way to each one through our songs. We try to listen to what they need to hear and then we try to say it in a song. One thing that is different this time, is production. We are going to have a live orchestra on this album. We have put more time into the musical plan. And we worked very hard to choose songs with very strong lyrics. We have been committed to making an album with no fillers. We hope each song touches people as individuals in a very personal way. We have 11 new songs on the album and one classic that so many people have asked us to record, "We Shall Behold Him." It will be a tremendous honor to sing that song! And OH, what a thought, that we will see HIM one day! The one who has blessed us with HOPE and LIFE! That is an AWESOME thought!

Though Hope's Call has been on the SGM scene for several years now, you seem to be bursting on the scene. What's happening with Hope's Call now that is different from a year or two ago?

My first thought when looking at this question is UP, UP, UP...We can do nothing but point UP...We can look no where in our ministry as far as growth and opportunity, but to GOD. He has is favor on us. We don’t know why...but we are so thankful. From the beginning God has walked with us each step of the way and I think over the last couple years, we have learned to give it to HIM more. I think the key to true success is SURRENDER. People ask all the time, "how do you do this," or "how did this happen," and truly God is just showing us more about surrender. When I encourage other ministries, I just tell them, "Whatever God has planned, He will accomplish. You just have to let Him." The greatest blessings on our ministry are not really what people see...They are the 107 souls saved since January of this year. They are the restored marriages, the backslidden believer who comes home, the church family that pulls closer together. Those are the REAL SUCCESSES.

What closet song does Hope's Call have that they sing on the bus, but their fans would be shocked if they knew?

Well...I can tell you that Eddie is the music aficionado! I mean he has tons on his ipod and he gives us a concert every weekend via the ipod! All of us are major Chris Rice fans! So I would say we sing those songs the most. My fav is "Smell the Color Nine" because it makes no sense, but that is his point exactly. HA! I would like to spend one day as a fly on the wall of Chris Rice’s song writing heart!

I know that Donna does a lot of song writing, but I understand that Jessica has written some too. Tell us about the songwriting that's happening in the group.

Well as of the release of our new album "Live to Love" there will be three songwriters with recorded songs out of the three of us. 3 for 3...lol! We all wrote for the new album. Jess and I enjoy writing lyrics and creating melodies. Eddie is gifted in the musical chord creation side! (Although I have a feeling he will be writing some lyrics someday too). We co-wrote a new song together for this CD and we are very excited about the song. It is a song that relates to reaching the lost and ministering to the poor and needy called "In Jesus Name" We are so blessed to partner in ministry with Compassion International and the Compassion slogan was the motivation for this song. It is, "Releasing children from poverty, In Jesus Name." We pray the song encourages people to reach out to those who need hope. I co-wrote another song with Jess called "How Lovely is the One." I also co-wrote with Rebecca Peck on one and worked on one with Tery Wilkins. What an honor to write with them!

In the past year, Hope's Call has gotten a bus. How is it different traveling on a bus than in a van and trailer?

Ha...Well it is most helpful. We spend a GREAT amount of time on the road and so the bus was truly a blessing. The interesting thing is...We sold it! So we are back to van and trailer for a while. Can someone say "WOW....were we spoiled...lol!" Going back to van and trailer has been more of a challenge because our schedule is so much busier than when we traveled that way in the past. We do plan to purchase another bus...but that is not something anyone wants to jump into. We are taking our time in the decision. Actually we are waiting for God to come to the door with the location of the one He has inspected and approved for purchase...HA! Ask any bus owner out there..it is a blessing to have one and a blessing to NOT have one! Seriously though...we are in the process of making that decision so everyone keep us in prayer. It is an important BIG decision!

Do you have a favorite venue that you like to sing in?

Do you have a venue that you really don't care if you ever sing in again? Well...as far as favorite venues....Could not pick...too many to name! We love singing where GOD is. As far as where we would not care to ever sing again....ummm....Yes, there are those but they shall remain nameless in an effort to protect the innocent and the guilty...LOL!

Hope's Call is known for being a rather progressive sounding group, yet your first top 10 song was the most traditional song you have ever released to radio. How high did "Singing Heaven's Song" go on the charts? How do you explain that?

"Singing Heaven’s Song" went to #5 on the Singing News Top 80 and actually hit #1 on the SGN chart! We sing songs we LOVE to sing and we sing songs we hope others would love to hear. From the very progressive "You are Loved" to the very traditional "Singing Heaven’s Song" people seem to be blessed and touched. That is just HIM...We really don’t have a musical style agenda! We love Southern Gospel music because of the clear MESSAGE! Those are the kind of songs we want to sing...so you never know what you might hear from us! But our prayer is that you will always hear a MESSAGE that you cannot miss! While "Singing Heaven’s Song" was a tremendous chart success and a lot of fun for people (and we are so happy about that), "You are Loved" went to #11 on the SN chart which was a thrill for us...but the biggest thrill was the email after email we received from people telling us how that song touched them. Several expressed they got saved, several rededicated their lives, and this is the best news to us. Chart action is GREAT, but HEART ACTION is eternal!

In 15 years your kids will all be grown. Are you expecting any of them to join Hope's Call in the ministry? What do you see Hope's Call being like in 15 years?

My prayer is that they will just do whatever GOD has called them to do. Jenna and Josh both have wonderful voices (our two youngest kids) and Jason is great in management and people skills. Each one of them are awesome and gifted! I would love to see them be a part someday as far as singing in the group, but we will just wait and see what God does. In 15 years I see a FAMILY. There is nothing in this world more important that God has given us than that....I don’t know His plans for us in 15 years....I pray we keep singing until He comes back, but more importantly I pray for His will in our lives and in the life of our ministry! We just want to serve HIM till He comes and we LOVE making music! That is our heart!

Visit Hope's Call online at http://www.hopescall.com

Be sure to catch Hope's Call as they perform at the 7th Annual Gospel Music Fan Festival, Friday, July 28, 2006 in Smyrna, TN.

Karen Peck and New River

Karen Peck is most known for her flawless and beautiful soprano voice. That voice has garnered her 11 Favorite Soprano Fan Awards with the Singing News Magazine.

Karen's beautiful voice was first brought to the attention of fans during her 10 years with the Rex Nelon Singers. In 1991, Karen and sister Susan, along with Karen’s husband Rickey, organized the musical group of Karen Peck & New River. Today the New River team consists of Karen, Susan, and Devin McGlamery. Karen’s husband Rickey serves as the group’s road manager and sound technician, while Susan’s husband David coordinates the group’s merchandise sales. Dawn Hughes has traveled with the group for over two years, assisting with the care of Karen and Rickey’s children, Matthew and Kari, as well as Susan and David’s son Joseph, making New River a true family affair.

Not only has Karen Peck and New River been a real hit with the fans, but radio certainly loves this group as well. They have enjoyed five Number One hits. In addition, the number one hit, “Four Days Late,” was also named Song of the Year by The Singing News Magazine in 2001.

Anyone who meets Karen Peck today falls instantly in love with this southern girl with a voice like an angel. Karen Peck, Susan Peck Jackson and Devon McGlamery have set a new standard for musical perfection. Their rich harmonies are tinged with true southern gospel richness, accompanied by country and progressive stylings.

Deon recently had a chance to catch up with Karen Peck and had a few questions to ask her.

The first time I ever saw Karen Peck Gooch; she was a pretty, young, blonde singing for the Rex Nelon Singers. How did Rex find you and what were you doing before the Rex Nelon Singers?

I was traveling with a part-time group who opened for "The Rex Nelon Singers" every time they were in town. They were my favorite group!

You have been through several male singers, but you seem to have kept the female singer for a long time. Why is that?

The male singers we've had in the past have made an impact on our ministry. We've been very blessed. Susan and I are sisters. We've been through a lot, but God has been faithful.

I think that this may be the best combination of singers that you have ever had. Devon came from a male quartet background. What kind of adjustments had to be made on your part and on his part to get this complete sound that you have today?

Devin was used to singing a different part. When he auditioned, he was able to sing the high notes. We had never sang with a "quartet man" before. I am very pleased with Devin.

It's quite an accomplishment for a woman to have such a successful Southern Gospel group. Have there been struggles to overcome?

Absolutely. I am constantly leaning on God for guidance.

KP&NR is known for the great power ballads that you sing. You seem to have such a gift at interpreting ballads. Are these your favorite type of songs to sing? If not, what is? If so, what's your second favorite type of song to sing? Why?

I love any song that ministers to me. I love simple ballads with power words.

What part do the husbands play in KP&NRs ministry?

My husband, Rickey, manages the group and is the sound tech. David, Susan's husband, runs our product table and takes care of the bus.

Are your kids showing any interest in becoming a part of KP&NRs ministry in the future?

Matthew is running our multimedia. Kari and Joseph help with the product. They are also singing and taking piano lessons.

Can you imagine yourself as ever being anything other than a Gospel singer? What about Susan and Devin?

No. I hope and pray the Lord will allow me to sing forever. I believe the same is for Susan and Devin.

Rumor has it that you've been contemplating a solo CD. Is anything in the works for us to be looking forward to?

Not now. We had discussed it a few months ago while we were waiting on a singer to join us. Devin cam along and we recorded the album "Good To Be Free."

Be sure to catch Karen Peck and New River during their performance, Saturday, July 29, 2006 6:00 pm at the 7th Annual Gospel Music Fan Festival in Smyrna, TN.

Visit KPNR on their website at http://www.karenpeckandnewriver.com