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Katy VanHorn recently resigned The Nelons to pursue other interests. Stepping into to fill the soprano part is Amber Thompson, daughter of Kelly Nelon Clark. Kelly says, "We will miss Katy, but we wish her God's best in her future pursuits. Fortunately, this gives my daughter Amber the opportunity to have her dream come true and step up and sing the soprano part full time with us. I was thirteen when Daddy called me and asked me to sing with The LeFevres, so I really feel like he would be so proud and support Amber's decision. He used to talk about the day that Amber would be with The Nelons full time, and now it is here. So far she is doing a great job." For more information visit The Nelons website, [url=http://www.thenelons.com]http://www.thenelons.com[/url]

Since publishing the news above, we received the following Press Release:

MARIETTA, GA - Amber Thompson, thirteen year-old daughter of Kelly Nelon, has joined The Nelons full time as the soprano vocalist. Amber is filling the position formerly held by Katy VanHorn, who has left to pursue other interests.

"We hate to see Katy go. We truly appreciate the time she spent with us, and wish her nothing but the best as she pursues new paths in her life and career," shares Kelly Nelon. "Fortunately, we are at a point where Amber is ready to step in and take on the role."

"My father gave me an opportunity to sing with The LeFevres when I was thirteen," continues Kelly. "After consulting with my pastor, Joel Hemphill, and others in the industry, I felt that if Amber wanted this opportunity, then I would do all I could to help her succeed, just like Daddy helped me. I guess we are just carrying on a family tradition."

"Seriously, this is about more than Amber being my daughter, or the granddaughter of Rex Nelon. Amber brings some unique qualifications to the stage and to this position in our group in particular," shares Kelly. "First, she has been on the bus, on the stage, and around Southern Gospel performers and fans her entire life. She was just a few weeks old when she made her first appearance on the DOVE Awards. Within the past couple of years, Amber recorded two albums of Children's music. Both received great reviews and were nominated for DOVE Awards. Like her grandfather, she has great pitch and natural singing ability. I know Daddy used to talk about this day and I know he would be very proud. He took great pride in developing young talent, so I believe that this is what Daddy would want. It's exciting that during our twenty-fifth anniversary year a third generation Nelon is going to be on stage."

"I may be biased, but Amber is wonderful young lady and very talented vocalist," states Kelly. "She is saved and knows Who she sings about and why she sings. She'll be a great role model and one of the young leaders of our industry."

In celebration of The Nelons' silver anniversary, the group will be recording a special video on Saturday, April 27, 2002 at Grace Baptist Church in Powder Springs, GA. "Needless to say, that with the Great Western Quartet Convention and the twenty-fifth anniversary video, Amber has jumped in with both feet," laughs Kelly. "But it doesn't really phase her too much because this is what she has known all her life. It is a dream come true for her." The Nelons also have a new recording entitled "United For Christ" scheduled for release in May. "We will be going in the studio next week to let Amber re-sing all of the soprano parts so that the new album will be the group as is it now."

"United For Christ" is the first release from The Nelons on their new in-house label, Seraphim Music. "At this point in our career we feel we could best serve our needs with our own label. With the advances in technology and improved access to the consumer and the market place, it is so much easier to have your own label than it was when we started twenty-five years ago," states Kelly. "But in a way, it's another tradition. For years, Daddy managed the LeFevres' Sing label and their studio. So, what we and other artists are doing with in-house labels isn't a totally new concept. We have been with wonderful labels like Canaan, Homeland, RiverSong, and Daywind. It is our goal to take the very best elements of each one and integrate them into our company. Our product will be distributed through NewDay Distribution and we will be partnering with Kim Hudgins Promotions for our radio promotion. We anticipate some great things this year."

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