2007

The Presses Are Rolling

Happy New Year!! I know everybody keeps saying where is the time going. It seems we were just ringing in 2000 and here we are beginning 2007.

During this time of year, we tend to spend some time reflecting on the year that we have just finished as well as looking ahead with anticipation to what the new year will bring.

For The King's Heralds the new year will bring the release of our Southern Gospel project called I Just Can't Wait. The final mix and mastering have been done. We are in the process of finalizing the artwork and getting the presses rolling.

2006 was a terrific year for us. We saw The Lord do some wonderful things and we know that He will open many new doors of opportunity for us in 2007.

A great big thank you to everyone who has supported us. We would not be able to do what we do without the love and support we feel from our family and friends. We look forward to seeing each of you out there on the road. For those of you who booked the quartet..we thank you..if you bought a ticket to a concert we thank you form the bottom of our heart. We wish each one of you God's richest blessing in this new year.

The King's Heralds
http://www.theheralds.org

Happy “New” Year?

As we set our sights upon the arrival of 2007 I can't help but think this year could be a pivoting point for Christians all over the world.

We have witnessed so many changes already in years past. And it seems that with each passing year, more and more folks are turning from God. Folks now a days live how they want and do what they want. I fear that Christians are in that same mind set.

Look at our churches today: Many have forgotten that the house of God is a place of worship. A place of reverence. It's not uncommon to walk into a service now to partake in a carry in event. We need to read the story of how Jesus cleared the temple again!

Let us take time and examine our relationship with God. How is your walk with the Creator? How does God measure up in your life. Is He still considered the most important essential means of existence in your life or has He become a mere commodity?

My prayer this year is for God to allow me the boldness to walk upright before Him and not be ashamed of who I am. I am a child of God. A holy God. A God who will soon return for His bride. My desire is for Him to find favor in me!

I don't want to be considered part of this world. I find it honorable to be peculiar and set apart. I Peter 2:9 - But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light:

From Songs of Sharron Ministries
HAPPY "NEW" YEAR!

Many Blessin's,
Sharron Kay King
Songs of Sharron Ministries

For product or booking please call :
765-966-3057 or 765-993-6986

http://www.sharronkayking.com

Rev 12:11/ And they overcame him by the blood of the lamb, and by the word of their testimony;

New Beginnings

At this time of year, we hear so many resolutions to eat healthier; lose weight; be a better person; etc. But statistics show that most people are unable to keep their resolutions even for the first month of the new year!

Amazing how our nature is so uncooperative at doing what's best for us! But that's been the case since the dawn of time ~ remember Adam and Eve? Seems like as time continues on, we want more "instantaneous" results so that it's easy. But nothing that's worth anything comes easy. Remember Jesus' walk up Calvary's hill?

I have given myself some goals for the new year in "little" tidbits. I've found that it's easier to chip away a little at a time, rather than trying to attack it all at once. We, as a Christian family, need to remember that each one of us is important in another person's life ~ that "one" person. It is impossible for each of us to save the world, but each one of us can focus on an individual that needs to be reached for the Lord and see that person come to Christ during 2007. Now _that's_ a New Year's Resolution worth keeping!

In HIS Service,

Donna Strong
HEARTS OF FAITH
CGMA 2006 Eastern USA
"Acapella Artist of the Year" &
"Duo of the Year"
http://www.hearts-of-faith.com

LATEST RELEASE: "Mercy's Gift"
(Millennium Music Group Vol 20, Cut #9)

January…A Time for the Fresh Start and SO MUCH THANKS!

I love this month! Something about it screams "CLEAN SLATE...FRESH START!" I love that! I need about a million of those and God is so good to me cause HE keeps on giving them. He has this way of loving me so much that when I need to start again...He doesn't say..."You know you have done this one too many times...Not this time...Not NOW!" Instead He lovingly waits for me to call on HIM for help and HE gladly gives it...Loving me every minute through it all. Even when I take things or circumstances back from HIM or throw the plan aside for the ME factor, He still loves, reaches, and is my Help and my Strength!

I Have a MEGA PRAISE REPORT!

Last month, our 16 year old experienced yet another brush with death (someday I will tell Joshua’s story). Anyway, he severely crashed and totaled our Sport Track. The truck was air born, but I am virtually positive that a band of guardian angels snuggled up around him as the vehicle landed on the driver's side and crushed the cab to the level of the steering wheel where Josh was seated! God is AMAZING and I realize the outcome is not always so good for people who go through this...I am not taking this miracle for granted...Not for a moment! But one thing is sure...I am so glad that no matter what comes, GOD ALWAYS DOES! What a HOPE we have in HIM!

This month as we begin this New Year...I wanted to just share with you my very favorite section of scripture! I love the WORD...What a love letter! Here is a Psalm that has brought me a lot of strength...I hope today as you read this and as you begin your New Year you will find rest, shelter, and peace in this reality:

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.
There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early.
The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.
Come, behold the works of the LORD, what desolations he hath made in the earth.
He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire.
Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah.

Isn’t that great stuff! JUST AWESOME!

Our album LIVE TO LOVE releases this month on Tuesday, January 23rd! It will be in stores across the country and in many online stores including ours at http://www.hopescall.com
(It will be on ITUNES as well)! I cannot begin to tell you the way that GOD is using these songs to minister to people! So many of you have already requested soundtracks so you can sing these songs as well! I have GREAT news! The Complete Soundtrack for LIVE TO LOVE will be available through Daywind as well as several individual tracks! It should be ready in early February.

The single “Too Far Away” is truly touching hearts at radio across the country! We are so thankful! We keep on receiving the most encouraging emails and we love that...Please feel free to email us anytime! We love to hear from YOU! In addition, we have a new single out to Inspo and some AC radio! It is the acoustic version of “You Are Loved.” It is a long story, but all I can say is GOD DID All OF IT...and we are so blessed and grateful! He continues to use this song to let people know how much HE LOVES them!

So cling to the HOPE that is HIM and let’s start this year with MORE of HIM...less of me...

And remember...YOU ARE LOVED!

Donna

http://www.hopescall.com

January 07 Reflections

I can still smell the diesel as it hung thick in the air. People were laughing and talking, almost yelling to be heard over the roar of five private coaches - home away from home for weary traveling singers. There was an excitement in the air that was almost electric. We had waited for this night all year long. As I recall, we had dresses specially made for this night, my sister and I. It was a dress-up affair to say the least. Men and women alike donned their finest for this evening. It was New Year's Eve at the old Kingsland Theatre.

In retrospect, it really didn't look like much. It was old. The seats were not particularly comfortable. The concrete floor had a rather severe slope that made you walk a little faster than you intended. It was hot in the summer and cold in the winter. The bathrooms were cramped and tiny with no amenities other than the bare essentials and one wavy mirror.

There was a small concessions area where faithful volunteers worked elbow to elbow trading Cokes for coins and dishing up "nanner puddin'" for those who couldn't resist. (That's banana pudding, in case you're curious). The place always smelled of hot buttered popcorn and too much cologne - a decidedly odd combination.

Herschel was always out front teasing with fans or talking business, booking a group for next year's event. His broad smile and hearty laugh was evidence that he loved this --all of it, the people, the groups, the music, the whole idea that he could bring people of all walks of life together under one roof to hear the Gospel message in song. It was, I'm sure, a dream first birthed in the hearts of Mom and Pop Lester and passed on down to Herschel, who no doubt passed it on to his children.

The auditorium was jam-packed with folks chattering and waiting for Pop Lester to walk on stage and ask God's blessings before bringing on the first group of the evening - his family - accordion, stand-up bass, and all. Group after group made the walls pulse with rhythm. Heels pounded on the wooden stage as one player after another banged out accompaniment on the old upright piano with the front cover missing. The tenors screeched higher and higher, changed keys and went higher still while the bass vibrated the floor beneath our feet. Four part harmony - the way gospel music was intended to be heard as far as I'm concerned. Beautiful chords and tricky inversions. Tight harmonies. Just great, great music. And even though it was a production of sorts, the Lord met with us, and we always left feeling a bit lighter - like a burden had been lifted, or like we were not alone in our situation or in our service to the Lord. It truly made a difference.

I remember one year braving the worst ice storm in a decade to make the 25 mile trip, and I'd do it again. It was worth every slip and slide. Year after year we sang out the old year and the new in. I wouldn't take anything for those memories. Strangely enough, I still have a couple of those New Year's Eve dresses, thirty some years later. I can't bring myself to part with them. Somehow it would be like throwing in the towel on the hope that I could revisit those feelings and those times.

No, it wasn't fancy, and the rest of the world had most likely never heard of the headlining groups, but ask anyone in St. Louis who attended the event how much they enjoyed it and how much they long for a return to those simple times.

As I write this now in my home on New Year's Eve, I can't help but feel like there's someplace else I should be on this night. It's painful knowing that the old Kingsland is gone and such people of vision with it.

I fear that many of gospel music's visionaries have been replaced with mercenaries, and they would have us believe that unless a group moves tons of product or draws tremendous crowds they are not pros, they are not skilled, they are not worthy. Apparently these self-proclaimed experts have standards higher than God Almighty who requires only a joyful noise. They seek to be called "elite" in the service of the Lord when Jesus, scripture tells us, made Himself of no reputation.

Gospel music is changing and will continue to change, but my hope is that we will remember the old landmarks and the pioneers who have blazed the Gospel trail before us. The Bible talks much about the old paths, and I believe it's important not to stray too far from our heritage. I pray that Gospel music will remain just that - Gospel - and not just rhythms with veiled references to a higher power for more airplay.

So at the dawn of this new year, I would like to take this opportunity to thank every artist, whether part-time weekend warriors or full-timers, who have left behind family, church, and friends to answer God's call. Thank you for dealing with flat bus tires at 2:00 a.m. to come on down the road to my little town. Thank you for every mile you've driven down dark, icy mountain roads. Thank you to the sleepy bus driver whose weary head bobs and to the one who sits up front to keep him awake. Thank you for continuing on when you have 35 people to sing to and come away with little more than hamburger money. You've missed first words and first steps, birthdays and ball games. God is aware of your sacrifice. He sees, He knows, and He will decide who's "elite". Aren't you glad?

Have a wonderful, blessed and safe New Year.

Janice

Fireworks At Midnight

Our family has been observing an annual tradition each New Year’s Eve. We always have a table full of finger foods (I always overeat) and our homemade sherbet punch, followed by watching the ball drop in Times Square, then shooting fireworks at midnight. Nothing glamorous, but this event is filled with memories. There was the year when Rachel burned her coat sleeve… (Never let a small child wear a large coat while lighting a sparkler.) There was the year 2000 where, despite all the hoopla, nothing happened. We clocked over to the year ’00 and our computers didn’t crash, the lights stayed on, and … absolutely nothing happened. Except the Quicks were out at midnight on Eglin Air Force Base shooting fireworks… and I was overeating. The girls wore New Year’s hats that we had made out of poster board and glitter paint. I think we still have them in a box somewhere. Then there was our first year here in Nashville. Tim and I had just bought our first home. I made the mistake of getting Tim one of those large packages of fireworks instead of his usual ration of a handful of fire crackers and sparklers. This box had a lot of those cannon looking deals with no name on them, much less directions. If you know anything about Tim at all, you might understand my concern about him getting his hands on matches and anything that has the words “Danger” and “Explosive” on it. The next thing I knew, a roman candle that he had lit fell over and was shooting brightly colored fireballs at the house! I now keep a hose connected to the front faucet. This New Year’s Eve was no different. We made punch, overate, went to church for a watch night service, then came home to see the fireworks. I had no idea what Tim had bought from the tent up the road, but there he was, getting ready to set off a few rounds before taking Beck to a church youth outing. The first one sent a spray of colored fire globes into the air high enough to reach a low flying C-130! As the sparks began to fall into the front yard and on the two large oak trees covered with dry leaves, I just calmly turned off the camcorder and headed to the house. I have resolved the fact that Tim is a work in progress…

Many people are really enamored with a “God brought me from the bottom” type of testimony. This is interesting, especially since they are pretty common. Don’t take me wrong – it’s a BIG DEAL when God delivers a person from the bondage of sin. I’ve heard of people being delivered from a life of drugs, drinking, smoking, gambling, or any number of vices. I have a testimony of falling away from God for about six years, Tim’s is similar. These are not things we are proud of. Our pastor was called to preach when he was 12 years old and has continued with the Lord all these years. Now, that’s a testimony!
I wrote a song called “Testimony in Progress” for the new album we are recording. Whether your testimony is how God brought you out of a questionable lifestyle or how you have walked with Him from the start, you will be able to relate to this song. We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God – Romans 3:23 – so we ALL need to be saved. But what a testimony to have made the tough choices and stayed the course!

I am excited about 2007! I’m looking forward to making progress in my relationship with the Lord. “I’m a Testimony in Progress, cause the work ain’t finished yet!”

till next time…
Sally

We have recently completed a concept video of our single “It’s a Sure Thing.” If you would like to see the video aired on your favorite Gospel video program, you can contact us at 615-459-5119 or email us at for more info.

To order our latest project, “What Are You Waiting For” with songs like our new single “It’s a Sure Thing” and our first charting single, “He Can Move the Water,” simply call 615-459-5119 or email us at for more information.

To find out more about The Quicks, visit us on the web at http://www.thequicksonline.com
The Quicks are also now at My Space! You can visit us at http://www.myspace.com/thequicksonline

Songs from the Heart! - “I Need Your Grace”

Songs from the Heart!

When a song is written, it is the desire of the songwriter that the song would be the tool that GOD uses to change the hearts of many people. I would love to share with you each month, information behind some specific songs that appear or have appeared in the Singing News top 40. This month’s song is, "I Need Your Grace."

Who in the world do we (as people) think we are? We get up in the morning, eat breakfast, go about our days work taking time for lunch then back to work. In just a few hours we call it quits and settle down in the living room watching television with the family. Later eating supper then going to bed. Next day, we start all over again. We sometimes do this with out even thinking of where we get the abilities, knowledge and strength. Take just a minute to think about all that HE has done and is doing in our lives. We breathe many times a day without even putting forth a effort. HE gives us everything. Here is something really kool, we haven’t earned anything that HE has given, but HE has given it out of love, mercy and grace. That is kool! Take just a minute and think of the question that started this paragraph, Who in the world do we (as people) think we are? The answer is we are Chosen people of HIM. My favorite scripture reads something like this, “Johnathan, you didn’t choose me, I chose you!” Look it up and see just how it reads to you. If we know that we can’t make it without HIS grace, mercy and love, why aren’t we realizing that when we mess up, we just need to take our situations to HIM? HE has more than enough mercy, grace and love for all of us. We can’t just keep beating ourselves up over the past, just take it to HIM! This brings me to the song for this month, I Need Your Grace. Now the story behind the song:

The story behind the song: "I Need Your Grace"

I count myself as a strong person, able to deal with most situations in a mature, Christ like way. Well, a situation was presented and I handled it badly at first, later apologizing and truly ashamed of my actions then repenting to GOD for my failing. That very night before going to sleep, I began repenting to GOD again, not able to let go. First I felt comfort from HIM as my prayer echoed back to me in a tune, thus forming a song, I Need Your Grace. Here are the words. I pray that GOD will use them for changing lives. (written by Johnathan Bond / HIS Choice Music / BMI)

Lord I kneel before your throne again today
Standing in need of your mercy and grace
I found myself in trouble, Lord I’ been led astray
Now I’ trusting you, Calling out your name…

Chorus:
Lord, I need your grace, to pull me through these troubled times
I need your mercy, on my heart and on my mind
Strength to turn and walk away from this worlds sin and shame
I need your mercy, I need your love, Lord I need your grace

Have you found yourself in places like where I’ been
You felt like giving up, time and time again
I know you’ been defeated, but GOD has made a way
HE’ there for you, just reach out and say…