Karen Peck & New River - Reaching Out | Absolutely Gospel Music

Karen Peck & New River - Reaching Out

As Christians we hear phrases like “tests in life are part of God’s plan” or even scripture that says, “knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance” but how easy is to live out that phrase, what is involved in allowing that verse to apply to daily living? I just got off of the phone with Karen Peck of New River and she was able to explain this to me in a way that I don’t believe I have ever grasped before.

If you remember, 9 months ago, Karen Peck and New River were involved in two devastating bus accidents just months after Mike and Kelly Bowling’s bus accident in Charlotte, NC. To make this tragedy even greater, the man who lost his life in one of these accidents, “the other driver” was a retired pastor. Karen said that accident itself was devastating. To know that God had His hand on that bus and everyone inside was such a relief but what about the precious man who went home to be with Jesus?

One evening not long after the accident, Karen began singing the words, “reach out and touch somebody’s hand make this world a better place if you can.” She started thinking about the accident and how we as Christians should take this song to heart and not just remember it as an old AT&T telephone commercial. So, a few weeks later, she went to Bill Gaither at a concert and in conversation asked Bill if anyone had recorded the song that he knew of. From that moment now have Karen Peck and New River’s latest Daywind recording, REACH OUT.

“REACH OUT is a project that stamps on it our heart for missions.” There are several children’s ministries that we support and the theme of the recording leads into our heart for missions. Songs like LOVE WITH ALL YOUR HEART, GOOD THINGS ARE HAPPENING and a new song penned by Bill and Gloria Gaither, NOW MORE THAN EVER.

The latest release, REACH OUT will be available for purchase on July 12, 2011 and I believe this to be a great CD for the group. The CD features Karen and Susan along with new comer Jeff Hawes. Jeff was a soloist who won many talent contests including one at Aaron Wilburn’s homecoming in AL.

Karen remembers Aaron saying, “Karen, I know that Jeff has sent a demo and wants to be considered for the vacant position. If you don’t hire him, I will put my own money into a solo CD because this voice needs to be heard.” Karen and I joked a little because after FOUR DAYS LATE that was penned by Aaron, who wouldn’t take his advice! So Jeff has added a great solid dimension to the group. Not only is Jeff a great singer but as Karen says, “he has the same love and compassion for people that Susan and I do. He truly is a blessing to our group.”

As we talked about the technicalities of the new album, Karen explained that even though they pick songs that they feel will encourage and minister to the listener, the team at Daywind contributes a helping hand.

She said, “we love working with Daywind and the team that we have selecting our songs. Sometimes there are songs that we love and want to record that our team doesn’t agree with and vice versa but it’s so much easier to have a team and discuss these things than just the three of us.”

After several years, Karen Peck and New River acquired Wayne Haun to produce the album and the songs selected for the recording are penned my songwriters that you are familiar with including Marcia Henry, Kenna West, Sonya (Isaacs) and her husband Jimmy Yeary along with Becky Isaacs, Wayne Haun and others. “This is truly a recording that we are proud of and can’t wait for people to hear.”

Karen says that with the “20 year anniversary” of the group, so many things have happened positively for the group. New River was nominated for a grammy and flew to Los Angeles and she was also able to perform on the stage of the Angelus Temple, a church that she had always wanted to sing in. Karen says, “I have been intrigued and interested in the story of Aimee McPherson and to stand on that platform was amazing.”

As we speak about the 20th anniversary for the group, they are leaving as I write this article and are headed to WV to record their first Christmas project. Karen is extremely excited about these particular recordings and the way God continues to have his hand on Karen Peck and New River.