Hendersonville, TN – In a ceremony held at Lipscomb’s Allen Arena on Tuesday night, award-winning family group The Nelons were among the 2016 inductees into the Gospel Music Association’s Hall Of Fame. Also receiving the honor were Russ Taff, CCLI founder Howard Rachinski and Hezekiah Walker.
Travis Cottrell, Selah and Michael English paid tribute to The Nelons with a medley of their biggest hits, while Bill Gaither offered words of introduction and congratulations to the group. Kelly Nelon Clark spoke on behalf of her family, as well as a large number of past members that were in attendance to commemorate the occasion.
Originally known as The Rex Nelon Singers, Rex Nelon founded the mixed group in 1977, following his tenure with the Lefevres. In 1985, the group shortened their name and became known as The Nelons. Throughout the years, a number of well-known singers and musicians spent time with The Nelons, including Karen Peck, Janet Paschal, Charlotte Ritchie, Katy Peach, Todd Nelon, Paul Lancaster, Jeff Stice and Stan Whitmire, as well as Rex’s daughter Kelly, who continues her father’s legacy into the next generation. Today, the group is comprised of Kelly, her husband Jason Clark, and daughters Amber Nelon Thompson and Autumn Nelon Clark.
The Nelons have released over 40 projects, four of which went on to win a GMA Dove Award for Southern Gospel Album of the Year, in addition to three GRAMMY nominations and more than 20 Top 5 singles. Songs such as ‘Come Morning,’ ‘Oh For A Thousand Tongues To Sing’ and ‘I’m Glad I Know Who Jesus Is’ became staple anthems for the group, and propelled them to the top of Southern Gospel music. Singing News Magazine subscribers honored The Nelons, as well as Rex and Kelly individually, numerous times over the years with accolades such as Favorite Mixed Group, Favorite Vocalist and Favorite Song of the Year. A regular on the Gaither Homecoming Stage, The Nelons have been featured performers on stations such as TBN, Daystar, Christian Television Network, and the 700 Club, as well as the GMA Dove Awards and the National Quartet Convention.
The GMA Gospel Music Hall Of Fame and Museum is a not-for-profit educational institution working in connection with the Gospel Music Association (GMA). The GMAF is dedicated to foster an appreciation of the historical development of gospel music and its impact on our culture by collecting, preserving, exhibiting, and interpreting its collections for a global audience, as well as honoring those who have made outstanding contributions to gospel music.
Daywind Records is home to an award-winning roster of artists, including Legacy Five, Adam Crabb, Browders, Jim Brady Trio, Greater Vision, Joseph Habedank, The Hoppers, Karen Peck & New River, Bowling Family, Tribute, Nelons, Brian Free & Assurance, Blackwood Brothers Quartet and Wilburn & Wilburn. Daywind is distributed to retail through New Day Christian Distributors, Sony RED, and all major digital outlets, including iTunes.
