Weston and Christy Hinson

Hinson. For over two decades, that name meant powerhouse vocals, intricate harmonies and a Country/Southern blend of Gospel that was purely their own. Dove Awards, Singing News Awards, induction into the Gospel Music Hall Of Fame, as well as over 25 recordings, all speak to the popularity and fame of a family group whose ministry touched all ages. The original lineup of Ronny, Kenny, Larry and Yvonne Hinson may no longer be heard, but Kenny’s son Weston, his wife Christy and daughter Jordan are carrying on the family legacy. In the last four years the trio has melded the original Hinson sound with hints of Soul and Bluegrass, to create their own style while keeping the unmistakable message of the Gospel.

As the child of Kenny and nephew of Ronny, Yvonne and Larry, Weston had the best possible upbringing for a Gospel singer. “I believe that my heritage is a major blessing,” says Weston. “I look at my life as being enriched by a history of musical pioneers and amazingly talented individuals, each in their own right. Of course, Ronny was, and still is, known as the songwriter and spokesmen of the group. Larry had a ton of charisma and oozed confidence and was such a master at vocal harmonies and ‘twinning’ as we call it. Yvonne was the pretty one and had a voice that was beautiful and soothing yet would have such power at the same time when singing those typical powerhouse Hinson songs and big endings.”

Weston is a little partial when it comes to discussing his Dad. “Kenny Hinson was to me, and many others across the country, the greatest singer to ever live in any genre. He is my inspiration for singing, for ministry, for life. He did everything so effortlessly and with such poise and precision. As Buddy Mullins once put it to me, ‘He had a smile in his voice.’ When Daddy sang, he enjoyed it and you could tell! And with the other members that came through the years and contributed so much; like Chris Hawkins Freeman who would hit a home run every time she opened her mouth to sing a note and brought a level of energy with her style of singing that was amazing to hear, and Eric Hinson who came in when Larry left the group and Bo Hinson after Eric, to continue a family tradition of smooth baritone richness and tight family harmonies. I could almost write a book of how the Hinsons influenced our current ministry musically, but the most important resemblance has always been and must always be, the pursuance of the anointing and the mindset that it’s souls we’re after!   That must come first!”

His family background has had its challenges for Weston. “I have struggled ever since I decided to follow in my dad’s footsteps to not appear to be riding a coattail, if you will. It has never been a goal of mine to go out and be another Kenny Hinson. That will never happen. For the longest time I didn’t even want to use my last name for fear that others might say, ‘He’s just trying to use his family’s name to get somewhere.’ I try to honor and protect the legacy that was forged before me and even further it if I can because it is precious to me. My family paid a lot in their own lives to leave to the next generation something to be proud of, and believe me I am most proud of what my father left to me. I have come to accept through the years of traveling and singing in Gospel Music Ministry that the legacy my family, and specifically my father, left for me was God ordained and I walk in it and with my head held high knowing that I am walking in the path that my Heavenly Father has purposed me to trod.”

Weston and Christy Hinson have taken a few years to develop what now sounds like the perfect blend of vocalists. After Christy and Weston started dating, they began singing with Christy’s parents as Weston Hinson and By Faith, singing together for over two years. In 2010, the young Hinsons felt God calling them into fulltime ministry, which they called The Weston Hinson Group. After trying out a few singers for the third part of the trio, they couldn’t find the right fit and at the end of 2011, they traveled just as Weston and Christy Hinson. However, their third singer was closer than they might have imagined. Their daughter Jordan had been singing harmony since the age of seven, and about a year ago they decided to add her voice to the family mix.

“Jordy, as we affectionately call her, has been singing with us since April of 2013 and doing a fantastic job!” Weston adds with pride, “Her voice has added a country/bluegrass flavor to our music that is a treat for a lot of people. Jordy has quite the range too, because she has to sing parts in the Hinsons songs that we perform that range anywhere from baritone to tenor to even soprano whenever Christy leads in some of our original materials. She also adds the ability to invert parts to enhance the dynamics of vocal arrangements that makes for a powerful style that is often difficult to achieve with a lot of singers. Having started professionally singing at 16 years old and already being ahead of the curve in a lot of areas with her abilities is mind blowing to think of how good she is going to be!”

Jordan is thrilled to be a part of her parent’s ministry. “I get to fulfill the calling on my life and see all kinds of beautiful places across the country and I also love spending time with my family. I am in home-schooling and listen to music a lot to further my understanding of music. I am also learning how to play guitar and piano.” Jordan adds, “My favorite part of traveling is getting to see people’s lives changed through our ministry!”

Jordy was able to record a Christmas album in 2013 with Weston and Christy, an acoustical project that focuses on an amazing blend of vocals and updated arrangements of favorite Christmas carols. The couple’s previous studio recording, Let’s Have Some Church, is Weston and Christy alone and includes many original songs written by Christy. “We have released two songs off that album to Southern Gospel Radio, both made it in the top 100, with ‘Finally Home’ reaching 45!”says Weston. “This is a song about what all believers dream about: finally making it to the shores of Heaven. The first line of that song chokes me up every time I sing it, and it makes it difficult to sing live because I am crying through most of the song. It says, ‘I’m gonna wrap my arms around my daddy’s neck and tell him that I’ve missed him. And tell him all about the man that I became and hope that it pleased him.’ Wow!”

Weston continues, “We have released ‘I Hold On,’ which is a song written by Christy and myself, to Christian Country radio and are anxious to see how it does. We will soon release another single off of this album to Southern Gospel Radio, so I would definitely say this project has done very well for us. We are in the studio now recording a Hinson Tribute album to accompany the Tribute Concert, and our goal is to release another great project with brand new original material later this year. It’s a busy year for Weston and Christy Hinson!”

Jonathan Edwards, longtime Southern Gospel deejay and host of SGN Scoops Radio Show, is a fan of the trio. “I think Weston and Christy are one of the best young groups in gospel music. There are lots of people who want to sound like the Hinsons but this family is the Hinsons.” He is looking forward to more new music from Weston and Christy.

The trio thoroughly enjoys being busy, traveling to their live concerts and being able to communicate their love for the Lord. Weston says his favorite song to perform live is “I’d Rather Have Jesus,” because: “It is the anthem of my heart!” Christy likes “He Fixed It For Me” off of the album Let’s Have Some Church. “I feel it so strongly,” says Christy, “And I’ve seen many lives changed as a result of this God-given song.” Jordan comments that her favorites are, “A tie between ‘Joy Comes in the Morning’ and ‘I Never Shall Forget The Day’ because it’s high energy and I love that style.”

Each of the family then shares with us their favorite Bible passages, explaining what these verses mean to them in their personal relationship with the Lord. Jordy says her favorite verse is Proverbs 3:3 “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.” (NIV) She adds, “It reminds me of the example I’m supposed to be.” Christy’s verse is Psalm 119:105 “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” (NIV). She says, “It gives me direction in life when it gets confusing. I know I can always go to the Word of God.” Weston’s favorite is Psalm 56:8 “You number my wanderings; Put my tears into Your bottle; Are they not in Your book?” (NKJV). “I love to know that God cares so much for me that He would keep track of all my sorrows,” says Weston.

The loss of Kenny Hinson in 1995 at the age of 41 was huge for the Gospel music industry, but more devastating for the young Weston. However, he and his wife Christy and daughter Jordan have carried on the legacy of his Dad with their current ministry. Each of them want their audience to know the strength, hope and love to be found in Christ. “I want them to know that no matter how hard times get…you can till trust in God and He will bring you through ‘On The Other Side Of This,’” says Jordan. “I want people to know that no matter how you walked in, that there’s hope in your situation and that Jesus is the answer and hope for your circumstance!” says Christy. Weston adds, “I want them to remember that God loves them. We’re just like everyone else in this world, flaws and all, and if God can use me, He can use you!”

Weston and Christy Hinson are bringing a fresh sound to audiences across the nation, although you might almost think that Kenny is standing backstage. Be sure to hear Weston, Christy and Jordan as they make their own Hinson legacy, through the harmony and message of their sweet brand of Gospel music.

Weston and Christy on the web http://www.westonandchristyhinson.com/

Weston and Christy on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OfficialWestonAndChristyHinson

Written and edited by Lorraine Walker

First published by SGN Scoops digital magazine in March 2014.

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