SPOTLIGHT CD REVIEWS: 4OTH ANNIVERSARY- THE KINGDOM HEIRS

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justingilmore1992
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SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:

CD REVIEW:

40TH ANNIVERSARY

THE KINGDOM HEIRS

LABEL: SONLITE RECORDS

PRODUCER: THE KINGDOM HEIRS

RELEASE DATE: OCTOBER 10, 2025

GROUP MEMBERS: ANDY STRINGFIELD (BARITONE/PIANIST), DENNIS MURPHY (DRUMS), CHRIS BRYANT (LEAD), JOSHUA HORRELL (TENOR), BRAD SMITH (BASS), JOHN YOUNG (GUITARIST/VOCALS), KREIS FRENCH (BASS GUITARIST)

SONG LIST:

  1. Since Jesus Moved In (Dianne Wilkinson)
  2. I’ll Stand (McCray Dove)
  3. I’ve Never Been Loved (Rodney Griffin)
  4. Just Preach Jesus (Dianne Wilkinson)
  5. My Anchor Of Hope (Rodney Griffin)
  6. I Wanna Do More (Dennis Murphy)
  7. I Want You To Know (Dianne Wilkinson, Chris Binion)
  8. Jesus Made A Believer Out Of Me (Dianne Wilkinson, Jeff Crews)
  9. Now I Am On My Way To Heaven (Squire E. Parsons Jr.)
  10. I’ll Know I’m Home (Dianne Wilkinson, Jeff Crews)
  11. Medley: He Lifted Me (Rodney Griffin)/ I’ve Passed Over (Dianne Wilkinson)/ He Locked The Gates (Rodney Griffin)

BREAKDOWN:

2025 marks a major milestone for the award-winning quartet the Kingdom Heirs. This beloved group is celebrating not only forty years in full-time Southern Gospel music, but forty consecutive seasons performing at Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. To commemorate this incredible achievement, the group has reached back into their catalogue and revived several hits from the last twenty-five years. Featuring the current lineup of Chris Bryant (Lead), Joshua Horrell (Tenor), Andy Stringfield (Baritone/Pianist), Brad Smith (Bass), John Young (Guitarist/Vocalist), Dennis Murphy (Drummer), and Kreis French (Bass Guitarist), this musical trip down memory lane is sure to be a blessing to not only longtime fans of the group, but to new listeners as well.

This musical celebration kicks off with the jazzy “Since Jesus Moved In” which was originally featured on the 2007 album True To The Call. This song features the group’s signature harmonies and praises God for His transforming power. “I’ll Stand” is a fun, uptempo tune that appeared on both 1999’s The Journey Home and 2003’s Sing It Again. This song encourages listeners to stand firm on God’s Holy Word. Brad Smith is featured on one my personal favorite Kingdom Heirs songs: “I’ve Never Been Loved.” Originally recorded on the landmark project Forever Changed in 2004, this groovy tune praises Christ for His Love for us. I have never been loved like I’ve been loved by Jesus. “Just Preach Jesus” from 2011’s We Will Stand Our Ground, is another uptempo hit that is given a great update here. Joshua Horrell takes the lead on the beautiful ballad “My Anchor Of Hope.” Originally recorded on 2005’s Give Me The Mountain, this powerful song simply says: Without Jesus, we are lost. He is our anchor in life’s troubled seas. Put your trust in Him. Brad Smith’s smooth bass is featured once again on the groovy “I Wanna Do More” from 2017’s The Last Big Thing. This fun tune says: I want my life to be a witness for the Lord. Smith delivers an incredible vocal and does the original (featuring Jeff Chapman) justice. The group also revives several more classics including: from 2007’s True To The Call “I Want You To Know,” “Jesus Made A Believer Out Of Me,” from 2002’s Gonna Keep Telling “Now I Am On My Way To Heaven,” and  from 2013’s Redeeming The Time “I’ll Know I’m Home.” Each of these incredible songs are given fantastic updates. This incredible project closes with an energy filled medley featuring three of the Kingdom Heirs’ most popular hits masterfully woven together.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

This milestone recording features a fantastic selection of songs some of which have not been revisited in a while. Personally, I am glad that they decided to re-record these great songs as opposed to releasing a compilation (though those are great as well). I am always curious to hear how newer members of a group would sing songs sung by previous members. I must say the current lineup exceeded my expectations with this recording and did the originals justice. This is one of my favorite albums of the year so far. Highlights include: “Jesus Made A Believer Out Of Me,” “I Wanna Do More,” “My Anchor Of Hope,” “Now I Am On My Way To Heaven,” and “I’ve Never Been Loved.”

5 out of 5 stars!

FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.kingdomheirs.com

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