SOUTHERN GOSPEL SPOTLIGHT PRESENTS:
2025 IN REVIEW: MY TOP FAVORITE SOUTHERN GOSPEL ALBUMS OF THE YEAR
It is that time once again. As another year comes to a close, it is time to reflect on the past year and how God has brought us through. 2025 has been a difficult year for my family and I. My mom has struggled with many health issues carrying over from last year. Back in August, we got the horrible news that her colon cancer had returned. For the past several months, it has been difficult to watch her go through chemotherapy. Her body has been put through the wringer, but her spirit is strong. Though these have been difficult times, I find comfort in God and His promises. I also found comfort in Southern Gospel Music as I always do. Several projects deeply moved me and have helped me through.
I would like to thank everyone who has said they are praying for my mom and my family. It means the world to me.
This year was not without its blessings. In July, I got to see the legendary Oak Ridge Boys for the first time when they performed at Pechanga in Temecula, California. Tim Duncan was filling in for Richard Sterban, who is going through treatments for cancer as well. It was great to see him on stage singing again as he has always been one of my favorite bass singers. They were incredible! I also got to meet tenor singer Ben James after the show briefly.
In addition, I have ventured into the world of concert promotion this year. I was able to book and promote a Tribute Quartet concert at a church right here in my native Fallbrook, CA. I encourage anyone here in the San Diego area to attend what is sure to be an incredible night of worship on January 16, 2026 at 7pm. All of the information is on the flyer below.
I cannot wait to see what else God has in store for 2026!
Without further ado, here are my top ten Southern Gospel Albums of 2025!
Honorable Mentions: Nothing Occurs To God- Unity 4, Here To Stay- The LeFevre Quartet
10. Up Above The World So High- The Inspirations
9. Forgiven And Free- Gene McDonald
8. An Irish Christmas- Down East Boys
7. Hope In A Manger- Gold City
6. This Is The Time I Must Sing- The Martins
5. Encore!- Liberty Quartet
4. Promises Kept- Anthem Edition
3. 40th Anniversary- The Kingdom Heirs
2. Where Healing Happens- The Guardians
And a Tie for #1….
1. Then Came The Morning- Gaither Vocal Band and Forever- Tribute Quartet*
*I debated on whether to include this project on the list as it technically doesn’t release until January 30, 2026, but since they released a special pre-release copy at NQC, I decided it was eligible.
FINAL THOUGHTS:
This year has been filled with many trials and struggles, but God has been with us through it all. He is in complete control. It is always the darkest before dawn. Then came the morning, night turned into day! I praise Him for His Faithfulness even in the depths of despair. When it seems like all hope is lost, there is Jesus! His Grace and Mercy will continue to bring us through. No problem is too big for God. It’s still under His Feet. When I’m barely holding on, He is holding me! There have been many times this year where I’ve felt despair. I’ve been barely hanging on at times, but I can confidently say that God is beside us. He is with us every step of the way.
Though this year has been light on releases compared to last year, there were some truly anointed projects released that deeply resonated with me. I would like to personally thank each artist for sharing your music and your hearts with us.
I cannot wait to see my friends Tribute Quartet in a few weeks! I pray that this will be the first of many concerts that God will allow me to promote in the coming years. I want to thank everyone who continues to read my reviews. Be watching for more content in the coming year as I hope to feature more interviews on the page and much more.
I also realized in reflecting on 2025 that this year marked the tenth anniversary of Southern Gospel Spotlight. I started this blog back in January of 2015 and never dreamed that ten years later, that it would have amounted to anything. But God! Here’s to another decade!
Thank you for making this year special despite the circumstances.
God bless you all,
Justin Gilmore
Southern Gospel Spotlight 
Leave a comment