Beloved Hee Haw Star, LuLu Roman Passes Away

Wilds & Associates/Christian Voice Magazine has learned that LuLu Roman has passed away.

LuLu Roman was best known as a regular cast member of TV’s comedy-music show, Hee Haw, which debuted in 1969. Born with thyroid dysfunction in a maternity home and raised in an orphanage. As a young star, she struggled with drug addiction, but she later found grace in the eyes of God.

She went on to become a successful comedian, singer, and author, impacting millions around the globe with humor and testimony of her miraculous salvation through Christ.

Wilds & Associates CEO Randall Wilds states, “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing LuLu and working with her on many occasions. She became more than just a business acquaintance; she was a dear friend. When I would be having a hard day at the office, I could always count on Lu to lift my spirits, make me laugh, and forget about my troubles for a moment. I already miss her.”

LuLu was 78 years old.

Christian Voice Magazine will publish a tribute to LuLu in the upcoming June 2025 issue.

"We Sing Glory To Your Name” By Dr. Alyn E. Waller Featuring Dove Award-winning CCM Artist Joseph Habedank

April is Christian Music Month! It’s a special month to observe, celebrate, and amplify faith-based music.  Fans are encouraged to support their favorite artists and find new voices and songs to add to their playlists, worship services, and music libraries.  It’s the perfect time for artists and creatives to unify across the sometimes-segregated sub-genres of Gospel, CCM, Southern Gospel, Rap/Hip Hop, Rock, Worship, and Spanish in Christian music.  3X Stellar Gospel Award nominee Dr. Alyn E. Waller and Dove Award-winning CCM artist Joseph Habedank unify their voices and collaborate on a new radio single, “We Sing Glory To Your Name.”

Dr. Waller and Habedank croon fluidly through the soulful ballad, each delivering heart-filled vocals that encourage listeners to give reverence and gratitude to the Lord.  Dr. Waller has also released the official lyric video for “We Sing Glory To Your Name” on the Enon Music Group YouTube Channel.  Watch the lyric video here.

“We Sing Glory To Your Name” is the second single from Dr. Waller’s EP I STILL BELIEVE, which was released earlier this year on his thriving independent label Enon Music Group and distributed by New Day Distribution.  Dr. Waller’s 5-song I STILL BELIEVE EP, available on all digital music platforms, reminds us that the Gospel is still about Jesus Christ.  Garland “Miche” Waller (EMG Vice President), Austin Woodlin, and Dennis Atkinson produced the EP.

Joseph Habedank won his 4th GMA Dove Award for Inspirational Album of the Year this year for his most personal and uplifting 2024 release, autobiography.  You can experience Habedank in a city near you on his autobiography Spring Tour now.

Dr. Alyn E. Waller is the senior pastor of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church in Philadelphia, PA, with over 15,000 members.  He is a highly sought-after, internationally renowned revivalist, lecturer, and true visionary of the church and the community.  He serves humanity far beyond the restraints of traditionalism.  His Enon Music Group label has developed and released Stellar-nominated and Billboard chart-topping projects from The Enon Tabernacle Choir, Zak Williams & 1AKORD, Enon’s Fresh Anointing Choir, The Kergyma Community Choir, Nikki Berry, April Hall, De’Leon Carr, San Franklin, and more.

The Griffith Family Homecoming

Come be a part of the Griffith Family Homecoming with special guests, Adam Crabb and Jim & Melissa Brady.

It's happening on April 19th at the First Baptist Church of Childersburg in Childersburg, Alabama.

For additional information and tickets click on the button below or go to GriffithFamilyMusic.com or call (256) 369-1098

More Information & Tickets

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opZkDcq37zI&feature=youtu.be

JUSTIN GAMBINO OPENS LONG-AWAITED NEW CHAPTER WITH ‘JUST LIKE JESUS’

Celebrating the God of second chances, acclaimed singer/songwriter Justin Gambino returns with the highly anticipated “Just Like Jesus,” his first new single in nearly two years. Produced by Walter Halliwell and penned by Gambino, Halliwell and James Tealy, the folk-rock anthem marks Gambino’s debut for Residence Music, a Centricity Music imprint.

Boasting a joyful, declarative chorus backed by an impassioned Gospel choir, “Just Like Jesus” draws inspiration from Gambino’s own prodigal journey. Recalling his surrender to Christ after years of rebellion, Gambino’s gratitude is evident as he sings, “Ain’t it just like Jesus to leave the 99 for the one/Ain’t it just like Jesus to throw a party for a prodigal son.”

“I resonate deeply with the message of the Prodigal Son,” he says. “How can I not be moved by this simple story that Jesus used to express the power of the Father’s love? I was on my own wayward journey for a long time—16 years to be exact. I stood before the judge in a Brazoria County courtroom at the age of 18, and I now lead revivals on the lawn of that same courthouse each year.”

“I hope ‘Just Like Jesus’ will remind others, as it does me, of the certainty of God’s relentless love,” Gambino adds. “Every year when I find myself onstage in front of the courthouse, I remember that God never gave up on me returning home. May this song point us in the direction of Jesus and encourage us to be just like Him—forgiving, loving, caring and filled with mercy and grace for those around us. May others see Jesus in us.”

The first in a string of new singles he’s poised to unveil, “Just Like Jesus” will also be featured on Gambino’s debut Residence Music EP slated for release later this year.

The Kingsmen bring the powerful “It Made News In Heaven When I Got Saved”

Back from another visit to the endless well of their own classics, the Kingsmen are serving up a joyful announcement in a Horizon Records favorite from nearly a half century ago, “It Made News In Heaven When I Got Saved.”  

“From the time I joined the Kingsmen seven years ago,” recalls the group’s Alan Kendall, who takes the lead on the Gordon Jenson-penned lesson on taking stock of what matters, “I was always sound checking my microphone to old Squire Parsons features, usually ‘Lovely Name of Jesus’ or ‘It Made News in Heaven.’ Squire made me want to be a Kingsmen baritone!”

The flavor of the legendary performance can be felt from the moment that David Johnson’s pedal steel recaps the original’s introduction, even as the beat gently bends in a more propulsive direction. Working with producer Jeff Collins, the Kingsmen offer an inspired blend of the earlier group’s arrangement and more modern touches as Kendall delivers the song’s simple yet elegant message:

It didn’t make the papers

In this world when I prayed through

It didn’t seem to matter to all but just a few

But in the golden streets of glory

Celebration banners waved

And it made news in heaven I got saved

“When a singer/songwriter like Squire sings with such fervor and heart,” says Kendall, “the listener can’t help but feel those lyrics. It made news in Heaven when I got saved…wow! What a message even for today! In a world that logs each member of humanity down as a mere number, and even worse, undermines everything about Jesus, it is comforting to know that I as a soul MATTER to the Master!”

Dr.Bradford Howard Jr.

With profound sadness, I am announcing the passing of my friend and brother in Christ, Dr. Bradford Howard Jr..  He made a difference in SO MANY people's lives in the industry and their everyday lives.  His family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support through prayers, texts, calls, and messages. As we reflect on his life...just smile and think of all those wonderful conversations and smiles.

TAUREN WELLS RELEASES POWERFUL NEW EP LET THE CHURCH SING OUT NOW

Multi-GRAMMY®–nominated, platinum-selling artist Tauren Wells ushers in an inspiring new chapter of his artistic and spiritual journey with the release of his latest EP, Let The Church Sing, out today. Building on his legacy of soul-stirring, faith-centered music, the EP calls believers everywhere to unite in praise and experience renewed community and adoration. Listen HERE.

Deeply rooted in Wells’ personal evolution as both an artist and pastor, Let The Church Sing was shaped by the historic launch of Church of Whitestone, which he and his wife, Lorna, founded in Austin, Texas, in January 2024. Welcoming nearly 4,000 attendees on its opening weekend, Church of Whitestone made history as the largest first-day church launch in American history. This transformative experience propelled Wells’ creativity, bringing worship music to the forefront like never before.

Merging gospel roots with contemporary Christian and pop influences, Let The Church Sing delivers a collection of soul-stirring anthems—including the previously released “Making Room” and “Thank You For The Cross.” Much like the church itself, the music came together session by session, naturally mirroring Church of Whitestone’s growing congregation. Each song reflects the power of communal worship, inspiring churches everywhere to lift their voices in celebration of God’s love and transformative grace.

In addition to his music, Wells expands his ministry this year with his debut book, Joy Bomb: Unleash Jesus’s Explosive Joy for an Extraordinary Life, arriving May 20, 2025, via Zondervan Books. Endorsed by Steph Curry, Joel Osteen, and Michael Todd, and featuring a foreword by Steven Furtick, Joy Bomb offers a bold, refreshing look at Jesus’ first recorded teaching—the Beatitudes—as a roadmap to unshakable joy. Preorder Joy Bomb HERE.

“When we planted the church, it was a major spiritual excavation into the heart,” Wells shares. “A lot of songs came from the birth of our church. I hope this music and my book remind people of the beauty of faith and community—that true joy is deeply rooted in God’s love, not in our circumstances.”

LET THE CHURCH SING TRACKLIST:

Let The Church Sing

Thank You For The Cross

The Room Is Yours

Making Room

Not Guilty

With Let The Church Sing, Tauren Wells expands his artistic vision while remaining deeply rooted in his ministry. Across the EP’s five tracks, he captivates audiences with his signature blend of gospel, contemporary Christian, and pop influences, soul-stirring lyrics, and electrifying performances.

This EP kicks off a milestone year that also sees him stepping into authorship and growing his reach through ministry and his podcast, The High Note.

Sound Street shares the joyous “I’m So Blessed”

Music from Good Seed, their Sonlite Records debut album, is still on the Southern Gospel airplay charts, but Sound Street — that’s the trio of Jarrod Vanderslice, daughter Jaylee Vanderslice and family friend Ryan Bilby — hit the ground running in 2025 with an electrifying take on “Heaven in the House,” and now they’re back with another joyous reworking of a recent Christian hit, “I’m So Blessed.”

“We are beyond excited to share our version of the fun and familiar song, ‘I’m So Blessed,’” says Jarrod Vanderslice. “And what a powerful truth that is — no matter what kind of day you’re having, as a Child of God, you are His, and that alone makes you blessed!”

Indeed, Sound Street’s version of the popular song is arguably even brighter than Cain’s original, as producer Roger Talley worked with the group to import its simple yet profound lyric into a Southern Gospel framework. The track gets off to a lively start with a ringing guitar figure that quickly gives way to Jaylie’s assertive lead and leads to the irresistible chorus:

On my best day, I’m a child of God

On my worst day, I’m a child of God

Oh, every day is a good day

And You’re the reason why

I’m so blessed, I’m so blessed

Got this heartbeat in my chest

No, it doesn’t matter about the rest

If I’ve got You, Lord, I’m so blessed

Yet rich as the interwoven harmonies and spirited backing are, Sound Street’s “I’m So Blessed” takes on an even more exciting dimension midway through.  As Jarrod Vanderslice tells it:

“Here’s something extra special: our 9-year-old daughter, Johanna, is featured in the middle of the song with a unique and unexpected moment you won’t typically hear in our style of music. It’s sure to put a smile on your face and remind you that no matter what, you can always testify that you are a Child of God!”

Southern Gospel Weekend - Oxford AL - March 19-22

Make Plans To Attend SOUTHERN GOSPEL WEEKEND in Oxford, Alabama March 19 - 22, 2025.

Featuring Karen Peck & New River, The Browders, Josh & Ashley Franks, Steve Ladd, New Ground, Eagle's Wings, The Griffith Family, The Guardians, Master's Voice, The Bibletones, and many more!

For Tickets, Call 256-310-7892 or 

Visit SouthernGospelWeekendInfo.com

For Tickets & Information - Click Here

The LeFevre Quartet Announces 20th Anniversary Concert Celebration

The LeFevre Quartet is excited to announce their 20th Year Anniversary Concert, “Celebrating the Journey,” taking place on Saturday, July 19, 2025, at 6:00pm at Hosch Theatre in Gainesville, Georgia. This special evening will be a celebration of two decades of ministry and music, filled with powerful songs, cherished memories, and special moments you won’t want to miss!

In addition to this unforgettable concert, the evening will also be a live video recording for Singing News TV, giving those in attendance the unique opportunity to be part of the live audience for this upcoming television special!

The LeFevre Quartet has invited special guests, including some familiar faces from their incredible 20-year journey, to join them on stage for this milestone event. Rodney Baucom, a beloved voice in Gospel music, will serve as guest emcee.

Admission is free, and seating is limited to 300 guests. Please RSVP to save your seat at lefevrequartet.com. A love offering will be received during the evening. Overnight accommodations are available in Downtown Gainesville for those traveling from out of town.

Join us for this landmark event as we celebrate 20 years of music, ministry, and memories with The LeFevre Quartet!