The Hoppers (until 1981: Hopper Brothers and Connie) are a multi award-winning

Southern Gospel Southern gospel music is a genre of Christian music. Its name comes from its origins in the southeastern United States. Its lyrics are written to express either personal or a communal faith regarding biblical teachings and Christian life, as ...

group from

North Carolina North Carolina () is a state in the Southeastern region of the United States. The state is the 28th largest and 9th-most populous of the United States. It is bordered by Virginia to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, Georgia and So ...

. They have performed together for several decades and have achieved significant popularity due to widening the playing field in Southern Gospel by incorporating Pop,

country A country is a distinct part of the world, such as a state, nation, or other political entity. It may be a sovereign state or make up one part of a larger state. For example, the country of Japan is an independent, sovereign state, while the ...

, and

Rock music Rock music is a broad genre of popular music that originated as " rock and roll" in the United States in the late 1940s and early 1950s, developing into a range of different styles in the mid-1960s and later, particularly in the United States an ...

into their work. The Hoppers are a family ensemble which first began performing together in 1957. They appeared at the

inauguration In government and politics, inauguration is the process of swearing a person into office and thus making that person the incumbent. Such an inauguration commonly occurs through a formal ceremony or special event, which may also include an inaugu ...

ceremony for

Ronald Reagan Ronald Wilson Reagan ( ; February 6, 1911June 5, 2004) was an American politician, actor, and union leader who served as the 40th president of the United States from 1981 to 1989. He also served as the 33rd governor of California from 1967 ...

in 1981. They won awards for Mixed Vocal Group at the

Southern Gospel Music Awards Southern may refer to: Businesses * China Southern Airlines, airline based in Guangzhou, China * Southern Airways, defunct US airline * Southern Air, air cargo transportation company based in Norwalk, Connecticut, US * Southern Airways Express, M ...

in 1982 and 1983. Kim Greene of

The Greenes The Greenes are an American Southern gospel trio from the Boone, North Carolina, and they started making music together in 1978. They have released numerous studio albums with various labels. Background The trio formed Boone, North Carolina du ...

joined the group in 1989 after marrying vocalist and former drummer Dean Hopper the year before. Their first major hit at

Christian radio Christian radio is a Christian media radio format that focus on programming with a Christian message. Many such broadcasters play contemporary Christian music, though many programs include sermons, radio dramas, as well as news and talk progra ...

was "Here I Am", in 1990; they would score many further hits, including "Milk and Honey," "Mention My Name," "Anchor to the Power of the Cross," "Heavenly Sunrise," "That's Him," and "Yes I Am" and their biggest hit to date "Jerusalem" for which they recorded a live video in 2005 from the city itself. In the 2010's the Hoppers had two mega hits "Yahweh" and "Something's Happening". The Hoppers continue strong in the 2020's with the same line up for the past 30+ years. Mike Hopper married Denice in 1996, who became the group's pianist. In 1998, their version of "Shoutin' Time" became another one of their biggest hits, and the group performed with

Bill Bill(s) may refer to: Common meanings * Banknote, paper cash (especially in the United States) * Bill (law), a proposed law put before a legislature * Invoice, commercial document issued by a seller to a buyer * Bill, a bird or animal's beak Plac ...

and

Gloria Gaither Gloria Gaither (born March 4, 1942) is a Christian singer-songwriter, author, speaker, editor, and academic. She is married to Bill Gaither and together they have written more than 700 songs. She performed, traveled and recorded with the Bill Ga ...

. They won several further Southern Gospel Music Awards in following years. In addition member Connie Hopper won the career

Marvin Norcross Award {{unreferenced, date=October 2014 The Marvin Norcross Award is awarded yearly in the Singing News Fan Awards ceremony to honor an individual selected by the staff of the Singing News magazine who has made distinct contributions to Southern gospel mu ...

in 1998. They also performed on the album ''Tribute To

Dottie Rambo Dottie Rambo (March 2, 1934 – May 11, 2008) was an American gospel singer and songwriter. She was a Grammy winning solo artist and multiple Dove award-winning artist. Along with ex-husband Buck and daughter Reba, she formed the award-winnin ...

'', which was a nominee for "Special Event Album of the Year" at the

Dove Awards of 1999 The 30th Annual GMA Dove Awards were held on March 24, 1999, recognizing accomplishments of musicians for the year 1998. The show was held at the Nashville Arena in Nashville, Tennessee, and was hosted by John Tesh. Nominees Winners are listed ...

. The group has appeared on the

Gaither Homecoming ''Gaither Homecoming'' is the name applied to a series of videos, music recordings and concerts, which are organized, promoted and usually presented by Christian music songwriter and impresario Bill Gaither. To date, the ''Gaither Homecoming'' t ...

tour frequently, and Claude and Dean Hopper are members of the board of directors of the North Carolina Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Mike Hopper has appeared on the television program ''

Touched by an Angel ''Touched by an Angel'' is an American fantasy drama television series that premiered on CBS on September 21, 1994, and ran for 211 episodes over nine seasons until its conclusion on April 27, 2003. Created by John Masius and executive produced b ...

''. In 2007, the Hoppers signed to the shortly revived Canaan Record Label. Their release, "The Ride", was originally recorded independently, then re-released on the Canaan label. January 2009 brought the first recording under the Canaan umbrella titled, "North America, Live!". With distribution under the Spring Hill Music Group label, the Hoppers have released "Something's Happening" in August 2010. Kim Hopper has released two solo projects, "Imagine" under the Spring Hill Label, and most recently (August 2008) "I Just Wanted You To Know" with Canaan Records.

Group accolades

Favorite Mixed Group Award 1997-98-99-00-01-02-03-05-08-09-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17 Mixed Vocal Group SGMA 1982-83-98-99-00-01 "Hearts-A-Flame" Mixed Group Award 95-96-97 Connie Favorite Alto Award 1998-99-00-15-16-17-18-19-20-21-22 and the Prestigious Marvin Norcross Award in 1998 Queen of Gospel Music 83-84 Person of the year 2005 Inducted into

Southern Gospel Hall of Fame Southern may refer to: Businesses * China Southern Airlines, airline based in Guangzhou, China * Southern Airways, defunct US airline * Southern Air, air cargo transportation company based in Norwalk, Connecticut, US * Southern Airways Express, M ...

in 2010 Kim Female Vocalist "Hearts-A-Flame" 95-96-97 Female Vocalist SGMA 99 Young Artist Singing News Soprano 97-98-99-00-01-02-03-04-05-06-07-08-09-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-20-21-22 Female Vocalist Singing News 99-00-01-07-08-09-10-11-12-13-14-15-16-17-18-19-20-21-22 Female Vocalist Voice Diamonds 99 Michael Favorite Musician 2001-2005 Favorite Artist Web Site 2005

Members

Line-ups

Hopper Brothers 2.0 Members

Line-ups

Discography

;Hopper Brothers and Connie *"Gospel Favorites" (HopperSing Records, 1962) *"5th Anniversary" (HopperSing Records, 1963) *"The Best of the Hopper Brothers and Connie" (HopperSing Records, 1968) *"Try A Little Kindness" (HopperSingRecords, 1969) *"Just Old Time Christians" (HopperSing Records, 1971) *"The Unseen Hand" (HopperSing Records, 1972) *"Jesus Taught Our Hearts To Sing" (Calvary Records, 1972) *"Our Kind of Gospel" (Calvary Records, 1973) *"Sing For...Impact International" (HopperSing Records, 1973) *"Sing Gospel Classics" (Trail Records, 1974) *"Thank God For The Old Rugged Cross" (Trail Records, 1974) *"Greater Than Before" (Supreme Records, 1974) *"A Live and a Singin" (Trail Records, 1974) *"I'm Going There" (Hymnstone Records, 1974) *"Lord Help Me Bury The Hatchet" (QCA Records, 1975) *"Higher" (QCA Records, 1976) *"A Unique Experience" (QCA Records, 1977) *"Highly Seasoned" (Supreme Records, 1977) *"Collector's Edition" (HopperSing Records, 1977) *"Something Going On" (Supreme Records, 1978) *"Garment of Praise" (Trail Records, 1979) *"Home Grown" (Supreme Records, 1979) *"Live" (Supreme Records, 1980) *"God Will Provide" (Trail Records, 1980) *"Home Is Where The Heart Is" (Supreme Records, 1981) ;The Hoppers *"Blessings" (HopperSing Records, 1982) *"Come To The Wedding" (Lifeline Records, 1982) *"Think On The Good Things" (Lifeline Records, 1983) *"Traveling Right" (HopperSing Records, 1984) *"I Know What Lies Ahead" (Lifeline Records, 1984) *"Citizen of Two Worlds" (HopperSing Records, 1985) *"Smoke of the Battle" (HopperSing Records, 1986) *"Whosoever Will" (HopperSing Records, 1987) *"Stand For Jesus" (Sonlite Records, 1987) *"He's Still God Live" (Sonlite Records, 1988) *"On These Grounds" (Sonlite Records, 1990) *"Heavenly Sunrise" (Sonlite Records, 1991) *"Mention My Name" (Sonlite Records, 1993) *"One More Time" (Sonlite Records, 1993) *"Never Thirst Again" (Sonlite, 1994) *"A Christmas Story Live" (Sonlite Records, 1994) *"Anchor to the Power of the Cross'' (Homeland, 1995) *"Timepieces Vol. 1" (Sonlite, 1997) *"40 Years Forever To Be Remembered" (HopperSing Records, 1997) *"Forever Settled" (Homeland, 1997) *"Timepieces Vol. 2" (Sonlite, 1998) *"One Foundation" (Homeland, 1998) *"Joy for the Journey" (Homeland, 1999) *"Shoutin' Time: The Best of the Hoppers" (Homeland, 2000) *"Classics:Live in Greenville" (Homeland, 2000) *"Power" (Spring Hill, 2000) *"Great Joy" (FarmHouse Productions, 2001) *"Steppin' Out" (Spring Hill, 2002) *"Imagine" (Spring Hill, 2003) *"Great Day (Spring Hill, 2003) *"Generations" (Spring Hill, 2005) *"Classic Hits" (Sonlite, 2005) *"The Ride" (Hoppers Music/Canaan Records, 2006/2007) *"I Just Wanted You To Know" (Canaan, 2008) *"North America Live" (Canaan, 2009) *"Unforgettable" (Hoppers Music/Mansion Entertainment, 2009) *"The Best of the Hoppers: from the Gaither Homecoming Series" (Gaither Music Group, 2010) *"Something's Happening" (Hoppers Music/Spring Hill, 2010) *"Hymns: A Classic Collection" (Hoppers Music, 2011) *"Count Me In" (Hoppers Music, 2012) *"Generations/Joy for the Journey: Hymns for the Millennium" (Hoppers Music, 2013) e-release of former projects on double CD*"Kids" (Hoppers Music, 2014) *"Life is Good" (Daywind, 2016) *"Honor the First Families of Gospel music" (Hoppers Music, Gaither Music Group, 2018) *"Anchored - A Collection of New Favorites" (Hoppers Music, 2018) *"Grace" (Hoppers Music, 2019) *"Hope" (Daywind, 2021) *"Believe" (Gaither Music Group, 2022)

References

The Hoppers The Hoppers (until 1981: Hopper Brothers and Connie) are a multi award-winning Southern Gospel group from North Carolina. They have performed together for several decades and have achieved significant popularity due to widening the playing field ...

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All Music Guide and AMG) is an American online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on musicians and bands. Initiated in 1991, the databas ...

Encyclopedia of American Gospel Music

External links

Official Website
*http://www.sghistory.com/index.php?n=H.Hoppers Southern Gospel History: The Hoppers {{DEFAULTSORT:Hoppers, The Family musical groups Musical groups from North Carolina Southern gospel performers