The Nelons are an American

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 based in

Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,715 ...

. Group members are Kelly Nelon Clark, her husband Jason Clark, and Kelly's daughters Amber Nelon Kistler and Autumn Nelon Clark. The Nelons were inducted into the Gospel Music Association ( GMA) Hall of Fame in 2016.

Group history

The Nelons was started by founding member

Rex Nelon Rex Lloyd Nelon (January 19, 1932 – January 24, 2000) was a southern gospel musicician, who had a career spanning over 40 years of both singing and publishing gospel music. He was a longstanding member of The LeFevres, which later became Th ...

as The Rex Nelon Singers in 1977. The group was a spin-off of the family group the Lefevres. They became known as the Rex Nelon Singers in 1976 because the Lefevre family members had left the group. The group's first number-one song was "Come Morning" on the Singing News Chart,"Family Ties: The Hoppers, The Nelons." and was awarded the Southern Gospel Song of the Decade for the 1980s. Another widely recognizable song by the group is "We Shall Wear a Robe and Crown." Over time the group included

Karen Peck Karen Peck and New River is a southern gospel mixed group based in Gainesville, Georgia. Music career The youngest of three daughters, Karen was exposed to the traditional sounds of gospel music at a very early age. Her parents often took Ka ...

Janet Paschal Janet Paschal (born October 18, 1956) is an inspirational gospel vocalist. She has released numerous albums in that genre and has received multiple fan awards and Grammy and Dove Award nominations. She is also a songwriter and published author. ...

, Jerry Thompson, Charlotte Ritchie, Kelly Nelon Clark, Todd Nelon,

Jeff Stice The Triumphant Quartet (formerly Integrity Quartet until 2005) is an American Southern Gospel group that group consists of David Sutton (tenor), Clayton Inman (lead), Scott Inman (baritone), and Eric Bennett (bass). Background The Triumphant ...

, Martin Gureasko, Rodney Swain,

Stan Whitmire Stan Whitmire is a Christian pianist from Atlanta, Georgia, United States. Life and work Whitmire was born May 4, 1963, in Atlanta, Georgia and studied to learn to play the piano from the age of four. He graduated from The Westminster Schools and ...

, Ray Fisher, Vernon Lee. The Nelons have been nominated for many awards in the

music industry including

Grammys The Grammy Awards (stylized as GRAMMY), or simply known as the Grammys, are awards presented by the Recording Academy of the United States to recognize "outstanding" achievements in the music industry. They are regarded by many as the most pres ...

, Dove Awards,"Ryman to Ring out with Gospel".

Singing News Singing is the act of creating musical sounds with the voice. A person who sings is called a singer, artist or vocalist (in jazz and/or popular music). Singers perform music (arias, recitatives, songs, etc.) that can be sung with or without ...

Awards, Absolutely Gospel Awards, Diamond Awards, and Christian Voice Awards. In 2014, the Nelons were a trio made up Kelly Nelon Clark,"Cathedrals, Nelsons honored by Southern Gospel Assn.". Jason Clark, and Amber Nelon Thompson. In 2014, Amber was chosen as Female Vocalist of the Year at the Absolutely Gospel Music Awards. Currently, The Nelons are made up of Kelly Nelon Clark, Jason Clark, Amber Nelon Kistler, and Autumn Nelon Clark.

Personnel

– bass (1977–1999) * Kelly Nelon Clark – alto (1977–1991; 1993–present) * Rodney Swain – lead (1977–1984) *

– soprano (1977–1981) * Jerry Thompson – tenor/lead (1977–1992, 1993–1998) *

– soprano (1981–1990) * Martin Gureasko – pianist (1990-1992) *

- pianist (1986, 1993-1996) * Charlotte Ritchie – soprano (1991–1993, 1994–1996) * Kelly Benton – soprano (1993) * Amy Roth – soprano (1996–1999) * Melody Williams – soprano (1999–2001) * Katy Peach (then Katy VanHorn) – soprano (2001–2002) * Amber Nelon Kistler – soprano (2002–present) * Paul White – lead (1992–1993) * Tammy Britton – alto (1991–1993) * David Hill – lead (1998–1999) * Paul Lancaster – tenor (1999–2001) * Jason Clark – lead (1997–present) * Todd Nelon – baritone (1981-1994) * Dan Clark – bass (1999–2002) * Kevin Davis - piano (2000-2012) * Autumn Nelon Clark - soprano (2014–present) * Ray Fisher - piano (1980 - 1986)

Discography

Albums: :''as Rex Nelon Singers'' * 1977: ''The Sun's Coming Up'' * 1978: ''Live'' * 1978: ''I've Never Been This Homesick Before'' * 1979: ''Feelings'' * 1980: ''Expressions of Love'' * 1981: ''Sing The Gospel'' * 1981: ''One More Song'' * 1981: ''One Step Closer'' * 1982: ''Feeling At Home'' * 1983: ''We Shall Behold The King'' * 1984: ''Precious Old Story of Love'' * 1984: ''I've Got My Foot On The Rock'' :''As The Nelons'' * 1985: ''In One Accord'' * 1986: ''Journeys'' * 1987: ''Thanks'' * 1988: ''Get Ready'' * 1989: ''Let The Redeemed Say So'' * 1990: ''The Best of Times'' * 1991: ''One Less Stone'' * 1991: ''A New Generation'' * 1992: ''Right On Time'' * 1993: ''Kelly Nelon Thompson & The Nelons'' * 1994: ''A Promised Reunion'' * 1994: ''He's My Comfort'' * 1994: ''Triumphant'' * 1995: ''Hallelujah Live'' * 1996: ''We're Glad You're Here'' * 1997: ''We've Got To Praise Him''"Gospel's Nelons are full of praise on Homeland set". * 1997: ''Thanks Live'' * 1997: ''All Rise Live'' * 1998: ''Peace Within The Walls'' * 1999: ''A Journey'' * 2000: ''Following After'' * 2001: ''Season of Song 1 Nelon Classics'' * 2002: ''United for Christ'' * 2003: ''Season of Song 2'' * 2004: ''The Light of Home'' * 2008: ''You Are God'' * 2010: ''Beside Still Waters'' * 2011: ''Come On Home'' * 2012: ''Evening in December'' * 2014: ''Hymns: The A Capella Sessions'' * 2016 Stronger Together EP *2016 Family Harmony * 2018 ''A Winter Carol'' * 2022 ''Scars In Heaven'' Compilations * 1984: ''Best & Whole Lot More'' * 1997: ''Timeless Collection'' * 1998: ''The Collection'' * 1998: ''Out Front – Best of Rex Nelon'' Kelly Nelon solo * 1983: ''Her Father's Child'' * 1985: ''Praise Him Now'' * 1988: ''Called By Love'' * 1990: ''KNT'' * 1992: ''Steadfast Heart''

Accolades

*1999:

Southern Gospel Museum and Hall of Fame The Southern Gospel Music Association (''SGMA'') is a non-profit corporation formed as an association of southern gospel music singers, songwriters, fans, and industry workers. Membership is acquired and maintained through payment of annual dues. T ...

Inductee *2013: People Choice Silver Telly Award – "Excuse Me Are You Jesus" "Nelons, Bill Gaither and Larry Gatlin win Telly Awards"
''Homecoming Magazine'', by Deborah Patterson June 5, 2013 *2016: Gospel Music Hall of Fame Inductee

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Nelons, The Family musical groups Musical groups from Georgia (U.S. state) Southern gospel performers