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The Heartland Gospel Singers
From Bellevue, Nebraska
Upcoming scheduled events HGS endorsements
The Heartland Gospel Singers opened for the Gospelmen Quartet of Genesee, Michigan in June. Only eight weeks earlier Steve Papson (age 20), a young man passionate about sharing the gospel and singing, approached Gary Crawford (age 68). “Mr. Crawford, you know about quartets, help me start a group.”
On the first official practice thirteen-year-old Andrew said, “I can carry the tenor.”
By the end of the night Michael (16); Chris (16); Kyle (16); Aaron (father of four); Keith (forty-something) and Gary Crawford joined young Andrew to stand around Morgan (17) at the piano. A month later, Jared (18) added his talents to the group.
“You never know God’s purpose in life,” Crawford told the singers. “Maybe God allowed me to beat cancer to help you. You don’t learn Southern Gospel music on the Internet--it’s handed down from generation to generation.”
When their pastor, Melvin Yeich of Heartland Baptist Church heard the singers he said, “Hey, buy a bus. Go on the road.” The singers grinned.
Soon Crawford announced the group’s debut performance. “We need a name.”
The Heartland Gospel Singers (HGS) became reality.
Today HGS is available to share their music and testimonies in your service or banquet. They sing Southern Gospel, Barbershop, and provide instrumentals—a talented group ready to bless your heart.
When the young men run out of music, Gary Crawford is a talented soloist—God allowed him to live for ‘such a time as this.’
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Heartland Gospel Singers Updates
On July 7th the singers opened for Tex and Mary Schutz of Streetman, Texas at a concert in Weeping Water, Nebraska. At the close of the concert Mary said, “Come on up here guys. When you go into this business, you ‘gotta be’ ready. Often you’ll be put on the spot. Tonight we want you to sing the closing song with us.”
Seven singers gathered around Tex and Mary to sing a number they’d never heard before. The audience loved it. The Heartland Gospel Singers did a great job, their harmony came through even when they didn’t know the words.
On July 29th the singers shared a singspiration stage with the congregation at First Church of the Nazarene in Ralston, Nebraska. A fun night.
Steve Flagg, First Church worship leader, asked the audience for their 3rd favorite hymns (to guard against singing the usual requests).
Throughout the evening, many of the congregation presented solo numbers—a crowd favorite was Charles Walker’s rendition of “His Love.”
When the Heartland Gospel Singers took the stage, they learned once more the meaning of flexibility. In the middle of their planned schedule, Gary called Charles to the platform.
“Come on up here, Charles. We’ve never heard that number before, but it’s good. You sing it again and we’ll back you up.” The young Heartland Gospel did a super job.
What a great singspiration, great vocals and harmony..
These young men and their mentor have a passion for gospel music and they love lovin’ the Lord. It shows from the moment they start their instrumental presentations, to the fun they have with introduction and right down to the last amen.
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