The Hoppers

The Hoppers are a Southern Gospel group from North Carolina.

The Hoppers are a family ensemble which first began performing together in 1957. They appeared at the inauguration ceremony for Ronald Reagan in 1981. They won awards for Mixed Vocal Group at the Southern Gospel Music Awards in 1982 and 1983.

Kim Greene of The Greenes joined the group in 1989 after marrying vocalist and former drummer Dean Hopper the year before. Their first major hit at Christian radio 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."

Mike Hopper married Denice in 1996, who became the group's pianist. In 1998, their version of "Shoutin' Time" became their biggest hit, and the group performed with Bill and Gloria Gaither. They won several further Southern Gospel Music Awards in following years. In addition member Connie Hopper won the career Marvin Norcross Award in 1998. They also performed on the album "Tribute To Dottie Rambo", which was a nominee for "Special Event Album of the Year" at the Dove Awards of 1999.

In recent years, the Hoppers have enjoyed great success with the edgier "Jerusalem" widening their audience to include contemporary and inspirational music fans.

The group has appeared on the Gaither Homecoming 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".

The Hoppers are currently signed to the newly revived Canaan Record Label. Their last release, "The Ride" was originally recorded independently, then re-released on the Canaan label. September 2008 will bring the first true recording under the Canaan umbrella and is slated to be titled, "The Hoppers, Live Across North America".

Kim Hopper has released two noteworthy solo projects, "Imagine" under the Spring Hill Label, and most recently (August 2008) "I Just Wanted You To Know" with Canaan Records.

Members

*Claude Hopper - vocals
*Connie Hopper - vocals
*Dean Hopper - drums, vocals
*Mike Hopper - drums, vocals
*Kim [Greene] Hopper - vocals (1989-present)
*Lewis Wells - piano (2006-present)
*Denice Hopper - piano (1996-2002)
*Shannon Childress - piano, vocals (1986-1997)
*Greg Bentley - guitar, vocals (1985-1988)
*Sharon Watts - vocals (1984-1986)
*Debra Talley - vocals (1980-1983)
*Kirk Talley - vocals (1976-1980)
*Roger Talley - piano, vocals (1974-1983)

Discography

*"Gospel Favorites" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, HopperSing Records, 1962)
*"5th Anniversary" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, HopperSing Records, 1967)
*"The Best of the Hopper Brothers and Connie" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, HopperSing Records, 1968)
*"Try A Little Kindness" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, HopperSingRecords, 1969)
*"Just Old Time Christians" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, HopperSing Records, 1971)
*"The Unseen Hand" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, HopperSing Records, 1972)
*"Jesus Taught Our Hearts To Sing" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Calvary Records, 1972)
*"Our Kind of Gospel" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Calvary Records, 1973)
*"Sing For...Impact International" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, HopperSing Records, 1973)
*"Sing Gospel Classics" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Trail Records, 1974)
*"Thank God For The Old Rugged Cross" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Trail Records, 1974)
*"Greater Than Before" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Supreme Records, 1974)
*"A Live and a Singin" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Trail Records, 1974)
*"I'm Going There" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Hymnstone Records, 1974)
*"Lord Help Me Bury The Hatchet" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, QCA Records, 1975)
*"Higher" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, QCA Records, 1976)
*"A Unique Experience" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, QCA Records, 1977)
*"Highly Seasoned" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Supreme Records, 1977)
*"Collector's Edition" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, HopperSing Records, 1977)
*"Something Going On" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Supreme Records, 1978)
*"Garment Of Praise" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Trail Records, 1979)
*"Home Grown" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Supreme Records, 1979)
*"Live" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Supreme Records, 1980)
*"God Will Provide" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Trail Records, 1980)
*"Home Is Where The Heart Is" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, Supreme Records, 1981)
*"Blessings" (Hopper Brothers and Connie, 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)
*"Classics:Live in Greenville" (Homeland, 1999)
*"Joy for the Journey" (Homeland, 1999)
*"Power" (Spring Hill, 2000)
*"Great Joy" (FarmHouse Productions, 2001)
*"Shoutin' Time: The Best of the Hoppers" (Homeland, 2001)
*"Steppin' Out" (Spring Hill, 2002)
*"Great Day" (Spring Hill, 2003)
*"Generations" (Spring Hill, 2005)
*"Classic Hits" (Sonlite, 2005)
*"The Ride" (Word Entertainment, 2007)

References

* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:k9frxqqhldde~T1 The Hoppers] at Allmusic
* [http://books.google.com/books?id=uqT-CJYcqskC&pg=PA189&lpg=PA189&dq=%22the+hoppers%22+gospel&source=web&ots=jiqNVJKOG1&sig=MHR6a59FpdN1rSUTeHCGyVft76o#PPA189,M1]
* [http://www.tollbooth.org/new/news/99list.html Tollbooth.org]

External links

* [http://www.thehoppers.com Official Website]