While posting news in the Christian music world is usually exciting, it is always heartbreaking when we have to report sad news.  As many of our readers already know – tragedy struck the Christian music community on Friday, July 26, 2024 when three members of the decorated Southern-Gospel group, The Nelons, along with four others were killed in a plane crash in Wyoming in route to join their fellow music colleagues for the Gaither Homecoming Cruise in Alaska.

Our entire team here at Today’s Christian Entertainment continues to lift the families of all up in prayer and encourage you to join us as well.

STATEMENT FROM JAY HEILMAN (Founder of Today’s Christian Entertainment):

“I was very heartbroken to hear of this tragedy, that resulted in the loss of Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber Nelon Kistler, and Jason Clark of The Nelons.  I truly do not have words as to how devastating this is to our team here at TCE, the Christian music industry and the families, friends and fans of the group.  When I came to know Christ in 2003, my late wife Shannon Nicole introduced me to the world of Southern Gospel music with groups like The Nelons, the Crabb Family, Gaither Vocal Band, the Isaacs and so many others.  I always considered myself a fan and was always greatly blessed and encouraged after listening to their music.  One of my favorites was the song, “The Came the Morning” from Stronger Together.  I am praying and lifting up the families of all involved in that God give them peace and comfort during this time of absolute heartbreak and devastation.”

STATEMENT FROM GAITHER MUSIC:

One of the best loved Gospel music families in America, The Nelons were involved in a tragic, fatal plane crash on Friday afternoon on their way to join the Gaither Homecoming Cruise to Alaska. Killed in the crash were Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, Amber and Nathan Kistler and their assistant, Melodi Hodges, along with the pilot, Larry Haynie and his wife, Melissa. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the accident.

Autumn, Jason and Kelly’s youngest daughter, and her husband, Jamie Streetman were not on the plane and arrived safely into Seattle and were notified of the accident. They were brought to the hotel where artists were gathered with Bill and Gloria Gaither to pray, sing and embrace them in their grief, pledging to support them in whatever needs arise.

Autumn and Jamie will return home for now to Kelly’s brother, Todd Nelon and his wife, Rhonda, to begin the hard tasks that lie ahead. Please keep them, the Kistler family, the Haynie family and the family of Melodi Hodges in your prayers.

A STATEMENT FROM AUTUMN NELON STREETMAN:

“As many of you have heard by now, my father and mother, Jason and Kelly Nelon Clark, along with my sister, Amber and brother-in-law, Nathan, as well as our dear friends Melodi Hodges, Larry and Melissa Haynie were involved in a tragic plane crash on Friday. Thank you for the prayers that have been extended already to me, my husband, Jamie, and our soon-to-be-born baby boy, as well as Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark. We appreciate your continued prayers, love and support as we navigate the coming days.”

STATEMENT FROM ED LEONARD (President of Daywind Music Group & VP of New Day Christian Distributors):

“The Daywind Music Group family is devastated by the news of the passing of several members of the Nelons in a plane crash on Friday… In this time of unimaginable grief for these families, we know that our beloved artist and their friends are in the arms of Jesus Christ whom the Nelons spent their entire careers singing about as they spread His Gospel around the world. We stand on His promises today as we grieve the loss our precious Daywind family members.”

The Nelons Celebration of Life Service

A service for Jason & Kelly Nelon Clark and Nathan & Amber Nelon Kistler will be held on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 @ 1PM at Roopville Road Baptist Church in Roopville, GA. Visitation with the family will be held prior to the service at 10:00AM – 12:00PM.  Almon Funeral Home & Chapel will be in charge of arrangements. Their website is https://www.almonfuneralhome.com.

The New Album Loving You

About two weeks prior to the heartbreaking news of the accident, the group had posted news of the upcoming release of their new record, Loving You, to their Instagram page.  The album will release August 30, 2024 via Daywind Records which includes the already released single, “There’s a Hole In The Heart” along with nine other songs.

Loving You track listing:

1. That’s What Love Is

2. Loving You

3. There’s a Hole in the Heart

4. He Looked Beyond My Fault

5. Moses (feat. Gaither Vocal Band and Joseph Habedank)

6. God Won’t

7. River of Peace [Rio De Paz] (feat. NT Martin)

8. Hand of an Unseen God

9. Three Nails Instead

10. We’ve Always Had a Song

11. There’s a Hole in the Heart (Radio Edit)

Pre-order of the new record is coming soon

For more information on The Nelons, please visit:

• https://www.thenelons.com/

• https://www.facebook.com/thenelonsofficial

• https://www.instagram.com/thenelonsofficial/

Courtesy of TCE, Daywind Records and Wortman Works