L-R: Dave Clark, Ronnie Brookshire, Dean, Kim, Connie, Claude, Mike, Ronny Hinson and Lari Goss

VIEW PHOTOS - CLICK HERE

HOPPERS CELEBRATES #1 ON NATIONAL RADIO CHARTS IN NASHVILLE, TN

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (2-14-07) Today on Music Row in Nashville, Tennessee at the Warner Brothers Building, The Hoppers celebrated their number one song, “I’m Just Waiting For My Ride,” at a party hosted by Canaan Records. America’s Favorite Family of Gospel Music claimed the number one spot on Singing News Magazine’s National Radio Chart during the month of March for the hit written by Ronny Hinson, who also made a guest soloist appearance on the single. Friends and colleagues gathered to commemorate this monumental occasion after the Gospel Music Association’s DOVE Award press conference, where The Hoppers picked up three nominations for Southern Gospel Album of the Year (The Ride), Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year (“I’m Just Waiting For My Ride”) and Choral Collection (Let The Redeemed Say So).

Chuck Peters, Radio Editor for SG Show Prep, commented, “The first time I heard ‘I’m Just Waiting For My Ride’.. I knew there would soon be a #1 party! This song will become one of those ‘Hopper Classics’ that fans will be requesting and radio will be playing for years and years!”

Rick Shelton, Director of Publishing for Daywind Music and Publisher of “I’m Just Waiting For My Ride,” continued, " ‘I’m Just Waiting For My Ride’ is a fantastic example of the authentic artistry of Ronny Hinson, Lari Goss and, of course, the Hoppers. Although each creator is legendary, their combined efforts have produced a fresh and innovative interpretation of a timeless theme – the believers’ reunion with their King. Well deserved congratulations are due each of them and Canaan Records for achieving the hit song status of #1."

"Congratulations to the Hoppers on their number one song," added Bill Gaither

“I’m Just Waiting For My Ride” can be found on the group's debut Canaan Records project, The Ride, as well as their brand new Celebration 50 DVD, which is set to release April 1, 2008 through Canaan Records and Word Entertainment. The soundtrack is available on Word Entertainment’s Studio Series at retailers nationwide and digitally through www.itunes.com.

“I’m Just Waiting For My Ride” also captured the number one position on the SoGospelNews.com radio chart for two weeks. It was also named #17 on the website’s Top 50 Chart for 2007. The Hoppers brand new single, “Yahweh,” has been shipped to radio stations worldwide and is already becoming a favorite among fans.

A concept video highlighting “I’m Just Waiting For My Ride” is currently available for download at www.thehoppers.com. The video includes the award-winning Hoppers along with songwriter Ronny Hinson performing the number one song. The “I’m Just Waiting For My Rides” concept video can be downloaded to your I-Pod or I-Tunes library and is free of charge.

The Hoppers and Canaan Records are pleased to offer an additional DVD release on April 1st entitled The Ride Live. In addition to enjoying two rich and anointed concert events, viewers will also enjoy visually exciting high-definition experiences filmed live at the Reynolds Auditorium in Winston-Salem, NC. You can view a unique video sample at www.thehoppers.com.

Claude, Connie, Dean, Kim and Mike were recently awarded the prestigious Order of the Long Leaf Pine by North Carolina Governor Mike Easley. The Hoppers are proud to commemorate their 50 year anniversary through a series of Hopper's Heritage Concerts that include performances by The Original Hopper Brothers and Connie. The group began their quest in music as a sharecropping family of eleven children where five of the seven brothers began singing at local churches under the direction of their mother. In 1957, as young adults, four of the brothers began the Hopper Brothers Quartet. In 1960, Connie Shelton joined their ranks as the piano player and later married Claude, the manager of the group. Connie's popularity eventually caused the group to change its name to The Hopper Brothers and Connie. In 1964, the group entered and won the talent contest at the National Quartet Convention in Nashville, TN. The Hoppers have evolved over the years and now is comprised of Claude and Connie, their two sons Mike and Dean and Dean’s wife, Kim. The group recently signed with Canaan Records, a division of Word Entertainment, a Warner/Curb company, where they nationally released their hit album, The Ride. This group has received nearly every award possible in their field of music including being presented with Favorite Mixed Group on numerous occasions. They average singing to over 1 million concert goers in over forty states and five countries per year.

For more information on The Hoppers, visit www.thehoppers.com. For more information on Canaan Records, visit www.canaanrecords.com

Canaan Records
Canaan Records, a division of Word Entertainment, a Warner/Curb company, was founded in 1965. The original Canaan Records' roster was home to many legendary Southern Gospel artists including The Cathedrals, The Happy Goodmans, The Florida Boys, The Inspirations, The Nelons and The Talleys. In early 2007, the renowned label along with its sister imprint, Canaanland Publishing, reemerged with the signing of Gospel music greats, The Hoppers. Word Entertainment leads the industry with over 50 years of music making history.