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KAREN PECK & NEW RIVER

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Group Biography

Five-time Grammy nominated, seven-time GMA Dove Award winning Karen Peck and New River has impacted the Gospel Music industry for almost 30 years. In 2018, Karen Peck Gooch was inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame.

 

Karen Peck New River was formed in January 1991. Karen teamed with her husband, Rickey Gooch and her sister, Susan Peck Jackson, to form the group. Karen had already made a name for herself, serving as beloved Soprano for the popular Rex Nelon Singers for a decade. During that time she earned her first GMA Dove Award, as well as her first of 11 consecutive Singing News Fan Awards for Favorite Soprano.

 

Much success has followed the popular vocalist since the formation of Karen Peck New River. Over the years, the musical team has shared the Gospel through song around the world, traveling throughout the US and Canada, as well as Israel, Central America, and Europe. The group is regularly featured on the popular Gaither Homecoming Video Series, which airs worldwide.

 

A leader among the Southern Gospel Music industry, Karen has served on the Board of Directors for Abraham Productions, an events’ promotions company that promotes multiple Christian music cruises and concert events each year. Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors of the Southern Gospel Music Association, including two terms as President. She was the first woman to be named President of the SGMA. Additionally, she has served as keynote speaker at multiple women’s conferences, and in 2012 was named the recipient of the Susan Unthank Memorial Award, presented by AbsolutelyGospel.com, honoring women for major contributions to Southern Gospel Music. Karen also serves as co-host of the weekly television program, Gospel Music USA, which showcases many of the leading names in Southern Gospel Music.

 

In 2012, Karen was afforded the opportunity to transition from music to movies when she enjoyed a feature role in the hit film, Joyful Noise, appearing with Dolly Parton and Queen Latifah. She was the lead singer on the popular song from the movie soundtrack, “Mighty High.” In 2014, she followed up the appearance with a role in Redeemed, starring Ted McGinley, Grant Goodeve and Teri Copley.

 

Amid the personal success Karen has enjoyed, New River has been equally blessed with countless honors and accolades, including many radio hits, which have soared up the Southern Gospel Music airplay charts. Karen Peck New River has enjoyed over 20 Number One hits, including “Four Days Late”, which was named Song of the Decade for 2000-2010 by The Singing News Magazine. Many of these hit releases were either written or co-written by Karen, including “I Know I’ll Be There,” “The River,” “Revival,” “Pray Now,” “Gotta Be Saved,” “Everybody’s Going Through Something,” “On The Banks Of The Promised Land,” “Daddy’s Home,” “I Am Blessed,” “I Wanna Know How It Feels,” “Calling,” “Finish Well,” as well as “Hope For All Nations,” which the group performed in Roatan, Honduras in the summer of 2017.

 

Over the years Karen Peck New River has become a family affair, as Karen and Rickey’s daughter, Kari, as well as their son, Matthew are full-time group members. Matthew’s wife, Preslee, is serving as the product manager. In addition to Karen’s sister, Susan, Grant Gibson completes the talented vocal group.

 

Karen Peck New River has evolved throughout the past three decades, and has firmly established a place at the forefront of Southern Gospel Music. However, the Gospel Music Hall of Fame member refuses to rest on past laurels. New River continues to deliver a progressive sound that is distinctive yet remains true to the traditional styling that has made them a fan favorite. They have been faithfully striving for excellence to make KPNR relevant in today’s society. Collectively, they are more committed than ever to continue to share the message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 Scheduled Appearances:
 

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Discography:
 

Reach Out - 2011

Live At Oak Tree - 2010

No Worries - 2009

Ephesians One - 2008

Best of Karen Peck and New River - 2007

Journey of Joy - 2007

Good To Be Free - 2005

Faith, Hope and Love - 2004

For His Glory - 2003

Triumph - 2001

A Taste of Grace - 2000

Turn It Loose - 1999

Makin' A Difference - 1997

Carry Faith (Karen's 2nd Solo Release) - 1996

Right On Time - 1996

Unlimited - 1995

Live and Unlimited - 1995

Alabama Live - 1994

Daddy's Home - 1993

Restoration - 1992

Karen Peck and New River - 1991

My Father's Words (Karen's 1st Solo Release) - 1989

 

Top 40 Single Releases:
 

Why Should I Worry – Number One

Why Can’t all God’s Children Get Along – Number One

Ephesians Chapter One – Number One

I Want To Thank You – Number One

Whispered Prayers – Number One

Hey – Number One

Last Night - Number One

Hold Me While I Cry - Number One

River of Peace - Top 10

Just One Touch - Number One

That's Why They Call It Grace - Top 10

Get About God's Business - Top 10

Rejoice In The Lord - Top 20

Now That You Know - Top 20

I Wanna Know How It Feels - Number One

The Truth Is - Top 10

Four Days Late - Number One

Christian In The House - Top 20

UFO - Top 20

His Tomb Wasn't Empty (It Was Full Of My Sin) - Top 20

Miracle In Every Pew - Top 40

Let Freedom Ring - Top 10

God Says You Can - Top 10

The House That Love Built - Top 40

Little Country Church - Top 20

Ten Thousand Angels - Top 10

God Likes To Work - Number One

Whenever The Wind Blows - Top 10

Last Mile Running - top 20

Daddy's Home - Number One

Rain and Shine - Top 5

God Still Answers Prayer - Top 5

When Jesus Passes By - Number One

Bend In The River - Top 5

He's Sending Miracles - Top 5

 

Awards and Accolades:

Southern Gospel Album of the Year - “Reach Out”

GMA Dove Awards 2012

 

Country Song of the Year - “Good Things Are Happening”

GMA Dove Awards 2012

 

Song of the Year - “On the Banks of the Promised Land” -Absolutely Gospel.Com - 2012

 

Progressive Song of the Year - “On the Banks of the Promised Land” - Absolutely Gospel.Com - 2012

 

Mixed Group of the Year - Absolutely Gospel.Com - 2012

 

Fan Favorite Artist of the Year - Absolutely Gospel.Com - 2012

 

(Karen Peck Gooch) - Susan Unthank Memorial Award

Absolutely Gospel.Com - 2012

 

#1 Most Played Artist of the Year - Absolutely Gospel.Com - 2011

 

#1 Top 100 Songs of 2011 - On the Banks of the Promised Land

Absolutely Gospel.Com - 2011

 

#22 Top 100 Songs of 2011 - Special Love - Absolutely Gospel.Com - 2011

 

Progressive Song of the Year - Why Can’t All God’s Children Get Along

Absolutely Gospel Music Awards - 2011

 

Favorite Female Vocalist-Karen Peck Gooch

Absolutely Gospel Music Awards - 2011

 

Favorite Mixed Group - KPNR - Absolutely Gospel Music Awards - 2011

 

Favorite Fan Award - KPNR - Absolutely Gospel Music Awards - 2011

 

Best Southern/Country/Bluegrass Album - Live At Oak Tree

Grammy Award Nomination - 2011

 

#1 Song of the Decade - Four Days Late - Singing News Magazine - 2010

 

#10 Song of the Decade - I Wanna Know How It Feels”

Singing News Magazine - 2010

 

Fan Favorite Artist of the Year – KPNR – SGN Music Awards – 2010

 

Song of the Year – I Want To Thank You – SGN Music Awards - 2010

 

Progressive Southern Album – No Worries – SGN Music Awards – 2010

 

Country Song – I Want To Thank You – SGN Music Awards - 2010

 

Favorite Trio – KPNR - SGM FanFair Fan Awards – 2009, 2008, 2007

 

Album of the Year – Ephesians One – Diamond Awards – 2009

 

Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album Nominee –

Ephesians One – Grammy Awards – 2009

 

Country/Bluegrass Song of the Year – Hey – SGN Music Awards – 2009

 

Favorite Female Vocalist – Karen Peck Gooch –

SGM FanFair Fan Awards – 2009

 

Mixed Group of the Year – KPNR – SGN Music Awards – 2009

 

Song of the Year – Whispered Prayers – Diamond Awards – 2009

 

Susan Peck Jackson – Favorite Alto – SGM FanFair Fan Awards – 2008

 

Favorite Song – Last Night – SGM FanFair Fan Awards – 2008

 

Progressive Southern Album – Journey of Joy – SGN Music Awards – 2008

 

Progressive Southern Song – Last Night – SGN Music Awards – 2008

 

Best Southern, Country, or Bluegrass Gospel Album Nominee

Journey of Joy – Grammy Awards – 2008

 

Hold Me While I Cry - Song of the Year – SG Fan Awards – 2007

 

Karen Peck Gooch -Favorite Soprano – SG Fan Awards – 2007

 

Susan Peck Jackson -Favorite Alto – SG Fan Awards – 2007

 

Trio of the Year – SG Fan Awards – 2007

 

Trio of the Year – SGN Scoops Diamond Awards – 2004, 2005

 

Karen Peck Gooch – Favorite Soprano – US Gospel News Fan Awards – 2005

 

Progressive Southern Album – Good To Be Free – SGN Music Awards – 2006

 

Song of the Year Nominee – Get About God’s Business –

Southern Gospel Music Awards – 2005

 

Favorite Trio Nominee – Southern Gospel Music Award – 2005

 

Progressive Song of the Year – That’s Why They Call It Grace –

Southern Gospel News Music Award – 2004

 

Song of the Year Nominee – That’s Why They Call It Grace

Harmony Awards – 2004

 

Karen Peck Gooch – Female Vocalist of the Year – Southern Gospel Music Guild – Harmony Awards – 2004, 2005, 2006

 

Four Days Late – Song of the Year – Singing News Fan Awards – 2001

 

Song of the Year Nominee – Dove Awards – 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003

 

Album of the Year Nominee – Dove Awards – 2001, 2003

 

Song of the Year Nominee – SGMA Awards – 2001, 2002

 

Trio of the Year Nominee – SGMA Awards – 2001, 2002

 

Karen Peck – Favorite Female Vocalist – SGMA – 2002

 

Karen Peck – Favorite Soprano Recipient – Singing News Fan Awards – 11 Consecutive Years

 

Karen Peck – Favorite Female Vocalist Nominee – Singing News Fan Awards – Several years

 

Susan Peck – Favorite Alto Nominee – Singing News Fan Awards – 5 Consecutive Years

 

New River – Favorite Group Nominee – Singing News Fan Awards – 2 Consecutive Years

 

Favorite Song of the Year Nominee – Singing News Fan Awards – 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, 2002, 2003

 

New River – Sunrise Award Recipient – Gospel

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