JFH News: The Kingdom Heirs' "I Want To Live Like Jesus" is Built on the Classic Quartet Sound

The Kingdom Heirs' "I Want To Live Like Jesus" is Built on the Classic Quartet Sound

NEWS SOURCE: Crossroads
August 9, 2024

Arden, North Carolina (August 9, 2024) — Southern Gospel favorites the Kingdom Heirs are on a roll as the summer heats up. The legendary Sonlite Records quartet’s new take on the classic “Come On In” has been making its way up the charts, but as spring turns to summer, the group has been supplying fans with new singles to keep the excitement level high. After the horn-driven groove of “No Better Time” and the country-flavored meditation, “Until Prayer Changes Me,” the Dollywood favorites — they’ve been the resident Southern Gospel group there for nearly 40 years — harken back once again to the classic sound, this time with a new song that fits squarely within the framework built by the music’s pioneers.

"'I Want To Live Like Jesus’ is a true Southern Gospel quartet tune written by Ernie Haase and the late Dianne Wilkinson,” says the quartet’s lead, Chris Bryant. “It is so much fun to sing, and we can’t wait to share it with everyone! I ran across this song that was sent to the group a few years back, and we immediately knew it was a great fit for us. No one has written more songs for the Kingdom Heirs than our dear friend Dianne. When we saw her name on this lyric, it made us all smile, and we know that she is looking down smiling as well, knowing that her music lives on.”

Sure enough, “I Want To Live Like Jesus” announces its place in the tradition from the opening notes, with a gently swinging rhythm section backing pianist Trey Ivey setting up bass singer Brad Smith’s assertive testimony:

When the Lord first saved me, He gave me a love
For everything the Bible had to say
I learned about Jesus, and all He's overcome
And that's when I began to pray
"Master, teach me more than I ever knew before
Show me things I've never even seen
I want to follow You in everything I do
A disciple is what I want to be!

that leads to a chorus — and more — sure to remind listeners of the deepest, most solid foundations of the quartet sound.

“It’s a simple message in song,” says Bryant, “that reminds us that, after all He has done for us, we should make it our goal to live for Him and share His message with the world!”

Listen to "I Want To Live Like Jesus" HERE.

About The Kingdom Heirs
From the Mountains of East Tennessee, Southern Gospel Music fills the air and is the home of The Kingdom Heirs, one of Southern Gospel Music’s top Male Quartets. The group started performing in local churches and concert halls and as their music and message spread to a wider audience, so did their popularity and demand. Later in 1982, they began singing at the Silver Dollar City theme park, which is now Dollywood. In 1986 when the theme park took on their new name, The Kingdom Heirs were asked to become the resident gospel group and now this year, both The Kingdom Heirs and Dollywood will be celebrating 38 years. Not only are they one of Dollywood’s favorites, but a favorite to millions everywhere.

The Kingdom Heirs have been nominated many times for industry awards such as The SGMA Awards, Dove Awards, and The Singing News Fan Awards. Winning Newcomer Group of the Year in 1989, the group has been a constant favorite. They won 2017 Band of the Year, which the band also won in 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. They have also had many top ten songs, and currently have had 40 top 5 songs in a row and 11 number 1 songs including their number #1 song, "I'll Know I'm Home," "The Borrowed Tomb," "Just Beyond The Sunset," (Nominated for Song of the Year) "Just Preach Jesus," (Nominated for Song of the Year) "Tell Me Why," and "He Locked The Gates." Two songs "The Chain Gang" and "Pieces" were nominated for a Dove award, off of their highly successful album, "A New Look" were nominated for a Dove Award in 2016. Their album “The Last Big Thing” debuted at #1 on the Billboard Charts. They have had over 29 songs nominated for Song of the Year. With a nine-month schedule performing to thousands of people a year at Dollywood, the group also tours for eight weeks, January through March. All of their tour scheduling is done in house. Recording for Crossroads Marketing on the Sonlite Records label, they are distributed nationally in retail, Christian Book Stores and Internet. Their latest recordings include, A New Look, Redeeming The Time, We Will Stand Our Ground, By Request, Songs From The Redbook, Glory To God In The Highest, The Heart of Christmas, Its Christmas, When You Look at Me, True To the Call and White Christmas CD.

About Crossroads:
Crossroads is a market leader in the Southern Gospel, Bluegrass, and Americana fields. Established in 1993, following the combination of Horizon Music Group and Sonlite Records, Crossroads now operates several divisions including Crossroads Label Group (Horizon Records, Sonlite Records, Mountain Home Music, Skyland Records, Pisgah Ridge Records, Crossroads Records, and Organic Records), Crossroads Distribution, Crossroads Radio Promotions, and Crossroads Recording Studios. Led by a strong executive team of Christian music and Bluegrass music veterans, Crossroads combines cutting-edge technology with creative innovation to connect fans with our artists’ music.

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