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Sandi Duncan
When the Chandlers take the stage, it's not just a persormance of Gospel music. It is the continuing of a heritage perpetuated by a family's love for the Lord.
You will note of their performance that Dallas Chandler plays guitar. Although the guitar was Dallas' introduction as a performer, it was not his introduction to Gospel music. As a very young child he sat on the piano stool while his mother played and his family sang as a quartet.
With the gift of a guitar at age ten, Dallas moved into a performance role and has continued the heritage of his family. Several years ago he played the guitar during several of this present group's performances even with a broken wrist. This dtermination and dedication is a trademark of the Chandlers.
Dallas, Lenore, and Sherry love the Lord and Gospel music and are dedicated to the ministry to which God has called them. They are all determined to represent Jesus Christ wherever the door is opened.
Over the years the Chandlers have parlayed excellent song selection, wise recording advice, a knowledge of what works for them, and the love and devotion of their fans into one of the most successful careers in Southern Gospel Music. Top charting songs don't just "happen". A lot of ingredients make it work and God has blessed The Chandlers with those ingredients.
The Chandler's latest single, written by James McKee, pretty much sums up the family's feelings regarding their music. "Jesus Is The REason" was shipped to Gospel radio in July and a concert video will debut shortly. Of this, Lenore Chandler shared with USGN readers, "That's it. We really love the Lord and "Jesus Is The Reason" we are singing. That's why we're out every weekend!"
Lenore manages most of the office duties for the Chandlers and in late January noted an increased number of calls to the office. "Most of the callers were asking questions about our recordings and mentioned one of our older songs, 'This Man Jesus,'" She said. "I asked several callers where they had heard about us and they said GMT, Gospel Music Television. That was our first knowledge that the Milford, Delaware based satelite network was airing our music."
In February, the Chandlers received more startling, but happy news, "Mr. Harold Brown, president of GMT, informed us that we were the second most requested group on the network and they wanted as much video footage as we had," Lenore said. She continued , "We talked to Mr Eddie Crook, our record producer and between the two of us, we sent everyting we had to GMT. The rest has just been amazing!"
On June 4th the Chandlers flew to Mildord, Delaware, and on June 5th, during dinner with GMT executives, they presented Harold Brown a plaque of appreciation for the network's efforts in promoting Gospel music via satelite television. GMT airs on some cable netowrks, but for the most part, it is only available on satelite," Lenore explained. "The Chandlers as well as other groups in the industry, are urging their fans to contact their local cable companies asking them to add GMT to their programming."
The Chandlers promote a Christmas Concert each year during the first week of December. This year's concert is slated for December 5th at the W.L. Mills Auditorium in Gatlinburg, TN and will headline the Palmetto State Quartet, The Perry Sisters, New Journey, and the Steels. This event concert coincides with Gatlinburg's Christmas Parade and the Smoky Mountain Lights Festival.
Since Jesus is the real reason for the Season, how fitting that the Chandlers single "Jesus Is The Reason" will be airing on Gopsel radio AND on the brand new medium for Gospel music, Gospel Music Television during the December concert. It is just another way that God has placed His stamp of approval on the music ministry of the Chandlers and the heritage they continue!
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