Karen Peck and New River is a southern gospel mixed group based in Gainesville, Georgia.
Music career
The youngest of three daughters, Karen was exposed to the traditional sounds of gospel music at a very early age. Her parents often took Karen and her sisters, Susan and Sandra, to the all-night sings in Atlanta. These concerts left an indelible mark on the youngsters who made a pact to someday share a musical ministry of their own.
One of the groups often featured at the Atlanta concerts was The Lefevres, who later became known as The Nelons. Karen had aspirations of singing with the Nelons. In 1981, Karen was invited to travel with them, and remained in the group for 10 years.
Finally in 1991, Karen and her sister, Susan, with Karen's husband Rickey, organized the musical entourage of Karen Peck and New River. Rickey was part of the New River Band along with Danny Crawford (piano), Craig Nobles (piano), David Owens (bass guitar), among other guys until the band was dropped in 1999 and the group became a vocal trio.
Karen Peck and New River have garnered 11 Favorite Soprano Fan Awards from the readers of The Singing News Magazine, Southern Gospel Music's leading fan and trade publication. Karen and group have also received many awards from other magazine publications and Internet publications. They have had five consecutive No. 1 songs in southern gospel music.
The group have appeared on such prestigious stages as The Grand Ole Opry, The Gaither Homecoming concerts, Opryland Theme Park, Dollywood and Six Flags Over Georgia and beyond. Over the past decade, they have been featured on many television networks, with appearances on programs such as TBN's Praise The Lord, and the Grand Ole Opry Live. The group has enjoyed many honors and accolades.
Their album "Journey of Joy" received a Grammy nomination for 2008. "Journey of Joy" was also nominated for three Dove Awards. This album has three consecutive No. 1 songs: "Hey", "Last Night", and "Whispered Prayers". A few of their other popular hits include: "Why Can't All God's Children Get Along", "I Want to Thank You", "Hold Me While I Cry", "Just One Touch", "I Wanna Know How It Feels", "God Likes To Work", "Daddy’s Home", "When Jesus Passes By", "God Still Answers Prayer", and "Christian In The House". Additionally, the group’s number one hit, "Four Days Late", was also named Song of the Year by readers of The Singing New Magazine in 2001 and the SGMA Awards and continues to be a favorite among audiences.
In September 2008, Daywind released Ephesians One. The album, featured the No. 1 song "I Want To Thank You", which was nominated for a Grammy in 2009. In 2009, Daywind released their album "No Worries, and in 2010, the DVD/CD "Live at Oak Tree" was nominated for a 2010 Grammy Award (their third Grammy nomination). July 2011 brought the release of "Reach Out". "Each time we go into the studio to record a new album," Karen shares, "we're at a different place in our walk with Christ than the last time we prepared for a recording. Therefore, obviously, each recording pulls at a different heart string, yet the message of hope is always present. That's what life in Christ is all about. As a result of various circumstances each of us have faced over the past years, we're at a point in our lives where we realize that anything we achieve or accomplish is all because of Christ. It is an honor to serve Him."
Today the New River team consists vocally of Karen Peck Gooch, Kari Gooch Baucom, Susan Peck Jackson, Grant Gibson, and Matthew Gooch on guitar. Additionally, Rickey Gooch serves as the group's road manager and sound technician. David, Susan's spouse, founded and is the owner of the Jackson Steel Guitar Company.
Members Current members Karen Peck Gooch (born March 12, 1960), soprano, 1991–present Susan Peck Jackson (born February 4, 1957), alto (Karen's sister), 1991–present Rickey Gooch, travel manager and sound technician and occasional drums (Karen's husband), 1991–present Kari Gooch, 2nd soprano/alto, 2013–present Grant Gibson, lead, 2018–present Matthew Gooch, guitar, 2010-present
Former members David White (tenor) 1991–1993, 1994–1999 David Owen (bass guitar) 1991–1999 Danny Crawford (piano) 1991–1993 Craig Nobles (piano) 1993–1999 Eric Morris (tenor) 1993–1994 John Rowsey (tenor) 1999–2002 Jason Jackson (tenor) 2002–2004 Paul Lancaster (tenor) 2004 Devin McGlamery (tenor) 2004–2009 Jeff Hawes, tenor, 2010–2015 Ricky Braddy 2015–2017
Discography 1991: Karen Peck and New River 1992: Restoration 1993: Daddy's Home 1994: Live From The Alabama Theatre 1995: Unlimited 1996: Right on Time 1997: Makin' a Difference 1999: Turn It Loose 2000: A Taste of Grace 2001: Triumph 2003: For His Glory 2004: Faith, Hope, & Love 2005: Good to Be Free 2007: Journey of Joy 2008: Ephesians One 2009: No Worries 2010: Live at Oak Tree 2011: Reach Out 2012: Georgia Mountain Christmas 2013: Revival 2015: Pray Now 2017: Hope For All Nations 2020: Lift His Name 2022: 2:22 2025: Good Answers
Karen Peck Solo albums 1989: My Father's Words 1996: Carry Faith 2012: How You Walk the Miles
Compilations 2000: A Southern Gospel Decade 2007: The Best of Karen Peck and New River 2016: 25 Anniversary – Collectors Edition
Singles Singing News Magazine Top 40 Singles 1992: "Why Can't All God's Children Get Along" No. 2 1993: "God Answers Prayer" No. 4 1993: "Rain & Shine" No. 2 1993: "When Jesus Passes By" No. 2 1993: "Whenever the Wind Blows" No. 22 1994: "Daddy's Home" No. 6 1994: "He's Sending Miracles" No. 6 1995: "God Likes to Work" No. 1 1996: "Ten Thousand Angels Cried" No. 13 1999: "Christian in the House" No. 33 1999: "UFO" No. 19 2001: "Four Days Late" No. 1 2001: "The Truth Is" No. 24 2002: "I Wanna Know How It Feels" No. 3 2003: "Now That You Know" No. 14 2003: "Rejoice in the Lord" No. 27 2004: "That's Why They Call It Grace" No. 6 2005: "Get About God's Business" No. 11 2005: "Just One Touch" No. 3 2006: "River of Peace" No. 8 2006: "Hold Me While I Cry" No. 1 2007: "Last Night" No. 1 2008: "Hey" No. 1 2008: "Whispered Prayers" No. 1 2009: "I Want to Thank You" No. 1 2009: "Ephesians Chapter One" No. 9 2010: "Why Can't All God's Children Get Along" No. 2 2010: "Why Should I Worry" No. 4 2011: "On the Banks of the Promised Land" No. 1 2011: "Special Love" No. 8 2012: "Mighty Big God" No. 1 2012: "Good Things Are Happening" No. 2 2013: "Sustaining Grace" No. 8 2014: "Revival" No. 1 2014: "Finish Well" No. 1 2015: "Everybody's Going Through Something" No. 2 2015: "Pray Now" No. 1 2016: "I Am Blessed" No. 2 2017: "Calling" No. 1
Awards Absolutely Gospel (SGN) Music Award 2002: Progressive Song of the Year – "Four Days Late" 2002: Song of the Year – "Four Days Late" 2003: Female Vocalist of the Year 2004: Progressive Song of the Year – "That's Why They Call It Grace" 2006: Progressive Album of the Year – Good To Be Free 2008: Progressive Album of the Year – Journey of Joy 2008: Progressive Song of the Year – "Last Night" 2009: Country/Bluegrass Song of the Year – "Hey" 2010: Country Song of the Year – "I Want to Thank You" 2010: Fan Favorite Artist of the Year 2010: Progressive Album of the Year – No Worries 2010: Song of the Year – "I Want to Thank You" 2011: Fan Favorite Artist of the Year 2011: Female Vocalist of the Year 2011: Mixed Group of the Year 2011: Progressive Song of the Year – "Why Can't All God's Children Get Along" 2012: Fan Favorite Artist of the Year 2012: Mixed Group of the Year 2012: Progressive Song of the Year – "On the Banks of the Promised Land" 2012: Song of the Year – "On the Banks of the Promised Land" 2012: Susan Unthank Memorial Award – Karen Peck Gooch 2013: Album of the Year – How You Walk the Miles (Karen Peck solo recording) 2013: Song of the Year – "Mighty Big God"
Singing News Fan Awards 1986: Favorite Soprano - Karen Peck (with the Nelons) 1987: Favorite Soprano - Karen Peck (with the Nelons) 1988: Favorite Soprano - Karen Peck (with the Nelons) 1989: Favorite Soprano - Karen Peck Gooch (with the Nelons) 1990: Favorite Soprano - Karen Peck Gooch (with the Nelons) 1991: Favorite Soprano - Karen Peck Gooch 1992: Favorite Soprano - Karen Peck Gooch 1993: Favorite Soprano - Karen Peck Gooch 1994: Favorite Soprano - Karen Peck Gooch 1995: Favorite Soprano - Karen Peck Gooch 1996: Favorite Soprano - Karen Peck Gooch 2001: Favorite Song - "Four Days Late" 2020: Favorite Young Artist - Kari Gooch 2022: Favorite Soprano - Karen Peck Gooch 2023: Favorite Soprano - Karen Peck Gooch
Diamond Awards 1992: Sunrise Award Recipient 2005: Trio of the Year 2009: Song of the Year – "Whispered Prayers" 2009: Album of the Year – Ephesians One 2009: Mixed Group of the Year
Southern Gospel Music Fan Fair Awards 2001: Song of the year – "Four Days Late" 2002: Female Vocalist of the Year 2004/05/06: Female Vocalist of the Year 2007: Favorite Alto – Susan Peck Jackson 2007: Favorite Soprano 2007: Song of the Year – "Hold Me While I Cry" 2007: Trio of the Year 2009: Favorite Soprano 2009: Trio of the Year
Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame
2016 Inductee - Karen Peck Gooch (as a member of the Nelons)
2018 Inductee- Karen Peck Gooch (individually) Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame
2021 Inductee - Karen Peck Gooch
References
External links
Interview with Karen Peck YouTube