Tragic Plane Crash Claims Lives of Three Nelons Members and Four Others
Three Members of Gospel Group the Nelons, along with Four Others, Died in Tragic Plane Crash
Three members of The Nelons, one of the most adored gospel music families in America, perished in a tragic plane crash, leaving the gospel music community in great sadness.
Tragically, the cherished Nelon family, who were well-known for their inspirational music, died in an aircraft crash while en route to play in Alaska. Their sudden passing shocked the music business as well as others.
The family was traveling to a performance on Friday, July 26, when the awful tragedy happened. Gaither Music, the group’s management business, broke the devastating news on Instagram.
The family’s lone survivor, Autumn Nelon Streetman, posted the depressing update on her Instagram account. Kelly Nelon, her husband Jason Nelon Clark, and their daughter Amber were all killed in the collision.
Among the dead were Melodi Hodges, the band’s assistant, and Nathan Kistler, Amber’s spouse. Sadly, Larry Haynie, the pilot, and his spouse Melissa also lost their lives.
At the time of the catastrophe, the Nelons were traveling to Alaska for the Gaither Homecoming Cruise. An inquiry into the incident has been started by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Along with her husband Jamie Streetman, Kelly’s younger daughter Autumn was also verified by Gaither Music not to be on the aircraft. When they arrived in Seattle, they were told about the tragedy.
“Autumn and Jamie will return home for now to Kelly’s brother, Todd Nelon, and his wife, Rhonda, to begin the hard tasks that lie ahead,” Gaither Music stated. During this difficult period, the management also asked for prayers for Autumn and Jamie, as well as for the families of Nathan, Larry, and Melodi.
Autumn also sent her sincere gratitude to her fans for their outpouring of support following the tragic plane disaster. “Thank you for the prayers and love extended to me, my husband Jamie, and our soon-to-be baby boy, as well as to Jason’s parents, Dan and Linda Clark,” Autumn wrote.
“We deeply appreciate your continued prayers and support as we face the days ahead,” she said. Jamie and Autumn are expecting their baby boy in December, and they are quite excited about his arrival. Amidst the recent tragedy, the anticipation has been a bright spot since Autumn first shared their happy news back in April.
The Nelons had sent their viewers a happy little clip just before the mishap. Their excitement for the next Alaskan Cruise performance was captured in the video. Jason joyfully announced, “Homecoming Alaskan Cruise, we just landed in Nebraska,” at the beginning of the film before introducing the crew and the pilot.
This video has stunned viewers all over the world and is now a disturbing memory. A moving response was given by one who said, “Little did they know none of them would survive this.” The gospel music community will always remember and feel the Nelons’ legacy strongly because of the innumerable lives and hearts that their tunes touched.
The Nelons were more than simply a band; they were a phenomenon in music, skillfully fusing hymns, folk, gospel, a cappella, and inspiring songs into a mesmerizing symphony.
This Grammy-nominated family’s exceptional talent and creative strategy won them a devoted following. Co-founder Kelly, a formidable soprano, and her husband Jason Clark, a gifted musician and producer, were at the center of this remarkable group.
They produced a stunning and incredibly poignant sound experience with their kids, Amber and Autumn. With Kelly’s gorgeous alto, Jason’s skill at creating catchy harmonies, and their girls’ amazing voices, they created a sound that captivated listeners everywhere.
Their skill sent them to stages across the United States and beyond, including churches, festivals, and large arenas. The performances by The Nelons were evidence of their exceptional enthusiasm and versatility.
Their concerts were moving experiences with uplifting messages for the audience. Through their distinctive mashup of genres, The Nelons united admirers of all ages and across generations.
The group’s extraordinary talent not only won them accolades that highlight their tremendous contributions to the music industry, but it also won them significant honors. Their impressive list of achievements includes the 2021 GMA Dove Award for Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year, which they won for their poignant song “If God Pulled Back The Curtain.”
In addition, Kelly’s extraordinary vocal abilities were recognized in 2010 when she won the PEOPLE’S Choice Telly Award for Favorite Female Vocalist. The Nelons’ catchy song “Excuse Me, Are You Jesus?” earned them the 2013 Silver Telly Award for Best Internet/Online Music Video.
The magic they brought to the stage is evident in songs like “What to Expect,” “Christmas in Heaven,” and “Let It Go.” Their legacy, which honors the peace and happiness they shared with everyone, will always be felt.
There is a significant gap in the gospel music industry as a result of The Nelons’ family members passing away. The world came to a complete halt when a well-known member of “The Beatles” passed away.
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