The Hoppers (until 1981: Hopper Brothers and Connie) are a multi award-winning American Southern gospel singing group from North Carolina. Their music combines Southern gospel with Pop, country, and rock music.
The Hoppers are a family ensemble which first began performing together in 1957. They appeared at the inauguration ceremony for Ronald Reagan in 1981. They won awards for Mixed Vocal Group from the Southern Gospel Music Association in 1982 and 1983. Both Claude and Connie Hopper have been inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2014 (Claude) and 2010 (Connie) respectively. In addition, the Hoppers were inducted into the Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame in 2012.
Kim Greene of The Greenes joined the group in 1989 after marrying vocalist and former drummer Dean Hopper the year before. Their first major hit at Christian radio was "Here I Am", in 1990; they would score many further hits, including "Grace Will Always Be Greater”," "Mention My Name”, ”Blame It On Love”, “The Ride”, "Hope”," "I’ve Come Too Far”, “He Didn’t Just Carry the Cross", "That's Him," and "Yes I Am" and their most successful single to date "Jerusalem" for which they recorded a live video in 2004 from the city itself. The Hoppers continue in the 2020s with the same line up for the past 30+ years.
Mike Hopper married Denice in 1996, who became the group's pianist. In 1998, their version of "Shoutin' Time" was a commercial success, and the group performed with Bill and Gloria Gaither. They won several further Southern Gospel Music Awards in following years[when?]. In addition, member Connie Hopper won the career Marvin Norcross Award in 1998. They also performed on the album Tribute To Dottie Rambo, which was a nominee for "Special Event Album of the Year" at the Dove Awards of 1999.
The group has appeared on the Gaither Homecoming tour frequently, and Claude and Dean Hopper are members of the board of directors of the North Carolina Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Mike Hopper has appeared[when?] on the television program Touched by an Angel.
In 2007, the Hoppers signed to the shortly revived Canaan Record Label. Their release, "The Ride", was originally recorded independently, then re-released on the Canaan label. January 2009 brought the first recording under the Canaan umbrella titled, "North America, Live!". With distribution under the Spring Hill Music Group label, the Hoppers released "Something's Happening" in August 2010. Gaither Music Group released "The Best of The Hoppers" in 2010, compiling some of their best loved performances from the Gaither Homecoming Series.
Since 2011 the Hoppers have released several albums including: "Hymns: A Classic Collection" (2011), "Count Me In" (2012), "Kids" (2014), "Life Is Good" (2016), "Honor The First Families Of Gospel Music" (2017), "Anchored: A Collection Of New Favorites" (2018), "Grace" (2019), "Hope" (2021) and most recently "Believe" (2022).
Kim Hopper has released three solo projects, "Imagine" (2003) under the Spring Hill Label, "I Just Wanted You To Know" (August 2008) with Canaan Records, and most recently "Softly & Tenderly" (2021) with KGH Records.
Awards and recognition
Group
Singing News Favorite Mixed Group Award 1997-98-99-00-01-02-03-05-08-09-10-11
Mixed Vocal Group SGMA 1982-83-98-99-00-01
"Hearts-A-Flame" Mixed Group Award 95-96-97
Singing News Favorite Artist Web Site 2005
Dove Award for Children's Music Album of the Year in 2014 for "Kids"
Dove Award for Southern Gospel Album Of The Year in 2023 for "Believe"
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